70+ Fourth of July Recipes For A Crowd

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Get your Fourth of July off to a bang with these fun and easy recipes. Whether you are planning a small Independence Day celebration or hosting a big cookout for friends and family, these recipes will have you covered! There’s no other holiday quite like the Fourth of July! And to make it extra special, be sure to serve up some of these delicious and fun recipes!

From burgers, salads, dips, and desserts, you’ll find something delicious here that you, your friends, and family will love. These Fourth of July recipes are perfect for serving at cookouts and BBQs, a lot can be made ahead of time, and there are a couple of tasty burgers that can be cooked on the grill on the day.

What is the Fourth of July?

The Fourth of July is the national holiday of the United States of America, commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on 4 July 1776. It declares independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.

While it’s a day to remember the significance of this historic event, it’s also a day for parades, fireworks, and celebrating with family and friends. And, of course, it’s a day for enjoying delicious food!

Tips for Making A Fourth Of July Meal

1. Plan ahead. As with all holiday meals, the key to success is to plan ahead. If you are hosting a big group, check in with everyone to see if they have any dietary requirements so that you can fix your menu around that.
2. Choose some make ahead recipes. Make sure that you aren’t spending all day in the kitchen by choosing some make ahead options. Cold side dishes like pasta salads, potato salads, fresh veggies, plus desserts are great to start the day or two before. You can even prep some of your proteins, like burger patties and marinating meats, for grilling and kabobs the night before.
3. Don’t neglect the side dishes. Of course, the mains are important, but the sides bring the variety, and they’ll often be nibbled at throughout the day! Choose different salads and dips that people can help themselves, too.
4. Get everyone involved. If you are hosting a big party, don’t be afraid to ask people to bring a dish with them. Give them a specific dish like a potato salad, dessert, or appetizer so that you don’t double up on things, and take the pressure off of you!

How to Plan a 4th of July Menu

When it comes to the Fourth of July, food is definitely a big part of the equation! From cookouts to picnics, this holiday is all about enjoying time with family and friends while chowing down on some delicious eats.

Here are a few tips to help you plan the perfect menu for your July Fourth festivities:

• Get a head count early on. Knowing how many people you’ll be feeding will help you determine how much food you’ll need to prepare.
• Determine your cooking method. Will you be grilling, cooking on the stovetop or in the oven, or using a combination of methods? This will help you choose recipes that can be easily prepared using your chosen cooking method(s).
• Choose a mix of recipes. When planning your menu, consider serving a mix of meat and vegetarian options, as well as incorporating a few patriotic-themed dishes. There are always a few picky eaters, so having variety is always the way to go!
• Think about timing. When you’re cooking for a crowd, timing is everything! Make sure to choose recipes that can be prepared ahead of time and those that can be quickly cooked the day of.

With these tips in mind, you’re well on your way to planning the perfect Fourth of July menu. Be sure to include a mix of both savory and sweet dishes, as well as a variety of side dishes and drinks.

Best Fourth of July Recipes

Now that you have a few tips to help you plan your menu, it’s time to get cooking! Below, you’ll find a huge list of amazing recipes perfect for any Fourth of July celebration. From appetizers and main dishes to sides and desserts, there’s something for everyone!

Appetizers for a July 4th Cookout

• Caprese Skewers – Fresh and flavorful mini Caprese Skewers – juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil, drizzled with balsamic glaze. A perfect appetizer!

• Cucumber Sandwiches – So quick and easy to make with accessible ingredients, they are wonderfully refreshing and elegant enough to serve to company. Made with seasoned Greek yogurt, they are truly delightful!
• Peach Salsa – It’s sweet, a little spicy, and so refreshing. I’ll be eating it as much as I can this summer, scooping it up with tortilla chips and serving on top of fish and chicken!
• Cucumber Bites – It’s like having veggies and feta dip, but with the dip already on the cucumber slices. This way, they look a bit fancy and are super easy to serve and eat.
• Crudite Platter – Make a simple and easy tray of finger-food-size veggies arranged in a colorful display. It’s fuss-free and delicious, and everyone is sure to love it!

