Take your grilled cheese game to the next level with this Roasted Broccoli Grilled Cheese Sandwich made with crispy baked broccoli, sweet red peppers, two types of melty cheese and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Once you try this vegetarian sandwich, you may never want to eat broccoli any other way!
Serve this broccoli sandwich on its own or pair it with a soup and salad for a complete meal. It's perfect for a quick and easy lunch or dinner that even the kids will love - and a great way to sneak in some veggies into their diet!
Why You'll Love this Roasted Broccoli Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- It's quick and easy to make. This broccoli cheese melt takes just 30 minutes to make including prep, roasting the broccoli, and grilling. It's perfect for a quick lunch, an after school snack, or even for a kid-friendly dinner.
- Loaded with veggies. This broccoli sandwich is a great way to sneak in some veggies into your diet. It's loaded with roasted broccoli and roasted red peppers all smothered in melty gooey cheese which makes it so delicious! Broccoli and cheddar cheese are already such a wonderful pairing that it makes sense to throw them together in a sandwich. But what you might not expect is how something tangy and acidic - roasted red peppers. They totally brighten the flavours of the other ingredients.
- It has the best flavor and texture. Roasting the broccoli adds so much more flavor to it than if you were to just boil them. It's crispy, charred, and delicious. Paired with savory, gooey, melty cheese, crunchy sliced bread, and delicate roasted red peppers, it's the best combination that you may have never known about. But you will be so happy to have discovered it now.
Ingredient Notes
To make this delicious Roasted Broccoli Grilled Cheese Sandwich, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- broccoli - to roast the broccoli, cut them into florets and toss them in some olive oil, salt, and pepper before popping into the oven. You can also substitute with cauliflower in this recipe or a combination of the two.
- butter - for spreading on the bread to get that classic golden brown, crispy exterior.
- ciabatta bread - We love using homemade Ciabatta Rolls or slices of Sourdough Ciabatta Bread. But feel free to use any kind of crusty sliced bread that you have on hand.
- roasted red peppers - we just used roasted red peppers that you can find in a glass jar at the local supermarket. You can also roast your own from scratch in 45 minutes, which is perfect while the broccoli is roasting too. Check the full instructions in our Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup recipe. If you don't have roasted peppers in the house, you could add sliced tomatoes instead.
- cheese - we used white cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese, but you can substitute with any cheese that melts well. Try it with yellow cheddar, provolone, or Monterrey Jack cheese.
- balsamic vinegar reduction - this is optional to drizzle on top. Use store-bought balsamic glaze or make your own balsamic vinegar reduction using balsamic vinegar. Check the full instructions in our Tomato Bruschetta with Balsamic Glaze recipe.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, half sheet baking pan, and a skillet or griddle.
How to Make the Best Roasted Broccoli Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Roast the broccoli. Place broccoli florets on a large half sheet baking pan. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and toss to combine. Roast in a 400F preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly browned and tender. Set aside.
- Spread butter. Spread ½ tablespoon of butter on each of 4 slices of bread and place them on a plate with the butter side facing down.
- Assemble the sandwiches. Divide cheddar cheese equally onto 2 of the slices. Top those same 2 slices with an even layer of roasted broccoli, a few slices of roasted red peppers, and shredded mozzarella. Top each with the remaining slice of bread (butter side on top).
- Grill the sandwiches. Heat a large skillet or griddle pan over medium heat until it's hot, about 2 minutes. Add the sandwiches and cook for 3-5 minutes, until golden brown. Flip sandwiches and cook without any weight on top for another 2-3 minutes, until just browned.
- Serve. Slice in half, drizzle with balsamic vinegar reduction (if using), and serve immediately.
Secrets to the Perfect Crispy Grilled Cheese
- Use a skillet or griddle. While it may be tempting to bake the sandwiches in the oven since you can just pop them in there without monitoring and it will taste delicious - but you won't get that same classic texture that we want.
- Weigh down the grilled cheese sandwich. Place something heavy on top (like a cast-iron skillet) when you are cooking the broccoli grilled cheese. This helps to disperse the weight even to help the sandwich get that browned, crispy crust that makes for the perfect grilled cheese.
How to Serve
You can serve Broccoli Grilled Cheese on its own for a quick meal. I really like pairing it with a soup and salad for a more complete spread. Some of my favorite side dishes to pair this sandwich with are:
- Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup
- Minestrone Soup
- Caesar Salad
- Tomato Basil Soup
- White Bean Salad
- Greek Pasta Salad
- Beef Wild Rice Soup
- Creamy Turkey Gnocchi Soup
Make Ahead and Storing Instructions
- Make ahead instructions: You can roasted the broccoli, prep your ingredients, and store them in separate airtight containers, or even build your broccoli grilled cheese ahead of time. Wrap with plastic cling wrap or store in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days until ready to cook.
- How to store: Roasted broccoli grilled cheese sandwiches are best eaten fresh while the cheese is melty and gooey. However, you can still store it in the fridge for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container.
- How to reheat: The best way to reheat this vegetable grilled cheese after it has been cooked is in the oven. Place the grilled cheese on a baking tray and heat it for 10-15 minutes in a 375F preheated oven (or in the air fryer at 375 F for 5-8 minutes). You can also reheat on the stove over medium-low heat until cheese is melted.
More Sandwich Recipes
- Pita Grilled Cheese
- Tuna Melt Grilled Cheese
- Egg Salad Sandwich
- Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi Sandwich
- Lobster Rolls
- Greek Chicken Gyros
Tried this recipe?
I'd love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and rating below to share your feedback. Your reviews help others discover this recipe and help me keep creating more free recipes for you. Snap a photo and tag me on social media @aheadofthyme too.
Chia Seed Pudding
Chia Seed Pudding is easy to make with superfood chia seeds, milk, and a little bit of sweetener. It's creamy, delicious, and healthy, loaded with protein, fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats.
Plus, you can meal prep and make this vegan pudding ahead of time to enjoy for breakfast, lunch, or as a healthy snack all week long. Learn how to make chia seed pudding from scratch today!
Why You'll Love this Chia Seed Pudding
- The healthiest pudding ever. Pudding is one of my favorite treats, whether it's Vanilla Pudding or Banana Pudding, I rarely say no to a bowl. But unlike these sweeter puddings, this chia seed pudding is vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free - making it healthier and still totally delicious.
- Chia seeds are a superfood. The superfood chia seeds is what makes this pudding so healthy. I am all about this chia seed craze that has been going on the last few years and I am proud to take every opportunity to incorporate these seeds into all types of recipes - drinks, desserts, and smoothies. Chia seeds are full of protein, fiber, antioxidants, and omega-3 healthy fatty acids. In fact, it helps to overall lower your risk of developing many health problems.
- It's so easy to make. Making chia seed pudding is ridiculously easy. When chia seeds are combined with liquid, they form a gel-like substance that is similar to the texture of traditional pudding. To make chia seed pudding from scratch, all you need is to combine chia seeds with milk (I used almond milk to keep this recipe vegan) and a liquid sweetener (I used maple syrup to again keep it vegan) and set it aside to thicken for 5 minutes and then shake it and refrigerate.
- Great for meal prep. You can easily make a bigger batch by doubling or tripling the recipe. It stores well in the refrigerator for up to one week, so you can enjoy it for breakfast or lunch all week. You can also store it in the freezer for up to 2 months!
Ingredient Notes
To make easy Chia Seed Pudding, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- chia seeds
- milk - use any dairy or non-dairy milk that you have on hand. Try almond milk soy milk, coconut milk, or rice milk.
- liquid sweetener - you can use maple syrup, honey, or agave syrup.
Toppings for Chia Seed Pudding
- fruit - I love topping chia seeds with berries such as chopped or sliced strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. Add any fruit you like. Some of my other favorites in this recipe are kiwi, mandarin oranges, and mangos.
- granola - if you have some time, I recommend making homemade granola. It takes just a few minutes to prep before you pop into the oven. Depending on the season, top this pudding with Coconut Maple Walnut Granola, Pumpkin Pie Granola, or Gingerbread Granola.
- nuts - add in some almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, or any of your favorite nuts.
- coconut flakes
- maple syrup or honey
How to Make the Best Chia Seed Pudding
- Combine ingredients. In a large 4 cup mason jar or glass jar with a lid, add chia seeds, milk, and sweetener. Seal the lid and shake to combine. Set the jar down on the counter for 5 minutes to settle. Then shake again to remove any clumps.
- Chill. Transfer the jar to the refrigerator and chill 2 hours, up to overnight.
How to Serve
Transfer the chia seed pudding to small glasses or dessert cups and top with your favorite toppings such as fruit, granola, nuts, and/or coconut flakes with a drizzle of maple syrup, and serve.
Storing Instructions
- Make ahead instructions: Make a big batch ahead of time and store in the fridge for an easy breakfast or lunch all week. You can also freeze it to last longer.
- How to store: Store chia seed pudding covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- How to freeze: Chia seed pudding freezes well! Portion it into small meal prep containers and freeze for up to 2 months. To serve, allow the pudding to thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
More Recipes with Chia Seeds
- Green Smoothie Bowl
- No Bake Protein Energy Bites
- Pineapple Mango Tropical Smoothie Bowl
- Banana Toast with Granola and Honey
Tried this recipe?
I'd love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and rating below to share your feedback. Your reviews help others discover this recipe and help me keep creating more free recipes for you. Snap a photo and tag me on social media @aheadofthyme too.
60+ Summer Dinner Ideas
Wondering what to make for dinner on a hot summer night? You know, something that is light, fresh, and packed with seasonal ingredients that are light and fresh. Well, you have come to the right place. We have rounded up over 60 of the best easy summer dinner ideas including quick and easy summer pastas, summer grill recipes, summer seafood, summer salads for dinner, recipes for a summer Mexican fiesta, and more! Plus, many of these recipes are quick and easy 30-minute meals with just a few simple ingredients.
Best Summer Dinners
Pesto Penne Pasta
Quick and easy pesto penne pasta is a simple and light Italian pasta dish made with just five ingredients in under 15 minutes. The easiest summer dinner recipe. If you like this recipe, try Mascarpone Pesto Pasta.
Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata
Quick and easy, creamy lemon chicken piccata is a simple and delicious 30-minute meal made with tender chicken breast in a light lemon sauce with capers. One of my favorite summer dinner ideas. You can also try Creamy Lemon Parmesan Chicken.
Greek Salmon
Greek salmon is delicious, flaky, and tender. This healthy oven-baked salmon is packed with Mediterranean flavors and is ready in just 20 minutes.
Greek Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki
This refreshing and light, easy Greek chicken gyros is packed with tender souvlaki chicken, Greek salad, and homemade tzatziki sauce, all wrapped in a pita.
Easy Skillet Neapolitan Margherita Pizza
Quick and easy skillet Neapolitan margherita pizza has an iconic thin and soft crust with a perfectly crisp exterior, and simple and fresh toppings. Customize it completely with your favorite toppings, like Mushroom and Arugula Skillet Pizza or Butter Chicken Pizza.
Easy Grilled Shrimp Boil
Easy, garlicky and buttery grilled shrimp boil with prawns, corn, baby potatoes and sausage, seasoned and tossed with parsley takes just 20 minutes to cook. Throw some whole potatoes on the grill too and serve this with some BBQ Chicken Stuffed Baked Potatoes.
Mediterranean Chicken Patties
Delicious, moist and juicy Mediterranean chicken patties have everything you want in one bite: protein, veggies, herbs, and they're quick and easy to make. Serve it on it's own, with hamburger buns, or a side of Basmati rice.
Balsamic Chicken Kabobs
Grilled Balsamic Chicken Kabobs are a delicious flavorful summer grill staple marinated in a balsamic sauce, skewered with vegetables, and grilled or baked.
Salmon Burgers
These Salmon Burgers made with real fresh salmon, are crispy on the outside and flaky inside, juicy and thick, and healthy and packed with protein.
Baked Caprese Chicken
Baked caprese chicken is tender, juicy, and delicious, topped with burst tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
Vietnamese Salad Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce
Fresh, light and healthy Vietnamese salad rolls are packed with vermicelli noodles, shrimp, fresh vegetables and herbs and dipped in homemade peanut sauce. If you prefer chicken, try our Vietnamese Summer Rolls with Chicken.
Easy Vegan Stuffed Bell Peppers
Easy vegan stuffed bell peppers are filled with brown rice, mushrooms, veggies, and seasonings, then baked for 40 minutes. It's a perfect summer weeknight dinner. Serve it with a Classic Coleslaw on the side.
Chicken Shawarma
Homemade chicken shawarma (donair) with juicy tender chicken marinated in Middle Eastern spices and wrapped in pita bread is easy to make at home. Serve it with a Persian Shirazi Salad on the side.
Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry
Better than takeout garlic shrimp stir fry is saucy, sticky, flavorful, and delicious. It's quick and easy to make in 15 minutes and great for meal prep.
Baked Queso Chicken
Baked queso chicken with tomatoes is an easy, cheesy, delicious chicken dinner that takes just 30 minutes to cook. One of the best comforting summer dinner ideas. Serve it on its own with or over Cilantro Lime Rice.
Falafel
Homemade falafel are delicious, golden brown and crispy on the outside, fluffy tender and soft inside. Plus, they're vegan, loaded with plant-based protein.
Mediterranean Turkey Burgers
Mediterranean turkey burgers are tender, juicy, and delicious, loaded with garlic, fresh dill, and lemon juice. The perfect summer weeknight meal.
Szechuan Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Spicy Mayo (Cactus Club Copycat)
Spice it up and make copycat Szechuan chicken lettuce wraps with spicy mayo from the comfort of your own home with this easy to follow recipe. Plus, it is healthier than the original.
Easy 15-Minute Lo Mein
Say goodbye to takeout and make easy Lo Mein Noodles at home, packed with fresh veggies and healthy ingredients, in less than 15 minutes! Or try Vegetarian Chow Mein for an easy summer dinner recipe.
Garlic Butter Lobster Tails
Garlic Butter Lobster Tails are juicy, tender, and flavorful. This quick and easy seafood dinner is ready in less than 20 minutes (including prep!).
Cheesy Baked Zucchini with Marinara
Cheesy Baked Zucchini with Marinara will save your weeknight dinner routine (and the kids love it too!). It's low carb, vegetarian, gluten-free, and keto.
Creamy Tuscan Shrimp
Creamy Tuscan shrimp packed with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and garlic, is creamy, rich, and delicious. Make it in just 15 minutes, including prep!
Sticky Honey Garlic Meatballs
Sticky honey garlic meatballs are a delicious and flavourful 30-minute meal to add to your weekly dinner rotation. A total crowd pleaser.
Healthy Lemon Chicken
Better than takeout, healthy lemon chicken is a delicious, sticky chicken stir fry coated in a flavourful, sweet and tangy sauce. The best weeknight dinner.
Chicken Pad Thai
No more takeout when you can make flavourful, restaurant-style, authentic chicken Pad Thai at home in just 10 minutes. It's sweet, savoury, sour and nutty.
Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles
Shrimp scampi with zucchini noodles is filling, yet surprisingly light! Since we are using fresh zucchini noodles, you will feel no guilt in sopping up the sauce with an extra crusty piece of bread!
Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs
Slow cooker BBQ ribs are juicy, saucy, and tender -- the meat literally falls right off the bone. Add this easy recipe to your list of crockpot recipes.
Pan-Fried Lemongrass Chicken
Aromatic Asian pan-fried lemongrass chicken is healthy, gluten-free, and takes less than 25 minutes to prep and cook. Now that's what I call the perfect weeknight meal. Use any leftovers in a Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi Sandwich.
Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo Pasta Bake
Creamy shrimp fettuccine alfredo pasta bake is garlicky, buttery, cheesy, loaded with shrimp and parsley and topped with mozzarella. Easy summer comfort food goals.
Creamy Avocado Basil Pesto Spaghetti
This easy 10-minute vegan light and creamy avocado basil pesto spaghetti is loaded with avocado, basil, walnuts, garlic, olive oil and lemon juice.
Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Sweet and sour meatballs are quick, easy, delicious, and flavorful, tossed in a vegetable and pineapple stir fry with homemade sweet and sour sauce.
Summer Grill Recipes
Easy Greek Chicken Souvlaki Skewers
Easy Greek chicken souvlaki skewers marinated in garlic, fresh herbs, lemon and bay leaves for that classic Mediterranean flavour. Grill in under 15 minutes. Serve alongside some easy Homemade Tzatziki Sauce. One of my favorite summer dinner recipes!
Juicy and tender grilled cajun shrimp skewers are garlicky, lemony, and packed with flavour with a cajun marinade. Ready in under 30 minutes including prep.
Better than the steakhouse, the best tender and juicy ribeye steak with a perfect seared crust is garlicky, buttery and packed with so much flavour. Serve with a side of Air Fryer Asparagus. Or, why not make your meal a full on Surf and Turf with Lobster Tails... um yes please!
Easy Greek souvlaki beef shish kebabs are marinated in a garlicky lemony olive oil marinade and threaded with fresh vegetables. Cook on the grill or oven. Serve them wrapped inside some Homemade Pita Bread.
Better than the steakhouse, these classic juicy hamburgers are perfectly seasoned, so flavourful and delicious. You can't have a collection of summer dinner ideas without burgers. Plus, try your hand at Homemade Hamburger Buns.
Teriyaki Chicken Skewers with Pineapple
Juicy and tender teriyaki chicken skewers with pineapple, bell peppers and red onions are sticky, sweet, savoury, and tangy. So flavourful and delicious. Serve over some steamed rice or Coconut Rice.
Grilled Orange Chicken Skewers
Flame-kissed, sticky and saucy, grilled orange chicken skewers with a rich, citrus-based marinade are delicious, juicy and so tender. Best summer weeknight dinner ever. Serve with a side of Vegetarian Fried Rice or Noodles.
Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgers
Greek-style spinach and feta turkey burgers are tender, juicy, and flavourful, loaded with spinach, feta and fresh Mediterranean herbs and is so easy to prep. Serve it with Tzatziki Sauce.
Juicy and tender, Xinjiang spicy cumin lamb skewers with a bold cumin and cayenne marinade, are so flavourful and easy to make on the grill or air fryer. Serve it with a fresh Chinese Garlic Cucumber Salad on the side.
Chicken Satay Skewers with Peanut Sauce
Better than takeout, easy to make tender chicken satay skewers with coconut marinade and homemade peanut dipping sauce is savoury, sweet, tangy, and nutty. Serve this delicious summer dinner over some delicious Easy Coconut Rice.
These 15-minute fish burgers with creamy slaw are juicy, flakey, and packed with flavour. So easy that it's the perfect summer weeknight meal!
Quick and easy, grilled Greek lamb souvlaki skewers are marinated in a simple Mediterranean marinade for just 30 minutes. Serve with some tzatziki sauce. Serve over top of Rice Pilaf and Greek Salad on the side. So delicious.
Persian Saffron Chicken Kebabs (Joojeh Kabob)
Quick and easy, classic Persian saffron chicken kebabs (joojeh kabob) is marinated in a simple saffron and lemon marinade for that classic Iranian flavour. Make it a full on Persian dinner with Basmati Rice with Saffron and Persian Shirazi Salad.
Juicy and tender Korean chicken skewers are packed with bold flavors bringing sweet, savory, and spicy your dinner table. The best summer weeknight dinner.
Seafood Summer
Tender, flaky, flavorful garlic butter salmon is well-seasoned, seared to perfection, and basted until juicy. Quick and easy to make in 20 minutes.
Creamy garlic shrimp is a delicious, quick and easy 15-minute meal (including prep!) that you need to include in your weeknight dinner meal plan.
Quick and easy shrimp cakes are juicy, tender, delicious, and flavorful. They're made simple with a food processor and your choice of three cooking methods.
Creamy Shrimp Pasta with Sun-dried Tomatoes
Creamy shrimp pasta with sun-dried tomatoes is a delicious, quick and easy meal that takes just 20 minutes to prep and make. The perfect weeknight summer dinner.
Quick and easy, one-pan, 10-minute seafood fried rice with tiger prawns is so much healthier, tastier and better than takeout. It's the easiest weeknight meal.
Summer Salads for Dinner
Italian pasta salad is delicious, wholesome, and easy to make. Make it up to three days ahead for your summer picnics and cookouts. You can't get more classic than Italian Salad on for dinner on a hot summer night!
Chickpea Greek salad is a fresh, healthy, vibrant, and colorful salad, packed with traditional Mediterranean ingredients, superfoods, and nutrients.
There's nothing better on a hot day than a cold and refreshing vegan soba noodle salad, tossed with fresh vegetables and a delicious saucy dressing.
Shrimp taco salad with cilantro lime dressing is flavourful, delicious, and easy to make. It has all the fixings and of shrimp tacos, but without the mess.
Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad
Quick and easy Mediterranean orzo pasta salad packed with fresh vegetables and herbs is tossed in a Greek lemon vinaigrette. Healthy, light and delicious.
Mediterranean Chickpea Wedge Salad
Mediterranean chickpea wedge salad combines chickpeas, crunchy vegetable toppings, and hummus dressing for a delicious deconstructed falafel flavour.
This creamy cucumber salad is the easy, refreshing snack and side dish your summer cookouts have been missing. Make it ahead with just 5 minutes prep. Another one of the classic Memorial Day recipes.
Asian chopped salad is a delicious and colorful salad, loaded with refreshing crisp vegetables, plant-based protein, and a homemade creamy sesame dressing.
Take a bite into this refreshing, gluten-free quinoa and spinach salad bursting with colourful tomatoes, cucumbers and raisins.
Classic macaroni salad is a creamy and delicious pasta salad that is easy to throw together. It's the perfect side to bring to a summer potluck or BBQ.
Take fresh-off-the-grill corn on the cob and turn it into a light, flavourful summer corn salad, topped with cherry tomatoes, fresh basil and cheese.
Easy homemade potato salad is loaded with baby potatoes, eggs, and green onions and tossed in a mayo sauce and is a go-to for summer barbecues and picnics.
Summer Fiesta Menu
Flavourful, easy fish tacos with lime crema is made with seasoned white fish, cabbage slaw, and lime sauce. It takes less than 25 minutes to prep and serve.
Easy baked chicken enchiladas brings the taste of authentic Mexican food into your kitchen -- saucy, spicy, and savoury. Perfect for a Mexican fiesta on Cinco de Mayo.
Oven-baked loaded sheet pan nachos are a crowd pleaser for an easy weeknight dinner or a crave-worthy appetizer to serve at a Mexican fiesta.
Ground beef tacos are delicious, authentic, and so easy to make. They're savory, spicy, creamy, and fresh. The perfect recipe for a Mexican fiesta.
Skillet chicken fajitas are a light, fresh, and sizzling dish bursting with flavour, packed with colorful vegetables, and wrapped in warm tortillas or with a side of Cilantro Lime Rice.
Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema Slaw
Quick and easy shrimp tacos with lime crema slaw are ready in less than 30 minutes and are packed with flavourful crispy shrimp and creamy cabbage slaw.
Fusion-style Korean beef steak tacos are made with tender, flavour-packed slices of beef and topped with caramelized pineapple, kimchi, and spicy mayo.
Shrimp avocado tostadas are a delicious, crunchy, quick and easy Mexican dish you can make in just 15 minutes, loaded with the best combination of toppings.
Beef taco salad is a simple, filling, and delicious meal loaded with your favorite taco fillings, and a creamy lime dressing. Make it in 20 minutes.
Mexican Pulled Pork Tacos (Carnitas)
Mexican pulled pork tacos with juicy and tender traditional carnitas wrapped in corn tortillas and topped with fresh onions, cilantro, and jalapeños.
Sizzling and hot sheet pan chicken fajitas are on the table in less than 30 minutes! The best part is that you just throw everything into one sheet pan.
When it comes to vegetarian tacos, these vegan chickpea tacos are some of the best. They are delicious, filling, easy to make, and loved by all.
Storing and Reheating Summer Dinners
- Make ahead instructions. You can make some of these summer dinners ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can also prep the ingredients in advance and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- How to store: Store any leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator or possible even in the freezer. Check the individual recipe for complete storing instructions and to see if the recipe is freezer-friendly.
- How to reheat: Most of the leftovers can be reheated on the stovetop over medium to low heat for about 5-10 minutes until warmed through, in the air fryer or the oven at 300F for 10-15 minutes until warmed through, or in the microwave in 20-second increments until warmed through. If heating from frozen, let it thaw first and then reheat.
