50 Fourth of July Recipes for an All-American Cookout

By Southern Living
June 25, 2010
Credit: Evin Photography
Call your cousins, neighbors, and grandkids. This year's July 4th party is one they won't want to miss. From red, white, and blue desserts to grilled summertime staples, there's something for everyone in our round up of all-American eats. Whether you’re entertaining a few close friends or throwing your street's biggest block party, there's nothing more fun than cookout classics and freedom-themed food on Independence Day. Start your summer shindig off right with colorful cocktails and seasonal snacks. Our 4th of July Punch and Marinated Watermelon Tomato Salad are sure to hold guests over while the grill gets going. Guests can pile on a plate full of Sloppy Joe Carolina-Style Burgers, Memphis Dry-Rubbed Baby Back Ribs, Baked Beans, and Macaroni Pie for dinner, but it may be impossible to keep them away from the dessert table pre-fireworks. Can you blame them? One look at our Star Spangled Blackberry Pie, Berry Cobbler, Flag Cake, or Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake Bars and sparks will fly. No matter what combination of 4th of July party recipes you pick, tasty, old-fashioned summer fun is a guarentee. Grab those red, white, and blue streamers, fire up the grill, and make sure you're fully stocked on berries. It's time to throw a star-spangled party.
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Star Spangled Blackberry Pie

Credit: Evin Photography

Recipe: Star Spangled Blackberry Pie

In-season blackberries will leave parade candy untouched in this centerpiece-worthy pie.

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Hot Dogs with Pickle and Parsley Relish

Credit: Evin Photography

Recipe: Hot Dogs with Pickle and Parsley Relish

Homemade relish takes this summer cookout staple up a notch.

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Berry Cobbler

Recipe: Berry Cobbler

This mid-summer slow-cooked dessert is the ideal mix of red, white, and blue flavor.

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Memphis Dry-Rubbed Baby Back Ribs

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: MindI Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Memphis Dry-Rubbed Baby Back Ribs

Put at-home barbecue in action for your backyard celebration with a recipe that would make any Memphian proud.

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4th of July Punch

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Recipe: 4th of July Punch

A blend of fresh fruit and bright juices, this big-batch patriotic punch can be made booze-free for the kiddos, too.

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Blueberry-Thyme Pie

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower; Food Styling: Mary-Claire Britton

Recipe: Blueberry-Thyme Pie

Serve a classic American pie bursting with seasonal blueberries that's sure to delight.

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Macaroni Pie

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Macaroni Pie

A trifecta of cheeses and fresh thyme are responsible for a savory depth of flavor that's begging to be sliced in the backyard.

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Red, White, and Blue Popsicles

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Red, White, and Blue Popsicles

A patriotic treat so tasty the colorful drips are worth the risk.

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Classic Macaroni Salad with Ham

Credit: Jen Causey

Recipe: Classic Macaroni Salad with Ham

This old-school cold salad pairs well with any cookout menu, but it looks especially nice on a patriotic picnic table.

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Red, White, and Blue Poke Cake

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Red, White, and Blue Poke Cake

Fresh summer berries and homemade frosting combine for a summertime dessert with patriotic pizzazz.

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Instant Pot Ribs

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Instant Pot Ribs

If you have a parade to attend and can't babysit the smoker all day, these fast, fall-off-the-bone ribs may be your saving grace.

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Cherry Flag Pie

Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Cherry Flag Pie

Meet an All-American classic that's almost too pretty to slice.

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Spicy Grilled Corn Salad

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Toni Brogan

Recipe: Spicy Grilled Corn Salad​​​​​​​

Start sparks long before fireworks with this street corn-inspired side with a jalapeño kick.

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Berry Splash

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Berry Splash

This family-friendly recipe will cool off your crowd all summer long.

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Flag Cake

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Flag Cake

Salute our nation's independence in the most delicious way possible. This iconic flag sheet cake will have every guest coming back for a second slice.

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Ranch Turkey Burgers

Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Ranch Turkey Burgers

A turkey alternative to your routine backyard burger, this recipe adds ranch and fresh toppings for flavor that just feels like summertime.

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Tomato, Peach, and Corn Salad

Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

Recipe: Tomato, Peach, and Corn Salad

Three cheers for this summertime trio that pairs well with all things grilled.

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Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake Bars

Credit: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake Bars

Red, white, and blue take a swirl atop cheesecake in bars you can prepare up to two days in advance.

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Heirloom Tomato Pie with Parmesan-Buttermilk Crust ​​​​​

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Heirloom Tomato Pie

Believe it or not, this Southern classic tastes even better than it looks.

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Pitcher Mojitos

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Pitcher Mojitos

Hosting a crowd all day? These big-batch mojitos are up for the challenge and easy to refill again and again.

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Best-Ever Succotash

Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Recipe: Best-Ever Succotash

With timeless flavor that just says "summer," guests will enjoy every forkful of this confetti-like side.

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Firecracker Cake

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Firecracker Cake

Light up the party long before the fireworks begin with this easy-to-decorate Bundt.

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Classic Grilled Corn on the Cob

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Classic Grilled Corn on the Cob

We can all agree that fresh, grilled corn is a hallmark of any Independence Day menu.

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Watermelon Margaritas

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Watermelon Margaritas

We've yet to taste a more popular cookout cocktail than this refreshingly colorful margarita.

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Patriotic Fruit Gummies

Recipe: Patriotic Fruit Gummies

Star-spangled gummies the kids will love. Who are we kidding, the adults will, too.

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Marinated Watermelon and Tomato Salad

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Marinated Watermelon and Tomato Salad

Move over red and blue berries. This watermelon salad is here to prove there's a place for other fresh summer produce on your July 4th menu.

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Red, White, and Blue Sangria Pops

Recipe: Red, White, and Blue Sangria Pops

Forget premade popsicles. These boozy Red, White, and Blue Sangria Pops will be the talk of the party.

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Peach Cobbler

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Food Styling: Vanessa Rocchio; Prop Styling: Missie Crawford

Recipe: Peach Cobbler

It's not a Southern summer party without a classic cobbler, and this peach cobbler is sensational.

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Charred Potato-Okra Salad

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Charred Potato-Okra Salad

While you've got the grilled fired up, give your potato salad an upgrade with crisp, smoky grilled okra.

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Old-Fashioned Chicken Salad

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Old-Fashioned Chicken Salad

Here's proof that old-school is still cool when it comes to cookouts. A favorite outdoor side of generations past, this cold salad uses chopped chicken, mayo, celery, and a splash of lemon juice.

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Mini Firecracker Cakes Image

Recipe: Mini Firecracker Cakes

This pre-fireworks snack has a popping surprise of its own.

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