Burger Recipes to Grill for a July 4th Cookout

• BBQ Turkey Burgers -It’s not always about beef burgers! These ground turkey burgers are perfectly seasoned, juicy, and great for summer BBQs!
• Grilled Chicken Burgers – These patties are made with yogurt, which helps to bind the mixture, adds tang, and keeps it moist on the grill. It’s the secret to the most deliciously juicy homemade chicken burger patty you’ll ever taste!
• Classic Beef Burgers – Nothing quite says summer like homemade beef hamburgers on the grill! They are wonderfully flavored, super quick, and easy to make.
• Lamb Patty Burgers – Try something completely unique with lamb burgers! Seasoned with mint, cumin, and cinnamon with tzatziki sauce. It will be the talk of the party!
• Chicken Burgers – These ground chicken burgers are so flavorful and make a fantastic addition to any barbecue. No outdoor grill? No problem! They also work great on a grill pan, especially on rainy days!
• Black Bean Burger – I love the chunky texture, the Southwestern flavor, and the use of salsa for a shorter list of ingredients. Follow my tips for the best results!
• Chickpea Burger – Get ready for one delicious meat-free burger! It’s so simple to make and packed with Mediterranean ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes and feta and infused with fresh herbs.
• Salmon Burgers – If you’re looking for something new to grill this summer, these salmon patties are a must-try and a great alternative to beef burgers with only a few ingredients.

July Fourth Salad Recipes

• Watermelon Feta Salad – Watermelon Feta Salad is a refreshing summer salad that has a sweet-and-salty taste and is so festive for summer cookouts.
• Zucchini Salad – This raw zucchini salad is the perfect dish for the summer. Ribbons of zucchini are tossed with walnuts, parmesan, and a sweet and tangy red wine vinaigrette for a burst of fresh flavor.
• Smoked Salmon Salad – This fresh smoked salmon salad is made with avocado, cucumber, and eggs and drizzled in dill, lemon, and mustard dressing for a delicious summer dish.
• Tomato Cucumber Avocado Salad – This Tomato Avocado Cucumber Salad requires 4 simple ingredients and is paired with a fresh dill & lemon vinaigrette! It’s the perfect cookout salad recipe!
• Peach Avocado Salad – This simple and delicious Peach Salad is loaded with texture and flavor with a sweet and tangy olive oil dressing. Quick to make with fresh ingredients, it’s a tasty summertime recipe!
• Caprese Strawberry Salad – Strawberry Caprese Salad is a refreshing summer salad bursting with fresh flavors. Easy to make, this sweeter version of Caprese is vibrant and fun to try!
• Fresh Chopped Salad – Full of veggies, chickpeas, feta cheese, and olives and tossed in a lemony herb dressing, this Mediterranean Chopped Salad is fit for a crowd.
• Blueberry Watermelon Salad – This Watermelon Blueberry Salad is tossed with mint, lemon and honey. It’s an easy, healthy, refreshing summer recipe for picnics, barbecues, and potlucks.

Side Dish Ideas

• IP Baked Beans – A classic cookout side dish that comes together deliciously in the Instant Pot! Rich with just the right amount of sweetness, these baked beans are quick and easy to make.
• Southwest Salad with Quinoa – Loaded with fresh and healthy ingredients, this vegan Southwest quinoa salad is all kinds of delicious. Made with roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, and avocado, it’s fresh, zingy, and full of flavor.
• Summer Couscous Salad – Mediterranean Couscous Salad is a fresh and healthy vegetarian summer recipe that is loaded with protein from chickpeas and full of colorful vegetables.
• Creamy Coleslaw – Add this easy Coleslaw recipe to your potluck, picnic, and barbecue events this summer. It’s a tangy, creamy, mayo-free coleslaw made with Greek Yogurt.
• Mexican Street Corn Salad – An addicting salad that is perfect for summer barbecues or any time you want a light, yet flavorful dish.
• Creamy Cucumber Salad – Light, refreshing, and oh-so-creamy! The cucumbers are sliced so thin and tossed in a delicious dressing made with sour cream, a splash of red wine vinegar, fresh dill, garlic, and red onions.

Potato Recipes For a Cookout

• Small Grilled Potatoes – Grilled baby potatoes are seasoned to perfection with a smoky finish. Crispy outside with a smooth and creamy inside, these grilled potatoes make a great side!
• Mediterranean Potato Salad – Tangy and Mayo-free!! This Mediterranean potato salad is delicious and sure to add something different to your July 4th food spread.
• Grilled Baked Potatoes – Love baked potatoes but hate heating up your kitchen in the summer? Grill them instead! You’ll get perfectly crispy skin and a light and fluffy interior just what you want from a baked potato!
• Grilled Sweet Potatoes – These spiced wedges are now one of my favorite recipes! The grill brings out their natural sweetness, adds a bit of char, and takes about 15 minutes to cook!
• Cauliflower Potato Salad – Yes, you read that right! This low-carb version of potato salad uses cauliflower and tastes just as amazing as its starchy brother!
• Mustard Potato Salad – Tangy, creamy, and an American classic side dish. I make my version lighter with Greek yogurt, adding the best flavor to pair with the Dijon mustard.

