3 tasty recipes using a Birmingham classic you need to try now
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Temperatures are rising here in Birmingham, and you know what that means. Even more than fireworks and the crunch of cold watermelon, there’s one sound that screams “southern summer” above anything else: grills firing up. We’ve got 3 unique recipes you NEED to try this summer, using a fresh take on America’s favorite marinade.
70 Years of Tradition
Dale’s Seasoning has been a classic in homes across the nation for more than 70 years. If you’re like me, you probably never opened a refrigerator as a child that didn’t have a bottle of Dale’s inside.
The blend we know and love today originated as the house marinade at Dale’s Cellar Restaurant, located in the midst of the financial district of downtown Birmingham. Dale’s Seasoning was first bottled in Birmingham in 1946, making it a tried-and-true Magic City Classic.
Since then, Dale’s Seasoning has been used and distributed all over the nation. Through all that time, Dale’s Seasoning has stayed true to its roots, offering just the Original Dale’s Seasoning and the Reduced Sodium Blend.
Recently, Dale’s Seasoning added a third option to its family: Dale’s Steak Sauce. They don’t add new products very often, so you know it’s gotta be good.
How We Do Our Dale’s
While I grew up eating plenty of Dale’s-marinated meats around the dinner table, when I moved out and started cooking on my own, Dale’s wasn’t always the first thing I reached for in the grocery store.
As a twenty-something who’s generally cooking for one in an apartment building, I can’t say I do a whole lot of grilling out. After years of seeing my dad with a spatula in one hand and a bottle of Dale’s in the other, I never knew how many uses it truly had in the kitchen.
Let me just tell y’all, after being challenged to come up with some unique answers to the question, “How do you do your Dale’s?” I’m a permanent convert. This stuff has earned its spot as a national favorite for a reason.
We tried out three different recipes just begging to be added to your summer repertoire. Attention all grill masters, seafood lovers, hostesses and more: here’s how Bham Now does our Dale’s.
1. Rosemary Lemon Seared Tuna Steaks
I was born and raised on the Gulf Coast, which means we basically ate nothing but seafood from April to September. Tuna steaks are an impressive dish to serve up to guests, but they’re also deceptively easy to cook.
This works perfectly on a grill or on the stove, so it’ll fit easily into whatever kind of celebration you’re hosting. You’re sure to have your guests ooh-ing and aah-ing in no time with this gorgeous plate—plus the flavors are unreal.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup Dale’s Reduced Sodium Blend
- 1 tbs minced garlic
- Juice of 2 lemons (approx. 1/3 cup)
- 2 tuna steaks, fresh or thawed if bought frozen
- 2 tbsp avocado or olive oil
- 1 bunch fresh rosemary
Directions
- Mix lemon juice, garlic and Dale’s Reduced Sodium Blend
- Pour over tuna steaks and let marinate for at least 30min-1 hour
- Allow skillet to heat evenly on medium-high heat
- Add oil to pan and allow to heat with rosemary sprig
- Lay tuna steak down in pool of oil and let it sear for around 2-3 minutes (depending on desired level of doneness) without moving it
- Flip to other side and let sear 2-3 more minutes
- Remove from skillet and let rest before plating
- Top with fresh lemon and rosemary
- Serve with jasmine rice topped with green onions + sesame seeds
2. Spicy Bacon + Caprese Appetizer Bites
The inspiration for this bite-sized delicacy came from a Vietnamese friend of mine who made the best spicy marinated pork I’ve ever had. He never would give up the exact recipe, but this is my simplified adaptation.
I paired this with a true summer classic—caprese salad. This Italian dish combines some of our favorite summer flavors here in the South: juicy tomatoes, fresh basil and sweet balsamic glaze.
Don’t tell anyone, but I think this was my favorite dish out of all of them.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Original Dale’s Seasoning
- 1/4 cup Sriracha
- 1 lb bacon
- 1 dozen Roma tomatoes
- 3/4 lb fresh mozzarella
- 1 bunch fresh basil
- Balsamic glaze, to taste
- Toothpicks
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400
- Mix 1/2 cup Original Dale’s Seasoning with 1/4 cup sriracha, or more to taste
- Pour mixture over 1 lb bacon, separated
- Let marinate for 30min-1 hour
- Lay bacon flat on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake for around 20 min, or until bacon is crispy
- While the bacon is cooking, cut tomatoes and mozzarella into 1 in slices
- Once bacon cools a bit, chop it into 2in segments
- Assemble tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, bacon onto toothpicks
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze, to taste
- Serve immediately or chill until ready
3. The All-American Burger
Y’all know we couldn’t put together a summer recipes article and leave off hamburgers! I called in our resident (well, self-proclaimed) grill masters for this one.
A classic burger with a classic seasoning—you truly can’t go wrong with that. We also took this opportunity to try out the brand’s newest addition, Dale’s Steak Sauce. It added just the right amount of flavor and kick to this All-American dish.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup Original Dale’s Seasoning
- Dale’s Steak Sauce, to taste
- Hamburger buns + toppings of choice
Directions
- Mix ground beef + Original Dale’s seasoning while grill heats up
- Form patties (we made four out of the pound of meat, but that’s up to your preference)
- Throw on the grill
- Cook to desired doneness, flipping halfway through
- Assemble burgers and top with Dale’s Steak Sauce
If you want to try out this locally-produced product, stay tuned to @bhamnow on Instagram to enter for your chance to win an ultimate Dale’s bundle.
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