Fourth of July Menu Ideas

4 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

The Fourth of July brings parades, fireworks, afternoons at the pool or lake, and food! I’m sharing some of my favorite Fourth of July menu ideas that I think you’ll enjoy! I love to prep and make ahead as much as possible so that the day is easy, low-stress, and fun for all!

Hamburger with grilled sweet potatoes on a white plate.

No Cook Fourth of July Appetizers

These delicious no-cook, make-ahead appetizers are always welcome at any gathering throughout the year, but especially during the heat of the summer.

Caprese Salad Skewers of tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, drizzled with balsamic glaze on a white platter.

Simple Caprese Salad Skewers

5 from 1 vote
These tasty Caprese Salad Skewers are a quick and easy appetizer to make in minutes! Juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fresh basil, and homemade balsamic glaze make a simple, yet impressive party food!
View Recipe
Sliced apples surround and are dipped into a bowl of creamy apple dip.

Easy Apple Dip Recipe

5 from 8 votes
Easy Apple Dip Recipe – Sweet, creamy Apple Dip is easy and delicious for parties and snacks! Ready in minutes from just a few ingredients, it's an addictive dip for apples, pretzels, and more!
View Recipe

Watermelon Skewers Recipe

5 from 1 vote
These easy Watermelon Skewers are perfect for celebrations and parties! Made with fresh fruit, they are fun and delicious treat!
View Recipe
Blueberry Peach Salsa makes a delicious fruit salsa. Made of blueberries, peaches and a few other simple ingredients, this blueberry peach salsa is a summertime favorite. // addapinch.com

Blueberry Peach Salsa Recipe

4 from 1 vote
Blueberry Peach Salsa makes a delicious appetizer with chips or topping for fish tacos, chicken or so many other dishes. Get this easy blueberry peach salsa recipe!
View Recipe

Fourth of July Main Course

Let’s face it, there are a few recipes that are simply must-makes for your July 4th celebrations. Some love a Shrimp Boil, others a Fish Fry, or Pulled Pork (with BBQ Sauce), etc. I love hearing about those favorite traditions. One of our favorites is my husband’s hamburgers, along with some favorite side dishes. The side dishes can be made ahead to make the day even more enjoyable for all!

Hamburger with grilled sweet potatoes on a white plate.

Bart’s Best Hamburger Recipe

5 from 3 votes
This Best Hamburger recipe, two ingredients and a few time-tested tips are all you need for the best hamburgers every time!
View Recipe
Southern Baked Beans Recipe - This recipe makes the perfect side dish for so many meals! This easy baked beans recipe will become a favorite! // addapinch.com

Southern Baked Beans Recipe

4.94 from 48 votes
Southern Baked Beans Recipe – This recipe makes the perfect side dish for so many meals! These easy baked beans are a family favorite!
View Recipe

Southern Potato Salad Recipe

4.85 from 32 votes
Southern Potato Salad – Potato salad is a classic recipe perfect for every possible summer celebration! Made with potatoes, pickles, onions, and eggs, this potato salad is an all-time favorite!
View Recipe

Coleslaw Recipe

5 from 19 votes
Coleslaw Recipe – A delicious easy coleslaw recipe that’s always a crowd favorite! Crunchy cabbage with a delicious dressing, this easy coleslaw is a perfect side anytime!
View Recipe

Other main dish favorites:

Here are other favorite main dish options that you may love.

Photo of BBQ ribs on a white platter on a white background.

Easy Slow Cooker Ribs Recipe

5 from 12 votes
This Easy Slow Cooker Ribs Recipe makes the most delicious, tender, fall off the bone ribs! No grill or oven is required with these amazing ribs!
View Recipe

The Best Chicken Marinade Recipe

4.97 from 167 votes
Best Chicken Marinade Recipe – The Best Chicken Marinade recipe is easy, delicious, and comes together in minutes for the best grilled chicken and baked chicken you've ever tasted! It makes juicy, tender chicken every time. 
View Recipe
Cast iron skillet with a butter-basted ribeye steak topped with rosemary.

Skillet Ribeye Steaks Recipe

4.98 from 39 votes
Skillet Ribeye Steaks Recipe – These delicious Skillet Ribeye Steaks are butter-basted and will remind you of those at your favorite steak house! This recipe makes the best ribeye steak and is easy to make at home!
View Recipe
Photograph of chicken salad in a blue bowl on a dark counter.

