BBQ Favorites
We are finally having some consistent nice summer weather here in New England! So we’ve been enjoying lots of outdoor time!
Every year to celebrate the kids birthdays (both born in the same month) we have a family BBQ. It’s a lot of work, but I enjoy it! On the menu we had: burgers, hotdogs, ribs, baked beans, potato salad, cornbread, and corn on the cob. Basically something for everyone.
I would be crazy to make everything from scratch, so the cornbread was a mix, Trader Joe’s specifically. Which is my favorite. It’s moist and has whole pieces of corn kernels in it. The ribs are from Costco. They are affordable and come pre-rubbed. Lots of meat on the bones and I feel like you really get your moneys worth.
I don’t have actual recipes for everything because I was in a time crunch and so I eye-balled almost everything, but these are easy enough you don’t need spelled out recipes. Below is the gist of each though.
This potato salad recipe is my favorite because it is no frills. This is the recipe my mom always made and I always have good childhood feelings come up when I have it. There are only a few simple ingredients making it easy for anyone to make and with ingredients you most likely already have on hand. there are no elaborate seasonings or too many steps to follow. It’s fresh tasting. The cucumber adds a refreshing twist to it.
The baked beans are loaded with chunks of bacon, are sweet, tangy and compliment the potato salad perfectly.
My photos are not the best, as they were taken on my phone. I was too busy and enjoying family time so I didn’t bother fussing over taking better photos, sorry!
Crock Pot Baked Beans
Sweet & saucy, great for a crowd!
Ingredients
- 4 cans Pinto beans Drain 2 of the 4 cans
- 1 pack bacon cubed
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2-3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2-3 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup molassis
- 1 cup loose brown sugar
Instructions
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In a pan, cube & cook bacon until partly crisp
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Add the bacon to a large crock pot, using a slotted spoon to drain the fat. Add in a few tablespoons of the bacon grease to the crock pot
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Dump the beans into the crock pot
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Dice the onion & add to the crock pot
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In a small bowl, mix together the ketchup, molasses, vinegar, mustard & brown sugar, taste & adjust ingredients according to your taste.
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Pour sauce into the crock pot & stir everything to combine
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Cover & cook on high for 4 hours
Recipe Notes
Please note that the ingredients were eye-balled. Adjust according to your taste. Too sweet? Add a bit more ketchup &/or vinegar. Too tart? Add in some more brown sugar.
Simple Potato Salad for a Crowd
A BBQ staple, this no fuss recipe will for sure be a crowd pleaser
Ingredients
- 5 lbs russet potatoes washed, peeled & diced
- 1 large cucumber peeled
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2-3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups mayo
- salt/pepper to taste
Instructions
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Scrub, peel & dice the potatoes
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Place in a large pot, cover with cold water & bring to a boil
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Cook for about 20 minutes, until fork tender
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Drain & place in a large bowl or dish, sprinkle over the vinegar while potatoes are still hot, gently stir
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Chill potatoes for about an hour
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Peel the cucumber & slice into bite size half moon shapes
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Chop 1 small onion or half of a large onion
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When potatoes have cooled, gently stir/fold in the cucumber, onion, mayo. Add salt & pepper to taste.
Easy Baked Ribs
Ingredients
- 1 pack Kirkland St Louis Pork Ribs 2 racks of ribs, essentially is what it is I believe
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 250 degrees
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Place rack of ribs in a pan (1 rack per pan)
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Cover tightly with foil
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Place in oven & bake for 2 hours
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When done baking, remove & finish cooking on the grill, basting them with your favorite BBQ sauce, for about 15-20 minutes