Fourth of July Side Dishes Anyone Can Make and Take

RX_1703_4th Sides_Big Daddy’s Grilled Blue Cheese and Bacon Potato Salad

The Fourth of July holiday is a favorite time for friends and family to get together and enjoy the outdoors and good food. For Southern bakers, a Fourth of July cookout is the perfect time to use seasonal fruits to produce delicious pies and cobblers or easy-to-transport sheet cakes. For guys and gals who like to grill, we have some finger-licking rib recipes that will have your guests coming back for seconds. For most, however, it’s the delicious bounty of Fourth of July side dishes—not what is on the grill—that makes a paper plate feel like fine china. A BBQ is just not complete without classics such as potato salad, baked beans, tomato salad and creamed corn. Check out this lineup of fresh, seasonal, Fourth of July side dishes.

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Rum Baked Beans

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Recipe: Rum Baked Beans

Baked beans belong at a Fourth of July cookout like hotdogs belong at the ballpark. These Rum Baked Beans are loaded with bacon and four types of beans – some might mistake it for the main course.

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Garden Potato Salad

Photo: Helen Norman; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Recipe: Garden Potato Salad

New potatoes are simply baby spring potatoes with delicate thin skins. The red-skinned potatoes, along with the vibrant green peas and herbs, creates a colorful summer side dish.

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Tee's Corn Pudding

Hector M Sanchez

Recipe: Tee's Corn Pudding

One of our most requested recipes for a summer outdoor event, this classic recipe has a rich, soufflé-like texture without the hassle.

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Tomato-and-Watermelon Salad

Southern Living

Recipe: Tomato-and-Watermelon Salad

If you like salt on your watermelon, you will love this salad. Who knew tomatoes and watermelons play so well together? When Chef Bill Smith at Crook’s Corner Café and Bar in Chapel Hill, NC put this salad on his menu, it was an instant hit.

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Creamed Corn

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Creamed Corn

This dish is a staple at cookouts and BBQ’s around the South. For an added wow factor, top the creamed corn with a sprinkling of chopped fried bacon.

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Sesame, Tomato, and Cucumber Salad

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Sesame, Tomato, and Cucumber Salad

As much as you love tomatoes in BLT’s during the summer, try a pound of the juicy red delights in this refreshing salad, perfect for an outdoor gathering.

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Grandma Gwen's Beans

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Prop Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Recipe: Grandma Gwen's Beans

This top-rated reader favorite won our 2012 ‘Cue Awards for Best Baked Beans. One bite and you will understand why.

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Zucchini-Potato Casserole

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Zucchini-Potato Casserole

The French word for this beautiful dish of layered vegetables is tian. Packed with ingredients such as garden fresh onions, tomatoes and zucchini, we call it sheer summer goodness.

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Three-Cheese Pasta Bake

Southern Living

Recipe: Three-Cheese Pasta Bake

This delicious variation on traditional macaroni and cheese is easy to prepare and perfect for both weeknight family dinners and weekend entertaining.

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Classic Succotash

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Classic Succotash

Packed with some of summer’s best produce, including onion, corn, and lima beans, this traditional Southern side makes the perfect potluck dish.

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Holiday Hotline Tip: Use Your Cooler as a Fridge

Tired of running out of fridge space during the holidays? We have a great solution to keep some of your key Thanksgiving ingredients chilled.

Turkey Troubles? Contact the SL Holiday Hotline:

800/366-4712 ext. 66531
testkitchen@timeinc.com
Twitter and Facebook: #SLHotline

Plan your menu with our Thanksgiving Meal Planner

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Zucchini, Squash, and Corn Casserole

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Stylist: Buffy Hargett

Recipe: Zucchini, Squash, and Corn Casserole

Yellow squash and zucchini are quite prolific in the South. This recipe, a popular choice for cookouts and outdoor parties, makes delicious use of summer’s bounty.

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Strawberry-Tomato Salad

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Recipe: Strawberry-Tomato Salad

Look for mini multicolored tomatoes at the supermarket. Toss them with fresh herbs and strawberries for a surprising side to serve with grilled meat or fish.

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Street Corn Salad

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Recipe: Street Corn Salad

This quick and easy Street Corn Salad comes together in a short 20 minutes. Combine the ingredients with a dash of olive oil and sprinkle with cheese and you have a delicious summer side or dip. Now that's summer siding made simple!

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Two-Cheese Squash Casserole

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Amy Burke

Recipe: Two-Cheese Squash Casserole

This cheesy summertime favorite calls for yellow squash, but feel free to sub in some zucchini for a added splash of color.

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Shout Hallelujah Potato Salad

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Stylist: Buffy Hargett

Recipe: Shout Hallelujah Potato Salad

This recipe reminds you of the potato salad your grandmother served at family reunions. With an ingredient list that includes hard-boiled eggs, sweet salad pickles, mayonnaise and jalapenos peppers, we guarantee your guests will be back for seconds.

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Mac and Cheese with Ham

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Recipe: Mac and Cheese with Ham

Believe it or not, this reader favorite is made with reduced-fat and fat-free products. Light on the butter and cheese, this outdoor party classic will still melt in your mouth.

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Big Daddy’s Grilled Blue Cheese and Bacon Potato Salad

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Recipe: Big Daddy’s Grilled Blue Cheese and Bacon Potato Salad

Every good cook south of the Mason Dixon line has a special recipe for potato salad. Give this one, with grilled potatoes and crumbled blue cheese, a try, and you might just add it to your list of favorites.

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