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Peanut Butter and Jelly Burger (Vegan Option)

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Don’t question the combination! You must try this Peanut Butter and Jelly Burger! The unlikely pairing will have you wondering why you never tried this peanut butter and jelly recipe before! 

peanut butter and jelly burger

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.

I know what you’re thinking.  Peanut Butter and Jelly Burger? I’ve officially lost my daggone mind.  Who in the world pairs a burger and peanut butter and jelly sandwich together. You may be thinking I’ve gone off my rocker as my great-grandma would say. But just hear me out, okay?

First, you may be partly correct about loosing my mind. Being a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom who runs a business is already partly insane. But this peanut butter and jelly burger recipe is not one of those mind-loosing moments.

peanut butter and jelly burger recipe

A few years ago, we did a Chew Philly Food Tour in Manayunk, PA. One of the stops was at a restaurant called Lucky’s Last Chance and the tasting there was of an award-winning peanut butter and jelly burger.

Andrew, being the very picky one in the relationship, said there was no way he was trying it when we got there. I was sort of weirded out, but I’m pretty open to at least trying new things.  

Fast forward, and we actually all did try it and loved it.

pbj burger recipe

Peanut Butter and Jelly Burger Recipe

We loved it so much that we decided to recreate it. The burger recipe at Lucky’s was made with a creamy peanut butter, white American cheese, bacon, and served with grape jelly on the side. They describe the peanut butter and jelly burger as an unexpectedly delicious childhood favorite with an adult twist and they couldn’t be more accurate.

This delicious burger recipe combine a seeded bun with peanut butter and jelly, burgers, cheese, and bacon. We really love to use pepper flavored bacon or any type of maple flavored bacon.  Really thick cuts of bacon work great with this recipe. 

peanut butter jelly burger

I’m having guests over, one who is plant based/vegan, how can I make this recipe for them?

Obviously grape jelly and peanut butter are usually vegan friendly.  It’s pretty easy to find a vegan hamburger bun, so you’re on the way to starting to have a meal that everyone can enjoy.  For the patty, you can try purchasing a plant based meat patty like Beyond Meat or even Aldi’s plant based version.  Our favorite dairy free cheese is Violife or Chao.  There are also vegan bacon brands like Litelife.   Once you make these few simple swaps. you can have a meal for everyone. 

What sides should I serve with a Peanut Butter and Jelly Burger?

There are endless possibilities of what you should serve with burgers.  Here are some of our favorite things: 

peanut butter and jelly recipes

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how to make a peanut butter and jelly burger

4.3 from 24 votes
Print
Peanut Butter and Jelly Burger
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
6 mins
Total Time
11 mins
 

Don't question the combination! You must try this Peanut Butter and Jelly Burger! The unlikely pairing will have you wondering why you never tried this peanut butter and jelly recipe before! 

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 burgers
Calories: 717 kcal
Author: Larisha Campbell
Ingredients
  • 1.5 lbs 80/20 ground beef (can you vegan patties or vegan meat to make burgers)
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 slices American cheese (use vegan cheese for vegan option)
  • 4 tbsp grape jelly
  • 4 tbsp creamy peanut butter
  • 4 pieces cooked bacon (use vegan bacon)
  • 4 hamburger buns
Instructions

  1. Divide the meat into 4 equal portions. Shape the beef into 4 patties, slightly larger than your buns. 

  2. Season each patty with salt and pepper to taste. 

  3. Cook burgers on a grill over medium heat for 2-4 minutes on each side or until desired doneness. 

  4. Place cheese on top on burgers to melt, then remove from grill. 

  5. Spread 1 tbsp of jelly on one side of the bun and 1 tbsp peanut butter on the other side of the bun. 

  6. Repeat with remaining buns.

  7. Add burgers to buns and put one slice of bacon, broken in half, on top of each. 

  8. Serve immediately. 

Recipe Notes
  • Recipe makes 4 single patty burgers. To make burgers shown in pictures, double the patties, everything else remains the same. 
  • Nutritional facts are just estimates. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. 
Nutrition Facts
Peanut Butter and Jelly Burger
Amount Per Serving (1 burger)
Calories 717 Calories from Fat 378
% Daily Value*
Fat 42g65%
Saturated Fat 15g94%
Cholesterol 137mg46%
Sodium 764mg33%
Potassium 703mg20%
Carbohydrates 39g13%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 14g16%
Protein 43g86%
Vitamin A 200IU4%
Vitamin C 2.3mg3%
Calcium 330mg33%
Iron 5.6mg31%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

This post was originally pulished on 4/5/18.  Updated on 5/3/19.

Beefless Vegan Stew

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This vegan stew recipe will blow you away. Super hearty and filling and perfect for any cold day.  Even the biggest carnivore will love this chickpea vegan beef stew recipe! This recipe is Top 8 Allergen Friendly, including gluten free. 

When we first went vegan/plant based, there was a lot of confusion.  What in the world did we eat?  For many people considering a plant based eating lifestyle, that is used to eating mainstream “traditional” meals, the thought alone is daunting. Many people assume that people who live a lifestyle like this just eat platefuls of broccoli and bowls of strawberries. While that may sometimes be true, the truth of the matter is that people who eat vegan or plant based eat a lot of traditional meals with small dietary changes.  Take this beefless vegan stew for example.  It’s just as hearty and filling as any traditional beef stew recipes; however, it’s just made without the beef. Even carnivores will love this vegan hearty soup recipe.

What ingredients do you need to make this beefless vegan stew?

