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    Our 55 Best 4th Of July Recipes For Summer Eating

    From picnic-perfect sides to kebabs on the BBQ, these festive recipes won't disappoint.

    by Lavanya Narayanan, Hannah Loewentheil, Farrah Penn

    Any holiday is only as good as the food you're eating — everyone knows that.

    So here are some of the absolute best recipes we know for your 4th of July cook-outs, picnics, or barbecues.

    1. Celebratory Pudding Pops

    red, white, and blue popsicles
    Ashley / Via thereciperebel.com

    All you need is instant pudding, milk, and whipped topping to make these red, white, and blue treats.

    Recipe: Celebratory Pudding Pops 

    2. Patriotic Pretzel Bites

    red and blue M&M's on white candy melted onto pretzels
    Two Sister's Crafting / Via twosisterscrafting.com

    These bite-size snacks are a treat for your eyes and your tastebuds!

    Recipe: Patriotic Pretzel Bites

    3. Red, White, and Blue Ice Cream Cake

    slices of ice cream cake
    Betty Crocker / Via bettycrocker.com

    With layers of blueberry ice cream, vanilla ice cream, and raspberry sorbet, you'll end up with a festive — and refreshing — cake.

    Recipe: Red, White, and Blue Ice Cream Cake

    4. Watermelon Kabobs

    watermelon, cheese, and berry kebabs
    Amy Stafford / Via ahealthylifeforme.com

    Combine the sweetness of the watermelon and blackberry with the saltiness of the feta, and you've got a perfect bite.

    Recipe: Watermelon Kabobs

    5. Red, White, and Blue Dipped Apples

    apples dipped in candy and sugar
    Lise / Via momlovesbaking.com

    Dipped apples aren't just for fall!

    Recipe: Red, White, and Blue Dipped Apples

    6. Dessert Pretzel Rods

    white chocolate decorated pretzels
    Desirée / Via the36thavenue.com

    Coat the pretzel sticks in white chocolate, then use red and blue candy melts to complete the look. 

    Recipe: Dessert Pretzel Rods

    7. Mini Trifles

    trifles in a jar
    Tara / Via unsophisticook.com

    These trifles are easy to transport since they're already neatly packaged in individual mason jars.

    Recipe: Mini Trifles

    8. Cracker Jack Popcorn Balls

    popcorn balls
    Kaylee / Via tobinstastes.com

    Cracker Jacks + butter + marshmallows = delicious. 

    Recipe: Cracker Jack Popcorn Balls

    9. Brie Berry Bites

    cheese and berry bites
    Abigail / Via manilaspoon.com

    Delicate and simple, these bite-size snacks will impress the whole family. 

    Recipe: Brie Berry Bites

    10. Mint Watermelon Salad With Feta

    Mint Watermelon Salad with Feta
    Katie Crenshaw / Via aforkstale.com

    After all, it's not the 4th of July without watermelon.

    Recipe: Mint Watermelon Salad With Feta

    11. Easiest 4th of July Fruit Skewers

    Easiest July 4th Fruit Skewers
    tasty.co

    These festive skewers are basically impossible to mess up.

    Recipe: Easiest 4th of July Fruit Skewers

    12. Hot Dog Fiesta

    Hot Dog Fiesta
    Clara Gonzalez / Via dominicancooking.com

    Hot dogs + 4th of July. Name a better duo... We'll wait. This better-than-basic recipe is perfect for hosting a variety of preferences. It's like you took everyone to Pink's. 

    Recipe: Hot Dog Fiesta

    13. Crunchy Pickled Salad

    Crunchy Pickled Salad
    Tori Avey / Via toriavey.com

    The fresh flavors of cucumber and dill are great on these hot summer days. 

    Recipe: Crunchy Pickled Salad

    14. Corn, Crab, and Old Bay Deviled Eggs

    Corn, Crab, and Old Bay Deviled Eggs
    Irvin Lin / Via simplyrecipes.com

    Of course we have to include a deviled eggs recipe — what kind of BBQ would it be without them? This recipe takes it up several notches with lump crab meat and grilled, smoky corn. 

    Recipe: Corn, Crab, and Old Bay Deviled Eggs

    15. 10 Ingredient Sweet Corn Salad

    10 Ingredient Sweet Corn Salad
    Jasmin Foster / Via mashandspread.com

    This salad just screams summer, summer, summertime! It's light and easy to assemble, and you can swap out the cob for regular canned sweet corn. 

