4th of July BBQ & Grilling

If you're the grillmaster this year, our Independence Day recipes will start you off with a bang.

Staff Picks

Sheboygan Grilled Brats

Rating: 4.44 stars
67
Growing up on a lake in the Sheboygan area, this was a standard way that the German folks would grill their brats. We always served them on the old-fashioned hard rolls. By finishing them in the beer sauce they just get better and better. Though it's expensive, on special occasions I use a dark beer which is not German at all: Guinness Irish Stout. Around our house, we eat them with ketchup and mustard, and the cooked onions from the brat sauce.

Caribbean-Inspired Grilled Chicken Kabobs

Rating: 4.32 stars
24
Caribbean-inspired chicken kabobs. You can substitute green pepper for the red pepper, if desired.

Margarita Grilled Corn on the Cob

Rating: 4.11 stars
6
Grilled corn on the cob with a twist of lime and a little chili powder. Great for everyone!

Grilled Root Beer Beef

Rating: 3.57 stars
2
Treating lamb to this root beer marinade has historically been a success, so I've been eager to try it with some skewered beef. I originally used 2 tablespoons honey, which was too sweet, so I've adjusted it in the ingredients list and added vinegar as well. This recipe is easy to adapt, and I'm not just talking about the pre-grill soak, but also the glaze we make with the extra marinade. The flavor is reminiscent of bourbon beef.

Maui Wowie Shrimp

Rating: 4.69 stars
42
Easy recipe to put together for that laid-back 'Maui Wowie' person. Great for the beach or backyard BBQ. You will be surprised by the onolicious flavor. This dish always gets the Shaka sign!

Yeah, I-Lived-in-Texas, Smoked Brisket

Rating: 4.43 stars
29
This is hands-down the best way I have found to cook a brisket.

BBQ Salmon and Fruit Skewers

Rating: 4.4 stars
1
I made up this recipe with some summer fruit that I had on hand. I wanted something to go with some nice fresh salmon that I was planning to cook on the grill for dinner! It turned out great.

Pineapple Pulled Pork Al Pastor

Rating: 4.88 stars
5
There's nothing like a juicy pulled pork sandwich, especially one inspired by a famous taco. Maybe it's the brine, or that I'm just easily satisfied, but it's been my experience that if you simply season aggressively and cook the meat over smoky coals up to a certain temp, you'll be rewarded with tender, moist, and very flavorful meat. Slather it with the grilled pineapple salsa for the full 'al pastor' experience.

Juiciest Hamburgers Ever

Rating: 4.4 stars
859
No more dry, lackluster burgers. These are juicy, and spices can be easily added or changed to suit anyone's taste. Baste frequently with your favorite barbeque sauce. If you find the meat mixture too mushy, just add more bread crumbs until it forms patties that hold their shape.

Prize Winning Baby Back Ribs

Rating: 4.6 stars
584
A foolproof, simple recipe for the most tender, delectable ribs you've ever had. Follow the directions exactly, and success is guaranteed!

Marinated Flank Steak

Rating: 4.64 stars
1142
A wonderful flank steak on the grill recipe I invented that friends just love! My girls think this is great, and it doesn't take long to grill. This also works great when sliced and used for fajitas.

Best Hamburger Ever

Rating: 4.2 stars
555
These burgers are the best on the grill in the summertime. Jam-packed with all kinds of stuff, and no tasteless bread crumbs!
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Inspiration and Ideas

Steve's Bodacious Barbecue Ribs

"These ribs were the hit of my 4th of July party. I couldn't believe how quickly they disappeared. Even the kids loved them—what a great mess they made!" – SIMON 1

Grilled Fish Tacos with Chipotle-Lime Dressing

Rating: 4.51 stars
789

I came up with this recipe when I couldn't find good directions for grilled fish tacos. I liked the chipotle-lime combination in a dip I once tried so I imitated it here. Choose toppings to suit your taste, or include typical accompaniments such as salsa fresca, cabbage, a squeeze of lime juice, and chopped cilantro.