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Budget-Friendly $50 Week July 4th Family Feast Easy Meal Plan

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A delicious and satisfying July 4th family feast plan that feeds five on a $50 budget, featuring grilled citrus herb chicken, creamy coleslaw, and corn pudding. Perfect for summer gatherings with simple ingredients and easy preparation.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 2 oranges, juiced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 medium head green cabbage, shredded
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and grated
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 3 cups frozen corn kernels
  • 1 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • Salt to taste
  • Hot dog buns or hamburger rolls
  • 1 pound hot dogs or plant-based sausages (optional)
  • Fresh lemons for garnish

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken (10 minutes prep + 2 hours marinating): In a large bowl, combine orange juice, minced garlic, olive oil, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Add chicken thighs and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  2. Prepare the Coleslaw (15 minutes): In a large bowl, mix shredded cabbage and grated carrots. In a separate bowl, whisk mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth. Pour dressing over veggies and toss. Chill until ready to serve.
  3. Make the Corn Pudding Batter (10 minutes): Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, whisk cornmeal, baking powder, and salt. Add milk, eggs, melted butter, and frozen corn kernels. Stir until just combined. Pour batter into a greased 9×9 inch baking dish.
  4. Bake Corn Pudding (45 minutes): Bake in preheated oven until top is golden and a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Let cool slightly.
  5. Grill the Chicken and Hot Dogs (20-25 minutes): Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and place skin-side down on grill. Cook 10-12 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Grill hot dogs alongside until heated through and slightly charred.
  6. Assemble and Serve (5 minutes): Arrange grilled chicken and hot dogs on a platter. Serve coleslaw and corn pudding on the side. Garnish with lemon wedges.

Notes

Marinate chicken for at least 2 hours for juicier meat. Use indirect grilling to avoid burning thicker chicken pieces. Chill coleslaw before serving to meld flavors. Do not overmix corn pudding batter to maintain tender texture. Can bake chicken at 400°F for 35-40 minutes if no grill is available. Leftovers keep well for up to 3 days; reheat chicken gently to retain juiciness.

Nutrition

Keywords: July 4th, budget-friendly, family feast, grilled chicken, coleslaw, corn pudding, summer meal, easy meal plan

Find it online: https://emmastirs.com/budget-friendly-50-week-july-4th-family-feast-easy-meal-plan/