These 4th of July recipes will help you create the ultimate American feast! Choose from classic cookout dishes, crowd favorite appetizers, summery desserts, refreshing drinks, and more!
Why You’ll Love These 4th of July Recipes
Amid all the summer picnics and backyard barbecues, the 4th of July holiday might just be the most feel-good day of them all. There’s something special about celebrating America with grilled food, lots of laughs, and fireworks lighting up the night sky. But let’s circle back to the food—because that’s really what we’re all here for! On this list of 4th of July recipes, you’ll find:
- Cookout classics with a fresh twist. From juicy pulled pork to creamy potato salad, they have a little something extra that always gets rave reviews.
- The best ways to cook with summer produce. Turn watermelon into a refreshing salad or peaches into the best dessert—summer ingredients are the star here!
- Simple, festive recipes. Everything is easy to make, so there’s less time spent in the kitchen and more time with friends and family. Plus, many are red, white, and blue for a patriotic spread!
The Best Cookout Recipes
For the main event, think grilled, sauced, and packed with flavor. These 4th of July recipes are perfect for feeding a crowd and guaranteed to earn you “host of the year!”
Turkey Burgers: A lighter twist on a cookout classic, but just as satisfying. These are juicy, flavorful, and won’t weigh you down—aka perfect for eating one-handed while holding a sparkler.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork: Juicy, smoky, and fall-apart tender, this is the kind of low-effort, high-reward recipe I love for summer gatherings.
Garlic Grilled Shrimp: These shrimp skewers always disappear before they hit the table. They come off the grill fast, juicy, and incredibly flavorful.
Beef Shish Kabobs: These delicious kabobs have tender chunks of marinated beef and charred veggies. For a chicken variation, you’ll love these Greek chicken souvlaki kabobs.
Hot Honey Chicken Drumsticks: These chicken drumsticks are finger-licking good with a simple hot honey sauce and are made for laid-back backyard feasting.
BBQ Chicken: With my homemade BBQ sauce, this BBQ chicken never gets old and is a must for any 4th of July party.
Carne Asada: This carne asada marinade is the key here! Slice the meat into thin strips or cubes for tacos, nachos, or for piling high on a plate.
Crowd-Favorite BBQ Side Dishes
No cookout is complete without a table full of sides. These are the ones my friends and family go back to for seconds (or even thirds!)
Chicken Salad: Creamy, herby, and totally nostalgic, this one’s always in my fridge come summer. It’s delicious straight from the spoon, but can also be turned into mini chicken salad sandwiches.
Coleslaw: It’s not a cookout without a side of coleslaw! This one is crunchy, creamy, and the perfect contrast to smoky meats. For a mayo-free version, you’ll love this tangy vinegar coleslaw.
Broccoli Salad: A sweet and savory combo of broccoli, bacon, and all the best toppings. This salad always surprises people in the best way possible.
Potato Salad: This is my mom’s signature dish for holidays throughout the year. It’s perfectly creamy, crunchy, and a salad everyone can’t get enough of.
Cucumber Salad: I like to think of this salad as a wonderful palate cleanser, especially when paired with grilled meats. Plus, it’s incredibly simple to make.
Baked Beans: These are the kind of beans you scoop up with everything on your plate. They’re sweet, smoky, and rich with flavor.
Grilled Corn on the Cob: Nothing says summer like charred corn with butter dripping down your fingers. Add lime, cotija cheese, and chili powder to make elote if you’re feeling fancy. And if you have extra, use it to make this summer corn salad!
Fruit Salad: A juicy, colorful bowl of everything that’s in season. I like to add a light honey lime dressing to give the fruits a bit more oomph.
Watermelon Salad: Sweet watermelon, salty feta, and fresh mint are one of my favorite summer combinations.
Berry Spinach Salad: A mix of greens and sweet summer berries with a fresh raspberry vinaigrette. It’s the salad I bring when I want something fresh and beautiful.
Caesar Salad: A classic salad that pairs with literally anything from the grill. It’s made with crisp romaine, crunchy chickpeas, fresh parmesan, and the best Caesar dressing.
Crab Salad: This one’s perfect if you’re leaning into seafood vibes or just want to impress the crowd. Plus, it’s ultra-refreshing and delicious.
4th of July Appetizers
Start the party with bold flavors and bite-sized favorites that are easy to snack on while waiting for the fireworks. The guacamole, ceviche, and antipasto skewers are my favorite!
