Call your cousins, neighbors, and grandkids. This year’s Fourth of July party is one they won’t want to miss. From red, white, and blue desserts to grilled summertime staples, there’s something for everyone in our round up of all-American recipes.
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Credit:
Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Prissy Lee Montiel
Guests may not expect to see deviled eggs coming from the grill, but they’re sure to want more. The smoky flavor will make these appetizers memorable. Grill the egg whites first, then fill them with a classic deviled egg filling.
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Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
Round out your holiday dessert spread with these vibrant strawberry-lemonade popsicles, perfect for keeping cool between the cookout and fireworks. Made in a blender with just four ingredients, it’s easy to prep them ahead for quick grabbing when you need them.
Credit: Jen Causey
The old-school cold salad pairs well with any cookout menu, but it looks especially nice on a patriotic picnic table. This version celebrates fresh summer produce with chopped tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers.
Credit: Jennifer Causey
We’ve got you covered with a cool cocktail recipe to serve on a steamy hot day. A blend of fresh fruit and bright juices, this big-batch patriotic punch can be made booze-free for the kiddos, too.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: MindI Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Put at-home barbecue in action for your backyard celebration with a recipe that would make any Memphian proud. No sauce makes for easier eating, but this spice rub still loads on the flavor.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer
We can all agree that fresh, grilled corn is a hallmark of any Independence Day menu. Everyone loves the simple, sweet flavor of chargrilled corn. If you want to get fancy, dress your ears with one of our spicy, smoky, or herby rubs and glazes.
Credit: Jennifer Causey
Fresh summer berries and homemade frosting combine for a summertime dessert with patriotic pizzazz. The luscious, creamy mascarpone frosting will have guests cleaning their plates.
Credit: Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele
Three cheers for this summertime trio that pairs well with all things grilled. A zesty vinaigrette, seasonings, and cheese help to marry an unusual but delicious combination of sweet corn, ripe peaches, and juicy beefsteak tomatoes.
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When it comes to light and refreshing cocktails, few compare to Texas-favorite Ranch Water. Just make sure you use Topo Chico—no random sparkling water will do. Add a squirt of simple syrup if you want to sweet your drink.
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer
Give your heirloom tomatoes the royal treatment. Believe it or not, this Southern classic tastes even better than it looks. It could be the homemade buttermilk pie crust, the cheesy filling, the vine-ripened tomatoes—most likely it’s all three.
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely
With timeless flavor that just says “summer,” guests will enjoy every forkful of this confetti-like side. Fresh tomatoes, okra, sweet corn, and lima beans are the stars of this dish, but the savory herbs and buttery bacon drippings really pull it together.
Credit: Jennifer Davick; Food Styling: Vanessa Rocchio; Prop Styling: Missie Crawford
Once again, we pull out the slow cooker for an easy and beloved dessert. It’s not a Southern summer party without a classic cobbler, and this peach cobbler is sensational.
Credit: Antonis Achilleos
This bacon-filled baked bean recipe is a backyard party side that’s simple to make and take. It starts with canned beans, but you wouldn’t guess it thanks to the rich flavor of onions and molasses.
Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Combine summer squash with cheese, butter, and crushed crackers, and you’ll find yourself with an instant winner. Everyone will want a scoop of this dish, which is hearty enough to be a main for the vegetarians at the party.
Credit: Antonis Achilleos
Mac and cheese is that much more decadent when it’s in pie form. We recommend using store-bought pie crusts as a time-saver, but of course you can make your own. A trifecta of cheeses and fresh thyme are responsible for a savory depth of flavor that’s begging to be sliced in the backyard.
Credit: Jennifer Causey
Here’s a patriotic treat so tasty the colorful drips are worth the risk. We recreated the nostalgic popsicle with refreshing layers of strawberry, blueberry, and vanilla yogurt. The dessert comes together faster than you’d think—each layer freezes in about 30 minutes.
Credit: Antonis Achilleos
If you have a parade to attend and can’t babysit the smoker all day, these fast, fall-off-the-bone ribs may be your saving grace. After soaking up the sauce under high pressure, the ribs get finished under the broiler.
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Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Salute our nation’s independence in the most delicious way possible. This iconic flag sheet cake will have every guest coming back for a second slice, and it’s undeniably eye-catching.
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Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Here’s proof that old-school is still cool when it comes to cookouts. A favorite outdoor side of generations past, this cold salad uses chopped chicken, mayo, celery, and a splash of lemon juice.
Credit: Caitlin Bensel
Hosting a crowd all day? These big-batch mojitos are up for the challenge and easy to refill again and again. Get yourself a bag of limes and a bushel of mint and you’re in business.
Credit: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Whether you serve it as a dip, spread, or all by itself, this recipe belongs on every outdoor picnic table. Hand-shred the cheese on both sides of your box grater, and stir gently if you like your pimiento cheese to have lots of texture.
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Light up the party long before the fireworks begin with this bright and boozy Bundt. After all, summer peaches deserve celebrating too.
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Dotdash Meredith
We’ve yet to taste a more popular cookout cocktail than this refreshingly colorful margarita. Our recipe uses both watermelon simple syrup and fresh watermelon juice to pack more of a punch. For a fun variation, buy a yellow watermelon to create a golden cocktail.
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Dress up your burger offerings with this flavorful salmon version. Dill, tarragon, and lemon zest make these the freshest patties around. The caper and tarragon tartar sauce is not to be missed.
Credit: Photography and Prop Styling: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall
Forget pre-made popsicles. These treats inspired by ice cream floats will be the talk of the party. Pro tip: Letting the root beer go flat before freezing achieves the perfect texture.
