As we approach Father’s Day, we wanted to share a few of our most popular articles from past years in case you missed them. With topics ranging from gifts for the grilling dad to steak recipes and cooking tips, you’re sure to find ideas that will please just about any dad or grandfather.
Father’s Day Gift Guide: 7 Ideas for the Grilling Dad
What do you get for the man who grills everything? Start with these ideas, including: a DIY steak kit, BBQ organizer, ‘make your own’ dry rubs, grill accessories, and more. Read article.
Steaks for Father’s Day
Fire up those grills or stovetops and get ready to spoil dad. While he has a whole summer of outdoor cooking coming his way, he shouldn’t be responsible for his own Father’s Day dinner. Check out these 5 great recipes for a delicious and memorable Father’s Day meal. Read article.
6 Easy Tricks for Grilling a Perfect Steak
With tips like ‘step 1: do nothing’, this is a guide that even a complete novice in the kitchen can easily follow to serve up an incredible meal. Check out all of the tricks here.
With great entertaining comes great responsibility to serve unforgettable food. With the end of the school year quickly approaching, and spring and summer holidays right around the corner, the outdoor entertaining season is practically here.
Busy hands make light conversation, so it’s best to avoid cooking elaborate meals for an occasion where guests may stop in at any time. That’s why we carry platters with our own roast beef and turkey finger sandwiches, and imported ham and chicken spiral wraps ready to order from our Catering Menu. We’re also a fan of creating mini chip-and-dip stations with our bean dip, cheddar blue cheese spread, or red pepper jelly spread, all available in-store.
Remember, the best food for an event is food that travels! Thrill hungry socializing guests with these easily prepared, no-stress platter recipes:
Assembling an impressive charcuterie and cheese platter doesn’t have to be a hassle. AHU Eats breaks down the ideal ingredients for the ultimate meat and cheese ensemble. The key to pulling this beautiful arrangement? Variety! For cheese, AHU Eats recommends using a soft, medium, firm, and smelly cheese. For meats, select a range from mild to spicy and from more to less fatty. Add some fresh food and an edible vehicle like a crusty baguette, then arrange on a large cutting board, platter, or your choice of serving tray.
It’s not always easy to please a crowd. Damn Delicious guarantees a sea of smiling faces when you serve their antipasto platter and cheese board. This recipe includes the traditional antipasto assortment of olives, cured meats, peppers, and Italian cheeses along with focaccia bread and marcona almonds. Make sure you pick up some mini skewers for the marinated olives and small mozzarella cheese bites, also known as bocconcini, all available at Butcher Boy.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that as butchers, we love adding meat to our salads. Like a cool drink on a hot day, cooked meat in cold salads is light and refreshing, an ideal spring and summer dinner.
We firmly believe salads don’t have to be boring. So here are five recipes that will guarantee smiles on faces when you declare, “we’re having salad for dinner!”
Easy and healthy, this fruit-filled salad from Real Housemoms is a cinch to whip up. Tart berries delight the palate while fresh avocado brings an incredibly creamy texture to the meal. Layer grilled chicken on top of a bed of romaine, and sprinkle feta throughout. Chopped walnuts surprise with a much-needed crunch, while the poppyseed dressing brings all of the ingredients together into a symphony of flavors. Beautifully plated, your family will beg for this salad to be added to your dinner rotation.
2. Greek Avocado & Grilled Chicken Salad with Greek Dressing
A great dinner should be cause for a celebration. You’ll be declaring “Opa!” when enjoying this Greek-inspired protein-packed chicken salad from Gimme Delicious. With ingredients like Kalamata olives, marinated artichoke hearts, and avocado, your family will forget the simple Iceberg lettuce salads of yesteryear. Take your meal to the next level by freshly grilling the chicken on your stovetop or outdoor grill. Complete the meal experience by serving warm bread sticks on the side.
When is the last time you heard “juicy” and “salad” in the same sentence? Inspired by taco salad, Skinnytaste‘s combination of broiled strip steak, pico de gallo, and guacamole will make your whole family’s mouth water. After broiling, squeeze fresh lime onto the steak, then divide the lettuce, cheese, and mixings between the plates. Craving a little extra heat? Add jalapeño slices on top.