More Summer Dinner Ideas
- 40 Best Pasta Recipes
- 60 Best Chicken Recipes
- 30 Best Shrimp Recipes
- 30 Best Mexican Recipes
- 25 Best Ground Beef Recipes
- 20 Best Dip Recipes
Did You Make Any of These Easy Summer Dinner Recipes?
Please leave a comment and rating below, and let me know what you thought of this round up of these easy summer dinner ideas. Be sure to snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.
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Cherry Crumb Bars
These homemade Cherry Crumb Bars are sweet, buttery, and tart. With 3 delicious layers, they have a crumbly pastry crust layer, a sweet cherry pie filling, topped with a crumbly topping.
The best part? This crumble bar recipe is so easy to make and is ready to serve in just over hour - but they taste like they came from a fancy bakery. They're the perfect dessert to satisfy a last minute craving this summer.
Why You'll Love Cherry Crumb Bars
- Loaded with fresh cherries. There's nothing quite like a freshly baked summer dessert that is loaded with berries. When cherry season comes around, we end up baking all the treats. But you can actually enjoy these cherry pie bars any time of the year by using frozen cherries!
- The easiest way to make "pie". These cherry crumb bars are basically cherry pie in bar form. They have a delicious cherry filling sandwiched between the easiest, buttery, homemade pie dough. But there is no rolling dough involved here. Just pack in the bottom layer and sprinkle on the top layer. So easy!
- They're quick and easy to make. Cherrt crumble bars are ready from start to finish in just over one hour, and the prep time is just 15 minutes. Plus, it's baked in one baking dish, so clean-up is relatively easy. All you need to do is cut the bars into a size that suits you and wash the baking dish.
- Serve it whenever you want. These bakery-style cherry bars are perfect as a late-night treat, served on weekend brunch, or as a snack on your coffee break. However you enjoy them, you're going to love them. They're a tota crowd pleaser.
Ingredients and Notes
To make these delicious Cherry Crumb Bars, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- all-purpose flour
- granulated sugar - we need sugar in both the pie crust, topping, and filling.
- baking powder
- salt
- cold butter - you will need to use cold butter for this recipe, cut into cubes. I recommend taking the butter out of the fridge and cutting it just before it's called for in the recipe. Or you can chop it up and put it back in the fridge until ready to use.
- egg
- cherries - we love making these crumb bars in season and used fresh cherries that we picked at our local cherry farm. However, you can use pitted frozen cherries in here too!
- cornstarch - helps to thicken the cherry filling. You can also substitute it with all-purpose flour.
- lemon juice
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowls, and a 9-inch square baking pan.
How to Make the Best Cherry Crumb Bars
- Make the pastry mixture. In a large mixing bowl, add flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, butter, and egg. Stir well with a fork or pastry cutter until the flour mixture forms into small crumbs. You can also combine all ingredients in a food processor and pulse mix until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Prepare the cherry filling. In a medium mixing bowl, mix together pitted cherries, sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice until evenly coated.
- Layer the crumb bars. Line an 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on 2 opposite sides to make it really easy to remove when baked. Spread half of the crumb mixture evenly into the baking dish and press it to pack it and form an even bottom crust. Spread the cherry mixture over the crust and crumble the remaining half of the crumb mixture on top.
- Bake. Bake in a 375F preheated oven for 45-50 minutes until the crust turns golden brown. Let it cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes. You can serve it warm or let it cool completely to make it easier to cut. You can speed up on the process by storing in the refrigerator or freezer for 1 hour to help it set faster.
- Serve. Slice the cherry crumb bars into 9 or 16 squares and serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side or or cold.
How to Serve
Cherry crumb bars are delicious on their own whether served warm, at room temperature, or cold. My favorite is warm with a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream melting on top.
We love using up summer berries in baking recipes. Some of our other favorites are:
Storing Instructions
- How to store: Store cherry crumble bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- How to freeze: You can also freeze cherry crumb bars for up to 3 months. If sliced, individually wrap each crumble bar in plastic cling wrap and store in a freezer bag or airtight container. When ready to eat, allow them to thaw overnight in the refrigerator or on the kitchen counter for a couple hours.
- How to reheat: If you want to warm up your leftover berry bars, simply pop them into the air fryer at 350F for 5 minutes or in the oven for 10 minutes until warm. You can also reheat in the microwave in 30 second increments until warm.
More Bar Recipes
- Blueberry Oat Squares
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- Sugar Cookie Bars
- Pecan Pie Bars
- Strawberry Crumb Bars
- M&M Cookie Bars
Tried this recipe?
I'd love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and rating below to share your feedback. Your reviews help others discover this recipe and help me keep creating more free recipes for you. Snap a photo and tag me on social media @aheadofthyme too.
Zucchini Bites
Zucchini Bites are little savory balls that are loaded with fresh zucchini, Parmesan, and an assortment of seasoning for the best flavor. They are crispy and golden brown on the outside, and tender inside. Plus, they're quick and easy to make in under 30 minutes and you can either bake them in the oven or cook in the air fryer.
So if you have an abundance of summer zucchini growing in your garden, zucchini balls are the perfect recipe to try. Serve these zucchini nuggets as an appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce, as a snack in your kid's lunch box, or as vegetarian meatballs in your favorite dinner recipes.
Why You'll Love These Zucchini Bites
- Quick and easy. Who doesn't love quick and easy recipes? These zucchini bites are ready to eat in under 30 minutes - including prep! All you need to do is shred the zucchini, combine the ingredients, roll into balls and cook. It's so easy that it's perfect for beginners to try and build some confidence in the kitchen, but seasoned home cooks will love it too!
- Crispy outside, soft and tender inside. These zucchini balls have the best texture thanks to the moisture in the fresh zucchini. They are crispy and golden on the outside, and tender on the inside.
- You can bake or air fry them. I love making these zucchini nuggets in the air fryer because it cooks fast, requires no preheating, and the results are delicious. But the good news is that if you don't have an air fryer, you can easily cook these bites in the oven.
- Serve them hot or cold. You can serve these zucchini parmesan bites hot and fresh out of the oven and enjoy the leftovers cold. Either way, it's delicious and totally your personal preference how you want to eat them. For this reason, they are also great for meal prep as a healthy snack in work lunches or as vegetarian meatballs for school lunches.
Ingredients and Substitutions
To make these delicious Zucchini Bites, you will need the following ingredients (full quantities in recipe card below):
- zucchini - these zucchini balls are made with shredded zucchini. Shred zucchini easily using a box grater or food processor.
- Panko breadcrumbs - I like the texture of Panko breadcrumbs in this recipe, but you can easily substitute it with regular breadcrumbs.
- Parmesan cheese
- egg - helps to hold the balls together.
- vegetable oil
- garlic powder
- paprika
- Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, a box grater or food processor (to shred the zucchini), mixing bowl, and skillet.
How to Make the Best Zucchini Bites
- Shred the zucchini. Use a box grater or food processor to shred the zucchini.
- Combine ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded zucchini, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, oil, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well until evenly combined.
- Shape zucchini bites. Take 2 spoonfuls of the zucchini mixture at a time and shape into 1.5-inch balls. Set aside on a plate.
- Cook. Cook the zucchini bites in an air fryer or in the oven.
- To air fry: Place the zucchini balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket and spray with some cooking oil spray to keep them from sticking together. Cook at 350F for 13-15 minutes until golden brown.
- To bake: Bake in a 375F preheated oven for 15 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce, if desired.
How to Serve
Serve zucchini balls as a hot appetizer on its own or with a side of your favorite dipping sauce. Try it with:
You can also serve these air fryer zucchini bites as vegetarian meatballs, substituting them in your favorite meatball recipes and just make the sauce to toss them in such as Teriyaki Meatballs, Swedish Meatballs, or Italian Meatballs.
Or serve them over salads to that need a little extra to make them more filling.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- How to store: Allow the air fryer zucchini bites to cool to room temperature before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
- How to freeze: These zucchini balls also freeze well. Once they have cooled to room temperature, store in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. To eat, allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator first. Then, serve it cold or warm it up and enjoy it hot.
- How to reheat: I recommend reheating these baked zucchini bites in an air fryer if you have one. Reheat at 350F for 4-5 minutes until warm and crisp on the outside. You can also reheat them in an 350F preheated oven for about 10 minutes until warm.
More Zucchini Recipes
- Zucchini Fritters
- Baked Zucchini with Marinara
- Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles
- Air Fryer Vegetables
- Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins
- Chocolate Zucchini Cake
Tried this recipe?
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Iced Latte
Homemade Iced Latte is refreshing, quick, and delicious. With just 3 simple ingredients and under 5 minutes of time, this coffee is the easiest drink you'll make this summer. So skip the line at the local coffee shop and learn how to make iced lattes at home!
This Starbucks copycat recipe today to save time and money. Once you follow our simple step-by-step instructions, you may find yourself making iced lattes all season long!
Why You'll Love This Iced Latte
- This drink is quick and easy. Making a homemade iced latte takes about 5 minutes, which means you'll save time by choosing to make your latte at home instead of visiting the local coffee shop. Plus, it's easy and it will save you money! It's a win-win-win.
- Made with only 3 ingredients. One of the great things about making an iced latte at home is that it only requires 3 simple ingredients: espresso, milk, and a sweetener (if desired). You can use your favorite coffee and your favorite milk. Personally, I love using the extra creamy Chobani oat milk, which coffee shops don't usually carry.
- You can make it your own. Do you have a favorite way to enjoy an iced latte? Whether you want to add a splash of vanilla simple syrup, a dusting of cinnamon, salted caramel sauce, or something else, you can make your favorite latte from scratch with this iced coffee recipe.
Ingredient Notes
To make this easy Iced Latte, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- espresso - I recommend using a high-quality coffee for the best flavor.
- ice
- sweetener - a liquid sweetener such as maple syrup or honey.
- milk - feel free to use your favorite milk, whether that's dairy or non-dairy such as oat milk, almond milk, or soy milk.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons.
How to Make the Best Iced Latte
Make the espresso using an espresso machine, manual espresso maker, or French press.
Fill 2 glasses with ice. In each glass add 2 shots of espresso. Stir in sweetener. Pour in ¼ cup milk in each glass and serve immediately.
How to Customize
Make this iced latte recipe unique by adding your favorite toppings and flavors, like:
- whipped cream
- sprinkles
- chocolate or caramel syrup
- flavored simple syrup such as vanilla, hazelnut, or cinnamon dolce
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- How to store: Iced lattes are best enjoyed fresh, but if you want to make it ahead of time, omit the ice. Then, chill your latte in the fridge for 2-3 days. Add the ice at the last minute when you're ready to drink your iced latte.
- Tip on sweeteners: Because iced lattes are cold, sugar does not dissolve well in them. For that reason, it's best to use liquid sweeteners such as maple syrup, honey, agave, or simple syrup.
More Drink Recipes
Tried this recipe?
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30 Best Greek Recipes
When it comes to delicious, healthy, light meals, Greek food might be on the top of the list. Made with fresh Mediterranean flavors like lemon, garlic, and olive oil, Greek cuisine never disappoints. Whether you are craving some grilled souvlaki skewers, fresh vibrant Greek salad, or homemade tzatiziki sauce, Greece has it all. So if you are wondering how to make Greek food at home for dinner, we have got you covered. We are sharing over 30 of our most popular and best Greek recipes including salads, grilled skewers, chicken, beef, vegetables, pita bread, and more!
Best Greek Recipes
Greek Chicken Souvlaki Skewers
Easy Greek chicken souvlaki skewers marinated in garlic, fresh herbs, lemon and bay leaves for that classic Mediterranean flavour. Grill in under 15 minutes. Serve alongside some easy homemade tzatziki sauce and a Mediterranean orzo pasta salad. Or turn them into Greek chicken gyros wrapped in pita bread.
The Perfect Greek Salad
The perfect Greek salad with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, green peppers, romaine lettuce, olives and feta cheese tossed in a lemon vinaigrette.
Easy Tzatziki Sauce (Yogurt Cucumber Dip)
Light and fresh, easy tzatziki sauce is a creamy yogurt cucumber dip packed with fresh cucumbers, garlic, dill, lemon juice and olive oil. So easy to make.
Souvlaki Beef Shish Kebabs
Easy Greek souvlaki beef shish kebabs are marinated in a garlicky lemony olive oil marinade and threaded with fresh vegetables. Cook on the grill or oven. Serve them wrapped inside some quick and easy pita bread.
Greek Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki
This refreshing and light, easy Greek chicken gyros is packed with tender souvlaki chicken, Greek salad, and homemade tzatziki sauce, all wrapped in a pita.
Baked Chicken Breast with Greek Souvlaki Marinade
Juicy, tender, and moist, baked chicken breast with the best classic Greek souvlaki marinade is the most flavorful and delicious chicken dinner in under 30 minutes. Serve it on its own with greek lemon roasted baby potatoes or use in a Greek chicken salad.
Greek Lemon Roasted Baby Potatoes
Quick and easy Greek lemon roasted baby potatoes are crispy on the outside and tender inside, packed with a Greek flavour blend of lemon, garlic and herbs.
Homemade Pita Bread
Nothing compares to freshly baked, quick and easy homemade pita bread. It's soft and puffy, with a perfect pocket. It takes just 15 minutes of actual prep.
Classic Hummus
Whip up smooth and creamy classic hummus dip at home in just 5 minutes, by combining chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice and garlic in the blender. Serve it with veggies or crackers, or use it in a vegan hummus wrap.
Greek Lamb Shanks
Greek lamb shanks are tender, flavorful, delicious, and literally fall off the bone. Make this Mediterranean lamb in the oven, instant pot, or slow cooker.
Greek Salmon
Greek salmon is delicious, flaky, and tender. This healthy oven-baked salmon is packed with Mediterranean flavors and is ready in just 20 minutes.
Chickpea Greek Salad
Greek salmon is delicious, flaky, and tender. This healthy oven-baked salmon is packed with Mediterranean flavors and is ready in just 20 minutes.
Greek Meatballs
Baked Greek meatballs are juicy, tender, flavorful, and delicious. They are quick and easy to make in 30 minutes, and freezer-friendly. Serve with tzatziki.
Greek Lamb Souvlaki Skewers
Quick and easy, grilled Greek lamb souvlaki skewers are marinated in a simple Mediterranean marinade for just 30 minutes. Serve with some tzatziki sauce. Serve over top of some rice pilaf with carrots and Greek salad on the side. So delicious.
Greek Lemon Garlic Whole Roast Chicken
Easy Greek lemon garlic whole roast chicken is tender, juicy and succulent with the crispiest skin. Prep this flavourful one pan meal in just 15 minutes.
Mediterranean Turkey Burgers
Mediterranean turkey burgers are tender, juicy, and delicious, loaded with garlic, fresh dill, and lemon juice. The perfect summer weeknight meal.
Whipped Feta
Whipped feta is light, airy, and fluffy. It's an easy yet impressive recipe that takes only 5 minutes to make in a blender with 3 simple ingredients.
Greek Fries
Homemade Greek fries bring a Mediterranean twist on a classic side dish, crispy fries are topped with crumbled feta cheese, fresh parsley, and lime juice.
Greek Chicken Salad
Greek chicken salad is fresh, healthy, and delicious, packed with classic Mediterranean flavors. Perfect as a light lunch or dinner, or for meal prep.
Mediterranean Chicken Patties
Delicious, moist and juicy Mediterranean chicken patties have everything you want in one bite: protein, veggies, herbs, and they're quick and easy to make. Serve it on it's own, with hamburger buns, or a side of Basmati rice.
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Smooth creamy roasted red pepper hummus is a delicious, flavourful, vegan + gluten-free dip. This healthy appetizer is easy to make with a few ingredients.
Greek Salad Dressing
Homemade Greek salad dressing is light, fresh, and flavorful. Quick and easy, and so much better, tastier, and healthier than store-bought.
Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad
Quick and easy Mediterranean orzo pasta salad packed with fresh vegetables and herbs is tossed in a Greek lemon vinaigrette. Healthy, light and delicious.
Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgers
Greek-style spinach and feta turkey burgers are tender, juicy, and flavourful, loaded with spinach, feta and fresh Mediterranean herbs and is so easy to prep. Serve it with tzatziki sauce and homemade hamburger buns.
More Popular Recipes
- 60 Best Chicken Recipes
- 25 Best Ground Beef Recipes
- 15 Best Salmon Recipes
- 30 Best Shrimp Recipes
- 40 Best Pasta Recipes
- 40 Best Salad Recipes
Did You Make Any of These Greek Recipes?
Please leave a comment and rating below, and let me know what you thought of this round up of the best Greek recipes. Be sure to snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.
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Watermelon Sorbet
This 2-ingredient Watermelon Sorbet is easy to make, healthy, and vegan. It's the perfect homemade frozen treat to enjoy on a hot summer day. You just need about 5 minutes to prep it and no ice cream maker is required! This all-natural dessert is totally worth the extra freezer space!
So grab a spoon and beat the heat with healthy watermelon sorbet from scratch! Loaded with real watermelons, this refreshing homemade sorbet is the answer to all your summer cravings.
Why You'll Love this Watermelon Sorbet
- Loaded with real watermelon. I mean who doesn't love refreshing and fresh watermelon? They are low in calories and are loaded with vitamins and minerals. Watermelon contains significant levels of vitamins A, B6 and C, antioxidants, and amino acids, making this watermelon sorbet one the healthiest treats you will ever have. On top of all these, watermelons only contain 40 calories per cup, are low in sodium, and definitely fat-free! Made up of 92 percent water, watermelons are much more nutritionally dense than you might think.
- It's so easy to make. Preparing this watermelon sorbet is so easy. All it needs is a few minutes of prep work, a few seconds with the blender, and a few hours in the freezer. How could something so good be so simple? Well, as they say, sometimes the best things in life are the simple things! After making watermelon sorbet from scratch once, you'll want to keep a batch in the freezer all the time.
- It's one of the healthiest desserts. Since the main ingredient in this frozen fruit sorbet is watermelon (and it contains no added sugar!), this fruit sorbet is healthy, vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free. It is still one of the healthiest dessert options to enjoy this summer.
- You only need 2 ingredients. This watermelon sorbet consists of three simple ingredients (and water too). You'll need watermelon, lime juice, and water. That's all you need for a sweet, healthy, and delicious frozen treat.
Ingredient Notes
To make this easy 3-ingredient strawberry sorbet, you will need a blender, and the following ingredients (full quantities in recipe card below):
- watermelon - we use fresh watermelon and then freeze it for this sorbet. You can save the overnight freezing time by using already frozen watermelon instead.
- lime juice
- water
- maple syrup or honey - optional, if needed for extra sweetness.
- watermelon slices (optional, for serving)
- basil or mint leaves (optional, for serving)
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, half sheet baking pan, food processor or blender, and loaf pan for storing (if needed).
How to Make the Best Watermelon Sorbet
- Freeze watermelon. Line a large half sheet baking pan with parchment paper. Place cubed watermelon on the prepared pan spaced evenly apart. Freeze for 1-2 hours, then transfer to a freezer bag to freeze completely overnight.
- Puree. Combine frozen watermelon and lime juice in a food processor or blender. Pulse mix to puree. Add water 1-2 teaspoons at a time, to get the sorbet to a smoother and scoop-able consistency.
- Add sweetness (if needed). The sorbet should be sweet enough if using ripe watermelon. If it is not sweet, add a little maple syrup or honey until desired sweetness is achieved.
- Serve. Serve immediately with small watermelon slices and/or basil or mint leaves (optional). Store any leftovers in a covered loaf pan in the freezer.
How to Serve
Serve watermelon sorbet in a cup or cone. You can add some small watermelon slices or top with basil or mint leaves, or both! If not serving immediately, note that the longer the sorbet is in the freezer the harder it will get. If it is too hard to scoop, set the pan on the kitchen counter for 10-20 minutes until scoop-able.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- How to customize: Use this easy recipe with other types of fruit to create different flavoured sorbet. You can also add some yogurt for a creamier, smoother treat.
- How to store: Store watermelon sorbet in an airtight container or covered container in the freezer for up to one month. You can still eat it for a few months after that but it will start to become overly icy.
- How to serve sorbet that is too hard: If you find that the sorbet has become is too hard to scoop after storing in the freezer, then let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before scooping with an ice cream scoop.
More Frozen Treat Recipes
- Strawberry Sorbet
- Mango Frozen Yogurt
- Blackberry Milkshake
- Peach Sorbet
- No Churn Vanilla Ice Cream
- Strawberry Popsicles
Tried this recipe?
I'd love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and rating below to share your feedback. Your reviews help others discover this recipe and help me keep creating more free recipes for you. Snap a photo and tag me on social media @aheadofthyme too.
Zucchini Fritters
Zucchini fritters are crispy on the outside, tender inside, and loaded with zucchini. These healthy bites are one of my favorite ways to use up summer zucchini from the garden. So if you are looking for fun new recipes to try with your abundance of zucchini this season, I've got you.
The best part? These zucchini fritters are quick and easy to make, ready in under 30 minutes! Serve these vegetable fritters for breakfast, as a snack, appetizer, or a side at dinner. It's delicious on it's own with Tzatziki Sauce or over a salad.
Why You'll Love These Zucchini Fritters
- They are pan-fried to perfection. There's something about fried foods that just can't be replicated. They are crispy, crunchy, slightly salty, and oh so good. These zucchini fritters are pan-fried (not deep fried) which makes them healthier and not overly greasy. They're light and delicious.
- Crispy outside, soft and tender inside. While the exterior of these vegetarian fritters is golden brown perfection, the interior is delicate, soft, and juicy. The moisture from the zucchini ensures the perfect texture every time.
- Zucchini is nutritious. Zucchini is rich in nutrients and antioxidants. It aids in digestion, heart health, vision, weight loss, and healthy blood sugar levels. Basically, it's a powerhouse vegetable. Since it's the main ingredient in these fritters, you know they're going to be good for you.
Ingredients and Substitutions
To make these delicious Zucchini Fritters, you will need the following ingredients (full quantities in recipe card below):
- zucchini - this recipe needs shredded zucchini. Shred it easily using a box grater or food processor.
- chives - you can also substitute with green onions.
- garlic powder
- paprika
- salt and pepper
- all-purpose flour - helps to thicken it up.
- egg - helps to hold the fritters together.
- vegetable oil - for cooking.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, a box grater or food processor (to shred the zucchini), mixing bowl, and skillet.
How to Make the Best Zucchini Fritters
- Shred the zucchini. Use a box grater or food processor to shred the zucchini.
- Drain zucchini. Place the shredded zucchini in a colander over a large bowl or the kitchen sink. Sprinkle the shredded zucchini evenly with a little bit of salt. Toss well to combine and let it sit for 10 minutes (Salt will draw out excess moisture inside the zucchini). Then, use your hands to squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the zucchini. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
- Make fritter batter. Add flour, egg, chives, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well until evenly combined.
- Cook fritters. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat until sizzling hot, about 2 minutes. Place a tablespoon of the zucchini mixture in the skillet and gently flatten with the back of a spoon or spatula. You can probably fit 4-5 fritters in one skillet, depending on the size of your skillet. Cook until golden brown on the bottom, about 2 minutes, and flip over. Cook the other side until golden brown, another 2 minutes. Repeat in batches until the zucchini mixture is used up.
How to Serve
Serve zucchini fritters as an appetizer warm with a side of dipping sauce. Try it with:
- Tzatziki Sauce
- Whipped Feta
- Mayonnaise
- Sour Cream
- Ketchup
You can also serve these vegetable fritters over salad, or as a side with salmon or chicken.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Pan-frying tips: When frying foods, it's essential to make sure your pan is at the right temperature. Too hot, and the fritters will burn before the inside is cooked. Too cold, and the fritters will absorb the oil and become a greasy mess. Adjust the temperature if needed while you cook, keeping in mind that adding fritters will cool the pan slightly, and an empty pan will heat quickly.
- How to store: Store zucchini fritters in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Lining the container with a paper towel can help to absorb any excess moisture and prevent the fritters from becoming soggy.
- How to freeze: Allow the fritters to cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. To serve, allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat.
- How to reheat: I recommend reheating these zucchini fritters in an air fryer if you have one. Heat at 375F for 4-5 minutes. You can also reheat zucchini fritters in a 375F oven for 10-15 minutes until warm, or on in a pan over the stove on medium heat until warm.