When making this chickpea stew recipe, you are going to 15 ingredients for it to all come together.  Many of these ingredients are vegetables in this beefless vegan stew recipe. The ingredients that you need are:

  • Chickpeas
  • Carrots
  • Yellow Onion
  • Garlic
  • Celery
  • Potatoes
  • Corn
  • Peas
  • Crushed Tomatoes
  • Tomato Paste
  • Rosemary
  • Bay Leaves
  • Coconut Aminos (Can sub soy sauce or tamari)
  • Liquid Smoke
  • Vegetable Stock
  • Salt and Pepper

These are the ingredients that will make you the perfect bowl of hearty beefless vegan stew.

How do you make beefless vegan stew?

In order to make this chickpea stew recipe, you will start by chopping up all our your vegetables. Once your vegetables are chopped, add all the ingredients into a crockpot except for the peas and corn. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.  15 minutes before serving, stir in your corn and peas.  Remove bay leaves and then serve.

After you are finished, store any remaining beefless vegan stew in an air tight container. It will last in the fridge 5-7 days.

Can I make this beefless vegan stew not in a crockpot?

Maybe you don’t have a crockpot or you want to make this beefless stew recipe in a shorter amount of time.  While we highly recommend slow cooking to allow the flavors to really develop and come together, there’s no reason you can’t make this recipe on the stove.  Start by reducing the amount of liquid by 1 cup. In a large pot or dutch oven, place all the ingredients together and cook for 30-45 minutes on low.  Your potatoes and carrots should be fork tender.  If you have more time, you can continue to let it cook on low for more time.

What other recipes pair well with this beefless vegan stew?

While this vegan stew recipe is perfectly delicious all on it’s on, some people love having sandwiches or other sides with their soup. Here’s some delicious sides that we think would pair nicely with this beefless vegan stew recipe.

5 from 1 vote
Print
Beefless Vegan Stew
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
8 hrs
Total Time
8 hrs 10 mins
 

This vegan stew recipe will blow you away. Super hearty and filling and perfect for any cold day.  Even the biggest carnivore will love this chickpea vegan beef stew recipe! This recipe is Top 8 Allergen Friendly, including gluten free. 

Course: Lunch, Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: crockpot, soup, vegan
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 339 kcal
Author: Larisha Campbell
Ingredients
  • 1 can chickpeas, drained (or 2 cups cooked chickpeas)
  • 28oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 quart low sodium vegetable stock
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 5 small potatoes, cubed
  • 4 large carrots, chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 sticks celery, chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp coconut aminos (can sub tamari or soy sauce)
  • 1 tsp liquid smoke
  • 1 can corn, drained
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
  • salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions

  1. Chop all your vegetables. 

  2. Add all the ingredients, except the corn and peas to a crockpot. 

  3. Stir to combine. 

  4. Cook for 7-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high in your crockpot (*See instructions in post for cooking on stove).

  5. 15 minutes prior to serving, add in the corn and peas and stir to combine. 

  6. Turn off heat and discard the bay leaves. 

  7. Serve. 

  8. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for 5-7 days in fridge. 

Recipe Notes

**Nutritional facts are just estimates. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. 

Nutrition Facts
Beefless Vegan Stew
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 339 Calories from Fat 27
% Daily Value*
Fat 3g5%
Sodium 1314mg57%
Potassium 2571mg73%
Carbohydrates 74g25%
Fiber 18g75%
Sugar 36g40%
Protein 16g32%
Vitamin A 4885IU98%
Vitamin C 80.3mg97%
Calcium 289mg29%
Iron 11.9mg66%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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20+ Tried and True 30 Minute Meals

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These easy 30 minute meals have been tried and tested! No more guess work if you can actually make 30 minute meals, we’ve got more than 20 here for you!

As parents, there’s no time for 30 minute meals that actually take forever.  You know the ones. You find one of those super delicious-looking, cheap, healthy 30 minute meals on line, save it to Pinterest and then when you actually go to make it, the meal ends up taking over an hour. Why? Because the directions say you should already have everything pre-chopped, pre-cooked, and pre-made.

That’s not realistic for anyone. Most people, not all, but most, are not buying pre-chopped everything.

Luckily, I’m taking the guess work out of whether recipes are really 30 minute meals. 

Over the past 6 months, I have been doing a LIVE video series on our Facebook page called Will It Work Wednesdays. Every Wednesday, we take another bloggers recipe that says it’s a 30 minute meal and then test it out. Our goal with these are to see if they are really 30 minutes or less meals. All types of parents need these quick 30 minute meals in their meal plans for days that life gets really crazy (which is almost everyday right?). 

The great news is that we’ve tested over 20 recipes now and they have all worked out to be 30 minute meals. Some closer than others, some way under.  But all of them are 30 minute meals recipes. So today, we are compiling them all together in one easy to read post for you. Included in the post is the links to the recipe and the video so you too can make these 30 minutes or less meals.

Recipes are sorted by categories and if they fall into more than one category, they will be included in both.

30 minute meals with Ground Beef, Chicken, Turkey, or Pork

Ground meat makes for some delicious meals.  One of the reasons it’s easy to have 30 minute meals with ground beef or another ground meat is because it easily thaws. It’s super versatile in the types of meals you can make.

  • Homemade Sloppy Joes

This homemade sloppy joe recipe was made with ground chicken, but it can be swapped out for any ground meat. It was made with homemade french fries.  Watch us make it on Facebook or Youtube.

  • Easy One Pan Asian Turkey Lettuce Cups

Packed with tons of flavor all in one dish, these Asian Turkey Lettuce Cups were delicious.  We paired this with a homemade chicken fried rice and left out the chicken the recipe included. Watch us make it on Facebook or Youtube. 

