Updated Sep 25, 2024 Amidst all the picnics and barbecues happening this summer, 4th of July is one of the most feel-good days of them all. You’ve got perfectly warm weather, great company, sparks flying (literally), and the best cookout food. Just plan out a quick menu from the ideas below and you’re set! I’ve got all the classics in this list, plus a few unique ideas to bring some excitement to the table. Pick a meaty main, add a few killer sides (potato salad is a must), and bake a berry-licious dessert to end the day with something fresh and sweet!
Red, White, and Blue Recipes for a Festive Table
For 4th of July you must go all out with America’s patriotic colors – especially when it comes to food. Think summer berries, bright veggies, festive desserts, and of course, colorful cocktails.
Classic Fruit Salad: Nothing beats a giant bowl of fresh fruit drizzled in a sweet n’ tangy dressing for a sunny July 4th! Berry Spinach Salad: For a healthy green salad brimming with patriotic colors, this berry salad is an easy addition to your menu. Berry Sheet Cake: Strawberries (red) and blueberries (blue) dot a cake (white) for the most festive dessert of them all! Caprese Salad: Layers of juicy red tomatoes and white mozzarella look beautiful on the table. Love this refreshing and flavorful Italian classic. Red Sangria: The party doesn’t start until you start serving a pitcher of this fruity red sangria!
These Party Appetizers Come First, Always
I think we can all agree that entertaining nibbles and big bowls of dips are a must for summer get togethers. Here’s some crowd favorites, with my own personal twists on them.
Caprese Skewers: A fun, tasty, and patriotic way to enjoy a classic caprese salad in bit-sized form! Guacamole Bacon Burger Bites: Turn everyone’s favorite burger slider appetizer into this lovable bite-sized version! French Onion Dip: This creamy, herby, tangy dip is crazy delicious served with chips or fresh cut veggies. Best Ever Guacamole: It’s not a celebration without a bowl of this flavorful guacamole! Red Salsa: If you’ve got guacamole on the table, this smooth blended salsa is the perfect pairing. Or my pico de gallo or pickle de gallo for a chunkier dip. Deviled Eggs: This classic version is always a win. Or you can amp it up with my bacon deviled eggs or spicy deviled eggs! Whipped Feta with Roasted Tomatoes: The perfect bite of creamy feta and Italian-seasoned roasted tomatoes.
Grill Up Classic July 4th Recipes
For those who love to grill – July 4th is your day to shine! Just toss fresh seafood and marinated meats on the grill for a beautiful char and those smoky, appetizing smells. Your crowd will thank you.
Garlic Grilled Shrimp Skewers: When it comes to grilled seafood, you can’t beat this recipe marinated in garlicky, herb, lemony goodness. Greek Chicken Kabobs: Juicy, charred chicken and grilled vegetables dipped in fresh tzatziki sauce. Yes, please! Alternatively, you can make this Greek chicken souvlaki for another take on Mediterranean grilled chicken. Beef Shish Kabobs: Juicy sirloin steak gets soaked in the best beef marinade, then threaded with colorful vegetables for the best summer grilling recipe! Turkey Burgers: Although I like to make these in a frying pan, you can grill these as well! Just be careful when sliding them onto the grill as they are very soft. And if you prefer ground chicken, these chicken burgers packed with Mediterranean flavors are equally delicious! Slow Cooker Pulled Pork: Pulled pork always sneaks its way onto a July 4th menu. So here’s my easy method to create the most deliciously tender pork you’ve ever had. Carne Asada: You can never go wrong with strips of juicy, flavorful steak. Dice it up into carne asada tacos for an even more festive way to serve it up. Grilled Peaches: Nothing beats juicy grilled peaches with vanilla ice cream on top for the perfect summer dessert. Cilantro Lime Chicken: This recipe calls for pan frying the chicken, but you can also grill it!
Colorful Cookout Sides Everyone Will Love
It’s honestly not a cookout without a spread of sides, so here’s the plan. Make sure you have the classics (hello coleslaw and potato salad), plus a few summery salads to add fresh, pops of colors to the table.
Coleslaw or Vinegar Coleslaw: A big bowl of fresh coleslaw can’t be beaten for a cookout. And if you have guests who aren’t a fan of mayo, the vinegar coleslaw will be the winner. Classic Potato Salad: This creamy, crunchy classic will have everyone going back for seconds. Baked Beans: This version is smoky, spicy, sweet, and will get rave reviews! Broccoli Salad: This is everyone’s go-to holiday salad loaded with broccoli, bacon, red onion, cranberries, sunflower seeds, and goat cheese, tossed in a creamy yogurt dressing. Watermelon, Cucumber, Feta Salad: Chunks of sweet, juicy watermelon makes for a super refreshing salad. Especially when it’s tossed with cool cucumber and feta crumbles. Grilled Watermelon: Take a smoky, cilantro-lime route instead and grill up some watermelon! Mediterranean Chickpea Salad: For a vibrant, colorful salad, try this Mediterranean twist! I guarantee it’ll be a crowd-pleaser. Crab Salad: If you’ve got crab lovers around, this fresh and easy crab salad is a must! I’m using imitation crab, but you could also use fresh crab meat (I’ll show you how to cook crab legs).
July 4th Recipes That Make Seasonal Berries the Star
4th of July is a fun-filled, long day day in the sun. So make sure you’ve got a few of these sweets and refreshments lined up. Plus, they’re chock full of summer berries, with lots of red, white, and blue!
Panna Cotta: This classic dessert recipe is creamy and luscious, but the macerated strawberries on top make it festive for 4th of July! Raw 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! Berry Crisp: Nothing beats the combination of juicy berries with an oat crumble topping. And since we’re also in peach season, this peach crisp is runner-up. Mixed Berry Popsicles: It doesn’t get any more refreshing than homemade popsicles made from vibrant berry layers. Agua Fresca: Speaking of fruits, blend any of them up into these easy, healthy, and refreshing fruit juices… Mexican-style. Strawberry Margarita: There’s nothing like a little tequila, strawberries, and a blender to make the ultimate fiesta drink. White Sangria with Mango and Berries: For those who prefer white wine to red, serve up this sweet white sangria.
Want more recipe roundups? Check out my Best Mango Recipes, Best Shrimp Recipes, and Best Chicken Recipes! If you make any of these July 4th recipes, let me know how it turned out! I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below.
