4th of July Appetizers

So, as you know I’m known for being an appetizer whore.

It’s almost the 4th of July. Yep, Independence Day y’all – time for fireworks, hanging out at the pool, and of course, grilling, cooking and eating. What a great excuse to cook up some fantastic appetizers! I love it when I have good excuse to make them.

4th collage

Finger food, dips, etc. are such an important part of the 4th of July cookout experience. First of all, you have to have them to keep your guests happy while you’re marinating your steaks, chicken, ribs, etc., and of course if you’re serving cocktails, they’re mandatory.

Today I’m giving you three recipes for your holiday cookout menu –

Caprese Dip

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Feta Salsa 

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Bacon Wrapped Steak Bites with Spicy Lime Dipping Sauce-

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The steak bites were tenderized using my new 
OXO Meat Tenderizer – it’s actually really fun to use.

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Here’s your printable for all three-

4th of July Appetizers

Ingredients

    Caprese Dip
  • 1 15 oz can petite diced tomatoes, rinsed
  • 1 16 oz block Mozzarella cheese, cut into cubes
  • One big handful fresh basil leaves, washed and chopped into pieces (sorry, I didn't measure)
  • 1 drizzle Balsamic vinegar
  • Feta Salsa
  • 16 oz. can petite diced tomatoes, rinsed
  • 8 oz Feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 purple onion, diced
  • 4 gigantic black olives pitted and diced
  • 4 Kalamata olives, pitted and diced
  • 1 Jalapeno pepper, washed and diced
  • 1/3 cup olive oil (less or more, depending on taste - mix and add more to your preference)
  • Bacon Wrapped Steak Bites
  • 1 lb. any cut of beef, cut into pieces. I used chuck steak and salted the hell out of it and rinsed it after about 30 minutes to tenderize it.
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 lb bacon, cut in half
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • Juice of 1/2 lime
  • 1/2 cup Ranch dressing
  • 1 tbsp Cayanne pepper
  • 1 tbsp seasoned salt

Instructions

    Caprese Dip
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees
  • Spray the bottom of a glass baking dish with cooking spray and add the tomatoes, cheese, basil and drizzle with balsamic vinegar.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes, until cheese has melted and it's starting to brown on top. You may want to add a few more minutes.
  • Serve with pita chips
  • Feta Salsa
  • Add all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl, toss to combine.
  • Add more olive oil if it needs it. You'll know if it needs it - make it kinda glisten - not too much but a little.
  • Steak Bites
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Tenderize meat; first I salted them, let sit for 30 minutes, rinsed and then used my OXO Bladed Meat Tenderizer (it's fantastic, BTW).
  • Sprinkle Worchestershire sauce on the beef and toss in a bowl to combine.
  • Wrap the steak bits with bacon, place on a foil lined baking sheet and sprinkle with brown sugar.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes, until bacon is done.
  • Combine the sour cream through seasoned salt; there's your dipping sauce!
https://www.dixiechikcooks.com/4th-of-july-appetizers/

Happy 4th!

Author

  • Shea Goldstein

    Shea Goldstein is the voice behind Dixie Chik Cooks. She's a recipe developer and brand ambassador. She has been published in several media outlets such as Redbook, Parade, Food Blogger Magazine and more. Shea is a Southern Belle Who's Thinking About What's For Dinner While Eating Lunch.

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