60 Delicious 4th of July Recipes to Make for an Epic Summer Cookout
The Fourth of July demands grilled foods, red-white-and-blue desserts and all the frosty cocktails. But don't stress, because we have all the recipes you need to throw a mouthwatering Independence Day party, even if it's just you and the kids this year. From classic dishes, like coleslaw and burgers, to more inventive ideas, like cauliflower "potato" salad and grilled watermelon skewers, we've rounded up the very best entrees, sides and desserts to whip up before the fireworks begin. Here, the 60 best 4th of July recipes—because, after all, isn't every holiday just an excuse to eat like royalty?
RELATED: 50 4th of July Appetizers for the Ultimate Summer Celebration
1. Caprese Salad with Grilled Zucchini
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian
This dish is bursting with summer flavors (and it doesn’t look too shabby, either). Load up on zucchini at the farmers market to spice up this tomato classic.
2. BLT Pasta Salad
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
This barbecue side combines all the crunchy, savory, creamy ingredients of the classic sandwich—minus the bread.
3. Avocado Potato Salad
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser
Sayonara, mayo. We're using Greek yogurt to make this side dish super creamy and tangy. Pass the ribs, please.
4. Grilled Watermelon-Feta Skewers
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly
Sweet watermelon and tangy feta cheese are the new tomato and mozzarella. Rather than just chopping the ingredients and tossing them in dressing, these skewers come together on the grill and make the perfect grab-and-go summer appetizer.
5. Mini Strawberry Ice Cream Pies
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
Crumbly graham cracker crust, warm roasted strawberries, a cold scoop of vanilla ice cream. Sold yet? Sprinkle on some blueberries for a patriotic finishing touch.
6. Salami, Artichoke and Ricotta Pasta Salad
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, high protein
A few classic Italian flavors come together for one simple yet satisfying pasta salad. We'll take extra artichoke hearts, please.
7. Greek Turkey Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly
This flavorful handheld is quickly rising in the ranks as our favorite burger of all time. It’s lighter and more flavorful than a traditional beef patty, so it’s basically the perfect warm-weather dinner. Eat it with salad, chips, fries…or all three.
8. Sparkling Red, White and Blue Sangria
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes
Brandy and sparkling white wine make this 4th of July cocktail an easy win. For the garnish, use a cookie cutter to punch apple slices into stars.
9. Mexican Street Corn Dip
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy
Whip up a batch of dip, grab a bag of tortilla chips and invite some friends over. (Not that you'll need much help cleaning the plate.)
10. Crispy Grilled Chicken
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, high protein, beginner-friendly
You only *think* chicken breast is boring. Once you taste these charred ones with fresh corn on the cob, you'll consider yourself a convert.
11. Berry, Feta and Spinach Salad
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
The most festive summer salad we ever did see. Our favorite part is the sweet, creamy strawberry-poppy seed dressing (and the caramelized pistachios).
12. Berry-Coconut Rocket Pops
Time Commitment: 3 hours (includes freezing time)
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan, dairy free
This chic rocket pop, made with berries and creamy coconut milk, is a treat both kids and grown-ups will love. Despite it not containing any artificial dyes, it tastes like straight nostalgia.
13. Cucumber, Basil and Watermelon Salad
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, no cook, crowd-pleaser
Hellooooo, refreshment. You’re going to fall hard for the zingy soy-ginger dressing spiked with garlic, lime and serrano pepper.
14. Light and Tangy Coleslaw
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
This summer side comes together in a flash and can be made up to four hours in advance. Serve it with everything from salmon to pulled pork.
15. Baked Mac and Cheese Bites
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
In less than an hour, you can have 48 of these delightful little bites on the table, baked with two kinds of gooey cheddar cheese.
16. Baby Back Ribs with Balsamic-Peach BBQ Sauce
Time Commitment: 3 hours
Why We Love It: high protein, special occasion-worthy
Behold, the ultimate barbecue main. Slice these babies up and serve them alongside the remaining sauce. (You’re going to need extra napkins for this one.)
17. Cauliflower ‘Potato’ Salad
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
Forget the mayo and starchy spuds. Choose this lighter spin on classic potato salad, made with Greek yogurt and our favorite cruciferous veggie instead.
18. Greek Watermelon Feta Salad with Basil Vinaigrette
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
Sweet, savory and refreshing. Consider this the official salad of the summer season.
