This post is your ultimate guide to a show-stopping 4th of July menu, whether you’re firing up the grill or staying cool in the kitchen. Dive into a collection of recipes designed to make your summer celebrations unforgettable, from scrumptious barbecue and creative sides to refreshing drinks and classic American desserts. (Need more decor? Julia rounded up everything we put in the pool house here.)
You can jump to specific sections that pique your interest or browse the entire fun program. Whatever you choose, get ready to be the hero of your Fourth of July party!
Don’t forget to have all your grilling tools ready to go. This is what we always are.
6 Types of Food You Should Have at a 4th of July Party
Grilled Meat | Crowd Pleaser Favorites
Smash’s most delicious Burgers – You can do this without a flat pan or inside a cast-iron griddle and either way, you’ll be the hero of the party.
Lemongrass Grilled Beef – These are refreshingly different from your usual bbq fare, but still will be appreciated.
Unforgettable BBQ Pork Ribs – Enjoy a relaxing time while these slow cook in the smoker, then serve them to an eager crowd.
The Ultimate Hot Dog Bar – To me, one of the best party foods is something that everyone likes to customize. This post gives you all the details on what to buy (and what to do) to find everyone’s favorite food.
Salt & Vinegar Chicken – This recipe could not be simpler or more expensive. It tastes like the best chicken you get at a small-town fundraiser—too sweet and too light.
Barbecue Baked Chicken Wings – Don’t want to grill outside or the weather looks iffy? Give these delicious Barbecue Baked Wings a try.
Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Macadamia Nut Pesto – If you’re having a small gathering and want to impress, you can’t go wrong with this grilled pork with a little tropical flair.
Mango Coconut Chicken Wings – These use seasonal and oh-so-delicious yellow mangoes for a great drink that tastes like summer—through and through.
Berry Best Bites | Fresh Takes Summer Fruit
Easy Fruit Skewers – If everyone is expecting a fruit tray, you’ll set off fireworks with these Fruit Grilled Fruit Skewers with berries and apricots.
Caramelized Apricots over Chopped Ricotta – Anything caramelized reminds me of the Fourth of July. It must be that burning sugary joy that evokes the summer of childhood. This is a dessert perfect for guests who may be dairy-free with dietary restrictions!
Most Requested Fruit Salad – If you’re tired of the same old fruit salad, try this one. It includes a lot more kiwi than you usually see (and no melon filler), and everyone will remember it forever.
Mix Berry Dump Cake – Running for a short time? This “dump cake” makes the most of a grain-free box mix and turns it into a delight.
Spud-tacular sides | Perfect Potato Dishes
Honey Dill Roasted Potatoes – This dish roasts whole potatoes in their skin while garlic is boiled in olive oil to turn into a confit. Really, does anything else need to be said?
Panzanella Potato Salad – For those who love the taste of panzanella but can’t have it because of a grain allergy, I created this version that uses potatoes instead of bread cubes. It’s a revelation—you may never go back.
Roasted Potato Salad – If you are grilling meat or fish on the Fourth of July, this dish should be on your menu. With tarragon and capers, it’s slightly spicy. (And vegan-friendly.)
Roasted Potato Salad with Honey Mustard and Dill Dressing – If you’ve already fired up the grill, why not give your potatoes a little char too? This warm potato salad is very flavorful and not greasy.
Lemon & Dill Roasted Potatoes – This couldn’t be cuter and easier with the use of everyone’s favorite kitchen appliance, the air fryer.
The Best Potato Salad Recipe for People Who Don’t Like Potato Salad – Another potato salad you say? Indeed, but only because it is better to take the classic potato salad that you find on any picnic menu.
Seasonal Vegetables | Fresh Festive Bites
Grilled Corn Salad with Pineapple & Cilantro – The key to this corn salad is that it’s full of different textures and flavors: smoky, savory, and slightly sweet. In short, it’s addictive.
My Favorite Broccoli Salad – Another potluck classic, my version is very close to the one you grew up with, but with a little more zip.
8-Layer Salad – Why stop at 7-layer salad when you can go bigger? This one features turkey bacon and sunflower seeds for eggs!
Cucumber Crunch Salad – This dish comes together in about 10 minutes, and it was one of my most popular recipes last year. Do it once, and you’ll be doing it again all summer.
Italian Summer Pasta Salad – Don’t let the “pasta” in the title fool you: This dish is loaded with produce (zucchini! tomatoes! figs! bell peppers!). It really makes people happy.
Carrot Slaw with Honey & Dill – If you eat barbecue anywhere on the menu, you just have to have slaw. This one is super quick and stays firm even if you make it a day or more in advance.
Shredded Veggie Salad with Sweet & Orange Vinegar – This is a light and “lively” dish, and goes well with any protein you pair it with.
Roasted Sugar Snap Peas & Mushrooms – I love sugar snap peas in a veggie dish, but if I can grill something, it’s even better.
Sparkling Sips | Cool Drinks That Add Pizzazz
Kiwi Cucumber Spritzer – This mocktail is fresh and refreshing on a hot day. Add a little honey to it if it’s not sweet enough for the kids!
Honey Mint Lemonade – Everyone’s favorite since childhood, with a little extra flavor to make it even more refreshing for adults.
Strawberry Rhubarb Soda – Make the base for this the day before so all you have to do is add club soda and ice the next day! You can also make a batch of it and put it in the Ninja Slushi machine for frozen meals for the day.
Cucumber Honey Mojito – When the weather is hot (and oh, is it always hot in NC right now), this drink will bring you back from the brink with its refreshing combination of cucumber and mint.
The All American Dessert | Classic Creamy & Sweet
Blackberry Campfire S’mores – When it comes to dessert, I usually choose something fruity. I decided to add juicy berry flavor to another classic, campfire s’mores. Make the berry jam ahead of time and save the extra to turn to yogurt!
Peach Cobbler – Peaches = summer for me, and there’s nothing like a good ol’-fashioned cobbler. Besides, it is grain-free and dairy-free, so even those with dietary restrictions can enjoy it.
Pineapple Dole Whip-Style Soft Serve – Based on my favorite dessert at Disney World, you can whip this up in the Ninja Swirl machine and impress all the kids—and whet the appetite of the adults!
Piña Colada Italian Ice in Ninja CREAMi – This is a great dessert to make if you just need a few portions to enjoy while watching the fireworks over town.
7 Must-Try S’mores Combinations – And finally, if you want to open a few boxes and put together a dessert (no shade, I love to do that), then I have a fun variation of the campfire classic in this post.
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