  • 30 Minute Korean Beef

This 30 minute Korean Beef meal using ground beef was so simple but packed a ton of flavor.  We’ve tried it again using ground chicken, and it was still good, but it really packs in flavor using beef. We served this with cooked rice. Watch us make it on Facebook or Youtube. 

  • Egg Roll Stir Fry 

If you like egg rolls, you have to try this easy Egg Roll Stir Fry.  And if you don’t like egg rolls, you still have to try it.  I’m really picky about egg rolls and I loved this recipe. Watch us make it on Facebook or Youtube. 

30 minute meals – Chicken

Chicken is a staple in most homes.  It’s super adaptable and for most people, kids love it. If you can remember to thaw it out on time, chicken can make for some really great 30 minute meals.

  • Cilantro Lime Chicken 

This easy Cilantro Lime Chicken was one of the faster recipes that we made. I did forget to put the rice on in the right amount of time so it was over in the sense if watching the video, but it’s actually done in under 20 minutes. We served it with coconut rice (just replace the amount of water called for with coconut milk from a can.  Watch us make it on Facebook or Youtube.

  • Summer Strawberry Apple Salad with Grilled Chicken

This was delicious for a summer meal; however, this Grilled Chicken Salad would be delicious if you meal prep or need a meal on the go.  It was so good.  We paired it with a homemade strawberry walnut dressing. Delicious! Watch us make it on Facebook or Youtube. 

  • Skillet Pizza Chicken

It has pizza in the name of it, so you already know that our kids devoured this Skillet Pizza Chicken. There’s no other words needed. Go make it! Watch us make it on Facebook or Youtube. 

  • Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta 

Fajitas meet Pasta.  Nothing can possibly go wrong with this combination.  This creamy chicken fajita pasta is a great addition to any meal plan. Watch us make it on Facebook or Youtube. 

30 minute Vegetarian Meals

Whether you yourself are vegetarian or you are looking for some Meatless Monday ideas, we’ve got you covered.

  • Easy Weeknight Toasted Ravioli 

Truth moment: I actually attempted this recipe LIVE twice.  The first time I was less than 10 minutes from finishing and my oldest got sick. The second time I made this Easy Toasted Ravioli, it went off without a hitch and it’s now one of our favorite recipes. We paired it with an easy green bean salad. Watch us make it on Facebook or Youtube. 

  • Vegetarian Greek Quinoa Salad

If you love greek food, then this Vegetarian Greek Quinoa Salad is a no brainer.  This is perfect for meals on the go if you are looking for some mason jar meal ideas. Watch us make it on Facebook or Youtube. (coming soon)

30 minute Vegan Meals

Some of our best meals we’ve created for this series came from vegan meals. Whether you are vegan or again, needing some Meatless 30 Minute meal ideas, these quick and easy 30 minute vegan meals are perfect!

  • Black Bean Burgers

If you have a big meat eater on the fence about having anything meatless, you MUST try this quick Black Bean Burger. It’s delicious served with homemade french fries, tater tots, onion rings. Watch us make it on Facebook or Youtube. (coming soon)

  • Mediterranean Rice

This quick Mediterranean rice recipe packs in delicious color. It was light and airy and perfect for a quick meal. We served it alongside hummus and chips. Watch us make it on Facebook or Youtube. (coming soon)

  • Black Eyed Peas w/ Quinoa

One of our favorite vegan meals so far has been this Vegan Black Eyes Peas recipe served with quinoa and topped with a pineapple salsa. So yum! Watch us make it on Facebook or Youtube. (coming soon)

30 minute pasta meals

  • Italian Ham Pasta Salad

This recipe for Italian Ham Pasta Salad makes a HUGE portion.  You could easily take this to a potluck or if you meal prep the same dish over the week it would be perfect for that! Watch us make it on Facebook or Youtube. 

  • Incredible Garlic Shrimp 

We didn’t name this shrimp incredible, but it definitely lived up to it’s name. Try tossing this Incredible Garlic Shrimp recipe into some pasta and instant complete meal. Watch us make it on Facebook or Youtube. 

30 minute Meals with Pork

  • Korean Pork Chops

These Korean pork chops were so flavorful and so juicy! We served them with lemon butter green beans. Rice would also be a perfect match! Watch us make it on Facebook or Youtube. 

  • Italian Ham Pasta Salad

This recipe for Italian Ham Pasta Salad makes a HUGE portion.  You could easily take this to a potluck or if you meal prep the same dish over the week it would be perfect for that! Watch us make it on Facebook or Youtube. 

  • Egg Roll Stir Fry 

If you like egg rolls, you have to try this easy Egg Roll Stir Fry.  And if you don’t like egg rolls, you still have to try it.  I’m really picky about egg rolls and I loved this recipe. Watch us make it on Facebook or Youtube. 

30 minute meals With Shrimp or Fish

  • Hawaiian Shrimp Rice Bowl 

This was such a simple meal, but everyone loved this Hawaiian Shrimp Rice Bowl. Perfect flavor combo and everyone wanted more.Watch us make it on Facebook or Youtube. 

  • Honey Citrus Salmon

This is one of our all time favorite meals. This Honey Citrus Salmon recipe is so fast to make! We paired it with honey glazed baby carrots. Watch us make it on Facebook or Youtube. 

  • Coconut Curry Shrimp

If you are wanting to feel an island vibe then you must make this coconut curry shrimp recipe! We paired it with coconut lime rice (swap out water for canned coconut milk – then when done squeeze in 1/2 to 1 whole lime juice). Watch us make it on Facebook or Youtube. 

