Our 47 Best 4th Of July Recipes For Summer Eating

Oh, WOW. This cake is a total showstopper. With the little firework decorations on top? Come on! It's the perfect pre-firework, post-barbecue dessert. And all you need is white cake, food dye, and frosting. And candy for the little fireworks!

Recipe: Marbled 4th Of July 'Box' Cake

The perfect July 4th BBQ isn't complete without a potato salad — this one is easy, hearty, and a huge crowd pleaser. Your party guests will be going for thirds!

Recipe: Hearty Potato Salad

You can make anything into a festive 4th of July treat if you have the right colors! This sponge cake is absolutely delicious and fluffy, topped with any fruits you want — we recommend strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries to stay on theme.

Recipe: Red, White and Blue Sponge Cake

This cake looks so beautiful that you would think it would be complicated to make. But don't you worry, it's actually super easy: all you'll need is food dye and an eye for a lovely tie-dye design.

Recipe: 4th of July Tie-Dye Cake

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

Recipe: Celebratory Pudding Pops 

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

Recipe: Patriotic Pretzel Bites

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

Recipe: Mini Trifles

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

Recipe: Brie Berry Bites

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

Recipe: Mint Watermelon Salad With Feta

These festive skewers are basically impossible to mess up.

Recipe: Easiest 4th of July Fruit Skewers

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

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

Recipe: Crunchy Pickled Salad

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

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

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

Recipe: Shrimp Avocado Sandwich

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

Recipe: Easy Skillet Mac 'n' Cheese

Watermelon and sangria are a match made in summer heaven. 

Recipe: Easy Watermelon Sangria

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

Recipe: Patriotic Ice Cream Sandwiches

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

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           

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                        

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Recipe: Coconut Water Berry Popsicles

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

Recipe: Berry Dessert Pizza

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

Recipe: Blueberry Cheesecake Bites

Candy-dipped Oreos, enough said.

Recipe: Patriotic Oreos

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Recipe: Cookies & Cream-Stuffed Cookies

These are show-stoppers — and for good reason.

Recipe: Stars and Stripes S’mores Cups

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

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

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

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

Recipe: New England Shrimp Rolls

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

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

Recipe: Skillet Berry Cobbler