If you’re planning a family cookout for the holiday weekend, we’ve curated a few crowd-pleasing favorites. Happy Fourth, Little Rock families! 

Mains

Sliders 

Tiny hands call for mini portions with big taste. Pro tip: make a topping bar so everyone can customize their meal. 

Via FoodNetwork.com 

Ingredients: 

  • 2 pounds ground beef

  • 4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

  • 6 dashes Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • Freshly ground black pepper

  • 8 whole dinner (or slider) rolls, split

Makes 16 sliders 

For the full recipe, click here.

Steak with Chimichurri  

Break the burger mold with this savory spin on steak. 

Via LittleRockFamily.com 

Ingredients:

Meat: 

1-2 ribeyes (no set amount, just whatever/how much you want to eat)

Sauce:

  • 1 bunch Italian parsley 

  • 1/2 to 1 bunch cilantro 

  • 4-6 cloves garlic

  • 2-3 tablespoon fresh oregano (2-3 teaspoon if dried)

  • Juice of 1/2 lemon (can use more or less if desired)

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • 1 cup good quality olive oil 

  • *optional: red pepper flakes

For the full recipe, click here.

Black Bean Burgers

Not a meat-eater? No problem. These black bean burgers are full of flavor and fun. 

Via Skinnytaste.com

Ingredients: 

For the Spicy Chipotle Mayo:

  • 3 1/2 tbsp light mayonnaise, Hellman's

  • 1 tbsp canned chipotle in adobo sauce

For the Black Bean Burgers:

  • 16 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained

  • 1/2 red bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces

  • 1/2 cup chopped scallions

  • 3 tbsp chopped cilantro

  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled

  • 1 jumbo egg

  • 1 tbsp cumin

  • 1/4 to 1/2 tsp kosher salt

  • 1 tsp hot sauce

  • 1/2 cup quick oats, use gf oats for gluten free

  • 4 whole wheat 100 calorie buns, Martin's*

  • 1 small hass avocado, sliced thin

Cook time: 20 minutes | Total time: 2 hours 40 minutes 

Makes 4 servings

For the full recipe, click here.

Sides

Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Fries, but healthier. These are so crispy and delicious, your kids won’t know the difference. 

Via CookieandKate.com

Ingredients: 

  • 2 pounds sweet potatoes (about 2 medium-large or 3 medium)

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • Optional spices: freshly ground black pepper, cayenne pepper and/or garlic powder

Total time: 45 minutes 

Makes 4 servings

For the full recipe, click here.

Baked Beans

Is it even a cookout without baked beans? We’ll let you answer that question. 

Via SouthernLiving.com

Ingredients:

  • 4 bacon slices

  •  1 small onion, diced

  •  4 (15-ounce) cans pork and beans in tomato sauce, drain

  •  1/2 cup ketchup

  •  1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

  •  1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar

  •  1 teaspoon dry mustard

  •  1/2 cup sorghum syrup or molasses

Total time: 45 minutes 

Makes 6-8 servings

For the full recipe, click here.

Fried Okra

Visit a local farmer’s market to grab fresh Arkansas okra. Then, fry it up (of course).  

Via AddaPinch.com

Ingredients:  

  • 2 pounds okra sliced

  • 3/4 cup corn meal

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 cup Canola or vegetable oil

Total time: 21 minutes 

Makes 6 servings

For the full recipe, click here.

Sweets

Grilled Pineapple with Yogurt Honey Drizzle 

Via CookinginBloom.com

While you have the grill fired up, throw on some pineapple and thank us later. 

Ingredients: 

  • Fresh or canned pineapple cut, cored, then sliced into rounds

  • ¼ cup Greek yogurt

  • 2 tablespoons honey

  • Pinch of cinnamon

For the full recipe, click here.

Red, White and Blue Fruit Cups

Via FoodNetwork.com 

This one checks all of our boxes: easy, quick and the right color scheme. Not to mention it gives you more items to hunt for at the farmer’s market. 

Ingredients:  

  • 1 pint fresh strawberries

  • 1 pint fresh blueberries

  • 1 pint fresh blackberries

  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

  • 1 pint heavy whipping cream

Total time: 10 minutes 

Makes 4 servings

For the full recipe, click here.

M&M Cookies 

These editor-favorite treats can be customized to match any holiday event! 

Via AverieCooks.com

Ingredients: 

  •  3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (1 1/2 sticks)

  •  3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed

  •  1/4 cup granulated sugar

  •  1 large egg

  •  1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  •  2 cups all-purpose flour

  •  1/4 cup instant vanilla pudding mix (not sugar-free and not ‘cook & serve’), OR use 2 teaspoons cornstarch in place of pudding mix

  •  1 teaspoon baking soda

  •  pinch salt, optional and to taste

  •  3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

  •  3/4 cup milk chocolate M&M’s mixed into the dough + about 1/2 cup for placing on top of dough mounds

Total time: 2 and 30 minutes 

Makes 15 cookies

For the full recipe, click here.