80 Amazing 4th of July Recipes

While fireworks mark the crescendo of a great 4th of July gathering, food is the real star of the show. When friends and family gather together this year to celebrate the Fourth and salute the red, white, and blue, you'll want to greet them with 80 amazing star-spangled 4th of July food ideas.

We searched the food archives of Parade to round up our favorite 4th of July recipes to give you some fun ideas for your Independence Day menu. We've gathered recipes for savory burgers, tasty barbecue, easy side dishes, quick snacks, healthy options and, of course, patriotic desserts that will be the talk of your cookout.

Related: 45 Best Air Fryer Recipes for July 4th

4th of July Dessert Recipes

Red, White and Blue Finger Jello

Jell-O is a great option for backyard barbeques and holiday parties as they are a kid-friendly dessert that looks great on the dessert table. This easy recipe is simple and is also adaptable for other holidays.

Get the recipe: Red, White and Blue Finger Jello

Related: 30 Easy, Fun and Delicious Jello Shot Recipes

Flag Cake

Say "Happy Birthday!" to America with a berry-studded flag cake that's so fun to make, the kids will want to pitch in. Decorating’s the fun part: Arrange blueberries and halved strawberries in the shape of a flag on top of the cake, then pop it into the refrigerator until it’s time for dessert.

Get the recipe: Flag Cake

Festive Firecracker Cake

This spectacular layer cake is just like fireworks and will spark ooohs and ahhhhs. Add it to your 4th of July menu immediately.

Get the recipe: Firecracker Cake

Star-Spangled Berry Pie

This berry pie is easy to throw together to celebrate your upcoming July Fourth plans. It calls for 1–2 packages of refrigerated pie crust—how much you'll need depends on how lavishly you want to cover the top with stars.

Get the recipe: Star-Spangled Berry Pie

Three-Ingredient Patriotic Pretzels

These are so much fun to make with the kids and boy oh boy, do they taste yummy. The best part about these pretzel rods is that you can use any melting chocolate and sprinkles you like, to mix up the colors. You can also add nuts, shredded coconut, or mini M&Ms.

Get the recipe: Three-Ingredient Patriotic Pretzels

Patriotic Brownie Stars

For a fun food craft to make with the kiddos, give this recipe a try. They travel well and make for a delish dessert for picnics and barbecues or a patriotic dessert for the 4th of July.

Get the recipe: Patriotic Brownie Stars

Double Chocolate Patriotic Cookies

If you are looking for an easy recipe for Independence Day stop right here. You will certainly wow everyone with the most delectable, deep, dark chocolate cookie. They are tender and melt in your mouth.

Get the recipe: Double Chocolate Patriotic Cookies

Frog Eye Salad

Fluff desserts are cool, creamy, and delicious and Frog Eye Salad is no exception. It's a sweet dessert salad made with small round pasta (yes, that's where the name comes from), whipped topping and egg yolks. It has canned oranges and pineapple, plus marshmallows added to round out the sweetness and flavor.

Get the recipe: Frog Eye Salad

Patriotic Cookie Bars

These red, white and blue cookie bars are so easy to make and they use something you probably already have in your cabinet—cake mix!

Get the recipe: Patriotic Cookie Bars

Strawberry Shortcake on a Stick

You can be as lazy as you want with this one—buy store-bought pound cake and string it on skewers with strawberries and whipped topping.

Get the recipe: Strawberry Shortcake on a Stick

Related: 80 Must-Try Recipes For Strawberry Season

Patriotic Pudding Cookies

Made with a pantry favorite—Bisquick—these cookies come out perfect every single time. Change around the sprinkles for any occasion, or no occasion at all.

Get the recipe: Patriotic Pudding Cookies

Balsamic-Cherry Pie

You'll need a small star-shaped cookie cutter (like one of these) to give the top crust some patriotic flair.

Get the recipe: Balsamic Cherry Pie

Patriotic Butter Cookies

Here's an easy cookie recipe for your 4th. These red, white and blue cookies are melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Have fun making them with the kids and enjoy every last bite!

Get the recipe: Patriotic Butter Cookies

Patriotic Parfaits

It's almost time to say "Happy Birthday, America" with all those cookouts, barbecues and picnics. What better way to end all of them than with a no-bake sweet treat that is as pretty as it is easy and yummy??!!

Get the recipe: Patriotic Parfaits

Patriotic Smoothies

If you need a colorful and fun treat for those looking for a healthy sweet, try these red, white, and blue patriotic smoothies.

