Every Recipe You Need For The Best 4th Of July Menu Ever
Stars, stripes, and these perfect-for-summer foods forever.
Look, we love to riff on new recipes all year long, but when it's the Fourth of July, it's time to stick to the classics. After all, what would 4th of July even be without hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, and corn on the cob?! We don't care to imagine it, so to make sure you don't forget a thing, we've gathered ALL the classic recipes you'll need to throw the perfect party. July 4th is maybe our favorite day to pack up a cooler full of food for the beach, go to an Independence Day picnic, or spend the day grilling outside—whatever you've got planned, these 35 classic 4th of July recipes have your back.
Speaking of classics, nothing says "land of the free" like setting up the ultimate 4th of July spread: a hot dog board. Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like, a massive platter for build-your-own hot dogs with all kinds of different toppings, buns, and even different hot dogs, brats, and sausages. Think of it like a charcuterie board but way cooler. Try it with hamburgers and your fave toppings for them too!
America is a true melting pot, and we're so glad it is. It means all the more different cuisines we get to enjoy every single day, not just 4th of July. From Greek salad to Korean grilled short ribs, to classic guacamole, Hawaiian chicken skewers, or bánh mì kebabs, we've got tons of classics as well as fun, new recipes to suit everyone's tastebuds.
Now you've got the menu down, don't forget about desserts too! We've included a few of our favorite sweets here, like our freedom bark and our red velvet whoopie pies, but check out our top red, white, & blue desserts and our favorite 4th of July cakes for even more ideas.
Grilled Chicken Breast
We know what you’re thinking: grilled chicken breasts can verge on being the epitome of boring. But, when soaked in this super-quick, delicious marinade, you’re guaranteed an absolutely irresistible main, perfect for serving with all your fave summer sides.
Get the Grilled Chicken Breast recipe.
Classic Potato Salad
A classic potato salad is a must-have at every picnic and BBQ, and ours is the best—it's creamy and tangy, with a little bit of crunch from the onion and pickles. What it's not: too sweet, which is one of our potato salad pet peeves. If you’re looking for a classic, no-fuss potato salad that won’t disappoint, this is it.
Get the Classic Potato Salad recipe.
Flag Cake
Hot dogs, fireworks, and flag cake—if your 4th of July party doesn’t end with a red, white, and blue dessert, then you’re doing it wrong! This cake is about as patriotic as it gets, but is easy enough to allow you maximum time outside the kitchen soaking up the best bits of summer. With a simple frosting, boxed cake mix, and sweet fresh fruit, this cake is as easy to make as it is to devour.
Get the Flag Cake recipe.
Best-Ever Burger
There are about a million ways to top a hamburger, and we're not here to tell you what goes onto your patty. It is our duty to make sure that you're cooking burgers as best as you possibly can. Our golden rules: Be sure to let the meat come to room temperature and season generously with salt and pepper before you grill up.
Get the Best-Ever Burger recipe.
Greek Salad
When you’re looking for simple, refreshing, and reliable, you’d be hard pressed to find a dish better than classic Greek salad. Filled with fresh veggies, tangy feta, and a simple dressing made of ingredients you might already have in your fridge, this bright salad only takes 15 minutes to prepare, making it a perfect last-minute addition to any summer celebration.
Get the Greek Salad recipe.
Cheddar, Bacon, & Pea Pasta Salad
The best part about this pasta salad isn’t the crispy bacon (or the creamy dressing), but how strikingly simple it is. Cooking your bacon in the oven frees up your hands to mix the dressing together while the pasta and peas boil in the same pot.
Get the Cheddar, Bacon, & Pea Pasta Salad recipe.
Hot Dog Board
So, what is a hot dog board exactly? It's an easy way to turn the cookout staple into a fun station for your party to build and top their own dogs. You can try out various styles of buns (think classic, potato, brioche) or even make your own buns, and include a mix of Italian sausages, bratwurst, and kielbasa.Get the Hot Dog Board recipe.
Watermelon Feta Skewers
Watermelon + feta is one of our favorite combinations of all time, especially during summertime. Skewer them with some crunchy cucumber and drizzle balsamic glaze on top and you've got an easy, impressive appetizer everyone will love.
