Easy 4th of July Recipes
Easy 4th of July Recipes for an old-fashioned holiday gathering. These are my tried and true favorites for summer cookouts and get togethers including appetizers, main dishes, sides, desserts and drinks! There’s something to please everyone!
We always host a big 4th of July celebration and it’s a guaranteed good time with delicious food, swimming, playing horse shoes and an epic fireworks show. I look forward to it all year long!
How to Host the Best 4th of July Party:
- Plan the menu in advance. Prepare the side dishes, condiments and desserts a day in advance.
- Plan to have drinks for both kids and adults.
- Don’t go overboard with the decorations. Simple mason jars filled with sunflowers and patriotic pinwheels will add a festive vibe without breaking the bank.
- Don’t be afraid to let your guests pitch in with their favorite potluck dish, bags of ice, paper plates, napkins or drinks.
- Have guests bring extra lawn chairs so everyone has a comfortable seat for the fireworks show.
These are my tried and true recipes that are perfect for any size get together with some make ahead recipes too.
Easy 4th of July Recipes
Make these easy appetizers, main dishes, sides, desserts and drinks for your next 4th of July Cookout or any summer get together!
EASY 4TH OF JULY APPETIZERS
If you love the classic jalapeno poppers, this cheeseball is a must-try. Loaded with cheesy flavors, smoky bacon and spicy jalapenos. Serve it up with crackers, chips or crunchy veggies.
It's not a party without these bacon wrapped water chestnuts! They are so easy to make and the bbq bacon makes this the most irresistble bite-sized party appetizer ever.
Calling all pickle lovers! This creamy dip is loaded with 2 kinds of pickles and is the perfect pairing with potato chips. It comes together in just a few minutes or can be made ahead of the party. It's a guaranteed favorite.
Lil Smokies Pigs in a Blanket are bite-sized appetizers that are so hearty and delicious. Smoky sausages wrapped in pizza dough and baked to perfection.
The absolute best stuffed mushrooms! This recipe is simple to make and the creamy filling is topped with crispy bacon for a crowd favorite appetizer.
A new spin on a classic. This hot and creamy onion dip is loaded with chunks of ham, caramelized onions, bacon, pineapple and green onions. You've never had an onion dip like this before.
A classic on any Texas BBQ menu! Jalapeño poppers wrapped in sausage and bacon grilled with a thick coating of bbq sauce. They have so much flavor and are a hearty addition to your cookout menus.
Alabama Fire Crackers are sure to be the hit of any party. An easy make ahead appetizer that is perfect for July 4th celebrations.
Crispy onion strings are the perfect addition to bbq's. A great appetizer or serve alongside grilled burgers.
Blooming onion sauce is a great dip for everything including our crispy onion strings, fried pickles, shrimp or chips.
Velveeta Cheese Dip is the classic Rotel dip with just 2 ingredients. A favorite appetizer served with tortilla chips.
EASY 4TH OF JULY MAIN DISHES
Brisket Sliders are so easy to make with sliced brisket, cheese and white bbq sauce on a toasted slider roll. A guaranteed hit with the crowd.
Barbecue Ribs are fall off the bone tender with our tried and true 2 step process. These are the best ribs you can cook on your back yard grill, smoker or in the oven.
Smoked chicken is one of my favorites to feed a crowd. A simple brine makes all the difference in creating a tender and juicy chicken. It's so simple to smoke chicken on your backyard grill and it's always a hit with the whole family.
Jumbo shrimp are deep fried to crispy perfection. Made with a buttermilk and Old Bay seasoned flour for the most delicious fried shrimp you'll ever try!
Burnt Ends are so easy to make. Tender, smoky and delicious chunks of chuck roast coated in your favorite bbq sauce, grilled until fall apart tender.
Tender and delicious smoky ribs with a tasty dry rub. Great for any summer cookout.
With our tried and true method, you can make the best smoked brisket right in your own backyard. It turns out flavorful, tender and juicy and takes very little effort!
Brisket Stuffed Poblano Peppers are one of the most flavorful and delicious meals to make on the grill. Fire roasted peppers stuffeed with smoked brisket, cheese and tomatoes.
EASY 4TH OF JULY HOT BURGERS, HOT DOGS AND BRATS
Bacon Mozzarella Burgers are out of this world delicious. Mozzarella is mixed right into the all beef patties and grilled to perfection. The hit of any cookout.