Get the recipe:  Patriotic Smoothies

Blueberry Lemon Crunch Pie

When it's too hot to even think about turning on the oven, no-bake desserts are the way to go. With a winning combo of blueberries and lemon in the filling and a crunchy granola crust, this creamy no-bake icebox treat is just the thing to stash in the freezer for an anytime dessert. It can be made ahead and frozen for up to three days!

Get the recipe: Blueberry Lemon Crunch Pie

Apple, Rhubarb and Berry Crisp

There's nothing more American than apple pie, especially on the 4th of July, but this summer we're feeling more crisp than pie! Our recipe for Apple, Rhubarb and Berry Crisp calls for a filling made with four fruits—apples, rhubarb, blueberries, and strawberries—and a crumble topping featuring nutrient-rich oats, pecans, and wheat germ, and we use expeller pressed canola oil instead of butter.

Get the recipe: Apple, Rhubard and Berry Crisp

Fruit Salsa

July 4th is all about grilling out, having fun, and enjoying the company of family and friends. This recipe would be a great addition to any BBQ or poolside. Try serving this with vanilla wafers too!

Get the recipe: Fruit Salsa

Banana Split Fluff

What if we told you you can have all the same flavors as a classic banana split in a new fun, delicious sweet treat, no ice cream required?  Banana Split Fluff comes together in no time, is a great one for the kids to help with and will make you look like a genius come dessert time!

Get the recipe: Banan Split Fluff

Banana Pudding Dip

Fans of the classic Southern dessert won’t be able to resist digging into this sweet dip.

Get the recipe: Banana Pudding Dip

Related: 41 Easy Banana Bread Recipes

PB&J Cobbler

If you shamelessly enjoy peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as an adult, you'll love the classic combo in this summer dessert that's great for potlucks and 4th of July cookouts. It comes together quickly thanks to two grocery store shortcuts: frozen berries and peanut butter cookie mix. With a scoop of vanilla ice cream, this sweet and salty treat is almost too good to share.

Get the recipe: PB&J Cobbler

Ice Cream Sandwiches

For a gourmet twist on an old-fashioned treat, try these adorable ice cream sandwiches made with store-bought cookies and premium ice cream. Kids love them, adults love them—they are hard to beat!

Get the recipe: Ice Cream Sandwiches

Cookies and Cream Fluff

Chocolate sandwich cookies, pudding, Cool Whip and marshmallows come together in a creamy, sweet treat that makes you want to lick the bowl clean.

Get the recipe: Cookies and Cream Fluff

Fruity Pebbles Cookies

Colorful cookies that look like a party on a plate!

Get the recipe: Fruity Pebbles Cookies

Cherry Hand Pies

Summer fruit takes center stage in a dessert bursting with juicy sweetness.

Get the recipe: Cherry Hand Pies

4th of July Snacks & Dips

Old Glory Dip

Every heart will beat true for this red, white and blue seven-layer dip. It's easy to transport to a picnic, you can make it the day before and it feeds a crowd. Truly a grand old flag.

Get the recipe: Old Glory Dip

Patriotic Popcorn

A versatile recipe that comes together in almost no time and hits all the right sweet and salty tastebuds.

Get the recipe: Patriotic Popcorn

Red, White and Blue Pretzel Snaps

A simple, no-bake, three-ingredient treat the kids will love to help make and eat!

Get the recipe: Red, White and Blue Pretzel Snaps

Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple Mozzarella Rings

The saltiness of the bacon combines with the sweetness of the pineapple, the tang of the onion and the gooeyness of the cheese for a creation few backyard cookouts have ever experienced. They can be cooked over a gas or charcoal grill, just set it up for two-zone cooking (one side on for direct heat, one side clear for indirect). They take some time, but are worth it!

Get the recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple Mozzarella Rings

Grilled Watermelon Salsa

Nothing screams summer like watermelon, and it’s extra delicious when grilled and combined with tomatoes, cucumber, jalapeños and lime juice in this flavorful salsa. Try it over grilled chicken, fish, pork or steak.

Get the recipe: Grilled Watermelon Salsa

Related: 20 Delicious Watermelon Recipes

Cherry and Tomato Salsa

Cherries add a fruity sweetness to this salsa, perfect for summer cookouts. Serve this bright-colored salsa with grilled fish, chicken, pork or steak, or dig right in with tortilla chips.

