Traditional 4th of July Foods

Planning an Independence Day Menu doesn't have to be difficult! If you’re hosting a summer party, wow your guests and family with a spectacular menu of delicious and colorful Traditional 4th of July Foods. Here are a few ideas along with tips to help you plan out your menu.

Start with the major groups of menu items: appetizers, main course, sides, desserts and beverages. Start planning in advance so that if you need to cater or outsource some items or enlist the help of family and friends, you’ll have the details planned and written down.

Here are some general ideas for each category. Keep in mind your guests and family’s dietary needs and restrictions. Don’t forget to include family favorites, too! If you’ll be celebrating outside, choose foods that will work well in the heat or plan for ice and refrigeration needs, if possible.

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. And for dessert, why not try July 4th Cupcakes using these free cupcake toppers and wrappers?

Now, let's get to the fun part of planning an Independence Day Menu...and that's choosing Traditional 4th of July Foods. Here are a few delicious choices that will help make your party a huge success.

Appetizers

4th of July Appetizers are fun because you can get creative with the red, white and blue theme. How about this festive red and blue salsa from Two Peas And Their Pod? Or serve this layered flag-inspired taco dip from Tastes Of Lizzy T with red, white and blue tortilla chips.

These kid-friendly patriotic firecracker fruit kabobs by Mission To Save are also cute and fun to put together. Or just keep it simple with cheese, crackers, vegetables and dip.

Or you might prefer these fun Caprese Antipasto Skewers. Yes, I know they're not quite red, white and blue, but they're always delicious to serve for parties!

Side Dishes

July 4th Side Dishes should always include baked beans. Try this yummy baked beans recipe from The Girl Who Ate Everything.

Consider cold pasta salads (without mayo, just to be on the safe side) like this antipasto pasta salad from Yellow Bliss Road that you can make ahead and refrigerate overnight. It’s always easy to prepare a simple traditional garden salad, too.

If you’re grilling, throw on some corn on the cob or even some roasted veggies, like zucchini.

However, if your family is like mine, you can't have a summer celebration without a plate of classic deviled eggs. My cousin, Marianne, makes the best deviled eggs. This recipe is very, very close to hers.

Picnic side dishes - baked beans, deviled eggs, corn on the cob and pasta salad.

Main Course

July 4th Menu Ideas always include burgers and hot dogs. You can get fancy and do skewered meats, too, like these Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs by Dinner At The Zoo, or these Balsamic Beef Kabobs from Joyful Healthy Eats. If you love BBQ chicken, Simply Recipes shows you how to grill it to perfection.

Although having steak for a family summer gathering might be a little pricey, you can't really beat throwing a few steaks on the grill to serve to your friends. Make sure you check out his homemade seasoning salt that I use to help grill the best steak.

Traditional 4th of July Foods with Barbecue chicken, steak and kabobs.

Red, White and Blue Desserts

Ah! Here’s the place to get creative with 4th of July themed food. Strawberries and blueberries are in season and are perfect for creating red, white, and blue desserts. For a wow factor, try this easy no bake trifle from Natasha’’s Kitchen.

Or, how about these make-ahead refreshing patriotic popsicles from The Little Kitchen. Tidy Mom shows you how to make these spirited red, white, and blue cupcakes.

My family loves these No Bake Cheesecake Pudding Parfaits. I like layering strawberries and blueberries especially around the July 4th holiday for the added red, white and blue colors. If you prefer a parfait that has cake in it, try my latest recipe for Berry Trifle. It's so yummy!

Red, white and blue Traditional 4th of July Foods patriotic desserts.

You can't really go wrong with preparing a Flag Fruit Pizza to celebrated the Fourth of July. This recipe is one I made a few years ago that uses a simple refrigerator sugar cookie dough as the crust topped with flavored cream cheese and berries.

You can make it as a traditional round pizza or make a square fruit pizza. Either one is going to be delicious!

Beverages

Classic lemonade is always a favorite choice for a summer beverage. For a naturally sweetened beverage, try this Star Spangled Fruit Infused Water by The View From Great Island. Not only will it keep your guests hydrated, it’s visually stunning to look at.

Lemon Basil Mint Spritzer, Homemade Peach Iced Tea and Strawberry Lemonade Punch are all delicious beverage recipes to make for any celebration. It’s always a great idea to have some cold bottled water or sparkling water on hand, too.

Assortment of Traditional 4th of July Foods summer beverages.

Patriotic Table Setting

Have fun planning your menu and getting creative with the Independence Day theme! You can take it further by showing off all your delicious food with red and blue plates, cups and napkins.

Decorate your tables with patriotic tablecloths and centerpieces like this inexpensive Patriotic Mason Jar Centerpiece I put together a few years ago.

Don’t forget the sparklers to end the day on a festive note and to celebrate the occasion!