Credit: Caitlin Bensel
Too much on the grill? Put the oven to good use for your corn on the cob. With this recipe, the cobs baste in butter and herbs to absorb all that flavor before they hit your plate.
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Green tomatoes will be grandfathered into your Independence Day spread after one bite of this skillet pie. Don’t think green tomatoes are dessert worthy? When baked with cinnamon and cloves, the unripe tomatoes take on fruity notes reminiscent of Granny Smith apples or rhubarb.
Credit: Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner
When it comes to the Fourth of July, there’s no such thing as too many cooled-down desserts. A springform pan is the secret to creating this stunning looking cake made of layers of graham cracker, cherry preserves, and cream cheese-whipped cream icing.
Credit: Iain Bagwell; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox
This holiday-worthy recipe is portable and packed with colorful peaches. You can make them in advance and then dust with powdered sugar when it’s time to serve.
Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine
Chopped, smoked ham rounds out this melt-in-your-mouth, cheesy dish that’s made for outdoor dining. We’ve also included variations for Pepper Jack Macaroni and Cheese, Sweet Pea-and-Prosciutto Macaroni and Cheese, Pimiento Macaroni and Cheese, and Ham-and-Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese.
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Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey
Forget French fries. Serve these crispy zucchini sticks and put that farmers’ market haul to good use. Panko breadcrumbs and a wire rack help crisp them up.
Credit: Jen Causey
With all of the rich and indulgent foods in your party lineup, a simple fruit salad can be easy to overlook but a wonderful break. This recipe is endlessly customizable and brightened with orange juice and mint.
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Fred Hardy; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood
If Grandma never gave you her long-cherished family recipe, this one is bound to come close. Loaded with hard-boiled eggs, celery, sweet pickle relish, and just a touch of Dijon mustard, this potato salad will be a familiar reminder of picnics past.
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch
We’re pulling out all the stops with these gorgeous, pink-tinged eggs for the Fourth. Dye the eggs for just 12 to 24 hours so they absorb the color without a dramatic change in flavor. A tablespoon of horseradish in the filling adds spice.
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Dotdash Meredith
It’s an unspoken rule to serve potato salad on the 4th of July, and this recipe tops our list on best way to serve it.
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Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
It’s best not to overcomplicate the cooking when you’re expecting a crowd. For this recipe, you’ll marinate the chicken in advance and then throw it on the grill at the appropriate time. Provide a bowl of tangy white barbecue sauce for drizzling over the chicken.
Credit: Caitlin Bensel
We promise this isn’t just some crazy science experiment. Grilling watermelon softens the texture and brings out a sweet smokiness. Each side gets sprinkled with salt and sugar to enhance the flavor.
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Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Grilling the corn, onions, and jalapeños makes this special-occasion dip slightly sweet and smoky. Cilantro and queso fresco add additional texture and flavor to be scooped up in every bite.
Credit: Photographer: Alison Miksch / Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn / Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
Pick up a couple of pounds of pulled pork and a package of Hawaiian rolls, and you’ve got all you need to feed a crowd. But these become more than basic barbecue sandwiches with the addition of unique touches like homemade adobo-flavored sauce and sweet pickle relish.
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Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke
This classic pie is as all-American as it gets. Fresh sage and lime zest add an unexpected touch that complements the sugary sweetness of the berries. Allow the pie to cool completely so it will hold its shape when cutting.
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Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
This summery twist on the decadent Italian dessert swaps out espresso and marsala for homemade berry syrup and fruit liqueur. It gets a double dose of berries from those buried underneath the mascarpone cream and more sprinkled on top. Chill for at least eight hours.
Credit:
Will Dickey; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
This sweet and tangy slaw is tasty on top of pulled pork, alongside smoked brisket, or even on tacos. There’s no mayo in the recipe, but you will find apple cider vinegar, mustard, celery seed, and just the right amount of sugar to balance it out.
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VICTOR PROTASIO; PROP STYLING: HEATHER CHADDUCK HILLEGAS; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL
Put out a pitcher of this crowd-pleasing cocktail alongside the sweet tea. There’s nothing fancy here: just refreshing lemon slices, a classic Arnold Palmer mixture, and the best bourbon you’ve got in the house.
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Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Corn on the cob is always welcome at picnics and potlucks but don’t overlook the sweet juicy gems for giving salads a fresh and flavrorful punch.
Credit:
Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke
Surprise family with this layered salad at this summer’s celebration. Bacon, lettuce, eggs, tomatoes, onions, and more make this dish impossible to resist.
Credit:
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Move over burgers and dogs, there’s pizza on our 4th of July menu. Pulled pork is the can’t-be-beat topper for this summer’s celebration.
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Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Squash casserole? Check. Now make room on the spread for two: this creamy, extra cheesy casserole stars zucchini. Perfectly paired with burgers, chicken, and hot dogs.
Credit:
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Watermelon stars in this chilled summertime recipe. With just six ingredients and 15 minutes of hands-on time, you’ll want to make plenty for the party and day after.
Credit:
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Of course we love quiches and tomato pie, but this year we’re bringing a new tart to the table. This tasty recipe This easy recipe lets the bounty of summer vegetables shine–zucchini, yellow crookneck squash, corn, onions – and then pairs with pimiento cheese and a store-bought crust,
Credit:
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
A recipe with deep Appalachian roots, this slaw is a distant cousin to pimiento cheese and does not include any cabbage at all. The main ingredients are shredded cheese, mayo, and banana peppers to pull together this simple and crunchy salad.
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