  • Cilantro Lime Salmon

Similar to the Honey Citrus Salmon we made, this Cilantro Lime Salmon was so incredibly quick to make. We paired it with a simple rice recipe or you could use the coconut lime rice from above. Watch us make it on Facebook or Youtube. 

  • Incredible Garlic Shrimp 

We didn’t name this shrimp incredible, but it definitely lived up to it’s name. Try tossing this Incredible Garlic Shrimp recipe into some pasta and instant complete meal. Watch us make it on Facebook or Youtube. 

30 minute meals With Steak

One of the best recipe we’ve made so far was this Chimichurri Steak recipe. You could also make with chicken. We paired it with a simple cucumber and tomato salad. A delicious 30 minute meal for summer.

Watch us make it on Facebook or Youtube. 

Time to go make an easy meal yourself!

Whether you are looking for cheap 30 minute meals or healthy 30 minute meals, we’ve tried to include a list of great options! I hope this list of easy 30 minute meals is a benefit to you.  If you think you know someone else who could benefit from this list, I’d love if you’d share it with them! We don’t have picky eaters here, but if you do, most of these 30 minute meals are kid friendly too! We’ll continue to add recipes as we test them out! Now bookmark this so you know where to come for tried and true 30 minutes or less meals!

Slow Cooker BBQ Parmesan Pork Loin

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This Slow Cooker BBQ Parmesan Pork Loin is one of the easiest, but most flavorful easy dinner recipes that you can throw together!

Being a parent means that every night, there are little ones that need fed. It’s a never-ending cycle and while we all love our kids dearly, having to physically make someone three meals a days, does get exhausting.  Especially, I’m sure if you don’t like to cook to being with.
When I first had our daughter, my idea of cooking meals consisted of some cans or jars, a few boxes, and a lot of hope. We quickly realized we didn’t want to eat a lot of processed foods for our children and because of that, it meant that I needed to get better with cooking.
One of the biggest things that helped me was being able to find super flavorful meals, like this Slow Cooker BBQ Parmesan Pork Loin, that could not only feed us multiple meals, but also were easy to throw together.  One of the reasons I love our slow cooker so much is that I am able to throw everything inside of it early in the morning and then by the end of the day dinner is completely ready.  The meals, whether making meat or a soup, are always so tender and it feels like the flavors have more of a chance to really merry together.

What Ingredients Do You Need To Make Slow Cooker BBQ Parmesan Pork Loin

In order to make this slow cooker pork loin recipe, you are going to need the following ingredients. Of course, the entire recipe and cooking instructions are below if you scroll down a bit more.

  • Pork Loin
  • BBQ Sauce
  • Parmesan Cheese
  • Honey
  • Olive Oil
  • Dried Basil
  • Garlic Powder
  • Salt

What Sides Go With Slow Cooker BBQ Parmesan Pork Loin

Of course, you could eat this entirely on it’s own. It’s so delicious. However, you probably want some sides to go along with your easy pork loin recipe.

What to Make With Leftover Slow Cooker BBQ Parmesan Pork Loin

One of the biggest things when making such a large piece of meat for us is that we often have a lot leftover. No one really likes the same meal over and over again, so often you make wonder what to make with leftover pork loin.  This is also a great way to knock two or more dinners out of the way. Simply purchase a larger pork loin than the recipes calls for and double the sauce.  Then, you can use the leftover pork loin for multiple meals throughout the week.  Some of our favorite leftover pork loin recipes are:

Of course, one really simple idea is just to shred the pork tenderloin pieces, add in some more homemade bbq sauce and make pulled bbq sandwiches. Easy peasy!

Recipe for How To Make Slow Cooker BBQ Parmesan Pork Loin 

5 from 2 votes
Print
BBQ Parmesan Slow Cooker Pork Loin
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
4 hrs
Total Time
4 hrs 5 mins
 

This Slow Cooker BBQ Parmesan Pork Loin is one of the easiest, but most flavorful easy dinner recipes that you can through together!  

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: dinner, pork, slow cooker
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 426 kcal
Author: Larisha Campbell
Ingredients
  • 1 2-3lb pork tenderloin
  • 1 cup BBQ Sauce recipe
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp dried basil
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
Instructions
  1. Spray slow cooker with cooking spray.
  2. Remove excess fat from tenderloin if desired.
  3. Place loin in slow cooker.
  4. In a bowl, mix bbq sauce, cheese, honey, basil, garlic, olive oil, and salt until well combined.

  5. Pour entire mixture over top of the loin, cover, and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 7-8 hours.

  6. Internal temperature should be 165 degrees when finished.
Recipe Notes

**Nutritional facts are just estimates. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. 

**If you would like to make a gravy with the juice, mix one cup of juice with one tablespoon flour.  Whisk in pot on medium heat until desired thickness is reached.  If it’s too thick, add more juice.  Too thin, add 1/2 teaspoon more flour at a time until desired thickness is reached.

Nutrition Facts
BBQ Parmesan Slow Cooker Pork Loin
Amount Per Serving (2 slices)
Calories 426 Calories from Fat 117
% Daily Value*
Fat 13g20%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Cholesterol 151mg50%
Sodium 732mg32%
Potassium 1013mg29%
Carbohydrates 24g8%
Sugar 20g22%
Protein 49g98%
Vitamin A 130IU3%
Vitamin C 0.2mg0%
Calcium 111mg11%
Iron 3.1mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Pin this Slow Cooker BBQ Parmesan Pork Loin for later

This post was originally published on August 16, 2012. We’ve gotten much better at photography since then.  Check out some of the old photos of our Slow Cooker BBQ Parmesan Pork Loin for giggles!