Ground brisket makes the most flavorful and juicy burgers that you've ever grilled.
A delicious hot dog bar with grilled hot dogs and sausages. Classic toppings like mustard and relish along with some creative ideas like pineapple and candied jalapenos.
The best hot dogs ever topped with homemade coleslaw and crispy bacon. A favorite for hot dog fans.
Delicious grilled hot dogs topped with a flavorful and delicious homemade chili. An irresistible classic that everyone loves.
Beer brats grilled to perfection, topped with mushrooms, onions and bacon.
EASY 4th OF JULY SIDE DISHES
A quick and easy version of the classic elotes. Made in a skillet and can even be made with frozen corn. This is one of my most requested recipes and always a hit!
The classic potato casserole dish that goes with every meal. A potluck favorite and a guaranteed hit for summer cookouts. Made completely from scratch with no can soups.
Cool and crisp cucumbers with red onions in a sweet and tangy dressing. A fantastic make ahead side dish that is a classic for summer!
Frito Corn Salad is a must-try. A super easy make ahead side dish filled with amazing Tex-Mex flavors that pairs well with barbecue.
Sweet corn on the cob cooked in a foil packet with a delicious garlic butter on the grill. Quick, easy and delicious!!
BBQ Cowboy Beans are a favorite side dish to make on the grill for any BBQ dinner. Meaty pinto beans slow cooked in sweet and tangy bbq sauce. The most flavorful bbq bean recipe that we've tried.
BEST 4TH OF JULY DESSERTS
My grandma's strawberry pie for a crowd. This is my #1 favorite summer dessert and one of my most requested dessert recipes. Easy to make ahead and always delicious.
The classic peach cobbler that tastes just like grandmas! Top it with vanilla ice cream for an epic dessert. Can be made with fresh, canned or frozen peaches.
This rich and buttery pound cake is a delightful addition to any summer picnic or barbecue. Serve it up with whipped cream and berries for a patriotic presentation,
Fried Apple Hand Pies are a classic dessert for summer. This is a family recipe that has the flakiest pie crust that is impossible to resist.
Mixed Berry Slab Pie is filled with sweet strawberries, blueberries and blackberries with a strawberry jello glaze. A great make ahead summer dessert.
Berry Cheesecake Parfaits have layers of no bake vanilla cheeesecake, angel food cake and fresh berries. A fun and easy dessert that is perfect for July 4th!
This Apple Fritter Cake is one of our top dessert recipes. It's great for any occasion and is always a crowd favorite. Layers of vanilla cake filled with cinnamon sugar apples that you simply can't resist.
The absolute easiest dessert you can make and everyone loves it! Crushed pineapple topped with a buttery cake topping that gets really crunchy and delicious. Top it off with vanilla ice cream for something over the top.
Mini Cherry Cheesecakes are sure to impress everyone at the party! Rich Oreo crust topped with vanilla cheesecake and cherry pie filling. Click thru to get the link to the mini cheesecake pan that makes this recipe a snap!
BEST DRINKS FOR 4TH OF JULY
Rum Slush cocktails are fun and festive for July 4th celebrations. Made with Hawaiian Punch and rum for a refreshing layered cocktail.
3 layers of delicious daiquiris! Strawberry daiquiri, lime daiquiri and blue coconut daiquiri for the most patriotic cocktail, ever!
The best strawberry daiquiri that is so simple to make. Bursting with strawberry flavor.
The favorite party punch for any occasion. Just a few ingredients and so easy to make.
Cool and refreshing for with summer peach flavor. Simple to make and easy to sip!
My all- time favorite large batch cocktail for parties. Sweet and tangy pineapple and orange flavors for a refreshing summer drink.
Sweet and fruity pineapple mixed with moscato wine for a crowd favorite. Make this by the pitcher for an easy party drink.
My favorite 3 ingredient punch that the kids and adults love. Made with Hawaiian fruit punch.
The easiest red, white and blue drink for kids and adults! Freeze watermelon balls for ice cubes and garnish with blueberries for a patriotic beverage that everyone will love!
Pineapple lemonade is so refreshing and delicious. One of my most popular party recipes and it's so simple to make with just 3 ingredients. Great for everyone!
Summer berry punch is filled with fresh berries and lemon flavors for a refreshing drink that both kids and adults will love.
Fantastic collection! You have inspired me!