    Recipe: 10 Ingredient Sweet Corn Salad

    16. Melon Caprese Skewers

    Melon Caprese Skewers
    What's Gabby Cooking / Via whatsgabycooking.com

    These summery skewers filled with fresh, in-season melons are a great alternative to traditional Caprese. A small ice cream scoop or measuring spoon can work just as well as a melon baller. 

    Recipe: Melon Caprese Skewers

    17. Shrimp Avocado Sandwich

    Shrimp Avocado Sandwich
    Maria Doss / Via kitchenathoskins.com

    This is a great burger alternative, and adding the Sriracha mayo makes it just *chef's kiss*.

    Recipe: Shrimp Avocado Sandwich

    18. Easy Skillet Mac 'n' Cheese

    Easy Skillet Mac & Cheese
    Kylee / Via kyleecooks.com

    We all know mac 'n' cheese is America's favorite child. 

    Recipe: Easy Skillet Mac 'n' Cheese

    19. Easy Watermelon Sangria

    Easy Watermelon Sangria
    Sonja and Alex Overhiser / Via acouplecooks.com

    Watermelon and sangria are a match made in summer heaven. 

    Recipe: Easy Watermelon Sangria

    20. Patriotic Ice Cream Sandwiches

    Patriotic Ice Cream Sandwiches
    Ashlyn Edwards / Via belleofthekitchen.com

    Of COURSE there's room for some red, white, and blue. 

    Recipe: Patriotic Ice Cream Sandwiches

    21. Caprese Grilled Balsamic Chicken

    Three pieces of balsamic grilled chicken topped with sliced tomatoes, melted mozzarella, basil, and balsamic glaze
    Recipe Runner / Via reciperunner.com

    If you're planning ahead, marinate the chicken breasts overnight for maximum flavor, but even if you just have a few hours this dish still tastes delicious.

    Recipe: Caprese Grilled Balsamic Chicken

    22. Mexican Street Corn Salad

    A big bowl of Mexican street corn salad topped with cilantro, cheese, red onion, avocado, and lime wedges
    As Easy as Apple Pie / Via aseasyasapplepie.com

    Corn salad just got a serious upgrade thanks to Cotija cheese, cilantro, avocado, jalapeño, and a creamy dressing made with lime juice, cayenne pepper, and mayo.

    Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Salad           

    23. Watermelon Salad With Cucumber and Feta

    A salad with fresh watermelon, cucumber, chunks of feta, fresh basil and mint
    Recipe Runner / Via reciperunner.com

    If you want to add a slightly smoky component to this sweet-meets-savory salad, cook the watermelon on the grill before preparing the salad.

    Recipe: Watermelon Salad With Cucumber and Feta                        

    24. Sticky Oven Barbecue Ribs

    A dozen-or-so ribs brushed with barbecue sauce on a foil-lined baking sheet
    Cafe Delites / Via cafedelites.com

    For ribs that quite literally fall off the bone, look no further than this recipe. The marinade is made with just four ingredients: your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce, garlic, olive oil, and Worcestershire sauce.

    Recipe: Sticky Oven Barbecue Ribs

    25. Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad

    A big bowl of tortellini pasta salad with mozzarella, tomato, and pesto
    Baker By Nature / Via bakerbynature.com

    In the world of pasta, cheese-filled tortellini reigns king. You can make an easy pasta salad by tossing store-bought tortellini with pretty much any veggies, but few things beat this tomato and mozzarella combo. 

    Recipe: Easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad

    26. Grilled Salmon Tacos With Strawberry Avocado Salsa

    An up-close shot of a tortilla filled with grilled salmon and a slaw made of avocado, strawberry, red onion, and cilantro
    Recipe Runner / Via reciperunner.com

    Taco bout seasonal recipes. It doesn't get much more summery and fresh than these grilled salmon tacos. You can garnish them with whatever toppings you like best, but this fruit salsa is always a hit.

    Recipe: Grilled Salmon Tacos With Strawberry Avocado Salsa

    27. Spicy Hot Southern Potato Salad

    A bowl of potato salad loaded with scallions, bacon, boiled egg, all tossed in a creamy dressing and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper
    Buy This Cook That / Via buythiscookthat.com

    Classic potato salad gets kicked up a notch with the help of bacon, dill pickles, hot sauce, jalapeño, and cayenne.    

    Recipe: Spicy Hot Southern Potato Salad

    28. Grilled Bruschetta Portobello Mushrooms

    Portobello mushroom caps stuffed with homemade tomato bruschetta
    Cafe Delites / Via cafedelites.com

    Serve these mushroom caps, which are stuffed with chopped cherry tomatoes, red onion, basil, and spices as a vegetarian main or appetizer. Top them with some Parmesan or mozzarella cheese for good measure.  