More Zucchini Recipes Recipes
- Zucchini Muffins
- Baked Zucchini with Marinara
- Air Fryer Vegetables
- Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles
- Chocolate Zucchini Cake
- Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins
Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Bites
Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Bites are juicy and tender and loaded with authentic Indian spices. This quick and easy air fryer recipe is perfect to make on busy weeknights or any day of the week that you don't feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen but crave a flavorful meal.
Serve tandoori chicken nuggets as an appetizer with homemade yogurt sauce or turn it into a complete meal with rice, vegetables, and salad.
Why You'll Love Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken
- So easy to make in the air fryer. If you use your air fryer often, you already know that it can make your favorite recipes cook up faster and even tastier. That's just the nature of this amazing appliance. And this tandoori chicken recipe is no different. You'll need to set aside 5 minutes to prep the marinade, and hour to marinate, and just 15 minutes to cook. That's it!
- The homemade tandoori marinade. To make Indian tandoori chicken, you need the perfect spice blend in the marinade. To achieve the authentic Indian flavor that you're looking for, you'll need paprika, curry powder (or garam masala), cumin, garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper. Then, add in yogurt to tenderize the meat while it marinates. It's the secret of how these tandoori chicken nuggets are so juicy and tender.
- The homemade yogurt sauce. Serving these tandoori chicken nuggets with the homemade yogurt is totally optional but highly recommended. The yogurt sauce draws inspiration from Tzatziki Sauce with dill, lemon juice, and garlic and provides a refreshing taste that pairs so well with the tandoori spices.
Ingredient Notes
To make these easy Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Bites, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- chicken - we used boneless skinless chicken breasts, but you can also use boneless chicken thighs if you prefer.
- tandoori seasoning - made simple with paprika, curry powder (or garam masala), ground cumin, garlic powder, ginger powder, salt, and pepper. You can also make it spicy with a pinch of cayenne powder or red pepper powder.
- plain yogurt - we use our easy Homemade Yogurt.
- tomato paste - adds flavor and color.
- vegetable oil
- cooking oil spray
- yogurt sauce - this sauce is perfect for dipping or drizzling. You'll need plain yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper. Alternatively, serve these chicken pieces with Tzatziki Sauce.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowl or ziploc bag, and an air fryer.
How to Make the Best Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Bites
- Prepare chicken. Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch thick pieces and set aside in a large mixing bowl or Ziploc bag.
- Make marinade. Add paprika, curry powder, cumin, garlic powder, ginger powder, salt, and pepper. Rub the seasoning all over the chicken pieces to coat it evenly. Stir in yogurt, tomato paste, and oil. Toss well until evenly coated.
- Marinate the chicken. Cover the bowl with plastic cling wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight for the best results).
- Air fry. Transfer the cubed chicken to the air fryer basket in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spray with some cooking oil spray. Air fry at 350F for 13-15 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked through. The internal temperature for the chicken should reach 165F as read on a meat thermometer.
How to Bake in the Oven
You can also bake the chicken tandoori bites in a preheated oven at 450F for 16- 18 minutes or cook in the air fryer at 450F for 13-15 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through.
How to Serve
Serve these tandoori chicken bites as an appetizer with a side of homemade yogurt dipping sauce.
Make the yogurt sauce by whisking together yogurt, oil, lemon juice, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper in a small mixing bowl until smooth. Refrigerate the sauce until ready to use.
You can also serve air fryer tandoori chicken bites as a complete meal by pairing them with some side dishes such as:
- Steamed Rice or Rice Pilaf with Carrots.
- Garlic Naan Bread or Pita Bread.
- Cucumber, tomato, and onion salad such as a Persian Shirazi Salad or Greek Salad.
- Roasted vegetables such as Honey Roasted Carrots, Air Fryer Vegetables, or Roasted Cauliflower.
- Sautéed vegetables such as Sautéed Garlic Green Beas, Sautéed Garlic Mushrooms, or Lemon Parmesan Asparagus.
Make Tandoori Rice Bowls by serving this air fryer chicken with steamed rice, salad, and a dollop or drizzle of the yogurt sauce.
Storing and Reheating
- How to store: Keep leftover tandoori chicken bites in a shallow airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the fridge.
- How to reheat: Reheat tandoori chicken nuggets in the air fryer at 350F for 5-10 minutes until warm.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
- 25 Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Breaded Fried Chicken Wings (Air Fryer)
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Tried this recipe?
I'd love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and rating below to share your feedback. Your reviews help others discover this recipe and help me keep creating more free recipes for you. Snap a photo and tag me on social media @aheadofthyme too.
Hot Dog Buns
Homemade Hot Dog Buns are soft, fluffy, and airy inside with the perfect golden brown crust. This easy to make bread recipe takes just 30 minutes to prep using basic bread making techniques that beginners can easily follow too.
Making hot dog buns from scratch is so easy that we never buy store-bought buns anymore! Plus, you can make a big batch and freeze any extras to enjoy over several months. Keep scrolling to learn how to make hot dog buns at home, including our tips and tricks.
Why You'll Love These Hot Dog Buns
- They're soft and fluffy. These homemade hot dog buns have all the elements you want in a good piece of bread. When you bite into one, your first impression will be the crisp, golden-brown crust. Then, you'll notice just how light and fluffy the inside crumb is. You may struggle to figure out which is your favorite.
- Quick and easy prep. Although making hot dog buns from scratch takes just under 3 hours from start to finish, 2 full hours of that time is spent waiting to allow the dough to rise. So, it doesn't take a lot of time to actually prep. You just have to plan ahead for the rise time.
- The best way to practice your bread baking skills. Making bread can be intimidating if you have never tried it before or if you tried a complex recipe and struggled with it. This hot dog bun recipe is perfect for beginners. It uses basic bread-making techniques so you can perfect your practice - and it's pretty easy so it's hard to go wrong.
Ingredient Notes
To make these easy Hot Dog Buns, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- all purpose flour
- instant yeast - instant yeast is great because it's ready to use right away so it takes less time to prep than active dry yeast. You can use active dry yeast instead, but just let it sit in the milk mixture for a few minutes to activate it.
- sugar - it feeds the yeast, helping the dough rise faster, but it doesn't add sweet flavor to the bread.
- milk and butter - adds fat content to make the hot dog buns fluffier and softer.
- eggs - promotes rising because eggs are a leavening agent (similar to baking powder).
- salt - for flavour.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons (or kitchen scale), mixing bowls, bench scraper or knife, and a half sheet baking pan.
How to Make the Best Hot Dog Buns
- Prepare the dough. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk well to combine the milk, 1 egg, yeast, and sugar until fully dissolved, about 2 minutes. Whisk in 1 cup flour and mix well until smooth. In a large mixing bowl, add 3 cups flour, butter, and salt. Mix evenly with a spatula. Pour in the milk mixture and stir well to combine until it forms a shaggy dough, scraping down the sides of the bowl (there should be no dry flour particles visible).
- Rest. Cover the bowl with plastic cling wrap and let the dough rest for 10-15 minutes. This helps dough develop gluten naturally without kneading.
- Knead. Knead the dough on a clean lightly floured surface for 8-10 minutes until a smooth and soft dough ball is formed.
Tips for Kneading Dough
- How to knead dough: Knead the dough by pushing it down and outward using the palms of your hands. Fold the dough in half toward you and press down. Repeat this motion by pushing the dough down and outward, and then folding over towards you. This helps build up gluten strength in dough that is responsible for making the bread fluffy.
- How to test if dough is well-kneaded: A well-kneaded dough is smooth and can hold its shape. You can test the dough by giving it a firm poke with your finger. The indentation should bounce right back. If it doesn't bounce back and stays like a dimple, keep kneading for a few more minutes.
- First rise. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour. You can lightly oil the dough ball to prevent it from sticking to the bowl.
How to Shape Hot Dog Buns
- Roll the dough. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough into an approximate 12x5-inch rectangle. Use a knife or bench scraper to divide the dough into 10 equal pieces.
Roll out the dough. Cut dough into 10 pieces.
- Shape the buns. Shape them into the shape of a hot dog bun and arrange them on a parchment lined baking sheet, spaced evenly apart, about 2-inches apart. You can also roll the bread to shape it into a hot dog bun.
- Second rise. Cover the baking sheet loosely with cling wrap and let dough rise until almost doubled in size, about 45 minutes depending on the room temperature.
- Add egg wash. In a small mixing bowl, use a fork to beat the remaining egg. Brush the egg wash evenly over each bun. The egg wash creates shine and enhances the golden color of the buns when baking.
- Bake. Bake in a 375F preheated oven for 20 minutes until golden brown.
Shape the hot dog buns. First rise. Bake.
- Cool. Transfer the hot dog buns onto a wire cooling rack and allow the buns to cool completely before slicing, about 20 minutes.
How to Serve
The most obvious way to enjoy hot dog buns are with sausages or weiners. Buy you can also use them to make any sandwich that you like. Use them for:
- Egg Salad Sandwich
- Lobster Rolls
- Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi Sandwich
- Simple sandwiches with deli meat
You can also cut them into squares and serve with a cheesy dipping sauce like Pizza Dip or Baked Spinach Dip.
If serving as a hot dog, pair them with some classic sides including:
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Weigh the ingredients: I recommend weighing the ingredients using a kitchen scale for the most accurate measurements. You can totally use measuring cups instead, but it won't be as precise. A kitchen scale is a relatively cheap investment.
- The texture of the dough: With the butter and milk in this recipe, the dough should be a bit sticky in the beginning. After a few minutes of kneading, the dough will turn smooth and not sticky. By lightly oiling your hands when kneading, it will help keep the dough from sticking to your hands initially.
- How to store hot dog buns: You can store these hot dog buns in a bread basket or sealed container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Note that their texture will harden in the fridge so I recommend toasting them or warming them up to bring back some moisture.
- How to freeze: Let the buns cool to room temperature first and then freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. I recommend slicing them first before freezing so you can easily defrost them in the toaster under the defrost setting.
More Bread Recipes
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Lemon Curd Cookies
These Lemon Curd Cookies are made of buttery shortbread thumbprint cookies dusted with powdered sugar and filled with sweet and tangy lemon curd. They are crumbly and soft with the perfect crispy edges while creamy and lemony in the center. The perfect combination of sweet and sour!
Plus, these lemon curd thumbprint cookies are easy to make - the cookie dough comes together in one bowl and they bake in just 10 minutes after they've been shaped and chilled. Perfect for a last minute cookie craving.
Why You'll Love These Lemon Curd Cookies
- The soft, chewy, and crumbly sugar cookie base. These lemon curd cookies need a solid base to hold the lemon curd, and they deliver on it. Flavored with vanilla and almond extract, the shortbread cookie base is perfect in every way - flavor, texture, crumbliness, and softness.
- The creamy, sweet, and tart lemon curd. Lemon curd is dessert heaven. It's sweet, rich, creamy, buttery, and tart, and it has an intense flavor that pairs perfectly with the shortbread cookie. If you've got homemade lemon curd, these cookies will be even better and more flavorful.
- They're easy to make. With a few simple steps and one bowl, cookie dough has never been easier to make. Then, just shape, chill, and bake before you're ready to fill the thumbprint cookies with lemon curd.
- The perfect dessert for lemon lovers. If you love lemons or any tart foods, then these lemon cookies are a must-have recipe in your book. You'll find yourself making these cookies with lemon curd again and again - they're just that good.
Ingredient Notes
To make these easy Lemon Curd Cookies, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- butter - you will need to use room temperature butter or else it won't cream properly with the sugar. Leave the butter out on the kitchen counter for about 1 hour to soften it.
- granulated sugar
- pure vanilla extract
- pure almond extract - I love the flavor that almond extract adds to these cookies, but you could leave this out if you don't have any on hand.
- salt
- all-purpose flour
- confectioners' sugar - optional, for dusting on the cookies.
- lemon curd - feel free to use store-bought or homemade lemon curd. We always use our homemade Lemon Curd in recipes that call for curd because it's easy to make at home and is so flavorful.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowl, half sheet baking pan with parchment paper or a silpat baking mat, and a wire cooling rack.
How to Make the Best Lemon Curd Cookies
- Cream butter and sugar. Use a stand mixer (or hand mixer) and cream the butter and sugar together in a mixing bowl on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add extracts and salt. Add vanilla, almond extract, and salt and continue to beat on medium until fully incorporated.
- Add flour. Add flour gradually until just combined.
Cream butter and sugar. Add extracts and salt. Add flour.
- Shape cookies. Take 1 tablespoon of dough at a time and roll into 1-inch balls. Make an indentation with your thumb (or the back of a small spoon or melon baller) into the centre of each ball.
- Chill. Place cookies on a silpat or parchment-lined half sheet baking pan, spaced 2 inches apart. Transfer the baking sheet to the refrigerator and chill the cookies for 1 hour (or place in the freezer for 30 minutes).
- Bake. Bake the cookies in a 350F preheated oven for 10-13 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. If the indentations have started to close, use the back of a spoon or melon baller to carefully make the indentation bigger again, while the cookies are still hot.
- Cool. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
- Fill with lemon curd. Once cooled, lightly dust the cookies with confectioner's sugar. Then, use a small spoon to carefully fill them with lemon curd. Serve immediately or store for later.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- How to store: Keep leftover lemon curd cookies in the fridge inside an airtight container for up to four weeks. They are best consumed within the first 1-2 weeks but will last a few weeks longer. Also, make sure to store them in a single layer instead of stacking them so that the lemon curd filling doesn't smudge.
- How to customize: You can use this recipe as a base for different flavored thumbprint cookies! You can customize them easily by substituting the lemon curd filling with jam such as raspberry, peach, or strawberry jam.
More Cookie Recipes
- 50 Best Cookie Recipes
- Jam-Filled Thumbprint Cookies
- S'mores Cookies
- Italian Rainbow Cookies
- Cut Out Shortbread Cookies
- Linzer Cookies
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20 Best Dip Recipes
Dips are one of the most satisfying items on a party table or when you are just craving a late-night snack. They can be creamy and cheesy, hearty and veggie-packed, or warm or cool. Either way they are all quick and easy to make. So if you are wondering what kind of dip to make, then you have come to the right place. We are sharing our 20 best and most popular dip recipes including cheesy dips, salsas, all the hummus (we might have a bit of an obsession), and more!
Best Dip Recipes
Baked Spinach Dip
Warm, rich, creamy baked spinach dip is a delicious and easy appetizer that is baked until warm and melty. Easy to make ahead and a total crowd pleaser. It's one of my favourite Super Bowl recipes of all time.
Whipped Ricotta Dip
Light and airy, whipped ricotta dip is so easy to make in just 5 minutes with a few fresh ingredients including fresh herbs, olive oil, garlic, and honey.
Classic Hummus
Whip up smooth and creamy classic hummus dip at home in just 5 minutes, by combining chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice and garlic in the blender. Serve it with veggies or crackers, or use it in a vegan hummus wrap.
Easy Guacamole
Incredibly tasty, this easy and basic guacamole takes less than 5 minutes to make. It is the perfect dip for a Mexican-inspired Super Bowl party.
Homemade Ranch Dip
Homemade ranch dip is creamy, tangy, flavorful, and delicious. This classic dip is easy to make at home in minutes, and is so much better than store-bought.
Queso Mexican Cheese Dip
Homemade queso Mexican cheese dip is smooth, creamy, delicious, flavorful, and so easy to make. It's so much better than store-bought in every way.
Spinach Artichoke Dip
This baked spinach artichoke dip is quick, easy, creamy, flavorful, and delicious. This warm dip is baked in the oven and served with bread or crackers.
Olive Tapenade
Olive tapenade is a delicious, flavorful, easy dip that comes together in minutes, made with the perfect combination of sharp, tangy, salty, and savory.
7 Layer Dip
This easy and delicious 7 layer dip is the perfect dip to serve at your next party, made with layers of beans, guacamole, salsa, cheese, and more.
Caramelized Onion Dip
Caramelized onion dip is creamy, flavorful, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. This easy appetizer is perfect for entertaining, on game day, or for a snack.
Pesto Hummus
Smooth and creamy pesto hummus is a healthy, delicious and flavourful dip that is easy to make in just 5 minutes. It's vegan and gluten-free.
Whipped Feta
Whipped feta is light, airy, and fluffy. It's an easy yet impressive recipe that takes only 5 minutes to make in a blender with 3 simple ingredients.
Pico de Gallo Chunky Salsa
Easy 5-minute pico de gallo chunky salsa is packed with fresh tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and lime juice (and optional jalapeños for a spicy kick).
Easy Tzatziki Sauce (Yogurt Cucumber Dip)
Light and fresh, easy tzatziki sauce is a creamy yogurt cucumber dip packed with fresh cucumbers, garlic, dill, lemon juice and olive oil. So easy to make.
Pizza Dip
Pepperoni pizza dip is creamy, rich, comforting, and delicious. This appetizer is easy to make, easy to prepare ahead of time, and easy to eat.
Avocado Hummus
Quick and easy avocado hummus is creamy, smooth, healthy, and delicious. Loaded with chickpeas and avocado, it's the perfect blend of hummus and guacamole.
Marinara Sauce
Marinara sauce is rich, vibrant, and loaded with flavor. It’s easy to make with a few simple fresh ingredients. Serve as a dip or in pasta and pizza.
Baked Ricotta
Baked ricotta is creamy, smooth, and flavorful. This delicious warm dip is packed with Parmesan and seasoned with dried herbs for the ultimate cheesy dip.
Mango Salsa
Fresh mango salsa is sweet, tangy, and delicious. It's a quick and easy recipe that you can whip up with just 6 ingredients and in under 10 minutes.
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Smooth creamy roasted red pepper hummus is a delicious, flavourful, vegan + gluten-free dip. This healthy appetizer is easy to make with a few ingredients.
Baba Ganoush Eggplant Dip
Baba ganoush is a creamy, roasted eggplant dip mixed with garlic and tahini for an explosion of flavour! It is perfect served with pita chips or veggies.
Creamy Pumpkin Hummus
Make creamy pumpkin hummus in under 5 minutes with a few pantry staples including canned pumpkin. It's the best healthy and delicious fall snack or appy.
Black Bean Salsa
This quick and easy Black Bean Salsa is a delicious Mexican dip loaded with black beans, veggies, cilantro, and lime juice for the best summer flavor.
Vegan Queso
Vegan Queso is a 5-minute dip that is creamy, cheesy, and perfectly spiced to mimic the classic dip — without any dairy! It tastes like the real thing!
How to Make Ahead and Store Dip
You can make or prepare most of these savory dip recipes ahead of time. You can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week (depending on the reicpe) or evne in the freezer for up to 3 months (hummus freezes well!). Confirm storing instructions by checking each recipe.
To reheat any of the warm dips, you can reheat in a 300F preheated oven or air fryer for 5-15 minutes until fully warmed through. I would check on it every 5 minutes until ready. Some dips can also be reheated on the stove over medium-low heat until warmed through.
More Popular Recipes
- 50 Best Chicken Breast Recipes
- 30 Best Shrimp Recipes
- 25 Best Ground Beef Recipes
- 50 Best Bread Recipes
- 40 Best Salad Recipes
- 40 Best Pasta Recipes
Did You Make Any of These Dip Recipes?
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Lemon Curd
Homemade Lemon Curd is rich, creamy, sweet, and tangy. This delicious fruit curd is easy to make with just 6 simple ingredients and a few basic steps. Loaded with real lemons, this curd so much more potent and better than store-bought curd that is filled with preservatives and filler ingredients.
Use this lemon curd made from scratch as a dessert spread in cakes, crepes, scones, cookies, and more. It's powerful lemony tartness add the best flavor to any dessert.
Why You'll Love This Lemon Curd Recipe
- Lemon curd is rich and creamy. Made with a half cup of butter, six egg yolks, and a full cup of sugar, this lemon curd is extremely rich. It's creamy from the fat, indulgent from the egg yolks, and sweet from the sugar. Altogether, it's the perfect topping or ingredient in desserts.
- Loaded with sweet and tart flavor. This homemade lemon curd gets its flavor from freshly squeezed lemon juice and a generous spoonful of lemon zest. The result is a pungent, sweet, and tart fruit curd that is delightfully lemony and delicious.
- Made with just 6 ingredients. If you've never made lemon curd at home, you wouldn't believe how easy it is to make. You only need 6 ingredients and less than 15 minutes to make before it's ready to be chilled for an hour.
- Lemon curd is the perfect dessert spread. You can use this lemon curd for just about anything: cakes, scones, pies, cookies, crepes, and more. You can even spread it on plain toast, make lemon bars, or put it inside a strudel. The options are endless.
Ingredient Notes
To make this delicious Lemon Curd, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- egg yolks - save the egg whites to make Vanilla French Macarons or Chocolate Macarons.
- granulated sugar
- lemon juice
- lemon zest
- salt
- butter
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, small saucepan, and a glass jar such as a mason jar.
How to Make the Best Lemon Curd
- Combine ingredients. In a small saucepan, add egg yolks, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt. Whisk until completely combined.
- Cook. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly until mixture thickens and bubbles, about 10 minutes.
- Add butter. Remove from heat and add the butter. Continue to whisk until fully combined and smooth.
- Strain. Pass the lemon curd through a fine mesh strainer to remove the zest for a smoother curd (optional).
- Cool. Transfer to a glass jar (such as a mason jar) and let it cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Cover and store in the refrigerator.
How to Store
Once cool, keep the lemon curd in a sealed glass jar (mason jar) or airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
How to Use Lemon Curd
It's a good idea to keep a batch of lemon curd on hand because there are so many delicious ways to use and serve it. Some of my favorites are:
- On it's own with a spoon or with berries on top.
- As a filling in cookies such as Lemon Curd Cookies or a filling in between sandwich cookies like French Macarons.
- As a topping drizzled over Pancakes, French Toast, or Crepes.
- As a tart or pie filling.
- As a filling in between layers of cake.
- As a topping over Vanilla Ice Cream or New York Cheesecake.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Doubling the recipe: If you want to double or triple this recipe, you totally can. Just keep in mind that it will take a little more time to cook since there will be more volume.
- Tips for thickening lemon curd: If your lemon curd doesn't seem to be thickening, be patient. It likely means that the curd hasn't been heated to a high enough temperature. Try increasing your temperature very slightly or waiting a bit longer.
- Don't overcook: Overcooking your curd will scramble the egg yolks. So be careful not to let the curd get to a boil. You may need to lower the heat or even remove the pan from the heat if your lemon curd starts to get too hot too quickly.
More Lemon Recipes
- Lemon Loaf with Lemon Glaze (Starbucks Copycat)
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Lemon Butter Pasta
- Lemon Blueberry Bread
- Healthy Lemon Chicken
- Lemon Parmesan Asparagus
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Homemade Ranch Dip
Homemade ranch dip is creamy, tangy, flavorful, and delicious. This classic dip is so easy to make at home in just minutes, with the perfect combination of ingredients including fresh herbs and seasoning. Plus, it's so much better than store-bought dip because it contains real ingredients with no fillers or preservatives.
Ranch is the perfect appy to serve with veggies for easy entertaining, as a spread in sandwiches for a healthy lunch, or drizzled over salads and rice bowls for extra flavor.
Why You'll Love This Homemade Ranch Dip
- It's ready in five minutes. You won't believe how easy it is to make ranch dip at home. You simple combine all your ingredients in a bowl and mix them together until combined. You don't need a food processor or any fancy equipment, and there is no cooking or baking involved. Just less than 5 minutes of time from start to finish - maybe ten if you count washing the dishes.
- Loaded with classic ranch flavor. This ranch dip is creamy, tangy, and slightly sour with hints of lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs like dill and parsley. Plus, this dip made with fresh ingredients so it's so much more potent and flavorful than store-bought dip.
- So much better than store-bought dips. Store-bought ranch is convenient but they're typically filled with preservatives and filler ingredients, and sometimes even sugar. When you make homemade dips, you know exactly what ingredients are going in there. But since there are no preservatives, this homemade ranch lasts only one week. Some other easy last minute dips that you can make at home are Avocado Hummus, 7 Layer Dip, and Whipped Ricotta Dip.
Ingredient Notes
To make this quick and easy Ranch Dip, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- sour cream - or substitute with Greek yogurt.
