100+ ULTIMATE July 4th Party Recipes!

Last Updated August 26th, 2020 at 12:47 pm by Lisa

100+ American July 4th recipes for your Independence Day BBQ party, cookout, or picnic. Red, white, and blue easy patriotic ideas for grilling, sides, drinks, desserts and more! Make your summer party or picnic spectacular with patriotic July 4th recipes!

When it comes to July 4th, Americans definitely have 4th of July Food Traditions.

How they started is not exactly known, but there are some great items that most people love to have on our national holiday.

Some of these classic “must-haves” on the 4th of July are more than tradition, they are what makes our celebrations so special with friends and family…this is one of mine, yup I grill my pies outdoors!!

A blueberry pie with an American Flag decoration on top, baked on the grill for 4th of July Dessert. — Grill Baked Blueberry Pie ~ Delicious Table

What to serve at a July 4th Party or Summer Cookout?

Traditional All-American July 4th Recipes:

BBQ Ribs
Grilled Hot Dogs & Hamburgers
Beer and Soda
Corn on the Cob
S’mores
Lemonade
Strawberry Shortcake
Red Solo Cups
Red, White, and Blue Drinks and Cocktails
Apple, Cherry, or Strawberry Pie
Ice Cream Sandwiches
Popsicles
Potato Salad
Macaroni Salad
Watermelon Salad
Pasta Salad
Coleslaw
Red, White, and Blue Desserts

What Happened On July 4th, 1776?

On July 4, 1776, the thirteen colonies claimed their independence from England, an event which eventually led to the formation of the United States. Each year on July 4th, also known as Independence Day, Americans celebrate this historic event.

What Is The Fourth of July?

A national holiday celebrating the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

In fact, independence was formally declared on July 2, 1776, a date that John Adams believed would be “the most memorable epocha in the history of America.” On July 4, 1776, Congress approved the final text of the Declaration. It wasn’t signed until August 2, 1776.

Is It July 4th, Fourth of July, or Independence Day?

Independence Day, also referred to as the Fourth of July or July Fourth, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as a new nation, the United States of America, and were no longer part of the British Empire. The Congress actually voted to declare independence two days earlier, on July 2.

Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the National Day of the United States. (source: Wikipedia)

Party Drinks & Appetizers

2 frosty glasses with red blue and white layers of slushy cocktail ingredients. — Red, White, and Blue Rum Slush

A white rectangle plate with crostini appetizer topped with strawberries and drizzled in balsamic vinegar and garnished with strawberries. — Balsamic Strawberry Toasted Crostini

Large glass vintage drink dispenser with fruit infused water with watermelon shaped like stars and blueberries inside the cooler. — Star Spangled Fruit Infused Water

4 tall glasses with red white and blue patriotic punch drinks in them, and colorful straws on a picnic table at a party. — Frosty Patriotic Punch

Summer Sangria – July 4th Sparklers by Delicious Table
Red, White, and Blue Daiquiri by Kleinworth & Co
Red, White, and Blue Sangria Sparklers by A Fork’s Tale
Frozen Bomb Pop Cooler by Bitz & Giggles
Easy Homemade Sweet Peach Tea by A Farmgirl’s Kitchen
Red, White, and Blue Sangria by Cooking with Carlee
Frosty Patriotic Punch by Spend with Pennies
Star Spangled Fruit Infused Water by The View from Great Island
Red, White, and Blue Rum Slush for Two by Zona Cooks
Blueberry Oatmeal Smoothie by Veggie Inspired
CoronaRita Frozen Margarita Beer Cocktail by Delicious Table
Raspberry Mint Vodka Spritzer by A Communal Table
Hibiscus Cocktails by Delicious Table
Real Cuban Mint Mojitos by Delicious Table
Hibiscus Margarita by A Communal Table
Roasted Hatch Chile Spicy Bloody Mary Mix by Delicious Table
Spicy Mexican Beer Micheladas by Delicious Table
Red, White, and Blue Sangria by Certified Pastry Aficionado
Easy Guacamole by Delicious Table
Firecracker Shrimp “Un-Fried” by Delicious Table
Watermelon Skewers by Debra Klein
Almond Berry Fruit Dip by Dip Recipe Creations
Party Classic French Onion Dip by Delicious Table
Red White and Blue Golden Oreo Cheeseball by Dip Recipe Creations
Balsamic Strawberry Toasted Crostini with Ricotta & Fresh Basil by Home & Plate
Ice Cold Sweet Summertime Blueberry Lemonade by Delicious Table

A tall glass on a table with a red white and blue cocktail and a frozen Bomb Popsicle pushed down into the cocktail for a patriotic holiday party. — Frozen Bomb Pop Cooler ~ Biz and Giggles

Side Dishes & Salads

Serving lots of sides and salads makes your celebration a feast. Some are light and some are traditional, try a variety so everyone is happy!

