50 Festive Fourth Of July Recipes And Grilling Ideas For Your Cookout

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Classic Macaroni Salad With Ham

The old-school cold salad pairs well with any cookout menu, but it looks especially nice on a patriotic picnic table. This version celebrates fresh summer produce with chopped tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers.

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02 of 50

4th Of July Punch

We've got you covered with a cool cocktail recipe to serve on a steamy hot day. A blend of fresh fruit and bright juices, this big-batch patriotic punch can be made booze-free for the kiddos, too.

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03 of 50

Memphis Dry-Rubbed Baby Back Ribs

Put at-home barbecue in action for your backyard celebration with a recipe that would make any Memphian proud. No sauce makes for easier eating, but this spice rub still loads on the flavor.

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04 of 50

Classic Grilled Corn On The Cob

We can all agree that fresh, grilled corn is a hallmark of any Independence Day menu. Everyone loves the simple, sweet flavor of chargrilled corn. If you want to get fancy, dress your ears with one of our spicy, smoky, or herby rubs and glazes.

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05 of 50

Red, White, And Blue Poke Cake

Fresh summer berries and homemade frosting combine for a summertime dessert with patriotic pizzazz. The luscious, creamy mascarpone frosting will have guests cleaning their plates.

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06 of 50

Tomato, Peach, And Corn Salad

Three cheers for this summertime trio that pairs well with all things grilled. A zesty vinaigrette, seasonings, and cheese help to marry an unusual but delicious combination of sweet corn, ripe peaches, and juicy beefsteak tomatoes.

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07 of 50

Texas Ranch Water

When it comes to light and refreshing cocktails, few compare to Texas-favorite Ranch Water. Just make sure you use Topo Chico—no random sparkling water will do. Add a squirt of simple syrup if you want to sweet your drink.

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08 of 50

Heirloom Tomato Pie

Give your heirloom tomatoes the royal treatment. Believe it or not, this Southern classic tastes even better than it looks. It could be the homemade buttermilk pie crust, the cheesy filling, the vine-ripened tomatoes—most likely it's all three.

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09 of 50

Best-Ever Succotash

With timeless flavor that just says "summer," guests will enjoy every forkful of this confetti-like side. Fresh tomatoes, okra, sweet corn, and lima beans are the stars of this dish, but the savory herbs and buttery bacon drippings really pull it together.

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10 of 50

Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler

Once again, we pull out the slow cooker for an easy and beloved dessert. It's not a Southern summer party without a classic cobbler, and this peach cobbler is sensational.

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11 of 50

Homemade Baked Beans

This bacon-filled baked bean recipe is a backyard party side that's simple to make and take. It starts with canned beans, but you wouldn't guess it thanks to the rich flavor of onions and molasses.

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12 of 50

Old-School Squash Casserole

Combine summer squash with cheese, butter, and crushed crackers, and you'll find yourself with an instant winner. Everyone will want a scoop of this dish, which is hearty enough to be a main for the vegetarians at the party.

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13 of 50

Red, White, And Blue Cheesecake Bars

You can prepare these red, white, and blue swirled cheesecake bars up to two days in advance. Give them at least four hours to chill so the blueberry and raspberry swirls have time to set.

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14 of 50

Macaroni Pie

Mac and cheese is that much more decadent when it's in pie form. We recommend using store-bought pie crusts as a time-saver, but of course you can make your own. A trifecta of cheeses and fresh thyme are responsible for a savory depth of flavor that's begging to be sliced in the backyard.

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15 of 50

Red, White, And Blue Popsicles

Here's a patriotic treat so tasty the colorful drips are worth the risk. We recreated the nostalgic popsicle with refreshing layers of strawberry, blueberry, and vanilla yogurt. The dessert comes together faster than you'd think—each layer freezes in about 30 minutes.

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16 of 50

Instant Pot Ribs

If you have a parade to attend and can't babysit the smoker all day, these fast, fall-off-the-bone ribs may be your saving grace. After soaking up the sauce under high pressure, the ribs get finished under the broiler.

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17 of 50

Flag Cake

Salute our nation's independence in the most delicious way possible. This iconic flag sheet cake will have every guest coming back for a second slice, and it's undeniably eye-catching.