19. Avocado Deviled Eggs
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
And you thought Easter was the only holiday occasion that called for eggs. These creamy bites fit in at any party or picnic. Even the kids can help you prep this one.
20. Chilled Cucumber Salad
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes (includes chilling time)
Why We Love It: no cook, vegan, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
A healthy and refreshing dish to add to your 4th of July spread. All you have to do is slice some cukes, season them and let them marinate in the fridge for a little. Easy peasy.
21. One-Ingredient Watermelon Sorbet
Time Commitment: 4 hours (includes chilling time)
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan, crowd-pleaser, dairy free
In the summer, we try to chill as much as possible. Luckily, this treat fits right into our schedule, since it’s made of nothing but twice-frozen watermelon.
22. Grilled Corn with Spicy Aioli
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
Instead of boiling the corn and dousing it with butter and salt, give the cobs a flavor upgrade by drizzling them with smoky sriracha sauce.
23. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Time Commitment: 7 hours and 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, high protein, crowd-pleaser, slow cooker recipe
We hope you didn’t put away your slow cooker for summer. Let your Crockpot do all the work, then pile these sammies high with tangy coleslaw.
24. 8-Layer Hummus Dip
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
Start your celebration with this party appetizer loaded up with pine nuts, pesto, sweet peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, cilantro and feta cheese.
25. Greek Lemon Orzo Salad
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
So fresh, so Greek. Serve it solo or alongside your favorite protein. (Might we suggest grilled lemon chicken skewers with tzatziki?)
26. Spicy Glazed Meatballs
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein
We prepare these bites with fresh ingredients, sauté them in a pan and coat the batch in our very own tangy glaze.
27. Pink Drink Popsicles
Time Commitment: 25 minutes (plus freezing time)
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Inspired by the most Insta-worthy drink you can order at Starbucks. These pops can be upgraded with drizzled white chocolate, coconut flakes or strawberries.
28. Cauliflower ‘Tater’ Tots
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
When you need a break from all those potatoes, opt for these cuties that are crispy, satisfying and just right for dipping.
29. Italian Deli Pinwheel Sandwiches
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
Not your average deli sandwiches. (Bonus points for serving them with pepperoncini and prosecco.)
30. Blueberry Crumble Pie
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
An all-American dessert recipe, only instead of a traditional crust, we use a streusel-like topping to mix things up.
31. Spinach Dip-Stuffed French Bread
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, kid-friendly
Party dip, you’ve been replaced. Bring on the Parmesan, mozz, sharp cheddar and cream cheese.
32. Shrimp Boil Skewers with Corn, Sausage and Potatoes
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, special occasion-worthy
We love low-maintenance meals. Just pop these skewers on the grill, lay some newspaper down on the patio table and let your guests dig in.
33. Cuban Sliders
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: one pan, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly
The ham-and-cheese sandwich has never been easier to prepare for a crowd. (Bonus points for zhuzhing them up with traditional pernil.) Get your kids to help you assemble these delicious bites, then warm them in the oven before serving.
34. Oven-Baked Buffalo Wings
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
We have a secret: These wings are baked from start to finish, so not a drop of hot oil is needed. Not to mention, they’re seasoned to perfection. Pass the ranch.
35. Rainbow Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, <30 minutes
Why limit yourself to red, white and blue this holiday? These colors are sure to please any crowd.
36. Grilled Flank Steak with Lemon-Herb Sauce
Time Commitment: 2 hours
Why We Love It: high protein, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
For big, bold flavor, we marinate our steak before it goes onto the grill, then serve it with a fresh herb sauce for an extra boost. Just think of the marinating time as a built-in cocktail hour for the cook.
37. Baked Chicken Quesadillas
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, high protein
When we think of comfort food, our mind goes straight to these guys. They're warm, crispy and oh so cheesy.
38. The Ultimate Party Sub
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, crowd-pleaser
A dressed-up, extra-large sandwich is the easiest way to feed the hungry masses. So for your 4th of July gathering, serve the massive sub with a few sides (potato salad, veggie chips and pickles should do the trick) and you’ll be sure to get the party started.
39. Salmon Burgers
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: pescatarian, high protein, beginner-friendly
Want to add a bit of sophistication to your summer cookout? Try these tender, flavorful burgers that won't weigh you down like beef.
