Your Fourth Of July Grill Guide

By Lev Novak

Tomorrow is the fourth of July, and we’re printing it today on the third because chances are you won’t be reading an article on the fourth itself; you’ll be too busy celebrating freedom and eating hamburgers (sorry for the redundancy.)

So the question is: what do you do and how?

DO: Focus on the day-game and barbecue.

Forget the fireworks: the day of the fourth is the best part. You have the day off work into the weekend, it’s sunny, it’s summer, and you’re grilling.

Boy are you grilling.

Here is what you should have on you, depending on your fancy level: hamburgers, the good hot-dogs, sausages, tons of good veggies to grill, fruit for desert, tons of good flavored potato chips, and a few of the good fancy veggie burgers, too.

Why the veggie burgers? Because this is America, and people are free to eat veggies. That’s part of why you should grill veggies too. It will balance your meal and supplement a veggie burger leaving everybody happy. Grilled portobello mushrooms are super good for everyone.

DON’T: Get too fancy with it.

No steak. To expensive, to finicky, too difficult. Same with “specialty” burgers- get some good meat, maybe even from Whole Foods, and let that be the work that’s put into it.

The grill master needs things to be as easy as possible with the bulk of potential eaters.

DO: Get Extra

Worst case? Delicious left-overs. Best case? You have enough for everyone to be satisfied, even unexpected guests.

Get more everything: more meat, more beer, more chips. This is the fourth of July, right? Be a little extra American and consume.

DON’T: Be strict

No “one burger and one dog” per person rules. No mandatory “hey, throw in five bucks for a plate.” This is a celebration of freedom, and if you weigh it down with rules, people are going to resent you, even though you’re totally doing them a favor.

I know it’s weird, but it’s life. Share freely. Karma will get you back in the end.

DO: Start Early

People are going to come late, and you want time to transition into the night, not to mention to enjoy the beauty which is grilling with friends.

The earlier you start, the more time you have in this awesome day. I know that doesn’t sound cool, but it’s true. Don’t laze about. Get grilling, and laze there.

DON’T: Drink too much.

It’s hot out there, and you don’t want to get drunk or dehydrated before the actual night and weekend starts. I know restraint is un-American on the fourth, but consider it a matter of strategy. Have a drink or two in the day so you can enjoy the night and the weekend that much more.

DO: Enjoy

It’s the fourth of July. Even if things don’t go well, you’re still in America and an American. Obsessing about details and stressing is a waste of that wonderful privilege.

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