Super Easy Father?s Day Cookout

Father’s Day is just around the corner. If you want to treat your father or the father of your children to a great cookout but you just don’t know your way around the grill, then this post is for you. This is a complete, easy, great tasting grill menu that anyone can pull off. The recipes are listed in the order that you should prepare them so that everything is pretty much ready or still warm at the same time.

Hot & Sour Coleslaw

What’s a cookout without coleslaw, right? This is my go to slaw recipe when I need a super quick and easy side that goes well with all types of grilled meats. It is done in minutes but like all slaws, it will taste better if chilled for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld and the cabbage to wilt a bit.

4 ? 6 cups shredded cabbage (shredded carrots are optional)
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons Creole mustard (or grain mustard)
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon dried red pepper flakes
kosher salt to taste

Mix the dressing ingredients together in a large bowl, and then fold in the cabbage.

Grilled Sweet Potatoes

Now onto the second side. These grilled sweet potatoes will take the longest of any of the other menu items, if you don’t count the marinade time of the flank steak, but still they are quick and very easy.

4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cleaned 
1/2 cup melted butter
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Start by cutting the potatoes into slices, lengthwise about 3/4 of an inch thick. Bring a large pot of water to boil and boil the potatoes until they just begin to soften up. While those boil, preheat the grill to medium low heat. Now mix the butter, brown sugar and cinnamon together and brush over the potatoes. Grill the potatoes for about 10 to 15 minutes, turning occasionally, or until they are soft in the middle and browned. Cover with foil to keep them warm.

Dr. Pepper® Flank Steak 

I have seen this recipe floating around the internet and since I have conjured up some pretty good ribs and chicken wings using Dr Pepper, it was only a matter of time before I gave it a try. Turns out it makes a great sweet marinade. You will have to start this the day before but again like the other recipes, it’s super easy.

1-1/2 to 2 pounds flank steak
16 ounce bottle Dr. Pepper® (some stores have DP made with real sugar rather than HFCS)
4 cloves garlic, peeled 
2 cinnamon sticks
4 tablespoons kosher salt
3 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons dried granulated garlic
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons ground black pepper
1 tablespoon ground thyme

Watch how easy this is. Mix everything together except for the flank steak. Now place the flank steak in shallow dish, pour in the mixture (make sure it covers the steak completely), cover and refrigerate over night. Take it out of the fridge and out of the marinade about 30 minutes prior to grilling so that it can get close to room temperature for even cooking.

Crank up the heat on the grill to really high heat. Grill the flank steak for only 3 ? 5 minutes per side. It will be medium rare. If you cook it past medium rare it will become very tough, so don’t do it. Remove the flank steak to a cutting board and allow it to rest for 10 minutes, no less. Now slice it across the grain and at a 45° angle. (Check the picture above)

Grilled Texas Toast

Now that everything else is done and you are letting that steak rest, it’s time to make the garlic toast.

1 fresh French loaf
 1 stick unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon dries parsley
salt
pepper

Melt the butter in a small pot and the garlic, dried parsley and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cut the French loaf in half lengthwise, like you are making a sub sandwich, and brush the butter mixture over the top. Now place the bread on the grill until it is toasty on one side, then flip and toast the other side. Watch for flair ups when the butter side is down. Cut it into smaller pieces for serving.

There you have it, a great tasting super easy cookout menu than anyone can execute. Dear old dad will be very proud.

Serves 4