Adventures of Mel

Category: Quick & Easy Meals

  • Juicy Instant Pot Whole Chicken for an Easy Dinner

    Juicy Instant Pot Whole Chicken for an Easy Dinner

    How to cook a perfectly tender and juicy Instant Pot whole chicken from fresh or frozen in just 30 minutes or less. Quick and easy, healthy one pot meal recipe that will have everyone coming back for seconds!

    I love garlic parm chicken skewers and baked chicken drumsticks, but my go-to easy dinner recipe has always been whole chicken in the CrockPot. I’d plan ahead and throw everything together in the morning so that it could slow cook all day long– That is, until I bought my first Instant Pot. Don’t get me wrong, I still love the slow cooked flavor of a good CrockPot chicken, but cooking whole chicken in the Instant Pot is so much faster for those busy weekdays when I’m in such a rush!

    Instant Pot whole chicken stuffed with lemons and peppers, fresh out of the electric pressure cooker, and ready to eat on a large wooden cutting board

    I can whip up an Instant Pot whole chicken in 30 minutes or less, and it tastes just as good as a slow cooked chicken. If you don’t already have an Instant Pot, I highly recommend getting one; this is one tool that every kitchen needs to have! You can make so many dinner recipes with an electric pressure cooker, including Instant Pot salmon, meatloaf, and baby back ribs.

    whole chicken Instant Pot ingredients lined out on a large wooden cutting board

    Ingredients & Substitutions Notes

    How to Make Instant Pot Whole Chicken

    Before getting started, rinse your whole chicken off and pat dry with paper towels. Then use a large knife to quarter a lemon and medium white onion on a large cutting board. Wash and chop up any veggies that you might use, and then set aside…

    Prepping the Chicken

    1. In a small mixing bowl, combine all of the seasonings.
    2. Then with your chicken on a large cutting board, sprinkle the seasonings over the chicken and cavity.
    3. Next, stuff the cavity with lemon and onions.
    4. Add the oil to the Instant Pot, and set it to the high sauté setting.
    5. Lay the whole chicken in the Instant Pot with the breast facing down. Cook ’til golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. This will create that crispy and golden brown, rotisserie-style skin that we all know and love!
    6. Finally, use a pair of tongs to turn the chicken over and let it cook in the oil for another 3-4 minutes. Then set aside.
    6 step photo collage showing how to make whole chicken in the Instant Pot

    How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot

    1. Start by placing your metal trivet down inside of the Instant Pot with the handles up. Then add the chicken broth.
    2. Place your whole chicken on top of the rack; if you’re adding any veggies, this is where you’ll want to chuck them in. Select the manual setting, and let it cook on high for about 6 minutes per pound. When the timer goes off, naturally release the pressure for about 20 more minutes.
    3. Once the pressure has naturally released, remove the chicken from the Instant Pot and let rest on a cutting board for about 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.

    If you’re cooking the chicken from frozen, you’ll need to double the cooking time to about 12 minutes per pound, and then let it naturally release for 20 minutes like normal.

    3 step photo collage showing how to cook an Instant Pot whole chicken

    That’s it! Serve and enjoy with any sides while fresh and hot. The great thing about cooking a whole chicken is that there’s usually plenty of leftovers that you can use for other meals later in the week!

    juicy whole chicken stuffed with lemons and peppers, and ready to slice and eat on a large wooden cutting board

    What to Serve With Instant Pot Whole Chicken

    Here are a few ideas as to what you can serve with your whole chicken meal…

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    Why isn’t my Instant Pot chicken cooked through?

    This is usually because it wasn’t cooked long enough. Fresh whole chicken needs about 6 minutes of cook time per pound in the Instant Pot. If it comes out raw in the middle, the best thing to do is to close it up, set it to manual and let it cook all over again, this time giving it 6 minutes per pound as recommended in the recipe. Then let it naturally release for about 20 minutes.

    How should I store leftover whole chicken?

    Leftover chicken is best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

    Can you freeze leftover chicken?

    Yes, you can freeze leftover chicken for meal planning in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Be sure to let it thaw out overnight in the refrigerator before using in any recipes.

    How do you reheat leftover chicken that’s been refrigerated?

    I usually reheat mine in a microwave-safe dish in the microwave on a medium-high setting for about 3 minutes. If it’s still cold, continue to cook it in 30-second bursts ’til hot, stirring every so often. If your leftover chicken was frozen, be sure to let it thaw out in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

    whole chicken with lemons and peppers fresh out of the Instant Pot on a large wooden cutting board

    Recipes for Leftover Chicken

    Need to use up leftover chicken before it goes bad? Here’s a list of our go-to leftover chicken recipes…

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Instant Pot Whole Chicken

    Perfectly tender and juicy Instant Pot whole chicken from fresh or frozen. Quick and easy dinner recipe that you can cook in just 30 minutes!

    • Paper Towels
    • Large Knife
    • Cutting Board
    • Small Mixing Bowl
    • Tongs
    • 4 pounds Whole Roasting Chicken
    • 2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
    • 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
    • 1 teaspoon Paprika
    • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
    • 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
    • 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme
    • 1/2 teaspoon Dried Rosemary
    • 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
    • 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (optional)
    • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
    • 1 cup Chicken Broth
    • 1 Lemon (quartered)
    • 1 Medium White Onion (peeled and quartered)

    1. Before getting started, rinse your whole chicken off and pat dry with paper towels.

    2. Then use a large knife to quarter a lemon and medium white onion on a large cutting board. Wash and chop up any veggies that you might use, and then set aside…

    3. In a small mixing bowl, combine all of the seasonings.

    4. Then with your chicken on a large cutting board, sprinkle the seasonings over the chicken and cavity.

    5. Next, stuff the cavity with lemon and onions.

    6. Add the oil to the Instant Pot, and set it to the high sauté setting.

    7. Lay the whole chicken in the Instant Pot with the breast facing down. Cook 'til golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. This will create that crispy and golden brown, rotisserie-style skin that we all know and love!

    8. Finally, use a pair of tongs to turn the chicken over and let it cook in the oil for another 3-4 minutes. Then set aside.

    9. Start by placing your metal trivet down inside of the Instant Pot with the handles up. Then add the chicken broth.

    10. Place your whole chicken on top of the rack; if you're adding any veggies, this is where you'll want to chuck them in.

    11. Select the manual setting, and let it cook on high for about 6 minutes per pound.* When the timer goes off, naturally release the pressure for about 20 more minutes.

    12. Once the pressure has naturally released, remove the chicken from the Instant Pot and let rest on a cutting board for about 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.

    13. That's it! Serve and enjoy with any sides while fresh and hot.

    *If you’re cooking your whole chicken from frozen, you’ll need to double the cooking time to about 12 minutes per pound, and then let it naturally release for 20 minutes like normal.

    How should I store leftover whole chicken?

    Leftover chicken is best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave on a medium-high setting for about 3 minutes. If it’s still cold, continue to cook it in 30-second bursts ’til hot, stirring every so often.

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    American, Dinner, Main Dish
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  • Easy Slow Cooker Whole Chicken Recipe With Vegetables

    Easy Slow Cooker Whole Chicken Recipe With Vegetables

    How to make the best slow cooker whole chicken that tastes just like a rotisserie style chicken with vegetables. Easy CrockPot dinner recipe that you can make from scratch in 10 minutes or less!

    Raising 3 kids and working on a tight budget, chicken has always been our go-to weeknight dinner recipe. Sometimes we’ll make baked chicken drumsticks, but most often we make this slow cooker whole chicken recipe. You can fit a lot of food in a slow cooker, and so we usually have plenty of leftovers to eat on the rest of the week. Of course, if you didn’t remember to put your chicken in the slow cooker, you can also cook whole chicken in the Instant Pot in just 30 minutes.

    whole slow cooker chicken on a pile of fresh herbs on a large white plate next to a small bowl of fresh salad

    I love cooking whole chicken in the slow cooker because you can just set it and forget it. Add your chicken and veggies to the Crock Pot in the morning, and dinner will be ready to go by the time you get home from work. It also pairs well with so many side dishes, like slow cooker corn casserole, CrockPot funeral potatoes, CrockPot baked beans, baked potatoes, and sweet corn on the cob.

    slow cooker whole chicken ingredients lined out on a large wooden cutting board

    Ingredients & Substitutions Notes

    How to Make Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

    Before getting started, spray the inside of your Crock Pot insert with nonstick cooking spray, or you may use a disposable slow cooker liner.

    Prep the Ingredients

    1. Rinse the chicken, and then remove the neck and giblets. Pat dry.
    2. Chop up the celery, carrots and onion; and then peel the garlic cloves, mashing each one down with the back of a kitchen knife. Then you can mix up the seasonings in a small mixing bowl.
    3. Next, drizzle the whole chicken with olive oil, rubbing it gently into the skin ’til evenly dispersed. I like to use a basting brush for this step.
    4. Finally, sprinkle your seasonings onto the chicken, rubbing them in all over.
    4 step collage showing how to make whole slow cooker chicken

    Assembling the Slow Cooker

    1. Start by adding the prepped veggies and fresh herbs to the Crock Pot.
    2. Then place the seasoned whole chicken in the CrockPot on top of the vegetables.
    2 step collage showing how to make slow cooker whole chicken

    How to Cook Whole Chicken in the CrockPot

    1. Place the lid on your slow cooker, and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Alternatively, you can cook it on high for 3-4 hours, or ’til the internal temperature reads at least 165ºF with a meat thermometer.
    2. Once fully cooked, remove your chicken from the slow cooker, and transfer it to a cutting board to cool for 10-15 minutes before cutting.

    If you like a crispy skin, you can transfer your fully cooked chicken to a baking dish and into the oven to broil for 4-5 minutes, or ’til golden brown.

    2 step collage showing how to cook whole chicken in the CrockPot

    That’s it! Serve and enjoy your CrockPot whole chicken with all the cooked veggies. If you’re not ready to eat yet, simply leave it in the slow cooker with the “keep warm” function on ’til you’re ready to serve.

    slow cooker whole chicken on a pile of fresh herbs on a white decorative plate

    What Else to Serve With Your CrockPot Whole Chicken Meal

    In addition to the side dishes already mentioned, here are a few more recipes that you can serve with your CrockPot whole chicken meal…

    Expert Recipe Tips and FAQ’s

    Is it safe to cook whole chicken in the slow cooker?

    Yes, it is perfectly safe to cook a whole chicken in the slow cooker so long as it reaches an internal temperature of at least 165ºF before serving. In fact, chicken is at its best when cooked at lower temperature for a long time, so the slow cooker is perfect!

    How should I store leftover slow cooker whole chicken?

    Leftover chicken stores best in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you make a large enough batch, you can reheat a little bit in the microwave every day for easy meals all week long!

    Can I freeze leftover chicken?

    Yes, you can freeze leftover whole chicken. Stored in an airtight container or freezer bag, it should last up to 3 months in the freezer. Be sure to let it thaw out overnight in the refrigerator before reheating as normal.

    crockpot whole chicken on a pile of herbs on a white decorative plate with a small bowl of fresh salad

    More Slow Cooker Recipes

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

    How to make the best slow cooker whole chicken with vegetables. Easy CrockPot dinner recipe that you can make in 10 minutes or less!

    • Slow Cooker
    • Disposable Slow Cooker Liner
    • Kitchen Knife
    • Small Mixing Bowl
    • Basting Brush
    • Meat Thermometer
    • Cutting Board

    Whole Chicken CrockPot Meal

    • 1 Whole Chicken
    • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
    • 4 stalks Celery (chopped)
    • 3 Carrots (chopped)
    • 1 Red Onion (peeled and chopped)
    • 4 Garlic Cloves (peeled and smashed)
    • 2 sprigs Fresh Thyme
    • 2 sprigs Fresh Rosemary

    Seasoning

    • 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
    • 1 teaspoon Seasoned Salt
    • 1 teaspoon Paprika
    • 1/2 teaspoon Dried Thyme
    • 1/2 teaspoon Dried Rosemary
    • 1/2 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
    • 1/2 teaspoon Dried Parsley
    • 1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder

    1. Before getting started, spray the inside of your Crock Pot insert with nonstick cooking spray, or you may use a disposable slow cooker liner.

    2. Rinse the chicken, and then remove the neck and giblets. Pat dry.

    3. Chop up the celery, carrots and onion, and then peel the garlic cloves, mashing each one down with the back of a kitchen knife.

    4. Mix up the seasonings in a small mixing bowl.

    5. Next, drizzle the whole chicken with olive oil, rubbing it gently into the skin 'til evenly dispersed. I like to use a basting brush for this step.

    6. Finally, sprinkle your seasonings onto the chicken, rubbing them in all over.

    7. Start by adding the prepped veggies and fresh herbs to the Crock Pot.

    8. Then place the seasoned chicken on top of the vegetables.

    9. Place the lid on your slow cooker, and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. You can tell that it's done when the internal temperature reads at least 165ºF with a meat thermometer.

    10. Once fully cooked, transfer your chicken to a cutting board to cool for 10-15 minutes before cutting.

    11. Optionally if you like a crispy skin, you can transfer your fully cooked chicken to a baking dish and into the oven to broil for 4-5 minutes, or 'til golden brown.

    12. That's it! Serve and enjoy with all the cooked veggies. If you're not ready to eat yet, simply leave it in the Crock Pot with the "keep warm" function on 'til you're ready to serve.

    How should I store leftover slow cooker whole chicken?

    Leftover chicken stores best in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. 

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    American, Dinner
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  • Perfectly Moist Instant Pot Salmon for an Easy Dinner

    Perfectly Moist Instant Pot Salmon for an Easy Dinner

    How to make perfectly moist and flaky Instant Pot salmon using fresh or frozen fish fillets in 15 minutes or less. Healthy, low carb dinner recipe that you can serve with all your favorite side dishes for a quick and easy weeknight meal!

    My family loves grilled fish fillets and fried crappie, but it just seems like fish can be a lot of work. Lately I’ve been making an effort to eat more fish, but I just don’t usually have much time to cook with all the craziness of life. That’s what got me started with making salmon in the Instant Pot; and let me tell you, this is by far my favorite way to cook salmon fillets!

    Instant Pot salmon fillets lined out on a decorative white plate with fresh lemon slices on top and fresh dill sprigs on the side

    Not only is Instant Pot salmon quick to make, but it’s easy too! The Instant Pot automates the entire cooking process so that you can set it and forget it, and the moist cooking environment keeps the fillet nice and tender. If you’re looking for more Instant Pot recipes, you’ll love this Instant Pot whole chicken, these Instant Pot meatloaf and potatoes, Instant Pot sausage and rice, Instant Pot baby back ribs and shredded chicken tacos in the Instant Pot!

    Instant Pot salmon ingredients lined out on a large wooden cutting board

    Ingredients & Substitutions Notes

    How to Make Instant Pot Salmon

    Before getting started, get your Instant Pot out and ready to go. Remove any pieces from inside the pot and set aside. Let’s get started…

    Assembling the Electric Pressure Cooker

    1. Start by adding water, lemon juice, lemon slices and dill to the bottom of the pot.
    2. Next, install the metal trivet. Then add the salmon fillets, followed by more lemon slices and a sprinkling of salt and pepper on top.
    2 step photo collage showing how to make Instant Pot salmon recipe

    How to Cook Salmon in the Instant Pot

    1. Now secure the Instant Pot lid on top, and turn the pressure release valve to seal. Then set the manual setting to high pressure cook for 4 minutes, adding an extra minute if your fish fillet is thick or frozen.
    2. When your Instant Pot is done cooking, release the pressure valve to vent and release the pressure.
    2 step photo collage showing how to make salmon in the Instant Pot

    That’s it! The best part about the Instant Pot is that there’s absolutely no guess work about whether or not your salmon is fully cooked. Just set the time and forget about it. Top your Insta Pot salmon off with homemade tzatziki sauce or even this peach mango salsa for the ultimate weeknight dinner!

    pressure cooker salmon fillets lined out on a decorative white plate with fresh lemon slices on top and fresh dill sprigs on the side

    What to Serve With Instant Pot Salmon

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    Can I store the leftovers for later?

    Of course! You can store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

    How can I reheat leftover salmon?

    When you’re ready to eat, reheat your salmon in the microwave for a few minutes on high. Alternatively, you can reheat it on a baking sheet in the oven at 350ºF for 5-10 minutes, ’til warmed throughout.

    Insta Pot salmon lined out on a decorative white plate with fresh lemon slices on top and fresh dill sprigs on the side

    More Easy Seafood Recipes

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Instant Pot Salmon

    Make perfectly moist Instant Pot salmon using fresh or frozen fillets. Healthy, one pot dinner recipe you can make in 15 minutes or less!

    • 6-Quart Instant Pot
    • 2 Salmon Fillets
    • 1 cup Water
    • 1/2 cup Lemon Juice
    • 2 Lemons (sliced)
    • 5 sprigs Fresh Dill
    • Sea Salt (to taste)
    • Black Pepper (to taste)

    1. Start by adding the water, lemon juice, roughly half of the lemon slices and dill to the bottom of your Instant Pot.

    2. Next, install the metal trivet, and then add the salmon fillets followed by the rest of the lemon slices and a sprinkling of salt and pepper on top.

    3. Now secure the Instant Pot lid on top, and turn the pressure release valve to seal. Set the manual setting to high pressure cook for 4 minutes. adding an extra minute if your fish fillet is thick or frozen.

    4. When your Instant Pot is done cooking, release the pressure valve to vent and release the pressure.

    5. That's it! Serve and enjoy with your favorite side dishes!

    How should I store leftover salmon?

    You can store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave for a few minutes on high, or on a baking sheet in the oven at 350ºF for 10-15 minutes, ’til warmed throughout. 

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    American, Dinner, Main Dish
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  • Easy Bite Sized Meatloaf Muffins Recipe With Oatmeal

    Easy Bite Sized Meatloaf Muffins Recipe With Oatmeal

    How to make quick and easy meatloaf muffins from scratch using old fashioned oatmeal in 30 minutes or less. Fun, bite sized twist on this classic dinnertime staple that the whole family will love! This recipe also makes a great appetizer for parties, potlucks or any other large gathering.