4. Arugula Skirt Steak Salad with Caramelized Pears, Pecans, and Gorgonzola
Spicy arugula, chunks of stinky gorgonzola, and caramelized pears make Baker By Nature‘s skirt steak salad truly audacious in the best way possible. Peppery steak, sweetness from the candied pecans, and tangy mustard vinaigrette play a flavor game that everyone will win. Serve this bold salad immediately after letting the steak rest for 10 minute
Love sausage and peppers hoagies, but want to ditch the bread? Then this is the salad for you. A Whole New Twist‘s sweet Italian sausage salad recipe makes the traditional street fare paleo-friendly and healthy. Raw honey, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar create a light and slightly sweet vinaigrette, adding a new dimension to this old favorite. Keep the salad from becoming soggy by roasting the peppers, onions, and mushrooms on a baking sheet. Make this salad even healthier by substituting turkey sausage for the pork links.
The celebration of Easter has many traditions, from reflective to delicious. Nothing brings a family together quite like a traditional meal, steeped in personal history and a shared celebration with your friends and community.
The meat is the centerpiece of the Easter meal. We carry roasts, a variety of cuts of lamb, and brisket for those celebrating Passover! We also have a variety of boneless and bone-in hams, fully-cooked and available for order on our Order Guide, ready to be heated using our Ham Cooking Guide. We have delicious homemade glazes and sides, but we understand the pleasure of cooking your meal from scratch at home.
Start your celebration with these delicious Easter recipes:
Brilliant and surprisingly simple to make, Food & Wine‘s recipe for this garlic rack of lamb has only five ingredients. Season the lamb with salt and pepper, then run finely chopped garlic, rosemary, and olive oil all over the meat. Roast in the upper third of the oven for a combined time of 25 minutes, turning over once. Let it rest! Those juices will continue to cook the meat once removed.
2. Slow-Roasted Boneless Leg of Lamb With Garlic, Rosemary, and Lemon Recipe
Slow-roasting is a term that instantly brings to mind tender, juicy, well-cooked meat that falls apart with a fork. Serious Eats promises enhanced tenderness, with a crisp brown crust in their recipe for boneless leg of lamb. The anchovies, while a surprising ingredient, bring out the meatiness of the lamb without an overwhelming fishy flavor.
Lamb and mint are a perfect pairing. This classic combination has the added benefit of cleansing your palate. Jamie Oliver brings something new to the pairing, with a fresh mint leaf and olive oil mixture brushed delicately over the leg of lamb. This refreshing and light dish is a culinary work of art that is as beautiful as it is tasty. Place the meat atop the fresh fennel, carrots, and asparagus to serve.
Brown sugar and maple boil together to form a sweet glaze that’s perfect for this delightful baked ham from The Spruce. First pick up your fully cook ham, then score the fat of the ham in a diamond pattern and stud with cloves (if desired). Consult our guide for heating the ham, while combining the glaze ingredients in a medium saucepan. Spoon half the glaze over the ham about 20 minutes before it’s done baking, and then again 10 minutes before removing. Wait to carve for at least 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
A good glaze really sets a ham apart. Carl’s Bad Craving guarantees this apple cider maple glaze takes your bone-in juicy ham to a whole new flavor level. Sweet with a slight tang, the glaze features cider, pure maple syrup, Dijon mustard, vinegar, and mixed spices. Thicken with cornstarch and slather a third of it all over the ham, including in-between slices. Glaze once during baking and then again before letting it rest in loose foil.
Beautifully caramelized, this truly impressive baked ham recipe from Roti N Rice takes only 10 minutes of prep time. Bring pineapple juice, brown sugar, cinnamon stick, and cloves to a boil and then simmer to create a thick and syrupy glaze. Brush on the ham and into the folds of the cut slices. The oven does the heavy lifting, caramelizing the meat in just two hours.
Easter wouldn’t be the same without the complementary celebratory breads. Pane di Pasqua (Italian Easter breads) is braided with a dyed eye nested in the middle. Vibrant, slightly sweet, rich and soft, this recipe from a trEATs affair will brighten your table and delight your family and guests. The other heavenly tradition is Hot Cross Buns, a bread that serves as a visual and edible reminder of the religious story of Easter. Lightly spiced with cinnamon and studded with raisins, this simple to follow recipe from Natasha’s Kitchen will please your holiday sweet tooth.
