The Best Fourth of July Menu Ever

Sorry, Thanksgiving. 4th of July is maybe our top favorite eating holiday now. After all, who would we be without hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, and corn on the cob?! We don’t care to imagine it.

 

So, to celebrate the 4th, here is the very best menu ever… That’s my story and I’m stickin to it!

Best-Ever Burger

There are about a million ways to top a hamburger, and we’re not here to tell you what goes onto your patty. It is our duty to make sure that you’re cooking burgers as best as you possibly can. Our golden rules: Be sure to let the meat come to room temperature and season generously with salt and pepper before you grill up.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground beef
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 Tbsp. melted butter
• 3 slices cheese, such as American

FOR SERVING

• 3 hamburger buns
• 1 large tomato, thinly sliced
• Iceberg lettuce
• Minced white onion

Directions

1. Shape beef into 3 equal-sized patties, about 1″ wider than the bun. Season both sides of each patty liberally with salt and pepper. Press a wide, shallow indent into the center of each burger.  
2. If grilling: Heat grill or grill pan to high. Grill patties until crust develops and they’re no longer pink, 6 minutes. Flip and immediately brush with melted butter on top of each patty. Cook 3 minutes more then add cheese. Continue cooking to desired doneness, 3 minutes more for medium.
3. If cooking in skillet: Heat skillet to medium-high heat and cook patties until crust develops and they’re no longer pink, 6 minutes. Flip and immediately brush with melted butter on top of each patty. Cook 3 minutes more then add cheese. Continue cooking to desired doneness, 3 minutes more for medium.
4. Sandwich burgers between buns with desired fixings. 

 

Berries and Cream Charcuterie Board

Here at Delish, we think anything can become a charcuterie board, including the iconic combination of berries and cream. This DIY spread is an ideal summer treat for feeding a few friends on a warm weekend afternoon or impressing a crowd during your next big party. The only thing better than fresh, sweet berries is piling them on angel food cake with sweet ricotta or whipped cream.

Ingredients

SWEET WHIPPED RICOTTA

• 8 oz. whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1 Tbsp. honey
• Pinch of kosher salt

ASSEMBLY

• Homemade or store-bought angel food cake, pound cake, biscuits, or shortbread cookies
• 1 c. each fresh strawberries, blueberries, cherries, blackberries, and raspberries 

Directions

• SWEET WHIPPED RICOTTA
  1. In a food processor or blender, blend ricotta, honey, and salt on high speed until ricotta is fluffy and light, about 2 minutes. Transfer whipped ricotta to a small serving bowl.
  2. Make Ahead: Whipped ricotta can be made 5 days ahead. Transfer to an airtight container and chill.

 

• ASSEMBLY
  1. Using a star-shaped cookie cutter, cut baked goods into star shapes, if desired.
  2. Rinse fruit and pat dry with paper towels. Place bowl of whipped ricotta on a platter alongside baked goods. Arrange fruit by color around bowls. 

 

BBQ Grilled Chicken

Let’s be honest: grilled chicken may not seem like the most exciting meat out there, but it’s affordable, crowd-pleasing, and a snap to cook. You won’t want to sleep on the sauce, which is a classic BBQ jazzed up with honey and lime.

Ingredients

• 2 c. barbecue sauce
• Juice of 1 lime
• 2 Tbsp. honey
• 1 Tbsp. hot sauce
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts (or drumsticks)
• Vegetable oil, for grill

Directions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together barbecue sauce, lime juice, honey, and hot sauce and season with salt and pepper. Set aside 1/2 cup for basting.
2. Add chicken to bowl and toss until coated.
3. Heat grill to high. Oil grates and grill chicken, basting with reserved marinade, until charred, 8 minutes per side for breasts, and 10 to 12 minutes per side for drumsticks.

Article by Mackenzie Filson for Delish©

 

Related:  Easy 4th of July Recipes Your Family Will Devour – TUTORING YOU