    I’ve been making meatloaf with oatmeal for a long time. My mom used to make the best traditional meatloaf recipe with bread crumbs, but I’ve come to prefer the lighter, fluffier texture that oats provide. But I’ll confess that lately I’ve been a little bored with regular meatloaf, and so I’ve started baking these mini meatloaf muffins in muffin tins instead. And boy am I glad I did!

    closeup photo of mini meatloaf muffins sliced in half with a silver fork on a small white plate

    These bite sized meatloaf muffins are easy to make ahead of time for busy weeknights, and kids tend to like them better because they’re easier to eat. I can sneak just about any veggie into the meat mixture, and they’ll never notice! They also make a fun party appetizer or snack, and you can serve them up at potlucks or any other large gathering with all the fixin’s!

    meat loaf muffins ready to eat on a small white decorative saucer

    Ingredients & Substitutions Notes

    How to Make Easy Meatloaf Muffins Recipe

    Before getting started, preheat your oven to 350ºF and grease up your muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. If you don’t want to use a muffin tin, you can use these silicone muffin cups lined out on a large baking sheet instead!

    Mixing the Meatloaf

    1. Start by adding the ground beef, egg, onion and seasoned salt to a large mixing bowl, and mix with a large wooden spoon ’til well combined.
    2. Add the Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, barbecue sauce and oatmeal to the large bowl, mixing ’til evenly dispersed throughout the meat mixture.
    2 step photo collage showing how to make meatloaf muffins recipe in a large green mixing bowl

    How to Cook Meatloaf Muffins

    1. Use a spoon to scoop your meatloaf mixture into the greased muffin cups.
    2. Squirt ketchup all over the tops of each muffin and bake at 350ºF for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reads at least 165ºF with a meat thermometer.
    2 step photo collage showing how to make meatloaf muffins recipe

    That’s it! Serve and enjoy these cute little mini meatloaf muffins with your favorite side dishes, like mashed potatoes, sweet corn and honey glazed carrots!

    meatloaf muffins served up with mashed potatoes and green beans on a small white plate

    What to Serve With Meatloaf Muffins

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    Is this recipe gluten free?

    Thankfully all of the ingredients in this recipe are usually gluten free. That said, I always recommend checking all of the ingredient labels over just to make sure!

    Can I make meatloaf muffins ahead of time?

    Yes, you can make meatloaf muffins ahead of time. Leftover meatloaf muffins will last up to 3-4 days if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also mix up the meat mixture, scoop it into your muffins tins, cover with plastic wrap and transfer those to the refrigerator to bake at a later date. Stored in the refrigerator, they should last up to 3-4 days before going bad.

    Can you freeze meatloaf muffins?

    Yes, meatloaf muffins freeze well! Leftovers can be placed into an airtight container or freezer bag and into the freezer for up to 3 months. If you prefer not to bake the muffins until you’re ready to eat, scoop the meatloaf mixture into the muffin tins, cover with plastic wrap, and freeze for the about the same length of time.

    How do you reheat meatloaf muffins?

    You can reheat refrigerated leftovers in the oven at 350ºF for about 10-15 minutes, or ’til heated through. Keep in mind that you may need to add another 5-10 minutes when reheating from frozen. You can also reheat them in the microwave on high for 2-3 minutes in a pinch, but this can sometimes cause them to become soggy. If baking raw meatloaf muffins that you prepped and stored ahead of time, follow the instructions given in the recipe card below.

    meatloaf muffins sliced in half and ready to eat on a small white plate with mashed potatoes and green beans

    Recipe Variations

    • Try adding different toppings. My mom always laid whole bacon strips across the top of her meatloaf before baking. You can also swap out the ketchup topping with barbecue sauce or a mixture of the two!
    • Use these mini meatloaf muffins to make the ultimate meatloaf sliders, sort of like my family’s favorite Philly cheesesteak sliders!
    • Looking for a keto meatloaf muffins recipe? Try using the meat mixture from this low carb meatloaf recipe to make low carb meatloaf muffins!

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Meatloaf Muffins

    Easy meatloaf muffins from scratch in 30 minutes or less. Bite sized twist on this classic dinnertime staple that the whole family will love!

    • Muffin Tins
    • Large Mixing Bowl
    • Large Wooden Spoon
    • Meat Thermometer
    • 1 pound Ground Beef
    • 1 Large Egg
    • 1/2 Yellow Onion (minced)
    • 1 teaspoon Seasoned Salt
    • 1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
    • 1/4 cup Ketchup
    • 1/4 cup Barbecue Sauce
    • 1 cup Old-Fashioned Oats

    For the Topping

    • 1/4 cup Ketchup
    • 2 tablespoons Parsley

    1. Before getting started, preheat your oven to 350ºF, and grease up your muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.

    2. Start by adding the ground beef, egg, onion and seasoned salt to a large mixing bowl, and mix with a large wooden spoon 'til well combined.

    3. Add the Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 cup of ketchup, barbecue sauce and oatmeal to the large bowl, mixing 'til evenly dispersed throughout the meat mixture.

    4. Use a spoon to scoop your meatloaf mixture into the greased muffin cups.

    5. Squirt an additional 1/4 cup ketchup all over the tops of each muffin and bake at 350ºF for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reads at least 165ºF with a meat thermometer.

    6. That's it! Garnish with fresh parsley, serve and enjoy!

    How do you store leftover meatloaf muffins?

    I recommend storing your meatloaf muffins in an airtight container or freezer bag in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. 

    Appetizer, Appetizers, dinner, Dinner Ideas, Meat & Seafood
    American, Appetizer, Dinner
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  • Easy Homemade Green Bean Casserole Recipe for a Crowd

    Easy Homemade Green Bean Casserole Recipe for a Crowd

    How to make the best homemade green bean casserole from scratch with canned green beans, creamy mushrooms and French fried onions. Quick and easy, classic holiday side dish recipe that can feed a crowd!

    Here in the Midwest, our holiday tables tend to be full of all the different casseroles. Think corn casserole, hash brown casserole, sweet potato casserole and this classic green bean casserole! Serve it up for Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter; it also makes an easy side dish for the next church potluck or even just an easy weeknight dinner!

    large white baking dish full of homemade green bean casserole with a large wooden spoon

    Traditionally, green beans casserole uses canned cream of mushroom soup from the grocery store, but for this recipe I decided to make my own cream of mushroom soup from scratch instead. Not only is this healthier, but it also tastes a lot better. This recipe is so easy to make, and everyone will be coming back for seconds!

    green bean casserole ingredients lined out on a white marbled countertop

    Ingredients & Substitutions Notes

    • Salted Butter – I recommend using salted butter for best flavor, although you can substitute with unsalted butter in a pinch. If using unsalted butter, be sure to add about 1/8 teaspoon of extra salt to make up for the lack of salt in the butter.
    • Mushrooms – This recipe calls for brown mushrooms, but you can also use cremini, portobello or shiitake mushrooms depending on what’s available in your area.
    • All-Purpose Flour – I just use plain all-purpose flour to thicken the creamy mushroom sauce in this recipe. You can make this recipe gluten free by using sweet rice flour instead. If you go this route, be sure to use gluten free French fried onions. And as always, check all of the other ingredient labels over to ensure that they are truly gluten free.
    • Chicken Broth – Chicken broth is kind of the secret ingredient for making the best green bean casserole. It adds so much flavor! We often make ours from chicken bouillon…
    • Whole Milk – Although whole milk makes the richest mushroom sauce, you can also use 2% milk or even skim milk if that’s all you have on hand.
    • Canned Green Beans – For the sake of ease, we always just use canned green beans out of Jacob’s garden. You can also make your green bean casserole with either fresh green beans or frozen green beans. If using frozen green beans, just be sure to let them thaw out in the refrigerator overnight before assembling the casserole.
    • French Fried Onions – I always top my green bean casserole off with French fried onions for a perfectly crispy top. I just buy mine from the store, but you can make homemade French fried onions instead!

    How to Make Green Bean Casserole From Scratch

    Before getting started, pre-heat your oven to 350ºF, and grease a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Then melt the butter in a large skillet over low to medium heat.

    melted butter in a large gray skillet on the stovetop

    How to Make Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup

    1. Start by sautéing the minced garlic and mushrooms in the melted butter for about 4-5 minutes, or ’til softened.
    2. Once softened, sprinkle the flour and thyme over the mushrooms, stirring ’til well combined.
    3. Next, add the chicken broth and milk to the mushroom mixture, whisking ’til the mushroom mixture thickens, usually 3-5 minutes.
    4. Finally whisk in the salt and pepper. I recommend taste testing the mixture after this step so that you can add more salt if needed. That’s it!
    4 step photo collage showing how to make creamy mushroom sauce for green bean casserole

    Baking Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe

    1. Now you can use a rubber spatula to mix the creamy mushroom sauce with all of the green beans and 1/2 of the French fried onions in a large mixing bowl.
    2. Next, use the same spatula to spread your green bean casserole mixture into the 9×13 baking dish that you greased up in the first step.
    3. Bake your green bean casserole at 350ºF for 10-15 minutes, or ’til hot and bubbly in the center. Remove from the oven and top it off with the remaining French fried onions that you saved back earlier.
    4. That’s it! Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
    4 step photo collage showing how to make easy green bean casserole recipe

    That’s it! Serve and enjoy your green beans casserole while warm and with all of the holiday fixings, like roasted turkey, mashed potatoes and Grandma’s homemade dinner rolls.

    closeup photo of a pile of green bean casserole on a small white decorative plate

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    Is this recipe gluten free?

    No, but you can easily make this a gluten free green bean casserole. First, swap out the all-purpose flour with the same amount of sweet rice flour. Then you’ll need to use gluten free French fried onions. Other than that, you should be good to go. Just be sure to check over all of the other ingredients to ensure that they are truly gluten free!

    Can I make this a dairy free green bean casserole?

    Yes, you can make this recipe dairy free. Start by replacing the salted butter with a dairy free plant butter. Then you’ll need to swap out the whole milk for a dairy free alternative, like oat milk, almond milk, cashew milk, rice milk or even soy milk. Most of the other ingredients in this recipe are naturally dairy free, but I always recommend checking the ingredient labels over just to make sure.

    Can I make green bean casserole ahead of time?

    Yes, this is a great recipe to make ahead! I recommend leaving the French fried onion topping off until you’re ready to serve the casserole. Start by getting your casserole mixed up according to the instructions in the recipe card below, and spread it into your casserole dish or into an airtight container. If using the casserole dish, cover it with plastic wrap. Stored either way, it should last up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat, bake as normal, and then add the rest of your French fried onion topping. Serve and enjoy!

    Can you freeze green bean casserole?

    Of course! I recommend leaving the French fried onion topping off until you’re ready to serve the casserole. Follow the same instructions for making the green bean casserole ahead of time above, except you’ll want to transfer it to the freezer instead of the refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat, transfer the frozen green bean casserole to the refrigerator so that it has time to thaw overnight. Bake as normally directed in the recipe, and then add your French fried onion topping before serving.

    Recipe Variations

    • Mix a little bit of shredded cheddar cheese into the casserole for a delicious cheesy flavor!
    • Try making your green bean casserole in the Crock Pot!
    • Bacon makes everything better, so why not add crumbled bacon to the top?
    • Add sliced potatoes to make this a green bean and potato casserole!
    closeup photo of a heaping spoonful of green bean casserole over a white baking dish full of green bean casserole

    More Holiday Side Dish Recipes

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Green Bean Casserole

    How to make the best homemade green bean casserole with canned green beans. Quick and easy holiday side dish recipe that can feed a crowd!

    • 9×13 Baking Dish
    • Large Skillet
    • Whisk
    • Rubber Spatula
    • Large Mixing Bowl
    • 6 tablespoons Salted Butter
    • 2 teaspoon Garlic (Minced)
    • 1 cup Brown Mushrooms (Minced)
    • 6 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
    • 1 cup Chicken Broth
    • 1 cup Whole Milk
    • 1 teaspoon Thyme
    • 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
    • 48 ounces Canned Green Beans
    • 6 ounces French Fried Onions

    1. Before getting started, pre-heat your oven to 350ºF, and grease a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

    2. Start by melting the butter in a large skillet over low to medium heat.

    3. Sauté the garlic and mushrooms in the melted butter for about 4-5 minutes, or 'til softened.

    4. Once softened, sprinkle the flour and thyme over the mushrooms, stirring 'til well combined.

    5. Next, add the chicken broth and milk to the mushroom mixture, whisking 'til the mushroom mixture thickens, usually 3-5 minutes.

    6. Finally whisk in the salt and pepper. I recommend taste testing the mixture after this step so that you can add more salt if needed.

    7. Now you can use a rubber spatula to mix the creamy mushroom sauce with all of the green beans and 1/2 of the fried onions in a large mixing bowl.

    8. Next, use the same spatula to spread your green bean casserole mixture into the 9×13 baking dish that you greased up in the first step.

    9. Bake your green bean casserole at 350ºF for 10-15 minutes, or 'til hot and bubbly in the center. Remove from the oven and top it off with the remaining French fried onions that you saved back earlier.

    10. That's it! Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

    Can I make green bean casserole ahead of time?

    I recommend leaving the French fried onion topping off until you’re ready to serve the casserole. Start by getting your casserole mixed up according to the instructions in the recipe card below, and spread it into your casserole dish or into an airtight container. If using the casserole dish, cover it with plastic wrap. Stored either way, it should last up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat, bake as normal, and then add the rest of your French fried onion topping. Serve and enjoy!

     

     

    Casserole, Christmas, dinner, Dinner Ideas, Easter, Holiday, Main Dish – Casserole, Side Dish, Thanksgiving
    American, Christmas, Dinner, Holiday, Side Dish, Thanksgiving
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  • Easy Chinese Pork Fried Rice Recipe From Scratch

    Easy Chinese Pork Fried Rice Recipe From Scratch

    How to make the best Chinese pork fried rice recipe just like the restaurants make it with ground pork, eggs and leftover white rice. Quick and easy, classic homemade dinner that the whole family will love. Why spend money going out when you can make this budget-friendly recipe at home!

    Chicken fried rice is one of my longtime favorite, go-to dinner recipes for a busy weeknight. In fact, we like it so much that we started making cauliflower chicken fried rice for a healthier, low-carb option that Dan can eat. And whenever we have leftover fried rice, I like to make these scrumptious chicken fried rice spring rolls!

    pork fried rice garnished with sliced green onions in a small white decorative bowl

    As much as I love chicken fried rice, recently I had the pleasure of tasting authentic pork fried rice at a Chinese restaurant, and let me tell you, that fried rice was so good! Naturally, I set out to make my own ground pork fried rice recipe at home, and I think I’ve finally settled on this recipe. It’s quick, easy and absolutely delicious; what’s not to love?

    pork fried rice ingredients lined out on a wooden cutting board

    Ingredients & Substitutions Notes

    • Vegetable Oil – The best fried rice is cooked fast and hot. I recommend using an oil with a high smoke point. Vegetable oil, canola oil and peanut oil all work exceptionally well!
    • Eggs – I always make my ground pork fried rice with whole, slightly beaten eggs. Eggs add a rich flavor, and they work to bind everything together.
    • Ground Pork – For the sake of ease, I usually just make my pork fried rice with ground pork. You can also use cubed pork loin, or you can make your own char siu for a more authentic Chinese pork fried rice.
    • Veggies – You’ll need finely diced yellow onion, minced garlic, grated ginger, frozen peas and carrots, and a few green onions for this recipe. In addition, you can also add sliced bell peppers, diced mushrooms, shredded zucchini, sugar snap peas, green beans, baby corn, shredded cabbage, broccoli florets and cauliflower florets. Be creative!
    • Cooked White Rice – Any long-grain white rice from the grocery store will work best for this recipe. I recommend cooking the rice ahead of time. We usually use the Instant Pot, but you can also just boil it on the stove. Once cooked, spread your rice out onto a cookie sheet and into the freezer for at least 30 minutes before making the recipe. This can help to dry out excess moisture, preventing that sticky, gooey mess that rice can become! Also, you can use brown rice, but it will change both the flavor and texture of the finished dish.
    • Soy Sauce – Soy sauce contributes to an attractive dark color in the finished product. It also imparts a rich umami flavor and those sweet caramel notes that authentic Chinese fried rice is well known for!
    • Sesame Oil – I use sesame oil as a finishing oil for my pork fried rice. Toss in a light coating of sesame oil before serving for a rich and nutty, toasted flavor that makes this dish taste like it’s straight from the restaurant!

    How to Make Pork Fried Rice Recipe

    Before getting started, get the rice cooked and all of your veggies prepped. You’ll need to dice up the onion, mince the garlic, grate the ginger and thinly slice the scallions for this recipe. Then heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat.

    How to Cook Fried Rice With Pork

    1. Once your skillet is hot enough, add the lightly beaten eggs and allow to cook slightly before scrambling into small pieces with a rubber spatula. Once fully cooked, remove your scrambled eggs from the pan.
    2. Preheat another tablespoon of vegetable oil in the skillet just as before, and then add the ground pork, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon until the pork is completely cooked through and no pink remains.
    3. Next, add the onion, garlic and ginger, cooking until the onion is slightly soft and translucent.
    4. Stir in the frozen peas and carrots, cooking for another 1-2 minutes or ’til heated through.
    5. Now add the cooked rice and scrambled eggs to the meat mixture in the skillet. Cook for about 1-2 minutes, or ’til heated through.
    6. Finally, pull your pork fried rice off of the heat, and add the soy sauce and sesame oil. Stir to coat evenly. That’s it!
    6 step collage showing how to make pork fried rice in a large nonstick skillet

    Serve your Chinese pork fried rice immediately. Optionally, I like to garnish mine with freshly chopped green onions. This recipe makes the most delicious fried rice, and it’s so easy to make!

    closeup photo of a small white bowl full of pork fried rice with a pair of wooden chopsticks on top of the bowl

    What to Serve With Pork Fried Rice

    Here are a few ideas as to what you can serve with your pork fried rice…

    closeup photo of a spoonful of fried rice with pork over top of a small white bowl of pork fried rice garnished with green onions

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    How much dry rice equals 3 cups cooked rice?