Country Living adds gorgeous color to your plate with their sweet and nutty carrot side. First toss with oil and coriander, then season the carrots with salt and pepper. After baking, finish by tossing the golden brown veggie in maple syrup, lime zest, and juice.
What’s the cheesy key to these golden dish from Rachael Ray? Goat cheese! While most gratin dishes only contain potatoes, this recipe combines leeks, golden beets, and Yukon gold potatoes in one unforgettable side.
The term “new classic” may seem at odds, but this side dish has become a staple of my family holidays since the recipe was first published in 1955. kitchn recommends using frozen beans in the side as they have their peak-season flavor preserved. And they require no additional cooking. Quick tip: you can make this dish three days ahead! Just remove from fridge, top with fried onions, and bake.
Do you like your sweet potatoes more savory? Then this is the dish for you! Cooking Light‘s nutty potatoes feature a small drizzle of honey that enhances the flavors, while tahini contributes to the creaminess of the dish. You can mash by hand, or use a food processor to achieve an incredibly smooth texture.
Yes, this is another cheesy potato dish. However, this side from Chelsea’s Messy Apron has a few important differences. Not only do the potatoes crisp up, but you save oven space by using a crockpot. Sharp cheddar, milk, and sour cream form a creamy simple homemade cheese sauce. No cream of soup needed! Cook on high for 3 hours, then enjoy.
Don’t forget the sweets! We carry all your favorite Easter candy, perfect for baskets and after dinner dessert.
Read our blog from last year for even more Easter dinner recipes.
Happy Easter from Butcher Boy Market!
Stop by our store in North Andover. We’re always here to answer your questions.
Everyone is Irish on March 17th. The traditions of St. Patrick’s Day in America are well known. We wear green, attend parades, and eat corned beef and cabbage. What’s less known, however, is how corned beef became the centerpiece of the St. Paddy’s Day feast.
In Ireland, beef was a meat reserved for the wealthy, and most of it was exported to England. The Great Famine resulting from potato blight caused the mass migration of the Irish to the shores of the new world. In this new American home, corned beef was readily available to the Irish immigrants. Long deprived of the beef that was salted by Irish hands, the migrants gladly purchased the food they finally could afford. Although the kosher cut was different from the beef their great grandparents enjoyed, the meal became a comfort for the newly-minted Americans. This article in Smithsonian Magazine covers the entire history of the meat that has become synonymous with the day.
One could argue that the modern way of celebrating of St. Patrick’s Day is purely Irish-American. As covered in last year’s post, historically, the holiday was religious and reflective, celebrated by sharing cultural lore and honoring St. Patrick. However, there are many similarities between the historic celebrations of honoring the saint, and our traditions today. Observing the old ways in remembrance of their homeland helped unite the scattered Irish migrants. So, as they did in Ireland, Irish-Americans carried over the tradition of wearing shamrocks and enjoying Irish libations, such as Guinness and Irish whiskey. And today as in days of old, we enjoy soda bread and cabbage. Read our post from last year to get great recipes for both, as well as the full meal and leftovers.
Now that you know the reason we eat corned beef and celebrate the day, we get to the good part: cooking the meal! Butcher Boy Market makes grey corned beef and corned ribs, sells red corned beef, and serves grey corned beef dinners in our kitchen. Feel like making your meal at home? The key is to cook the beef slowly to create a tender, flavorful meal. Consult this guide from The Spruce on cooking corned beef three delicious ways: boiled, baked, or submerged in a slow cooker. Each way has its benefits. If you enjoy a crispy crust, then baking is for you! If you plan on spending the day out at a parade, slow cooker is the way to go. If you’re truly going traditional, then broiling will be the ticket to your perfect St. Paddy’s Day meal.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Butcher Boy!
Want more St. Patrick’s Day ideas?
Stop by our store in North Andover. We’re always here to answer your questions.
There are a lot of steps to making a great dinner. Why not save a few by reducing the number of dishes to wash? Sheet pan dinners emerge from the oven, and go straight to your plate. While they still require prep work, it’s worth it to see the satisfied looks on your family’s faces and having less scrubbing to do after the meal.
