Best Fourth of July Appetizer O'Dourve Recipes for BBQ and Parties

No party is complete without a tasty array of appetizers! Color coordinate your 4th of July picnic table with these 3 delicious RED WHITE & BLUE o'dourves.

1. Mini Red White & Blue Burgers
These burgers have been a summer favorite in my family for years. The blue cheese makes the burgers so amazingly juicy and flavorful - get some napkins ready, because their delicious aroma will probably have your guests drooling! They're perfect for a large gathering where you need to feed many people.

Mini Red White & Blue Burgers
Serves 20

In a large bowl, mix the following ingredients together:
2 lbs ground beef
1 large chopped red onion
10 oz blue cheese
3 cloves finely chopped garlic
¼ cup ranch salad dressing - either powdered form or liquid
1 tbsp flour (ONLY if you've used liquid salad dressing!)
1 egg (this isn't necessary, but it really helps hold the burgers together)
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp salt

You will also need:
4 large tomatoes (reserved for later)
6 oz crumbled blue cheese (reserved for later)
20 cooked bacon strips, cut in half (reserved for later - optional)
French bread sliced in 1/2 inch slices or miniature hamburger buns
Any condiments you would like, such as ketchup, mustard, mayo

HOW TO:

• Form each miniature patty so they're about 3" in diameter and a little over 1" thick
• Spray the BBQ grate with a cooking spray like Pam
• Cook on Medium-High heat, around 450 degrees.
• Cook each side for 3 minutes until the burgers are cooked to your liking.
• Medium-rare takes about 6 minutes total.
• Well done takes about 10 minutes total.

Finish with your reserved ingredients

Place bacon in an "X" formation on top of each burger (optional)
Slice 4 large tomatoes (5 slices per tomato) and place one tomato slice on top of each burger.
Sprinkle the top of each tomato with blue cheese crumbles.
Serve the burgers open-faced on grilled french bread slices, or on miniature hamburger buns.

2. Spinach & Red Pepper Pinwheels
If you thought it was tough to make pinwheels, think again! These taste amazing and will look like they were assembled by a professional caterer.

Spinach & Red Pepper Pinwheels
Serves 20

You will need:

8 large flour tortillas
16 oz cream cheese (let sit out for 1/2 hour to soften)
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 large bag fresh spinach leaves, chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 red peppers, finely chopped
A few splashes of hot sauce (optional)
Salt & Pepper to taste

HOW TO:

• Mix together cream cheese and mayonnaise. Stir in garlic and red peppers. Fold in the spinach leaves.(This makes a great vegetarian appetizer, but if you would like to add meat, you can incorporate cooked chopped bacon. Either way, it's delicious!)
• Spread the paste onto each flour tortilla using a spatula, so it fully coats the tortilla and you cannot see the tortilla through the paste. If it's too thick to spread, add a bit more mayonnaise to the mixture.
• Now roll each tortilla from corner to corner (like you're rolling up a taquito). Cut diagonally in 1 1/2 inch sections (you should get about 5 slices per 1 large tortilla).

3. Sun Dried Tomato Dip with Blue Tortilla Chips
This may be the easiest & tastiest dip you've EVER made! It's the perfect festive food a 4th of July party or potluck.

Sun Dried Tomato Dip with Blue Tortilla Chips
Serves 20

You will need:

1 large bag blue tortilla chips
2 packages Philadelphia Cream Cheese (usually 8oz each)
1 package (usually 12 oz) sun dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained
2 large cloves garlic, finely diced
2 tbsp milk

HOW TO:

• In a large bowl, vigorously stir together the cream cheese, garlic, milk & pepper until it forms a soft, creamy mixture. You can use a hand held mixer to make this process much easier.
• Gently fold in the sun dried tomatoes. *Remember to drain the oil out first*
• Scoop one teaspoon of dip mixture on to each tortilla chip and arrange on a large platter.
• For an extra kick, splash the top of the platter of chips with hot sauce.
• (If you don't have time to place a dollop on each chip, simply place the bowl of dip in the center of your chip platter).

Enjoy! And have a party-full Fourth of July!