    1 cup dry rice equals about 3 cups cooked rice.

    How should I store leftover pork fried rice?

    Although fried rice is best served immediately after cooking, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can reheat it in the microwave, but I recommend heating it back up in a hot skillet with a little oil instead, the same way as you cooked it initially. This will help to sort of “crisp” it back up so that it doesn’t become wet and soggy.

    Can you freeze pork fried rice?

    Yes, you can freeze Chinese pork fried rice. Stored in an airtight container in the freezer, it should last up to 3 months. Be sure to let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before you’re ready to use it. I recommend reheating fried rice that has been frozen in a hot skillet with a little bit of oil, just the same way as you cooked it initially. Because freezing damages the structure of the rice, fried rice that has been frozen will be more prone to becoming mushy and soggy in the microwave. This is why I recommend reheating it in the skillet to sort of “crisp” it back up.

    Recipe Variations

    • You don’t have to make it with pork! Use chicken, beef, shrimp or even bacon. You can also add sausage, like in my Instant Pot sausage and rice recipe. If you don’t want any meat at all, tofu makes a great protein instead.
    • As mentioned in the ingredients notes above, add more veggies! You can even add a pack of stir fry veggies from the frozen section at the grocery store in a pinch.
    • Looking for a different flavor altogether? Try swapping out the soy sauce with oyster sauce. Oyster sauce is rich and savory with a touch of sweetness that you won’t find in any soy sauce. It also lacks the “fishy” flavor that can often accompany soy sauce, which is why many people actually prefer it.
    • Make this a spicy pork fried rice by adding red pepper flakes or even sriracha sauce towards the end of the cooking process. You can also add hot peppers, like jalapeños and serrano peppers, or you can try adding this spicy red chili paste instead!
    Chinese pork fried rice garnished with green onions in a small white decorative bowl

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Pork Fried Rice

    Make the best Chinese pork fried rice recipe just like the restaurants make it. Quick & easy homemade dinner  that the whole family will love!

    • Large Nonstick Skillet
    • Rubber Spatula
    • Wooden Spoon
    • 2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil (divided)
    • 2 Large Eggs (lightly beaten)
    • 8 ounces Ground Pork
    • 1/2 cup Yellow Onion (finely diced)
    • 1 tablespoon Garlic (minced)
    • 1 teaspoon Fresh Ginger (minced)
    • 3 cups White Rice (cooked)
    • 1/2 cup Frozen Peas and Carrots
    • 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce
    • 1 teaspoon Sesame Oil
    • 3 Green Onions (thinly sliced)

    1. Start by heating 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat.

    2. Once your skillet is hot enough, add the lightly beaten eggs and allow to cook slightly before scrambling into small pieces with a rubber spatula. Once fully cooked, remove your scrambled eggs from the pan.

    3. Preheat another tablespoon of vegetable oil in the skillet just as before, and then add the ground pork, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon until the pork is completely cooked through and no pink remains.

    4. Next, add the onion, garlic and ginger, cooking until the onion is slightly soft and translucent.

    5. Stir in the frozen peas and carrots, cooking for another 1-2 minutes or 'til heated through.

    6. Now add the cooked rice and scrambled eggs to the meat mixture in the skillet. Cook for about 1-2 minutes, or 'til heated through.

    7. Finally, pull your pork fried rice off of the heat, and add the soy sauce and sesame oil. Stir to coat evenly. That's it!

    8. Serve and enjoy your pork fried rice immediately. Optionally, you can garnish the top with freshly chopped green onions!

    How should I store leftover pork fried rice?

    Although fried rice is best served immediately after cooking, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can reheat it in the microwave, but I recommend heating it back up in a hot skillet with a little oil instead, the same way as you cooked it initially. This will help to sort of “crisp” it back up so that it doesn’t become wet and soggy.

    dinner, Dinner Ideas, Main, Main Course, main dish, Meat & Seafood, Pork Recipes
    Asian, Chinese, Dinner
    chinese pork fried rice, pork fried rice, pork fried rice recipe, pork fried rice recipe chinese, recipe for fried rice with pork
  • Sweet & Creamy Strawberry Oatmeal Easy Breakfast Recipe

    Sweet & Creamy Strawberry Oatmeal Easy Breakfast Recipe

    How to make the best ever strawberry oatmeal that’s perfectly sweet and creamy with freeze-dried strawberries and old fashioned rolled oats. Healthy & nutritious breakfast or brunch that’s so easy to make in 15 minutes or less! You can double, triple or even quadruple this recipe to feed a crowd, and I’ll show you how to make it ahead of time for those busy mornings on the go.

    I can’t think of a more wholesome breakfast or brunch than oatmeal. It’s fast and easy, and it provides just the right amount of whole grain calories to get the day started. My family usually requests peaches and cream oatmeal or maple brown sugar oatmeal, but this strawberry oatmeal has become our new favorite flavor!

    small white bowl of strawberries and cream oatmeal with heavy cream and sliced berries on top

    We used to go through a lot of instant oatmeal from the store, but homemade is just so much healthier. I’ve been making it for so long now, that I’ll show you how to make perfect strawberry oatmeal with tons of juicy berry flavor every time!

    strawberry oatmeal ingredients lined out on a white countertop

    Ingredients & Substitutions Notes

    • Freeze-Dried Strawberries – I prefer freeze-dried strawberries because they have a more intense flavor and a prettier pink color than fresh strawberries. That said, I’ll also show you how to make strawberry oatmeal with both fresh and frozen strawberries.
    • Whole Milk – Again, I use whole milk from our own Guernsey cows, but you can use 2% milk, skim milk, half & half, or even heavy whipping cream. You can make this a dairy free strawberry oatmeal by using a dairy free milk, like rice milk, cashew milk, almond milk or oat milk. Be sure to check all of the ingredient labels over to ensure that they are truly dairy free.
    • Cane Sugar – If you’re wanting to cut the sugar out of this recipe, any granulated sugar-free sweetener will work just fine as a substitute. You can also swap it out with honey or maple syrup if you prefer a natural sweetener. Both honey and maple syrup have a higher sugar content, so I recommend using about 3/4 of the amount of sugar otherwise called for in the recipe.
    • Vanilla Extract – I always use 100% real vanilla extract for best flavor. Imitation vanilla will also work in a pinch.
    • Rolled Oats – We prefer sprouted rolled oats for better digestion and nutrient availability, but old fashioned oats will work just the same. If you want a smoother, creamier texture, I recommend quick oats instead. You can also use steel cut oats, but they will take much longer to cook; I would cut the amount used by 1/2, and you may have to add more liquid to account for the longer cook time.
    • Fresh Strawberries – I like to top my strawberry oatmeal with diced fresh strawberries for extra flavor.

    How to Make Strawberry Oatmeal

    Before getting started, assemble your blender or food processor so that it’s all ready to go.

    Make the Strawberry Milk

    1. Start by pulsing the freeze-dried strawberries in a food processor or blender for about 30 seconds, ’til ground into a fine powder.
    2. Next add the milk and water to a large saucepan over medium heat. Then whisk in the strawberry powder, sugar, salt and vanilla, bringing the mixture to a simmer.
    2 step photo collage showing how to make strawberry milk for strawberry oatmeal

    Instead of freeze-dried strawberries, you can also substitute with about 1 & 1/2 cups of fresh strawberries, leaving them in chunks or blending them up for a few seconds to mash them up. Frozen strawberries will also work, but it’s best to let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight first.

    How to Cook Strawberries and Cream Oatmeal

    1. Once your strawberry milk starts simmering, add the oatmeal and stir with a wooden spoon ’til well combined. Then reduce the heat to low and let the oats simmer for about 5-7 minutes. The key to making perfect oatmeal is to not over-stir. Stirring too much can cause your oatmeal to have a gluey texture, so stir it only occasionally to keep it from scorching on the bottom of the pan.
    2. Once the oats have softened, spoon your strawberry oatmeal into a bowl. Top with fresh, diced strawberries and a splash of cream. Serve and enjoy the ultimate strawberry breakfast!
    2 step photo collage showing how to make strawberry oatmeal

    Feel free to increase or reduce the cook time depending on how you like your oatmeal with strawberries. I like mine to be ever so slightly on the chewy side with a creamy consistency. If you like it softer, you might let it simmer down for a few extra minutes, although you may need to add a splash of milk towards the end to keep it from drying out too far.

    closeup photo on a heaping spoonful of strawberry oatmeal with heavy cream and sliced strawberries

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    Is this recipe gluten free?

    All of the ingredients in this recipe are typically gluten free with rolled oats being the only exception. Although oats are naturally gluten free, they are often processed in a facility with other gluten-containing products. For this reason, I recommend buying certified gluten free oats so that you don’t risk any cross-contamination. As always, be sure to check all of the ingredient labels over to ensure that they are truly gluten free.

    Can I make strawberry oatmeal ahead of time?

    You can store leftover strawberry oatmeal in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, and then reheat it in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave for a few minutes on high before serving. You may have to add a splash of milk for extra moisture. That said, leftover oatmeal often gains an undesirable gluey texture that I just don’t care for. If you need to make a big batch ahead of time, I recommend making these strawberry overnight oats instead.

    Can you freeze oatmeal?

    Yes, you can freeze strawberries and cream oatmeal. I recommend portioning your oatmeal out into something like this silicone ice cube tray. Then transfer your oatmeal cubes to the freezer. Once frozen, you can pop them out of the ice cube trays and into a freezer bag or airtight container. Stored this way, your strawberry oatmeal cubes should last up to 3 months in the freezer. When you’re ready for breakfast, toss them into a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave for a few minutes on high, ’til soft and warm. Add a splash of milk for extra moisture and serve your homemade instant strawberry oatmeal!

    Optional Toppings & Variations

    Looking for ways to spice up your strawberry and cream oatmeal? Here are a few ideas…

    small white bowl of strawberry and cream oatmeal with heavy cream and sliced berries on top

    More Easy Breakfast Recipes

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Strawberry Oatmeal

    Make the best ever strawberry oatmeal that's perfectly sweet and creamy. Easy & healthy breakfast recipe from scratch in 15 minutes or less!

    • Blender
    • Large Saucepan
    • Whisk
    • Wooden Spoon
    • Small Bowl

    Strawberries and Cream Oatmeal

    • 1 ounce Freeze-Dried Strawberries
    • 1 cup Whole Milk
    • 2 cups Water
    • 1/4 cup Cane Sugar
    • 1/4 teaspoon Sea Salt
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • 2 cups Rolled Oats

    Oatmeal Toppings

    • 1 pint Fresh Strawberries (diced)
    • 4 tablespoons Heavy Whipping Cream

    1. Start by pulsing the freeze-dried strawberries in a food processor or blender for about 30 seconds, 'til ground into a fine powder.*

    2. Next add the milk and water to a large saucepan over medium heat. Then whisk in the strawberry powder, sugar, salt and vanilla, bringing the mixture to a simmer.

    3. Once your strawberry milk starts simmering, add the oatmeal and stir with a wooden spoon 'til well combined. Then reduce the heat to low and let the oats simmer for about 5-7 minutes.

    4. Once the oats have softened, spoon your strawberry oatmeal into a bowl and top with fresh, diced strawberries and a splash of cream. Serve and enjoy!

    *Instead of freeze-dried strawberries, you can also substitute with about 1 & 1/2 cups of fresh strawberries, leaving them in chunks or blending them up for a few seconds to mash them up. Frozen strawberries will also work, but it’s best to let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight before making the recipe.

    How do you store leftover strawberry oatmeal?

    You can store leftover strawberry oatmeal in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, and then reheat it in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave for a few minutes on high before serving. You may have to add a splash of milk for extra moisture.

    Breakfast, Breakfast & Brunch
    American, Breakfast, Breakfast/Brunch
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  • How to Make Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks in the Oven

    How to Make Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks in the Oven

    How to make crispy baked chicken drumsticks in the oven. Simple and easy dinner staple recipe for the tastiest, most tender and juicy baked chicken legs in 45 minutes or less!

    Lately I’ve been making a lot of chicken dinners, both because it’s healthy, but also because chicken is so cheap. We love garlic parmesan chicken skewers and crispy Pringles chicken, but sometimes you just need an easy weeknight dinner. I can’t think of a better chicken recipe than these oven-baked chicken drumstick, except for maybe my family’s favorite slow cooker whole chicken, or Instant Pot whole chicken if you don’t have time for the slow cooker.

    baked chicken legs fresh out of the oven with a fresh parsley garnish and ready to serve on a small gray plate

    If you like chicken, you’ll love maple bourbon brined roasted turkey. I also enjoy a good oven roasted pork roast, this roasted pork tenderloin and these family favorite maple pork chops with apples and onions.

    Why My Family Loves Baked Chicken Drumsticks

    • It’s a simple and easy dinner recipe that you can make in 45 minutes or less. It uses budget-friendly ingredients, so baked chicken drums are pretty cheap to make.
    • These baked chicken legs have a melt-in-your-mouth moist & tender interior and a perfectly crispy skin. They are truly finger-lickin’ good!
    • Chicken legs are healthy and nutritious, with lean, dark meat that’s chock full of essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B6, phosphorous, iron, zinc, selenium and niacin.
    • Baked chicken legs are a versatile dinner staple. You can add different seasonings based on what you prefer, or you can marinate them ahead of time for extra flavor. Even better, those of you with food allergies can be sure to use 100% allergen-free ingredients.
    • Feel free to double, triple or even quadruple this recipe to feed a crowd. Great for potlucks, parties or any other large gathering!
    baked chicken drumsticks with a fresh parsley garnish on a large baking sheet

    Ingredients & Substitutions Notes

    This recipe uses simple ingredients, so chances are that you may already have everything on hand…

    If you’re looking for an extra kick of flavor, you might try placing your chicken legs in a marinade for several hours or overnight before baking. Here’s a great guide on how to marinate chicken.

    How to Make Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks

    Before getting started, preheat your oven to 375ºF and lightly coat a 13×9 baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Optionally, you can line your baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easier cleanup.

    How to Cook Baked Chicken Drumsticks

    1. Start by whisking the olive oil, salt, pepper and any other seasonings in a large mixing bowl, ’til well combined; add your chicken legs to the large bowl and toss until well coated with oil and seasonings.
    2. Lay each chicken drum out on the large sheet pan that you prepped in the first step. At this point, you can sprinkle on more seasonings if desired.
    3. Bake your chicken drumsticks at 375ºF for about 20 minutes, and then rotate the tray 180º before baking for another 25 minutes, ’til there’s no pink inside and the internal temperature reaches at least 180ºF with a meat thermometer. Higher temperatures make for better tasting and more tender chicken legs, but take care not to burn them.
    3 photo collage showing, 1: closeup photo of raw chicken drumsticks coated with seasonings in a large white mixing bowl; 2: fresh chicken drumsticks lined out on a large baking sheet; 3: baked chicken drumsticks fresh out of the oven and garnished with fresh parsley on a large baking sheet

    Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary, so you’ll want to keep an eye on things. Thankfully, this chicken leg recipe is fairly forgiving!

    What to Serve with Baked Chicken Legs

    Now that your juicy chicken drumsticks are ready to serve, here are some of my favorite side dish recipes that you can serve them with…

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    Can I double this recipe?

    Yes, you can double, triple or even quadruple this recipe to feed a crowd. If you’re using multiple baking sheets on multiple racks in the oven, you may want to rotate them to different racks midway through the baking time, so as to ensure that everything cooks evenly.

    How do you store leftover baked chicken legs?

    You can store your baked chicken drumsticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For best results, I recommend getting them into the refrigerator no longer than 2 hours after baking.

    Can you freeze baked chicken drumsticks?

    You can freeze cooked drumsticks, but for best results I recommend prepping your chicken legs ahead of time and freezing them raw to bake later on. The best way to do this is to place them in a foil pan, and then coat with any seasonings and olive oil. Simply cover the pan with aluminum foil and transfer to the freezer, where it should keep for up to 3 months; then bake as directed in the recipe.

    You can bake your chicken drumsticks in the covered foil pan from frozen, or you can let them thaw out in the refrigerator overnight. If baking from frozen, keep in mind that you may have to add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time to make up for the cold starting temperature.

    baked chicken leg with a bite taken out on a small gray plate

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Baked Chicken Drumsticks

    How to make crispy oven baked chicken drumsticks for dinner. Easy recipe for perfectly tender & juicy chicken legs in 45 minutes or less!

    • 13×9 Baking Sheet
    • Large Mixing Bowl
    • 17 Chicken Drumsticks
    • 1/4 cup Olive Oil
    • 3/4 teaspoon Sea Salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
    • 2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley (optional)

    1. Before getting started, preheat your oven to 375ºF and lightly coat a 13×9 baking sheet with cooking spray.*

    2. Start by whisking the olive oil, salt, pepper and any other seasonings in a large mixing bowl, 'til well combined.

    3. Add your chicken legs to the bowl and toss until well coated with oil and seasonings.

    4. Lay each chicken drum out on the large baking sheet that you prepped in the first step. At this point, you can sprinkle on more seasonings if desired.

    5. Bake your chicken drumsticks at 375ºF for about 20 minutes, and then rotate the tray 180º before baking for another 25 minutes, 'til there's no pink inside and the internal temperature reaches at least 180ºF with a meat thermometer.

    6. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and then serve with all of your favorite side dishes!

    *Optionally, you can line your baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easier cleanup.

    How do you store leftover baked chicken legs?

    You can store your baked chicken drumsticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For best results, I recommend getting them into the refrigerator no longer than 2 hours after baking.

    dinner, Dinner Ideas, Main, Main Course, main dish, Meat & Seafood, Poultry & Chicken Recipes
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  • Easy Homemade Crock Pot Sloppy Joes Recipe for a Crowd

    Easy Homemade Crock Pot Sloppy Joes Recipe for a Crowd

    How to make delicious Crock Pot sloppy joes with simple ingredients. Easy comfort food recipe that you can make in a large batch to feed a crowd, or at home as the ultimate weeknight dinner the whole family will love.

