The fireworks command attention on the 4th July, but let’s be honest, the thing we’re all really looking forward to is the BBQ.
So to help fire up your imagination before you fire up your grill, here are three recipes to inspire your Independence Day festivities. With these flaming hot dishes, you’ll be sure to ignite the taste buds of your friends and family.
Burgers, Burgers & More Burgers
Let’s turn up the heat this 4th July with a burger that’s hot hot hot!
Beef Burgers with Jalapeños, Cheddar, and Crispy Pepperoni
Ingredients:
Vegetable, Canola, or other heat-tolerant oil for prepping your grill grates
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 slices pepperoni
1/2 jalapeño, sliced thinly
2 oz. Cheddar cheese, sliced thinly
Hamburger buns
Sliced lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and/or other of your favorite condiments
Directions:
· Fire up your grill for both direct and indirect cooking at a medium-high heat, and once it’s hot, lightly oil the grill grates.
· While your grill preheats, gently shape your beef burgers into flat and round balls. In this recipe you should aim to make 4 burgers. When you’ve fashioned them into a consistent shape and thickness, use your thumb to make a shallow indentation in the center of each patty. Season with salt and pepper.
· Place the beef burgers on the grill, indent side up, until they’re brown. It should take approximately 4-5 minutes. Flip the burgers at the midway point, when you see the bottom sides begin to brown.
· While you’re doing this, grill the pepperoni, turning it frequently, until it’s sizzling and starting to crisp. Then plate it up. It’s almost time to eat.
· Now that your burgers are nearly cooked, it’s time to move the patties to the indirect heat side of the grill and add the jalapeño peppers and Cheddar cheese on top.
· Now, in the final stage, cover the grill until the Cheddar cheese has melted. It usually takes about 1 or 2 minutes.
· Finally, top the buns with the grilled pepperoni, fresh lettuce, and any condiments you choose. Serve while hot!
Lip-Smackin’ BBQ Chicken
This is a recipe straight from South Carolina. It’s so tasty it’s impossible to eat without smackin’ your lips and going in for seconds.
Ingredients:
2 cups ketchup
1 cup cider vinegar
1 cup water
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons prepared mustard
3 teaspoons ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
6 pounds assorted bone-in chicken pieces
Directions:
· Grab a large saucepan, because loads of things are going into this super-easy grill recipe. Combine all of the first 11 ingredients from the ingredients list above and bring them to a boil.
· Once boiling, lower the heat to a simmer. Keep the saucepan uncovered and maintain the low heat for between 60-90 minutes or until the ingredients are thickened. Stir occasionally.
· Now, take out half of the sauce — but keep it close by so you can brush it onto the chicken later. Keep the remaining sauce warm for serving later on.
· It’s time to fire up the grill to a medium heat. Place the chicken on the grill and maintain medium direct heat for 25-35 minutes or until juices run clear. Don’t forget to turn the chicken a couple of times and brush the sauce over it for the last 10 minutes of cooking.
· Finally, top the chicken with the remaining sauce that you’ve kept warm. Plate it up and enjoy with a salad and snacks.
Balsamic-Lime Sweet Potatoes on the Grill
If you’re hosting a party and need grill recipes for the 4th July that don’t include meat, then this grilled lime and balsamic sweet potatoes recipe is a vegetarian treat!
Ingredients:
5 sweet potatoes (medium-sized – it should be around 3 pounds)
1 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1/4 cup lime juice
3 tablespoons of your favorite balsamic glaze
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped (fresh is best)
1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
Directions:
· Grab your sweet potatoes. Start by peeling them and then slice them down the length of each into about 8 wedges per potato.
· Drizzle the oil into a bowl and add pepper and salt to help bring out the flavor. Toss in your sweet potato wedges and mix.
· Heat the grill to medium heat. Grease the grill rack. Add the sweet potatoes and cook until the potatoes are soft enough to cut with a fork (ten minutes or less should do it). Turn the potatoes occasionally.
· While the potatoes are grilling, mix in the remaining ingredients in the bowl you intend to serve in. Once the potatoes are soft and brown, add them to the other ingredients and mix.
· Serve and enjoy!
These three grill recipes for the 4th of July are oh-so-perfect for one of the biggest celebrations of the year. You and your guests will be licking your fingers clean, just don’t forget to hand out some napkins! Here at Tredway Pools, we’ve got a wide range of grills because we think cooking is always more fun when it’s done outside under the sun. Stop by our showroom or browse our selection of Saber & Primo grills online!
