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    Home » 4th of July

    Beef Prices Spike Just in Time for the 4th of July - Here’s What to Cook Instead

    Published: Jun 20, 2026 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Beef prices hit record levels just in time for the Fourth of July, with fresh beef up 13% and ground beef up 19% from a year ago. That makes this the perfect year to let chicken and pork take center stage. These recipes deliver all the flavor of a great cookout, without the price tag.

    Greek Chicken Souvlaki

    Greek Chicken Souvlaki with dips and sides.
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    A few simple ingredients can come together to create something really delicious. These Greek skewers are a perfect example of that. They're easy to make and packed with flavor, making them a great choice for any gathering.

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    Pork Chops With Apples And Onions

    Pork Chops With Apples And Onions.
    Photo Credit: Cooked & Loved.

    Grilled fennel pork chops with apples and onions are a simple and delicious meal that works well for any evening. The pork chops are flavored with fennel, giving them a unique taste, and they are grilled until they're juicy and tender. This dish pairs nicely with the sweetness of apples and the savory notes of onions, making it a satisfying choice for dinner.

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    Bruschetta Grilled Chicken

    Bruschetta Grilled Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Rustic Foodie.

    Bruschetta Grilled Chicken is a delicious meal that brings together the joys of summer grilling and fresh garden veggies. It features tender grilled chicken breasts topped with a mix of vibrant produce straight from the garden. This dish is perfect for enjoying the warm weather and makes a great addition to any summer gathering.

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    Thai Grilled Chicken

    Thai Grilled Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Chef Savvy.

    Thai Grilled Chicken is a tasty dish where chicken is soaked in a sweet and spicy marinade overnight. Grilling it gives the chicken a nice crispy outside while keeping it juicy and tender on the inside. This dish is perfect for summer barbecues or whenever you want some flavorful chicken. Adding fresh chopped cilantro, sesame seeds, and lime wedges on the side brings a refreshing touch that goes really well with the marinated chicken.

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    Grilled Thick-Cut Pork Chops

    Grilled Thick-Cut Pork Chops.
    Photo Credit: Sense & Edibility.

    Thick-cut pork chops are a great choice for grilling, bringing a hearty flavor that everyone will enjoy. Brining the meat beforehand helps keep it juicy and tender, ensuring a satisfying meal. These chops are perfect for summer cookouts, offering a delicious option that stands out on the grill.

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    Smoked Chicken Thighs

    Smoked Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    Smoked chicken thighs are a popular choice for BBQ gatherings, offering juicy meat packed with a rich, smoky flavor. With a mix of spices and a slow cooking process, these boneless thighs soak up all the deliciousness from the smoke. They're perfect for summer cookouts and are sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Red Wine Vinegar Grilled Chicken

    The BEST Grilled Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Chef Savvy.

    Grilled chicken is a great choice for summer meals, especially when it's marinated in a flavorful red wine vinegar sauce and cooked to perfection on the grill. This dish is simple to prepare, taking just 10 minutes to get ready. It's ideal for cookouts or a quick, healthy dinner on warm evenings.

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    Grilled Pork Chops with Marinade

    Grilled Pork Chops with Marinade.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Grilled pork chops are a delicious option for your next meal, offering a great balance of flavor and tenderness. The marinade enhances the meat, making it juicy and satisfying whether you use an outdoor grill or an indoor iron grill. This dish is perfect for summer gatherings or a cozy dinner at home.

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    Grilled BBQ Chicken Legs

    Grilled BBQ Chicken Legs.
    Photo Credit: Flavor Mosaic.

    BBQ chicken legs are perfect for your next backyard get-together. They turn out juicy and tender, with a crispy skin that everyone enjoys. The combination of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors makes this dish a hit for summer meals and barbecues.

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    Teriyaki Chicken Skewers With Pineapple

    Teriyaki Chicken Skewers With Pineapple.
    Photo Credit: Little Nomads Recipes.

    These chicken skewers with pineapple are a popular dish loved by many around the world. They are brushed with a tasty homemade teriyaki sauce and cooked until they're just right, whether on the grill or in an air fryer. This dish is perfect for summer gatherings and adds a fun twist to your meal.

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    Cilantro Lime Chicken

    Cilantro Lime Chicken Marinade.
    Photo Credit: Dizzy Busy & Hungry.

    Lime cilantro marinade chicken is a simple and tasty dish that's perfect for a quick dinner during the week. Just combine the marinade with the chicken, bake it, and you'll have a flavorful meal with a fresh cilantro and lime kick. It's a great option when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Grilled Lemon Basil Chicken

    Grilled lemon chicken.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Lemon Chicken Marinade is quick and easy to whip up using simple, healthy ingredients. It's perfect for grilling, pan frying, or baking in the oven. With a mix of olive oil, lemon, and basil, the chicken turns out juicy, tender, and full of flavor.

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    Lemongrass Chicken

    Lemongrass chicken.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Lemongrass chicken is a favorite in Vietnamese cuisine, known for its bright citrus flavor and savory garlic notes. It's a versatile dish that can be served with rice, noodles, or in various other meals. This dish brings a refreshing twist to your table, making it a great choice for any occasion.

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    Sweet & Spicy Grilled Shrimp

    Grilled shrimp with sweet chili sauce.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Shrimp skewers are packed with flavor and a little kick from Thai Sweet Chili Sauce. This sauce adds a nice sweetness and just the right amount of spice, making the shrimp really stand out. Perfect for grilling, these skewers are a fun and tasty option for your next gathering.

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    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork is a great way to enjoy delicious, tender pulled pork without needing a smoker. Using a slow cooker allows the flavors to develop beautifully, resulting in juicy meat that's perfect for any gathering. This dish is simple to prepare and is sure to be a hit at your next barbecue.

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    Spicy Buttery Asian Grilled Shrimp

    Spicy buttery Asian grilled shrimp with sauce.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Seafood lovers will enjoy this flavorful Spicy, Buttery Asian Grilled Shrimp. It's a quick meal that you can whip up in just 15 minutes, perfect for a busy day. This dish is not only easy to prepare but also disappears fast at the dinner table.

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    Mexican Grilled Chicken

    Air fryer chicken legs.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Mexican Chicken Marinade is a simple way to add a burst of flavor to your dinner. With its lively spices and zesty citrus, it turns plain chicken into something special and tender. It's perfect for a fun meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Halloumi Portobello Burgers

    A portobello halloumi burger.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Halloumi burgers are packed with flavor and topped with creamy mashed avocado, a juicy portobello mushroom, crumbled chèvre cheese, peppery arugula, and sweet caramelized onions. They're simple to prepare and always a hit with friends and family. Perfect for a summer cookout or a casual dinner, these burgers offer a delicious twist on the classic.

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    Shredded BBQ Chicken Sliders

    Shredded BBQ Chicken Sliders.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    BBQ chicken sliders with homemade sauce are a fantastic choice for summer meals. These sliders are simple to make and perfect for gatherings. Using rotisserie chicken makes the preparation quick and easy, so you can enjoy delicious flavors without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Grilled Mediterranean Pork Chops

    Grilled Mediterranean Pork Chops.
    Photo Credit: The Salty Pot.

    Grilled pork chops bring a taste of the Mediterranean right to your table. With the savory combination of feta cheese, black olives, oregano, and lemon, these chops are packed with flavor. They're juicy and satisfying, making them a great choice for your next meal.

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    Source: United States Department of Agriculture

     

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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