Get the recipe: Cherry and Tomato Salsa

Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp with Chipotle BBQ Sauce

Guy Fieri's bacon-wrapped shrimp with zesty chipotle sauce put ordinary shrimp cocktails to shame. You'll want these at every party you throw this summer.

Get the recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp with Chipotle BBQ Sauce

Chilled Cucumber Dip

Who doesn't love a refreshing cucumber dip on a hot day? This dip is perfect to bring along to picnics, barbecues, potluck dinners, and, of course, a 4th of July party. Plus, it's amazing on a sandwich and can last in your fridge for a few days without going bad.

Get the recipe: Chilled Cucumber Dip

Anne Burrell’s Peperonata With Goat Cheese

An easy appetizer for your July Fourth cookout, this smoky-sweet spread will hold over your guests while the grill is going.

Get the recipe: Peperonata with Goat Cheese

Bacon-Stuffed Baby Bell Peppers

With crunchy bacon and creamy ricotta cheese, these Bacon-Stuffed Baby Bell Peppers are a fun twist on jalapeño poppers. Add a chopped jalapeño to the filling if you like more heat.

Get the recipe: Bacon-Stuffed Baby Bell Peppers

Steak & Worcestershire Dip

This dip is perfect with a crispy rippled chip but is also fantastic with veggies—making it a versatile summer dish.

Get the recipe: Steak and Worcestershire Dip

Classic Onion Dip with Bacon

This is an elevated version of French onion dip so tasty you will never want to buy it from the store again!

Get the recipe: Classic Onion Dip with Bacon

Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Poppers

This grilled take on jalapeño poppers is absolutely perfect and perhaps even yummier than the traditional recipe. These jalapenos are stuffed with a scrumptious southwestern cheese blend, wrapped in bacon, then grilled to perfection!

Get the recipe: Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Poppers

4th of July Burger Recipes

Stuffed Bacon-Ranch Cheddar Burgers

Seasoned with ranch and stuffed with cheese, these pumped-up patties promise no more boring barbecues.

Get the recipe: Stuffed Bacon-Ranch Cheddar Burgers

Chipotle Burger

Heat things up at this year's 4th of July cookout. Chipotle chiles mixed right in with the meat make for a super-flavorful patty. Cool coleslaw piled on top counters the heat from the adobo.

Get the recipe: Chipotle Burger

Related: 21 Best Stuffed Burger Recipes

Guy Fieri's Bacon Mac 'n' Cheese Burgers

Is it a cheeseburger? Is it macaroni and cheese? It's both! No need to choose between favorites anymore!

Get the recipe: Bacon Mac 'n' Cheese Burgers

Alex Guarnaschelli's Brisket Cheeseburgers with Red Cabbage Slaw

Colorful, tangy slaw provides a nice counterpoint to rich brisket patties in these burgers from Alex Guarnaschelli, executive chef of Butter restaurant in New York City, a judge on Chopped, and former champion on Iron Chef Gauntlet. Don't have a meat grinder at home? Ask the butcher to grind the brisket for you.

Get the recipe: Brisket Cheeseburgers with Red Cabbage Slaw

Grilled Burgers (With One Secret Ingredient)

This grilled burger recipe uses a secret ingredient: rolled oats. That's right, one of your favorite morning comfort foods can be used in hamburgers instead of breadcrumbs for a great binding agent (along with egg) for burgers that don't fall apart anymore!

Get the recipe: Grilled Burgers with Secret Ingredient

Bronco Buster Burger

Stephanie Yost's blue-ribbon burger is big in size and taste. With jalapeños, BBQ sauce, bacon, and ranch dressing—to name just a few of its many toppings—each beefy bite is at once hot, sweet, salty, and cool. It's no wonder this barbecue bacon burger took first place at the National Hamburger Festival!

Get the recipe: Bronco Buster Burger

Veggie Burger

For your vegetarian 4th of July guests, we've got you covered. This vegetarian burger has a healthy but hearty black-bean patty and tons of fresh, flavorful toppings.

Get the recipe: Veggie Burger

Southwest Veggie Burgers with Chipotle Mayonnaise and Pickled Onions

These burgers, adapted from popular food blogger John Kanell's Preppy Kitchen, are a flavorful vegetarian option made with quinoa and black beans. You can make the pickled onions up to one week ahead and refrigerate.