Vegan Options for Your Next Cookout

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MorningStarFarms #MakeRoomOnYourGrill #CollectiveBias

This cookout season make sure everyone is satisfied and full with vegan and vegetarian options. Check out these Vegan Options for Your Next Cookout! You’re going to want to make room on the grill for all this goodness.  

For the past 12 months of so now, we’ve really been limiting our meat consumption. Our goal is to try to eat more plant based as much as we can. Though we haven’t made the full commitment to a vegan or even vegetarian lifestyle at this time, we are getting closer everyday.  Who knows if one day we will, right now we are just trying to live a healthier life.

What we’ve noticed during this transition is that a lot of other people are doing the same.  Not only that, but we’ve realized that some of our friends and family are actually vegan or vegetarian that we never noticed before. Given this, we have been making a special effort to make sure that our friends and family are well taken care of when they attend get togethers at our house.

Introducing MorningStar® Farms Quarter Pound Veggie Burgers 

One way we’ve been doing this is to make sure to grab MorningStar® Farms burgers before any summer get together. What’s more exciting is their new MorningStar Farms Quarter Pound Veggie Burgers. These perfectly crafted burgers are larger, filling your bun with more deliciousness and leaving you more satisfied. You’re definitely going to want to make room on your grill for these!

Whether you are looking for a healthier meal option for meatless Monday dinner for the family, hosting 50 people at your summer barbecue, or football season kickoff party. MorningStar Farms® are made with no artificial ingredients and non-GMO soy.

The two new products they are introducing are:

  • Meat Lovers Burger: A “beef-like” taste and texture that has a whopping 27 grams of positive Plant Based Protein
  • Veggie Lovers Burger: A better for you burger packed with 12 different veggies, 2 seeds & 2 grains, plus 10 grams of Plant Based Protein.

You can find these in the frozen foods section of your local grocery store!

So now you have your delicious vegan burger ready to go and on your grocery list. However, now you aren’t sure what serve with your burgers. One, let’s talk about what you’re serving for the burgers!

These MorningStar Farms Quarter Pound Veggie Burgers are perfect with lettuce, tomato, red onions, and sautéed mushrooms. This delicious avocado dip would make the perfect spread for a sauce for the burgers as well. If you’ve never sautéed mushrooms before, it’s super easy. Carefully wipe with a wet cloth to remove dirt. Remove the stems. Heat a little olive oil over medium heat, and then add the mushrooms, cooking and stirring a few times for 5-7 minutes. Add in a little salt, pepper, and garlic powder while cooking. Remove from heat and serve.

For a super simple pairing, just serve spicy pickles alongside the burgers.

However, if you’re looking for everyday solutions for complete meals, especially for get togethers, you’re going to want to try these five side dishes!

Now, you’re whole summer is ready to go with options for everyday!  Enjoy these Vegan Options for Your Next Cookout or everyday meal solutions!

The MorningStar Farms Burger Bar Truck will be driving around to visit Walmart stores around the country, click below to see if they are coming to a Walmart near you!

Grilled Balsamic Steak

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This Grilled Balsamic Steak is the perfect conversation starter for your next summer get together! Pair it with delicious The Dreaming Tree Crush red wine for the ultimate pairing.

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older. #SeedOfAGreatSummer #CollectiveBias

Summertime is one of my favorite seasons because it means grilling time. I mean, I typically grill year round, but in the summer, we grill way more often.  It also means more get togethers. There’s something about summer time and grilling with family that brings everyone around us joy. We love inviting our friends and family over to enjoy a meal together. As a culture, it’s what we were made to enjoy.  Being able to come together, share a meal and conversation, is the root of what makes us happy. And having the opportunity to do that with family brings us so much joy.

For special celebrations, we love making steak. This grilled balsamic steak is the perfection conversation starter. Your family will be begging for your how to make this delicious grilled balsamic steak. The homemade balsamic steak sauce recipe will have everyone asking for the recipe!

Pairing Wine with Grilled Balsamic Steak

I’ve been grilling for a long time.  As I’ve gotten older and we enjoy having people over, we’ve learned to always have a bottle (or a few if a big party) of wine that pairs nicely with the meal we are serving. Pairing wine with Grilled Balsamic Steak is easy thanks to The Dreaming Tree. Their red blend, Crush, has notes of smokey berry with a pop of raspberry jam, making it the ultimate shareable red wine with your favorite people.

The Dreaming Tree Wines

Whether you are serving this deliciously grilled Balsamic Steak with Crush red wine blend or looking for other options, The Dreaming Tree has the perfect wine to bring along or serve to share with family and friends. These high quality, delicious wines are made at an affordable price so everyone can enjoy. The Dreaming Tree has a goal to make high quality California wines available everywhere. Besides the delicious red blend, Crush, other available wines include:

  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Pinot Noir
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Chardonnay

How to make Grilled Balsamic Steak

This Grilled Balsamic Steak is super simple to make and a huge crowd please.  Combine those two things and you have all the conversation starter that you need for your next get together.  Start by making the delicious balsamic steak sauce from scratch. Don’t worry, we promise this is easy. Once you make the sauce, while you wait for it to chill, you make a simple steak with fresh cracked pink salt and black pepper. Grill it on both sides until done to your preferred cooking temperature.  Then, serve alongside the balsamic steak sauce and The Dreaming Tree Crush red wine blend.

0 from 0 votes
Print
Grilled Balsamic Steak
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Resting Time
5 mins
Total Time
50 mins
 

This Grilled Balsamic Steak is the perfect conversation starter for your next summer get together! Pair it with delicious The Dreaming Tree Crush red wine for the ultimate pairing. 

