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25 Best 4th of July Recipes for an All-American Menu
These recipes are red, white, and so darn delicious!
The 4th of July is a star-spangled day filled with fun, sun, fireworks... and food! It's true—an Independence Day party is only as good as the selection of summer appetizers, grilling recipes, and refreshing summer desserts on the table. Whether you're a stickler for tradition and are planning a menu full of slow-cooked BBQ recipes and classic July 4th sides, or like trying something fresh and new, consider this list your go-to guide to planning the perfect 4th of July menu.
These 4th of July recipes include easy make-ahead dishes—because who wants to be stuck inside cooking? A little prep the day before can go along way in pulling off a meal fit for a crowd. Think: pasta salads that get even better as they sit, party dips, and red, white, and blue desserts better than the fireworks. Speaking of patriotic sweets, you've got to try one of the flag cakes! There's also a quick and easy red, white, and blue trifle for when you're short on time. But no summer holiday is complete without firing up the grill, so we've included those recipes, too: saucy, slow-cooked ribs, skewered steak and shrimp, grilled veggies like okra, and burgers and franks with some flair Ever heard of a Juicy Lucy? One bite and you'll never make a burger any other way! Don't skip the classic potluck sides like Ree Drummond's 4th of July menu inclusions of baked beans and creamy potato salad! No matter which dishes you choose, this will be the best 4th of July yet.
American Flag Cake
Skip the flower arrangement and make this impressive cake the centerpiece of your 4th of July table. A little crafty work with parchment paper makes creating the straight lines easy.
Get Ree's American Flag Cake recipe.
Tomato Sandwich
Keep the 4th of July simple this year with a summertime delicacy: a tomato sandwich! Garlic aioli and fresh basil jazz it up a bit, but a few slices of crisp bacon would be delightful too.
Get the Tomato Sandwich recipe.
Grilled Okra
Those fiery grill grates are for more than burgers and ribs. Add this grilled okra to your menu for a light and fresh side. Grilling whole pods results in okra that is nicely charred and just a touch crispy.
Get the Grilled Okra recipe.
Red, White, and Blue Trifle
Easy does it with this patriotic party dessert. Grab a pound cake from the supermarket (or bake Ree's perfect pound cake), make the cream cheese mixture, and layer it all into a trifle dish with fresh berries.
Get the Red, White, and Blue Trifle recipe.
Juicy Lucy
Stuffed with American cheese and topped with silk caramelized onions, this burger is heaven down to the last bite. It's a staple in its hometown of Minneapolis, but this recipe will show you how to make them right at home.
Get the Juicy Lucy recipe.
Broccoli Slaw
This crunchy cousin to coleslaw is a dynamite side for any 4th of July meal. It adds a kick of freshness alongside barbecued ribs and chicken. Plus, it can (and should!) be made ahead and it's so easy to stir together.
Get the Broccoli Slaw recipe.
Grilled Ribs
Saucy ribs are a 4th of July staple and this recipe teaches you how to make the best, right on the grill. The process may take some time, but it couldn't be easier! And the end result is entirely worth it.
Get the Grilled Ribs recipe.
4th of July Cake
Ree's take on Ina Garten's patriotic flag cake, this berry-topped masterpiece is the star of any 4th of July get-together. Juicy raspberries from the red stripes, cream cheese icing forms the white, and beautiful blueberries come together for the blue portion that's dotted with icing "stars."
Get Ree's 4th of July Cake here.
Lemon Blueberry Cake
When it comes to feeding a crowd, you can't go wrong with a sheet cake. This crowd-pleaser is full of bright, sweet flavor thanks to lots of lemon and plenty of juicy blueberries. The fluffy cream cheese frosting on top is almost as good as the actual cake!
Get the Lemon Blueberry Cake recipe.
Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs
How do you make a hotdog even better? Here's an idea: Wrap it in bacon! These bacon-wrapped franks will wow your 4th of July guests. You can bake them in the oven or grill them, just be sure to load on your favorite toppings and serve with potato chips!
Get the Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs recipe.
Atlantic Beach Pie
The middle ground between Key lime pie and lemon icebox pie, this zingy citrus pie get a bit of balancing saltiness from a saltine cracker crust. This style pie hails from North Carolina, but now it is loved all over—and for good reason!
Get the Atlantic Beach Pie recipe.
Spinach Dip
This creamy spinach dip is an updated spin on a nostalgic recipe. Rather than starting with a seasoning packet, it uses all fresh ingredients. Serve with hunks of bread, pita chips, or sliced veggies for a lighter snack!
Get the Spinach Dip recipe.
Beef Kebab Marinade
These beef and veggie kabobs are a genius way to make steak for a crowd! Plus they're fun to eat. The secret to them is in the marinade: it packs major flavor without much effort.
Get the Beef Kebab Marinade recipe.
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
There are many pasta salad recipes out there but here's why this one belongs at your 4th of July party: it has dill pickles! Yep, big hunks of dill pickle are mixed right into this pasta salad. Cheddar cheese, a creamy dressing, and fresh dill only add to the flavor.
Get the Dill Pickle Pasta Salad recipe.
Peach Dump Cake
With all the fun that comes along with 4th of July, the last place you want to be is stuck inside making a complicated dessert. That's where this dump cake comes in! Why is it called a dump cake? Because all you have to do is dump the ingredients into a dish and bake! It's as easy as that.
Get the Peach Dump Cake recipe.
The Best Baked Beans Ever
It's hard to resist a classic, and that's exactly what these fan-favorite beans are: a true classic. Ree's favorite baked beans are sticky-sweet and exceedingly delicious on there own. However the bacon that's baked on top of them makes them even better.
Get Ree's Best Baked Beans Ever recipe.
Corn Salad
This salad tastes like Mexican street corn, but it's so much easier to eat! There's avocado, lots of cilantro, and queso fresco folded in with the corn. There's also a touch of jalapeño to give it some kick!
Get the Corn Salad recipe.
Spinach and Feta Chicken Burgers
Skip the classic beef patties this 4th of July and try these flavor-packed chicken burgers. Spinach and feta bring major flavor to the patty, and then there's the toppings: griddled onion, pepperoncini peppers, and creamy tzatziki sauce. Yum!
Get Ree's Spinach and Feta Chicken Burgers recipe.
Cookie Cake
Who doesn't love a big ol' slice of cookie cake? This one is studded with chocolate chips and toffee bits, and it is out of this world! Try decorating it with red, white, and blue sprinkles for a patriotic twist!
Get the Cookie Cake recipe.
Strawberry Lemonade
Cool down on a hot July day with a glass of this oh-so refreshing, berry-kissed lemonade. It's so much better than the powdered mix and easy to make too. The whole family will want a glass!
Get the Strawberry Lemonade recipe.
Ree's Mediterranean Orzo Salad Feeds a Crowd
Creamy Red Potato Salad Is the Best Cookout Side
Bite Into One (or Two!) Cheeseburger Sliders
How to Make Strawberry Pie from Scratch