Pasta Salad Recipe Ideas

• Italian Pasta Salad – Tricolor rotini pasta, fresh veggies, and bite-sized mozzarella balls, all tossed in a zesty yet creamy Greek yogurt dressing. This dish adds a vibrant touch to any BBQ, picnic, or potluck.
• Caprese Pasta Salad – A delicious and refreshing summer pasta side dish that combines the classic caprese flavors and pasta with tomatoes, fun-size mozzarella balls, and a delicious tangy balsamic vinaigrette.
• Tahini Pasta Salad – I combined Greek and Middle Eastern flavors for a unique spin on a summer favorite that is so good!
• Greek Pasta Salad –  Whenever I want a light, fresh, easy summer salad, this Greek pasta salad is my go-to! It’s full of sweet tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, olives, and feta cheese, all tossed in a homemade dressing!
• Fresh Summer Pasta Salad – This Pasta Salad is a summertime favorite recipe. It’s quick and easy to make, loaded with vegetables and color, and super filling!
• Tuna Pasta Salad – It’s light, flavorful, and can be made ahead of time with fresh veggies, frozen peas, and a tangy Greek yogurt and mayo dressing.

Fourth of July BBQ Ideas

• Grilled Steak – Grill steak perfectly every time! Summer cookouts are perfect for juicy, tender steak!
• Grilled Chicken Thighs – Marinated in a homemade BBQ seasoning blend, this chicken is smoky with a savory depth of flavor that is so good you’ll have a hard time just eating one!
• Grilled Shrimp – BBQ Shrimp skewers are juicy, smoky, and summer-ready! They’re easy to grill and will be the star of your Fourth of July recipes!
• Grilled Beef Kabobs – Grilled beef kabobs make a delicious and easy summer meal that combines marinated steak, peppers, and onions.
• Scratch-made Cornbread – Quick and easy to make, this cornbread recipe is soft, fluffy with the best flavor.. and it’s vegan! BBQ food and cornbread go hand in hand, so serve up a dish of these tasty bites this July 4th.
• Salmon Kabobs – The salmon chunks are marinated in a tangy mustard sauce and grilled with zucchini and onions. Perfect over a flame for summer grilling!
• Artichoke Tahini Dip – Loaded with flavor, this spinach and artichoke tahini dip is a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Baked in the oven; best served with pita or crackers!
• Grilled Cod – Deliciously moist grilled cod with a simple seasoning ready in just 15 minutes! A tasty alternative to pork and burgers for a summer cookout.

Vegetable Fourth of July Recipes

• Grilled Corn – Learn how to grill corn with husks and without husks with this easy step-by-step tutorial. Grilling corn on the cob makes it sweet and smokey!
• Onions Grilled 2 Ways – Learn how to grill onions perfectly every time with this easy-to-follow recipe! Grilled Vidalia onions go great on burgers, and taste amazing!
• Marinated Portobello Mushroom Steaks – These grilled mushrooms are marinated in a flavorful balsamic glaze, making them irresistible. They are perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal or serving at your next big barbecue.
• Grilled Romaine Lettuce – Grilled romaine hearts – smoky, lightly charred, brushed with a vibrant lemon vinaigrette, and topped with parmesan; this grilled lettuce recipe is perfect for summertime, and it’s sure to please your taste buds!
• Grilled Tomatoes – Grilled tomatoes are a juicy, smoky, and delicious add-on to any BBQ! The char from the grill elevates the tomatoes making a great side or accompaniment!
• Veggie Skewers – No cookout is complete without vegetables! These veggie kabobs combine a variety of your favorite grilled vegetables on a stick – because food on a stick is just more fun!
• Grilled Vegetables – Grilling season is about so much more than just steaks and burgers for me.. it’s also about the grilled veggies, and this is my favorite medley to toss on the grill!
• Grilled Green Beans – Grilled green beans are the perfect side dish for any meal! Tender and crisp with a smoky char and bursting with flavor.