Cut down on cleanup with these all-in-one sheet pan dinners:
Add a little crunch to dinner with this 30-minute start-to-finish recipe from i heart eating. Marinate baked veggies, boneless chicken breasts, and cashews in a sauce of red wine vinegar, sesame oil, and soy sauce. Cook and serve on top of white rice, brown rice, or quinoa with extra cashews.
For a no fuss dinner, look no further than Damn Delicious‘ colorful bruschetta chicken with garlic parmesan roasted potatoes. This refreshing dish will quickly become a family favorite, and not just because you’ll only have one dish to clean. First, prepare the bruschetta and set aside. Cook chicken and the seasoned baby red potatoes side-by-side on the pan for 20-25 minutes. Add mozzarella to the chicken during the last 10 minutes of cooking, then top with bruschetta before serving.
Spice up your weeknight meal plan with No. 2 Pencil‘s chicken fajitas. This dish is a snap to make, and even easier to enjoy. Toss chicken tenders, sliced onions, and seeded bell peppers in olive oil and spices. Spread on an oiled sheet with limes and roast in the oven. Wrap tortillas in foil and add them to the oven in the last five minutes of cooking. To serve, squeeze the limes over the mixture and top with fresh cilantro before placing in the warm tortillas.
Beef
1) Sheet Pan Mini Meatloaves with Potatoes and Green Beans
Strawberry Blondie Kitchen‘s mini meatloaves are comfort on a pan. Stuffed with white cheddar, this recipe is a healthier alternative to most comfort foods. Substituting baby potatoes and green beans for mashed potatoes, this meal could become the one-pan-plan for your family, making them shout out, “winner winner, meatloaf dinner!”
Similar to the chicken fajitas recipe, this meal features one important difference: steak! Kirbie’s Cravings fulfills your own craving for red meat with this family fun dinner featuring flank steak. Thinly slice steak, onions, and bell peppers, and drench in olive oil. Then, sprinkle mixed seasonings over the mixture. The steak cooks quickly along with the vegetables, so monitor and adjust for preferred doneness.
3) Sheet Pan Skirt Steak with Balsamic Vinaigrette, Broccolini, and White Beans
Featuring a zesty vinaigrette that doubles as a marinade and a sauce for serving, Epicurious‘ skirt steak dish will wow your family with its intricate tastes. The marinaded steak cooks over the broccolini and white beans, flavoring them with its tasty juices. After the steak is cooked to the desired doneness, thinly slice it against the grain and serve with the broccolini mixture and remaining vinaigrette on side.
Carls Bad Cravings‘ tenderloin recipe shows off just how versatile pork can be. Brine the tenderloin, dry-rub with a chili mixture, and then sear until brown. Brush the pork with the chili dijon glaze, then place on the green beans, allowing the juices to soak into the vegetables while cooking. After baking, transfer the veggies to a platter and pour remaining juices over the mixture. Cut the pork into thin slices and serve on top.
Sweet tooth, meet dinner. These slathered raspberry pork chops from Melanie Makes are studded with fresh pineapple and raspberries, giving mealtime a savory twist. Drizzle the green beans and potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper and arrange on the pan. Lay the fruits in a single layer with the veggies, then lay the olive oil-brushed pork chops on top. Remove from oven, brush with the raspberry pineapple sauce, and serve. If you want to make the sauce at home, this recipe should do nicely.
3) Sheet-Pan Pork Chops with Brussels Sprouts and Potatoes
Ah, the simplicity of standard fare like pork chops and potatoes. Perfect for a chilly night, Tablespoon‘s recipe takes a total time of 45 minutes for the hearty meal to make its way to your family’s plates. Flavor the potatoes with rosemary and thyme, and use garlic power, salt, and pepper to season the brussels sprouts. Finally, rub the spices onto the pork chops and arrange the meat between the starch and veggie on the pan.
Happy cooking!
Want more dinner ideas?
Stop by our store in North Andover. We’re always here to answer your questions.
You can create the perfect Valentine’s Day, without venturing out in the cold night or making a reservation.
Picture yourself and your partner at a candlelit dinner for two, homemade with love. Plan the perfect night in with our beautifully arranged flowers available at every price point, a Caspari greeting card that captures your love story, and the ingredients to make this romantic meal for two.
