Memorial Day weekend is often seen as the unofficial kickoff to summer, prompting many Americans to get their grills going and dive into burgers and barbecue delights.
In a recent chat with Fox News Digital, competitive barbecue chef Josh Cooper, who recently found success at a cooking contest in Memphis, shared some of his go-to side dishes that he describes as “really simple.”
Cooper, who runs Cooper’s Next Level BBQ in Tallahassee, Florida, and his team, Swinos, secured third place at the World Championship BBQ Cooking Contest during the International Festival in May.
When not competing, Cooper tends to whip up various steak dishes and has five recommendations for any cookout.
1. Stuffed Mushrooms
Cooper enjoys using Parmesan cheese, garlic, and panko crumbs to fill mushrooms. He then drizzles them with olive oil and grills them.
“These delicious little stuffed mushrooms are perfect alongside steaks,” he mentioned.
2. Bruschetta
With tomatoes coming in strong in Florida, Cooper loves to make the most of his garden’s produce. “I often whip up fresh pico, but my wife really loves these simple bruschettas,” he added.
The key ingredients are fresh tomatoes, basil, herbs, spices, salt, pepper, and olive oil. “Just mix everything, toast some French bread on the grill, and voilà—a fantastic summer snack!”
3. Hasselback Potatoes
Cooper believes that baked potatoes pair perfectly with steak, but he suggests trying the Hasselback version instead. They’re sliced in a fan-like pattern, which might seem daunting, yet he insists it’s “very easy.” He recommends using Yukon gold potatoes, aligning them with chopsticks, and making thin cuts halfway through. With olive oil, rosemary, and thyme, brush them, grill at about 425°F for roughly 45 minutes, and finish with another olive oil coating for an extra 15–20 minutes.
4. Mexican Street Corn
If a Mexican-style barbecue is on the agenda, Cooper states that grilled corn on the cob is a must. To achieve that street corn flavor, he suggests mixing in Cotija cheese, mayonnaise, Mexican cream, lime juice, salt, and pepper. This combination is, as he says, “a game changer for side dishes.”
5. Watermelon Salad
Cooper also champions watermelon salad, asserting that there’s no need for heavy cooking. “This is fresh and tasty,” he explained. He combines seedless watermelon cubes with chopped red onions, feta cheese, fresh mint, and aged balsamic vinegar. “It may sound a bit unusual, but if you try it, it could change your life!” he promised.