- mayonnaise
- lemon juice
- fresh herbs - parsley and dill.
- seasoning - onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- whole milk - this is optional to thin out the consistency of the dip, if desired.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons and a mixing bowl.
How to Make the Best Ranch Dip
In a medium mixing bowl, stir to combine all ingredients including sour cream, mayo, lemon juice, parsley, dill, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. If you prefer ranch dip with a thinner consistency, add in some milk to thin it out.
Serve immediately or chilled.
Storing Instructions
Store homemade ranch dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
How to Serve
You can serve ranch dip on a Charcuterie Board or Veggie Tray with a side of veggies, crackers, or meat for dipping. Try it with:
- Pita Bread, crackers or bread.
- Raw vegetables such as carrots, celery, cucumber, and cauliflower.
- Air Fryer Cauliflower Bites or Baked Cauliflower Nuggets.
- Roasted Garlic Parmesan Baby Potatoes or Crispy Smashed Potatoes.
- Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites or Baked BBQ Chicken Wings.
You can also serve this ranch dip as:
- A salad dressing in salads such as Garden Salad.
- A sandwich spread.
- Drizzled over rice bowls.
More Dip Recipes
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Cold Brew Coffee
Homemade Cold Brew Coffee is rich, smooth, and mellow. It's less acidic and bitter than regular coffee, making it the best iced coffee drink to enjoy this summer. Plus, it's so much cheaper than buying at your local coffee shop.
The best part? Making cold brew coffee at home is so much easier than you think. Although it takes time to allow the coffee to steep, it really only requires a few simple steps and no special equipment (especially if you grind the coffee at the grocery store).
What is Cold Brew?
Cold brew coffee is coffee that is steeped very slowly in low temperature (at room temperature or in the fridge). This process makes it taste a lot different from hot brewed coffee using the exact same coffee beans. Cold brew coffee is less acidic and less bitter than regular iced coffee, and it boasts a more mellow taste overall.
Cold brew coffee is also more expensive than regular coffee when you buy it at your local coffee shop. Why? It's more time-consuming - but it's also better. The good news is that it's incredibly easy to make it at home. So, save your money and try this cold brew coffee recipe!
Why You'll Love This Cold Brew Coffee
- It's so easy to make. You won't believe how easy it is to make homemade cold brew. Although it takes a while to steep, the steps are simple. Grind your coffee beans. Soak them in water. Strain out the coffee grounds. Store the filtered coffee in the fridge. That's it.
- It will save you money. Say goodbye to those premium charges for cold brew coffee at Starbucks or local coffee shops by making your own cold brew at home. You'll be surprised just how much you can save every month by choosing coffee at home instead of the cafe.
- Make it a weekly routine this summer. Your filtered cold brew will last in the fridge for up to one week. That means you can add cold brew to your weekly meal prep to enjoy easy iced coffee all week long!
Ingredient Notes
To make this easy homemade Cold Brew Coffee, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- whole coffee beans
- water
You will also need measuring cups, a coffee grinder, large pitcher or jar, fine mesh sieve, and a cheese cloth or coffee filter.
How to Make the Best Cold Brew Coffee
- Grind coffee beans. Transfer the coffee beans to a coffee grinder and grind them on the coarsest setting. If you grind the beans at the grocery store, make sure to choose the coarse setting or French Press-style.
- Steep coffee. In a large pitcher or jar, combine the coffee grounds and water. Stir the coffee in to make sure that the grounds are completely saturated with water. Cover the pitcher with the lid or a small plate and let it steep on the counter at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 18 hours.
Grind coffee beans. Steep coffee.
- Strain. Line a fine mesh sieve with a cheese cloth or coffee filter. Pour the coffee through the prepared sieve and into a clean jar or container.
Strain coffee. Store cold brew in a jar or container.
- Serve. Pour the cold brew concentrate over a glass of ice leaving about ¼ of the cup empty to allow room to dilute it with water, milk, or creamer.
How to Store Cold Brew
Store the strained cold brew in a sealed jar or container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Use you favorite coffee beans: Don't switch to a cheaper coffee bean to make cold brew. Higher quality beans will yield higher quality cold brew, so stick with your favorite coffee beans when making this recipe.
- Use whole coffee beans: You cannot make good cold brew coffee using pre-ground coffee beans. You need to purchase whole coffee beans and grind them coarsely. This is very important when making the best cold brew coffee.
- Use filtered water: Depending on where you live, you can use tap water otherwise filtered water will make a difference in the outcome of your cold brew. Consider buying bottled water or using filtered water from a Brita pitcher or other water filtering system.
More Drink Recipes
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Pork Noodles
Pork Noodles is a quick and easy stir fry recipe that's ready in just 20 minutes (including prep!). It's filling, delicious, flavorful, and so much better than takeout. Loaded with healthy carbs, protein, and veggies, these noodles have it all.
Plus, this pork Pad Thai can be customized with different meat or veggies so that you can use what you have on hand. It's the perfect dinner to make on busy weeknights or for a quick lunch.
Why You'll Love These Pork Noodles
- A quick 20-minute meal. This filling and protein-packed meal is ready in just 20 minutes. These Pad Thai noodles with pork is the perfect recipe to whip up on busy weeknights. You can even use leftover pork like Vietnamese Grilled Pork to make it even faster.
- It's so easy to make. This pork noodle stir fry is not only fast to make - it's also really easy! It's a one skillet recipe that takes just a few steps to make. It's so easy that it's a great recipes for beginners to try too.
- It's a complete wholesome meal. These noodles have healthy carbs, protein, and veggies makes it a wholesome and balanced meal. You don't need any extra side dishes to complete these boodles, but you could totally could if you wanted to!
- It's customizable. This quick Asian stir fry noodle recipe is also completely customizable. You can substitute with a different kind of meat or use tofu. You can also add in or substitute the veggies for other veggies that you have on hans hand. Try adding in bok choy, bean sprouts, or cauliflower.
Ingredient Notes
To make this delicious Pork Noodle Stir Fry, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- stir-fry rice noodles - I use the Thai Kitchen brand and recommend them for this recipe.
- vegetable oil - for stir frying the noodles.
- lean pork - you can also use leftover pork cut into strip such as Vietnamese Grilled Pork.
- yellow onion or shallot
- eggs
- green cabbage
- red bell pepper - or substitute with a different colored bell pepper.
- sauce - an easy sauce made with soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, rice vinegar, brown sugar (or honey), and chili flakes (optional for a little kick).
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowl, and large skillet or wok.
How to Make the Best Pork Noodles
- Soak noodles. In a large mixing bowl, soak the dry rice noodles in lukewarm water for 10 minutes (or according to the package instructions) until soft but firm. Drain and set aside. If the noodles become sticky, rinse gently with water to separate them.
- Cook pork. Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until sizzling hot, about 1 minute. Add pork and sauté until lightly browned, about 2-3 minutes. (You can also use leftover Vietnamese Grilled Pork in this recipe instead).
- Sauté onions. Add onion and cook until tender, about 1 minute.
- Add eggs. Shift the pork and onions over to one side of the skillet to make some space in the pan to crack the eggs on the other side. Add the eggs, scramble, and cook until they have thickened and there are no visible liquid parts remaining.
- Add vegetables. Add cabbage and bell pepper and stir everything together. Cook the veggies until tender, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add noodles. Stir in the drained noodles and stir to combine evenly, about 1 minute.
- Make sauce. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients until smooth including soy sauce, fish sauce, line juice, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and chili flakes (if using).
- Add sauce. Pour the sauce into the pan, toss well, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the noodles, pork, and veggies are evenly coated. You can add 1-2 tablespoons of water if desired to make it a bit more saucy.
- Serve. Serve immediately.
How to Serve
Serve Pork Pad Thai Noodles on their own as a delicious quick lunch or dinner. You can also switch up the protein and use chicken or tofu if you want or, and pair it with some sides such as:
- Thai Mango Salad
- Vegetarian Spring Rolls
- Air Fryer Vegetable "Stir Fry"
- Vegetarian Steamed Buns
- Chinese Garlic Cucumber Salad
- Vietnamese Salad Rolls with Peanut Sauce
Storing Instructions
- How to store: Pad Thai noodles with pork are best serve fresh. If you have leftovers, allow them to cool to room temperature first. Then, transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- How to reheat: Reheat these Asian pork noodles the same way you cooked them - on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring frequently until warmed through. You can also pop them in the microwave on medium heat in 30-second intervals until warm.
More Noodle Recipes
- 25 Best Noodle Recipes
- Beef Noodle Stir Fry
- Shanghai Style Fried Noodles
- Scallion Oil Noodles
- Spicy Cumin Lamb Noodles
- Peanut Noodles
Tried this recipe?
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Blackberry Milkshake
This blackberry milkshake is thick, creamy, and smooth. You won't believe how quick and easy it is to make this refreshing drink at home with just 3 ingredients in under 5 minutes.
These berry milkshakes are perfect in the hot summer months when blackberries are fresh in season or enjoy them all year long with frozen berries or even other kinds of fruit!
Why You'll Love This Blackberry Milkshake
- It's thick and creamy. Like any good milkshake should be, this blackberry milkshake recipe delivers the best texture every time - thick, creamy, and smooth.
- You only need 3 ingredients. Milkshakes are a lot easier to make at home than you thjnk. All you need to make this blackberry milkshake is a blender, ice cream, milk, and blackberries. You can also add in your favorite toppings if you want.
- Ready in under 5 minutes. Why run to your local dessert shop to order a milkshake, when you can make one at home in under 5 minutes? All you need to do is combine the ingredients in the blender and puree. It's so quick to make and tastes better than store-bought!
- It's customizable. Whether you prefer dairy vs. dairy-free or sweet vs. unsweetened, you can completely customize the ingredient measurements to suit your tastebuds. Plus, use this recipe as a base and change up the fruit to create different flavored milkshakes.
Ingredient Notes
To make these easy Blackberry Milkshakes, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- blackberries - I recommend ripe blackberries for the best results.
- vanilla ice cream - you can used homemade no churn vanilla ice cream or store-bought ice cream - whatever is more convenient!
- milk - feel free to use any milk that you like, whether that's dairy milk or half and half or non-dairy milk like soy milk, oat milk, or almond milk.
- honey - add more or less depending on your desired level of sweetness. You can also substitute it with another sweetener such as maple syrup or sugar.
- toppings - top these milkshakes with extra whipped cream and extra blackberries (optional).
You will also need measuring cups and spoons and a blender.
How to Make the Best Blackberry Milkshake
If you've never make milkshakes at home, you may be surprised to find out how easy they are to make. All you do is combine the blackberries, ice cream, milk, and honey together in a blender and puree until smooth.
Then, divide the drink into two glasses. Garnish with whipped cream and extra blackberries, if desired.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- How to customize: Use this recipe as a base for any fruit flavored milkshake. Substitute with other fruit such as strawberries, blueberries, or peaches. You can also use a combination of different fruit, just make sure the total amount that you add is 1 cup.
- How to store: Homemade milkshakes are best enjoyed freshly made. You can store leftovers for a few hours in the fridge, but anything longer than that should be stored in the freezer. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, allow it to defrost on the kitchen counter for about 20 minutes.
More Drink Recipes
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Mango Bubble Tea
- Peach Iced Tea
- Frappuccino
- Majoon (Banana and Date Smoothie)
- Matcha Milk Tea
Tried this recipe?
I'd love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and rating below to share your feedback. Your reviews help others discover this recipe and help me keep creating more free recipes for you. Snap a photo and tag me on social media @aheadofthyme too.
15 Best Blueberry Recipes
When we are right in the middle of blueberry season, it's time to make all the blueberry recipes. Whether you are picking fresh blueberries at the local farms, grabbing a carton from the farmer's market, or even substituting with a bag of frozen blueberries, I have rounded up our 15 best and most popular blueberry recipes for when you are wondering what to make with blueberries. From desserts like cakes and pies, to breakfast and baked goods, I have got you covered.
Best Blueberry Recipes
Lemon Blueberry Bread
Easy lemon blueberry bread with lemon glaze is soft, moist, and delicious. This quick bread with fresh blueberries and lemon is the perfect summer dessert.
Classic Blueberry Pie with Lattice Top
Summery classic blueberry pie is made with the perfect flaky pie crust, a jammy blueberry filling with a hint of lemon, and sealed with a lattice top.
Blueberry Oat Squares
Blueberry oat squares are sweet, buttery, and delicious, with three mouthwatering layers. With just 15 minutes of prep, they are the perfect treat.
Blueberry Pancakes
There’s nothing better in the morning than thick, soft, fluffy blueberry pancakes, loaded with fresh berries, topped with butter, and soaked in maple syrup.
Blueberry Buckle Cake
Blueberry buckle cake is soft and moist, loaded with fresh blueberries, and has a crunchy, sweet and buttery streusel topping. It's the best coffee cake.
Glazed Lemon Blueberry Scones
Light, tender and flakey, glazed lemon blueberry scones are crunchy and golden on the outside, soft and moist in the middle, with a drizzle of lemon glaze.
Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls
Delicious blueberry cinnamon rolls are soft and fluffy, filled with cinnamon sugar, loaded with fresh blueberries, and topped with cream cheese icing.
Blueberry Yogurt Muffins
Blueberry yogurt muffins are buttery, moist, soft, and cakey and bursting with blueberries in every single bite. They are super quick and easy to make.
Blueberry Crisp
Blueberry crisp with a sweet blueberry filling and a buttery, crispy oat topping, is a delicious, fruity treat that's ready in just 45 minutes.
Blueberry Biscuits
These Blueberry Biscuits from scratch are delicious, fluffy, moist, and sweet. It’s a one bowl recipe that is ready in 30 minutes with minimal clean up.
Nutella Crepes
Nutella crepes with berries are sweet and indulgent. These French pancakes are an easy to make blender recipe that will have you craving breakfast all day.
Fruit and Yogurt Parfait with Granola
Layer fresh fruits, creamy Greek yogurt and crunchy granola and have a delicious and healthy fruit and yogurt parfait with granola for breakfast, a snack or even a simple dessert.
Triple Berry French Toast
Triple berry french toast with warm slices of bread, creamy egg mixture, an overload of berries, and maple syrup drizzled on top is breakfast goals.
Summer Fruit Salad with Honey Lemon Dressing
This Summer Fruit Salad is colorful, delicious, and naturally sweet (no processed sugar!). It's easy to make with fresh fruit tossed in a homemade dressing.
How to Make Ahead and Store
You can make or prepare some of these blueberry recipes ahead of time. You can store the desserts and baked goods at room temperature for 1-2 days. You can also store them in the refrigerator for up to one week or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Confirm storing instructions by checking each recipe.
To reheat any of these recipes and serve them warm, reheat in a 300F preheated oven or air fryer for 5-15 minutes until fully warmed through. I would check on it every 5 minutes until ready. If heating from frozen, let it thaw first and then reheat.
Did You Make Any of These Blueberry Recipes?
Please leave a comment and rating below, and let me know what you thought of this round up of blueberry recipes, or let me know if there are any recipes you would like to see. Be sure to snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.
Vietnamese Grilled Pork
Vietnamese Grilled Pork (also known as Bún Thịt Nướng) is delicious, flavorful, and easy to make. It's a popular Asian dish that's tender and juicy on the inside, and perfectly charred on the outside. Serve this summer grill recipe on it's own, in a Banh Mi Sandwich, over salad, or in a noodle or rice bowl.
The best part? This grilled pork is marinated in an authentic and easy marinade that only takes an hour to infuse the meat with so much flavor. It's the perfect recipe to prep in the morning or the night before and throw on the grill after work so you can enjoy dinner in about 10 minutes.
Why You'll Love This Vietnamese Grilled Pork
- It's quick and easy. This Vietnamese grilled pork takes about 10 minutes to prep and coat in marinade, and another 10 or so minutes to grill. It's a low stress meal that you can serve all summer long on busy weeknights.
- Packed with lemongrass and other authentic ingredients. Similar to Lemongrass Chicken, this Vietnamese pork is loaded with lemongrass, which is a staple herb in Vietnamese cuisine. It gives the pork an aromatic and lemony taste and smell. And when paired with ingredients like lime juice and fish sauce you get different layers of flavors in every bite which compliment the natural flavor of pork really well.
- Made with a lean cut of meat. Pork is a staple meat in Vietnamese or Asian cuisines so it's no surprise that this grilled lemongrass pork is widely available in Vietnamese restaurants. Plus, pork shoulder or pork chops are lean cuts of meat that is low in fat and an excellent source of protein. It is also a great source of vitamins and minerals including B vitamins, potassium, and zinc.
- Cook pork on the grill, in the oven, or in the air fryer. Vietnamese grilled pork is traditionally cooked on the grill as the charring and smoke adds even more flavor to this already flavorful dish. But you can enjoy them all year long by baking in the oven or in the air fryer.
Ingredient Notes
To make this easy and delicious Vietnamese Grilled Pork, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- pork shoulder or boneless pork chops - these cuts are recommended because they are lean with a little fat which creates beautiful charring when the fat is caramelized on the grill.
- lemongrass
- shallots
- garlic
- brown sugar
- fish sauce
- lime juice - use freshly squeezed like juice for the best flavor.
- vegetable oil - I used avocado oil, but any vegetable oil can be used. Try coconut oil, olive oil, or grapeseed oil.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons and mixing bowl or ziploc bag for marinating.
How to Make the Best Vietnamese Grilled Pork
- Prep the pork. Cut the pork shoulder into 2-3 inch pieces, about ¼ inch thick. Set aside in a large mixing bowl or Ziploc bag.
- Marinate the pork. In a blender or food processor, add the remaining ingredients (lemongrass, shallots, garlic, brown sugar, fish sauce, lime juice, and vegetable oil). Mix for 1 minute until blended and smooth. Pour the marinade over the pork and toss well to coat evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic cling wrap (or seal the ziploc bag). Refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight for the best results).
- Grill the pork. Preheat grill over medium high to 450F, about 6-8 minutes. Place the marinated pork spaced evenly apart on the grill and grill for 5-7 minutes on each side until nicely charred. (You can also chop up the meat smaller and thread onto bamboo skewers and grill them). The internal temperature for the pork should reach 150F as read on a meat thermometer.
- Rest and serve. Let the pork rest at room temperature for 5 minutes and serve.
How to Cook Vietnamese Pork in the Oven or Air Fryer
- In the oven: You can also bake the pork in a 425F preheated oven for 16-18 minutes until golden brown, and the internal temperature for the pork reaches 150F as read a meat thermometer. Optionally, turn the broiler on HI and broil for another 2-3 minutes until nicely charred on the edges. Keep a close eye on it though as things can burn quickly in the broiler
- In the air fryer: Cook at 350F for 15 minutes until internal temperature of the pork reaches 150F.
- Rest: Let the pork rest at room temperature for 5 minutes, then serve.
How to Serve
Vietnamese Grilled Pork is delicious served on their own dipped in nuoc cham sauce or sweet chili sauce. You can also make a complete meal by pairing them with some side dishes such as:
- Steamed Rice or Pineapple Fried Rice.
- Vietnamese Chicken Salad
- Shrimp Egg Rolls or Crispy Vegetarian Spring Rolls
- Spring Vegetable Stir Fry or Air Fryer Vegetables.
- Pho or Ramen
- Vietnamese Summer Rolls with Chicken
- Peanut Noodles
You can also make Vietnamese Pork Salad Bowls with lettuce, carrots, and cucumbers and a drizzle of nuoc cham sauce. Add a side of rice or noodles to make it more filling.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- How to store: Keep leftover grilled pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- How to freeze uncooked pork: You can freeze pork either before or after you cook it. If freezing raw, I highly recommend marinating the pork, then wrapping tightly with plastic cling wrap and placing in a freezer bag, trying to get as much of the air out as possible before sealing. Frozen raw pork is best cooked and eaten within 6 months but will remain safe for longer.
- How to freeze cooked pork: Store cooked Vietnamese pork in a freezer bag or airtight container for up to 2-3 months.
- How to thaw: Thaw both raw or cooked frozen pork in the fridge overnight before cooking or reheating.
- How to reheat: When reheating pork, you want to be mindful of not making it too dry. Coat your pork in extra marinate or even a splash of water. Then, wrap loosely in aluminum foil, leaving room for air to circulate, and pinch the sides closed. Bake at 400F in the oven for 5-15 minutes (depending on how much you are reheating) until warmed through. You can also reheat in the air fryer (without foil) at 350F for 5-10 minutes until warm.
More Pork Recipes
- Honey Glazed Roast Pork
- Roasted Pork Tenderloin
- Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork)
- Sweet and Sour Pork
- Glazed Honey Balsamic Pork Chops
- Pork Dumplings
Tried this recipe?
I'd love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and rating below to share your feedback. Your reviews help others discover this recipe and help me keep creating more free recipes for you. Snap a photo and tag me on social media @aheadofthyme too.
Mediterranean Brown Rice Salad
This Mediterranean Brown Rice Salad is a filling, healthy, and gluten-free salad that is easy to make. Loaded with veggies, rice, and Greek flavors, this fibre- packed salad is nutritious and delicious.
The best part? It takes just minutes to toss together one the rice is cooked. It also stores well so it's great for meal prep lunches over the next few days, or to bring to a summer potluck or BBQ.
Why You'll Love Mediterranean Brown Rice Salad
- The best Mediterranean flavors. This Mediterranean brown rice salad combines the flavours of a classic Greek salad with spinach and rice.
- It's healthy and nutritious. This gluten-free salad is loaded with nutrients thanks to the veggies and rice. Adding brown rice to this salad adds tons of nutritional value as rice is a source of B-vitamins, phosphorus and zinc. Plus, brown rice also contains magnesium, selenium, manganese and fibre.
- Loaded with fibre. One cup of brown rice has almost 4 grams of fibre while 3.5 cups of raw spinach has only 2.2 grams. Well this salad has both, so we are seriously doubling up on some major fibre!
- Quick and easy to make. It takes some time for the rice to cook, but once it's ready, you just toss all the ingredients together and enjoy.
Ingredient Notes
To make this quick and easy Mediterranean Brown Rice Salad, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- brown rice - I used long-grain brown rice cooked in water, olive oil, and salt. Feel free to use either long-grain or short-grain. You can also use white rice but you'll have to adjust the cooking time slightly. See out Steamed Rice recipe for instructions.
- spinach - feel free to substitute with any leafy greens that you like such as romaine lettuce, kale, arugula, or a spring mix salad blend.
- grape tomatoes - or substitute with cherry tomatoes or diced roma tomatoes.
- Persian cucumbers
- green bell pepper
- red onions
- kalamata olives
- feta cheese
- dressing - made with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. You can also substitute it with ¼ cup Greek Salad Dressing.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, a medium saucepan, and mixing bowls.
How to Make Mediterranean Brown Rice Salad
- Cook the brown rice. Add rice, water, oil, and salt to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Turn the heat down to low, cover, and simmer for 40 minutes (or according to package instructions). Remove from heat and allow rice to absorb the steam for another 10 minutes (still covered). Uncover and fluff with a fork.
- Cool the rice. Allow the rice to cool down to room temperature or place it to the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to cool down quickly.
- Combine salad ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled rice, spinach, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onions, olives, and feta cheese.
- Make dressing. In a small mixing bowl, make the dressing by combining and stirring together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Toss and serve. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Serve immediately at room temperature. You can also refrigerate and serve cold. If the rice is too hard (which can happen in the fridge), allow it to warm to room temperature before eating.
How to Serve
This Mediterranean brown rice salad can be served on its own as a complete meal, as it's loaded with veggies and rice which makes it filling. If you are thinking of serving it as a side salad, pair this brown rice salad with:
- Greek Salmon or Garlic Butter Shrimp.
- Oven Baked Chicken Breast or Balsamic Chicken Kabobs.
- Garlic Butter Steak Bites, Sheet Pan Lamb Chops, or Greek Lamb Shanks.
- Roasted Spring Vegetables or Greek Lemon Roasted Baby Potatoes.
- Hummus, Olive Tapenade, and Pita Bread.
Storing Instructions
- How to store brown rice salad: Store Mediterranean brown rice salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days but it's best to eat immediately or within a day as the dressing will start to break down the rice and it will can start to get a little soggy the longer it's stored. Give it a quick stir to redistribute the dressing and ingredients before serving.