Get the recipe: Southwest Veggie Burgers with Chipotle Mayonnaise and Pickled Onions

Martha Stewart's All-Time Favorite Turkey Burgers

Hearty hits of Dijon and grated Gruyère make the patties especially savory, sliced scallions and minced garlic lend a bite, and dried breadcrumbs help to bind them together. Get a good sear, then finish over indirect heat until fully cooked. As an alternative to the toppings here, try them with tomato slices, pickles, avocado and especially bacon.

Get the recipe: Martha Stewart's All-Time Favorite Turkey Burger

4th of July Recipes for Side Dishes

Copycat KFC Coleslaw

Coleslaw is about as traditional a summer food as it gets. But we've made it even better. That's right, now you can make the Colonel's secret side dish anytime you want! With a few key ingredients, you will get that KFC flavor generations have craved. Of course, it goes perfectly with fried chicken, but we love it with burgers hot from the grill too.

Get the recipe: Copycat KFC Coleslaw

Classic Potato Salad

Part of the charm of a 4th of July picnic is its informality, whether you are in a sunny glade or right in your own backyard. No matter where you are, you want something to eat that isn’t difficult to make, that travels well, and that tastes—and looks—great some hours after it’s prepared. For that, nothing beats this amazing potato salad.

Get the recipe: Classic Potato Salad

Copycat Texas Roadhouse Green Beans

This copycat recipe is easier than you might think, and there is bacon in there, so you know they're going to be a winner! They are the perfect side dish for a grilled steak or take along to those summertime backyard barbecues.

Get the recipe: Copycat Texas Roadhouse Green Beans

Related: 24 Best Green Bean Recipes

Cilantro-Lime Grilled Corn

To prevent the corn husk from burning, be sure to soak each ear of corn for 20 minutes before grilling.

Get the recipe: Cilantro-Lime Grilled Corn

Grilled Corn with Feta

This grilled corn gets extra flavor from dill and salty feta cheese.

Get the recipe: Grilled Corn with Feta

Star-Spangled Salad

Juicy berries and creamy feta cheese give this crisp salad a patriotic feel that’s sure to charm your crowd. Tip: Give your Fourth of July menu a patriotic punch with miniature star cookie cutters. Use them on fruits and vegetables (such as cucumbers, carrots, bell peppers, melon, peaches and pineapple) for a festive touch.

Get the recipe: Star-Spangled Salad

Pepperoni Pasta Salad With Mozzarella and Pesto

Packed with flavor, this pasta salad features summer-fresh cherry tomatoes, olives and lots of pepperoni, tossed in a sun-dried-tomato-spiked pesto dressing. It's perfect for a quick lunch or dinner, or even as a travel-friendly dish to take to a cookout or potluck. For a vegetarian option, simply omit the pepperoni and to make this low-carb or gluten-free, try using chickpea or lentil-based pasta.

Get the recipe: Pepperoni Pasta Salad with Mozzarella and Pesto

Bacon Baked Beans

What can make an American classic like baked beans even more crave-worthy? Bacon, of course!

Get the recipe: Bacon Baked Beans

9-Layer Salad

Making a salad in a baking dish instead of a bowl helps avoid spills and is more easily transported to your cookout.

Get the recipe: 9-Layer Salad

Spinach Artichoke Pasta Salad

Spinach Artichoke Pasta Salad has all the flavors you love from the hot-dip appetizer but in a cool, creamy delicious new way.

Get the recipe: Spinach Aritchoke Pasta Salad

Lemon-Marinated Cucumbers

These cucumbers are so refreshing and also a great dish for outdoor events since there is no mayonnaise.

Get the recipe: Lemon-Marinated Cucumbers

Bacon-Wrapped Onion Rings

Serve these smoky onion rings with a spicy dipping sauce and watch them disappear.

Get the recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Onion Rings

Spicy 4th of July Corn on the Cob

Why not add a little kick to your corn this summer with a spice rub before you grill it?

Get the recipe: Spicy Corn on the Cob

Related: 100 Best Corn Recipes

Lemon-Dill Potato Salad

This summery lemon-dill potato salad features chunks of baby new potatoes in a lemon and mayo-based dressing.

Get the recipe: Lemon-Dill Potato Salad

Best-in-the-West Beans

Take classic baked beans to the next level, with not one, but three different kinds of beans. This recipe is a super hearty side dish with ground beef, bacon and onion. A sweet and savory sauce with ketchup, barbecue sauce, mustard and molasses rounds out this amped-up side.

Get the recipe: Best-In-the-West-Beans

Carrot-Celery Slaw

This simple slaw provides a bright, crunchy counterpoint to spicy chicken wings and other rich fare.

