Whether you're cooking for a crowd or cooking for two, you're going to love these July 4th Menu Ideas and 4th of July Foods I put together to help plan your Independence Day Celebration. Let me show you how easy it is to throw an amazing party this summer when you have everything planned out ahead of time!
This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2018 with new photos and information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!
Have you decided how you're celebrating? Are you hosting a party or going to a party at someone's house? It's always fun to choose from a list of Traditional 4th of July Foods when planning any summer barbecue or get together.
The more important question is, do you have your menu planned? I had some help in putting the following menu together from a few of my blogging friends. Any combination of these recipes will be perfect added to your menu.
Dessert for our July 4th Menu Ideas is going to be easy. Let's choose from a delicious 4th of July Cupcakes roundup. Make sure you check out the FREE Printable Cupcake Toppers and Wrappers to use.
Maybe you want to include a few diet-friendly recipes for your summer menus? Check out my 4th of July Healthy Food Ideas and recipes.
Delicious Appetizers
4th of July Appetizers are probably my favorite part of the meal. I love finger food, dips and chips. Here are a few more menu ideas:
- Homemade Queso Dip - this really is a delicious recipe and there's no fake cheese, so it's healthier too!
- Homemade Salsa - the first time I made this recipe I knew it would be difficult to open a jar of salsa again. And I hardly ever do. Make sure you use the fresh cilantro this recipe calls for...even if you think you don't like cilantro.
- Corn Fiesta Salad - this can be served as an appetizer with chips or as a side dish!
- Air Fryer Recipes - these are always delicious to make and will help keep the kitchen cool by not needing to turn on an oven.
Delicious Side Dishes
July 4th Side Dishes are meant to compliment the main course. But for your guests who don't eat meat, the side dishes may be their main course. Here's a great list of menu ideas:
- Deviled Eggs - it's not a summer celebration without a plate of delicious deviled eggs!
- The Best Coleslaw Ever from Life Tastes Good
- Boston Baked Beans - from Dizzy Busy and Hungry
- Cucumber Salad - this recipe is so similar to what my Oma Behr used to make when I was a little girl.
- Pasta Salad from An Affair from the Heart
- Twice Baked Potatoes - an older recipe from the blog that is my son's favorite.
- Easy Mac and Cheese - if you're having kids at your party, you need to make this easy recipe.
Burgers, Ribs, Steak, Chicken and Hot Dogs
- Falling Off the Bone BBQ Ribs
- Cast Iron Steak with Easy Marinade
- 5 Delicious Burger Recipes
- Grilled Chicken Sandwiches with Garlic Parmesan Mayo - this mayo is so delicious you're going to want to make extra!
- Chili Dog from Lemons for Lulu
Delicious Drinks Perfect for the Celebration
- Lemon Basil Mint Spritzer - try to use fresh basil from the garden or farmer's market.
- Patriotic Ice Cubes from Culinary Ginger - how cute are these red, white and blue ice cubes???
- Here's a great collection of non-alcoholic drinks perfect for kids.
- Mint Orange Lemonade
- My husband's favorite Strawberry Lemonade Punch.
July 4th Menu Ideas and Recipes
A great collection of recipes and July 4th menu ideas for your Independence Day celebration. Let me show you how easy it is to throw an amazing party this summer!
Easy to make and a summertime favorite!
The fresh taste of peach in a refreshing drink.
The fresh ginger is so good in this recipe.
It’s not a summer celebration without a plate of delicious deviled eggs!
After you taste this recipe, you'll find it difficult to open a jar of salsa again.
Made with real cheese, you might just never open a jar of fake cheese again!
Makes a great dip served with chips or a delicious side dish to grilled chicken.
Easy to make with freezing tips to help you prepare these potatoes ahead of time.
Did you know you can cook ribs in your crock pot and then finish them off on the grill? The result is delicious ribs that really do fall off the bone!
Even if you don't have a grill, you can still enjoy the taste of grilled steak with this recipe for Cast Iron Steak that uses a grill pan.
A great collection of burgers perfect for any July 4th celebration!
Grilled chicken served as a sandwich with an easy homemade garlic mayonnaise.
If you're grilling chicken, you need a great marinade. Try this one!
It's not a barbecue or picnic if you don't have baked beans!
Adding bacon to this pasta salad makes it even better!
This recipe is so similar to what my Oma Behr used to make when I was a little girl.
They all look so good. Thank you for the lovely round up.
What a great roundup Lois. So many great recipes.. Pinning
I never realize how hungry I am until I see your blog name on here or Facebook, and my stomach starts growling. Walking On Sunshine is like the bell for Pavlov's Dog. DING!!! Food! I'm hungry. Feed me.
Excellent roundup of recipes. I can plan my menu without effort, thanks so much Lois. Pinned/sharing.
What a wonderful collection!! So many yummy things! Thanks for including me <3
My mouth is watering over this stunning collection! Thank you for including my Heirloom Tomatoes 'n Goat Cheese with Balsamic Drizzle as well as taking the time to spotlight so many talented food bloggers!
Everything looks fabulous! Thank for compiling such a great list in one place - the hard part is now narrowing it down!
What a fabulous collection and so many amazing recipes and great ideas for 4th July.
Yummo, now I'm hungry. Desserts? I can't wait
Oh, I want to have a party now! These are great. Thank you for featuring our BBQ Chicken.
What a great line up of recipes Lois from some spectacular bloggers.