    We make a lot of homemade sloppy joes. It’s just an easy way to get something hearty and somewhat nutritious on the table on even the busiest of days. That said, lately I’ve been making them in the CrockPot instead of on the stovetop, and let me tell you, these Crock Pot sloppy joes are easily a new family favorite meal for an easy weeknight dinner!

    crockpot sloppy joes on hamburger buns on a large gray plate

    The best way to eat this classic comfort food is on a hamburger bun or between two slices of bread with a little bit of mayonnaise. You can also make grilled cheese sloppy joes, cheesy sloppy joe shepherd’s pie, pepperoni pizza sloppy joes, taco sloppy joes and sloppy joe stuffed peppers.

    Why You’ll Love Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

    • This classic comfort food is so easy to make in the slow cooker, and it makes a simple, budget-friendly dinner that the whole family will love!
    • Slow cooker sloppy joes are absolutely delicious, using loose ground beef mixed with a sweet and tangy sauce from scratch, which is way better than the canned sauce from the store.
    • Because they cook for a longer period of time, slow cooker sloppy joes have so much more flavor than stovetop sloppy joes. That said, I’ll also include instructions for how to make your sloppy joes on the stovetop if you’re in a hurry.
    • Crock Pot sloppy joes are a perfect make-ahead recipe to feed a crowd. Serve them up at a 4th of July party, church potluck, family get-together, or any other large gathering!
    crock pot sloppy joes ingredients lined out on a white countertop

    Ingredients & Substitutions Notes

    This is an easy recipe with simple ingredients. You may already have everything you need on hand…

    How to Make Sloppy Joes in the Crock Pot

    Before getting started, get your slow cooker out and ready to go. You’ll also want to use a large knife to mince up the veggies. If you’re using frozen meat, be sure to get it out ahead of time so that it can thaw in the refrigerator.

    How to Cook the Ground Beef

    1. In a large skillet over medium-low heat on the stove top, cook the ground beef, celery, onions and green pepper ’til the beef is no longer pink but well-browned, and ’til the veggies are soft and translucent.
    2. Next, drain the grease out if necessary. The best way that I have found to do this is to scrape the meat all to one side of the pan, and then slightly tilt the pan downwards away from the meat, soaking up any excess grease with a paper towel.
    2 step collage showing how to cook sloppy joe meat in a skillet for crock pot sloppy joes

    At this point, you can add the rest of the ingredients to your skillet and make stovetop sloppy joes. Cook the mixture over medium-low heat for another 15-30 minutes, or ’til heated through. All that said, I prefer the slow cooker method below…

    How to Make Sloppy Joes in the Slow Cooker

    1. Once your meat mixture is fully cooked, go ahead and add it to the CrockPot along with the ketchup, bbq sauce, tomato sauce, brown sugar, mustard powder, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, salt and pepper to taste.
    2. Stir to combine with a wooden spoon, and cook on low for about 2-3 hours, or ’til heated through.
    2 step photo collage showing how to make homemade sloppy joes in the slow cooker

    Once your sloppy joe mixture is heated through, serve and enjoy on your favorite hamburger buns or between two slices of bread lathered in Mayo. My kids sometimes eat their sloppy joes on a bed of tortilla chips or even wrapped up in a flour tortilla instead. It makes a great meal, and it’s the perfect busy weeknight dinner!

    slow cooker sloppy joes on a large wooden spoon over a gray crockpot full of sloppy joes

    What to Serve with CrockPot Sloppy Joes

    Here are a few ideas as to what you can serve with your sloppy joes…

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    What’s the difference between sloppy joes and sloppy janes?

    The main difference is that sloppy Joes use ground beef, while as sloppy Janes use lean ground turkey. Other than that, they’re mostly the same!

    How do you store leftover sloppy joes?

    I recommend storing your leftover sloppy joes in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Stored this way, they should last for up to 3-4 days.

    Can you freeze sloppy joes?

    Yes, you can freeze sloppy joes. Once the ground beef mixture is fully cooked, go ahead and mix all of the other ingredients in. Then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bags and into the freezer for up to 6 months.

    When you’re ready to use your sloppy joe meat, go ahead and move it back to the refrigerator to thaw overnight. Then add the mixture to the slow cooker and cook as directed in the recipe card below.

    crockpot sloppy joes on hamburger buns on a large gray plate

    More Slow Cooker Recipes

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Crock Pot Sloppy Joes

    How to make delicious Crock Pot sloppy joes with simple ingredients. Easy comfort food recipe that makes the ultimate dinner to feed a crowd!

    • Slow Cooker
    • Large Knife
    • Large Skillet
    • Paper Towels
    • Wooden Spoon
    • 1 pound Ground Beef
    • 2 Celery Stalks (minced)
    • 1/3 cup Yellow or White Onion (minced)
    • 1/3 cup Green Pepper (minced)
    • 1/4 cup Ketchup
    • 1/4 cup Barbecue Sauce
    • 1 8oz. can Tomato Sauce
    • 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
    • 1 teaspoon Mustard Powder
    • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
    • 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
    • Sea Salt (to taste)
    • Black Pepper (to taste)
    • 8 Hamburger Buns (optional)

    1. Before getting started, you'll want to use a large knife to get all the veggies minced up.

    2. In a large skillet over medium-low heat on the stovetop, cook the ground beef, minced celery, minced onions and minced green pepper 'til the beef is no longer pink and the veggies are soft and translucent.

    3. Next, drain the grease out if necessary. To do this, scrape the meat all to one side of the pan, and then slightly tilt the pan downwards away from the meat, soaking up any excess grease with a paper towel.*

    4. Once your meat mixture is fully cooked, add it to the CrockPot along with the ketchup, barbecue sauce, tomato sauce, brown sugar, mustard powder, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, salt and pepper to taste.

    5. Stir to combine with a wooden spoon, and then cook on low for about 2-3 hours, or 'til heated through.

    6. Once your CrockPot sloppy joes are heated through, serve and enjoy on your favorite hamburger buns for dinner!

    *At this point, you can add the rest of the ingredients to your skillet and make stovetop sloppy joes instead. To do so, you’ll want to cook the mixture over medium-low heat for another 15-30 minutes, or ’til heated through. 

    How do you store leftover sloppy joes?

    I recommend storing your leftover sloppy joes in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Stored this way, they should last for up to 3-4 days.

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  • Best Ever Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers in the Oven

    Best Ever Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers in the Oven

    How to make juicy and flavorful garlic parmesan chicken skewers in the oven that are perfectly tender with a crisp, crunchy bite on the outside. Easy weeknight dinner recipe that you can make to feed a crowd in 30 minutes or less with simple, budget-friendly ingredients.

    If you like baked chicken drumsticks, you’ll love these easy garlic parmesan kabobs. They’re so easy to make, and you can make them out of just about anything. My family loves maple bourbon marinated grilled shrimp kabobs, and sometimes we even make fruit kabobs!

    garlic parm chicken skewers stacked up in a deep dish white rectangular platter

    I think these garlic parmesan chicken skewers will be a great addition to my summertime recipe repertoire. I can’t think of a better appetizer to serve up alongside CrockPot hot dogs, homemade bacon cheeseburgers, and corn on the cob.

    Why I Know You’ll Love This Recipe

    • It’s quick and easy. You can make these garlic parmesan kabobs in 30 minutes or less, and this recipe uses simple, budget-friendly ingredients.
    • I’ll show you how to bake chicken skewers in the oven, but you can also cook them in the air fryer or even on the grill.
    • These garlic parmesan chicken skewers are tender and juicy with a perfectly crisp, crunchy bite on the outside. This is a truly mouthwatering dish.
    • They’re full of cheesy garlic flavor, and the savory goodness of parmesan cheese makes this the best appetizer to feed a crowd.
    • This recipe is perfect for all of your summertime parties and events, including backyard BBQ’s, Memorial Day and even the 4th of July.
    • The best part is that you can prep your garlic parmesan chicken skewers ahead of time with a flavorful marinade, and store them up in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. This is great if you’re making your kabobs alongside other dishes to feed a lot of people.
    garlic parmesan chicken skewers ingredients lined out on a bright white countertop

    Ingredients & Substitutions Notes

    • Chicken – I prefer to use boneless skinless chicken thighs because they are more tender and flavorful due to the higher fat content. That said, boneless skinless chicken breasts will work just fine too.
    • Butter – You’ll need to melt unsalted butter for this recipe.
    • Parsley – I recommend using chopped fresh parsley for the best flavor, but you can also use dried parsley if that’s all you have on hand. If you go this route, a good rule of thumb is to use about 1/3 of the amount of dried parsley as you would fresh parsley.
    • Parmesan Cheese – You’ll want grated parmesan cheese for this recipe.
    • Garlic – Fresh, minced garlic cloves are always best. Sometimes I cheat and buy already minced garlic from the store. The richness of garlic adds a lot of flavor to this recipe.
    • Lemon Juice – You can squeeze your lemon juice from fresh lemons, but I just use bottled lemon juice from the store.
    • Kosher Salt – It’s important that you use a coarse kosher salt to make this recipe. Kosher salt is usually best when you’re mixing up any kind of seasoning, because it has a uniformly large crystal size that distributes much more evenly throughout the other spices.
    • Spices – Don’t be fooled by the spices; these garlic parmesan chicken skewers aren’t spicy at all! But you will need some garlic powder, paprika, onion powder and ground black pepper for this recipe.

    How to Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers

    If you’re using wooden or bamboo skewers, I recommend placing them in water to soak about 20 minutes before getting started with this recipe; this just helps the chicken to slide on easier later on. If you’re using metal skewers, you can skip this step.

    Set your oven to preheat to 400ºF, and line 2 13×9 baking sheets with parchment paper. Let’s get started…

    Assembling Your Chicken Skewers

    1. Start by using a large knife to slice your chicken into roughly 1-inch pieces on a large cutting board. Set aside.
    2. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, chopped parsley, grated parmesan cheese, minced garlic cloves, lemon juice, kosher salt, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and ground black pepper until well combined. 
    3. Place the cubed chicken onto the skewers and transfer to the butter sauce. Keep a little room between each piece of chicken so they will cook evenly.
    4. With clean hands rub the butter mixture over the chicken before transferring to your parchment paper-lined baking sheets. I like to use a large, deep dish rectangular platter for this step.
    4 photo collage showing how to make and marinate garlic parm chicken skewers

    Alternatively, if you’re looking to make this recipe ahead of time, you could mix up the cubed chicken and the butter mixture together in a large mixing bowl. Then cover your bowl with plastic wrap and transfer into the refrigerator to marinate for a few hours or even overnight.

    When you’re ready to bake, simply slide your marinated chicken onto the skewers and put them in the oven. You’ll have the most delectable garlic parmesan chicken skewers.

    How to Bake Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers

    1. Once your chicken skewers are well coated and placed onto the baking sheets, bake them in the oven at 400ºF for about 5 minutes, ’til golden brown.
    2. After 5 minutes has passed, use a pair of tongs to flip your chicken skewers, and let them bake on the other side for an additional 5 minutes of cooking time.
    3. Once the juices on the baking sheet run clear and the internal temperature of the chicken pieces reads 165ºF with a meat thermometer, you can pull your garlic parmesan chicken skewers out of the oven and serve!
    3 photo collage showing how to make garlic parmesan chicken skewers

    If you’ve never made chicken kebobs before, you may be somewhat perplexed as to how to eat them! Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think. The best way to do this is by eating the chicken right off the skewer, or you can use a fork to slide them off onto a plate before serving.

    closeup photo of holding up a freshly baked garlic parmesan chicken kabob over a large silver baking sheet full of garlic parm chicken kabobs

    I like to serve my chicken skewers topped off with a fresh batch of mango peach salsa, and my kids love this fruit salsa recipe!

    What to Serve with Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers

    Not sure what to serve with your chicken skewers? Here are a few ideas that come to mind…

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    Can I cook chicken skewers in the air fryer?

    Yes, you can cook garlic parmesan chicken skewers in the air fryer. Line your air fryer basket with a piece of parchment paper, and then transfer your prepped chicken skewers to the basket. Cook at 400ºF for about 5 minutes. Flip your skewers and cook for another 5 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165ºF with a meat thermometer.

    Can I grill parmesan garlic chicken skewers?

    Yes, you can also cook your chicken kabobs on any kind of grill. You’ll want to preheat your grill to a medium-high heat, and then cook your chicken skewers for about 5 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF. Serve and enjoy!

    Why are my chicken skewers dry?

    You probably overcooked them. Remember, you only have to cook your chicken until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF. If you cook them any longer than this, the chicken will dry out and become tough and chewy. That said, chicken thighs have more fat than chicken breasts, so the thighs will be more forgiving if you accidentally overcook your skewers.

    How should I store leftovers garlic parmesan chicken skewers?

    Leftover chicken skewers are best stored in an airtight container or zip-loc bag in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat your chicken skewers at 350ºF on a large baking sheet in the oven ’til warm.

    garlic parmesan chicken kabobs ready to serve on a deep dish white rectangular platter

    Recipe Variations

    Here are a few fun ideas as to how you can make garlic parmesan chicken skewers even more interesting…

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers

    How to make the best ever garlic parmesan chicken skewers in the oven. Easy weeknight dinner recipe that you can make in 30 minutes or less!

    • Skewers
    • 13×9 Baking Sheets
    • Parchment Paper
    • Large Knife
    • Large Cutting Board
    • Large Mixing Bowl
    • Whisk
    • Tongs
    • Meat Thermometer
    • 2 pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
    • 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter (melted)
    • 1/2 cup Fresh Parsley (chopped)
    • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated)
    • 10 Garlic Cloves (minced)
    • 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
    • 1/8 teaspoon Coarse Kosher Salt
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
    • 1 teaspoon Paprika
    • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper

    1. Before getting started, preheat your oven to 400ºF, and line 2 13×9 baking sheets with parchment paper.*

    2. Start by using a large knife to slice your chicken into roughly 1-inch cubes on a large cutting board. Set aside.

    3. In a large bowl, whisk together the butter, parsley, parmesan cheese, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and ground black pepper until well combined. 

    4. Slide the cubed chicken onto the skewers and transfer to the butter mixture. Keep a little room between each piece of chicken so they will cook evenly.

    5. With clean hands rub the butter mixture over the chicken before transferring to your parchment paper-lined baking sheets.

    6. Once your chicken skewers are well coated and placed onto the baking sheets, bake them in the oven at 400ºF for about 5 minutes, 'til golden brown

    7. After 5 minutes has passed, use a pair of tongs to flip your chicken skewers, and let them bake on the other side for an additional 5 minutes.

    8. Once the juices on the baking sheet run clear and the internal temperature of the chicken reads 165ºF with a meat thermometer, you can pull your garlic parmesan chicken skewers out of the oven.

    9. Serve and enjoy!

    *If you’re using wooden skewers, I recommend placing them in water to soak about 20 minutes before getting started with this recipe; this just helps the chicken to slide on easier later on.

    How should I store leftovers garlic parmesan chicken skewers?

    Leftover chicken skewers are best stored in an airtight container or zip-loc bag in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat your chicken skewers at 350ºF on a large baking sheet in the oven ’til warm.

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    garlic parm chicken skewers, garlic parmesan chicken kabobs, garlic parmesan chicken skewers, parmesan garlic chicken skewers
  • How to Make Easy Crock Pot Hot Dogs for a Crowd

    How to Make Easy Crock Pot Hot Dogs for a Crowd

    How to cook easy Crock Pot hot dogs with the best flavor. Great make-ahead recipe that you can use to set up the ultimate hot dog bar with all of your favorite toppings to serve at your next summer potluck or backyard BBQ!

    It’s no secret that my entire family loves hot dogs, hamburgers and sandwiches. I’m a sucker for a good Chicago hot dog, and the guys ask for homemade bacon cheeseburgers or roast beef Philly cheesesteaks every week! Maybe it’s a midwestern thing…

    loaded slow cooker hot dogs next to all of the toppings lined out on a large wooden cutting board

    You can fit a lot of hot dogs in a slow cooker; throw them in at the beginning of the day, and the slow cooker will keep them warm ’til dinner. Let everybody help themselves and fix them up just the way they like them. This has got to be the easiest way to make hot dogs that I know!

    Why You’ll Love Slow Cooker Hot Dogs

    • Crock Pot hot dogs are so quick and easy to make. It’s the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it recipe using simple, budget-friendly ingredients.
    • You can fit a ton of hot dogs in a Crock Pot, so this is the best hot dogs recipe to feed a large crowd. Fix up a fun hot dog bar to serve at your next Super Bowl party, 4th of July party, summer potluck, backyard BBQ, graduation party or even family reunions.
    • Hot dogs cooked in the Crock Pot are the juiciest, most tender and best hot dogs you’ll ever eat with such minimal effort. Better yet, they’re so full of flavor because they haven’t been boiled to death!
    • Most slow cookers have a “keep warm” function, which keeps the hot dogs warm until you’re ready to eat. It’s the ultimate make-ahead recipe.
    • You can serve them up with all your favorite condiments and toppings!
    Crock Pot hot dog ingredients lined out next to the slow cooker on a white countertop

    Ingredients Notes & Substitutions

    This simple recipe uses fairly common ingredients, depending on what all you use for toppings. You probably already have everything on hand…

    • Hot Dogs – Any normal bun length type of hot dogs will work, but I prefer the texture and flavor of beef hot dogs. If you’re using frozen hot dogs, I recommend letting them thaw out in the refrigerator overnight before making this recipe.
    • Hot Dog Buns – Although I like to serve my hot dogs with regular length hot dog buns, there’s no shame in just using regular bread instead.
    • Your Favorite Toppings – There are so many different condiments and toppings that you can serve alongside your hot dogs. I’ll go into more detail on this in the instructions below.

    How to Cook Hot Dogs in the Crock Pot

    I’m using a 6-quart Crock Pot for this recipe. I can usually pack it pretty full with around 48 hot dogs, but you may have to use more or less depending on the size of your slow cooker. The CrockPot is truly a game changer!