- How to store extra rice: I like to double up on the rice, use half in this Mediterranean brown rice salad and store the rest in the refrigerator to use in meals during the week to feed my hungry family. You can store the cooked rice in an airtight container for up to one week in the refrigerator. OR store it even longer in the freezer. Yes, rice freezes beautifully! Say hello to homemade, always ready, "minute rice."
- How to use leftover rice: I just love how versatile rice is. Think salads, soups, puddings and stir fries!
More Salad Recipes
- 40 Best Salad Recipes
- Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad
- Buckwheat Salad
- Chickpea Greek Salad
- Tomato Cucumber Avocado Salad
- Italian Pasta Salad
Tried this recipe?
I'd love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and rating below to share your feedback. Your reviews help others discover this recipe and help me keep creating more free recipes for you. Snap a photo and tag me on social media @aheadofthyme too.
Frappuccino
This Starbucks copycat Frappuccino recipe is icy, frothy, sweet, and milky. It's faster and cheaper than the store-bought version and tastes just as good! Skip the line and enjoy this popular iced coffee drink in a matter of minutes when you make Frappuccinos at home.
Plus, you won't believe how quick and easy Frappuccinos are to make homemade and you likely already have all the ingredients in your fridge and pantry. It's the only drink you need all summer long!
Why You'll Love this Coffee Frappuccino
- It's ready in 2 minutes. Why wait in line to place an order when you can make this Frappuccino at home in no time. Your refreshing drink will be ready to enjoy just two short minutes after you start making it (as long as you have coffee ready to use).
- It's icy, frothy, sweet, and milky. This Frappuccino recipe delivers the perfect texture every time, just like what you can pick up at starbucks except it's faster and way cheaper. With this recipe, you can become your own Starbucks barista and make drinks that are just as good!
- Customize this Frappuccino recipe with different flavors. Whether you prefer strong drinks vs. light ones, dairy vs. dairy-free, or sweet vs. unsweetened, you can completely customize the ingredient measurements to suit your taste buds. Plus, use this recipe as a base and in extra ingredients to create different Starbucks-inspired Frappuccinos. See our instructions on customizing below!
Ingredient Notes
To make this Starbucks copycat Frappuccino, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- espresso or strong coffee
- ice
- milk - feel free to use any milk that you like - whether that's dairy milk or half and half or non-dairy milk like soy milk, oat milk, or almond milk.
- granulated sugar - or substitute with another sweetener like honey or maple syrup.
- toppings - top up these Frappes with your favorite toppings such as whipped cream, chocolate syrup, or caramel sauce.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons and a blender.
How to Make the Best Frappuccino
It's so easy to make coffee Frappuccinos at home in just minutes. First, add espresso (or strong coffee), crushed ice, milk, and sugar to your blender and puree until well-blended.
Then, pour and divide into two glasses. Top with whipped cream and chocolate or caramel sauce (if desired) and serve immediately.
Customize with Different Frappuccino Flavors
You can use this Frappe recipe and customize it to create different flavors or copycat Starbucks drinks.
- Mocha Frappuccino: Add 3 tablespoons of chocolate sauce or cocoa powder to your blender along with the rest of ingredients before you blend everything together. Top the drink with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
- Caramel Frappuccino: Add 2-3 tablespoons of caramel sauce to your blender along with the rest of ingredients before you blend everything together. Top the drink with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.
- Java Chip Frappuccino: Add ⅓ cup of chocolate chips to your blender along with the rest of ingredients before you blend everything together. Top the drink with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
- Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino: Add 3 tablespoons of chocolate sauce or cocoa powder, ⅓ cup chocolate chips, and 8 crushed Oreo cookies to your blender along with the rest of ingredients before you blend everything together. Top the drink with whipped cream, a drizzle of chocolate sauce, and crushed Oreo cookies on top.
Storing Instructions
- Make ahead instructions: If you want to prep your Frappuccino to make easily in the morning, combine the coffee, milk, and sugar the day before and store in an airtight container in the fridge. Then, blend with ice when it's time to go.
- How to store: Homemade Frappuccinos are best enjoyed freshly made, but you can store leftovers to enjoy later. If you have a strong blender, like a Vitamix or Blendtec, you can freeze the Frappuccino and re-blend it later. If you have a regular blender, put your leftover Frappuccino in the fridge and blend it with more ice later. You may also want to add more cream or flavor in this case as the first batch of ice will have melted and diluted the drink.
More Drink Recipes
- Bubble Tea
- Matcha Milk Tea
- Peach Iced Tea
- Blackberry Milkshake
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Majoon (Banana and Nut) Smoothie
Tried this recipe?
I'd love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and rating below to share your feedback. Your reviews help others discover this recipe and help me keep creating more free recipes for you. Snap a photo and tag me on social media @aheadofthyme too.
Green Bean Fries
Green Bean Fries are flavorful, crispy, and nutritious. These baked veggies are quick and easy to make in less than 30 minutes. Plus, they are so delicious that even your kids will start asking for vegetables after they try these veggie fries.
Serve baked green bean fries as a healthy appetizer on game day, as a snack in your kid's School Lunch Box, or as a side dish to complement dinner on busy weeknights.
Why You'll Love these Green Bean Fries
- The crispy panko breading. These green bean fries are coated in a thin layer of flour and egg which helps the seasoned parmesan panko breading stick on top. The panko coating adds flavorful, cheesy, crispy goodness that makes these green bean fries so tasty. Plus, it can be customized with other slices for a different flavor.
- Ready in just 25 minutes. Fast food at home is always the best kind, especially when it's healthy food. These green bean fries are a quick recipe that's ready in just 25 minutes (including prep!).
- They're baked instead of fried. Green bean fries are healthy and delicious, due to the fact that its a veggie and it's baked instead of deep fried which ensures they are still crisp but don't come out greasy.
- The best way to enjoy green beans. After you try these green bean fries, you won't want to eat plain old green beans again. They are perfect served as a snack with a dipping sauce or as a healthy side dish with dinner.
Ingredient Notes
To make quick and easy Green Bean Fries, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- green beans (about 40 beans), washed and trimmed
- all-purpose flour
- egg
- panko breadcrumbs - this gives the fries an extra crispy texture. You can also substitute with regular breadcrumbs.
- Parmesan cheese - or substitute with asiago cheese.
- garlic powder
- salt and pepper
- cooking spray
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, shallow bowls, and a half sheet baking pan.
How to Make the Best Green Bean Fries
- Prep coating. Place the flour and beaten eggs in separate mixing bowls. In a shallow dish, combine panko, parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Coat in flour. Toss the green beans in the flour to lightly coat them. Shake off any excess flour.
- Dip in eggs. Dip the coated green beans into the egg, allowing the excess to drip off.
- Coat with panko mixture. Toss into the panko mixture, pressing firmly so that the crumbs stick on.
- Bake. Lightly spray a large half sheet baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Transfer the breaded green beans to the prepared baking pan in a single layer. Spray them with cooking spray. Bake in a preheated 425F oven for 10-12 minutes or until golden-brown and crispy.
Green Bean Fries Variations
When coating the green beans with panko and seasoning, you can customize it with whatever spices that you like. Consider trying:
- paprika, cayenne, chili, and garlic
- garlic, onion, and lemon pepper
- Italian seasoning
How to Serve
Green bean fries are delicious served on its own as a snack or appy with some mayo or garlic aioli for dipping. You can also serve them as a side dish with dinner entrees such as:
- Ribeye Steak
- Black Bean Burgers
- Greek Salmon
- Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Stuffed Chicken Breasts
- Miso Black Cod (Sablefish)
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- How to store: Make sure the green bean fries cool completely before placing them in an airtight container lined with paper towels. If the lid fogs up, then your green beans fries are not cooled enough. They will keep for up to four days when stored in the fridge.
- How to reheat: The best way to reheat green bean fries is in an oven, toaster oven, or air fryer. Preheat the oven to 400F and ensure that the beans have plenty of space around them. Heat for 5 minutes or until warmed through.
More Green Bean Recipes
- 15 Best Green Bean Recipes
- Pesto Green Beans
- Green Bean Casserole
- Sautéed Garlic Green Beans
- Air Fryer Green Beans
- Nutty Green Beans
Tried this recipe?
I'd love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and rating below to share your feedback. Your reviews help others discover this recipe and help me keep creating more free recipes for you. Snap a photo and tag me on social media @aheadofthyme too.
S'mores Cookies
S'mores Cookies are chewy, gooey, and nostalgic. This take on a classic American dessert is loaded with marshmallows, chocolate, and Graham crackers and there's no campfire required!
Plus, this summer cookie recipe is quick and easy to make in under 20 minutes using one bowl, pantry staples , and no chilling required! The easiest smores cookies ever.
Why You'll Love S'mores Cookies
- S'mores in cookie form. If you've never had a s'more, it's about time you did. They're all about 3 classic ingredients and these smores cookies feature them all - decadent melted chocolate, soft and sugary roasted marshmallows, and sweet thin graham crackers. And it's brought to you in cookie form!
- They're quick and easy to make. Have you ever been struck by a sudden craving that you needed to satisfy quickly? Well, these s'mores cookies will do the job. This easy one bowl cookie recipe is ready in less than 20 minutes, and you only need to wait 10-12 excruciating minutes while your cookies bake.
- Everyone loves them. You'll love how fun and easy it is to make s'mores cookies. It's also a great recipe to make as a fun family activity for kids. But they are so much more fun to eat! They especially hit the spot in the summer months during camping season but you can enjoy them all year round.
Ingredient Notes
To make this easy S'mores Cookies, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- butter - the key is to use softened butter, otherwise it won't cream properly with the sugars and the texture of the cookies will be off. Using softened butter ensures cookies that be round, fluffy, and perfectly textured.
- sugar - for the best smores cookies, we use both brown sugar and granulated sugar.
- eggs
- vanilla extract
- all-purpose flour
- cornstarch
- baking soda
- salt
- chocolate chips - feel free to use chocolate chunks or crush up a chocolate bar into small pieces.
- mini marshmallows
- Hershey's chocolate bars
- graham crackers
Baking Equipment
You will also need:
- measuring cups and spoons
- mixing bowls
- hand mixer or stand mixer
- medium cookie scoop
- half sheet baking pan
- wire cooling rack
How to Make the Best S'mores Cookies
- Cream butter and sugars. In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer cream together butter and sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add wet ingredients. Then, add egg and vanilla, and beat on low until incorporated.
- Add dry ingredients. Next, add flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt and beat until just combined.
- Add classic smores ingredients. Add 1 cup of the graham cracker pieces, 1 cup marshmallows, and chocolate chips. Fold in until evenly incorporated in the dough.
- Shape cookies. Line a large half sheet baking tray with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Use a medium cookie scoop to scoop out 2 tablespoons of cookie dough. Use your hands to roll it into a ball (this will ensure cookies with smooth edges). Place the cookie balls onto the lined baking sheet, spaced at least 2 inches apart (you can fit about 6-8 on a large cookie sheet).
- Bake. Bake in a preheated 350F oven for 10-12 minutes, until edges just start to brown. DO NOT OVERBAKE. The cookies may not look done in the middle, but they will continue to cook as they are cooling.
- Press in remaining toppings. Immediately press in the remaining marshmallows, graham crackers, and Hershey bar pieces into the top of each cookie. Let it sit to start cooling.
- Broil (optional). Optionally, pop into the broiler for about 1 minute to toast the marshmallows on top but keep a close eye on the cookies as they can burn fast.
- Cool. Allow the cookies to cool in the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
How to Serve
You can serve these smores cookies warm out of the oven or at room-temperature cookie. I personally love s'mores cookies warm and gooey so that the chocolate and marshmallows start to soften and melt.
Enjoy s'mores cookies with a tall glass of your favorite milk or a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream!
Storing Instructions
- How to store: Store leftover cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to one week. You can extend their life by storing them in the fridge, but your cookies'taste and texture will suffer.
- How to freeze: To freeze baked smores cookies, let them cool completely first, then store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Allow cookies to thaw in the refrigerator overnight or on the kitchen counter until thawed.
- How to reheat: Reheat on a microwave-safe plate for 5-15 seconds until warm or in the air fryer.
More Cookie Recipes
- 50 Best Cookie Recipes
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chewy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
- Italian Rainbow Cookies
- M&M Cookie Bars
- White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
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Mango Bubble Tea
Mango Bubble Tea with boba tapioca pearls is the perfect creamy and refreshing summer drink. You won't believe how easy it is to make at home (and just as good if not better!) and so much cheaper too!
Plus, you can customize mango boba tea with extra sweetness if you like, change up the fruit, or even make it vegan using non-dairy milk.
Why You'll Love Mango Bubble Tea
- Bubble tea is easy to make at home. We love making bubble tea at home because it's easy! Plus, it's cheaper than store-bought milk tea from the bubble tea shop (and tastes the same if not better!). For other flavors try our Strawberry Milk Tea or Matcha Milk Tea.
- It's a healthy smoothie drink. There are a few reasons that this mango bubble tea is healthy. First, it's loaded with vitamins and nutrients from mango. Second, the mango milk has no added sugar. You can also make vegan bubble tea by using non-dairy milk like almond milk or oat milk to suit your dietary preference.
- Serve it as mango milk smoothie, bubble tea, or mango milk tea. If you don't have boba on hand, you can totally make this recipe without them as a mango milk smoothie. You can also add in your favorite green tea or black tea for a mango milk tea with boba instead.
Ingredient Notes
To make this refreshing Mango Bubble Tea, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- mango - use ripe yellow mangos such as Ataulfo mangos).
- milk - feel free to use any kind of milk for this recipe, whether that is dairy milk or non-dairy alternatives such as almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk.
- ice cubes - this is optional, if needed.
- tapioca boba pearls - made using dry tapioca pearls cooked in water with brown sugar. You can refer to our tapioca boba pearls recipe for extra tips.
- sweetener (optional) - The brown sugar tapioca pearls already add sweetness, but if you need more or if you find your mangos are not ripe enough, feel free to add in some honey or maple syrup.
- tea (optional) - to make a mango milk tea, substitute ¾ cup of milk with your choice of tea. Make the tea by adding a green tea bag or black tea bag to ¾ cup of boiling water. Allow it to steep for 5 minutes then cool in the fridge.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons and a teapot or small mixing bowl. You will also need tall glasses and wide straws for serving. These can also be purchased online or at Asian specialty stores.
How to Cook Boba (Tapioca Pearls)
Boba is really easy to make at home. All you do is cook the tapioca pearls in boiling water for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Then, turn the heat off and let the pearls sit in the hot water for another 20-25 minutes. Drain the pearls through a fine mesh sieve and return to the saucepan.
Then, make the brown sugar syrup by adding it to the saucepan with a little water. Stir well and heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the syrup starts to thicken a bit, about 2-3 minutes. When the pearls are fully cooked through, they should be soft and chewy.
Check out the complete Tapioca Pearls (Boba) recipe with tips.
How to Make the Best Mango Bubble Tea
- Prepare the mangos. Slice each mango in half away from the pit and use a large spoon to scoop out the flesh.
- Make the mango milk. Add mango and milk to a blender and blend on medium speed until smooth, about 1-2 minutes.
- Assemble. Divide the cooked boba pearls into 2 tall glasses. Pour in the mango smoothie and top with ice cubes, if desired. You can add in extra sweeteners such as honey or maple syrup if needed. Serve with wide straws.
Storing Instructions
- How to store mango bubble tea: Mango bubble tea is best enjoyed fresh, but it will last in the fridge for about 4 hours if it's already mixed with the tapioca pearls. You can enjoy it after a day but the boba pearls will lose its texture and get hard. In this case, you can remove the boba with a slotted spoon and enjoy the rest of the drink. Otherwise, it can last for 1-2 days in the fridge if not mixed with the pearls.
- How to store cooked tapioca pearls: If you have extra boba pearls, store them in an airtight container at room temperature, and cover and fully coat them in the brown sugar syrup to prevent them from sticking together. You need to consume them within 4 hours or they will start to get mushy. You can also store them in the fridge for a couple of hours, but if you store them too long in there, they will start to harden.
More Mango Recipes
- Healthy Mango Yogurt Smoothie
- Mango Frozen Yogurt
- Mango Sago
- Thai Mango Salad
- Creamy Mango Cheesecake
- Mango Pineapple Tropical Smoothie Bowl
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Tandoori Chicken Skewers
Tandoori Chicken Skewers are a quick, easy, and delicious chicken dish to serve the next time you fire up the grill. Juicy tender chicken bites are marinated in an authentic yogurt marinade that is packed with a homemade Indian tandoori seasoning blend loaded with flavor.
The best part? You only need to marinate it for an hour to soak up all that flavor and tenderize the meat. Serve tandoori chicken kebabs on busy summer weeknights with a homemade yogurt sauce or make a complete meal with rice, veggies, and/or salad.
Why You'll Love Tandoori Chicken Skewers
- The homemade tandoori spice blend. To make Indian tandoori chicken, you need the perfect spice blend - and it's a good thing we have it for you right here in this recipe. To achieve the authentic and eye-opening flavor you're looking for, you'll need garlic, ginger, paprika, curry powder (or garam masala), cumin, turmeric, salt, and pepper. You can also add some cayenne pepper powder for extra heat.
- The yogurt-based marinade = tender juicy meat. We often turn to vinegar or lemon juice to tenderize meats in marinades, but yogurt makes an excellent tenderizer - it's even better than acidic marinades! Yogurt gently and effectively tenderizes the meat so that you can nearly pull it apart. That's the secret of how this grilled tandoori chicken is so juicy and tender!
- Cook them on the grill, in the oven, or in the air fryer. If you want to enjoy these Indian chicken skewers, you'll need to fire up your grill. The charring and smoke add even more flavor to these already flavorful bites of chicken. You can also bake them in the oven or air fryer so you can enjoy boneless tandoori chicken all year long.
Ingredient Notes
To make these flavorful Tandoori Chicken Skewers, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- chicken - we used boneless skinless chicken breasts, but you can also use boneless chicken thighs if you prefer.
- garlic
- ginger
- tandoori seasoning - made simple with paprika, curry powder (or garam masala), ground cumin, turmeric, salt, and pepper. You can also make it spicy with cayenne powder or red pepper powder.
- plain yogurt - we love making our own easy Homemade Yogurt.
- tomato paste - add flavor and color.
- vegetable oil
- yogurt sauce - this sauce is perfect for dipping or drizzling. You'll need plain yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper. Alternatively, serve these skewers with Tzatziki Sauce.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowl or ziploc bag for marinating, and skewers (we used bamboo skewers).
How to Make the Best Tandoori Chicken Skewers
- Prep the chicken. Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch thick pieces and set aside in a large mixing bowl or Ziploc bag.
- Marinate the chicken. Add garlic, ginger, paprika, curry powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Rub the seasoning all over the chicken to coat it evenly. Stir in yogurt, tomato paste and oil. Toss well until evenly coated. Cover the bowl with plastic cling wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight for the best results).
- Skewer the chicken. Preheat grill over medium high to 450F, about 6-8 minutes. Thread 6-8 marinated cubed chicken breasts onto each skewer. I used bamboo skewers.
- Grill the chicken. Place the skewers evenly apart on the grill and grill for 5-7 minutes on each side until the edges are nicely charred. The internal temperature for the chicken should reach 165 F as read on a meat thermometer. Do not overlap the skewers at any time to ensure even cooking.
- Make yogurt sauce. Whisk together yogurt, oil, lemon juice, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper in a small mixing bowl until smooth. Refrigerate the sauce until ready to use.
Serve. Serve skewers warm with a drizzle of yogurt sauce on top or on the side for dipping.
How to Bake Chicken Skewers in the Oven or Air Fryer
- You can also bake the chicken skewers in a preheated oven at 450F for 16- 18 minutes or cook in the air fryer at 450F for 13-15 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through.
What to Serve with Tandoori Chicken
These tandoori chicken skewers taste so good on their own dipped in the homemade yogurt sauce. You can also make a complete meal by pairing them with some side dishes such as:
- Steamed Rice or Rice Pilaf with Carrots.
- Garlic Naan Bread or Pita Bread.
- Cucumber, tomato, and onion salad such as a Persian Shirazi Salad.
- Roasted vegetables such as Honey Roasted Carrots, Air Fryer Vegetables, or Roasted Cauliflower.
- Grilled vegetables such as mushrooms, potatoes, zucchini, or Grilled Corn on the Cob.
You can also make a Tandoori Rice Bowl with steamed rice, salad, and a dollop or drizzle of the yogurt sauce.
Storing and Reheating
- How to store: Keep leftover tandoori chicken skewers in a shallow airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the fridge. They can be stored on or off the skewers.
- How to reheat: The best way to reheat cold chicken skewers is to wrap them in aluminum foil with a splash of water and bake for 10-20 minutes in a 350F preheated oven. The foil should lay somewhat loosely around the chicken to allow for air circulation, but it should be pinched shut. You can also unthread the chicken and reheat in the air fryer at 350F for 5-10 minutes until warm.
More Chicken Skewer Recipes
- Easy Summer Grilling Recipes
- Balsamic Chicken Kabobs
- Chicken Satay Skewers with Peanut Sauce
- Persian Saffron Chicken Skewers (Joojeh Kabob)
- Lemongrass Chicken Skewers
- Greek Chicken Souvlaki Skewers
Tried this recipe?
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White Bean Salad
This Mediterranean White Bean Salad is a quick and easy recipe that's packed with healthy, flavorful ingredients. Loaded with cannellini beans, veggies, feta, and fresh herbs, all tossed in a homemade Greek dressing, this protein-packed salad is filling and nourishing.
The best part? It takes just minutes to toss together. Plus, this cannellini bean salad stores well and tastes better served cold the next day! It's perfect for meal prep lunches all week or for a summer potluck.
Why You'll Love This Mediterranean White Bean Salad
- It's quick and easy. This Mediterranean white bean salad will be ready to eat in just 10 minutes (or less if you're fast with chopping veggies)! It's the perfect meal for when you're low energy or short on time. Plus, the beans and veggies have plenty of healthy energy to keep you going - and is filling too!
- The perfect meal prep. This cannellini bean salad is so quick and easy, and can be eaten at room temperature but it's meant to be eaten cold. Plus, it stores well in the fridge which makes it an ideal recipe for your weekly meal prep. Bring it for lunch, take it to a picnic or potluck, or serve it as a low-effort side dish at dinner.
- It's fully customizable. This Mediterranean white bean salad can be used as a perfect base salad from which you can add or remove ingredients as you see fit. If you love olives, capers, bell peppers, or onions, then add them in! Have leftover kale that you need to eat? Throw it in your white bean salad! Craving balsamic? Add it to your bean salad. No cannellini beans? Use chickpeas! This Mediterranean white bean salad is incredibly versatile.
Ingredient Notes
To make this quick and easy Cannellini White Bean Salad, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- white beans - also known cannellini beans or butter beans. We used canned beans but you can also cook dried beans from scratch. You will need about ¾ cup dried beans. Also keep in mind that you will need to soak the beans overnight.
- tomatoes - I prefer small tomatoes such as grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes in this recipe. Of course there is nothing stopping you from using larger tomatoes. Just chop them up into ½ to 1-inch pieces.
- mini cucumbers - I prefer Persian cucumbers for this salad. You can use a larger English cucumber but you may want to cut each slice into 6 pieces to keep them small.
- feta cheese - or substitute with goat cheese if you prefer.
- fresh parsley - feel free to substitute with your fresh dill or another of your favorite herbs.
- salad dressing - the dressing is a simple Greek style salad dressing made with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. You can add in a little minced garlic for an extra oomph.
How to Customize
You can customize this salad with other ingredients that you have on hand. To keep it as a Mediterranean style salad, add in kalamata olives, bell peppers, and/or red onions.
How to Make the Best Cannellini White Bean Salad
- Combine salad ingredients. In a large serving bowl or mixing bowl, combine beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, and parsley.
- Make the dressing. In a small mixing bowl, make the dressing by stirring together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Toss. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Serve immediately or refrigerate and serve cold.
How to Serve
This Mediterranean white bean salad can be served on its own as a complete meal, thanks to the beans, which provide protein, carbs, and essential nutrients. However, this Mediterranean bean salad pairs well with:
- hummus, olives, and pita bread
- grilled or roasted beef, lamb, or pork
- baked chicken or salmon
- steamed or roasted vegetables
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Always rinse canned foods: Although beans are an extremely healthy protein to work into your diet, canned beans are high in sodium, which can lead to high blood pressure and dehydration. This is why it's important that you rinse and drain canned beans before making your salad - to make it even healthier!
