Our Easiest Fourth of July Menu Ideas

Antonis Achilleos

Whether you’re celebrating with a day at the lake, spending time by the pool, or attending a backyard barbecue, these Fourth of July recipes make for a simple yet extraordinary Independence Day with friends and family. For an all-day celebration that will last into the evening, you'll need plenty of refreshing drinks, festive appetizers, hearty mains, fresh sides, and patriotic desserts.

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Instant Pot Ribs

Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Instant Pot Ribs

Achieve delicious ribs that fall off the bone, no grill required.

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Tangy Slow-Cooker Pork Shoulder

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Tangy Slow-Cooker Pork Shoulder

Serve with plenty of homemade sauce.

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Cherry Flag Pie

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

Recipe: Cherry Flag Pie

Wow your guests with the presentation—and taste—of this patriotic pie.

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Classic Deviled Eggs

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Classic Deviled Eggs

Easy, classic, and mama-approved.

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Hot Dogs with Pickle and Parsley Relish

Evin Photography

Recipe: Hot Dogs with Pickle and Parsley Relish

Instantly upgrade the buns by placing them on the grill until they are lightly toasted.

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Potato Salad with Sweet Pickles

Southern Living

Recipe: Potato Salad with Sweet Pickles

Most of the ingredients for this cookout classic are probably already in your kitchen.

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Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad

This light and fresh pasta salad is easy to toss together and even easier to enjoy.

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Red, White, and Blue Popsicles

Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Red, White, and Blue Popsicles

This refreshing treat will be enjoyed by everyone on a hot summer afternoon.

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Classic Grilled Corn on the Cob

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

Recipe: Classic Grilled Corn on the Cob

If you're already firing up the grill for hamburgers, you'll want to throw your corn on there as well.

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4th of July Punch

Jennifer Causey

Recipe: 4th of July Punch

Make two batches of this patriotic punch if you'll have kiddos attending your July 4th party, one with alcohol and one without.

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Firecracker Cake

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Firecracker Cake

This firecracker bundt cake will be gone before the fireworks begin.

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Heirloom Tomato Pie with Parmesan-Buttermilk Crust

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

Recipe: Heirloom Tomato Pie

If you make and take this tomato pie to your Independence Day celebration, we guarantee you'll get an invite next year.

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Texas Caviar

Southern Living

Recipe: Texas Caviar

Because every party needs a dip, or two.

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Flag Cake

Southern Living

Recipe: Flag Cake

We don't think you'll find a more patriotic dessert.

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Lemonade Iced Tea

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Lemonade Iced Tea

Two classic drinks come together for a refreshing tea for all ages to enjoy.

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Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

It's not a Southern get-together without this classic dish that both kids and adults love.

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Classic Baked Beans

Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Baked Beans

Dress up canned beans with this 13x9 recipe.

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Berry Splash

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Berry Splash

Mix up a colorful drink for the whole family with cherry drink mix and white cranberry juice. Serve Berry Splash with blueberry-filled Berry Ice Cubes.

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Chewy Red, White, and Blue Cookies

Recipe: Chewy Red, White, and Blue Cookies

Filled with oats, peanut butter, and chocolate, these fun cookies are sure to disappear quickly at your patriotic celebration.

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Tomato-Watermelon Salad

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Tomato-Watermelon Salad

This surprising salad combination will please your palate. The bright hues and refreshing flavors make it the perfect side dish for summer entertaining.

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Blue Cheese Ranch Dip

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Blue Cheese Ranch Dip

Throw together this creamy, four-ingredient dip in just five minutes. Serve with carrot and celery sticks, sturdy potato chips, and hot wings.

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Beer-Batter Fried Pickles

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe:Beer-Batter Fried Pickles

Crunchy, tart pickles get a crispy, deep-fried coating for this crowd-pleaser. We liked the recipe made with Alabama-bred Wickles-brand sweet-hot sliced pickles. Serve with Spicy Ranch Dipping Sauce.

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Grilled Chicken Thighs with White Barbecue Sauce

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Grilled Chicken Thighs with White Barbecue Sauce

This chicken is loaded with flavor from the grill, aromatic spices in a dry rub, and a tangy mayonnaise-based White Barbecue Sauce.

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Bacon-Wrapped Barbecue Burgers

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Barbecue Burgers

Vidalia onions and barbecue sauce add an unbeatable Southern flair to these juicy burgers. They’re sure to become a favorite.

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Blueberry Cobbler with Sugared Star Shortcakes

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Blueberry Cobbler with Sugared Star Shortcakes

Impress guests with this festive, fruity cobbler; they’ll have no idea how easy it was to make. Simply cut stars out of refrigerated biscuit dough and fill with a four-ingredient warm blueberry mixture. Garnish with sweetened whipped cream.

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Fipps Family Potato Salad

Recipe: Fipps Family Potato Salad

Round out your meal with this classic mixture of potatoes, eggs, mayo (Duke’s of course!), and spicy mustard. Make the recipe your own by adding sweet pickles, onion, celery, bacon, and fresh herbs.

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Recipes That Deserve a Spot on Your Fourth of July Menu

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Instant Pot Ribs

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Tangy Slow-Cooker Pork Shoulder

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Cherry Flag Pie

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Classic Deviled Eggs

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Hot Dogs with Pickle and Parsley Relish

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Potato Salad with Sweet Pickles

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Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad

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Red, White, and Blue Popsicles

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Classic Grilled Corn on the Cob

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4th of July Punch

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Firecracker Cake

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

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Texas Caviar

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Flag Cake

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Lemonade Iced Tea

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Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

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Classic Baked Beans

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Berry Splash

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Chewy Red, White, and Blue Cookies

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Tomato-Watermelon Salad

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Blue Cheese Ranch Dip

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Beer-Batter Fried Pickles

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Grilled Chicken Thighs with White Barbecue Sauce

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Bacon-Wrapped Barbecue Burgers

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Blueberry Cobbler with Sugared Star Shortcakes

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Fipps Family Potato Salad

Heirloom Tomato Pie with Parmesan-Buttermilk Crust