Get the recipe: Carrot-Celery Slaw

Make-Ahead Pasta Salad

Pile up this impressive dish the night before potlucks and picnics.

Get the recipe: Make-Ahead Pasta Salad

4th of July Main Dish Recipes

Baby Back Ribs

Enjoy your 4th of July with baby back ribs marinated in a savory soy reduction and grilled to juicy perfection.

Get the recipe: Baby Back Ribs

Chili Dogs

Historians have a hard enough time pinpointing the birthplace of the hot dog, and determining the chili dog’s origin is just as tricky. But a prominent theory traces it to northern New Jersey circa 1920, when a customer at John ­Patrellis’s hot dog stands in ­Paterson reportedly brought his own cup of chili to use as dressing for his hot dogs. What better way to celebrate Independence Day than with this uniquely American creation?

Get the recipe: Chili Dogs

Sausage and Pepper Hoagie

For an easy-to-make recipe for an old-time favorite, try this tasty sausage and peppers sub. Great for a weekend lunch — or to pack for picnics and a day at the beach.

Get the recipe: Sausage and Pepper Hoagies

Grilled Chicken Wings With Blueberry Wine Sauce

Add color and flavor to grilled chicken wings with this easy, summery sauce. Either fresh or frozen blueberries will work here. Brush over chicken or salmon during its last few minutes on the grill and pass the extra at the table.

Get the recipe: Grilled Chicken Wings with Blueberry Wine Sauce

Mix & Match Kebabs

Have a little fun at your 4th of July cookout and impress your family and friends with these kebabs that everyone can customize.

Get the recipe: Mix & Match Kebabs

Grilled Hobo Dinners

These foil packets bring all of our favorite summer flavors together in one delicious, simple way. You have your meat, your potatoes and your veggies in every bite.

Get the recipe: Grilled Hobo Dinners

Related: 60 Best Camping Recipes

Stuffed Bratwurst

These fun brats are wrapped in bacon and then grilled to crispy perfection. Garnish with some mustard and parsley to add some color.

Get the recipe: Stuffed Bratwurst

Yummy BBQ Ribs

Ribs and the 4th of July are a great combination. Pineapple juice is the secret ingredient in this recipe's fantastic marinade.

Get the recipe: Yummy BBQ Ribs

Martha Stewart's Chicken with Cucumber, Radish & Cherry Tomato Relish

Grilled chicken is far from boring when topped with a colorful, tangy relish like this one from Martha Stewart’s Grilling. It can be made up to a day ahead.

Get the recipe: Martha Stewart's Chicken with Cucumber, Radish and Cherry Tomato Relish

Hot Dog Sliders

A fun new twist on a summertime classic, these are the perfect hands-friendly size for parties.

Get the recipe: Hot Dog Sliders

Healthy 4th of July Recipes

Fresh Salmon Burger

When pulsing the salmon in the food processor, do not let it get mushy. Allowing some texture to remain will make a better burger. Serve with Fresh Pineapple Relish or Golden Pineapple Relish, for garnish.

Get the recipe: Fresh Salmon Burger

Grilled Salmon with Mustard BBQ Sauce

Fire up your grill and feel your taste buds explode with this heart-healthy favorite.

Get the recipe: Grilled Salmon with Mustard BBQ Sauce

Surf & Turf Kebabs

Mix it up at your holiday cookout with these unique kebabs.

Get the recipe: Surf & Turf Kebabs

Grilled Picnic Chicken

This savory, simple grilled chicken is just the thing to pack on summer picnics or at backyard cookouts. Use leftovers in grilled chicken salads or for chicken salad sandwiches.

Get the recipe: Grilled Picnic Chicken

Art Smith's Southern Oven Unfried Chicken

Art Smith, a former private chef for Oprah Winfrey and a partner in five restaurants, lost 120 pounds after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2009. When PARADE asked him for his alternative to frying foods, he described this recipe as a "fancy Shake 'N Bake with multigrain flakes." It's the top-selling dish at his health-conscious restaurant, LYFE Kitchen in Palo Alto, California.

Get the recipe: Art Smith’s Southern Oven Unfried Chicken

Grilled Chicken Thighs with Charred Tomatoes & Lemons

Marinate the chicken the night before to make this simple recipe even quicker to take from the grill to the table.

Get the recipe: Grilled Chicken Thighs with Charred Tomatoes & Lemons

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