Best Ever Guacamole: This guacamole has a permanent spot at every gathering—it’s just that good.
Ceviche: Nothing compares to ceviche for a refreshing appetizer, perfectly scoopable with tortilla chips. This classic version is bright, citrusy, and full of fresh flavors.
7 Layer Dip: Layers of beans, guac, salsa, and cheese—what’s not to love? This one vanishes quickly, so I always make a bigger portion.
Black Bean Dip: If you’ve got black bean lovers around, this dip is a must-make. It’s creamy, smoky, and perfect for dipping chips, veggies, or even spoonfuls.
Jalapeño Poppers: For an appetizer that’s savory and cheesy, these poppers never last long. You can also prep them ahead of time and pop them in the oven the day of.
Caprese Skewers: These little bites are as pretty as they are tasty with juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and a balsamic drizzle.
Whipped Feta with Roasted Tomatoes: Creamy, tangy feta topped with jammy tomatoes—this one feels a little fancy but couldn’t be easier.
French Onion Dip: This version is so much better than store-bought with its rich and savory flavors. It’s great served with chips, and even better with grilled veggies.
Deviled Eggs: This classic version is always a winner. Or you can amp it up with my bacon deviled eggs or spicy deviled eggs!
Refreshing Summer Drinks
Cool off with these sippable summer drinks that are perfect for backyard hangs, pool parties, and clinking glasses before the fireworks.
Strawberry Margarita: I always make this slushy margarita come July 4th! It’s the most refreshing combination of sweet strawberries, fresh lime, and a splash of tequila.
Classic Margarita: You can’t go wrong with a salty-rimmed classic margarita. It’s a crowd-pleasing favorite for a reason.
Red Sangria: If you’re looking to make a pitcher that’ll last throughout the day, sangria is the perfect choice. I love loading mine up with berries, citrus, and a splash of brandy.
White Sangria: For those who prefer white wine to red, serve up this sweet and fruity white sangria.
Aperol Spritz: This Italian bubbly classic is my go-to when I want something refreshing and low-effort. It’s perfect for daytime drinking!
Limoncello Spritz: For those who love a lemony spritz, this is the one you’ll want to make. It’s refreshing with sparkling fizz, has hints of sweet and zesty lemon, and only requires three ingredients.
Mojito: A great rum cocktail that’s quick to make with five simple ingredients and flavored with refreshing, citrusy, minty-fresh goodness.
Agua Fresca: A non-alcoholic favorite that’s just as festive. Blend up watermelon, cantaloupe, or cucumber for something light, fresh, and kid-friendly.
Fruity 4th of July Desserts
End the night with something sweet and summery. These desserts are light, fruity, and perfect for warm-weather celebrating.
Peach Crisp: Sweet, juicy peaches topped with a buttery crumble and vanilla ice cream will have everyone going for seconds.
Grilled Peaches: Warm, caramelized, and drizzled with honey or yogurt—this one’s ridiculously easy but feels like a gourmet dessert.
Berry Crisp: This is a must for berry season, and so good with a scoop of vanilla on top.
Berry Sheet Cake: My favorite 4th of July cake! Fluffy vanilla cake topped with my coconut whipped cream and fresh berries—perfect for feeding a crowd and decorating with red, white, and blue.
Panna Cotta: I love serving this creamy custard with macerated berries for a no-bake dessert that still feels special.
Vegan Mixed Berry and Vanilla Cheesecake: This creamy, vegan cheesecake tastes just like the real thing. But it’s that berry-licious layer that takes it over the top!
More Summer Recipe Roundups
If you make any of these 4th of July recipes, I’d love to hear how they turned out in the comment box below! Your review will help other readers in the community. And if you’re hungry for more healthy food inspiration and exclusive content, join my free newsletter here.
Description
Create the ultimate menu with these 4th of July recipes! Choose from classic cookout dishes, berry desserts, refreshing drinks, and summer salads like this berry spinach salad everyone will love.
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Prep ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, toss together the spinach, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, red onion, goat cheese and pecans.
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Toss together. Drizzle with the raspberry vinaigrette and serve.
Calories: 138kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 107mg | Potassium: 393mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 4438IU | Vitamin C: 41mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 2mg
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Recipe roundup originally posted June 2021, but updated to include new 4th of July recipes recently published. Enjoy!
