Fourth of July Recipes – The 4th of July is a special day for family BBQs, spending time together, eating, and watching fireworks. Whether your family is celebrating at home or partying at the beach or park, these mouthwatering recipes will make it unforgettable.
I love cooking out with family and close friends, and, of course, I love steak. Cookouts are a time to bust out ALL the soul food with loved ones, right?! However, a good selection of beef and chicken will make everyone on the guest list happy. While kids guzzle the lemonade, adults can enjoy refreshing summer cocktails, like my favorite tropical drink, piña colada.
My collection of favorite 4th of July recipes will have you celebrating red, white, and blue without breaking a sweat. Celebrating Independence Day should be fun, not stressful.
4th of July BBQ Recipe Ideas
Besides the usual hamburgers and hotdogs, these recipes are perfect for your 4th of July recipes list.
1. Jamaican Jerk Chicken
Spicy hot grilled chicken with a tropical flair will set off flavor fireworks in your mouth. Marinate the chicken the night before with this super-easy marinade for a mouthwatering 4th of July recipe.
This well-seasoned grilled chicken with Jamaican jerk marinade has the perfect balance of heat and sweetness. Amazingly tender, moist, and juicy chicken bursting with savory flavors on every bite. You’ll want to make this all year round!
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2. Country-Style Ribs
Slow-roasted ribs are the bomb! They’re so quick to throw together. It takes time to slow roast anything, of course, but that’s not an issue because it just about takes care of itself once it’s in the oven.
Fall-apart tender country-style ribs are slowly cooked in the oven, oozing with flavor and aroma using only six simple ingredients. Rich, tender, economical, and so easy to make!
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3. Smoked Hot Dogs
Take your classic cookout hot dog over the top in the smoker. Then, slather them with tangy mustard, sweet relish, ketchup, and onions. You’ll love the smoky flavor of a true classic!
Smoked hot dogs have a delectable smoky flavor, a must-have for any barbecue or gathering where you want the ultimate comfort food!
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4. Corn Dogs
No grill? No problem! Make happy campers with these easy, nostalgic corn dogs on a stick for a family picnic.
Homemade Corn Dogs – easy and party favorite snack made with hotdogs dipped in a batter and fried to perfection.
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5. Marinated Grilled Chicken Breasts
Not everyone is a beef-lover like me. I don’t understand, but I get it. So here’s a healthy and tasty alternative grilled recipe perfect for your family BBQ.
Marinated Grilled Chicken Breast – incredibly moist, juicy and outrageously delicious grilled chicken breasts soaked overnight in an easy, no-fuss, flavor-packed chicken marinade. This is going to become your go-to marinade for all your summer grilling recipes!
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6. Shrimp Po’Boy Sandwich
The first time I tried this incredible sandwich in New Orleans, I was hooked. Crispy shrimp stacked on a deliciously fresh French roll and smothered in a drool-worthy remoulade sauce is so easy to make yourself.
Shrimp Po’Boy Sandwich – Crispy and crunchy shrimp piled mile high on a buttered toasted french roll, stuffed with crunchy cabbage, fresh tomatoes, and drizzled with a lip-smacking homemade remoulade sauce. Crazy delicious!
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7. Baby Back Ribs
Smokey, juicy, bad to the bones baby back ribs – what’s not to love? With just 4 simple ingredients, including homemade BBQ sauce, everyone’ll be licking their fingers for these outrageously delicious ribs. That’s how good it is!
Smokey, juicy, tender, and bad-to-the-bone Baby Back Ribs packed with a boatload of flavors fall off the bone and straight in your mouth. The delicious spice rub gives it an incredible flavor, and then the homemade BBQ sauce doubles the fun. Just plain finger-licking good!
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8. Bacon Burger
Juicy ground beef is deliciously seasoned, slathered with tangy BBQ sauce, and grilled to perfection. Top your burger with crispy bacon and all your favorite fixings, then pile it on a toasted bun for pure joy!
BBQ Bacon Burgers are juicy ground beef deliciously seasoned with herbs and spices, slathered in tangy BBQ sauce, and grilled to perfection.
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9. Tomahawk Steak
Also known as a cowboy steak, this bone-in ribeye steak is ideal for a special occasion BBQ. It’s French-trimmed for elegance, but I’m sure the cowboys who enjoyed this steak didn’t care about that.
A Tomahawk Steak is a beauty to behold that you’ll definitely not forget soon, especially after seeing the price tag. This gorgeous primal cut of beef still attached to the rib bone is reminiscent of Neanderthal days and a mouthwatering addition to your recipe collection.
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10. Steak Kabobs
Chunks of spicy skewered beef with sweet peppers and onions on the grill are so addictive. The mouthwatering Mediterranean flavors work on any cut of meat for pure versatility.
An easy grilled steak kabob recipe that’s simply marinated in garlic, cumin, allspice, nutmeg and pepper flakes for that bold flavor with extra heat. It is then skewered and grilled, evenly cooked to perfection.
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11. Chicken Sandwich
The 4th of July isn’t just for grilling meat but also for burgers and sandwiches. And this chicken sandwich is a guaranteed hit for kids and adults.
Everything in this sandwich, from a perfectly toasted bun to the tender, juicy chicken, screams good food on a sunny day. Feel free to customize the veggie fillings to suit your liking!
The first bite of this crispy chicken sandwich is so unforgettable the sensation could last for days. Succulent Southern-fried chicken sandwiched on perfectly toasted buns are pure heaven. Who would have thought chicken, bread, sauce, and toppings could be so soul-satisfying?