Feel the sizzle in the air. We’re talking about the meat, of course! Impress that special someone with this savory Beef Wellington recipe from Jessica Gavin. Dijon mustard-brushed filet mignon is individually wrapped in prosciutto that’s covered with a mushroom filling, and then wrapped again in a blanket of golden brown crispy puff pastry. Finally, a mushroom red wine sauce made with the steak’s drippings is drizzled on top.
Why not start the meal with a nice salad? We prepare a variety of fresh-cut green salads, including Caesar and Mesclun with our house dijon vinaigrette. If you prefer to make at home, pick up the fixings to make this classic Caesar from Bon Appétit.
No dinner experience is complete without sides. That’s why we carry seasoned, oven-ready asparagus made in-house, an ideal side for Beef Wellington. Our asparagus is delicious as-is, but if you’re looking for a Hollandaise to top, this recipe from Julia Childs on Genius Kitchen should do the trick.
Set the mood by serving your favorite wine or classic spirit. We carry Veuve Clicquot, Moët, and Perrier-Jouët in full, half bottles, and splits. Or, choose from our great selection of whites and reds. Not sure which wine to choose? Consult this guide to find the perfect wine pairing for your meal.
Finish the evening with sweets for your sweetheart. Why not cozy up together by sharing a box of chocolate? Here you can find goodies from Harbor Sweets, Lake Champlain Chocolates, and Vermont Nut Free Chocolates.
If you’re looking for a dessert with a beautiful presentation, try our own hand-dipped chocolate-covered strawberries. We also offer Konditor Meister mini chocolate ganache cakes and petite fours elaborately decorated for Valentine’s Day.
No host, waiter, or line needed, just you and your Valentine sharing an intimate meal for two. We can’t think of a better way to spend the holiday.
We’re in the thick of winter, and spring feels forever away. One advantage of this cold and snowy weather is that it makes you want to stay in and cook a meal that warms up the entire home! A pot roast dinner is the perfect all-in-one meal that fills your kitchen with rich, tantalizing smells, and fills your family’s bellies with hearty, comforting food.
Boneless chuck and bottom round are ideal cuts for a succulent roast that creates the perfect melt-in-your-mouth meat experience.
Tender yet flavorful, Life Made Simple‘s Perfect Pot Roast packs a whole meal into one easy-to-clean dish! First, heat the oil in a Dutch-oven over medium heat, and generously apply salt and pepper to the boneless chuck. With the “secret ingredient” of balsamic vinegar, this roast recipe promises to be fork tender with meat that falls right apart. Simmer the roast, then transfer to the oven to finish cooking. Tent with foil on a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Just A Pinch Recipes promises a heavenly, aroma-filled kitchen while making this ideal “Sunday Dinner” roast. Before cooking, bring the meat to room temperature in a roasting pan. Grind garlic and onion with seasonings with a mortar and pestle to create a semi-thin paste to smear on the beef. This paste forms an aromatic crust when roasted. Start making the gravy while the roast is resting, allowing the juices to settle. Pour the gravy over mashed potatoes and serve.
As the name states, this crowd-pleasing, slow-cooked pot roast recipe only has three ingredients: meat, potatoes, and onion soup mix. Mouthwatering with minimal effort, Fountain Avenue Kitchen‘s recipe is perfect for dinner parties or casual family meals on a cold winter weekend. If you prefer completely homemade, the recipe includes an alternative dry rub mixture to use instead. After the cooked meat rests, place it in a serving dish and pour the remaining juice, or “au jus” on top. The leftover meat is fantastic in a basic vegetable or mushroom barely soup the next day.
Happy cooking!
Want more dinner ideas?
Stop by our store in North Andover. We’re always here to answer your questions.
Make a resolution to serve filling and healthy meals to your family this year. Last year, we featured nutritious lamb, pork, and salad recipes packed with big flavor to start the new year off right.
This year, it’s all about chicken and sausage! Turkey and chicken sausage are low in fat compared to pork and are just as delicious. We offer several kinds of sausage in-house, that can be used in many sensational recipes. Boneless chicken is a fantastic base that can be dressed up with light marinades and sauces.