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18 of 50

Old-Fashioned Southern Chicken Salad

Southern Living Old Fashioned Chicken Salad on plates to serve with lettuce and crackers — Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Here's proof that old-school is still cool when it comes to cookouts. A favorite outdoor side of generations past, this cold salad uses chopped chicken, mayo, celery, and a splash of lemon juice.

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19 of 50

Pitcher Mojitos

Hosting a crowd all day? These big-batch mojitos are up for the challenge and easy to refill again and again. Get yourself a bag of limes and a bushel of mint and you're in business.

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20 of 50

Basic Pimiento Cheese

Whether you serve it as a dip, spread, or all by itself, this recipe belongs on every outdoor picnic table. Hand-shred the cheese on both sides of your box grater, and stir gently if you like your pimiento cheese to have lots of texture.

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21 of 50

Peach-Bourbon Upside-Down Bundt Cake

Light up the party long before the fireworks begin with this bright and boozy Bundt. After all, summer peaches deserve celebrating too.

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22 of 50

Watermelon Margaritas

We've yet to taste a more popular cookout cocktail than this refreshingly colorful margarita. Our recipe uses both watermelon simple syrup and fresh watermelon juice to pack more of a punch. For a fun variation, buy a yellow watermelon to create a golden cocktail.

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23 of 50

Salmon Burgers With Creamy Tartar Sauce

Dress up your burger offerings with this flavorful salmon version. Dill, tarragon, and lemon zest make these the freshest patties around. The caper and tarragon tartar sauce is not to be missed.

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24 of 50

Root Beer Float Popsicles

Forget pre-made popsicles. These treats inspired by ice cream floats will be the talk of the party. Pro tip: Letting the root beer go flat before freezing achieves the perfect texture.

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25 of 50

Oven-Roasted Corn On The Cob

Too much on the grill? Put the oven to good use for your corn on the cob. With this recipe, the cobs baste in butter and herbs to absorb all that flavor before they hit your plate.

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26 of 50

Green Tomato Skillet Pie

Green tomatoes will be grandfathered into your Independence Day spread after one bite of this skillet pie. Don't think green tomatoes are dessert worthy? When baked with cinnamon and cloves, the unripe tomatoes take on fruity notes reminiscent of Granny Smith apples or rhubarb.

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27 of 50

Cherries-And-Cream Icebox Cake

When it comes to the Fourth of July, there's no such thing as too many cooled-down desserts. A springform pan is the secret to creating this stunning looking cake made of layers of graham cracker, cherry preserves, and cream cheese-whipped cream icing.

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28 of 50

Peach Fried Pies

This holiday-worthy recipe is portable and packed with colorful peaches. You can make them in advance and then dust with powdered sugar when it's time to serve.

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29 of 50

Mac And Cheese With Ham

Baked Smokin’ Macaroni and Cheese — Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Chopped, smoked ham rounds out this melt-in-your-mouth, cheesy dish that's made for outdoor dining. We've also included variations for Pepper Jack Macaroni and Cheese, Sweet Pea-and-Prosciutto Macaroni and Cheese, Pimiento Macaroni and Cheese, and Ham-and-Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese.

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30 of 50

Baked Zucchini Fries

Forget French fries. Serve these crispy zucchini sticks and put that farmers' market haul to good use. Panko breadcrumbs and a wire rack help crisp them up.

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31 of 50

Fresh Fruit Salad

With all of the rich and indulgent foods in your party lineup, a simple fruit salad can be easy to overlook but a wonderful break. This recipe is endlessly customizable and brightened with orange juice and mint.

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32 of 50

Classic Potato Salad

If Grandma never gave you her long-cherished family recipe, this one is bound to come close. Loaded with hard-boiled eggs, celery, sweet pickle relish, and just a touch of Dijon mustard, this potato salad will be a familiar reminder of picnics past.

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33 of 50

Beet Pickled Deviled Eggs

We're pulling out all the stops with these gorgeous, pink-tinged eggs for the Fourth. Dye the eggs for just 12 to 24 hours so they absorb the color without a dramatic change in flavor. A tablespoon of horseradish in the filling adds spice.

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34 of 50

Southern-Style Potato Salad

It's an unspoken rule to serve potato salad on the 4th of July, and this recipe tops our list on best way to serve it.