    1. Remove all of the hot dogs from the packaging, and add each one to the slow cooker. You can place them standing up if the lid will still fit, or you can lay them on their side.
    2. Place the lid on the Crock Pot and set it on low for 2-3 hours, stirring the hot dogs occasionally with a pair of tongs to keep them from burning on the bottom of the slow cooker. Most hot dogs are already precooked, so you really just need to get them hot enough to serve.
    2 step photo collage showing, left: hot dogs in a large gray Crock Pot; right: stirring Crock Pot hot dogs around with a pair of tongs in a large gray slow cooker

    In case you’re wondering, there’s no need to add any water to the slow cooker. When they’re cooked in the Crock Pot, hot dogs are moist enough that they will produce their own steam, resulting in the best texture and flavor!

    How to Serve Slow Cooker Hot Dogs

    Your hot dogs should be done after 2-3 hours in the slow cooker. Serve and enjoy with your favorite condiments and toppings. Pair them with garlic parmesan chicken skewers for the ultimate party appetizer!

    slow cooker hot dogs in hot dog buns next to all of the toppings lined out on a large wooden cutting board

    If your slow cooker has a warm setting, you can set it there and let the hot dogs sit in the slow cooker at this setting for 3-4 hours until you’re ready to serve up an easy meal. I’m convinced that this is truly the best way to cook hot dogs!

    What Toppings Should I Serve with Crock Pot Hot Dogs?

    Not sure how to serve your slow cooker hot dogs? Here are some of my favorite toppings…

    CrockPot hot dogs cooked in a gray slow cooker

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    How should I store leftover hot dogs?

    Leftover hot dogs are best stored in an airtight container or zip-loc bag in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can reheat your hot dogs exactly the same as you cooked them initially, whether that’s in the slow cooker, in the microwave or in a pot of boiling water on the stovetop. Remember, most hot dogs are already pre-cooked, so it’s just a matter of reheating them to whatever temperature you like best.

    Can I freeze leftover hot dogs?

    Yes, you can freeze leftover hot dogs. Stored in an airtight container or freezer bag, they should last up to 3-4 months. Again, reheat them exactly as you would normally.

    loaded Crock Pot hot dogs next to all of the toppings lined out on a large wooden cutting board

    More CrockPot Recipes

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Crock Pot Hot Dogs

    How to cook easy Crock Pot hot dogs with the best flavor. Set up the ultimate hot dog bar for your next summer potluck or backyard BBQ!

    • 6-Quart Slow Cooker
    • Tongs
    • 48 Hot Dogs
    • 48 Hot Dog Buns
    • Your Favorite Toppings

    1. Remove all of the hot dogs from the packaging, and add each one to the slow cooker. You can place them standing up if the lid will still fit, or you can lay them on their side.

    2. Place the lid on the Crock Pot and set it on low for 2-3 hours, stirring the hot dogs occasionally with a wooden spatula to keep them from burning.*

    3. After 2-3 hours, serve and enjoy with your favorite condiments and toppings!*

    *In case you’re wondering, there’s no need to add any water to the slow cooker. When they’re cooked in the Crock Pot, hot dogs are moist enough that they will produce their own steam.

    *Most hot dogs are already precooked, so you really just need to get them hot enough to serve.

    *If your slow cooker has a “keep warm” function, you can set it there and let the hot dogs sit in the slow cooker at this setting for 3-4 hours until you’re ready to serve. 

    How should I store leftover hot dogs?

    Leftover hot dogs are best stored in an airtight container or zip-loc bag in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can reheat your hot dogs exactly the same as you cooked them initially.

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  • How to Make Easy Homemade Chicken Fried Rice in a Wok

    How to Make Easy Homemade Chicken Fried Rice in a Wok

    Learn how to make the best homemade chicken fried rice in a wok. Quick and easy stir fry dinner recipe that’s so much better than takeout! They’ll all be back for seconds.

    My family loves Asian food, especially Chinese food and Thai food. Though I’m not sure it’s truly authentic, pork fried rice and chicken fried rice (and the lower carb version, cauliflower chicken fried rice) are one of my favorite things to eat when we’re craving take-out from a Chinese restaurant.

    bowl of chicken fried rice in a wok with eggs and vegetables

    It’s taken us awhile to really learn how to make a good chicken fried rice recipe in our own kitchen. Dan purchased a really nice wok awhile back, and ever since, he’s really made some delicious dishes!

    Wok chicken fried rice is one of those dishes he likes to make, and man, he’s so good at it. This is HIS recipe, through and through.

    Sometimes we’ll make a double batch, just so we can make up a batch of chicken fried rice spring rolls to go with it for a complete dinner.

    What Is Chicken Fried Rice?

    This chicken fried rice wok recipe is a stir fry dish cooked on high heat in a wok. You can also use a large skillet, but a wok works best.

    Chinese chicken fried rice is made with ingredients like tender chicken breast, rice, eggs, onions, peas, carrots, other vegetables, sesame oil, and soy sauce.

    stir frying chicken fried rice in a wok with a wok spatula

    Chicken Fried Rice Ingredients and Substitutions Notes

    Let’s talk ingredients…

    • Sesame Oil – Sesame oil is a must; ordinary vegetable oil and olive oil will not do it for this recipe.
    • Peas and Carrots – I’ll usually buy a combo bag in the freezer section at the grocery store; but you can slice up carrots and add frozen peas instead. While we don’t parboil our vegetables beforehand, you may prefer to parboil the peas and carrots, so they’re not as crisp, and Food Fanatic has great tutorials for how to parboil. Personally, I love the hint of crispness the vegetables give with the rice.
    • Yellow Onion – You can use sweet onion, but yellow onion gives a bit of spicy kick to the finished dish.
    • Garlic – Use already minced garlic you can get at the grocery store, or mince up fresh garlic cloves.
    • Large Eggs
    • Cooked Chicken Breast, Shredded or Chopped into Bite-Sized Pieces – The best chicken to use is boneless skinless chicken breast. I don’t really recommend chicken thighs, because thighs will likely add more grease than necessary. We like to cook the chicken ahead of time, so it’s ready to go. In fact, most of the time, we’re using leftovers from an Instant Pot whole chicken.
    • Jasmine Rice, Already Cooked – For the best rice, I recommend using day-old long grain white rice, since short grain rice will be softer and most definitely clump together when cooked. We use Jasmine rice to make this recipe, and it works really well. Leftover rice is best because it’s had time to chill and dry out after cooking, which leads me to another great tip for getting rice to literally fall right off the fork (or the spatula/spoon while frying)… Cook the rice ahead of time and chill it. We usually cook ours in the Instant Pot or rice cooker, and then we’ll spread it all out on a cookie sheet, cover it, and stick it in the fridge for about 30 minutes to chill. If we haven’t made it up ahead of time, we’ve even been known to stick it in the freezer for a shorter amount of time. Cold rice fries without as much moisture and all the clumpy, goopy mess that rice can sometimes become. Also… You can use brown rice, but just know it will change the texture of the finished dish.
    • Soy Sauce – If you need to make gluten-free chicken fried rice, use a good gluten-free soy sauce substitute.
    bowl and wok with homemade wok chicken fried rice

    How to Make Chicken Fried Rice in a Wok

    Make sure all of your ingredients are ready to go before you begin to heat the sesame oil. It will be a super quick cook time, so it’s important to have everything ready to go beforehand.

    Step 1: Heat the Sesame Oil

    Heat the sesame oil in a large wok over medium high heat. It’s important to heat the sesame oil in the wok first before adding anything in. You’re going to cook fried rice over a medium-high heat (depending on your stove), and it’s going to be a super quick process.

    Step 2: Add the Vegetables to the Wok

    Add the veggies, chopped onion, and minced garlic to the hot wok, and cook ’til somewhat tender but still slightly crisp, maybe 3 to 5 minutes.

    stir frying vegetables into hot sesame oil in large wok

    Step 3: Scramble the Eggs

    Make a well in the middle of the veggies, and scramble the eggs right in with the veggies.

    scrambling eggs with vegetables in large wok for chicken fried rice recipe

    Step 4: Stir in the Chicken

    Stir the cooked, shredded chicken into the vegetable and egg mixture.

    stirring chicken into chicken fried rice mixture in large wok

    Step 5: Add the Rice

    Stir the cooked rice into the mixture, mixing everything together really well to combine.

    stir frying rice into chicken fried rice wok recipe in large wok with wok spatula

    Step 6: Add the Soy Sauce

    Add the soy sauce, and stir fry everything together ’til everything’s been heated thoroughly.

    stirring chicken fried rice together with soy sauce in large wok with large wok spatula

    That’s it, super quick and easy; and it tastes so much better than takeout. Chicken fried rice makes the best side dish for my favorite garlic parmesan chicken skewers!

    fork with bite of easy chicken fried rice wok style over big bowl of rice

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    How much dry rice equals 3 cups cooked rice?

    Usually about 1 cup dry rice equals about 3 cups cooked rice.

    What’s the best way to cook rice?

    Since the rice needs to already be cooked to make chicken fried rice in a wok, leftover rice is best, because it’s had time to chill and dry out after cooking. Cook the rice ahead of time in an Instant Pot or rice cooker (you can also boil it on the stove); then spread the rice out on a cookie sheet, cover it, and stick it in the fridge to chill ’til you’re ready to make fried rice with it. Chilling the rice really helps get it to fry without all the clumpy, goopy mess that rice can sometimes become.

    Can I use different vegetables?

    Yes, you can. In fact, other vegetables that make really good fried rice include broccoli, sugarsnap peas, water chestnuts, corn, etc. Just know, depending on the vegetables you choose, it may increase cook time to make sure they’re cooked well.

    How should leftover chicken fried rice be stored?

    Store it in an airtight container in the fridge. You can re-heat it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30-45 seconds; or on the stovetop in a skillet over low-medium heat.

    Can you freeze chicken fried rice?

    Yes, you can. Just be sure to freeze it in an airtight container to help prevent freezer burn. It should keep for about 6 months. This makes it easy to meal prep ahead of time, freeze, and re-heat for dinner on busy weeknights.

    bowl of delicious Chinese chicken fried rice, homemade with eggs and vegetables

    Alternative Ways to Make Fried Rice

    There are so many ways you can switch up this recipe and make it different every single time. The easiest way to switch it up is to use different meats or vegetables.

    • Beef – Use leftover beef roast, stew meat, or steak.
    • Pork – Use leftover pork chops or pork roast.
    • Shrimp
    • Fish – Make fried rice with grilled fish fillets, maybe trout or maybe even grilled salmon. Or for an easier route, try canned tuna or salmon.
    • Sausage or Sliced Sausage Links – like in Instant Pot sausage and rice.
    • Roasted Turkey – would work just as well as chicken.
    • Tofu
    • Stir in or sprinkle in a generous helping of chopped green onions.
    • Use a pack of stir fry veggies from the freezer section. Think sugarsnap peas, broccoli, carrots, water chestnuts, etc.
    • Add diced or sliced bell peppers in for even more delicious flavors.
    • Add in spinach, corn, green beans, water chestnuts, etc.
    close up look of homemade easy chicken fried rice in a blue patterned bowl

    More Homemade Chinese Take-Out Recipes

    If you love this homemade chicken fried rice, you’ll also love…

    Asian Chicken Salad Wonton Cups

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Chicken Fried Rice in a Wok

    How to make the best homemade chicken fried rice in a wok. Quick and easy stir fry dinner recipe that's so much better than takeout!

    • Wok
    • Wok Spatula
    • Food Chopper
    • Cutting Board
    • 3 tablespoons sesame oil
    • 1 cup peas and carrots (frozen)
    • 1 medium yellow onion (chopped)
    • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (cooked and shredded)
    • 3 cups Jasmine rice (cooked and chilled)
    • 1/4 cup soy sauce

    1. Heat the sesame oil in a large wok over medium-high heat.

    2. Add the veggies, onion, and garlic to the wok, and cook ’til somewhat tender but still slightly crisp, maybe 3 to 5 minutes.
    3. Make a well in the middle of the veggies, and scramble the eggs into the veggies.

    4. Stir the shredded chicken into the mixture.

    5. Then stir the rice into the mixture, mixing everything together really well.

    6. Add the soy sauce and stir fry everything together.

    7. When everything has been heated thoroughly, it's ready to serve. 

    Make sure all of your ingredients are ready to go before you heat the sesame oil. It will be a super quick cook time, so it’s important to have everything ready to go.

    What’s the best way to cook the rice beforehand?

    Since the rice needs to already be cooked to make chicken fried rice in a wok, leftover rice is best, because it’s had time to chill and dry out after cooking. Cook the rice ahead of time in an Instant Pot or rice cooker (you can also boil it on the stove); then spread the rice out on a cookie sheet, cover it, and stick it in the fridge to chill ’til you’re ready to make fried rice with it. Cold rice fries without all the clumpy, goopy mess that rice can sometimes become.

    Dinner Ideas, main dish
    Asian
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  • KFC Famous Bowl Copycat

    KFC Famous Bowl Copycat

    How to make a homemade KFC Famous Bowl, with homestyle mashed potatoes, crispy chicken, corn, gravy, and cheese. Easy copycat dinner recipe!

    If you’re in need of a quick and easy dinner without a ride thru the fast food lane, I’ve got just the recipe for you. The KFC chicken bowl has everything you need for a one dish meal.

    KFC Famous bowl, including mashed potatoes, corn, crispy chicken nuggets, brown gravy, and shredded cheese in white bowl

    Filled with creamy mashed potatoes, corn, and crispy chicken nuggets, it’s a definite winner with my kids. For me, it’s the brown gravy and slightly melted cheese that make this KFC bowl complete.

    What I love about this mashed potato bowl is… It’s quick and easy to make because of the ingredients I use. Not to mention, my kids can get involved and layer their own bowls.

    We also love the occasional mashed potato bar (and baked potato bar) around here, so dinners like this are nothing new to this family.

    Ingredients and Substitutions Notes:

    • Mashed Potatoes – I prefer to buy ready made mashed potatoes; my grocery store carries Bob Evans mashed potatoes in a package, and they’re delicious and easy to pop into the microwave for just a few minutes. You can also use instant mashed potatoes or homemade mashed potatoes.
    • Corn – While I prefer the ease of steamable frozen corn I can just pop in the microwave, you can also use canned corn or fresh corn.
    • Chicken Nuggets – I use gluten-free chicken nuggets, but you can also use popcorn chicken or chicken strips. If you do use nuggets or strips, you’ll need to cut them into bite-size pieces.
    • Brown Gravy – While I prefer to use a gluten-free brown gravy mix, you can use any kind of gravy you want, including homestyle gravy, ham gravy, turkey gravy, chicken gravy, etc. I even had the thought that a chicken dipping sauce or honey mustard would be good in place of gravy.
    • Cheese – We use extra sharp cheddar and Colby Jack cheese. However, consider the flavors you want because the options are endless… Think smoked cheddar or smoked gouda, Monterey Jack, an Italian cheese blend, parmesan cheese, etc.

    How to Make a KFC Famous Bowl

    Before you can layer your KFC mashed potato bowls, you need to prep a few ingredients.

    How to Prep Ingredients:

    1. Mix up and cook the gravy according to package directions.
    2. Cook the chicken nuggets according to package directions, and cut them into bite-size pieces.
    3. Steam cook frozen corn in the microwave, according to package directions.
    4. Cook or heat up the mashed potatoes, again according to package directions (unless making homemade).
    KFC potato bowl ingredients, including brown gravy, crispy chicken nuggets, corn, and mashed potatoes

    How to Layer the Bowls:

    1. First add a pile of mashed potatoes into your serving bowl.
    mashed potatoes for KFC chicken bowl in white serving bowl
    1. Sprinkle the mashed potatoes with corn.
    corn sprinkled on top of mashed potatoes in white serving bowl
    1. Sprinkle bite-size crispy chicken nuggets on top of the potatoes and corn.
    crispy bite-size chicken nuggets sprinkled on top of corn and mashed potatoes in white cereal bowl
    1. Spoon small spoonfuls of gravy onto chicken and mashed potatoes.
    brown gravy spooned on top of KFC mashed potato bowl in white serving bowl
    1. Finally, sprinkle a mixture of cheese on top of each bowl.
    shredded cheese on top of homemade KFC bowl in white serving bowl

    And that’s it. Serve the bowls while warm and enjoy!

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s:

    How should I store chicken bowls?

    Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. They should keep for 3-5 days.

    How do I reheat them?

    The best way to reheat your mashed potato bowls is in the oven at 350° F. This method will help to keep your chicken crispy. If in a hurry, reheat in the microwave for 3-5 minutes, checking every minute to stir or see if it’s hot; with the microwave, chicken will be less crispy.

    Can I make ahead and freeze KFC Bowls for quick meals?

    Yes, you can. Just be sure to store your ingredients in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn. They should keep for 3-5 months.

    Extra Topping Ideas for This Recipe:

    There are a plethora of toppings you can add to your bowl in addition to the ingredients we’ve already discussed.

    Delicious toppings like…

    • Crushed bacon or bacon bits
    • Chopped tomatoes
    • Green onions
    • Red onions
    • Fresh chives
    • Fresh herbs – thyme, parsley or rosemary
    • Sautéed mushrooms

    More Favorite Copycat Recipes:

    spoonful bite of chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, gravy, and cheese over KFC potato bowl in white serving bowl

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    KFC Famous Bowl

    How to make a homemade KFC Famous Bowl, with homestyle mashed potatoes, crispy chicken, corn, gravy, and cheese. Easy copycat dinner recipe!

    • Serving Bowls
    • Saucepan
    • Sheet Pan
    • 1 ounce brown gravy mix
    • 20 ounces chicken nuggets
    • 2 cups steam-able frozen corn
    • 24 ounces mashed potatoes
    • 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
    • 1/2 cup Colby Jack cheese (shredded)
    1. Mix up and cook the gravy according to package directions.
    2. Cook the chicken nuggets according to package directions, and cut them into bite-size pieces.
    3. Steam cook frozen corn in the microwave, according to package directions.
    4. Cook or heat up the mashed potatoes, again according to package directions (unless making homemade).