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: dinner, homemade steak sauce, steak
Servings: 4 people
Author: Larisha Campbell
Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 3/4 cup Ketchup
  • 2 tbsp Dark Brown Sugar
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 Yellow Onion, largely sliced and separated
  • 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard
  • 4 cloves Garlic, peeled
  • 2 tbsp Low Sodium Soy Sauce
  • 1/4 tsp allspice
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 4 strip steaks
Instructions

  1. In a medium sauce pot, add the ingredients except butter and steak.

  2. Stir and let come to a boil.

  3. Simmer for 30 minutes.

  4. Remove from heat. Stir in butter until melted.  

  5. Using a strainer, remove onions and garlic. 

  6. Set aside sauce. 

  7. Crack pink salt and black pepper on both sides of your steaks. 

  8. Heat grill to 400 degrees. 

  9. Cook steaks for 4 minutes on each side for medium. (Cook more or less time depending on preference). 

  10. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes. 

  11. Cut steak and serve with balsamic steak sauce and Dreaming Tree Crush.

Recipe Notes

**Nutritional facts are just estimates. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. 

The Dreaming Tree wines are available at your local grocery, drug or supercenter stores. A little trick – just go to their website and locate their wines here.

Green Bean Salad Recipe (Vegan Option)

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This easy green bean salad recipe may be simple, but it’s packed full of flavor. Be sure to take a potluck hit to your next get together with this simple side dish.

I’ve told the story before about how growing up, I’d only eat green bean in ketchup.  Thankfully, all my senses came together and had an awakening moment for my life. Slowly, but surely, I’ve came to love green beans and now, they are one of my favorite vegetables. I never realized at that time, but green beans are so versatile.  I remember reading before that you have to try new foods up to 10 times. I can totally see why now, because the versatility in what you can go with a set of ingredients, can completely change how you look at a food that you think you don’t like.

It’s also a great tool for teaching your children. For us, we explain to our kids that while you may not like something steamed, you may like it grilled, or roasted, or sautéed. You may like an ingredient mixed into something, but not by itself.  There are so many different ways to use and incorporate ingredients, that you should never give up on it the first time.

Green Bean Salad Recipe

This easy green bean salad recipe with feta is sure to be a crowd pleaser.  In our  home, it’s kid-approved, too! Our girls, love not only helping to make this, but being able to eat through all the flavor combinations as well. We start by sautéing fresh green beans in butter, with some freshly cracked black pepper and pink Himalayan salt.  While they are cooling down after cooking, we halve beautifully ripe cherry tomatoes. Then, we make a delicious, but simple lemon balsamic sauce. Finally, we combine everything with some sliced almonds and feta cheese. The end result is everything that you’ve wanted and more in a side dish!

4.5 from 2 votes
Print
Easy Green Bean Salad Recipe with Feta
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
8 mins
Cooling Time
15 mins
Total Time
18 mins
 

While this easy green bean salad recipe may be simple, it's packed full of flavor. Be sure to take a potluck hit to your next get together with this simple side dish.

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: side dish, summer salad
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 154 kcal
Author: Larisha Campbell
Ingredients
  • 1 lb fresh green beans, ends snipped
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter (use vegan butter if making vegan)
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 tbsp lemon juice
  • 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • salt and pepper
  • 1/2 cup toasted sliced almonds (walnuts could be substituted)
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese (use vegan feta)
Instructions

  1. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.

  2. Add green beans and saute for 8 minutes, stirring frequently. Add salt and pepper to taste. 

  3. Remove from heat and put inside bowl. Let cool for 15 minutes. 

  4. In a small bowl, combine, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and garlic powder. Stir together. 

  5. To bowl with green beans, add halved cherry tomatoes and thinly sliced red onions. Pour sauce combination over and stir gently, but well. 

  6. Taste test and add additional salt and pepper if necessary. 

  7. Add feta cheese and toasted almonds on top. 

  8. Serve warm or cold. 

Nutrition Facts
Easy Green Bean Salad Recipe with Feta
Amount Per Serving (0.5 cup)
Calories 154 Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value*
Fat 11g17%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Cholesterol 15mg5%
Sodium 116mg5%
Potassium 339mg10%
Carbohydrates 10g3%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 810IU16%
Vitamin C 23.1mg28%
Calcium 101mg10%
Iron 1.4mg8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Pin this deliciously easy Green Bean Salad Recipe for later: 

Meatball Sliders

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This Meatball Sliders recipe is a huge hit with the kids and ready to go in under an hour! Try this delicious Meatball Sliders recipe today!

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Thrive Algae Oil. Thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

At every get together growing up, my aunt would make these delicious homemade meatballs. It was one of the ways my mother could guarantee that I was going to get protein into my body on a busy day with family. They were amazing and it’s always one of the first recipes that I learned how to make. To this day, I still make them and I still love them.

But today, making them means something more. Today, the memories I hope to have with my beloved family recipe, is not my own, but rather, exciting memories of family favorite recipes into my own children. Luckily, I’ve succeeded with this recipe.  Both of our girls love these meatballs. So much so that they ask for seconds.

A New Spin on a Family Favorite

Meatballs are great by themselves (obviously) or put on top or rice or onto a roll. However, meatballs subs are hard for little kids to eat and putting on top of rice isn’t easy when you’re on the move (especially if you have to eat in the car). Today, we’re transforming our family favorite meatballs into a delicious and fun recipe for the whole family – Meatball Sliders! Not only are they a family friendly recipe, but it’s a crowd please and easy to eat on the run. Try them for your next get together or upcoming sports night!