    Recipe: Grilled Bruschetta Portobello Mushrooms

    29. Easy Tomato Gazpacho

    The Mediterranean Dish / Via themediterraneandish.com

    The secret ingredient that makes this gazpacho so creamy is stale bread. Remove the crust and toss it into a blender with ripe tomatoes, peppers, garlic, and onion.

    Recipe: Easy Tomato Gazpacho

    30. Sparkling Red, White, & Blue Sangria

    sangria with berries
    gimmesomeoven / Via gimmesomeoven.com

    Is it a summer celebration without sangria on deck? All you need is booze, berries, and a Granny Smith apple for a holiday ~fiesta~.

    Recipe: Sparkling Red, White, & Blue Sangria

    31. Flag Cake With Cheesecake Topping

    cake with berries and cream cheese frosting
    spendwithpennies / Via spendwithpennies.com

    Live your best patriotic life with this sheet cake. Grab a box of cake mix, jello, sugar, cream cheese, and some berries, and you're good to go.

    Recipe: Flag Cake With Cheesecake Topping

    32. Easy Layered Taco Dip

    taco dip designed like an American flag
    tastesoflizzyt / Via tastesoflizzyt.com

    A dip is any barbecue's greatest weapon. Pack in as many layered ingredients as you want; then, pop into the oven for the finale.

    Recipe: Easy Layered Taco Dip

    33. Rocket Pops

    red white and blue popsicles
    deliciouslydeclassified / Via deliciouslydeclassified.com

    Presenting: frozen jello pops. Who knew you could be so experimental with jello? 

    Recipe: Rocket Pops

    34. Coconut Water Berry Popsicles

    coconut and berry popsicles
    backtothebooknutrition / Via backtothebooknutrition.com

    Coconut water and berry popsicles for a fuss-free cool-down at the barbecue.

    Recipe: Coconut Water Berry Popsicles

    35. Berry Dessert Pizza

    dessert pizza
    thecraftedsparrow / Via thecraftedsparrow.com

    When you can't decide between a savory pizza or a dessert pie, try this recipe for a hybrid creation. 

    Recipe: Berry Dessert Pizza

    36. Blueberry Cheesecake Bites

    cheesecake bites with berries
    thekitchenismyplayground / Via thekitchenismyplayground.com

    A dessert that seems to follow the 4th of July formula to a T: strawberries, blueberries, and whipped cream.  

    Recipe: Blueberry Cheesecake Bites

    37. Patriotic Oreos

    Oreos dipped in candy
    happybrownhouse / Via happybrownhouse.com

    Candy-dipped Oreos, enough said.

    Recipe: Patriotic Oreos

    38. Grilled Flank Steak and Corn Salad

    Flank steak topped with corn, tomato, jalapeño, onion, and peppers
    Tasty / Via tasty.co

    This meal might look totally fancy, but starting with a quick-cooking and affordable cut of meat like flank steak is a great way to feed a crowd.

    Recipe: Grilled Flank Steak and Corn Salad

    39. Black Bean & Corn Burgers

    A black bean and corn burger on a bun with veggies and cheese
    Tasty / Via tasty.co

    These burgers are totally vegetarian, but they're hearty enough to satisfy anyone at your summer cookout. Serve them on buns with any of your favorite toppings like avocado, cheese, roasted red peppers, spinach, or even a fried egg.

    Recipe: Black Bean & Corn Burgers

    40. Buffalo Chicken Sliders

    A slider with cheesy Buffalo chicken
    Tasty / Via tasty.co

    You could easily eat this cheesy Buffalo chicken filling straight by the spoonful, but it tastes even better stuffed into rolls and served as sliders.

    Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Sliders

    41. Crispy Buffalo Wings

    A plate of Buffalo wings with celery
    Tasty / Via tasty.co

    The trick for the crispiest homemade wings is tossing them in cornstarch, then letting them dry out on a wire rack before battering and frying them.

    Recipe: Crispy Buffalo Wings

    42. Cucumber, Tomato, and Avocado Salad

    A bowl of tomato, avocado, and red onion salad
    Tasty / Via tasty.co

    Light and refreshing yet oh-so-tasty, this creamy avocado salad works as a side dish with pretty much whatever you're serving.