- How to store bean salad: Store cannellini bean salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The longer it is refrigerated, the more the flavors will blend into each other - it's actually more flavorful the next day! Give it a quick stir to redistribute the dressing and ingredients before serving.
More Salad Recipes with Beans
- 40 Best Salad Recipes
- Chickpea Greek Salad
- Buckwheat Salad
- Warm Lentil Salad
- Mediterranean Wedge Salad with Roasted Chickpeas
- Southwest Salad
Tried this recipe?
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Salmon Burgers
These Salmon Burgers are unlike any burger you've ever had. Made with real fresh salmon, these burgers are crispy on the outside and flaky inside. They're juicy, thick, and healthy. Top them with creamy coleslaw the best combination of flavor and texture.
Plus, you can make these homemade salmon patties on the stove, in the air fryer, or in the oven. Serve this protein-packed meal for lunch or dinner in a burger bun, lettuce wrap, or over salad.
Why You'll Love Salmon Burgers
- The juicy, tender salmon patty. Of course, you could slap a seared Garlic Butter Salmon filet on a burger and call it a salmon burger - but it just wouldn't be the same. This salmon patty is made with carefully chopped fresh salmon, breadcrumbs, dill, and a special blend of aromatics to create a flavorful, tender, and juicy salmon burger patty that is thick.
- It's a healthy and tasty alternative to classic burgers. You can't go wrong with traditional Classic Beef Burgers, but sometimes you crave a burger that is a little different. These salmon burgers give you an option that's delicious and healthy without sacrificing protein or flavor.
- Topped with a simple and easy coleslaw. Although these salmon burgers are seasoned well, you need to serve them with the something saucy - and the coleslaw with creamy dressing does not disappoint. But of course you could choose your favorite burger toppings and add some tarter sauce.
- Serve them with or without a bun. You can serve the salmon patties with a bread bun or serve them bunless in a lettuce wrap or over Coleslaw or any other salad you like.
Ingredient Notes
To make this delicious homemade Salmon Burgers, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
Salmon Patty Ingredients
- salmon fillets - these salmon burgers are made with real salmon fillets (no canned salmon here), so you will need to remove the skin and any bones.
- breadcrumbs - helps to make the cooked salmon patties lighter and more tender.
- egg - a binding ingredient to help shape the patties and hold them together.
- mayonnaise
- Dijon mustard
- lemon juice
- dill - I recommend using fresh dill and not dried. Dill compliments the natural flavor of salmon so well. Feel free to substitute with you favorite herb if you like.
- smoked paprika
- salt and pepper
Coleslaw Ingredients
- purple cabbage - or substitute with a green cabbage or a combination of the two.
- carrot - you will need to shred or julienne the carrots. A box grater makes it really easy to do this.
- mayonnaise
- lemon juice
- salt and pepper
You will also need vegetable oil (if pan frying the patties) and hamburger buns for assembling the burgers. If you like baking bread at home or want to give it a try, you need to try our easy to make Homemade Hamburger Buns.
How to Make the Best Patties for Salmon Burgers
- Combine the patty ingredients. Cut the salmon fillets into 1-inch strips and transfer into a food processor. Add breadcrumbs, egg, mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, dill, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Process. Pulse mix on and off for 1 minute until coarsely chopped. You can also chop the salmon fillets by hand into ⅛-inch diced pieces and use a spatula to mix all the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl until evenly combined.
- Shape into patties. Take about ½ cup salmon mixture at a time and use your hands to firmly shape into 4-5 large patties. You can wear disposable gloves for easy clean up.
- Chill. Refrigerate or freeze for 10-15 minutes to allow the salmon patties to firm up a bit more.
- Cook the patties. You can pan fry, air fry, or bake the patties.
- To pan fry: Heat oil in the skillet over medium heat until sizzling hot, about 2 minutes. Place patties on the skillet and cook until nicely browned and firm, about 5 minutes per side.
- To air fry: Add salmon patties in batches in the air fryer basket and cook at 375F for 12-15 minutes until nicely browned. Flip once halfway through cooking.
- To bake: Add salmon patties to a large parchment-lined half sheet baking pan and bake in a 375F preheat oven for 15 minutes until nicely browned, flipping once.
How to Assemble Salmon Burgers
First, make the slaw. In a medium mixing bowl, combine cabbage, carrot, mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir well until evenly combined.
Next, slice the hamburger buns and toast them on the grill or in the frying pan, if desired.
Finally, assemble the burgers. Place the salmon patties on the bottom half of the bun and top with coleslaw. Place top bun on top and serve immediately.
Salmon Burger Toppings
You can also add any additional fixings that you like to your salmon burgers, such as:
- tarter sauce
- fresh or fried onions
- pickles
- thinly sliced, fresh or roasted bell peppers
- sliced avocado or guacamole
- pesto sauce
- sliced cheese, such as provolone or mozzarella
How to Serve
Salmon burgers are delicious and filling on their own. If you want to make a complete meal, serve your salmon burgers with classic burger sides such as:
- Greek Fries
- Caesar Salad
- Grilled Corn on the Cob
- Baked Sweet Potato Wedges
- Lemon Parmesan Asparagus
- Air Fryer French Fries
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- How to store: Store salmon patties, slaw, and buns separately until it's time to eat. Cooked salmon burgers will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days inside an airtight container. Coleslaw will last the same amount of time in an airtight container but get soggier the longer it's stored.
- How to reheat: To reheat salmon burgers, place the patty gently on an oiled non-stick pan over medium heat. Add a splash of water and cover the pan, allowing the burger to steam for 5-10 minutes until warm. Flip, if needed.
- How to freeze uncooked salmon patties: You can freeze the uncooked salmon patties for up to 1 month for best results. To freeze, place on a lined sheet pan and freeze for 1-2 hours until hard. Then, stack them up with a piece of parchment paper in between each patty and store in an airtight container or freezer bag.
More Salmon Recipes
- 15 Best Salmon Recipes
- Coconut Curry Salmon
- Garlic Butter Salmon
- Teriyaki Salmon
- Greek Salmon
- Miso Salmon
Tried this recipe?
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50 Best Finger Foods
Wondering what finger foods to serve a crowd at your next party? Well, you're in the right place! We are sharing over 50 of our best finger foods including bite-sized appetizers that you can assemble in minutes, baked appys, easy platters, air fryer finger foods, shareable snacks like nachos and fries, and more party foods - so you don't have to search any further for finger food ideas.
Plus, there are lots of vegetarian, gluten-free, and kid-friendly options too. So you will find something for everyone. Whether you're preparing appetizers for a family gathering, birthday party, or summer party, we are here to help make things easier for you!
Best Finger Foods
Pigs in a blanket from scratch are a delicious and easy appetizer or snack to make for your next party or gathering - juicy, cheesy, flaky, and buttery.
Antipasto skewers with tortellini are a quick, easy, and delicious appetizer with the best parts of a traditional antipasto platter but easier to eat.
Easy pepperoni pizza rolls are crispy on the bottom, tender and chewy inside, packed with pepperoni and cheese, and baked until bubbly. One of my favorite finger foods!
Fried mac and cheese balls are crispy on the outside, creamy and cheesy on the inside, and have the perfect crunch. Best way to use leftover mac and cheese. One of our most popular party foods!
Classic deviled eggs are a simple, easy, and healthy appetizer to make when you need something quick for brunch, picnics, barbecues, potlucks, or Easter.
Jalapeño poppers are the perfect appetizer - spicy, crispy, cheesy, and creamy, toasted to golden brown perfection. Plus easy to make ahead and freeze well.
Air fryer cauliflower bites have a crispy breaded coating outside, yet tender and light inside. They are a bite-sized, flavorful, easy to make, and healthy finger food.
Easy Tomato Bruschetta with Balsamic Glaze
Tomato bruschetta with balsamic glaze is an easy Italian appetizer topped with tomatoes, onions, garlic, basil and olive oil. Delicious, fresh and simple.
Crispy baked coconut shrimp is a delicious appetizer that is easy to make in 30 minutes. They are more flavourful, tastier and healthier than takeout. One of my favorite finger foods!
Vegetarian stuffed mushrooms are a delicious, flavorful, healthy, and nutritious appetizer. Plus, quick and easy to make in under 30 minutes. mminutesminutes including prep!
Homemade Taquitos are crispy, delicious and flavorful. These rolled tacos are filled with seasoned ground beef and melty cheese - and can be fried or baked!
Sticky honey garlic meatballs are a delicious and flavourful 30-minute meal to add to your weekly dinner rotation. A total crowd pleaser.
Homemade Chinese beef potstickers (dumplings) are crispy on the outside and tender and juicy inside packed with a delicious beef filling.
Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
Bacon wrapped brussels sprouts are the sweet, savory, and salty appetizer that you need at your next holiday gathering this fall. Simple and easy to make.
Sticky crispy baked sweet chili chicken bites is better than takeout and so easy to make healthier at home. An easy dinner or game day appy.
Caprese Skewers are a quick and fresh appetizer made with bite-sized mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and basil leaves with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
These tender, chewy homemade Pretzel Bites taste professionally made but are a beginner-friendly recipe you can easily make in the comfort of your own home.
Turkey pinwheels are bite-sized finger food perfection and a healthy New Year's Eve appetizer. They are fully customizable and you can wrap them up in a tortilla or pita bread.
Oven-baked loaded sheet pan nachos are a crowd pleaser for an easy weeknight dinner or a crave-worthy appetizer to serve on game day.
Toasted Ravioli is a classic Italian appetizer that is crispy and golden on the outside, and tender and gooey on the inside. Ready in less than 30 minutes!
These Cauliflower Tots are everything you want in a tater tot - but better! They are crunchy on the outside, tender inside, higher in fiber, and cheesy.
Better than takeout, shrimp egg rolls are a delicious, flavourful and easy appetizer to make. They can be deep fried, baked or air fried.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites are tender, juicy, and flavorful. This quick and easy appetizer or weeknight dinner takes just 15 minutes to make in one skillet. Serve with toothpicks for an easy finger food idea.
Cheesy Garlic Bread is toasty and crispy on the outside, tender and soft inside with a garlic butter and melty cheese on top. Make in under 20 minutes!
Marinated mozzarella balls is a delicious and simple yet stunning appetizer, made with fresh bocconcini soaked in olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs.
Cranberry Brie Bites are quick and easy to make with flaky puff pastry, gooey melty brie, and sweet cranberry sauce. The perfect holiday appetizer.
Baked miso garlic chicken wings are crispy, delicious, and easy to make. They're marinated in a savoury Asian marinade, and cooked in the oven or air fryer.
Homemade falafel are delicious, golden brown and crispy on the outside, fluffy tender and soft inside. Plus, they're vegan, loaded with plant-based protein. One of my favorite vegan finger foods!
This easy charcuterie board is the perfect appetizer to impress with minimal effort- made with cheese, cured meats, crackers, dips, olives, fruit, and nuts.
Air fryer chicken tenders are juicy and moist inside while crispy and golden brown outside. A healthy, delicious, and quick kid-friendly recipe.
Mashed potato balls are a delicious appetizer that is crisp on the outside and soft, tender, and cheesy inside. Best way to use leftover mashed potatoes!
Spinach cheese rolls are an easy appetizer that's creamy, cheesy, comforting, and delicious. Serve as an appy at parties, for a school lunch, or snack.
Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
Bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers are crispy on the outside, creamy and cheesy inside, spicy, and wrapped in bacon. Easy to make in the air fryer or oven.
Grilled cheese roll ups are a fun twist on a classic grilled cheese that gives you a hot handheld lunch to enjoy. They're kid-friendly and easy to make.
Salmon Bites are flavorful and delicious bite-sized pieces of salmon cooked until tender with crispy, golden edges and coated with an homemade sticky glaze.
Homemade Greek fries bring a Mediterranean twist on a classic side dish, crispy fries are topped with crumbled feta cheese, fresh parsley, and lime juice.
Zucchini Bites are savory balls that are loaded with fresh zucchini. They're quick and easy to make in under 30 minutes in the air fryer or oven.
Quick and easy shrimp cakes are juicy, tender, delicious, and flavorful. They're made simple with a food processor and your choice of three cooking methods.
Sheet pan garlic mushroom focaccia pizza with a thick pillowy and crispy crust is topped with sautéed garlic mushrooms, melty mozzarella and lots of basil.
Soft garlic breadsticks are fluffy, airy, buttery, and delicious. They're an easy recipe that is perfect for beginners at baking bread.
Air fryer short ribs are crispy, flavorful, and delicious. The easy marinade ensures they're tender and juicy inside, while the air fryer makes them crispy.
Crunchy, cheesy, and paired with an awesome dipping sauce, these baked mozzarella sticks are just as amazing as what you would find in a restaurant.
Vegetarian quesadillas are quick and easy, completely customizable, loaded with veggies and beans. Serve this kid-friendly Mexican meal for a snack, lunch, or dinner.
Homemade Tater Tots with Bacon
Homemade tater tots with bacon are golden and crispy on the outside, yet soft and tender inside. They're packed with flavour and a total family favourite.
Homemade pork dumplings are quick and easy to make, with perfect crispy bottoms and a tender, juicy pork filling inside. Easy to meal prep and freeze well.
Quick easy baked homemade fish sticks are crispy on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside, and packed with flavor. Kid-friendly + freezer-friendly.
Pizza crescent rolls are a delicious, cheesy, easy appetizer ready in under 30 minutes - the perfect last minute bite, lunch or dinner, or party food.
Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus and Melon
Prosciutto wrapped asparagus and melon are salty, sweet, and juicy. They are easy to make with a handful of simple ingredients, then cooked on the grill.
Whipped ricotta crostini is a fancy easy appetizer to make in just minutes or prepare in advance and assemble before serving. A total crowd pleaser.
Fried Goat Cheese Balls are flavorful, delicious, and easy to make. With creamy, melty cheese oozing out of a crunchy, golden crust in every bite.
Sweet chili turkey meatballs are delicious, tender and juicy, loaded with classic Thai flavors, and quick and easy to make. Savory, sweet, and tangy.
This homemade veggie tray is a quick easy healthy snack or appetizer to make for your next party, with a variety of colorful vegetables and delicious dips.
Vietnamese Summer Rolls with Chicken
Vietnamese summer rolls with chicken are fresh, light, and healthy. This Asian summer snack takes less than 20 minutes to make and easier than you think.
Healthy baked cauliflower nuggets are a vegetarian alternative to chicken nuggets. With parmesan panko breading, these bites are baked until crispy.
Zucchini fritters are crispy outside, tender inside, and loaded with zucchini. These healthy bites are one of my favorite ways to use up summer zucchini.
Bacon wrapped chicken bites are one of the best appys ever - well seasoned tender juicy chicken is wrapped in bacon and oven-baked to crisp perfection.
Whipped feta crostini with a herby olive topping is quick and easy snack or appetizer that is ready in less than 20 minutes - or 10 minutes if you're fast.
Sweet and sticky, baked BBQ chicken wings are perfectly crispy, so delicious, and smothered in barbecue sauce. They are the perfect party appetizer.
More Recipes
- 20 Best Dip Recipes
- 50 Best Healthy Snacks
- 40 Best Salad Recipes
- 25 Best BBQ Side Dishes
- 40 Best Pasta Recipes
- 40 Best Summer Desserts
Did You Make Any of These Finger Food Recipes?
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Cornbread Muffins
Easy Cornbread Muffins are moist, fluffy, tender, and sweet. They're the perfect side dish to serve with a Southern barbecue, with soup or chili, as a Thanksgiving holiday side dish, or just for snacking. The best part? These quick and easy muffins take just 10 minutes to prep and 20 minutes to bake - even the kids can help!
Loaded with cornmeal and corn kernels (if you want!), these fluffy Southern cornbread muffins are packed with flavor - savory with a hint of sweetness. We love them fresh out of the oven but they store well and are freezer-friendly so they can be enjoyed for days to come.
Why You'll Love These Cornbread Muffins
- Freshly baked muffins. Seriously, who doesn't love freshly baked cornbread muffins or bread? The smell that will waft through your kitchen as these muffins bake and cool is something else. It literally smells like sweet corn at the fair. The only problem is trying to control yourself from snacking on them as they cool.
- They are loaded with real corn. Their delicious sweet corn smell which comes from the fact that these cornbread muffins are full of corn. They are not only made with crunchy cornmeal, but also with cooked corn kernels. The corn kernels actually make the muffins extra moist and fluffy, and the polenta adds a little crunch.
- A side dish that you can serve any time of the year. Corn muffins are one of those sides that can be served all year round. They are a well-known side dish for a Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday feast, but they are just as amazing any time of the year as a snack, breakfast, or lunch - and, let's not forget, they are an essential part of any Southern-style summer barbecue or cookout.
- Make a big batch to feed a crowd. This recipe yields 12 muffins, but you can easily double or triple the recipe to make a bigger batch. Plus, they are freezer-friendly so you don't have to worry about having too many leftovers, if any at all!
Ingredient Notes
To make these delicious and easy Cornbread Muffins, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- cornmeal - you can easily substitute this with polenta which has a more course texture.
- corn - adding cooked corn adds extra moistness and flavor to these muffins but you can leave them out completely if you prefer. You can cook Corn on the Cob and slice off the corn kernels, cook frozen corn, or use canned corn (drained and rinsed).
- all-purpose flour
- granulated sugar
- baking powder
- salt
- milk
- butter
- eggs
- honey
Baking Tools and Equipment
You will also need the following kitchen tools and equipment to make these corn muffins:
- measuring cups and spoons
- mixing bowls
- 12-tin muffin pan
- cupcake liners
- wire cooling rack
How to Make the Best Cornbread Muffins from Scratch
- Combine dry ingredients. Combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine. Set aside.
- Combine wet ingredients. In another mixing bowl, combine milk, corn (if using), butter, eggs, and honey and whisk together until mixed well.
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and use a spatula to mix until just combined.
- Fill muffin tray. Grease a 12-tin muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray or line with paper cupcake liners. Use a medium cookie scoop to scoop the batter into the prepared muffin pan, filling up each compartment ¾ full.
- Bake. Bake in a 350F preheated oven for 20 minutes until golden brown on the edges. Let cool for 5-10 minutes and serve warm with butter or honey drizzled on top.
How to Serve
These cornbread muffins are best served warmed with some butter spread on top or drizzled with honey.
Storing Instructions
- How to store: Store cornbread muffins for up to 2 days in an airtight container at room temperature or up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
- How to freeze: You can freeze cornbread muffins in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge before eating or reheating.
- How to reheat: You can reheat cornbread muffins in the microwave or in the oven or air fryer at 350F for 5-10 minutes until warmed through.
More Muffin Recipes
- Zucchini Muffins
- Carrot Cake Muffins
- Blueberry Yogurt Muffins
- Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins
- Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Muffins
Tried this recipe?
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No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake
No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake is light, smooth, and creamy. This easy mousse cheesecake is made with a simple graham cracker crust, a rich cheesecake layer, a strawberry mousse layer, and topped with fresh strawberries on top. Plus, it tastes just as good as it looks.
The best part? Every layer is easy to make, assemble, and left in the refrigerator to set (no baking required!). It stores well and is freezer-friendly so it's a great make ahead dessert to make for another day too.
Why You'll Love No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake
- The graham cracker crust. Graham cracker crusts are the best for cheesecake. Not only is this crust simple (it has only 2 ingredients!), it's also so delicious. It crumbles perfectly yet holds the cheesecake together well.
- The creamy, decadent two layer filling. This no bake strawberry cheesecake has 2 decadent layers. The bottom layer consists of a classic cheesecake filling with a hint of lemon and vanilla, while the top layer features a rich strawberry mousse made with real strawberries. It's light, creamy, and smooth.
- The sweet and tart strawberry topping. After the cheesecake has set, you can create a beautiful design atop the cheesecake with fresh sliced strawberries. The result is a beautiful masterpiece with added sweetness and flavor. You can even add in other berries or opt out of the topping. It's totally optional!
- Stores well and is freezer-friendly. The best thing about no bake cheesecakes? They store well in the fridge and are freezer-friendly too. No bake strawberry mousse cheesecakes lasts close to a week in the refrigerator and lasts months in the freezer.
Ingredient Notes
To make this delicious and easy No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- strawberries - you can easily turn this into any flavour no bake cheesecake by using different berries or a mixture of berries. Try this recipe with raspberries, blueberries, peaches, or blackberries like in our No Bake Blackberry Cheesecake.
- Graham crackers - For another crust option, try Gingersnaps or digestive biscuits. You can also make this cheesecake gluten-free by substituting with gluten-free graham crackers or other gluten-free cookie.
- butter
- heavy cream
- cream cheese - use full-fat cream cheese for this recipe. The fat plays an important role in the texture and consistency of your cheesecake.
- icing sugar - The icing sugar adds a smooth and clean texture to this cheesecake, but you can substitute with granulated sugar if you don't have any on hand.
- lemon - adds a little brightness to this strawberry cheesecake.
- vanilla extract - adds a hint of flavor.
- gelatin powder + water - I use unflavored Knox gelatin.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowls, a hand mixer or stand mixer, and a round 8-inch springform pan.
How to Make the Best No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake
- Make the crust. In a large bowl, stir together graham cracker crumbs and melted butter until well mixed. If you are using whole graham crackers, simply add the crackers into a food processor and process until fine crumbs form. Press the crumb mixture firmly into a parchment lined 8-inch springform pan and freeze for at least 15 minutes, allowing the crust to set before filling.
- Make the cheesecake filling. In a large mixing bowl, add heavy cream and whip with a stand mixer or hand mixer until stiff peaks form, about 3-4 minutes. Set aside. In a medium mixing bowl, use the mixer to combine cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until evenly combined.
- Add gelatin. In a small mixing bowl, add hot water and 1 pack (15 ml) gelatin powder on top and let it sit for 3-4 minutes (or according to package instructions). Stir well until gelatin is completely dissolved. Add the dissolved gelatin and half of the whipped cream to the cream cheese mixture and stir until well combined.
- Add cheesecake filling. Pour the filling into the cooled crust and smooth out the surface using a small icing spatula. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set or freeze for at least 15 minutes.
- Make the strawberry mousse layer. Add strawberries, water, and one pack of gelatin in a blender and blend until smooth, about 1 minute. If you prefer a smoother filling, strain the strawberry puree through a mesh sieve and discard the seeds. Add the strawberry puree into the remaining whipped cream and mix with a hand mixer or spatula until evenly combined.
- Chill the cheesecake. Pour the strawberry mousse filling over the cooled cheesecake filling and smooth out the surface using a small icing spatula. Refrigerate for at least 6-8 hours or overnight to set completely. The longer the better it will set. You can also freeze for 30 minutes to an hour to speed things up if you are in a hurry.
- Garnish and serve. Garnish with sliced strawberries on top (if desired) and serve. You can also top with some whipped cream.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Give the cheesecake enough time to set: This no bake strawberry cheesecake recipe is easy to make and assemble, but it does take waiting time. Don't rush, especially when waiting to let the cheesecake set. If you cut into the cheesecake when it's not fully set, it won't keep its shape.
- How to store: No bake cheesecake should not be left out at room temperature for more than 1-2 hours. To store, cover the cheesecake or transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up 4-5 days.
- How to freeze: Once set, wrap the entire strawberry cheesecake tightly in a few layers of aluminum foil or plastic cling wrap and transfer to a freezer bag and seal the bag. Store it upright in the freezer for up to 3 months.
More Cheesecake Recipes
- No Bake Blackberry Cheesecake
- Creamy Mango Cheesecake
- Classic New York Cheesecake
- No Crust Burnt Basque Cheesecake
- Caramel Apple Fall Cheesecake
- Caramel Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars
Tried this recipe?
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Vegetarian Breakfast Quesadillas
These Vegetarian Breakfast Quesadillas are quick and easy to make, loaded with eggs and veggies, and so flavorful. The best part? They are perfect for meal prep because they can be made ahead of time, freezer-friendly, and reheat well.
Plus, they are completely customizable with your favorite veggies or you can even add meat. This kid-friendly breakfast can be served any time of the day because why not?