    5. First add a pile of mashed potatoes into each serving bowl.

    6. Sprinkle the mashed potatoes with corn.

    7. Sprinkle bite-size crispy chicken nuggets on top of the potatoes and corn.

    8. Spoon small spoonfuls of gravy onto the chicken and mashed potatoes.

    9. Finally, sprinkle a mixture of cheese on top of each bowl.

    10. Serve the bowls while warm!

    *Or you can use popcorn chicken or chicken strips.

    *I prefer to buy ready made mashed potatoes for this recipe; you can also use instant mashed potatoes or homemade mashed potatoes.

    How should I store mashed potato bowls?

    Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. They should keep for 3-5 days.

    How do I reheat them?

    The best way to reheat your mashed potato bowls is in the oven at 350° F. This method will help to keep your chicken crispy. If in a hurry, reheat in the microwave for 3-5 minutes, checking every minute to stir or see if it’s hot; with the microwave, chicken will be less crispy.

    Can I make ahead and freeze KFC Bowls for quick meals?

    Yes, you can. Just be sure to store your ingredients in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn. They should keep for 3-5 months.

    Dinner Ideas, Main Course
    American
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  • Easy Instant Pot Sausage and Rice (Recipe + Video)

    Easy Instant Pot Sausage and Rice (Recipe + Video)

    Whip up quick and easy Instant Pot sausage and rice for dinner tonight. It’s a hearty one dish recipe you can throw together in minutes and a flavorful weeknight meal everyone will enjoy!

    Don’t you just love it when you can combine 2 or 3 of your favorite foods and create a dish that’s so full of flavor, you want to have it for dinner every night? That’s how this Instant Pot smoked sausage and rice recipe is for me.

    decorative blue bowl with Instant Pot sausage and rice, with green peas, sitting on wooden countertop on gray linen

    I have always loved smoked sausage. When you combine it with rice (or cauliflower rice), onion, garlic, certain spices like smoked paprika, and a dash of green peas, you’ve got a blue ribbon dinner winner.

    Now I do like to use regular white rice, but as I’ve told you before, I have a low carber in the house. So he’ll sometimes make this one pot meal with cauliflower rice, if he even wants any rice at all.

    If you love this Instant Pot kielbasa and rice dish, check out another one-pot meal my family loves, sausage and chicken casserole, also made in the Instant Pot.

    Why You’ll Love This Easy Dinner Recipe

    • This is a delicious dump and go meal, and it really reminds me of a good Cajun dish like this jambalaya recipe, but without all the other ingredients. The smoked paprika gives this a real kick in flavor.
    • This flavorful rice is quick and easy, even with cooking time, and your Instant Pot does the main work for you. I love a good quick meal.
    • It’s a budget-friendly meal. Depending what you already have on hand, this dish can be made for around $5-10, and it can easily feed 5 people.
    • It’s a one pot meal, a rice casserole, per sé. You get your meat, veggies, and carb all in one hearty dish.
    • It’s kid-friendly, a great recipe for kids to help you make.
    Instant Pot kielbasa and rice with peas and wooden spoon in pressure cooker

    Ingredients and Substitutions Notes:

    To make this sausage and rice Instant Pot recipe, you’ll need to gather a few simple ingredients…

    • Olive Oil
    • Garlic Cloves – An easy way to add the garlic is to just used already minced garlic you can find in the produce section at the grocery store.
    • Yellow Onion – While you can use sweet onion, I find the yellow onion gives a nice kick; and this dish has enough carbs (with the rice) without added sugar.
    • Sausage Link – I love to use smoked sausage, usually beef smoked sausage, and Polish sausages. You can get great flavor by using kielbasa, andouille sausage, smoked chorizo, etc. You can also use turkey sausage or chicken sausage. Do keep in mind that if you’re trying to make this gluten-free, be sure to look for sausage labeled gluten-free; you’d be surprised at some of the things that do actually contain gluten.
    • Salt and Ground Black Pepper
    • Smoked Paprika – This is my “not so secret” ingredient that adds spice, smoky flavor, and a kick. Without it, this dish just wouldn’t be the same. It is a wonderful seasoning for so many things and just adds a lot of flavor. Again, be sure to look for the gluten-free label if making this gluten-free.
    • Chicken Broth or Chicken Stock – You can mix up bullion or use ready-made broth or chicken stock; however, if you’re making this gluten-free, be sure to check your labels.
    • White Rice – When it comes to the type of rice, I suggest using long grain rice. We prefer to use a long grain rice to make pressure cooker sausage and rice. Jasmine rice and basmati rice are more great examples of long grain rice. The reason I prefer long grain rice is because it really fluffs up after cooking, and it won’t be so moist; it’ll have a drier texture to it, so it doesn’t just clump up into heaps of cooked rice. You can also make this recipe with brown rice or cauliflower rice, but keep in mind that it will change the texture and taste of the finished dish.
    • Frozen Peas – Just be sure to thaw them. You can also add in other veggies, things like bell peppers, green beans, corn, etc.

    Let’s Talk about the Instant Pot for a Second

    If you haven’t used an Instant Pot for pressure cooking, you’re in for a meal making treat. The Instant Pot is a pressure cooker that allows you to make so many things quickly and easily.

    I love using mine to make one pot dinners and weeknight meals, especially when we’re super busy and just don’t have a lot of time to cook. One pot Instant Pot dinners are the absolute best!

    Not sure how to use your Instant Pot? You’re not alone; I have a lot of friends and readers who’ve ordered one but but have yet to get it out of the box and actually use it. But I’ve got ya covered with my quick and easy Instant Pot guide.

    How to Make Instant Pot Sausage and Rice

    Before you even heat up your Instant Pot, be sure to prep your ingredients and have them ready to go. This means go ahead and mince up your garlic and onion, slice the sausage, and make chicken broth if you’re not using already made broth.

    I’ve used both my 6-quart Instant Pot and 8-quart Instant Pot to make this recipe.

    Just follow these steps…

    1. Press “Sauté” on your Instant Pot, and once it’s heated up, add the olive oil, garlic, and onion, sautéing ’til they become soft and slightly browned.
    2. Add in the sausage slices with the browned bits, and brown for a good 1 to 2 minutes.
    3. Then sprinkle in the seasonings, and add the rice and chicken broth, mixing everything together.
    4. Place the lid on your Instant Pot, set the valve to seal, and press “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” on high pressure, with a cooking time of 5 minutes. Allow it to do a natural release, not a quick release.
    5. Once it’s released, go ahead and remove the lid, and stir in the thawed peas. Put the lid back on, and allow those peas to warm for about 5 minutes. No need to turn on the pot; just let everything sit in its own warmth.
    6. Then stir and fluff the rice, and serve it up!
    steps for how to make Instant Pot kielbasa and rice in Instant Pot, first sautéing onions and garlic, then adding sliced sausage, then adding in chicken broth and rice, pressure cooker set to 5 minutes cook time, adding in peas, and fluffing rice after cooked

    It’s such an easy meal to make, and definitely one your family will love!

    wooden spoonful of Instant Pot smoked sausage and rice with green peas over pressure cooker full of rice

    Recipe Variations

    Here are a few ideas and ways you can switch up this Instant Pot rice and sausage recipe to make it even more fun…

    • Add bell peppers. Bell pepper, including green pepper and red bell pepper, gives excellent flavor to just about any dish.
    • To give it a kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce.
    • Try different seasonings. If you want it to have a Tex-Mex feel, try adding taco seasoning or fajita seasoning. If you want Instant Pot Cajun sausage and rice, try adding Cajun seasoning or Creole seasoning. If you want more of a Chinese sausage dish, you can try adding soy sauce.
    • Speaking of Tex-Mex, add salsa to the mix, or picante sauce, or better yet, a green salsa.
    • Make it cheesy by adding either some shredded cheese, or a can of cheddar soup.
    • Try making it with other types of meat… Maybe ground sausage or ground beef, bits of steak, chicken, or shrimp.
    • Sprinkle green onions on top of each serving as you dish it out.
    forkful of smoked sausage and rice, with green peas, in blue and red decorative bowl on wooden countertop with gray linen

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    Can you double the recipe?

    Sure you can! You can double or even triple the recipe, as long as your Instant Pot is big enough to hold all the ingredients. This recipe makes enough to feed about 5 people. So if you have a crowd of 10 or more, feel free to increase as needed.

    What if you get a burn message or burn notice?

    Thankfully, this hasn’t happened when we’ve made this recipe, but different brands and types of pressure cookers may differ. A burn notice can also happen when cooking something more dense and starchy like rice, if it sticks to the bottom of the pot. So to avoid that ominous burn message, avoid stirring everything together when you add the chicken broth. Just make sure all the rice is submerged in the liquid, so it will cook properly. Then put the lid on, and pressure cook as instructed.

    How should you store leftovers?

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge; leftovers should keep for 3-5 days in the fridge. You can reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop in a skillet.

    Can you freeze sausage and rice?

    Yes, you can make smoked sausage with rice ahead of time and freeze it. Just be sure to store it in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn.

    blue bowl full of pressure cooker sausage and rice with green peas, on wooden countertop with red and white striped kitchen towel

    More Instant Pot Dinners You Can Make in a Jiffy

    If you love this Instant Pot sausage and rice as much as we do, you’re going to love these other Instant Pot recipes you can make too…

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Instant Pot Sausage and Rice

    Quick and easy Instant Pot sausage and rice. Hearty one dish recipe you can throw together in minutes. Flavorful weeknight meal everyone will enjoy!

    • 6-Qt. Instant Pot
    • Wooden Spoon
    • Cutting Board
    • Chef's Knife
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
    • 1 medium yellow onion (minced)
    • 1 pound sliced sausage link*
    • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
    • 1 cup long grain rice*
    • 1 cup frozen peas (thawed)
    1. Before you even heat up your Instant Pot, be sure to prep your ingredients and have them ready to go.

    2. Press “Sauté” on your Instant Pot.

    3. Once it's heated up, add the olive oil, garlic, and onion, sautéing 'til they become soft and slightly browned.

    4. Add in the sausage slices with the browned bits, and brown for a good 1 to 2 minutes.

    5. Then sprinkle in the seasonings, and add the rice and chicken broth, mixing everything together.
    6. Place the lid on your Instant Pot, set the valve to seal, and press “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” with a cook time of 5 minutes. Allow it to do a natural release.
    7. Once it’s released, go ahead and remove the lid, and stir in the thawed peas. Put the lid back on, and allow those peas to warm for about 5 minutes. No need to turn on the pot; just let everything sit in its own warmth.
    8. Then stir and fluff the rice, and serve it up!

    *I love to use smoked sausage, usually beef smoked sausage. You can also get great flavor by using kielbasa, andouille sausage, etc.

    *We prefer to use a long grain rice to make pressure cooker sausage and rice. Jasmine rice and basmati rice are more great examples of long grain rice. The reason I prefer long grain rice is because it really fluffs up after cooking, and it won’t be so moist; it’ll have a drier texture to it, so it doesn’t just clump up into heaps of cooked rice. You can also make this recipe with brown rice or cauliflower rice, but keep in mind that it will change the texture and taste of the finished dish.

    What If You Get a Burn Message?

    To avoid that ominous burn message, you may want to avoid stirring everything together when you add the chicken broth. Just make sure all the rice is submerged in the liquid, so it will cook properly.

    dinner
    American
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  • Easy Chicken Salad Recipe with Eggs

    Easy Chicken Salad Recipe with Eggs

    Let’s make the best chicken salad recipe with eggs you’ve ever had. This is a super simple and easy recipe made with shredded chicken, eggs, apples, and walnuts. It’s one of my family’s all time favorite meals!

    Every week as I plan our menu, our favorite chicken egg salad usually always makes the cut. It’s one of our favorite meals, and I love that we can make it with whatever type of chicken we have on hand, whether it’s fresh, canned, leftover Instant Pot whole chicken or rotisserie chicken. 

    open-faced chicken salad recipe with eggs sandwich with lettuce on white plate

    While we love making Asian chicken salad for appetizers, we’ve pretty much stuck with this easy open-faced chicken salad sandwich for weeknight dinners.

    Why You’ll Love This Easy Dinner

    • It’s got healthy, wholesome ingredients; and, like our favorite roast beef lettuce wraps, it’s fairly low carb (without the bread), so it’s a really healthy option for Dan, who usually eats it on a bed of lettuce or bed of spinach.
    • You’ll love the crisp, tarty flavor the apples bring to chicken salad sandwiches.
    • Like this list of colorful salads, chicken egg salad can serve as the main dish at lunch or dinner; it can also serve as an appetizer with crackers or a side dish at a party or potluck.
    • This is one southern meal that’s easy to make ahead of time or on the fly, especially when your chicken and eggs are already cooked.

    Ingredients and Substitutions Notes:

    You’ll need just a few simple ingredients to make egg chicken salad.

    • Cooked Chicken – You can cook fresh chicken, or you can make this chicken salad recipe using canned chicken or store bought rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. We’ve made this a canned chicken salad recipe many nights when we just didn’t remember to get chicken out of the freezer. Leftover chicken also works well.
    • Hardboiled eggs – Probably the easiest way to boil your eggs is to put them in a saucepan and cover them with water; bring the pan to a boil over medium to high heat on your stove, and once it’s reached a full rolling boil, set a timer and continue to boil for 6 to 8 minutes. Another way you can boil eggs is with an electric egg cooker; this is quite the handy tool for making easy hard-boiled eggs, and I love that it also poaches eggs. Finally, you can also boil eggs in the Instant Pot, which is super easy and simple to do, as well.
    • Celery – I prefer to finely mince this up really well and make it smaller. It adds a lot of crunch to chicken salad.
    • Apple – My grandma used to make her chicken salad with apples and pickles, and it was always so delicious.
    • Green onions – Again, it’s all about flavor. All of these ingredients really meld together to create an amazing flavor to the salad.
    • Mayo and Mustard – If you don’t have mayonnaise, you can use Miracle Whip; but we much prefer the flavor that real mayonnaise gives to chicken salad. Mustard just gives a little extra kick.
    • Chopped Walnuts – These are totally optional, and a lot of times, we’ll substitute chopped pecans instead.
    • Bread – Again, this is optional. The best bread for chicken salad, though, is definitely sourdough. Toasted sourdough makes a delicious chicken salad sandwich.

    Alternative Chicken Salad Ingredients and Variations

    We’ve tweaked this recipe over the years. Sometimes we add things, other times we don’t. Here are a few options for you to think about when mixing up the ingredients…

    • Mince up dill pickles or sweet pickles to add into the ingredients. We love adding in dill pickle. I imagine bread and butter pickles or sweet relish would taste really good too.
    • Swap out the green onions for red onion; it gives a spicy kick to this southern chicken salad.
    • Instead of mayo, you can use Miracle Whip or plain Greek yogurt.
    • Instead of regular mustard, using Dijon mustard or stone ground mustard.
    • In place of walnuts, you can use pecans or almonds.
    • Add chopped up grapes for a yummy chicken salad with grapes.

    However you choose to make this chicken egg salad recipe, it’s sure to be a hit with your family. We usually have zero leftovers with this quick and easy meal. 

    How to Make a Chicken Salad Recipe with Eggs

    Before you mix up your classic chicken salad, you’ll need to shred up whatever type of cooked chicken you’re using and smash the hard-boiled eggs. You can boil, bake, or grill the chicken, ’til it’s fully cooked; then after it’s cooled just a bit, use two forks to shred the chicken.

    Also, wash and chop the celery, green onions, and apple; and chop up the walnuts.

    ingredients for easy chicken salad recipe with eggs, including celery, green onions, apple, hard boiled eggs, and walnuts

    Now Mix up the Salad

    1. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the cooked chicken, hard-boiled eggs, celery, apple, walnuts, and green onions. 
    2. Next, measure out the mayo and mustard, and mix it into the chicken mixture. If you like a “wetter” chicken salad, you can add more mayo.
    3. If you feel like it needs it, you can add in a dash of salt and pepper. Otherwise, it’s ready to eat and enjoy! 
    chicken salad with canned chicken or fresh cooked chicken mixed up in a blue bowl with a wooden spoon

    Then Make It into an Open-Faced Chicken Salad Sandwich

    I like to do the following, but you can change this up to make it your own.

    1. Toast a piece of sourdough bread (or gluten-free bread).
    2. Spread on a little Miracle Whip.
    3. Add a small pile of lettuce, and pile on the chicken salad to make the most delicious open-faced chicken salad sandwich recipe ever. It’s so tasty and so good! 
    chicken egg salad with apples open-faced sandwich on white plate with hard boiled eggs on a small wooden cutting board

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    Should chicken egg salad be cold or warm?

    I’ll answer how to store it in the next question, but you can eat chicken salad while it’s still warm from just making it… Or you can eat it cold from the fridge. It’s delicious either way.

    How should I store chicken salad with eggs?

    It should definitely be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Chicken salad will usually keep for 2-3 days in the fridge.

    Why do you put eggs in chicken salad?

    We add hardboiled eggs to chicken salad because eggs give a little more oomph, a little more protein, a bit of a creamy texture, and a lot more flavor to chicken salad. They’re also very filling. If you are intolerant to eggs or allergic to eggs, you can make chicken salad without eggs. However, just know that it won’t quite be the same; it loses some of the texture and flavor that chopped up hardboiled eggs give to the salad.

    What Do You Serve with Chicken Salad?

    Chicken and egg salad goes great with so many things, but we usually like to eat it with lettuce and other raw vegetables like celery and carrots. We’ll also sometimes add fresh fruit, like grapes or fruit salad on the side, or a helping of potato chips or cheese puffs.

    Personally, I love to eat spoonfuls of chicken salad with tortilla chips; it’s so good!

    chicken salad recipe with eggs and apples on slice of sourdough with lettuce, on white plate

    More Egg and Chicken Salad Recipes:

    If you loved learning how to make this chicken salad, you’ll love these other salad recipes too…

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Chicken Salad Recipe with Eggs

    How to make the best chicken salad recipe with eggs. Simple and easy recipe with shredded chicken, apples, and walnuts. Family favorite meal!