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35 of 50

Grilled Chicken Legs

It's best not to overcomplicate the cooking when you're expecting a crowd. For this recipe, you'll marinate the chicken in advance and then throw it on the grill at the appropriate time. Provide a bowl of tangy white barbecue sauce for drizzling over the chicken.

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36 of 50

Grilled Watermelon

We promise this isn't just some crazy science experiment. Grilling watermelon softens the texture and brings out a sweet smokiness. Each side gets sprinkled with salt and sugar to enhance the flavor.

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37 of 50

Charred-Vegetable Guacamole

Grilling the corn, onions, and jalapeños makes this special-occasion dip slightly sweet and smoky. Cilantro and queso fresco add additional texture and flavor to be scooped up in every bite.

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38 of 50

Split-Top Mini Barbecue Sandwiches

Pick up a couple of pounds of pulled pork and a package of Hawaiian rolls, and you've got all you need to feed a crowd. But these become more than basic barbecue sandwiches with the addition of unique touches like homemade adobo-flavored sauce and sweet pickle relish.

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39 of 50

Blueberry Pie

This classic pie is as all-American as it gets. Fresh sage and lime zest add an unexpected touch that complements the sugary sweetness of the berries. Allow the pie to cool completely so it will hold its shape when cutting.

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40 of 50

Berry Tiramisu

This summery twist on the decadent Italian dessert swaps out espresso and marsala for homemade berry syrup and fruit liqueur. It gets a double dose of berries from those buried underneath the mascarpone cream and more sprinkled on top. Chill for at least eight hours.

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41 of 50

Pork Chops With Carolina Barbecue Sauce, Smoked Butter, And Braised Onions

Forgo the ribs for a different kind of pork this year. Marinated in a mixture of sorghum syrup, apple cider vinegar, and toasted peppercorns, the tangy Carolina barbecue sauce in this recipe fully penetrates juicy bone-in pork chops. Even the butter in this recipe gets special treatment, as it absorbs the perfume of smoking hickory chips on the grill.

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42 of 50

South Carolina Slaw

This sweet and tangy slaw is tasty on top of pulled pork, alongside smoked brisket, or even on tacos. There's no mayo in the recipe, but you will find apple cider vinegar, mustard, celery seed, and just the right amount of sugar to balance it out.

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43 of 50

Spiked Arnold Palmer

Put out a pitcher of this crowd-pleasing cocktail alongside the sweet tea. There's nothing fancy here: just refreshing lemon slices, a classic Arnold Palmer mixture, and the best bourbon you've got in the house.

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44 of 50

Grilled Corn Salad

Corn on the cob is always welcome at picnics and potlucks but don't overlook the sweet juicy gems for giving salads a fresh and flavrorful punch.

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45 of 50

7-Layer Salad

Surprise family with this layered salad at this summer's celebration. Bacon, lettuce, eggs, tomatoes, onions, and more make this dish impossible to resist.

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46 of 50

Barbecue Pork Pizza

Move over burgers and dogs, there's pizza on our 4th of July menu. Pulled pork is the can't-be-beat topper for this summer's celebration.

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47 of 50

Zucchini Casserole

Squash casserole? Check. Now make room on the spread for two: this creamy, extra cheesy casserole stars zucchini. Perfectly paired with burgers, chicken, and hot dogs.

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48 of 50

Watermelon Gazpacho

Watermelon stars in this chilled summertime recipe. With just six ingredients and 15 minutes of hands-on time, you'll want to make plenty for the party and day after.

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49 of 50

Summer Vegetable Tart

Of course we love quiches and tomato pie, but this year we're bringing a new tart to the table. This tasty recipe This easy recipe lets the bounty of summer vegetables shine–zucchini, yellow crookneck squash, corn, onions – and then pairs with pimiento cheese and a store-bought crust,

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50 of 50

Cheese Slaw

A recipe with deep Appalachian roots, this slaw is a distant cousin to pimiento cheese and does not include any cabbage at all. The main ingredients are shredded cheese, mayo, and banana peppers to pull together this simple and crunchy salad.

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50 Extra Festive Recipes For Your Fourth Of July Cookout

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