Why You'll Love These Vegetarian Breakfast Quesadillas
- It's completely vegetarian with the best combination of ingredients. These breakfast quesadillas are stuffed with eggs, onions, green peppers, and mushrooms and topped with sharp white cheddar. These are basically my favourite ingredients to put in an omelette, but when wrapped up in a tortilla and grilled to crispy perfection, we enter breakfast heaven.
- Quesadillas are easy to make at home. It is so easy and convenient to make homemade quesadillas and they just taste so much better than the frozen aisle food. And these breakfast quesadillas come together in under 30 minutes, including prep!
- It's great for meal prep and freezes really well. My favorite thing about this recipe is that it tastes amazing fresh, but it is just as good in a month, or 2, or 3. These breakfast quesadillas freeze so well. So say good-bye to processed, pre-packed breakfast meals from the freezer aisle. By making your own freezer-friendly food, you know exactly what you are putting in your body.
- Make a big batch for later. When I prepare these egg quesadillas, I usually end up devouring a 1 or 2 quesadillas immediately because once you a try a bite, you just want more. And, the veggies smell amazing during the cooking process that it is kind of impossible not to sample some. So, I actually end up doubling this recipe so that I have a big batch to store and keep in the fridge or freezer.
Ingredient Notes
To make this easy freezer-friendly Vegetarian Breakfast Quesadillas, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- butter - for sautéing the vegetables. You can also substitute with your choice of vegetable oil for a healthier alternative.
- vegetables - we used onions and green pepper. You can also throw in any other veggies that you like. Try red peppers, tomatoes, spinach, or jalapeños.
- mushrooms - feel free to use white or brown mushrooms.
- eggs - we try to incorporate eggs into our diet because they are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and protein. In fact, eating eggs is good for your bones, teeth, skin, and eyes.
- milk
- salt and pepper
- flour tortillas - I recommend 8-inch or 10-inch flour tortillas for these quesadillas.
- white cheddar cheese - or substitute with a melty cheese of your choice such as Monterey Jack, yellow cheddar, mozzarella, or a Tex Mex cheese blend.
- non-stick cooking spray - for cooking the quesadillas.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, large skillet or griddle, and mixing bowl.
How to Make the Best Breakfast Quesadillas
- Sauté vegetables. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-heat heat. Add onions and cook until soft and translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Add green peppers and mushrooms and cook for 4-5 more minutes, until slightly tender.
- Add eggs. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper until completely mixed and slightly frothy. Add the egg mixture to the skillet and cook until eggs are scrambled and cooked through, approximately 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Assemble quesadillas. Divide the egg filling evenly amongst the tortillas in an even layer on half of each tortilla. Sprinkle cheese on top, then fold the tortilla over to seal.
- Cook. Heat a large griddle or skillet over medium-high heat. Coat with non-stick spray and cook quesadillas until browned, about 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Repeat until all quesadillas are cooked.
- Serve. Slice into wedges and serve immediately, or wrap in aluminum foil and store for later.
Breakfast Quesadilla Variations
One of the best things about these breakfast quesadillas is that it's completely customizable! Throw in any veggies you want, switch up the cheese, or even add in some cooked meat. Some ingredients we like to add are:
- Bacon
- Sausage
- Spinach and feta
- Black beans
- Chorizo and potatoes
- Ham and tomatoes
Storing and Reheating Quesadillas
- How to store: Wrap the unsliced cooked quesadillas separately in aluminum foil and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- How to reheat: Preheat oven or toaster oven to 325°F. Remove foil and heat until warmed, approximately 20 minutes if refrigerated. You can also reheat by heating a non-stick pan to medium heat and grilling on each side for 2-4 minutes until warm and crispy.
- How to freeze quesadillas: Wrap unsliced cooked quesadillas separately in aluminum foil and place in freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months for an easy breakfast on another day.
- How to reheat from frozen: Preheat oven or toaster oven to 325°F. Remove foil and heat until warmed, approximately 30 minutes from frozen.
How to Serve
You can serve vegetarian breakfast quesadillas as is or with your favorite Mexican toppings, including:
- Guacamole
- Sour Cream or Yogurt
- Pico de Gallo Salsa or Mango Salsa
- Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing
More Mexican Inspired Recipes
- 30 Best Mexican Recipes
- Vegetarian Quesadillas
- Chicken Enchiladas
- Cauliflower Tacos
- Vegetarian Chili
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Baked Chicken Quesadillas
Tried this recipe?
I'd love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and rating below to share your feedback. Your reviews help others discover this recipe and help me keep creating more free recipes for you. Snap a photo and tag me on social media @aheadofthyme too.
Vietnamese Chicken Salad
Vietnamese chicken salad (also known as goi ga) is a fresh, tangy, cold salad that is packed with bold flavors. It's quick and easy to make with shredded chicken, shredded vegetables including cabbage and carrots, and garnished with crushed peanuts and cilantro, all tossed in a fragrant homemade nuoc cham dressing. This Asian slaw salad is full of flavor, color, and texture.
Plus, it's a great way to use up any leftover chicken that you have in the fridge or use a rotisserie chicken that you pick up from the grocery store on your way home from work. Serve Vietnamese chicken salad is as a meal on it's own for lunch or dinner, or as a side salad.
Why You'll Love This Vietnamese Chicken Salad
- It's quick and easy. Cold chicken salad recipes are some of my favorites because they're always fast and easy. This Vietnamese chicken salad comes together in just 10 minutes by shredding and tossing the ingredients together. It also keeps well in the fridge for a couple of days, making leftovers great for meal prep lunch the next day.
- Loaded with flavor and texture. This refreshing Vietnamese chicken salad is packed with tender chicken, crispy veggies, and crunchy peanuts for a balance of different textures in every bite. It's also loaded with fresh, natural flavors from these ingredients - but the real star of the show is the nuoc cham dressing.
- The sweet and savory dressing. Made with fish sauce, lime juice, sesame oil, vinegar, sugar, garlic, white pepper, and crushed red pepper, this Asian sauce is salty, sweet, tangy, and thinner than most American dressings. It boasts a unique savory umami flavor that makes this Vietnamese chicken salad so good.
- A great way to use leftover chicken. Whether you've cooked a Roast Chicken or bought a rotisserie chicken, the leftovers can get boring the next day. Reinvent them in this Asian chicken salad. You can use any cooked chicken or leftover turkey such as Slow Cooker Turkey Breast or Roast Turkey.
Ingredient Notes
To make this easy Vietnamese Chicken Salad, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- shredded chicken - you will need to shred 2 cooked chicken breasts. See our shredded chicken recipe for 3 different ways to prepare shredded chicken.
- vegetables - green cabbage, Persian cucumbers, carrot, red onion, and red bell pepper.
- cilantro
- peanuts
- Vietnamese dressing (nuoc cham) - made in minutes with a combination of rice vinegar (or white vinegar), fish sauce, lime juice, sesame oil, sugar, garlic, white pepper (optional), and crushed pepper (or Thai red chili).
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, a box grater and/or knife, and mixing bowls.
How to Make the Best Vietnamese Chicken Salad
- Prepare the vegetables. Use a box grater to shred the cabbage, cucumbers, and carrot. You can also julienne them using a knife. Slice the red onion and bell peppers into thin strips. Transfer to a large mixing bowl or serving dish. Add the shredded chicken and cilantro.
- Make the dressing. In a medium mixing bowl, make the dressing by stirring together the vinegar, fish sauce, lime juice, sesame oil, sugar, garlic, white pepper (if using), and crushed pepper until smooth.
- Toss. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well to coat evenly.
- Serve. Top with crushed peanuts and serve immediately.
How to Serve
This goi ga chicken salad can be served on its own as a full and filling meal for lunch or dinner, but it also makes a great side salad when served alongside Asian recipes such as:
- Lemongrass Chicken
- Banh Mi Sandwich
- Glazed Honey Balsamic Pork Chops
- Pho or Ramen
- Vietnamese Summer Rolls with Chicken
- Shrimp Egg Rolls or Crispy Vegetarian Spring Rolls
- Pineapple Fried Rice
- Peanut Noodles
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Shredded chicken: See our shredded chicken recipe for 3 different ways to make shredded chicken for this Vietnamese chicken salad recipe. You can also save time by buying a whole rotisserie chicken and shredding it - whatever is convenient for you!
- Make ahead instructions: Prepare the salad ingredients and dressing separately and store in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Toss together when ready to serve.
- How to store: With the nuoc cham dressing, this Vietnamese chicken salad will last for 1-2 days in the fridge in an airtight container. If undressed, it will last a little longer for 3-4 days.
More Asian Salad Recipes
- 40 Best Salad Recipes
- Asian Chopped Salad
- Thai Mango Salad
- Kani Salad
- Chinese Garlic Cucumber Salad
- Asian Cold Noodle Salad
Tried this recipe?
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Balsamic Chicken Kabobs
Grilled Balsamic Chicken Kabobs are a delicious and flavorful grilling staple you need to make this summer. Juicy and tender chicken bites are marinated in a homemade balsamic sauce, skewered with an assortment of colorful vegetables, and grilled to perfection (or even baked in the oven!).
Serve quick and easy balsamic chicken skewers on busy weeknights as a complete meal over rice or pasta, a salad, or more veggies on the side.
Why You'll Love This Balsamic Chicken Kabobs
- Flavorful chicken and veggies. For these balsamic chicken kabobs, you'll thread tender and juicy chicken bites with delicious fresh vegetables, including red bell peppers, red onion, and zucchini for a healthy summer meal.
- The best balsamic chicken marinade. This balsamic chicken marinade ensures that the chicken kabobs are juicy, tender, and full of flavor. It is so good that you'll want to use it on all your grilled meats. In fact you totally should! Make balsamic chicken breasts for a grilled chicken salad in this Greek Chicken Salad, or marinate Air Fryer Chicken Thighs in it and add to pasta or rice. However you serve it, this chicken marinade is amazing.
- Grill-charred to perfection. Although you can make these balsamic chicken skewers on your indoor grill pan or even baked in the oven, they're intended to be made over a grill. The sear marks add texture and flavor to your chicken and veggies that is on another level.
- Chicken skewers are quick and easy. One of my favorite summer meals is making skewered meat because bite sized meat means that it cooks fast. It's easy to marinate the day before or right after you get home from work and then pop on the grill for a quick dinner.
Ingredient Notes
To make delicious Balsamic Chicken Kabobs, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- chicken - we used boneless skinless chicken breasts, but you can easily use boneless chicken thighs as well.
- salt and pepper
- balsamic vinegar
- honey - feel free to substitute with maple syrup.
- olive oil
- Italian seasoning - feel free to substitute with dried oregano.
- garlic powder
- vegetables - I used red bell peppers, red onion, and zucchini all cut into small bite-sized pieces. You could also substitute with other veggies such as mushrooms, corn, and tomatoes.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowl or ziploc bag, and metal or bamboo skewers. You will also need a barbecue grill or grill pan to cook these (or cook them in the oven).
How to Make the Best Balsamic Chicken Kabobs
- Marinate the chicken. Cut the chicken breasts into 1.5-inch thick cubes and evenly season with salt and pepper. Set aside in a large bowl or Ziploc bag. Combine balsamic vinegar, honey, olive oil, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder in a medium mixing bowl. Mix well until smooth. Reserve 3 tablespoons of the sauce mixture and add the rest to the bowl of chicken. Toss well to coat all the chicken. Cover the bowl with plastic cling wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight for the best results).
- Skewer the chicken. Thread 4 cubed chicken breasts onto each skewer, alternating with a piece of red bell pepper, red onion, and zucchini. Season all over with a little bit of salt and pepper, to taste.
- Grill the skewers. Preheat grill over medium high to 450F, about 6-8 minutes. Place the balsamic chicken skewers spaced evenly apart on the grill and grill for 5 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature for the chicken reaches 165 F as read on a meat thermometer. Do not overlap the skewers at any time to ensure even cooking for all the skewers.
- Add sauce. Brush the reserved sauce over the skewers on both sides and grill for another 1-2 minutes until nicely charred, flipping once during grilling.
- Rest and serve. Remove the chicken skewers off the grill and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve warm on it's own or with a side of rice or pita bread, if desired.
How to Cook Chicken Skewers in the Oven
If you don't have a grill, you can also bake the balsamic chicken kebabs in a 450F preheated oven for 16-18 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through. Baste the skewer with reserved sauce and broil on HI for 2-3 minutes until nicely charred on the edges.
How to Serve
These chicken kabobs can be served on their own at a summer barbecue, and your guests will be so satisfied. If you add some sides to serve these chicken kabobs with, you can try:
- Grilled Corn on the Cob
- Potato Salad
- Greek Fries
- Classic Coleslaw
- Stovetop Mac and Cheese
- Sweet Potato Wedges
Storing Instructions
- Make ahead instructions: Chicken kebabs taste best when freshly grilled, but you can prep them ahead and throw them on the grill when ready. Thread the skewers and store the raw kabobs in the fridge for 1-2 days before cooking.
- How to store: Keep leftover balsamic chicken kabobs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- How to reheat: Preheat the oven to 350F and wrap the kabobs in aluminum foil. Reheat for 10-20 minutes until warmed through. For juicier kabobs, you can add a splash of water or chicken broth to the aluminum foil wraps.
More Chicken Skewer Recipes
- Greek Chicken Souvlaki Skewers
- Teriyaki Chicken Skewers with Pineapple
- Chicken Satay Skewers with Peanut Sauce
- Persian Saffron Chicken Kebabs (Joojeh Kabob)
- Orange Chicken Skewers
- Lemongrass Chicken Skewers
Tried this recipe?
I'd love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and rating below to share your feedback. Your reviews help others discover this recipe and help me keep creating more free recipes for you. Snap a photo and tag me on social media @aheadofthyme too.
Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Garlic Butter Steak Bites are tender, juicy, and flavorful. This quick and easy homemade dinner takes just 15 minutes to make from prep to table in one skillet. With a cut of tender sirloin steak and a buttery garlic sauce that coats each piece, these bite-sized beef bites a crowd favorite and kid-friendly!
Serve these seared steak bites as it for an easy appetizer or snack, or pair them with your favorite sides for a filling dinner on busy weeknights. Once you try them, you'll find yourself making this over and over again.
Why You'll Love These Garlic Butter Steak Bites
- You only need 15 minutes and a handful of ingredients. This is one of the easiest and quickest dinners you can make. Since the steak is cut into smaller pieces to make steak bites, they take less time to cook, which means dinner is on the table sooner rather than later. And all you need to make steak bites is a handful of ingredients - steak, oil, butter, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper. It's fast and easy.
- The garlic butter sauce is simple yet amazing. After cooking the steak bites, you'll add butter and fresh minced garlic to make a simple but delectable garlic butter sauce that brings out the natural flavor of the juicy, tender beef. You'll want to cook everything in this sauce.
- Steak bites are great as an appetizer or main dish with sides. Use these steak bites as a low-carb appetizer served with toothpicks, or serve it as the protein for your main meal with some starchy side to make them more filling. Pair garlic butter steak bites with pasta, rice, potatoes, seafood (hello surf and turf!), and your favorite vegetable side dishes.
Ingredient Notes
To make these easy Garlic Butter Steak Bites, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- steak - use your favorite steak such as sirloin steak, ribeye, or strip steaks.
- salt and pepper
- vegetable oil - use any vegetable oil that you have on hand such as avocado oil or grapeseed oil.
- butter
- garlic
- fresh herbs - we added thyme to the garlic butter to add a delicious flavor. You can substitute with other fresh herbs that you like such as oregano, mint, or dill. We also garnished these steak bites with parsley on top.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons and and a large skillet (I used our cast-iron skillet).
How to Make the Best Garlic Butter Steak Bites
- Season the beef. Use a paper towel to pat the steak bites completely dry with paper towel. Season with salt and pepper.
- Sear the beef. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the hot oil sizzles, about 1 minute. Add the steak bites in a single layer in the skillet and sear until browned, about 2 minutes. Flip them over and cook on the other side for 2 minutes until golden brown. Do not stir while searing the meat.
- Add butter and garlic. Add butter and melt until it starts to bubble. Stir well to coat the steak bites evenly. Stir in garlic and thyme and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Serve. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
How to Serve
Garlic Butter Steak Bites are delicious served on their own, or pair them with your favorite veggies and grains for a balanced meal. Try some of my favorite sides:
- Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes
- Cheesy Roasted Asparagus
- Air Fryer Vegetables
- Parmesan Risotto
- Crispy Smashed Potatoes
- Caesar Salad
- Baked Sweet Potato Wedges
Storing Instructions
- How to store: Keep leftover steak bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- How to reheat steak bites: The best way to reheat steak bites is in the oven at 350F. To keep them tender and juicy, wrap them in aluminum foil with a splash of liquid and bake for 10-20 minutes until warmed through. You could also reheat on the stove over medium-low heat until warmed through.
More Beef Recipes
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40 Best 4th of July Recipes
On the 4th of July, it's all about the American patriotic red, white, and blue recipes. So if you are planning an epic Independence Day party and are wondering what fourth of July food to serve on your summer menu, then you are in the right place. We are sharing over 40 best 4th of July recipes including summer berry recipes, burgers and grill recipes, fresh vibrant salads, festive and colorful desserts, refreshing drinks, and more.
Best 4th of July Recipes
Watermelon Feta Salad
Watermelon feta salad with cucumbers and mint is a simple and delicious refreshing summer salad that you can toss together in 5 minutes.
Fresh Strawberry Pie
Fresh strawberry pie is a delicious, summer dessert loaded with juicy strawberries and homemade strawberry glaze with no jello, in a flakey pie crust. The best 4th of July recipe.
Antipasto Skewers
Antipasto skewers with tortellini are a quick, easy, and delicious appetizer that can be served for any occasion.
Teriyaki Chicken Skewers with Pineapple
Juicy and tender teriyaki chicken skewers with pineapple, bell peppers and red onions are sticky, sweet, savoury, and tangy. So flavourful and delicious. Serve over some steamed rice or coconut rice.
Tomato and Mozzarella Caprese Salad
Quick and easy tomato and mozzarella caprese salad is a fresh, light, and delicious summer salad, made with just a few simple ingredients in 10 minutes.
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Buttery and salty grilled corn on the cob with beautiful char marks, delicious flavor, and the best texture is the easiest recipe to throw on the grill.
Strawberry Lemonade
Homemade strawberry lemonade is refreshing, flavorful, and easy to make. This sparkling summer drink is loaded with fresh strawberries and lemon.
Summer Fruit Salad with Honey Lemon Dressing
This Summer Fruit Salad is colorful, delicious, and naturally sweet (no processed sugar!). It's easy to make with fresh fruit tossed in a homemade dressing.
Strawberry Popsicles
Homemade strawberry popsicles are healthy, refreshing, and sweet. Made with just 4 ingredients, they're packed with fresh strawberries and no refined sugar.
Classic Juicy Hamburgers
Better than the steakhouse, these classic juicy hamburgers are perfectly seasoned, so flavourful and delicious. Make them on the grill or on the stove.
Deviled Eggs
Classic deviled eggs are a simple, easy, and healthy appetizer to make when you need something quick for brunch, picnics, barbecues, potlucks, or the 4th of July.
Garlic Shrimp Skewers
Garlic shrimp skewers are delicious and full of fresh flavor. These quick and easy kabobs can be grilled, baked or air fried for an easy summer dinner.
Strawberry Avocado Salad
Loaded with fresh ingredients, strawberry avocado salad with poppy seed dressing is the ultimate summer salad -- light, vibrant, fresh, sweet, and tangy.
Carne Asada
Juicy and tender Carne Asada with perfectly charred edges is flavorful, delicious, and so easy to make. Cook this Mexican steak in under 15 minutes.
Guacamole
Incredibly tasty, this easy and basic guacamole takes less than 5 minutes to make. It is the perfect dip for a 4th of July party.
Classic Coleslaw
Fresh, crisp, classic coleslaw salad is a must-have recipe for a summer barbecue or picnic, or as an easy make-ahead lunch. Make it in less than 10 minutes.
Black Bean Burgers
Homemade vegetarian black bean burgers are thick, hearty, flavorful, and delicious. They are easy to make with the best texture (no mushy burgers here!).
Classic Blueberry Pie with Lattice Top
Summery classic blueberry pie is made with the perfect flaky pie crust, a jammy blueberry filling with a hint of lemon, and sealed with a lattice top.
Buckwheat Salad
Mediterranean Buckwheat Salad is quick, easy, and delicious. Loaded with superfood buckwheat, this salad is healthy, naturally gluten-free, and vegetarian.
Greek Chicken Souvlaki Skewers
Easy Greek chicken souvlaki skewers marinated in garlic, fresh herbs, lemon and bay leaves for that classic Mediterranean flavour.
Nutella Crepes
Nutella crepes with berries are sweet and indulgent. These French pancakes are an easy to make blender recipe that will have you craving breakfast all day.
Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls
Delicious blueberry cinnamon rolls are soft and fluffy, filled with cinnamon sugar, loaded with fresh blueberries, and topped with cream cheese icing.
Macaroni Salad
Classic macaroni salad is a creamy and delicious pasta salad that is easy to throw together. It's the perfect side to bring to a summer potluck or BBQ.
Mediterranean Turkey Burgers
Mediterranean turkey burgers are tender, juicy, and delicious, loaded with garlic, fresh dill, and lemon juice. The perfect summer weeknight meal.
Blackberry Milkshake
Looking for the perfect summer treat? Blend together fresh berries and ice cream to make creamy, quick and easy, 5-minute blackberry milkshake at home!
7 Layer Dip
This easy and delicious 7 layer dip is the perfect dip to serve at your next party, made with layers of beans, guacamole, salsa, cheese, and more.
Lemon Blueberry Bread
Easy lemon blueberry bread with lemon glaze is soft, moist, and delicious. This quick bread with fresh blueberries and lemon is the perfect summer dessert.
Veggie Tray
This homemade veggie tray is a quick easy healthy snack or appetizer to make for your next party, with a variety of colorful vegetables and delicious dips.
Souvlaki Beef Shish Kebabs
Easy Greek souvlaki beef shish kebabs are marinated in a garlicky lemony olive oil marinade and threaded with fresh vegetables. Cook on the grill or oven. Serve them wrapped inside some quick and easy pita bread.
Homemade Peach Iced Tea
Homemade peach iced tea is healthy summer drink — refreshing, peachy, sweet, and perfect. It's loaded with real fruit and vitamins and easy to make.
Whipped Ricotta Crostini
Whipped ricotta crostini is a fancy easy appetizer to make in just minutes or prepare in advance and assemble before serving. A total crowd pleaser.
Strawberry Sorbet
This 3-ingredient Strawberry Sorbet is a refreshing, healthy, vegan, and gluten-free frozen treat to enjoy on a hot day. Plus, no ice cream maker required!
Chickpea Greek Salad
Chickpea Greek salad is a fresh, healthy, vibrant, and colorful salad, packed with traditional Mediterranean ingredients, superfoods, and nutrients.
Grilled Orange Chicken Skewers
Flame-kissed, sticky and saucy, grilled orange chicken skewers with a rich, citrus-based marinade are delicious, juicy and so tender. The best summer weeknight dinner.
Mango Salsa
With fresh raw ingredients like mangoes, red peppers, onion, jalapeños, cilantro, and lime juice, this mango salsa tastes as juicy and bright as it looks.
Strawberry Frozen Yogurt
Homemade strawberry frozen yogurt is a delicious, refreshing, healthy dessert made with 4 simple ingredients, no refined sugar, and in less than 5 minutes.
Vietnamese Summer Rolls with Chicken
Vietnamese summer rolls with chicken are fresh, light, and healthy. This Asian summer snack takes less than 20 minutes to make and easier than you think.
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Smooth creamy roasted red pepper hummus is a delicious, flavourful, vegan + gluten-free dip. This healthy appetizer is easy to make with a few ingredients.
Potato Salad
Easy homemade potato salad is loaded with baby potatoes, eggs, and green onions and tossed in a mayo sauce and is a go-to for summer barbecues and picnics.
Blueberry Crisp
Blueberry crisp with a sweet blueberry filling and a buttery, crispy oat topping, is a delicious, fruity treat that's ready in just 45 minutes.
4th of July Summer Cookout Party Tips
- Plan your menu ahead of time. If you plan your menu early, you can prepare a complete shopping list, and can starting thinking about some tasks that you can do ahead of time. Some recipes, like skewers and patties, need to be marinated for at least an hour in advance (with better results overnight!), some can be made a day or 2 ahead of time and stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator, and some can made much further in advance and frozen. Check individual recipes for full storage instructions.
