26 4th of July Side Dishes, Desserts, Main Dishes, and More
Take the guesswork out of creating a delicious spread with our roundup of 4th of July side dishes, dinners, drinks, and desserts (mmm, pie!) that make organizing a patriotic potluck a breeze.
All the staples are here, of course (think classic potato salad and hot dogs piled with tasty toppings) but we've also included some fun spins on traditional dishes, like ancho-spiced baked beans and mint and pineapple pops.
Keep reading for all our favorite Independence Day eats.
Padma's Grilled Corn
Elevate your grilled corn game with this flavorful 4th of July side dish. Lemon, fleur de sel, and smoked paprika are welcome additions to this simple summertime staple.
Blueberry Lemonade Poke Cake
The best 4th of July dessert recipes are simple with many servings. This poke cake fills the bill. White cake mix gets a flavor update from frozen lemonade and a homemade blueberry sauce.
Lemon Bars
Lemon desserts are a cool, refreshing end to any summer meal—and these yummy lemon bars couldn't be easier. The prep time is less than 30 minutes, and the yield is more than 35 bars. Add this tart treat to your rotation of 4th of July dessert recipes and win the holiday.
Fourth of July Shooters
It's official: Fourth of July recipes don't get more festive than this. These colorful cocktails are the most patriotic shots ever! To make them, simply layer grenadine, peach schnapps, and blue curacao in a tall shot glass.
Pineapple, Mint, and Coconut Water Pops
Pineapple desserts are perfect for summer because the fruit is so refreshing—and these chilly ice pops are no exception. Made with coconut water, pineapple chunks, mint, lime juice, and honey, these flavorful pops are a healthy addition to your 4th of July spread.
Swirled Fourth of July Bundt Cake
This sweet 4th of July dessert looks patriotic on the outside thanks to drippy white frosting and firecracker-inspired sprinkles. But there's also a surprise hidden inside each slice. We swirled together red, white, and blue cake batter so that every bite of this bundt cake recipe is just as patriotic as the American flag itself.
Strawberry-Pretzel Salad
Three layers—salty, sweet, and fruity—make this layered dessert a potluck favorite. Add it to your arsenal of Fourth of July sides and desserts, but be prepared to make copies. Everyone will be asking you for the recipe!
Honey Fruit Salad
Utilize peak-of-the-season fruits to make this simple fruit salad that is perfectly patriotic. This can be both a 4th of July side dish and dessert recipe and stays sweet with the help of honey rather than refined sugar.
Sparkling Rosé Blueberry Floats
Make this tiki-bar-meets-farmstand treat with layers of coconut gelato, refreshing blueberry granita, and sparkling rose. It's a delicious, gorgeous, grown-up version of classic ice cream floats. Cheers to the holiday!
Ranch Fried Chicken
We know 4th of July is prime barbecue season, but fried chicken deserves a spot at your celebration. Especially this recipe, since ranch salad dressing is included in the batter, while dry seasoning is mixed with crushed crackers for double the flavor. True ranch lovers, make sure you have a cup on the side for dipping your piece.
White Strawberry Sangria
Toast to the nation's independence with a sweet strawberry sangria recipe. The red-and-white big-batch holiday punch gets double the fruit flavor from fresh berries and strawberry schnapps.
Fourth of July Trifle
Celebrate the 4th of July in festive fashion by making this patriotic trifle for your dessert table. White angel food cake and cream, red strawberries, and blueberries mimic the stripes of the flag, which you can see throughout the bowl when you make this recipe in a trifle dish. For added patriotic pep, use a tiny cookie cutter to shape the strawberries into stars.
Blueberry and Peach Slab Pie
Create a colorful 4th of July dessert with fresh fruit and refrigerated piecrust. The peach-and-blueberry treat gets even better with a melty scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Trisha Yearwood's Fourth of July Coleslaw
Classic crunchy coleslaw gains sweetness from salad pickles, which complement the fresh flavors of cabbage and carrots. The summer side-dish recipe produces 6 cups of crisp slaw, ensuring plenty of this 4th of July side dish for all your friends and family.
All-American Chicken with Balsamic Barbecue Sauce
When it comes to grilling, barbecue chicken is about as classic as it gets. Slather chicken breasts, thighs, and drumsticks in our sticky-sweet homemade balsamic BBQ sauce, then grill until golden brown.
Grilled Veggie Pasta Salad
Crisp-tender asparagus, sweet peppers, zucchini, and red onion hot off the grill join cooked penne for one fantastic 4th of July side dish. A light drizzle of balsamic vinegar coats the 30-minute pasta salad.
Sweet Tea Swagger
For the perfect 4th of July drink, turn to this sweet tea recipe. Our take has a splash of rum and a hint of lime juice. Garnish with watermelon and mint.
Trisha Yearwood's Potato Salad
Use red potatoes in your 4th of July potato salad for a recipe that bursts with Independence Day color. We mixed our classic potato salad with mayonnaise, but yellow mustard can be substituted if desired.
Whiskey Barrel Burgers
Classic grilled hamburgers get even better when flavored with whiskey and stuffed with a gooey cheddar cheese filling. A mixture of ground beef and pork—plus a meticulous grilling method—keeps each whiskey burger juicy.
Creamy BLT Pasta Salad
BLT sandwiches aren't the most shareable 4th of July treat, but they are when you turn them into a creamy pasta salad recipe! Toss your lettuce, tomato, and bacon with pasta, cheese, and a mayo-based sauce to transform the favorite sandwich into a popular potluck side. This delectable dish serves eight at the most, so if you've got a large crowd coming, definitely double up.
Summer Dogs
Who doesn't love a loaded hot dog at their July 4th get-together? Try some new-style summer toppings—avocado, corn, jalapeno chile peppers, and dry-roasted sunflower kernels—and give your dog a fresh flavor.
Boiled-in-the-Husk Corn on the Cob
Protect the fresh-picked flavor of summer's most iconic veggie by boiling your corn in the husk. An easy cayenne-flavor butter makes this dish a contender for the best 4th of July side dish.
Sparkler Cupcakes
Confetti cupcakes will be the hit of your party with a few festive add-ons. Fireworks inspire the swirls and colorful sprinkles that dress up these 4th of July cupcakes.
Cherry-Berry Pie
Fresh blackberries and cherries fill this sweet-tart homemade pie. To make it even juicier, use frozen cherries, then top with fluffy whipped cream.
Pineapple-Black Bean Guacamole
Whip up this easy 4th of July side in just 15 minutes—simply chop the ingredients and mix them together in a bowl before serving! The chunky guacamole dip incorporates sour cream, green salsa, fresh pineapple, and zingy jalapeno pepper.
Lemon Sponge Pie
What makes a better summer dessert than a light and airy lemon pie? Served chilled and topped with sugary candied lemon slices, this yummy sponge pie is the perfect choice for cooling off at a hot 4th of July get-together.