53 Fourth of July Recipes for a Fun-Filled Independence Day
The best Fourth of July recipes are easy and fuss-free but still festive: mains on the grill, crunchy slaw, gorgeous produce, and playful desserts. If you haven’t started picking your midsummer holiday recipes just yet, don’t worry. Most of these crowd-pleasing dishes are simple enough to throw together at the last minute. Below you’ll find our go-to ribs, flavorful grilled chicken, vegetarian options, summery sides, appetizers that’ll get the party going while you’re tied to the grill, and more—including retro red-white-and-blue cakes and summer drinks to keep you refreshed. So stock up on charcoal and invite a few more neighbors to stop by; there are plenty of Fourth of July food ideas here to go around.
Looking for sweets? Head this way for our favorite Fourth of July desserts →
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton1/53Grilled Pork Tenderloin and Asparagus With Mustard-Herb Sauce
A sauce of Dijon mustard and fresh parsley brings new life to grilled pork tenderloin. Throw some asparagus on the fire, and this singular Fourth of July recipe becomes the whole meal. However, we do recommend closing out the feast with a crackly hot water peach cobbler.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich2/53
German Potato Salad With Dill
When July Fourth rolls around, you know you’re going to need three things: firecrackers, plenty of ice, and a really good potato salad recipe. We can help you with that last one.
- Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boystova3/53
Baked Salmon With Lemon and Thyme
Just because you don’t have a grill doesn’t mean you can’t get into the summer fun. This fish dish cooks on low heat in the oven (so it won’t heat up your kitchen too much), and it’s just as delicious as any all-American cookout staple. Serve it with a crisp cucumber salad.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton4/53
Frozen Watermelon Margarita
Nothing beats standing at the grill, flipping burgers and hot dogs while sipping a frozen watermelon margarita at a family backyard BBQ—except, perhaps, sipping a mango margarita instead.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson5/53
Classic Seafood Boil With Lemon-Butter
You’ll need your favorite seafood seasoning and your biggest pot for this shellfish boil brimming with shrimp, sweet corn, smoky sausage, and tender potatoes.
- Photo by Kim Sentner6/53
Red, White, and Berry Fourth of July Cake
If you’re feeling extra, and have a bunch of berries on hand, wrap your July Fourth celebration with this red-and-white-striped cake coated in cream cheese frosting. Or take the retro vibes even further with a chocolate flag cake. Want something less obvious? Go for this cheesecake that sports a raspberry starburst.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton7/53
Black-Eyed Pea Burgers With Creamy Barbecue Sauce and Chowchow
These creamy black-eyed pea patties can be prepped and frozen weeks in advance so that you always have a veggie burger at the ready. Serve with a doctored-up barbecue sauce and homemade chowchow made with cabbage, green tomatoes, and apple cider vinegar.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert8/53
Creamy Coleslaw
Not sure what to serve alongside your chicken kebabs and turkey burgers? This classic slaw is a reader favorite and a go-to BBQ side dish. Every bite is crunchy, cool, and refreshing.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Susan Kim9/53
Corn on the Cob
Boil a big pot of corn and then set out softened butter or homemade mayonnaise to slather all over the cobs along with your favorite savory spice mixes for extra flavor.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne10/53
Piña Colada
With its winning combination of coconut, pineapple, and rum, this quintessential summer cocktail is creamy, just sweet enough, and utterly refreshing.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Erika Joyce11/53
Juiciest Grilled Chicken Breast With Citrus Marinade
Looking to keep things simple for the holiday weekend? A quick marinade is all these juicy chicken breasts need—and then you can use them in sandwiches or slice and serve on a salad.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boystova12/53
Caprese Salad
When you spot really ripe summer tomatoes, you have no choice but to give them the star treatment in this classic Italian salad.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton13/53
Sea Breeze
This easy vodka-cranberry-grapefruit cocktail is a summer standard for a reason. Simply stirred over ice, it’s a low-maintenance drink, ideal for July Fourth.