Stay healthy throughout the year with these wholesome recipes:
Hummus isn’t just for crackers. Gimme Some Oven uses the creamy chickpea spread as a sauce that forms a light crust on the chicken. The extra hummus oozes over the veggies, complementing the citrusy juice of a squeezed lemon. Prep time is only 10 minutes, making this a perfect dinner for busy weeknights.
When the weather outside is frightful, this tropical-marinated chicken with coconut rice from Tide & Thyme will definitely warm up your night. Soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and pineapple juice meld together to create a marinade that beautifully harmonizes with the coconut. Serve the chicken on bed of the rice, with additional scallions on top.
Jazz up the traditional caesar salad with Health.com‘s hearty recipe. The artichokes are dipped in a combination of seasoning, egg, and panko, then broiled until crisp. Seasoned, sliced chicken and onion are combined with the kale, which is drenched with half of the buttermilk dressing. Drizzle remaining dressing on top and serve.
These recipes can feature either turkey or chicken sausage:
Who says spaghetti can’t be healthy? Whole grain noodles mix with turkey sausage, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, and spinach in this perfectly seasoned dish from The Blond Cook. Bonus, this dish comes together in just 30 minutes, if you make the sauce and noodles at the same time.
2) Turkey Sausage Skillet with Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes
Primavera Kitchen recommends using a pre-seasoned skillet for this easy one-pot dish. First, the turkey sausage is browned in the pan, removed, sliced, and set aside. Diced sweet potatoes and chopped brussels sprouts are cooked until soft, then the sausage and seasonings are added to the pot. Serve garnished with fresh green onions and feta cheese.
One-pan dinners are a quick way to make a healthy meal, especially with a busy schedule. With bell peppers, sweet potatoes, green beans, and brussels sprouts, Forkly‘s dish packs a powerful flavor punch with minimum clean-up after. Simply coat the sliced veggies and sausage with oil and seasonings, then add to the pan. Top with parmesan and serve over quinoa or rice.
4) Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Zucchini Pasta with Parmesan
Spiralized noodles are a great way to get your daily dose of veggies. This dish from inspiralized is as unique and it is tasty. Brown and crumble the savory chicken with a wooden spoon, then add broccoli to the pan. Toss together with zucchini noodles and cook until the pasta is al dente. Add parmesan cheese and divide into bowls to serve.
Happy New Year from Butcher Boy Market!
Want more healthy dinner ideas?
Stop by our store in North Andover. We’re always here to answer your questions.
Christmas is right around the corner. Your decorations look great, your guests’ travel plans are set, and now it’s time to focus on the food!
We’ve put together a list of considerations to review when selecting and cooking the perfect roast for your holiday dinner from our Holiday Order Guide. Consult our Beef Roasting Guide for exact temperatures and cooking tips.
1) Number of guests
How much meat do you need? Our order guide breaks down size of cuts and how many people they serve per pound. Better to overestimate, then under – no one has ever complained about leftovers. Plus, you can make a great dinner the next day, like this Leftover Prime Rib Beef Stroganoff from Bake It With Love.
2) When to start cooking?
Once your meat is selected, use our Roasting Guides to plan out when you’ll need to start cooking. Cuts like prime rib and rump roast are cooked by minutes per pound, so more guests means longer cooking times! Use our Guide’s time chart as a general guide, it’s good practice to check the roast before the minimum time recommended.
3) Guests’ preference on temperature
Will you be serving your meat medium rare or medium? Every oven is different, so invest in a meat thermometer and consult our Guide in order to cook your roast to the preferred doneness. The roast continues to cook once removed from the oven, so make sure to take it out when the thermometer reaches 5° fewer than your desired temperature.
4) When is dinner served?
There’s nothing worse than keeping guests waiting for their dinner. So keep in mind, the roast should reach room temperature one hour prior to cooking. After cooking, your roast needs to rest for about 20-30 minutes before carving and serving. It will all be worth it when you see your satisfied guests enjoying the meal. But if you’re really worried about the hungry masses, then you may want to select a cut with a shorter cooking time.
Call us at 978-688-1511 to place your order.
Happy Holidays from Butcher Boy Market!
Want more holiday dinner ideas?
Stop by our store in North Andover. We’re always here to answer your questions.