How to Make Meatball Sliders

We start with the basics of our homemade meatball recipe. If you don’t have time, feel free to use large store bought meatballs. Once you form the ingredients into meatballs, then it’s time to get them cooking. We’ve opted to cook the meatballs in New! Thrive Algae Oil. Once the meatballs are cooked, we add spaghetti sauce to the skillet and cook for a few more minutes. Once that sauce is well incorporated with the meatballs, we start making our meatball sliders. We layer mozzarella cheese on top of slider buns with a little more sauce and one meatball. Once layered, we brush an herbed butter mixture on top of the buns and then cook for 12 minutes.  Then done! Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!

What is Thrive Algae Oil?

I know you guys caught that little tidbit in how to make them and your first thought was what is Algae Oil!? Luckily, I’m here to tell you today! Thrive® Algae Oil is an everyday cooking oil that is made from algae and has the highest level of monounsaturated fat (the good fat!) compared to any other cooking oil available. Plus, it has the lowest level of saturated fats (the bad ones!). Swapping out sources of saturated fat for sources of monounsaturated fat, such as Thrive, helps maintain heart health. Additionally, it has a super high smoke point of up to 485 degrees, so you can really turn up the heat.  And lastly, taste. I know you’re all wondering about this. Thrive® Algae Oil actually is a very light, neutral oil, so the food really shines without taking on the taste of the oil.

5 from 1 vote
Print
Meatball Sliders
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
40 mins
 
This Meatball Sliders recipe is a huge hit with the kids and ready to go in under an hour! Try this delicious Meatball Sliders recipe today!
Course: Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Servings: 18 sliders
Calories: 173 kcal
Author: Larisha Campbell
Ingredients
  • 1 homemade meatball recipe* (only the first 9 ingredients)
  • 2 tbsp Thrive Algae Oil
  • 1.5 cups spaghetti sauce
  • 18 slider buns
  • 9 slices mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tsp italian seasoning
Instructions

  1. Prepare homemade meatballs according to instructions. 

  2. Heat oil in skillet over medium heat.

  3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

  4. In batches, cook meatballs, making sure not to overcrowd, for 10-12 minutes or until browned on all sides and cooked through. Stir frequently so not to burn. *Add more Thrive Algae Oil between batches if necessary.

  5. Once all the meatballs are cooked, add them back into the skillet with spaghetti sauce. 

  6. Cook for 3-5 more minutes. Then, remove from heat. 

  7. On your slider buns, place a quarter slice of cheese on the bottom, then a little bit of sauce from your skillet, one meatball, a little more sauce, another quarter slice of cheese and the top of the bun. *Use toothpicks to hold together if not staying together.

  8. Place on baking sheet and Repeat with remaining sliders. 

  9. Mix together the melted butter and Italian seasoning and brush mixture across the tops of meatball sliders

  10. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown on top.

  11. Serve

Recipe Notes

*Homemade meatball recipe can be swapped out for store bought meatballs. Look for meatballs at least 2" in diameter. Prepare according to directions.

**Nutritional facts are just estimates. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. 

Nutrition Facts
Meatball Sliders
Amount Per Serving (1 slider)
Calories 173 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Cholesterol 18mg6%
Sodium 196mg9%
Potassium 80mg2%
Carbohydrates 17g6%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 6g12%
Vitamin A 265IU5%
Vitamin C 1.4mg2%
Calcium 101mg10%
Iron 1.2mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Try Thrive® Algae Oil for yourself!  If you are in an ACME market, today, Friday, June 1-June 4 2018 you can try it at an in-store tasting throughout New Jersey and the greater Philadelphia area. Exact dates vary by locations, so contact your local ACME for more information on tastings local to you!

For more information, you can visit Thrive’s website, or check them out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or YouTube!

 

 

Ultimate Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese

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This Ultimate Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese sandwich recipe is the perfect lunch or dinner sandwich for the whole family! Stack it super high or make a smaller version for the best grilled cheese recipe!

I can’t really pinpoint an exact time that I fell in love with pulled pork, but as a mom, it’s one of my favorite meals.  We alternate between pulled pork and pulled chicken, so feel free to substitute either of these meats in this recipe. We make a slow cooker pulled pork recipe with our homemade BBQ sauce which is one reason I love it so much.

My time as a mom, is limited. Even as a stay-at-home mom, I work from home and I homeschool, so we have a lot going on every day.  I’m constantly on the go and making lists and being able to throw dinner in the crockpot in the morning in under 10 minutes and have it ready at dinner, is a HUGE win for me.

Making a Gourmet Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese

Our gourmet pulled pork grilled cheese sandwich has a large combination of toppings. Think of this as a recipe that you would see served at a fun restaurant. Together, this sandwich works magically together. However, we understand that this may be unrealistic or to large for most people (especially littles).  Feel free to alter it however you need.

What toppings go on an ultimate pulled pork grilled cheese: 

  • pulled pork
  • mac and cheese
  • onion rings
  • bacon
  • ham
  • pineapple
  • lettuce
  • smoked gouda slices
  • cream cheese

Clearly, once you start piling these toppings on, you have a giant sandwich. It’s fun to eat though! You can make homemade pulled pork by following our homemade pulled chicken recipe and just sub the chicken for the same amount of pork tenderloin. Use your favorite mac and cheese recipe and then layer everything else between two slices of cooked, garlic texas toast. After that, throw in a skillet with a pat of melted butter and grilled until golden brown on both sides! Voila! Perfect pulled pork grilled cheese sandwich!