- Photo by Frankie Gaw14/53
Lion’s Head Big Macs
This pork cheeseburger channels a fast-food favorite through the lens of a classic Chinese dish. The patties are flavored with scallions and ginger so that every single bite is packed with flavor.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton15/53
Pickled Zucchini
Forgot to buy pickles? Turn your bumper crop of zucchini into crunchy spears to serve alongside anything coming off the grill—or add them to an appetizer spread with deviled eggs and sliced fresh summer fruit.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne16/53
Our Favorite Aperol Spritz
Keep your Fourth of July party going all day by serving this low-alcohol sipper. Decreasing the Aperol from the standard ratio by just ½ oz. makes a spritz that’s balanced but significantly less sweet. Cutting the Aperol even further gives you a thirst quencher that tastes almost watered-down—on a really hot day, it might be preferred.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Liza Jernow17/53
Spicy Tamarind-Glazed Grilled Chicken Wings
Preheat your grill for indirect heat, and you’ll be ready to make these bright and tangy wings from Epi’s Rachel Gurjar. Scatter crunchy onion and cilantro on top before you serve them.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert18/53
Yellow Squash Casserole
This simple, creamy squash casserole with a crunchy breadcrumb topping is the perfect way to use up summer’s most bountiful vegetable.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton19/53
Ensalada de Sandía y Tomate
Even though this watermelon salad is all about the summery combo of juicy fruit and ripe tomatoes, the corn nuts and goat cheese make the dish. Their salty crunch and creamy bite accentuate the salad’s sweetness.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Christopher Barsch20/53
Grilled Pork Spareribs With Soda Bottle Barbecue Sauce
For many folks, thinking about Fourth of July recipes means thinking about ribs. This recipe, from Epi contributor Brigid Washington, has two different barbecue sauce options: a spicy cola version and a mustardy one with ginger. Honestly, it’s hard to choose. Why not make both?
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton21/53
Frozen Daiquiri
Blend a big batch of this classic frozen rum drink before your backyard bash, then stash in portions in the freezer and reblend just before serving.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele22/53
Chile con Queso
If it’s a Fourth of July appetizer party you’re planning, you can’t do much better than this cheese dip made with real cheddar and charred green chiles. Make a batch of our favorite guacamole to serve alongside.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova23/53
Grilled Chicken With Mustard Barbecue Sauce and Tomato Salad
You’ll glaze grilled chicken in a sweet and tangy South Carolina–ish barbecue sauce for this cookout-ready diner. The simple salad of grilled onions, raw tomatoes, and pickled green beans provides a bright counterpart to the chicken’s smoky char.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele24/53
Buffalo Cauliflower
Boneless Buffalo wings, but make it vegetarian. Serve this dish as an appetizer, or call it a salad and pile next to a meaty pork chop.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton25/53
Japanese Thirst Killer
This multifaceted nonalcoholic drink can be traced back to 1915. Acid phosphate, which was once a popular additive at soda fountains, gives it its signature tartness.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton26/53
Easy Pasta Salad
Take macaroni salad but ditch elbows for orecchiette; pile in mozzarella, cherry or grape tomatoes, and a zesty dressing for this summer potluck favorite.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Dawn Perry27/53
Beer-Can Cabbage Sandwiches
Cabbage becomes the star of your Fourth of July meal with this fun beer-steaming-plus-grilling technique. Slathering the cabbage with barbecue sauce during cooking gives it a smoky, sweet flavor.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele28/53
Peel and Eat Boiled Shrimp
Grab the cocktail sauce, the garlic mayo, and the plain old ketchup. It’s a choose-your-own dipping adventure with this seaside Independence Day favorite.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton29/53
Pocky S’Mores
Once the skewers are cooked and devoured, turn your attention to these dessert “skewers,” inspired by everyone’s favorite sweet campfire snack.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Susan Kim30/53
Buldak-Style Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks
These flavorful grilled chicken drumsticks are part of a whole Korean BBQ menu, but they can stand alone too.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton31/53
Creole Caesar Salad With Corn Bread Croutons
This riff on Caesar salad works in the flavors of the African American Low Country: think fresh tomatoes, crispy fried okra, crunchy-crumbly cornbread croutons, and a zesty red bell pepper dressing.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Christopher Barsch32/53
Esquites con Salsa de Totopos
This corn salad gets a topping of crushed tortillas chips, toasted peanuts, and smoky dried chiles. Serve it with more chips for scooping, spoon over grilled fish or pork, or offer alongside a taco feast.
- Photo by Greg DuPree33/53
Grilled Peach Toast With Pimiento Cheese
Spread bacon-studded pimento cheese on grilled toasts with smashed avocado and juicy peaches for a summer snack you won’t soon forget.
- Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell34/53
Summer Corn, Tomato, and Salmon Salad With Za’atar Dressing
No grill is needed for this refreshing and summery feast. You’ll poach the salmon in the same thyme-and-garlic-infused water in which the corn is boiled, then toss it all in a lemony za’atar dressing.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Erika Joyce35/53
Pickle Potato Salad
This potato salad isn’t just a potato salad. It’s packed with shredded rotisserie chicken (or use leftover grilled chicken) for a salad that can be considered the full holiday meal.
- Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Kate Schmidt36/53
Classic Blueberry Muffins
Don’t let the morning go by without this veritable crowd-pleaser. The tender muffins are chock full of fruit that burst with summery flavor.
- By Aubrie Pick37/53
Sweet Tea and Molasses-Brined Spatchcock Chicken
Combine black tea’s herbal and tannic notes with citrus zest, salt, and sweetener for an aromatic brine that perfumes this charred chicken from the inside out.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson38/53
3-Ingredient Grilled Watermelon, Feta, and Tomato Salad
Watermelon? Delicious. Grilled watermelon? Even more so. Grilling the fruit gives it a savory depth, embuing this refreshing summer fruit salad with much more flavor than you might imagine.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova39/53
Frozen Boozy Arnold Palmer
The classic iced-tea-and-lemonade combo is even better when transformed into a refreshing frozen cocktail for July Fourth. Looking for more drink ideas? Here’s a whole list of frozen cocktails worth the brain freeze.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton40/53
Jerk Potato Salad
You’re not getting out of here with at least one more potato salad recipe. This one gets a blast of flavor from Jamaican jerk seasoning. The spicy rub is the foundation of the creamy dressing, in which some of the heat is quelled by rich mayonnaise.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Simon Andrews41/53
Country-Style Ribs With Quick-Pickled Watermelon
Sweet pickled watermelon pairs perfectly with hearty country-style ribs in this summer dinner.
- Photo and Food Styling by Anna Stockwell42/53
Grilled Coconut Shrimp With Shishito Peppers
A garlicky soy sauce marinade helps big flakes of coconut stick to these quick-cooking grilled shrimp.
- Photo by Emma Fishman43/53
Cold-Brew Iced Tea
Cold-brewed tea is crisp, refreshing, and naturally sweeter than hot-brewed versions, so you won’t need as much sugar. Garnish with a lemon slice or fresh herbs like mint or basil.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson44/53
Grilled Corn on the Cob With Salt-and-Pepper Butter
This low-fuss, spreadable salt-and-pepper butter makes seasoning your grilled corn a one-step affair at the dinner table.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton45/53
Amaretto Sour Slushy
Let’s bring back the amaretto sour—this time in slushy form. Try pouring a little Fernet on top for a deliciously bitter twist.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson46/53
Oregano-Marinated Tomato Salad
This time of year, we get excited to dig into Epi’s best tomato recipes. For this dish, you’ll season ripe summer tomatoes and then let them rest for 30 minutes—as they sit, the flavor will intensify, and you’ll be rewarded with rich juices. Have some grilled bread on hand to mop them up.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson47/53
Creamy Potato Salad With Lemon and Fresh Herbs
Because they are lower in starch than Yukon Golds or russets, baby red potatoes hold their shape when tossed into this tangy and fresh take on potato salad.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Liza Jernow48/53
Chickpea-Mushroom Veggie Burgers
These veggie burgers are made from flavourful mushrooms, miso, tahini, and smoked paprika. Serve on pretzel buns or sesame rolls with whatever condiments you love.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Kate Schmidt49/53
Spiked Ginger-Lemonade Soda Can Cocktail
No glassware required for this easy summer cocktail. Make it right in the soda can, then walk (responsibly!) from neighborhood party to neighborhood party.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone50/53
3-Ingredient Garlic-Herb Grilled Chicken Wings
Combine garlic and your favorite sturdy herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano for a quick, easy, and oh-so-delicious marinade for grilled wings.
- Photo by Peden + Munk, Food Styling by Christopher St. Onge51/53
Ants on a Log Celery Salad
Nothing against the classic snack, but ants on a log really should be a salad. Hold the raisins, and use sweet, chewy, earthy dates instead.
- Photo by Paul Petrowsky52/53
Classic BBQ Baked Beans
This simple recipe combines sweet and smoky ingredients for the ultimate barbecue side dish. These are cooked in a Dutch oven on the grill, so you won’t need to run inside to tend to them.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Kate Schmidt53/53
Grilled Clambake With Miso-Lime Butter
This Fourth of July recipe is a whole meal in one: Clams, potatoes, shrimp, and corn on the cob get extra flavor when grilled and brushed with gingery miso butter.
Tiffany Hopkins
Jarrett Melendez
