59 Fourth of July Recipes for Your Best Cookout Yet
Summer is in full swing, and you need surefire crowd-pleasing Fourth of July recipes for the influx of relatives and friends about to descend on your backyard, patio, rooftop, or park blanket. We can help.
Out of the hundreds of summery recipes strewn across the site, we handpicked the ones we’d build our ideal holiday weekend menus around. If it’s potato salads, pasta salads, or seasonal fruit and vegetable salads; dips for lazy day snacking; critical cookout sides or newfangled ones we think anyone will love; or top-notch Fourth of July desserts you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered.
Or maybe you simply want to try kicking back in a hammock with your new shades and a refreshing pitcher of lemonade or easy sangria. The point is: However you celebrate Independence Day, there’s something here worth gathering friends for.
More Fourth of July recipes, right this way →
The Founding Fathers envisioned a world where you’re free to eat these 56 appetizers with your hands.
Celebrate your day off with these summery cocktails and NA drink recipes.
Pies, cakes, and sundaes that are all *fireworks noise.*
Photograph by Joe Lingeman, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by JoJo Li1/59Pork Spareribs With Jammy Barbecue Sauce
Photograph by Peden + Munk, food styling by Adriana Paschen, prop styling by Ceci Garcia2/59Honey-Glazed Rib-Eye Steaks
A honey-mayo glaze helps these rib eyes develop an irresistible caramelized crust, while the topping of peppers, onions, and basil gives them a distinctly Italian American feel.
Photograph by Scott Semler, food styling by Mieko Takahashi, prop styling by Emma Ringness3/59Sprite-Grilled Chicken Skewers
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou, Prop Styling by Elizabeth Jaime4/59Grilled Swordfish With Tomatoes
If you’re looking for a seafood option that can hold its own on the grill, swordfish is the answer. Here it’s paired with juicy, vinegary tomatoes and briny olives.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, Prop Styling by Emma Ringness5/59Chimichurri Grilled Shrimp
Photo by Emma Fishman, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime7/59Chicken Seekh Kebabs
These chicken kebabs bring plenty of flavor to the party thanks to lots of spices and fresh herbs. Serve with flatbread and mint chutney and let everyone build their own perfect plate.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Liberty Fennell, Prop Styling by Gerri Williams8/59Best-Ever Barbecue Ribs
These gloriously messy ribs are tender, smoky, and begging to be piled onto a plate with all the potato salad and cornbread it can handle.
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Aneta Florczyk10/59Hot Honey Wings
We all know that hot honey makes everything taste better, and chicken wings are no exception. Lime juice and fish sauce bring even more oomph to the sticky, spicy-sweet glaze.
Photograph by Emma Fishman, prop styling by Emma Ringness, food styling by Mieko Takahashi11/59Sweet and Tangy Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Pork tenderloin is one of the easiest ways to feed a crowd, and this glossy, sweet-tangy glaze makes it special. Slice it up and serve it alongside all the classic barbecue sides.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Gerri K. Williams12/59Grilled Halibut With Basil-Shallot Butter
This lemony basil-shallot butter comes together with just a few blitzes in the food processor but works wonders, turning simple grilled halibut into an exciting seafood option for guests.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Micah Morton, prop styling by Tim Ferro13/59No-Skewer-Needed Kebabs With Onion Salad
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne, Prop Styling by Alexandra Massillon14/59Best-Ever Smash Burgers
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Catherine Campbell Pearson15/59Black Bean Smash Burger
Photograph by Elliott Jerome Brown JR, Food styling by Emilie Fosnocht, Prop Styling by Christina Allen16/59Cheesy Brats With Celery-Pickle Relish
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Photograph by Travis Rainey, Prop Styling by Alexandra Massillon, Food Styling by Luciana Lamboy18/59Buttermilk Fried Chicken
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Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Caroline Hwang, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime.19/59Crispy Golden Shrimp Burgers
Not in the mood for beef but still craving a burger? These crispy shrimp patties, topped with a creamy egg salad situation, absolutely deliver.
Photograph by Elliott Jerome Brown Jr., Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Erica Lutz20/59Coney Island Hot Dogs
Photo Alex Lau, food styling by Chris Morocco, prop styling by Emily Eisen21/59Easiest-Ever Grilled Veggie Burgers
A veggie burger recipe that actually takes to the grill? It’s a miracle! These hearty patties are flavorful, satisfying, and sturdy enough to hold their own on the grill grates.
Photograph by Peden + Munk, Food Styling by Diana Yen, Prop Styling by Hannah Ferrara22/59Spicy Korean-Style Grilled Corn
Sweet summer corn gets the full treatment here: grilled until charred and smoky, then slathered with a creamy, zesty gochujang sauce. Don’t skip the lime wedges for squeezing over the top.
Photograph by Emma Fishman, Prop Styling by Emma Ringness, Food Styling by Mieko Takahashi23/59Classic Coleslaw
Crunchy, cool, and always dependable, this classic coleslaw belongs next to every rib, burger, and pulled pork sandwich.
