100+ Recipe Ideas For a Safe & Sunny 4th of July
Yes, believe it or not, the 4th of July is right around the corner!
Whether you want to put together an entire 4th of July spread or just want to savor your favorite barbecue treats, we've put together a list of recipes and resources to prep for a safe and sunny (or PNW-style rainy) 4th of July.
Red White & Blue Recipes
If the 4th of July is your favorite holiday, you know how to do red, white, and blue food.
Here are some of our favorite 4th of July-themed dishes.
Photo Courtesy of Dishes with Dad
Red, White & Blue Popsicles
Here’s the perfect popsicle to enjoy with your family on the 4th of July!
These are also super simple to make, only call for 3 ingredients, and only require a dash of added sugar.
The white layer is coconut milk, the blue is blueberries, and the red is strawberries. Light, healthy, delicious and super cute.
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Stars and Stripes Sandwiches
Here's a healthy and delicious red, white, and blue open-face sandwich recipe!
Make these as a mid-day snack or fruity breakfast if you're having a low-key celebration this year.
These would also be a fun edible art activity for kiddos if the sun decides not to show up to the party!
Photo Courtesy of Fine Cooking
Fourth of July Mixed Berry Cobbler
If you aren't having family over, you'll want to size this recipe down (or maybe you won't?), but seriously, how cute is this cobbler?!
The filling includes a bunch of fresh berries including blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, but you might as well add some in-season strawberries, too!
The stars on top are made out of homemade biscuits that are cut in the shape of stars and fluff up after they're baked.
Photo Courtesy of Fine Cooking
Chopped Roasted Beet & Blue Cheese Salad
While this recipe isn't really blue or red in color, it features blue cheese and beets, so we're totally counting it.
With fresh dill and sliced scallions, this salad is herby and full of different textures and flavors.
Serve it alongside your grilled chicken, steak, burgers, or ribs.
Backyard BBQ Recipes
If you're having a small backyard BBQ this year, we've compiled a list of some of our recipe blog posts that are full of grilling inspiration.
Backyard Grilling Recipes
Here's your go-to resource for grilling all sorts of different meats and veggies.
We put together 20 different grilling recipes to help up your 4th of July cooking creativity.
20 Backyard Grilling Recipes For Those Sunny PNW Days
Burger Recipes
Burgers and hot dogs. What's more 4th of July than that? But skip the pre-made frozen patties and try your hand at making your own craft burger!
Whether you take your burgers overloaded with toppings or simple with tomato and lettuce, here are the best burger recipes we could get our hands on.
20 Burger Recipes for Backyard Barbecues
Kebab Recipes
Kebabs are absolutely delicious, especially when they're cooked to perfection.
Our kebab recipe blog post has recipes for chicken, beef, veggie, tofu, and even fruit!
10 Kebab Recipes For Summer BBQs
Chicken Breast Recipes
Grilled chicken breast is always a great go-to for any backyard BBQ.
With the right marinade recipe, cooking method, and patience, you can create a totally delectable chicken breast that locks flavor and moisture in. Here are some of our favorites!
20 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Recipes
Salad & Side Dish Recipes
While the BBQ food is definitely the center of attention on the 4th of July, it's not the only dish that deserves to grace the picnic table.
Salads and side dishes are just as important because local fruits and veggies are one of the best parts of summer!
Summer Side Salads
If you're going to be eating a bunch of meat and carbs, you might as well eat some salad too. Because life is all about balance!
For 4th of July in particular, we recommend going with a recipe that features the best produce of the season: strawberries, heirloom tomatoes, and watermelon.
25 Side Salads for Summer Dinners
Watermelon Recipes
Nothing says summer quite like a slice of fresh watermelon.
And while you can certainly enjoy watermelon by itself, if you want to try something new, we've put together some of our favorite watermelon recipes including salads, drinks, and desserts.
Or, just slice it up and serve it on a plate. Either way, your people will be excited to see the first melon of summer.
25 Delicious & Refreshing Watermelon Recipes
Strawberry Recipes
Another fruit that's oh-so summer are strawberries! They're even better when theyr'e local!
As with most summer fruit, strawberries are so sweet and delectable that you can certainly enjoy them without mixing them into a fancy dessert.
But with that said, who doesn't like a strawberry-loaded dessert?
17 Strawberry Recipes To Enjoy Delectably Sweet In-Season Berries
Salsa Recipes
Salsa isn't just for chips! It should be invited to every BBQ table because it pairs so well with almost anything you throw on the grill!
Top steak with a healthy portion of pico de Gallo or add fresh mango salsa to the top of grilled chicken.
Or, pick up your favorite brand of tortilla chips and whip up a few different salsas to create a zesty appetizer!
Dessert Recipes
And no backyard party is a real party without dessert! Looking for a quick, easy dessert idea? Snag a pint of local strawberries, chop them up to put on top of our housemade shortcake, and spoon up a huge dollop of homemade whip cream for the finishing touch. Bing-bang-boom! It'll be more ooh-and-aah worthy than last year's fireworks.
But, of course, if you're in the mood to put something together, check out these trendy dessert recipes.
Ice Pop Recipes
Cool, refreshing, and perfect on a summer night, ice pops are everyone's favorite summer treat.
Ice pops are easy to make and the only special supplies you'll need are some molds!
13 Refreshing Ice Pop Recipes for Hot Summer Days
Ice Cream Float Recipes
There's something classic about a root beer float, and that makes them the perfect dessert to celebrate the 4th of July!
But ice cream floats don't have to require root beer, or ice cream for that matter. We found 10 of the most unique ice cream float recipes that incorporate everything from sorbet and rose wine to iced coffee and vanilla ice cream.