Great 4th of July Barbecue Ideas

Celebrating the 4th of July is one of our nation’s most important pastimes – and it’s also an excellent time to show off all of the skills you’ve learned in your culinary classes. Although the standard hamburgers and hot dogs are always a crowd favorite, why not surprise your guests with recipes that take an exciting twist on traditional 4th of July fare?

Here are a few excellent and simple recipes for a unique – not to mention mouthwatering – 4th of July spread that your friends and family won’t forget!

Root beer baked beans – Bon Appetit magazine

What to grab:

• 1 ½ cups root beer (the more artisanal, the better!)
• 3 tablespoons light molasses
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 4 15-ounce cans cannellini (white kidney) beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
• 3 ½ cups chopped onions
• 4 slices applewood smoked bacon, cut into 1-inch crosswise pieces

What to do:

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook down the bacon in a large oven-friendly pot on medium heat until crisp. Transfer the bacon bits onto a plate lined with paper towels with a slotted spoon. Add the onion to the bacon drippings, then sweat until brown and translucent, around 8 minutes. Add the garlic and stir until fragrant, around 1 minute. Next, put the beans, root beer, vinegar, molasses mustard, chili powder, tomato paste, salt and pepper into the pot and mix. Fold in bacon then bring all of the ingredients to a boil. Immediately transfer to your preheated oven and baked uncovered for around 30 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.

Grilled Chicken with white barbecue sauce – Woman’s Day magazine

What to grab:

• 5 pounds of chicken pieces (mix of wings, drumsticks, thighs and quartered breasts)
• 1 ½ cups fat-free or light mayonnaise
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• ¼ cup water
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest, grated
• 2 tablespoons white-wine Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 3 large garlic cloves, crushed with a press
• 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
• 2 teaspoons sugar

What to do:

Grab a large 2-gallon ziptop bag. Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl and then place the chicken in the bag. Add ½ cup of the mixture into the bag, then toss the chicken to coat. Refrigerate the remaining sauce and allow the chicken to marinate in the fridge for up to two days.

When you’re ready to cook, heat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and bake for 35 minutes, turning the chicken pieces over once.

Then, fire up your outdoor grill to medium-high heat and transfer your chicken to the grill. Turn the chicken while basting with another ½ cup of the reserved sauce for another 15 minutes. Then, transfer the cooked chicken pieces to a platter and serve alongside a bowl of the remaining chilled sauce.

If you like this post, please be sure to check out the following!

How To Grill Chicken Kebabs
How To Cook Refried Beans
How To Grill Shrimp