Chicken Salad with Grapes Recipe

4.96 from 148 votes
Chicken Salad with Grapes Recipe – This chicken salad recipe makes a delicious, quick meal. Made with chicken, grapes, and roasted nuts, it is always a favorite!
View Recipe

Fourth of July Desserts

What would a Fourth of July menu be without desserts? 🥰 You can’t go wrong with everyone’s favorite chocolate chip cookies, brownies, or chocolate cake, but here are some of our other go-to desserts from which you might like to choose! Again, I love that these are all make-ahead friendly!

Old Fashioned Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe

4.99 from 153 votes
An old fashioned vanilla ice cream recipe that everyone loves! This creamy custard base homemade vanilla ice cream recipe tastes like an ice cream parlor favorite.
View Recipe
Grilled peaches with vanilla ice cream and honey is a perfect, simple and scrumptious summertime dessert. // addapinch.com

Grilled Peaches Recipe

5 from 1 vote
This Grilled Peaches with Honey and Ice Cream recipe is a simple yet decadent dessert! Juicy peaches are lightly grilled then drizzled with honey and served with vanilla ice cream for a treat everyone loves!
View Recipe
Key Lime Pie Recipe - Key Lime Pie makes a classic, refreshing dessert recipe. Made of simple ingredients, this updated key lime pie recipe comes together quickly and chills to a light and airy consistency for an elegant dessert. // addapinch.com

Key Lime Pie Recipe

5 from 11 votes
This updated key lime pie recipe comes together quickly and chills to a perfect light and airy consistency for an elegant key lime pie you’ll love.
View Recipe
Side view of lemon pound cake with lemon buttermilk glaze drizzled on top.

Lemon Pound Cake Recipe

4.91 from 123 votes
This easy Lemon Pound Cake recipe makes a dream dessert for lemon lovers! Made with fresh lemon juice and zest and topped with a lemon buttermilk glaze, this moist pound cake is bursting with delicious flavor!
View Recipe
A slice of cheesecake pie topped with whipped cream and sugared cranberries on a white plate.

Easy Cheesecake Pie Recipe

5 from 2 votes
This easy cheesecake pie recipe makes the best recipe for cheesecake lovers. Creamy cheesecake filling bakes in a graham cracker crust and is delicious served plain or topped with your favorite cheesecake topping.
View Recipe
Vanilla buttercream frosting has been piped in star flower shapes around the edge of this chocolate chip cookie cake. Piping bag full of frosting is next to cake, all on marble countertop.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake Recipe

No ratings yet
Delicious Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake with buttercream frosting takes the best of the iconic cookie and creates the best cookie cake recipe!
View Recipe

Favorite Fourth Drinks

In addition to plenty of water, here are a few of our favorite drinks to serve through the day to keep everyone well hydrated!

Photo of a clear pitcher of lemonade with lemon slices and 2 clear glasses of lemonade with lemon slices on a white background.

Fresh Lemonade Recipe

5 from 9 votes
Refreshing homemade Fresh Lemonade recipe made with fresh lemons! It's a classic delicious drink perfect for any occasion! Includes how to make lemonade concentrate!
View Recipe
This Southern Sweet Tea recipe is smooth, sweet, and delicious! It includes tried-and-true tips for how to make sweet tea that everyone loves! // addapinch.com

Southern Sweet Tea Recipe

4.92 from 12 votes
This Southern Sweet Tea recipe is smooth, sweet, and delicious! It includes tried-and-true tips for how to make sweet tea that everyone loves!
View Recipe
A delicious Strawberry Lemonade that's so easy and refreshing! Made from strawberries, lemons and simple syrup, it's perfect to enjoy all spring and summer! // addapinch.com

Strawberry Lemonade Recipe

5 from 4 votes
This delicious Strawberry Lemonade is made with just 5 ingredients and ready in minutes! It makes a refreshing drink perfect for sipping on a warm day as well as for entertaining, showers and tailgating.
View Recipe

I hope you and your family have a happy and safe Fourth of July! xo

Welcome to Add A Pinch

About Robyn

Robyn Stone is a cookbook author, wife, mom, and passionate home cook. Her tested and trusted recipes give readers the confidence to cook recipes the whole family will love. Robyn has been featured on Food Network, People, Southern Living, and more.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

4 Comments

  1. Gaby says:

    Terrific lineup! I’m really craving that Vidalia onion dip!

  2. Bobbi says:

    Everything looks delicious!! Wishing a safe and Happy 4th to Everyone!! :))

  3. Jacqui Odell says:

    Everything looks so yummy! I really love the BBQ Ribs!!

  4. Mary says:

    Everything looks delicious! Happy 4th to y’all!!!