Dessert & Treats for July Fourth

• Fruit Roll ups – Make your own fruit leather for kids to snack on. This recipe is simple to follow and doesn’t require a whole bunch of ingredients.
• Strawberry Chocolate Smores – This Strawberry S’mores recipe is a twist on the classic s’mores summer snack but with added strawberries – a quick dessert recipe that is very kid-friendly.
• Frozen Popsicles – Fresh fruit frozen popsicles are easy to make, kid-friendly, and perfect for celebrating on a hot Summer day. Try Red, White, and Blue fruit popsicles for the Fourth of July!
• Fruit Kabobs – This summer, add grilled fruit kabobs to your bbq spread. These bbq fruit skewers are fun for the whole family, and the fruit on the grill is delicious too!
• Almond Cake – This cake is perfect for any occasion, and it’s dusted with just the right amount of powdered sugar for a beautiful finish.
• Guilt-free Banana Split – Quick and easy to make, this healthy banana split is perfect for breakfast or snacking. Topped with Greek yogurt, berries, granola, and peanut butter drizzle.
• Easy Edible Cookie Dough – This delicious homemade edible cookie dough is the perfect sweet treat kids and adults of all ages will love!
• Mixed Berry Crisp – This mixed berry crisp is such a great way to use up fruit you have on hand! It’s such a quick recipe that you can throw it in the oven right minutes before your guests arrive!
• Healthier Fudgy Brownies – Made with no oil and less butter, these Greek yogurt brownies are a tasty and healthier alternative. Simple to make and just as delicious!
• Tropical Fruit Salad – This tropical fruit salad is made with some of the most succulent tropical fruit! And this salad also includes my “secret sauce,” which is citrusy and floral. It’s the perfect summertime treat!
• Frozen Yogurt Bark – Simple and quick to make, this frozen yogurt bark is the perfect summer treat. Red, white, and blue for the 4th of July dessert, and it’s a perfect hot weather snack.

Refreshing Drink Ideas

• Chia Lemon Fresca – Chia seeds in water with lemon and honey is a refreshing and healthy drink. This hydrating drink is quick and easy to make with simple ingredients.
• Iced Raspberry Tea – This Raspberry Iced Tea is an incredibly easy recipe made with fresh raspberries, sugar, and black tea. It’s a super quick drink to make and one that is so refreshing for hot summer days.
• Fresh made Lemonade – There’s nothing more refreshing on a hot day than a pitcher of simple homemade lemonade. Make your own lemonade recipe from scratch and enjoy it within minutes.
• Fruit Ice Cubes – This is an excellent way to use up leftover fruit, sweeten your water naturally and add a little fun and color to water. A refreshing addition to your summertime drinks.
• Mint Lemonade – Quench your thirst with Mint Lemonade – a zesty and refreshing blend of tangy lemon, cooling mint, and a hint of sweetness.

How to Keep Food Warm

• Oven: As long as you’re not cooking anything in the oven, you can set it to 200°F and store dishes in there to keep them warm.
• Aluminum Foil: If your oven is not free, you can simply use aluminum foil, which has reflective properties that protects the food from light and oxygen. The foil reflects the thermal energy back to the food, which maintains the moisture, flavor, and texture.
• Slow Cookers and Instant Pots: Think of recipes that can be made in your slow cooker or instant pot that will keep warm during the party. You can even use them to keep foods warm even if you don’t cook in them.
• Insulated coolers: You can use a cooler to keep food hot as well as cold. The insulation technology that keeps out the heat to maintain cold foods also works to trap heat in and keep food hot for hours at a time. You can even line the cooler with aluminum foil for even better results.

How to Store All the Leftovers

If you’re like me, you always end up with leftovers after any big gathering. And while I’m not complaining (leftovers are the best!), it can be tricky to know how to store all of them. Here are a few tips:

• Make sure everything is cooled completely before storing.
• Label everything with the name and date. This will help you keep track of what’s what and also ensure that nothing gets lost in the back of the fridge.
• Use plastic containers or freezer bags. This will help keep your food fresh and prevent it from drying out.
• If you have any perishable items (like meat or dairy), make sure to store them in the fridge.

Frequently Asked Questions

With these 60 recipes, you’ll be sure to have a festive and delicious Fourth of July celebration! From appetizers and main dishes to sides and desserts, there’s something for everyone. For even more, Fourth of July cooking inspiration and recipes click the underlined text! Now get cooking and enjoy the holiday!

Full List of Recipes

Check out the picture cards for all the recipes listed above. You can click on any of the recipe cards to take you directly to those recipes.

For more similar roundup of recipes, be sure to check out: Vegetables To Grill This Summer, Easy Air Fryer Recipes, Memorial Day Recipes, and Recipes with Canned Beans.

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