Get the Watermelon Feta Skewers recipe.
Lemon-Berry Firecracker Cake
Nothing says Fourth of July quite like a patriotic red, white, and blue dessert, especially this eye-popping lemon-berry firecracker cake. For a blast of flavor, our spin on the classic firecracker cake upgrades itself from white cake to a tangy lemon batter with blueberry- and strawberry-flavored swirls.
Get the Lemon-Berry Firecracker Cake recipe.
Honey Lime Grilled Corn
After getting some char on a hot grill, juicy ears of corn get brushed with an irresistible honey-lime butter that you can also slather on grilled sweet potatoes, cornbread, or even grilled skirt steak. Two recipes for the price of one—win!
Get the Honey Lime Grilled Corn recipe.
Grilled Ribs
All it takes is a grill, a few hours, and—okay—a lot of patience for restaurant-worthy grilled ribs. Hot tip: While they're cooking is the perfect time to get the rest of your sides like coleslaw, potato salad, and cornbread ready.
Get the Grilled Ribs recipe.
Thai Sweet Chili Turkey Burger
This Thai-inspired sweet chili turkey burger is just the break from boring you’ve been waiting for, with a ginger-, garlic-, and scallion-studded turkey patty, pickled spicy chiles and cucumbers, a bright, crisp cabbage slaw, and plenty of sweet chili mayo all on a shiny, fluffy brioche bun.
Get the Thai Sweet Chili Turkey Burger recipe.
Classic Macaroni Salad
Macaroni salad is one of our favorite things to pair with pulled pork, burgers, or ribs, which is why it's such a disappointment when it's too dry or soggy. Not to fear—this recipe guarantees perfection every time.
Get the Classic Macaroni Salad recipe.
Berries & Cream Charcuterie Board
The only thing better than fresh, sweet berries is piling them on angel food cake and shortbread cookies with sweet ricotta or whipped cream. This DIY "starcuterie" board is the ideal sweet treat to round out your 4th of July spread.
Whipped Mozzarella Dip With Burst Cherry Tomatoes
This whipped mozzarella dip with burst cherry tomatoes and pesto might just be the perfect appetizer. Mix things up with other veggies so you can serve it all season long: fresh summer corn kernels with pickled onions, dollops of olive tapenade, grilled peppers... get creative!
Get the Whipped Mozzarella Dip With Burst Cherry Tomatoes recipe.
Carrot Hot Dogs
To turn carrots into an incredible hot dog alternative, we marinate them in a smoky, umami-packed, and slightly sweet mixture that not only adds so much flavor to the carrots, but slightly softens them. After then roasting them in the oven, they become just tender enough to have the perfect bite nestled in hot dog buns.
Get the Carrot Hot Dogs recipe.
Freedom Bark
This stunning red, white, and blue chocolate bark tastes like freedom, and is so fun for the whole family to help decorate. We love adding in all our favorite festive sprinkles, like edible stars and plenty of edible glitter.
Get the Freedom Bark recipe.
Cowboy Caviar Couscous Salad
Cowboy caviar (also known as Texas caviar) combines fresh vegetables, beans, and corn to make a colorful meal that can be enjoyed with chips or as a standalone dish. But once you add some pearl couscous? It becomes the star of any picnic or potluck.
Get the Cowboy Caviar Couscous Salad recipe.
Classic Bruschetta recipe.
While you can make it all year round, the best time to enjoy this appetizer is summer, when fresh tomatoes are at their peak. It’s also the perfect make-ahead app: The longer the tomatoes sit in the balsamic-garlic-olive oil mixture, the better the flavors meld and develop.
Get the Classic Bruschetta recipe.
BBQ Chicken Marinade
The best, most flavorful BBQ chicken all comes down to the marinade, and we happen to think this recipe is truly something special. It's tangy, juicy, and has just the right amount of char, thanks to the sugars in the BBQ sauce. Serve with classic BBQ sides like coleslaw, corn salad, or potato salad, and you’ve got a picture-perfect summer cookout on your hands ready to please.
Get the BBQ Chicken Marinade recipe.
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