40. Charred Corn and Rosemary Grilled Pizza
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
A taste of summer in every bite. Charring the corn gives the whole pie a smoky flavor you'll love. Feel free to prep it indoors on a grill pan if you don't want to fire up the barbecue.
41. Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
Why choose between your two favorite desserts? This easy recipe gives you the best of both worlds. You’re welcome.
42. 15-Minute Buffalo Chicken Sliders
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, no cook
A bite-sized American classic. (No one needs to know it’s rotisserie chicken and store-bought Buffalo sauce.)
43. Angel Food Cake with Mixed Berries
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
Not every cake needs multiple layers and heaps of buttercream frosting. This light-as-air treat is best served with plenty of fresh berries and whipped cream.
44. Cheater’s Prosciutto Hawaiian Pizza
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
Present this bright, grilled flatbread as an alternative to burgers and hot dogs. (This is the easiest way to slice and dice a pineapple, BTW...)
45. Slow Cooker Baked Beans
Time Commitment: 6 hours and 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, slow cooker recipe
One summer essential, coming right up. A pound of navy beans turns soft, savory and sweet after six hours in the Crockpot. Don’t be shy with the brown sugar.
46. Whole Roasted Carrots
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: one pan, vegan, <10 ingredients
Forget boiling carrots until they're bland and mushy. From now on, roasting them with fresh herbs is the only method you’ll ever need.
47. Thai Turkey Burgers
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
Switch up your usual cheeseburger for this Thai-inspired patty topped with crunchy cabbage-carrot slaw.
48. Mint Chocolate Chip Yogurt Ice Pops
Time Commitment: 3 hours and 30 minutes (includes freezing time)
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Mint chocolate chip ice cream lovers, rejoice. This lighter DIY version is the ultimate sweet treat on a hot summer day.
49. Champagne Doughnuts
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, one bowl
The mother of all holiday desserts, these doughnuts are baked in the oven—not fried—and spiked with bubbly. If that doesn't call for a celebration, we don't know what does.
50. Mini Mason Jar Apple Pies
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
Finish dinner with the quintessential American dessert. The mini portions are just the right amount, and the mason jar packaging is a lot cuter than a standard pie dish.
51. Rodney Scott’s Honey-Butter Fish
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, pescatarian, high protein, special occasion-worthy
Take your pick of trout, catfish, red snapper or branzino. Regardless of the fish you choose, it's going to taste divine covered in sweet-and-spicy rib rub and homemade honey butter.
52. Everything Chicken Wings
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, keto, low carb, crowd-pleaser
Three ingredients + one hour = a crowd-pleasing app everyone at the cookout can get behind. Use store-bought everything bagel seasoning instead of making your own to save time.
53. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad Stuffed Peppers
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, make ahead, high protein, crowd-pleaser
All the tangy, creamy flavor you crave—minus the heavy mayo. Here, we lean on Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard and rice vinegar instead.
54. Avocado and Black Bean Pasta Salad
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, one bowl, make ahead, <30 minutes
Sweet summer corn. Buttery avocado. Tender black beans. Allllll the fresh lime juice and cilantro. Need we say more?
55. Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (Shrimp in Garlic Sauce)
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, one pan, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
BRB, diving head-first into a pool of garlicky lemon butter. Put a tray of these on the table for everyone to nosh on while you finish up the steaks and chops.
56. Grilled Peach and Halloumi Salad with Lemon-Pesto Dressing
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, special occasion-worthy
Talk about a stunning centerpiece. One look at those drool-worthy char marks on the peaches and halloumi cheese, and your guests will gush over your grilling skills.
57. Corn Fritter Caprese with Peaches and Tomatoes
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, kid-friendly
This recipe couldn't get more summery if we tried. Picture golden fritters of corn and scallions beneath slices of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil.
58. Rodney Scott’s Pimento Cheese
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, no cook, crowd-pleaser, one bowl
For the uninitiated, your first taste of pimento cheese will absolutely blow your mind. Don't say we didn't warn you.
59. Pink Lemonade Bars
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
Behold: summer's official drink in dessert form. The secret to their pretty pink hue, you ask? Fresh raspberry purée.
60. Strawberries and Crème
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, beginner-friendly
When in doubt, you can't go wrong with fresh summer produce and whipped cream. Pair it with shortbread or pound cake.
RELATED: 32 of the Best 4th of July Side Dishes to Serve
For even more great recipes, check out our first cookbook, Only the Good Stuff.
