 All week long we'll be taking polls to craft the USA's ultimate July 4th picnic menu. We'll share our favorite recipes, picnic tips and the most spirited comments and suggestions from our readers, so keep checking in. Things are bound to start sizzling. Round 1: Main dishes & drinks Previously – Up your grilling game Try one of our spirited original drink recipes See all our best grilling advice at Grilling 101 |
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Sounds like a very fun picnic wish I could travel more to see some of these events.
The drink is going to have to be sangria...this time of year, white wine with peaches, strawberries, whatever is in season goes right in the carafe...and steeps as long as you have...then eat the fruit with angel food cake!
...oh yeah, and ICE COLD BEER!
How 'bout a WHOLE PIG for a great PIG PICKIN'? Nothing beats pulled pig hot from the smoker that's been basted in a simple pig pickin' marinade (vinegar, hot peppers, salt and pepper)... although I have to admit, after living in Chicago for a while, those brats were dam*ed tasty!!! Some spicy deli mustard, onions and kraut... good eatin'!
Pizza. Throw a pizza on the grill and add some applewood chips for that smoke and it's on and poppin'.
Just make sure to use indirect heat to seal the deal. Then you'll be saying "hey...man...what's goin on...wit chu...pizza?"
For the main meal it has to be Bratwurst for me. Maybe some hamburgers too but you have to grill some Brats if you're in Wisconsin.
Beer is fine for a beverage; this year it will be my own homebrew.
Smoke Brisket gets top honors at my 4th party. We do a theme every year (say all beef, or all ribs, or bbq sandwhiches, or steaks, classic burgers and dogs) and the years where we do smoked brisket it always gets rave reviews. Most of the time people are grabbing it off the cutting board as we're slicing it.
I am sooooo with you on the brisket! That's my Memorial Day tradition, along with smoked baked beans, beer can chicken & bok choy slaw. Takes patience, but so very worth it.
Brisket rules the 4th in the Texas Hill Country****
Original Boca Burgers are the only way to go! They're healthy, and they taste great!
http://www.bocaburger.com
We're in South Central Texas, and we ALWAYS cook brats.....finally, something good from the Yankees!!!
I smoke about 30 lbs of pork shoulder and then serve pulled pork sandwiches with BBQ sauce on the side to the whole Volunteer Fire Department.
It was Independance day. We voted and the Eagle won. We should be grilling the Turkey. And I'd prefer spiking the lemonade for a typically hot day.
Like, OMG. Whole-wheat free range organic gluten-free tofu on humanely-raised fat free buns. Think of the poor animals. The poor, tasty, tasty animals.
As an educated Hoosier it pains me to say something so stereotypical, but i am ready to grill some corn on the cob in the husk.
New york: italian sweet sausage, peppers and onions, bbq chicken, mac and potato salad, german franks and coneys!!!
Morningstar farms riblets and boca dogs for sure. Not hatin' on you meat eaters, I just prefer not to eat fleshy things.
Brats!
Here in Arkansas I am sure it is burgers and or brauts..but I hate brauts..so we do ribs slowcooked on the grill with home-made baked beans-potato salad( mustard)Texas toast-and cole slaw. Then we take the boat out for the firework display on the lake..simply AMAZING!!! Beer–good food-a great entertainment..what more could you ask for..and this year i took 12 days of vacartion before and after the 4th!
There will be LOTs of Brats on the 4th... Mmmmmm
It all sounds great – tell me where to be!!!!
They are with the ribs, potato salad. baked/bbq whatever you want to call them Maty.
Jumbo shrimp, split open with jalapeno wedge and cream cheese inserted, then wrap the whole magilla with thick bacon and cook on the grill. Also, steak and vidalia onions seared on the grill with a side of cold salad and hot buttered corn on the cob. YUMMM!
Where are the barbeque beans?
I will be having a lion burger.
Italian Sausage w/ Sweet Peppers and Hot Giardiniera. Chicago and Neighborhood Tradition. With a Cold Beer.