    • Cutting Board
    • Chef's Knife
    • Electric Egg Cooker
    • Large Mixing Bowl
    • 2 cups chicken (cooked and shredded)
    • 4 large hardboiled eggs (mashed)
    • 2 stalks celery (minced)
    • 1 large apple (diced or chopped)
    • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)
    • 2 green onions
    • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
    • 1/4 teaspoon mustard

    1. In a large bowl, mix together the shredded chicken, hard-boiled eggs, celery, apple, walnuts, and green onions.

    2. Next, measure out the mayo and mustard, and mix it into the chicken mixture. If you like a "wetter" chicken salad, you can add more mayo.
    3. If you feel like it needs it, you can add in a dash of salt and pepper. Otherwise, it’s ready to eat and enjoy!

    To Make an Open-Faced Chicken Salad Sandwich:

    1. Toast a piece of sourdough bread or whatever type of bread you prefer.

    2. Spread a layer of mayo or Miracle Whip.

    3. Add a small pile of lettuce, and pile on the chicken salad to complete your chicken salad sandwich.

    *You can cook fresh chicken, or you can make this chicken salad with canned chicken or store bought rotisserie chicken. You can boil, bake, or grill the chicken, ’til it’s fully cooked; then after it’s cooled just a bit, use two forks to shred the chicken.

    How should I store chicken salad with eggs?

    It should definitely be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Chicken salad will usually keep for 2-3 days in the fridge.

    Burgers & Sandwiches, Salad Recipes
    American
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  • Walking Camping Tacos in a Bag

    Walking Camping Tacos in a Bag

    Learn how to make the best camping tacos for a simple and easy campfire dinner. You can make walking tacos right in a bag with taco meat and all your favorite toppings. The whole family, all ages, will absolutely love it!

    Let me count the ways I love tacos. This walking tacos camping recipe is even better because they’re so easy to make after a long day in the great outdoors.

    camping tacos with Doritos, taco meat, avocado, pico de gallo, and toppings on wood cutting board

    If you’ve never had a walking taco, or some might call it taco in a bag, you are in for a treat. This recipe rates up there with our favorite loaded campfire nachos! It’s a great addition to my list of favorite easy camping recipes, as well.

    What Is a Walking Taco vs. a Regular Taco?

    It’s called by so many names… Walking tacos, walking nachos, taco in a bag or tacos in a bag, and walking taco salad to name a few.

    Basically, instead of a taco shell, you add the meat, sour cream, and taco toppings to a small bag of chips. Then stir it all up and you have the makings of a really delicious taco.

    walking tacos camping recipe in a bag using individual size Doritos chip bag, ground beef, and taco toppings

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    • The only thing you really have to cook for this recipe is the taco meat. Easy peasy in a cast iron skillet over the campfire or in a regular skillet on your camp stove.
    • All you need are personal sized bags of Doritos or corn chips, taco meat, and your favorite taco toppings.
    • Camping walking tacos are a great meal for any age; the whole family will love them.
    • They’re budget-friendly and don’t cost a lot to make.
    • If you don’t have chips, you can easily make this recipe into a taco salad without the chips.
    • This walking tacos recipe is versatile, and you can add any toppings you like.
    • Tacos made in a bag are a lot less messy than traditional tacos. You can eat them with a fork.
    walking tacos camping ingredients on white countertop and wood cutting board

    Ingredients and Substitutions Notes:

    There are 3-4 ingredients you absolutely need to make the meat mixture, but the toppings are totally up to you and whatever you like on tacos.

    Taco Meat:

    • Yellow Onion – I like to mince up a little onion and add to our taco meat to give it more delicious flavor.
    • Ground Beef – We tend to go with a lean ground beef, usually 80/20 or 90/10.
    • Taco Seasoning – Our favorite taco seasoning is Badia taco seasoning.
    • Salsa – Now, here’s where you can decide if you want a little more kick to your taco meat. You can use mild or medium salsa; or you can use basil salsa. If you’re looking to change things up, try using a fruit salsa, like this mango peach salsa recipe.
    • Chips – I recommend using Fritos or Doritos, any flavor you want. I really love Nacho Cheese Doritos for camp tacos.

    Toppings:

    • Lettuce
    • Fresh Diced Tomatoes
    • Black Beans
    • Cheddar Cheese
    • Monterey Jack Cheese
    • Sour Cream
    • Salsa or Pico de Gallo
    • Queso
    • Hot Sauce
    • Sliced Jalapeños
    • Sliced Black Olives
    • Green onions or Red Onion
    • Avocados

    The list could really go on and on.

    How to Make Camping Tacos

    Before you can make anything, you’ll need to do a little prep work first.

    Making sure you have a campfire going is imperative for cooking the meat. You can also cook on a camp stove or grill. I know a lot of the time when we’re out camping, we can’t have a campfire. So if a stove is all you’ve got, you can definitely still make this recipe.

    Next you’ll need to prep all your veggies and toppings and actually cook the meat. You can cook the taco meat at the campsite, or you can cook it before you leave home and pack it in a plastic baggie in the cooler.

    How to Make Taco Meat

    Your fire should be down to coals at this point, with a little bit of flame here and there. We prefer to use our tripod grill right above the coals. You’ll want to watch it closely, though. You may need to adjust the height of the grill over the fire, so the pan doesn’t get so hot that it burns the meat.

    1. In a large cast iron skillet, sauté the chopped onion.
    2. Then add the ground beef and mix it up with the onion, stirring occasionally while cooking.
    3. Meanwhile, while waiting on the meat to cook, chop up the lettuce, tomatoes, and avocados. I recommend shredding cheese at home or buying already shredded cheese.
    4. When the meat is cooked through, go ahead and responsibly drain it. Then add the taco seasoning and salsa and stir into the meat. Allow the mixture to simmer for another 5-10 minutes.
    cooking taco meat in cast iron skillet over campfire and prepping campfire tacos toppings on cutting board

    How to Assemble Walking Tacos

    Layering your Doritos walking taco is the BEST part about this whole recipe, besides eating it.

    You’ll need individual size chip bags. You can crush chips in the bag or just leave them as is and they’ll kinda crush up on their own when you stir everything in.

    1. Open the bag, crushing chips up a little bit if you want.
    2. Then add in a nice sized helping of the ground beef mixture.
    3. Add in a dollop of sour cream and your favorite toppings. We usually add lettuce, tomatoes, and avocados.
    4. Then sprinkle in the shredded cheese.
    how to make camping walking tacos by layering ingredients in Doritos chip bag
    1. Give it all a good stir with a fork, mixing it all up really well.
    walking camping tacos in a small Nacho Cheese Doritos chip bag

    And then it’s ready to eat. Wasn’t that easy? And so, so, so, so good! Just writing up this recipe makes me hungry for more.

    You wanna know the best part about this easy dinner idea? No dishes! Besides the skillet and cutting board. Win win!

    eating taco in a bag with a fork

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    How should I store leftovers?

    Obviously, unopened bags of chips can just stay like they are. As for the meat mixture and toppings, we usually just combine things like meat, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, etc., and store it in either an airtight container or a plastic storage bag, then put it in the cooler where it will stay cold. It makes a great snack or lunch the next day, though more like a taco salad.

    camping walking tacos and ingredients on wood cutting board

    MORE TACO RECIPES AND TEX-MEX FAVORITES:

    If you need to stock your camp kitchen, we’ve put together a list of camping cooking equipment you may find helpful.

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Walking Camping Tacos

    How to make the best camping tacos for a simple and easy campfire dinner. Walking tacos in a bag with taco meat and your favorite toppings.

    • Cast Iron Skillet
    • Cutting Board
    • Chef's Knife
    • Tripod Grill
    • Camp Stove
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1/2 medium yellow onion (minced)
    • 1 pound ground beef
    • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
    • 1/2 cup salsa
    • 5 small bags Doritos (or Fritos)

    Toppings:

    • 1 cup lettuce (chopped or shredded)
    • 1 cup tomatoes (diced)
    • 1 cup black beans (drained)
    • 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
    • 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese (shredded)
    • 3/4 cup sour cream
    • 1 cup salsa (or Pico de Gallo)
    • 2 avocados (peeled and chopped)
    • 1/2 cup jalapeños (sliced)
    • 1/2 cup black olives (sliced)
    • 1/2 cup green onions (chopped)

    1. Choose whether you'll cook on a camp stove, grill, or over the campfire. We like to cook over the fire when possible.

    2. Your fire should be down to coals at this point, with a little bit of flame here and there. We prefer to use our tripod grill right above the coals. You may need to adjust the height of the grill over the fire, so the pan doesn’t get so hot that it burns the meat.

    3. In a large cast iron skillet, sauté the chopped onion in a little bit of olive oil.

    4. Then add the ground beef and mix it up with the onion, stirring the mixture occasionally while cooking.

    5. Meanwhile, while waiting on the meat to cook, chop up the lettuce, tomatoes, avocados, and other toppings that need chopping.

    6. When the meat is cooked through, go ahead and responsibly drain it.

    7. Add the taco seasoning and salsa into the meat, and allow the mixture to simmer for another 5-10 minutes.

    8. Then remove the taco meat from the skillet and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes while you finish putting together all the toppings.

    How to Assemble Walking Tacos:

    1. Open the bags of chips, crushing chips up a little bit if you want.
    2. Add in a nice sized helping of the ground beef mixture.

    3. Then add in a dollop of sour cream and all your favorite toppings, including shredded cheese. We add lettuce, tomatoes, and avocados.

    4. Give it all a good stir with a fork, mixing it all up really well. And then it's ready to eat!

    When it comes to leftovers, obviously, unopened bags of chips can just stay like they are. As for the meat mixture and toppings, we usually just combine things like meat, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, etc., and store it in either an airtight container or a plastic storage bag, then put it in the cooler where it will stay cold. It makes a great snack or lunch the next day, though more like a taco salad.

    Camping Recipes, dinner
    American, Tex-Mex
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  • Quick and Easy Grilled Taco Tuna Melt

    Quick and Easy Grilled Taco Tuna Melt

    Easy taco tuna melt recipe, made with a secret ingredient, melted cheese, avocado, and English muffins. Make it on the grill or over the campfire. Thanks to Bays® English Muffins for sponsoring this post. Views expressed here are genuinely mine.

    While we’ll cook just about anything while we’re camping, simple and easy dinner ideas, like this tuna melt sandwich, go a long way. Easy is everything when you’ve been out exploring all day long.

    grilled taco tuna melt with avocado on English muffin with tomatoes, on wooden cutting board

    This tuna melt is one of my favorite camping recipes because not only is it Tex Mex, but it requires minimal prep work and minimal ingredients.

    In fact, while I like to use a medium bowl to mix up the ingredients, you can mix it right in the same skillet used to grill the sandwiches.

    We even use a secret ingredient that gives it a pop of flavor. Keep reading to find out what it is.

    We prefer to make it an English muffin tuna melt, as well, using Bays English Muffins. They give the sandwich a slightly crispy texture with an explosion of flavor from both the muffins and the tuna mixture.

    My mouth is watering right now just thinking about fish and chips, pairing it up with our favorite seasoned steak fries.

    grilled taco tuna melt sandwich, made with English muffins, on wooden cutting board

    WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?

    If you’d rather skip all of my grilling tips, important info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the tuna melt recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

    If you’re as into Tex-Mex recipes as I am, you’ll love these recipes too:

    WHAT IS A TUNA MELT?

    If you’ve never had a tuna melt, it’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like.

    It’s tuna on some sort of bread with cheese melted over it. Usually, the tuna is mixed with mayo or other ingredients to give it a really delicious flavor.

    In this case, we mix the tuna with certain ingredients to make it a Tex Mex tuna melt.

    WHAT’S THE BEST BREAD FOR TUNA MELT?

    As I mentioned above, we prefer to use Bays English Muffins. I love the thin, crispy outside and soft inside of these particular English muffins.

    easy tuna melt made with Bays English muffins on wooden cutting board

    While they’re perfect for breakfast, they make a wonderful alternative for lunch and dinner too, as well as snacks. My kids like to eat them with peanut butter.

    Also, they’re pre-sliced and easy to use when you’re cooking in the great outdoors.

    You can find Bays in the dairy case at your local grocery store. They are chilled for freshness, so we stow a pack or two in the cooler for camping.

    Bays English Muffins on the shelf at the grocery store

    HOW TO MAKE A TUNA MELT, TEX MEX STYLE

    Making this easy tuna melt, even over the campfire, is a breeze.

    First you need to wash and prep the peppers and green onions, the only chopping you’ll really need to do for this recipe (unless you want additional toppings).

    chopping green onions and red bell peppers on wooden cutting board for grilled tuna melt recipe

    Create the tuna mixture…

    1. Combine tuna fish, picante tomato juice (our secret ingredient), red peppers, and green onions.
    2. Place the mixture in a cast iron skillet, and heat it thoroughly on the grill or over the campfire. Cook it ’til it’s bubbly and sizzling.
    making tuna fish mixture for tuna melt over the campfire in cast iron skillet

    Now you’re ready to assemble your sandwiches…

    1. Start by splitting your pre-cut English muffins.
    2. Top the bottom half with a good sized helping of the tuna mixture.
    3. Sprinkle with shredded cheese. We love using Monterey Jack or extra sharp cheddar on our tuna melts.
    4. Grill both the tops and bottoms of the sandwiches on a griddle until the cheese is melted. Be careful not to let the muffins burn.
    how to make tuna melt with Tex Mex tuna mixture, shredded cheese, and English muffins

    CAMPFIRE COOKING TIPS

    Your fire should be down to coals, with a little bit of flame here and there.

    We use a tripod grill. You’ll want to watch it closely, though, as you may need to adjust the height of the grill over the fire, so the pan doesn’t get so hot that it burns the sandwiches.

    Once you have the height you think you need, place the griddle on the grill, and you can either use a heated lid (with a skillet or Dutch oven), or use aluminum foil as sort of a tent wrapped around the griddle to trap the heat.

    Trapping the heat will allow the tops of the tuna melts to cook, also allowing the cheese to melt.

    Want to see an example of our aluminum foil tent? Check out our campfire chicken nachos recipe.

    We’ve also put together a list of campfire cooking gear you may need for your next adventure. Be sure to check it out for all the essentials!

    WHEN IT’S TIME TO ADD YOUR FAVORITE TOPPINGS

    Once your tuna melt has cooked, you can load it up with your favorite taco toppings.

    We like to add diced tomatoes and avocados. Other alternatives might include tomato basil salsa, sour cream, lettuce, etc.

    English muffin tuna melt sandwich with avocado and tomatoes on wooden cutting board

    Be sure to Like/Follow Bays Facebook page for more delicious recipe ideas.

    HOW ‘BOUT DESSERT AFTER DINNER? MORE CAMPING RECIPES YOU MAY ENJOY…

    GET THE PRINTABLE RECIPE

    If you love this grilled tuna melt recipe as much as we do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest!

    Quick and Easy Grilled Taco Tuna Melt Recipe

    CONNECT WITH ADVENTURES OF MEL!

    Be sure to follow me on social, so you never miss a post!

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    Sign up to receive my newsletter, filled with delicious recipes and outdoor travel adventures, in your inbox:

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    Quick and Easy Grilled Taco Tuna Melt

    Easy taco tuna melt recipe, made with a secret ingredient, melted cheese, avocado, and English muffins. Make it on the grill or over the campfire.

    • 4 small red bell peppers (chopped or minced)
    • 3 green onions (chopped)
    • 20 ounces solid white albacore tuna
    • 3/4 cup picante tomato cocktail
    • 8 English muffins
    • 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese* (shredded)
    • 3 Roma tomatoes
    • 2 avocados
    1. Wash and chop the peppers and green onions.
    2. Combine the tuna fish, peppers, green onions, and tomato juice.
    3. Place the tuna mixture in a cast iron skillet over the fire, stirring as needed, until the mixture starts to bubble and sizzle and is heated through.
    4. To assemble the tuna melt, split the English muffins in half.
    5. Top the bottom half with a good sized helping of the tuna mixture.
    6. Sprinkle with shredded cheese. We love using Monterey Jack or extra sharp cheddar on our tuna melts.
    7. Grill both the tops and bottoms of the sandwiches on a griddle until the cheese is melted. Be careful not to let the muffins burn.**
    8. Add your favorite taco toppings, like tomatoes and avocado, and serve while warm.

    *You can use Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese. We also love using extra sharp cheddar.

    **If cooking over a campfire, your fire should be down to coals, with a little bit of flame here and there. We use a tripod grill. You may need to adjust the height of the grill over the fire, so the pan doesn’t get so hot that it burns the sandwiches. Trapping the heat with either a lid or aluminum foil will allow the tops of the tuna melts to cook, also allowing the cheese to melt.

    Burgers & Sandwiches
    American
    English muffin tuna melt, grilled tuna melt recipe, tuna melt, tuna melt recipe, tuna melt sandwich
  • Quick and Easy Campfire Hawaiian Pizza

    Quick and Easy Campfire Hawaiian Pizza

    How to make campfire Hawaiian pizza. Just 5 ingredients and a cast iron skillet are all you need for this simple and easy ham and pineapple pizza recipe.

    hand holding slice of Hawaiian pizza cooked over a campfire

    If you’ve never had the smoky flavors of Hawaiian pizza cooked over a campfire, then have I ever got the most delicious pizza recipe for you.

    Now… I have a confession. I’m not a fan of pineapple on my pizza.

    However, my family loves it. And if I have to eat pineapple pizza, I’d much rather have it cooked over the campfire in a cast iron skillet.

    Plus, I do love ham on my pizza. And cheese… I love a really cheesy pizza, and that’s exactly what this is.

    Love a good campfire pizza? You’ll LOVE this hamburger pizza on a campfire.

    sliced ham and pineapple pizza on a wooden cutting board

    Important Note: This recipe makes enough for 2 10-inch pizzas.

    WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?

    If you’d rather skip all of my tips for making cast iron pizza, important info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the pizza recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

    BEFORE YOU GET STARTED COOKING…

    Your fire should be down to coals, with a little bit of flame here and there.

    We use a tripod grill. You’ll want to watch it closely, though, as you may need to adjust the height of the grill over the fire, so the pan or griddle you’re using doesn’t get so hot that it cooks everything too quickly.