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4th of July Sides
12. Baked Mac & Cheese
Forget that boxed stuff from the store (oops, sorry). You can’t beat fresh ingredients and real cheese. Plus, my baked version is so simple it will give you more time for what you really want: time with your family.
Southern Baked Mac and Cheese is super creamy, cheesy, soulful baked mac and cheese filled with great Southern flavors topped with crispy bread crumb. You will never break open a box again!
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13. Caribbean Coleslaw
Coleslaw is a must-have at any BBQ, and even more so on the 4th of July. I love the tropical twist the mango gives in this mayo-free recipe. No wonder it’s among the top recipes on the blog during this time of the year.
Caribbean Cole Slaw-A Mayo-Free Coleslaw – Light, Fruity , Sweet and Refreshingly Good! Makes the perfect no-cook side dish. Add your favorite protein and make it a meal!
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14. Southern Baked Beans
No BBQ or cookout is complete without baked beans. The bacon’s smokiness and sweetness from molasses deliver the classic flavor. But don’t feel guilty if you need to use canned beans to save time.
Southern Baked Beans – Easy to make and packed with smokey- rich and creamy vs. sweet and tangy flavors topped with crispy bacon. That’s definitely a complement to any dish you side it with! Plus it’s so good you can even eat it on its own! A great addition to your summer cookout!
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15. Franks and Beans
Sweet and savory homemade franks and beans add a fun twist to the traditional baked bean recipe. Make all the kids (and adults, too) happy with this goodness!
Sweet and savory homemade franks and beans are a fun dinner the whole family will love. I dare you to resist seconds!
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16. Ranch Potato Salad
Another traditional 4th of July recipe is potato salad. The creaminess of ranch dressing, the salty smokiness of bacon, and my homemade Creole seasoning’s spiciness make it irresistible.
Simply irresistible Cheesy Ranch Potato Salad loaded with bacon and creole seasoning. A healthy and satisfying side to match any dish. With extremely rich and creamy ranch dressing covering the fork-tender potatoes. Refreshing and enticing comfort food you can eat any time of the day!
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17. Carrot Raisin Salad
The first time I tried carrot salad, it was a novelty. The carrots’ crispness and the raisins’ sweetness turn this summer salad into a flavor party. And it’s healthy, too. Just don’t tell the kids.😉
A unique pairing of carrots and raisins, overflowing with vitamins and nutrients turned into a healthy side dish and dessert in one. The perfect balance of creaminess, sweetness, and just the right amount of tanginess makes it unusually addicting and gratifying. An easy classic favorite you can make in less than 20 minutes!
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4th of July Drinks
18. Piña Colada
Fresh pineapple, cream of coconut, and rum over ice is a refreshingly tropical summer celebration. Perfect for any cookout, special occasion, or I-just-need-something-special drink. Feel free to leave the rum out for a kid-friendly version.
A classic summer drink that will take you to the tropics in every sip. Made with fresh pineapples, cream of coconut, rum, and some ice. A wonderful refreshing and delicious summer cocktail! Perfect for every celebration or romantic weekend date night.
19. Lemonade
This refreshing drink has to be the most popular drink for picnics and BBQs. The cool thing about this recipe is adding other fruit flavors for a refreshing strawberry, mango, or pineapple lemonade. And I have all three of them for you to choose from.
20. Southern Sweet Tea
Southerners are proud of their tea, and they should be. It’s more of an art than a science. So do yourself a favor and get good-quality tea bags. You’ll thank yourself while sipping your ice-cold sweet tea.
This refreshing Southern sweet tea is a thirst-quencher drink with only 5 ingredients and pretty customizable based on your preference—a perfect beverage for entertaining or simply “me time” at home.
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Perfect Cookout Desserts
21. American Flag Cake
What better dessert to celebrate the 4th of July than this stunningly beautiful patriotic dessert! Irresistibly soft and moist cake topped with creamy vanilla frosting, fresh blueberries, and strawberries. A sweet, vibrant, and refreshing treat to enjoy this festive celebration.
Celebrate the 4th of July with this stunningly beautiful patriotic dessert for a dinner centerpiece. An irresistibly soft and moist vanilla cake topped with creamy vanilla frosting, fresh blueberries, and strawberries.
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22. 4th of July Cupcakes
Make gorgeous and delicious memories on Independence Day with these festive cupcakes! Tender, moist cupcakes topped with cream cheese frosting in bright red, white, and blue hues deliver a decadent 4th of July snack or dessert!
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23. Strawberry Pound Cake
Pound cake is versatile, making it perfect for any occasion. So add this melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness with summer strawberries for an award-winning dessert that will have your guests fighting over who gets the last piece. Add blueberries and homemade whipped cream on top for a classic 4th of July recipe.
Refreshing summer flavors are accented in a dense, rich, and moist Strawberry Pound Cake. This quick and easy dessert is sure to be a winner at any family dinner, and the sweet glaze creates the perfect finish that will satisfy any sweet tooth.
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24. Lemon Bars
The sweet and sour deliciousness of lemon in a convenient bar boasts a crumbly buttery biscuit base that balances the lemon. Don’t tell anyone, but finger foods save on plates and clean up afterward.
This deliciousness is a classic summer treat for good reason. The buttery shortbread crust and gooey lemon filling scream happiness in every bite. All those bright, citrusy flavors are like sunshine for the soul.
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25. Fruit Tart
Nothing celebrates summer and liberty like a fresh fruit tart. You can choose red (strawberries or raspberries) and blue (blueberries) fruits, and then the white cream filling will give you your red, white, and blue for the perfect 4th of July recipe.