    Recipe: Cucumber, Tomato, and Avocado Salad

    43. Five Cheese Mac 'n' Cheese

    Decadent mac 'n' cheese with a crispy topping
    Tasty / Via tasty.co

    Why settle for one cheese when you can have five? That's cheddar, mozzarella, feta cheese, provolone cheese, and smoked gouda, to be exact. 

    Recipe: Five Cheese Mac 'n' Cheese

    44. Cookies & Cream-Stuffed Cookies

    Chocolate chip cookies stuffed with chocolate cream cookies
    Tasty / Via tasty.co

    What's better than a chocolate chip cookie? This creation, which is stuffed with a second homemade Oreo.

    Recipe: Cookies & Cream-Stuffed Cookies

    45. Stars and Stripes S’mores Cups

    Stars and Stripes S'mores Cups
    tasty.co

    These are show-stoppers — and for good reason.

    Recipe: Stars and Stripes S’mores Cups

    46. Peach Crisp Yogurt Bowls

    A bowl of yogurt with peaches and granola
    Blue Bowl Recipes / Via bluebowlrecipes.com

    Imagine a peach cobbler in breakfast form. This bowl is the perfect combination of savory, sweet, crunchy, and silky.

    Recipe: Peach Crisp Yogurt Bowls

    47. Sheet Pan Sweet Corn and Summer Squash Hash

    A bowl of vegetable hash with fried eggs
    Whole and Heavenly Oven / Via wholeandheavenlyoven.com

    Take summer's freshest produce — sweet corn, squash, zucchini, or whatever you pick up from your farmers market — and turn it into a delicious hash topped with eggs cooked any way you like 'em.

    Recipe: Sheet Pan Sweet Corn and Summer Squash Hash

    48. Pesto Chicken, Corn, and Avocado Bacon Pasta Salad

    Pesto Chicken, Corn, and Avocado Bacon Pasta Salad
    Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com

    You can search the world, but you'll probably never find a more satisfying pasta salad than this one, which is loaded with chicken, bacon, and veggies, then tossed in a tangy, savory blend of olive oil, Dijon, and tahini.

    Recipe: Pesto Chicken, Corn, and Avocado Bacon Pasta Salad

    49. Grilled Greek Salmon Kebabs

    Grilled salmon kebabs with cucumber slices and lemon
    Hungry By Nature / Via hungrybynature.com

    Serve these salmon kebabs with a big Greek salad (hello, heirloom tomatoes) and some fluffy pita bread on the side.

    Recipe: Grilled Greek Salmon Kebabs

    50. Antipasto Tortellini Pasta Salad

    Tortellini salad with veggies, mozzarella, olives, and cheese
    My Food Story / Via myfoodstory.com

    To set the record straight, cheese-filled tortellini > any other noodle.

    Recipe: Antipasto Tortellini Pasta Salad

    51. Baja-Style Mexican Hot Dogs

    Mexican-style hot dogs with avocado, cilantro, and spicy mayo
    Girl and The Kitchen / Via girlandthekitchen.com

    Switch up your everyday hot dog for one of these creative, Mexican-inspired frankfurters, topped with avocado, cilantro, lime, and cucumber salsa.

    Recipe: Baja-Style Mexican Hot Dogs

    52. New England Shrimp Rolls

    A shrimp roll on a hot dog bun
    The View from Great Island / Via theviewfromgreatisland.com

    Meet the lobster roll's more affordable and equally delicious cousin, the mayo-tossed, lemon-drizzled shrimp roll.

    Recipe: New England Shrimp Rolls

    53. Crab Cake Sliders With Spicy Aioli

    Crab cake sliders with aioli
    A Zesty Bite / Via azestybite.com

    Serve these crab cakes on sliders or, for a lower carb version, on top of a big salad.

    Recipe: Crab Cake Sliders With Spicy Aioli

    54. Skillet Berry Cobbler

    A berry cobbler in a skillet
    The Novice Chef Blog / Via thenovicechefblog.com

    It's peak berry season, so plan your dessert menu accordingly. Here's a good place to start.

    Recipe: Skillet Berry Cobbler

    55. Blackberry Bourbon Smash

    A blackberry Bourbon smash
    Jennifer Meyering / Via jennifermeyering.com

    This five-ingredient cocktail made with blackberries, mint, lemon, Bourbon, and ginger beer is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser.

    Recipe: Blackberry Bourbon Smash

    This article contains content previously curated by Hannah Loewentheil, Farrah Penn, Marie Telling, Eboné Denise, Krysten Peck, Catherine O'Donnell, and Kayleigh Jackson. It was compiled by Lavanya Narayanan.