- Prep as much as possible. Once you have decided on what you are going to serve on the 4th of July, try to prepare as much as you can ahead of time. Some things that you can do to save you time are chopping up ingredients or preparing salads and dressings and separately in the refrigerator until ready to assemble.
- Set the table the night before. Get out all your festive and patriotic 4th of July plates and set your table early in the morning or even the night before so that you have one less thing to worry about on Independence Day.
Did You Make Any of These 4th of July Recipes?
Please leave a comment and rating below, and let me know what you thought of this round up of 4th of July recipes. Be sure to snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.
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Sugar Cookie Bars
Sugar Cookie Bars are soft and chewy with a delicious homemade buttercream frosting on top. They are the easiest way to make Sugar Cookies with no rolling out dough or cookie cutters required!
The best part? This one bowl cookie bar recipe comes together in just 10 minutes with a handful of staple baking ingredients before it's ready to bake in the oven. It's the easiest way to bake cookies ever.
Why You'll Love these Sugar Cookie Bars
- Soft cookie bars with decadent icing. If you like soft and chewy cookies, then you'll love these sugar cookie bars. The sugar cookie itself is soft and crumbly, and the icing on top is rich and fluffy. It's the best of both worlds.
- They're easy to make. These sugar cookie bars are so easy to make. It's a one bowl cooke dough recipe which you then spread it on a baking tray before popping into the oven. No rolling and cutting out cookies or scooping and portioning out cookie dough here!
- They bake quickly. This easy recipe comes together after 10 minutes of prep and 15 minutes in the oven. You only need to wait a little while time to let it cool down completely before you can add frosting and sprinkles on top.
- Sugar cookie bars are great for crowds. Whether you're serving these sugar cookie bars at a birthday party, making them for a bake sale, or bringing them to a work potluck, these sugar cookie bars are the perfect to feed a crowd. With 24 individual slices, there's enough for everyone!
- Customize sugar cookie bars for any holiday. You can switch up the color of the frosting and sprinkles to suit any holiday. For instance, use green frosting with white and red sprinkles for Christmas, pink frosting with white and red sprinkles for Valentine's Day, orange frosting with black and white sprinkles for Halloween, or blue frosting with red and white sprinkles for the Fourth of July.
Ingredient Notes
To make this easy Sugar Cookie Bars, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- butter - I recommend unsalted butter for the best results. You can substitute with salted butter, just leave out the extra salt called for in the recipe.
- granulated sugar
- egg
- vanilla extract
- almond extract
- all-purpose flour
- cornstarch
- baking powder
- salt
- buttercream frosting - made with butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream.
- food coloring - we used red food coloring to dye the frosting pink. You can leave it white or switch up the color based on a theme that you are making these for (eg. orange for Halloween, green for Christmas, or blue for the Fourth of July).
- sprinkles - use any color sprinkles to match the theme that you are going for.
Baking Tools and Equipment
You will also need the following kitchen tools and equipment to make these sugar cookie bars:
- measuring cups and spoons
- mixing bowls
- hand mixer or stand mixer
- half sheet baking pan and silicone baking mat (or parchment paper)
- wire cooling rack
How to Make the Best Sugar Cookie Bars
- Cream butter and sugar. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together using a hand mixer (or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment) on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add wet ingredients. Next, add egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract and beat until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl if needed.
- Add dry ingredients. Turn the mixer to low speed and add cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add flour and mix until just combined.
- Shape cookie bars. Line a large half sheet baking pan (9x13-inch baking sheet) with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and lightly spray with cooking spray. Spread the cookie dough evenly in the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake. Bake in a preheated 350F oven until puffy and just baked through, about 14-16 minutes (do not overbake as they will continue to cook in the baking sheet when removed from the oven).
- Cool. Place the baking sheet on a wire cooling rack and allow it to cool completely, about an hour.
How to Make Frosting for Sugar Cookie Bars
In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and food coloring. Use a hand mixer to blend together until fluffy. If the frosting is too dry, add up to 1 tablespoon of heavy cream.
Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled sugar cookie bars and add sprinkles on top. Slice into 24 bars and serve.
Storing Instructions
- How to store: Keep sugar cookie bars stored in an airtight container. Store them for up to 2 days at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from humidity, heat, or sunlight. You can store them for up to a week in the fridge but their texture will harden the longer they're stored in there.
- How to freeze sugar cookie bars: If you like preparing ahead of time, you should know that you can freeze these sugar cookie bars! Freeze the unfrosted sheet of cookie bars wrapped tightly in plastic cling wrap and stored in a freezer bag or airtight container for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then frost, slice, and serve.
More Bar Recipes
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- Pecan Pie Bars
- Fudgy Brownies
- M&M Cookie Bars
- Blueberry Oat Squares
- Easter Blondies
Tried this recipe?
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Southwest Salad
Southwest Salad is a delicious and hearty salad that is loaded with classic southwestern flavors with a Tex-Mex twist. With an assortment of fresh veggies, filling ingredients like chicken, beans, and avocados, and cheddar cheese, all tossed in a healthy homemade Southwest salad dressing, this salad has it all.
The best part? You can throw this simple and classic salad together in under 10 minutes for a quick dinner or a healthy lunch. Serve southwest salad on Taco Tuesday, at a summer potluck, or anytime of the week.
Why You'll Love Southwest Salad
- Quick and easy to make in 10 minutes. A tossed salad is so easy to make because you just combine all the ingredients together, drizzle on some salad, and toss together. It's so easy that you can get the kids to help. This recipe is perfect if you are making a salad for a crowd, meal-prepping, or just short on time.
- It's a nourishing and filling salad. When you make this southwest salad, you don't need to worry about pairing sides or finding other dishes to serve along with it. It stands its ground all on its own, thanks to the chicken, beans, bountiful veggies, and creamy dressing. But you can choose to make it with or without chicken - and it's still just as filling.
- Loaded with flavor. In this southwest chicken salad, you'll enjoy the flavorful homemade southwest dressing that is packed with lime juice, cilantro, cumin, paprika, and chili powder. But you'll also get to savor the natural flavors from all of the ingredients.
Ingredient Notes
To make this delicious Southwest Salad, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- romaine lettuce - feel free to substitute with your favorite salad greens, whether you want to use a bag or spring mix greens, kale, or spinach.
- grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans
- corn - you can use fresh corn kernels sliced off the cob, or canned corn (drained and rinsed), or frozen corn that has been thawed and cooked.
- avocado
- red onion
- yellow cheddar - feel free to substitute with your favorite cheese. Some great alternatives are cotija cheese, tex mex cheddar, or white cheddar.
- chicken breasts - you can add in some cooked chicken breast for extra protein, but it is completely optional. I used our Oven Baked Chicken Breast in here. Some other great options are Mexican Chicken Breast or Air Fryer Chicken Breast.
- southwest salad dressing - we used our homemade Southwest Salad Dressing here that takes just 5 minutes to make in the blender. You can also use store-bought dressing - whatever is more convenient for you. Another dressing options that works well in this salad is Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing.
You can customize this salad and substitute or add in other ingredients that you like. You can try adding Tortilla Strips, bell peppers, or fresh cilantro.
How to Make the Best Southwest Salad
Like most salad recipes, this Southwest Salad is so easy to make. You just combine everything into a large serving bowl and toss to coat - romaine lettuce, tomatoes, black beans, corn, avocado, red onion, yellow cheddar, and sliced chicken (if using).
Then, drizzle southwest salad dressing over the salad and serve or toss to coat. You can make your own southwest dressing in just 5 minutes or use store-bought dressing if it's more convenient.
How to Serve
I like to serve this southwest salad on its own since it's packed with veggies and protein. However, if you're serving a large crowd, this salad also pairs well with southwest and Mexican-inspired dishes such as:
- Tacos
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Beef and Bean Burritos
- Sheet Pan Nachos
- Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
- Tortilla chips with Salsa and Guacamole
Storing Instructions
- Make ahead instructions: To make this salad ahead of time, store the salad, chicken, and dressing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. I would also recommend leaving the avocado out and adding it when serving (to prevent browning). The chicken will last up to 3 days, and the salad will last 4-5 days, and the dressing will last up to 1 week. When ready to eat, just toss and combine just before serving or packing for a healthy lunch. This will keep your salad looking and tasting fresh.
- How to store: When storing leftover southwest salad, it's best to keep your dressing on the side if possible. If you don't, the acidic lime juice will wilt your romaine lettuce faster. Again, I also prefer to keep the avocados separate, so I can add fresh avocado when it's time to eat. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Undressed, this salad will last for 4-5 days in the fridge. With dressing, it will last about 2-3 days.
More Salad Recipes
- 40 Best Salad Recipes
- Mexican Chicken Caesar Salad
- Summer Corn Salad
- Garden Salad
- Kani Salad
- Mexican Street Corn Salad
Tried this recipe?
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Southwest Salad Dressing
Homemade Southwest Salad Dressing is creamy and flavorful with a little spicy kick. This quick and easy yogurt-based dressing is ready in just minutes whether you make it in the blender or stir by hand.
Plus, making salad dressing from scratch is so much better, tastier, and healthier than store-bought. You might never go back to bottles dressing after realizing just how easy it is to make at home.
Why You'll Love this Southwest Salad Dressing
- It's quick and easy to make dressing at home. It can be really tempting to reach for a bottle of store-bought dressing because it's so convenient, but you may reconsider if you knew it takes just 5 minutes to make Southwest salad dressing at home. All you do is combine and mix the ingredients together.
- It's flavorful and delicious. This homemade southwest dressing is a creamy yogurt-based dressing loaded with classic seasoning with a TexMex twist that packs on the the flavor with the right amount of kick. It's perfect drizzled over Southwest Salad or any salad you like.
- It's better than store-bought. It's not surprising that making southwest salas dressing from scratch is cheaper and healthier than using bottled store-bought dressing. It has no preservatives, fillers, or artificial flavors like a lot of the dressings you can find at the store. Just real ingredients here.
Ingredient Notes
To make this easy Southwest Salad Dressing, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- Greek yogurt - you could substitute with plain yogurt but note that the dressing will have a much thinner consistency. If using plain yogurt, I recommend mixing the dressing by hand to keep it thicker.
- lime juice - lime juice adds a traditional tang but you can substitute with lemon juice if you need to.
- honey - adds a hint of sweetness. You can add more or less to your preference.
- cilantro - you can substitute with ½ teaspoon dried cilantro or Italian seasoning.
- seasoning - a flavorful seasoning blend made with a combination of chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowl, and a mason jar or airtight container for storage.
How to Make the Best Southwest Salad Dressing
In a blender, combine ¾ cup Greek yogurt with the remaining ingredients. Pulse mix until combined and cilantro is well blended.
Transfer the dressing to a medium mixing bowl and add the remaining ¼ cup Greek yogurt. Stir it in with a spoon until combined.
You could also just stir all the ingredients together in a mixing bowl. If doing this, make sure to finely chop up the cilantro.
How to Serve
Drizzle homemade Southwest salad dressing with any salad that needs a little kick. Try it with:
- Southwest Salad
- Garden Salad
- Buckwheat Salad
- Tomato Cucumber Avocado Salad
- Chickpea Greek Salad
- Coleslaw
- Mexican Chicken Caesar Salad
But you don't have to just use it on salad. There are other ways to use this homemade dressing in other recipes. Try it as:
- A spread in sandwiches, wraps, and burgers. Try it with Classic Hamburgers or Black Bean Burgers.
- A dipping sauce in a Veggie Tray.
- A sauce to drizzle over meat or veggies such as Oven Baked Chicken Breast, Roasted Vegetables, or Grilled Corn on the Cob.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- How to store: Since homemade dressings lack preservatives, they are better for you but don't last as long as store-bought. Store southwest dressing an airtight container or mason jar in the refrigerator for up one week.
- How to change the consistency: Blender dressings tend to be more thin than hand mixed dressings, which is why we reserve some of the yogurt to stir in later to add in thickness. You can also just stir the ingredients together instead of using a blender. Just be sure to finely chop the cilantro. If you prefer a thinner dressing, just add a little water to the dressing.
More Salad Dressing Recipes
- Caesar Salad Dressing
- Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Greek Salad Dressing
- Creamy Sesame Dressing
- Poppy Seed Dressing
- Homemade Italian Dressing
Tried this recipe?
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Homemade Peach Iced Tea
When it's a hot summer day and it's officially peach season, it's a no brainer that simple Homemade Peach Iced Tea is number one on my cravings list. So refreshing, so peachy, so sweet, and so perfect.
Peach iced tea from scratch is a healthy summer drink loaded with real fruit and vitamins. You can even customize the amount of sweetness based on your preference. The best part? It's loved by everyone who tries it, so make a big batch because this ice cold drink disappears fast (it's freezer-friendly too!)
Why You'll Love this Peach Iced Tea
- It's made with real fruit. This homemade peach iced tea is made with fresh peaches so it gets its beautiful color and flavor naturally from real peaches. Unlike most iced teas that you find at the store which typically contain added flavor, dyes, and preservatives.
- Loaded with real peach flavor. The hardest part of making iced tea from scratch is not eating spoonfuls of the peach mixture when you are cooking it. It seriously smells like a pot of fuzzy peaches. You will know exactly what I am talking about once you try making this yourself!
- A refreshing summer drink. Peach iced tea is the best refreshing drink to serve at at your next summer cookout, barbecue, potluck, or picnic. You may want to make a bigger batch though, because this thirst-quencher disappears fast!
- It's healthy and contains anti-oxidants. Homemade iced tea is healthy. Although it does have some sugar, you can totally customize the amount and add less if you want or substitute it with a refined-free sweetner such as honey or maple syrup. Either way, you can be confident knowing that it will still have way less sugar than store-bought iced teas. Plus, with real peaches, you know this drink is loaded with anti-oxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Ingredient Notes
To make this easy and simple Homemade Peach Iced Tea, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- peaches - use ripe peaches for the best and sweetest result. We're lucky where we live that we can get fresh and juicy locally harvested peaches every summer at the farmer's markets or directly from the farms (we can even grab a bucket and pick our own!). You can even substitute with any fruit that you want to make any flavor of fruit ice tea.
- sugar - feel free to customize the sweetness by adding more or less sugar. You can also substitute with other sweeteners such as honey or maple syrup.
- water
- tea - Feel free to use loose leaf tea or tea bags to brew your tea. You also have the choice between black or green tea.
- toppings - you can add in some ice cubes and peach slices when serving (optional).
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, a saucepan, blender, and mesh strainer.
How to Make the Best Homemade Peach Iced Tea
- Cook peaches. In a medium saucepan, combine peaches, sugar and 1.5 cups of water and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer for 30 minutes. Every 5 minutes, stir and crush the peaches into the mixture.
- Puree and strain. Transfer the peach mixture into a blender and puree until smooth. Pour the peach puree through a sieve or fine mesh strainer to strain out any clumps. Transfer into a large pitcher and set aside.
- Brew tea. Bring the remaining 6 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat, add the tea and brew according to package directions (approximately 4-5 minutes). Once brewed, strain out the tea leaves or remove the tea bags and transfer the tea to the pitcher. Stir to combine and refrigerate until cool, about 20 minutes.
- Serve. Once cool, give the mixture a quick stir, add ice cubes and peach slices and serve!
How to Store Homemade Iced Tea
- How to store: Store fresh homemade iced tea in a sealed pitcher or airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- How to freeze: You can also freeze homemade peach iced tea. Transfer the fresh iced tea to an airtight container or pour into ice cube molds. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer bag for easy storing. You can freeze it for up to 6 months.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Adjust the sweetness: This recipe makes a sweet iced tea. If you like a more of an unsweetened iced tea, you can leave it completely out or add in less.
- Make stronger iced tea: For a stronger iced tea, add in an extra ½ to 1 tablespoon of loose leaf tea, or an extra tea bag when you are steeping it in hot water.
- Make a different flavor: You can substitute the peaches with any fruit that you want to make to make a different flavor of fruit ice tea.
More Drink Recipes
Tried this recipe?
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Carne Asada Tacos
Carne asada tacos are delicious, juicy, and tender beef steak tacos that everyone will be raving about on Taco Tuesday! Topped simply with onions, cilantro, and cotija cheese, these Mexican street tacos are loaded with flavor.
Plus, you can totally customize them with your favorite taco toppings. Add avocado, tomatoes, or guacamole and enjoy this easy dinner any day of the week this summer.
Why You'll Love Carne Asada Tacos
- Meaty carne asada filling. Carne asada is a Mexican dish that literally translates to "grilled meat". This well-seasoned marinated steak delivers slightly charred, zesty, tender, and juicy steak - it's seriously the best. That's why fresh carne asada steak bites are the star of the show in these carne asada tacos.
- Fresh ingredients. To compliment the carne asada in these beef tacos, you'll need just a few simple and fresh ingredients, including onion and cilantro. These aromatics that add a fresh zest and crunch.
- Cotija cheese. Cotija cheese is a Mexican cheese similar to feta or parmesan. If you can get some at your local supermarket, you'll definitely want to try it. If you can't, you can substitute your favorite cheese in these steak tacos.
Ingredient Notes
To make this delicious Carne Asada Tacos, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- carne asada - this taco recipe is perfect when you have any leftover carne asada, but also a great reason to throw some flank steaks (or skirt steaks) on the grill. This recipe uses half of our carne asada recipe (or one 1 pound steak).
- red onions - or substitute with white onions or even green onions if you prefer.
- cotija cheese - or substitute with feta cheese for a similar taste or substitute with another cheese that you like.
- cilantro
- soft tortillas - feel free to use corn tortillas or flour tortillas.
- lime - optional, to squeeze on top.
How to Customize Taco Toppings
You can switch up or add your favorite toppings such as:
- avocado
- green onions
- cabbage or lettuce
- tomatoes
- sour cream
- Cilantro Lime Slaw
How to Make the Best Carne Asada Tacos
- Heat the tortillas. Heat the tortillas one-by-one in an ungreased cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat for 30 seconds per side. You can also heat them directly on a gas burner for a few seconds to get char marks on the edges.
- Assemble. Divide the chopped carne asada into each tortilla and top with onions, cotija cheese, and cilantro. Add a squeeze of lime juice, if desired.
How to Serve
Carne Asada Tacos are delicious and filling as is or with a side of Salsa or Guacamole. You can switch up the toppings or pair them with some classic Mexican side dishes such as:
- Mexican Street Corn (Elote) or Grilled Corn on the Cob
- Cilantro Lime Rice and beans
- Beef Taco Salad
- Cilantro Lime Slaw
- Sheet Pan Nachos
- Mexican Street Corn Salad
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- How to store: Store the ingredients for your carne asada tacos separately (freshly cooked carne asada will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator). Otherwise, the meat and veggies will make the tortillas soggy. If you must make your carne asada tacos to go for work or school, consider adding a single piece of dry lettuce between your filling and tortilla to prevent the tortillas from becoming soggy.
- How to reheat: You can heat carne asada filling in the microwave, oven, or on the stovetop. In the oven, wrap the meat in aluminum foil and bake for 5-10 minutes at 375F. On the stove, heat in a covered pan with a splash of water on medium heat.
More Taco Recipes
- 15 Best Taco Recipes
- Korean Beef Steak Tacos
- Chicken Tacos
- Fish Tacos with Lime Crema
- Mexican Ground Beef Tacos
- Cauliflower Tacos
- Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema Slaw
Tried this recipe?
I'd love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and rating below to share your feedback. Your reviews help others discover this recipe and help me keep creating more free recipes for you. Snap a photo and tag me on social media @aheadofthyme too.
Buckwheat Salad
This Buckwheat Salad is quick and easy to make, healthy and delicious, and packed with Mediterranean flavors. Loaded with superfood buckwheat, this salad is healthy, naturally gluten-free, and vegetarian. It's the perfect salad to serve for a nourishing light dinner or meal prep for lunch throughout the week.
Plus, this Mediterranean buckwheat salad is loaded plant-based protein from the buckwheat, fresh vegetables and herbs, and a light olive oil dressing, adding nutrients and antioxidants to this healthy salad.
Why You'll Love this Buckwheat Salad
- It's a healthy and filling meal. This buckwheat salad with feta and tomatoes is my ideal vegetarian or gluten-free meal when I am craving a light yet filling dinner. It also stores well so it's perfect for meal prep for a healthy work lunch. The buckwheat keeps you full, while the veggies bring freshness and flavor - and they both add tons of nutrients.
- Buckwheat is easy to make. Buckwheat is a superfood seed that is really easy to prepare, taking about 15-20 minutes to cook. Similar to rice or quinoa, all you do is cook it in a saucepan of water, bring to a boil, and simmer. Then, fluff with a fork.
- Loaded with Mediterranean flavors. Mediterranean flavors are all over this buckwheat salad from the fresh ingredients like tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, lemon, and fresh herbs, to Greek ingredients like feta cheese and olive oil.
What is Buckwheat?
Buckwheat is a highly nutritious seed that is high in protein and fiber. It contains lots of vitamins and minerals and boasts numerous health benefits. Plus, despite it's name, buckwheat is not a grain - it's naturally gluten-free.
Some of the health benefits of superfood buckwheat are:
- promotes heart health by lowering the risk of developing high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
- promotes digestion.
- supports brain, liver and digestive health and helps prevents digestive disorders.
- contains antioxidants (it can help fight cancer and heart disease!).
- controls blood sugar and lowers risk of diabetes.
Ingredient Notes
To make this Mediterranean Buckwheat Salad, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- buckwheat - you will also need water to cook the dry buckwheat in.
- tomatoes - I recommend grape or cherry tomatoes. You could also use larger tomatoes but you want to avoid ones that are too watery. If you do, put the sliced tomatoes in a colander (tossed with some salt) to drain out some of the excess water prior to tossing them in the salad.
- mini cucumbers
- red onion
- feta cheese - you could substitute with a mild crumbly goat's cheese instead. A grilled halloumi is also really nice with this salad. You can also leave out the cheese completely for a vegan buckwheat salad instead.
- herbs - throw in your favorite fresh herb such as parsley, mint, or dill. You can also substitute with ½ tablespoon dry herbs such as dried oregano or Italian seasoning.
- olive oil - use a high quality olive oil since this is the bulk of our dressing.
- lemon juice
- salt and pepper
You can customize this salad with your favorite veggies and ingredients. Try adding some:
- bell peppers
- kalamata olives
- chickpeas
How to Make the Best Buckwheat Salad
- Make buckwheat. Rinse the buckwheat and place in a small saucepan. Add water and a pinch of salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Turn the heat down to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until cooked. Let it sit for 5 minutes and then fluff with a fork. If the water has not all been absorbed, drain the buckwheat in a colander. Set aside and let it cool completely.
- Combine salad ingredients. Transfer the cooled buckwheat to a large mixing bowl or serving bowl. Add all the remaining ingredients, and toss to combine.
- Serve. Taste and season with more salt and pepper, if needed. Serve with extra parsley or mint on top (optional).
How to Serve
This Mediterranean Buckwheat Salad can be served warm, at room temperature, or cold. It is a nourishing and filling meal on its own but you can pair it with extra protein if you would like. Some of my favorites are:
- Baked Greek Souvlaki Chicken Breast
- Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Falafel
- Greek Salmon
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Seared Scallops
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Make ahead instructions: Make the buckwheat and prep the salad ahead of time (leaving out the lemon juice and olive oil). Store the buckwheat and veggies in separate airtight containers (for up to 3 days) and toss together with lemon juice and olive oil just before you are ready to serve.
- How to store: Keep leftover buckwheat salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. As time goes on the buckwheat will get soft and soggy, so it's best to eat it sooner rather than later.
- How to freeze buckwheat: You can also make a big batch of buckwheat and freeze the extra to throw into salads whenever you want. Allow the buckwheat to cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.
More Salad Recipes
- 40 Best Salad Recipes
- Chickpea Greek Salad
- Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Tomato Cucumber Avocado Salad
- Persian Shirazi Salad with Cucumbers and Tomato
- Greek Pasta Salad
Tried this recipe?
I'd love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and rating below to share your feedback. Your reviews help others discover this recipe and help me keep creating more free recipes for you. Snap a photo and tag me on social media @aheadofthyme too.
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