Best Side Dishes for Pulled Pork

0 from 0 votes
Print
Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
10 mins
 

This Ultimate Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese sandwich recipe is the perfect lunch or dinner sandwich for the whole family! Stack it super high or make a smaller version for the best grilled cheese recipe!

Course: Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 sandwiches
Calories: 1162 kcal
Author: Larisha Campbell
Ingredients
  • 8 slices texas toast, cooked
  • 2 cups pulled pork, cooked
  • 8 onion rings, cooked
  • 1 cup mac and cheese, cooked
  • 4 slices bacon, cooked
  • 8 slices ham, thinly sliced
  • 4 slices fresh pineapple
  • 1/4 cup spring mix lettuce
  • 8 slices smoked gouda cheese
  • 2 oz cream cheese
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • Homemade BBQ Sauce, optional
Instructions

  1. On one slice of texas toast layer 1/2 cup pulled pork, 2 onion rings, 1/4 cup mac and cheese, 1 slice bacon, broken in half, 2 slices ham, 1 slice pineapple, 1/4 of the lettuce, 2 slices of smoked gouda, 1/4 oz of cream cheese. Top with another slice of texas toast. 

  2. In a skillet, over medium heat, melt 1/2 tbsp of butter. 

  3. Place sandwich in melted butter for 1-2 minutes or until golden brown. 

  4. Carefully flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes. 

  5. Remove from heat and repeat with remaining sandwiches.

Recipe Notes

**Nutritional facts are just estimates. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. 

Nutrition Facts
Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese
Amount Per Serving (1 sandwich)
Calories 1162 Calories from Fat 630
% Daily Value*
Fat 70g108%
Saturated Fat 29g181%
Cholesterol 201mg67%
Sodium 2218mg96%
Potassium 808mg23%
Carbohydrates 71g24%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 14g16%
Protein 63g126%
Vitamin A 755IU15%
Vitamin C 40.2mg49%
Calcium 531mg53%
Iron 14.7mg82%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Pin this Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese for Later!   

Monte Cristo Grilled Cheese Sandwich

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Our Monte Cristo Grilled Cheese Sandwich is a fun play on a traditional french Monte Cristo recipe. Try this delicious monte cristo sandwich and tell us if it’s not one of the best grilled cheese sandwiches you’ve had.  

The first time I ever saw a Monte Cristo sandwich, I was with my sister. We were at a restaurant together when she ordered one and when it came out, I was confused. There was meat and cheese on her sandwich but it was topped with powdered sugar and she told me the sauce was raspberry. After the disgusted look on my face, she made me try it anyway. It was in that moment that I learned the amazingness that is a monte cristo sandwich.

I knew when we were creating our grilled cheese sandwich series that a monte cristo grilled cheese sandwich had to be one of them. It’s such a fun recipe for the entire family. The kids think it’s amazing that we give them powdered sugar on a sandwich. I think the first time we made them, the girls lost we had gone off our rockers.

What is a Monte Cristo Sandwich?

Before we get into our monte cristo grilled cheese sandwich, let’s first discuss what is a monte cristo sandwich. A classic Monte cristo recipe is a fried ham and cheese sandwich.  It was a play on the French croque-monsieur which is a baked ham and cheese sandwich. Some people now use other meats in addition to the ham and it may or may not be fried.  It’s topped with powdered sugar and served with a raspberry sauce.

What sides do you serve with a Monte Cristo Grilled Cheese sandwich?

How to make a Monte Cristo Grilled Cheese sandwich?

5 from 1 vote
Print
Monte Cristo Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
7 mins
Total Time
12 mins
 

Our Monte Cristo Grilled Cheese Sandwich is a fun play on a traditional french Monte Cristo recipe. Try this delicious monte cristo sandwich and tell us if it's not one of the best grilled cheese sandwiches you've had.  

Course: Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American, French
Servings: 4 sandwiches
Calories: 901 kcal
Author: Larisha Campbell
Ingredients
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 8 slices french toast brioche bread
  • 8 slices Smoked Gouda Cheese
  • 4 slices Swiss Cheese
  • 1 lb smoked ham slices (deli meat)
  • 1/2 lb smoked turkey slices (deli meat)
  • 1 pint fresh raspberries, optional
  • raspberry sauce, optional
  • powdered sugar, optional
Instructions

  1. Using previously cooked french toast bread, butter one side of each of the pieces. 

  2. Heat skillet to medium low. 

  3. Place one slice of bread, butter side down into the pan. 

  4. Layer 2 slices of gouda, 1 slice of Swiss, 1/4 lb of ham and 1/8 lb of turkey slices between two pieces of bread.  Add optional fresh raspberries in layers if desired. 

  5. Place another slice of bread on the top, butter side up. 

  6. Cook for 2 minutes or until golden brown. Flip. 

  7. Cook for another 1-2 minutes or until that side is also golden brown. 

  8. Remove and repeat with remaining sandwiches. 

  9. Top with powdered sugar and serve with raspberry sauce if desired. 

Recipe Notes

**Nutritional facts are just estimates. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. 

Nutrition Facts
Monte Cristo Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Amount Per Serving (1 sandwich)
Calories 901 Calories from Fat 477
% Daily Value*
Fat 53g82%
Saturated Fat 30g188%
Cholesterol 312mg104%
Sodium 2288mg99%
Potassium 666mg19%
Carbohydrates 49g16%
Fiber 7g29%
Sugar 7g8%
Protein 59g118%
Vitamin A 1410IU28%
Vitamin C 31mg38%
Calcium 727mg73%
Iron 3.5mg19%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

PIN THIS MONTE CRISTO GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH FOR LATER!

 

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