    LET’S TALK DOUGH

    As this is meant to be a camping recipe, you can either take a pre-made pizza crust with you, or you can make our easy homemade pizza dough right in a Ziploc bag.

    Either way, don’t let the pizza dough trip you up and keep you from making pizza for dinner while you’re sitting around the campfire.

    WHAT IS ON A HAWAIIAN PIZZA?

    Hawaiian pizza toppings include the sauce, ham or Canadian bacon, pineapple, and mozzarella cheese.

    You can also add other favorite ingredients like bacon, mushrooms, peppers, etc. It’s your pizza, your choice of toppings.

    TIPS FOR HOW TO MAKE HAWAIIAN PIZZA

    Once your pizza crust is ready to go, you’ll just layer the pizza toppings right onto the partially cooked crust in a cast iron skillet.

    1. Begin with a layer of pizza sauce.
    2. Add a layer of sliced or shredded ham.
    3. Next add a layer of pineapple (you can use fresh pineapple or canned pineapple chunks; I used pineapple tidbits because they’re slightly smaller, the perfect size for pizza).
    4. Finally, finish it off with a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese.
    steps for making Hawaiian cast iron pizza in a cast iron skillet, including layering pizza sauce, ham, pineapple, and mozzarella cheese onto the pizza crust

    HOW TO COOK HAWAIIAN PIZZA ON A CAMPFIRE

    Now comes the part where you finish cooking your pizza. Don’t worry, cooking pizza on a campfire is really easy to do.

    All you need are a cast iron skillet (or two) and a cast iron lid to go with it.

    Once your pizza is in place on the grill, I’d recommend heating the lid over the coals and then placing it on top of the cast iron pan. This creates an oven like effect, which in turn, will bake your pizza.

    Again, be sure that your rack is not too close to the fire because if not careful, you can burn the bottom of your pizza crust.

    cooking ham and pineapple pizza on a campfire in a cast iron skillet with the lid

    Cook the pizza for about 8-10 minutes or so, until the crust begins to turn slightly golden on the edges and the cheese completely melts.

    Once the pizza is fully cooked, you can remove it from the fire, slice it up, and serve it.

    sliced campfire pizza with pineapple and ham on a wooden cutting board

    HOW ‘BOUT DESSERT AFTER DINNER? SWEET CAMPING RECIPES YOU MAY ENJOY…

    SHOP KITCHEN TOOLS AND CAMPING GEAR FOR THIS RECIPE:

    10.25-Inch Cast Iron Skillet x’s 2 – You can also find 14-inch cast iron pizza pans.

    Lid for Cast Iron Skillet and Lid Lifter

    Tripod Grill – While we rigged up our own tripod grill, you can also buy them. They come with slightly smaller grates, but still usable over the fire.

    Cutting Board and Outdoor Knife Set

    Pizza Cutter Wheel

    We’ve put together a list of camping cooking gear you may need for your next adventure. Be sure to check it out for all the essentials!

    GET THE PRINTABLE RECIPE

    If you love this Hawaiian pizza recipe as much as we do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest!

    quick and easy campfire Hawaiian pizza recipe

    CONNECT WITH ADVENTURES OF MEL!

    Be sure to follow me on social, so you never miss a post!

    Facebook | Pinterest | YouTube | Instagram | Twitter

    Sign up to receive my newsletter, filled with delicious recipes and outdoor travel adventures, in your inbox:

    FREE EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION

    Quick and Easy Campfire Hawaiian Pizza

    How to make campfire Hawaiian pizza. Just 5 ingredients and a cast iron skillet are all you need for this simple and easy ham and pineapple pizza recipe.

    • 2 10- inch pizza crusts (partially cooked)
    • 1/2 cup pizza sauce
    • 8 slices deli ham (sliced or shredded)
    • 1/2 cup pineapple tidbits
    • 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)
    1. Prep the pizza crust by partially cooking it, per individual recipe instructions.
    2. Begin layering each pizza crust with a layer of pizza sauce.
    3. Add a layer of sliced or shredded ham.
    4. Next add a layer of pineapple.*
    5. Finally, finish it off with a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese.
    6. Once your pizza is in place on the tripod grill, I’d recommend heating the cast iron lid over the coals and then placing it on top of the cast iron pan. This creates an oven like effect, which in turn, will bake your pizza (see notes about rack placement over the fire**).
    7. Cook the pizza for about 8-10 minutes or so, until the crust begins to turn slightly golden on the edges and the cheese completely melts.
    8. When it’s fully cooked, remove the pizza from the fire, slice it up, and serve.

    *You can use fresh or canned pineapple chunks; I used pineapple tidbits because they’re slightly smaller, the perfect size for pizza.

    **Be sure that your tripod rack is not too close to the fire because if not careful, you can burn the bottom of your pizza crust when you go to cook the pizza. Your campfire should have a little flame but be mostly burning coals. 

    Camping Recipes
    American
    campfire pizza, cast iron pizza, ham and pineapple pizza, hawaiian pizza, hawaiian pizza recipe, how to make hawaiian pizza, pizza on a campfire
  • Ultimate Campfire Bacon Cheeseburger

    Ultimate Campfire Bacon Cheeseburger

    How to make the ultimate homemade bacon cheeseburger while you’re camping. Skillet or grilled, cooking tips and toppings ideas, all in one easy recipe.

    bacon cheeseburger with lettuce, onions, and tomatoes on wooden cutting board on picnic table

    I’m not gonna lie… I love a good cheeseburger, especially when it involves one of my favorite things ever, bacon.

    I mean, bacon, ground beef, and cheese… How can you go wrong? It’s such a delicious combination, especially when it has that smoky campfire flavor. Bonus points if you pair it with my favorite campfire chili cheese fries!

    Making a bacon burger over the fire is one of the simplest camping recipes you can make. It doesn’t involve a lot of prep or work, besides getting the fire going, which if you’re camping and allowed to have a fire, it’s a no brainer.

    Now if you’re not allowed to have a campfire, no problem. You can still make this recipe on a cook stove or even, if allowed, on a grill.

    Love a good grilling recipe? You’ll love our Chicago hot dog recipe and taco tuna melt.

    hands holding bacon burger over wooden cutting board on picnic table

    WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?

    If you’d rather skip all of my campfire cooking/grilling tips, important info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the bacon cheeseburger recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

    WHAT’S ON A BACON CHEESEBURGER?

    So before we get started cooking, let’s take a look at what we put on our bacon cheeseburger for toppings. That way you have everything you need before you ever start making.

    Below are a few ideas for toppings that we like to use, as well as a few extras you may want to add too.

    • Bacon – Because of course.
    • Cheese – We sometimes use American, and sometimes extra sharp cheddar or pepper Jack. I especially love a good extra sharp cheddar cheese.
    • Lettuce
    • Sliced tomatoes
    • Sliced onions – Red onion really gives a pop of flavor and spice.
    ultimate bacon cheeseburger on wood cutting board with toppings, including lettuce, red onion, and tomato slices

    BEFORE YOU GET STARTED COOKING…

    Your fire should be down to coals, with a little bit of flame here and there.

    We use a tripod grill. You’ll want to watch it closely, though, as you may need to adjust the height of the grill over the fire, so the pan or griddle you’re using doesn’t get so hot that it cooks everything too quickly.

    cooking burgers and bacon on griddle and tripod grill over campfire

    HOW TO MAKE A GOOD BACON CHEESEBURGER

    While there are a few steps to making a good bacon burger, they’re super easy steps, and your burgers will be ready to eat in no time.

    1. First add the ground beef and seasonings to a mixing bowl (or plastic baggie).
    2. Add the water, as well, (this makes for a more juicy burger) and mix everything together with your hands.
    3. Then shape the ground beef mixture into patties and place on a griddle or skillet, with the already heated bacon grease, over the campfire. Cook bacon and burgers until the meat is fully cooked.
    4. Then top with cheese and continue cooking each burger patty until the cheese is melted or begins to melt.
    steps for making bacon cheeseburger recipe, including mixing ground beef with seasonings and cooking burger patties with bacon on griddle over campfire

    Also, I highly recommend toasting the burger buns in a little bacon grease, until they turn a nice golden brown. Not too toasty but just enough to add a li’l flavor and crispness to the edges of the buns.

    Once the burgers, bacon, and buns are done, you can remove them from the heat and begin assembling your burgers.

    sliced tomatoes and red onions on cutting board for cheeseburger recipe

    Just add the burger patties to the toasty buns, along with your favorite condiments and toppings.

    I usually go for mayo, ketchup, and mustard, all three. Then add my burger patty, bacon, lettuce, onions, and tomatoes.

    open faced bacon burger with lettuce, red onion, and tomato slices on wood cutting board

    WHAT TO SERVE WITH THE ULTIMATE BACON CHEESEBURGER

    Your bacon burger definitely needs some sides to go with it. Ideas may include…

    loaded bacon cheeseburger with toasted buns on wood cutting board

    SHOP KITCHEN TOOLS AND CAMPING GEAR FOR THIS RECIPE:

    Small Mixing Bowl or Plastic Bag

    Large Cast Iron Skillet – You can also find a 14-inch cast iron pizza pan, which is similar to our large homemade griddle and would work well for cooking burgers and bacon.

    Grilling Flipper

    Tripod Grill – While we rigged up our own tripod grill, you can also buy them. They come with slightly smaller grates, but still usable over the fire.

    Portable Charcoal Grill

    Cutting Board and Outdoor Knife Set

    Welding Gloves – These work so much better for cooking over a campfire than regular grilling gloves/mitts.

    We’ve put together a list of camping cooking gear you may need for your next adventure. Be sure to check it out for all the essentials!

    GET THE PRINTABLE RECIPE

    If you love this recipe as much as we do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest!

    ultimate bacon cheeseburger recipe

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    Ultimate Campfire Bacon Cheeseburger

    How to make the ultimate homemade bacon cheeseburger while you’re camping. Skillet or grilled, cooking tips and toppings ideas, all in one easy recipe.

    • 1 pound bacon
    • 2 pounds ground beef
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 2 tablespoons water
    • 1 tablespoon bacon grease
    • 6 slices American cheese*
    • 12 lettuce leaves
    • 1 medium red onion
    • 2 to matoes
    • 6 hamburger buns
    • 6 tablespoons ketchup
    • 6 tablespoons mayo
    • 6 teaspoons yellow mustard
    1. First add the ground beef and seasonings to a mixing bowl (or plastic baggie).
    2. Add the water**, as well, and mix everything together with your hands.
    3. Heat the bacon grease on a griddle or skillet over the campfire.***
    4. Then shape the ground beef mixture into patties and place on the griddle.
    5. Cook the bacon and burgers until all of the meat is fully cooked.
    6. Then top the burger patties with cheese and continue cooking until the cheese is melted.
    7. Toast the burger buns in the leftover bacon grease until they turn a nice golden brown.
    8. Add the burger patties to the toasted buns, along with your favorite condiments and toppings. I usually go for a little mayo or Miracle Whip, ketchup, and mustard. Then add my burger patty, bacon, lettuce, onions, and tomatoes.
    9. And that’s it, you’re ready to chow down on your burgers.

    *You can also use cheddar, Monterey Jack, pepper Jack, or whatever type of cheese you love.

    **Water helps to make the burgers more juicy.

    ***Before you start to cook your burgers, your fire should be down to coals, with a little bit of flame. We use a tripod grill. You’ll want to watch it closely, though, as you may need to adjust the height of the grill over the fire, so the pan or griddle you’re using doesn’t get so hot that it cooks everything too quickly.

    Camping Recipes
    American
    bacon burger, bacon cheeseburger, bacon cheeseburger recipe, ultimate bacon cheeseburger
  • Classic Grilled Chicago Hot Dog

    Classic Grilled Chicago Hot Dog

    How to cook a delicious Chicago hot dog, char dog style. Grilled beef hot dogs recipe with all the best toppings and poppy seed buns. Perfect for a crowd!

    Grilled Chicago hot dog with dill pickle, tomato slices, mustard, pickle relish, white onion, and celery salt on baking sheet

    If you’ve never had a Chicago style hot dog, trust me when I say, you need this recipe in your life. Chicago-style is pretty much my go-to hot dog recipe now. In fact, I even top off my Crock Pot hot dogs the same way!

    The Chicago dog is perfect for grilling season, especially if you’re entertaining a crowd. Set up a buffet with all your favorite toppings, and you’re set for a mouthwateringly good time. These loaded chili cheese fries make the best appetizer!

    We’d never actually eaten a char dog until I researched it and came up with this Chicago dog recipe. In fact, the toppings seemed a bit much at first.

    But once you take your first bite, you’ll understand. It all comes together in a burst of flavor that packs a punch for the taste buds.

    Need a side to go with your hot dogs? Grilled corn on the cob and Mexican corn pair really well with char dogs, as do crispy steak cut fries, CrockPot baked beans and garlic parm chicken skewers.

    And never underestimate the power of a good burger. This campfire bacon cheeseburger is one in a million and pairs really well with grilled hot dogs! If you really want to get fancy, you could make roast beef Philly cheesesteaks to go with them!

    layered Chicago dog in poppy seed buns on baking sheet

    WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?

    If you’d rather skip all of my grilling tips, important info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the actual recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

    WHAT IS A CHICAGO HOT DOG?

    I learned a lot about what’s on a Chicago hot dog while researching for this recipe…

    • Real Chicago hot dogs are boiled or steamed; but when they are occasionally grilled, they’re called a char dog. They also go by the name Chicago Red Hot.
    • Chicago dogs are made with beef hot dogs.
    • They come in a poppy seed bun… I’m going to teach you how to easily and simply make your own (don’t worry, no kneading or baking necessary).
    • It would be considered a travesty to add ketchup to a Chicago dog. In fact, most Chicago hot dog vendors don’t even carry ketchup.
    • This hot dog is filled to the gills with delicious, crunchy toppings.

    The only ingredient I maybe could’ve done without would’ve been the Dill pickle spears. Or maybe just trim my pickle spears to be a little less thick.

    However, I kinda fell in love with hot dogs made the Chicago way. And it was such a beautiful evening on the back deck, I couldn’t help but enjoy every second with my guys.

    boy eating a Chicago style hot dog

    TIPS FOR HOW TO EASILY MAKE POPPY SEED BUNS

    To make your own poppy seed buns, you just need a pack of brat buns or hoagie rolls.

    • Brush the tops and ends of the buns with butter.
    • Sprinkle on poppy seeds.
    • Place the buns on the grill or over the campfire until they start to get just slightly toasty. Then remove them from the heat and set aside.

    And that’s pretty much it. Easy peasy poppy seed buns that make yummy hot dog buns.

    TIPS FOR HOW TO MAKE A CHICAGO STYLE HOT DOG

    Assembling your hot dog is really simple and easy. Of course, you’ll want to grill the hot dogs first and make sure they’re cooked all the way through.

    hot dogs on the grill to make char dog recipe

    Also, before you get started, prep the onion and tomatoes so they’re ready to go. Chop the onion; wash and slice the tomatoes.

    NOW YOU CAN BUILD YOUR DOGS…

    1. Open up the buns. Place a dill pickle spear on one side and 2 to 3 tomato wedges on the other side. Then place the hot dog in the middle between the tomato slices and the pickle spear.
    2. Add a spoonful of pickle relish along the top of the hot dog on one side, and give a squirt of yellow mustard along the top of the hot dog on the other side.
    steps for making Chicago hot dog recipe, including layers of pickle spear, tomato wedges, yellow mustard, and pickle relish

    And for the finishing touch… Add pieces of pepperoncini (or sport peppers) and a small handful of chopped onion on top, and sprinkle with a dash of celery salt.

    Chicago dog with toppings on baking sheet

    And that, my friends, is all there is to creating a very yummy, delicious Chicago hot dog.

    My guys pretty much chowed down on all of this deliciousness and washed it all down with a nice big mason jar full of iced tea.

    Chicago style hot dog with toppings in hands

    MORE GRILLING RECIPES YOU MAY ENJOY:

    SHOP KITCHEN TOOLS FOR THIS RECIPE:

    Chef Knife and Cutting Board

    Pastry Brush

    Charcoal Grill or Gas Grill

    GET THE PRINTABLE CHICAGO HOT DOG RECIPE

    If you love this recipe as much as we do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest!

    Classic grilled Chicago hot dog recipe

    CONNECT WITH ADVENTURES OF MEL!

    Be sure to follow me on social, so you never miss a post!

    Facebook | Pinterest | YouTube | Instagram | Twitter

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    Classic Grilled Chicago Hot Dog

    How to cook a delicious Chicago hot dog, char dog style. Grilled beef hot dogs recipe with all the best toppings and poppy seed buns. Perfect for a crowd!

    • 8 hoagie rolls*
    • 4 tablespoons salted butter (melted)
    • 1/4 cup poppy seeds
    • 8 beef hot dogs
    • 8 dill pickle spears
    • 3 to matoes (sliced)
    • 8 tablespoons sweet and spicy pickle relish
    • 8 teaspoons yellow mustard
    • 1/2 cup pepperoncini
    • 1 large white onion (chopped or minced)
    • 1 teaspoon celery salt
    1. Chop the onion; wash and slice the tomatoes. Set aside.
    2. To make your own poppy seed buns, brush the tops and ends of the hoagie rolls with melted butter. Sprinkle poppy seeds on. Place on the grill or over the campfire until they start to get just slightly toasty, maybe 5 minutes. Then remove from the heat and set aside.
    3. Grill the hot dogs until they're cooked through.
    4. Open up the buns. Place 2 to 3 tomato half slices on one side and a dill pickle spear on the other side.
    5. Place the hot dog in the middle between the tomato slices and the pickle spear.
    6. Add a spoonful of pickle relish along the top of the hot dog on one side.
    7. Then squirt yellow mustard along the top of the hot dog on the other side.
    8. Add pieces of pepperoncini and a small handful of chopped onion on top.
    9. Sprinkle with a dash of celery salt.
    10. Serve and enjoy!

    *You can use hoagie rolls or brat buns.

    Meat & Seafood
    American
    char dog, Chicago dog, Chicago dog recipe, Chicago hot dog, Chicago hot dog recipe, Chicago Red Hot, Chicago style hot dog