As Americans prepare backyard barbecues, neighborhood cookouts and Independence Day gatherings, what ends up on the table varies drastically from state to state. From lobster rolls in Maine and smoked brisket in Texas to Midwestern corn dishes, a state-by-state breakdown offers a snapshot of the regional foods many Americans associate most strongly with Fourth of July celebrations.
The map below highlights the diversity of the nation’s culinary traditions ahead of the July 4 holiday, one of the busiest food-consumption weekends of the year. While staples such as burgers, hot dogs and potato salad remain popular nationwide, local specialties continue to define celebrations in many states, reflecting regional agriculture, cultural influences and long-standing community traditions. The data provides a glimpse into how Americans mark Independence Day through food, illustrating the shared customs and distinct flavors that make holiday gatherings unique across the country.
“I think people come back to the same recipes year after year because food is such a big part of holiday traditions,” food blogger Jordan Zelesnick told Newsweek, adding that she makes her signature Maryland crab dip every year. “Everyone has that one dish they associate with family gatherings or summer celebrations, and making it brings back those memories. Plus, when you’re hosting, it’s nice to have a recipe you know will be a crowd-pleaser every time.”
Map of Most Popular Dishes in Each State
Americans’ Independence Day menus remain deeply shaped by regional tastes and local food traditions, according to Tastewise’s 2025 Fourth of July food trends report. The company analyzed millions of social media conversations, recipe mentions and menu items to identify the dishes most associated with July 4 celebrations in each state.
Sam’s Club also revealed meat-purchasing trends for each state ahead of the holiday, giving a glimpse into what Americans nationwide cooked as a staple on July 4th.
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The most popular dishes by state:
Alabama
The top social media mentioned dish was BBQ ribs, which coincided with Sam’s Club data showing pork ribs as the most purchased meat ahead of July 4th.
Alaska
Grilled salmon was discussed the most on social media. Sam’s Club did not provide data for Alaska in its report.
Arizona
Grilled corn takes first place as most popular dish. The most purchased meat by Sam’s Club members was chicken.
Arkansas
Pulled pork sandwiches won out, with Sam’s Club data showing pork ribs as the most purchased meat.
California
Residents took a healthier approach to the holiday, with grilled veggie skewers mentioned among social media users the most. As far as meat goes, chicken secured the top spot with the Sam’s Club data.
Colorado
Bison burgers were mentioned the most on social media in Colorado, which tracks with the top meat sales for ground beef according to Sam’s Club data.
Connecticut
Clam bake was the popular dish, with chicken sold the most at Sam’s Club locations.
Florida
Cuban sandwiches were mentioned the most, while Sam’s Club showed chicken as the most purchased meat.
Georgia
Peach cobbler was the most popular dish, with the meat sales revealing pork ribs as a favorite.
Hawaii
Kalua pork was mentioned most often, with chicken securing the top spot according to Sam’s Club data.
Idaho
BBQ chicken was a favorite, with Sam’s Club reporting ground beef as a top seller.
Illinois
Hot dogs were a favorite, according to Tastewise data, with Sam’s Club reporting high pork rib sales.
Indiana
Corn on the cob was the favorite, with chicken a top seller at Sam’s Club.
Iowa
Pork chops were mentioned most on social media, while Sam’s Club showing high ground beef sales.
Kansas
Burnt ends were popular, according to social media discussions analyzed by Tastewise, while ground beef secured the top sales at Sam’s Club.
Kentucky
Fried chicken was discussed the most online, with Sam’s Club data showing chicken in the top spot.
Louisiana
Crawfish boils were popular for the holiday, with pork ribs securing the top spot, according to Sam’s Club data.
Maine
Lobster rolls are a Fourth of July favorite, with ground beef selling high, according to Sam’s Club.
Maryland
Shrimp was a popular menu staple for the holiday, as was chicken, according to Sam’s Club.
Massachusetts
Clam bakes were favored in Massachusetts, a state where Sam’s Club had no data.
Michigan
Residents have a sweet tooth, with cherry pie discussed most frequently online around the holiday. As an entree, pork ribs were a top seller.
Minnesota
The hot dish, a casserole item, was popular among social media forums and recipes around the holiday, with pork ribs a top seller, according to Sam’s Club.
Mississippi
BBQ ribs were a favorite among social media discussion in Mississippi, which tracks with the top-selling pork ribs for Sam’s Club locations.
Missouri
Residents favored smoked brisket, with Sam’s Club locations in the state showing pork ribs as a top seller.
Montana
Elk burgers were a favorite in Montana, which tracks with Sam Club’s ground beef sales.
Nebraska
Nebraska residents loved corn on the cob, according to social media discussion analyzed by Tastewise. As a main dish, chicken sold high at Sam’s Club.
Nevada
Street tacos were popular around the holiday. Sam’s Club locations in this state sold lots of chicken.
New Hampshire
Grilled sausages were a favorite, as was pork ribs, according to Sam’s Club.
New Jersey
Italian sausage was mentioned often in social media discussions and chicken was a top seller at Sam’s Club around the holiday.
New Mexico
Green chile burgers were a favorite in New Mexico, which tracks with Sam’s Club data showing high ground beef sales.
New York
Like Maine, New Yorkers loved to discuss lobster rolls close to the holiday, with high sales for pork ribs as well.
North Carolina
Pulled pork was a favorite, as was chicken, according to Sam’s Club.
North Dakota
BBQ chicken was a favorite, but ground beef also sold high.
Ohio
Residents discussed hot dogs most online around the holiday, with Sam’s Club selling lots of chicken.
Oklahoma
Turkey legs are popular, according to Tastewise data, and pork ribs sold high at Sam’s Club.
Oregon
Grilled salmon was a favorite, and Sam’s Club had no data for this state.
Pennsylvania
Philly cheesesteaks were discussed the most online, with high chicken sales reported as well.
Rhode Island
Stuffed clams were popular in Rhode Island, where Sam’s Club had no data.
South Carolina
Shrimp was popular, as were pork ribs.
South Dakota
BBQ ribs were a favorite in South Dakota, where Sam’s Club reported high ground beef sales.
Tennessee
Pulled pork was a favorite, as was pork ribs, according to Sam’s Club.
Texas
In Texas, residents discussed brisket frequently, with chicken sales also high, according to Sam’s Club.
Utah
Dutch oven potatoes were popular, with main courses likely featuring chicken, according to Sam’s Club.
Vermont
Chicken was popular in Vermont, a state where Sam’s Club had no data.
Virginia
Deviled eggs were discussed frequently, with chicken sales high.
Washington
Like its southern neighbor, Washington also viewed grilled salmon as a favorite. Sam’s Club has no data for this state.
West Virginia
Hot dogs won out, with ground beef seeing high sales, according to Sam’s Club.
Wisconsin
Bratwurst was popular, as was pork ribs, according to Sam’s Club.
Wyoming
Grilled bison steaks won out, with ground beef selling high at Sam’s Club.
Popular entrees ranked
Google Trends data analyzed by Newsweek revealed top dishes searched in the U.S. around the July 4th holiday in 2025 as the following:
Hot dogHamburgerSteakBratwurstPulled porkGrilled chickenBBQ ribsPopular side dishes rankedWatermelonCorn on the cobPotato saladPasta saladColeslawBaked beansDeviled eggsMacaroni saladPopular desserts rankedIce creamApple pieFruit saladCherry pieShortcakeBerry triflePopular drinks rankedBeer LemonadeMargaritaCarbonated waterMojitoIced teaSangria
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