Nice BBQ Chicken, corn on the grill, the sun is shining on the back deck, the pool is perfect and I will have a cold Vodka/Tonic in my hand.
Brats? No thanks! Tried 'em, didn't care for 'em, won't bother with 'em again!
Now a good old fashioned hot link is a different story altogether! Better tasting, more kick....what's not to like?
And if you live in the northeast, check out the White (Pork) Hots! The absolute best, hands down!!
If you havent tried double stuffed burgers I definitely recommend it. Take 2 patties of ground beef and top one of them with mozzarella, onions, and jalapeno slices. Then place the other patty over the toppings and seal both patties so that the cheese, jalapenos, and onions are not showing. Season and throw on the grill for awhile. What you'll end up with is a moist, flavorful burger oozing with cheese and jalapenos. Once you make one, you'll never go back. I promise. Jalapeno shrimp stuffed with crab meat is also amazing. Don't forget to have the beer pong table ready.
tri-tip, grilled potato, and some grilled corn on the cob and most def some good ice cold beer
Fried Chicken, deviled eggs, potato salad, and sweet potato pound cake. What a way to spend the 4th!
fred-- add hot sauce to the mayo/parm mixture for the grilled corn...unreal
Burgers and Beer on the Fourth. Why should it be any different than any other day?
ribs,potato-salad bake beans and cold beer
I like everyone's suggestions, especially the one with crabs!
Margaritas! And, guacamole with chips. Fiesta!
well thats very American...
dont be a douche-icle
The 3 B's: Burgers, Brats, and Beer. And don't forget to bring lots of fixins (mustard, mayo, relish, and rabbit food).
Zweigles "Pop-Open" white hots, on the grill till they pop – YUM
Mmm now this is "news" I can get into. Probably burgers n' brats. Mac salad, potato salad, grilled corn on the cob, and cold brews. For dessert? Fresh watermelon for the perfect summer finisher.
Lobster,corn, potato salad,
Arnold Palmer cold drink
Red Velvet cake
Brats!!
Corn on the cob. Nothing beats it grilled in the husk and topped with butter or even better...mayo and parmesan cheese!
Brisket. In Texas its a must
definitely! along with the pinto bean, potato salad & cornbread. MMM! MMMM! don't forget the Lone Star.
Seafood, 4th at the shore, always leads with Crabs, clams, lobsters, salmon or some other fish. Ribs make it too, but seafood leads.
that sounds great party at the beach with a lobster/crab bake.
Back in MA, it was steamers and lobster at the beach; live in MO now, so it's burgers and brats!
I'll go with Bratwurst
Gotta go with the brats ... eh!
and beer!
"Picnic" potato salad and deviled eggs. It's the only time I get them!
Brats must be a choice along with burgers. If only those outside Wisconsin knew the great taste of brats they would be regular fare at any cookout across the U.S.
Watermelon and potato chips should also be included.
And way up north here, reindeer (or caribou) brats are absolutely required – possibly by law! – on the 4th!
that was why i voted other! reindeer for SURE!
Yep – brauts for sure!!!!!!!! Going to the Correlitas Sausage and Meat store this week to pick some up.
Brats are a definate favorite in the Upper Peninsula of MI. Beer Brats better yet!!
Brats – definitely, or other sausages. Hot dogs are for little kids.
Scott – My kids get mad if I make them hot dogs instead of brats! Some kids are smart enough to know which is the best!
Oh Yeah! Brats with some hot mustard and 'kraut on top of a nice deli roll (no hot dog buns).
We in Missouri know about brats and they are regularly included along with hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, and steaks!
I live in the Pacific NW, and Johnsonville brats commercials have been on for at least 19 years that I know of... they're essential tailgating fare... geesh! You must not get out much! The rest of the world knows what you guys eat up there in "WISCONSIN", and we eat it too... along with chiles from New Mexico, and perogies from Pennsylvania, and Chicago dogs...