This Fourth of July, your Blackstone in your BFF- best barbeque friend. If you’re looking for perfectly seared meat that’s crisp on the outside, flavorful and juicy on the inside, tasty sandwiches that you can make hot and fresh for everyone at the party, or even delicious sides that complement your main dishes, nothing beats the Blackstone. These thirteen recipes are my summer go-to’s and will undoubtedly take your Independence Day festivities to the next level.
1. Step-by-Step Blackstone Steak
I love this recipe because it features a premium protein that you can customize for each guest, and these steaks taste like something you’d get at a high-end restaurant. Plus, with your Blackstone, it’s super easy. Season your steaks liberally with salt and black pepper and cook them on a preheated Blackstone for four to five minutes on each side to get that crunchy, browned sear. Add a few aromatics like thyme and rosemary and a few garlic cloves for extra taste, and cook to order. You can even serve them with compound butter for a fancy and festive touch.
2. Blackstone Lemon Herb Chicken Thighs
With just seven common kitchen ingredients, you can make some of the tastiest and most tender chicken thighs on your Blackstone. All you need are some boneless and skinless chicken thighs, a quarter cup of lemon juice, a bit of honey, olive oil, salt, pepper, and oregano. The sweet and tart flavor, coupled with a bit of spice from the black pepper, takes this dish off the charts. Plus, it all comes together in less than half an hour.
3. Irresistible Blackstone Nachos
Blackstone Griddles aren’t just for cooking up all of the delicious meats; they can also make a great snack like nachos. Whip up a big batch of these cheesy, meaty treats for your July 4th party and make it one for the ages. Plus, it’s a budget-friendly dish featuring inexpensive ground beef, onion, cheese, taco seasoning, salsa, and tortilla chips. I like to top mine with some fresh green onions, a dollop of sour cream, and guacamole and jalapenos on the side.
4. Easy Blackstone Pork Chops
Take a break from the beef and sink your teeth into these tender and tasty Blackstone pork chops. Start with some boneless chops coated in a mixture of brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. The interplay of the sweeter brown sugar and the smokiness of the paprika gives these chops a nuanced taste. Then, cook them on your Blackstone for a few minutes on high heat to get that ideal sear, then medium heat until the internal temperature is 145 degrees.
5. Blackstone Chicken Fajitas
These fajitas have been a hit at every barbecue I’ve hosted. Each guest can crown their sizzling fajita with any fixings they want. I like to put out some sour cream, guacamole, green onion, and jalapenos on a side table nearby. To get this going, you just need to slice some boneless chicken breast and marinate it in olive oil, honey, fajita seasoning, and the zest and juice of two limes. Cook it on the griddle with red bell peppers and yellow onion. Served with fresh tortillas, it’s true perfection.
6. Tasty Blackstone Ribs
What’s a celebration without a big plate of perfectly seasoned ribs? This Blackstone Griddle version yields fall-off-the-bone meat that packs a massive flavor punch in every bite. Plus, thanks to the piping hot griddle, you’ll get that perfect sear every time. Liberally coat your rack of ribs with mustard, then add a dry marinade of brown sugar, paprika, onion powder, garlic salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle on apple cider vinegar for a little extra flavor and tenderization, and you’re ready to cook up the tastiest ribs you’ve ever tried.
7. Perfect Blackstone Salmon
Salmon is a tricky dish to get right, but the Blackstone Griddle makes mastering this flaky and flavorful fish super easy. Marinate your filets in a mixture of brown sugar, soy sauce, and pineapple juice for two hours, then add olive oil and a bit of zesty spice like ground chipotle pepper and smoked paprika. Cook your fish on medium-low heat for just a few minutes so it’s fully cooked, fork-tender, and juicy.
8. Blackstone Smashed Potatoes
Skip the potato salad and opt for this spectacular side, done Blackstone style. These smashed potatoes are bursting with buttery flavor in every bite. Plus, the addition of Parmesan cheese makes them ultra-decadent and definitely Fourth of July-worthy. Start with some pre-boiled potatoes, then heat your griddlel and gently place the spuds on top. Lightly smash with a mason jar and cook to crispy perfection. Sprinkle on some parsley and Parm and you’re ready to delight your guests.
9. Blackstone BBQ Chicken Thighs
Tender chicken thigh meat is the ideal protein to stand up to a tangy barbecue sauce. This dish is one of my ultimate favorites because it feeds a ton of people, and the ingredients won’t cost you a fortune. Store-bought barbecue sauce is a great shortcut, and you can amp up the flavor with some brown sugar, chili powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder. You’ll end up with glazed chicken thighs that are slightly crisp on the outside and succulent on the inside.
10. Blackstone Cuban Sandwich
These Cuban sandwiches will fit the bill if you want to serve an out-of-the-box main protein at your Fourth of July picnic. The griddle gives each sandwich a delectable sear and melts the Swiss cheese perfectly. Full of mild and flavorful cheese, rich roasted shredded pork, pickles, ham, and mustard, it’s tough to beat the flavor combination of these classic Cuban sandwiches.
11. Blackstone Smash Burgers
Burgers are classic BBQ fare, and your Blackstone can help you elevate this humble food to epic new levels. It’s easy to get a juicy, perfectly seasoned patty that’s crispy on the outside and tender inside when you sear it on a piping-hit Blackstone. Plus, since this technique is so fool-proof, you’ll just need a few slices of cheese, some caramelized onions, and a few soft burger buns to complement the dish.
12. Blackstone Philly Cheesesteak
I’m a sucker for a good cheesesteak, and this version rivals anything you can order in for. My Blackstone Griddle makes it easy to transform a few humble ingredients like shaved steak, Worcestershire sauce, carmalized onions, and spices into sandwich gold. Serve it Philly-style with some Cheez Whiz on fresh hoagie buns.
13. Blackstone Chicken Fried Rice
I was delighted to learn that my Blackstone was ideal for cooking one of my favorite take-out dishes: fried rice. This version makes a unique main dish for your Independence Day party, and you can use up tons of leftovers in your fridge at the same time. Start by cooking seasoned chicken thighs until browned, then cook up your vegetables and day-old rice. Bring it all together, and you have the finest fried rice you’ve ever tasted.
This Fourth of July, let your Blackstone Griddle be the star of the show with these fabulous treats, ranging from standard picnic fare to much more unexpected food. I can vouch for all of these recipes, and once you try them, you’ll want to make them again and again.