Photograph by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Mieko Takahashi, Prop styling by Emma Ringness24/59Boston Baked Beans
Photographs by Mamadi Doumbouya, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Shannon Maldonado25/59Classic Potato Salad
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou, Prop Styling by Elizabeth Jaime26/59Watermelon and Snap Pea Salad
Photograph by Heami Lee, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by JoJo Li27/59Blistered Corn and Scallion Salad
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Stevie Stewart, Prop Styling by Gerri Williams28/59Broccoli Confetti Rice
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Kaitlin Wayne, prop styling by Stephanie De Luca29/59Creamy Sesame Pasta Slaw
Part pasta salad, part coleslaw, this creamy, crunchy side deserves a permanent spot in your Fourth of July recipe rotation. The nutty sesame dressing does all the heavy lifting.
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Caroline Hwang, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime.30/59Tomato Salad With Jalapeño Ranch
With no shade to caprese, let’s get a little more creative with our tomato salads this year. Take this tomato salad with jalapeño ranch: The fresh herbs and chile in the creamy dressing make peak-season tomatoes taste even better.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Marina Bevilacqua31/59Blistered Asparagus With Labneh and Harissa
Charred asparagus, cool labneh, and spicy harissa make this vegetarian recipe feel far more exciting than the usual summer side dishes. It’s made for dinner parties and Fourth of July spreads alike.
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Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Jillian Knox, prop styling Sophie Peoples32/59Grilled Sweet Potatoes With Charred Scallion Mayo
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Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Spencer Richards, Prop Styling by Marina Bevilacqua33/59Spicy Caesar Potato Salad
If classic potato salad and Caesar salad had a summer fling, this would be the result: creamy, garlicky, cheesy, and packed with just the right amount of spice.
Photograph by Dylan + Jeni, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Aneta Florczyk34/59Cucumber, Tomato, and Green Bean Salad
Photograph by Elliott Jerome Brown Jr., Food Styling by Micah Morton, Prop Styling by Christina Allen38/59Extra-Creamy Deviled Eggs
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Graylen Gatewood39/59Fried Green Tomatoes
Photo by Heidi's Bridge, styling by Anna Billingskog40/59French Onion Dip
Nothing gets a party started quite like chips and dip, and this homemade French onion dip is the real deal, with deeply caramelized onions and lots of finely chopped chives. Serve with ruffled potato chips if you know what you’re doing.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Thu Buser, prop styling by Maggie DiMarco41/59Hot Pink Punch
Blend fresh watermelon with gin and Campari for a visually stunning big-batch cocktail built for summer entertaining.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Liberty Fennell, Prop Styling by Gerri Williams42/59Beergarita
The ideal cookout drink exists, and it’s this mash-up of a margarita and a crisp lager. If you really want to impress your friends, serve each glass with a salted rim and a lime wheel.
Photograph by Peden + Munk, food styling by Adriana Paschen, prop styling by Ceci Garcia44/59One-Bottle Vermouth Sangria
Starting with a good vermouth, such as Carpano Antica, rather than distinct bottles of wine and spirits, makes this streamlined summer cocktail easy-peasy. Add a splash of seltzer, a little citrus juice, and your favorite summer fruit, and it’s done.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Dayna Seman45/59BA’s Best Lemonade
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Marina Bevilacqua46/59Chile-Cucumber Agua Fresca
Photograph by Scott Semler, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Stephanie Yeh47/59Dark Chocolate-Espresso Ice Pops
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Caroline Hwang, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime.48/59Lush Vanilla Berry Pudding
Photograph by Rana Düzyol, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Beth Pakradooni49/59Strawberry Galette
Want pie without the pressure? This strawberry galette recipe has all the flaky-crust, juicy-fruit appeal of a classic fruit pie, but with considerably less fuss.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca50/59Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches
Two chewy chocolate chip cookies filled with a thick layer of ice cream: summer desserts don’t get better than that.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Tim Ferro, Food Styling by Mieko Takahashi51/59Grandma Weesie’s Fried Peach Pies
Photograph by Peden + Munk, food styling by Adriana Paschen, prop styling by Ceci Garcia52/59Blueberry Cobbler
This cobbler is easier than pie and every bit as comforting—one of those July desserts that practically begs for a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Nicole Louie53/59Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats With Brown Butter
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca55/59Any-Berry Lemon Ricotta Cake
Need a showstopping Fourth of July cake? Smash your favorite berries with sugar, then spoon them over the batter before baking to create a vibrant, photo-ready swirl.
Photographs by Laura Murray, food styling by Simon Andrews, prop styling by Sophie Strangio56/59Almond and Raspberry Swirl Ice Cream
You don’t need an ice cream machine to make this recipe—just a loaf pan, a freezer, and a dream. With a raspberry ripple and creamy almond base, it’s exactly the kind of nostalgic, berries-and-cream vibe we want from Fourth of July desserts.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Jesse Szewczyk, prop styling by Hazel Zavala and Caroline Newton58/59S’mores Sandwich Cookies
Everything you love about s’mores, no campfire required. These sandwich cookies bring together chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cracker flavors in a portable package.
Photograph by Scott Semler, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Stephanie Yeh59/59Ginger-Lime No-Bake Cheesecake Bars