A white bowl on a table with a beautiful summer salad garnished with strawberries, blueberries, and Caprese with tiny white flower garnish. — Strawberry and Blueberry Caprese Farro Salad ~ The Forked Spoon

A white bowl with yummy country style baked beans and a vintage bean pot crock in the background. — Country Style Baked Beans

A white plate with macaroni pasta salad with eggs and pickles as the main ingredients and a fork on the side of the plate. — Macaroni Pasta Salad

Red strawberries and blueberries chopped fruit in a white bowl served with sweet pastry stars as an appetizer. — Summer Fruit Salsa

Easy Picnic Pasta Salad by Delicious Table
Fire Grilled Hatch Chile Tomatillo Salsa by Delicious Table
Country Style Baked Beans by A Farmgirl’s Kitchen
Grilled Corn – Mexican Chile Lime Elotes by Delicious Table
Macaroni Pasta Salad – Dot’s Original Family Recipe by Delicious Table
Homemade Vinegar Coleslaw by Delicious Table
Red, White, and Bleu Potato Salad by Healthy Seasonal Recipes
Summer Fruit Salsa by Home. Made. Interest.
Red, White, and Blue American Potato Salad by Delicious Table
Garlic Dill Potato Salad by Loaves and Dishes
Patriotic Composed Vegetable Salad by Mother Would Know
Fruity Quinoa Salad by Nutrition to Fit
Watermelon-Blueberry Salad by Savoring Today
Strawberry and Blueberry Caprese Farro Salad by The Forked Spoon
The Summer Berry Salad by The Organic Kitchen
Watermelon Feta Salad with Blueberries by The Spicy Apron
Strawberry, Blueberry, and Jicama Salad by The Whole Serving
Beet and Blueberry Salad by Upstate Ramblings

Strawberry, Blueberry, Jicama Salad - The Whole Serving — Strawberry, Blueberry, Jicama Salad – The Whole Serving

Cookout BBQ/Grill & Main Dishes

Okay, what else is more All-American than BBQ or Grilled anything? Ribs, bbq sauce, grilled chicken, or kabobs these recipes will make your party legendary.

A grilled chicken sandwich on a large bun on a plate with lettuce and tomato, and a knife nearby. — Blood Orange and Brown Sugar Grilled Chicken

Beautiful sausage shish kabobs with bright colored vegetables on a cutting board with patriotic July 4th decorations on the table. — Firecracker Sausage Kebabs

A silver BBQ sauce pot and brush dripping with homemade BBQ sauce and ribs off in the background. — Maple Peach BBQ Sauce

A pulled chicken slider on a bun topped with coleslaw on a white plate. — Sweet and Spicy BBQ Chicken Sliders

Mouth watering ribs with a BBQ sauce brushed on them grilled and ready to take a bite with a bowl of BBQ sauce, Yum! — Fall Off The Bone BBQ Ribs

Fall Off The Bone BBQ Ribs Recipe by West Via Midwest
Honey Balsamic Chipotle Ribs by A Farmgirl’s Kitchen
Chicken Green Chile Sliders by A Communal Table
Sweet and Spicy Barbecue Chicken Sliders by From A Chef’s Kitchen
Grilled Lamb Chops, Peaches, and Parmesan Mint Pesto by Delicious Table
Homemade Grill and BBQ Rub by Delicious Table
Blueberry Barbecue Sauce by Caroline’s Cooking
Balsamic Grilled Caprese Chicken by Home & Plate
Cuban Pulled Pork Sliders by Delicious Table
Maple Peach BBQ Sauce by A Farmgirl’s Kitchen
Sheet Pan Baked American Cheeseburger Sliders by Delicious Table
Quick and Flavorful Firecracker Sausage Kebabs by Easy Cooking with Melanie
Firework Hot Dogs by Hustle. Mom. Repeat.
Patriotic Chicken Fingers by Living Well Kitchen
Loaded Chili Dogs by Delicious Table
Picnic Basket Pressed Sandwiches by Delicious Table
Pork Loin Pulled Pork by Delicious Table

A pile of BBQ ribs and grilled corn with sweet tea ready for dinner. — Honey Balsamic Chipotle Ribs ~ A Farmgirl’s Kitchen

Fireworks Hot Dogs for the 4th of July ~ Hustle Mom Repeat

Cute Fourth of July Desserts

We have put together 100 Patriotic Fourth of July Desserts to make your July 4th celebration spectacular; pies, tarts, cookies, no-bake desserts, cakes, cupcakes, trifles, cheesecakes, ice cream sandwiches, popsicles and more!

Celebrating the Fourth of July with our national flag colors is an American tradition, and what could be better than ONE-HUNDRED red, white, and blue desserts!

They are not all listed, but these are just a few of this amazing collection of patriotic desserts. I put together this collection of 100 Patriotic July 4th Dessert Recipes from my food blogger friends to inspire you, take a peek!

American Flag Strawberry Blueberry Pie by Delicious Table
Southern Fried Apple Hand Pies by A Farmgirls Kitchen
Deconstructed Patriotic Pie by An Affair from the Heart
A Red, White, and Blue Tart by The Simple Sweet Life
Red, White, and Blue Cookie Tarts by Foodtastic Mom
Best Ever Homemade Apple Pie by A Farmgirl’s Kitchen
French Crumble Mini Apple Pies by Delicious Table
Red, White, and Blue Bites by Chic and Savvy
Homemade Cherry Pie Filling by A Farmgirls Kitchen
Red, White, and Blue Berry Fruit Tart by What a Girl Eats
Grill-Baked Blueberry Pie by Delicious Table
Star Spangled Berry Sheet Pan Pie by Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
American Flag Fruit Tart by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Star-Spangled Cookies by Sugar Spun Run
Red, White, and Blue Swirl Cookies by The Decorated Cookie
Patriotic Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie by Kleinworth & Co
Patriotic M&M Pudding Cookies by An Affair from the Heart
Patriotic Cookies – Stars n’ Stripes USA Cookies by Delicious Table
Easy Patriotic Bark by What the Fork
Patriotic White Chocolate Pretzels by Beyond the Chicken Coop
4th of July Donuts by The Simple Sweet Life
Red, White, and Blueberry Tiramisu by The Suburban Soapbox
Firecracker Cake by Love Bakes Good Cakes
Old Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake by A Farmgirl’s Kitchen
Patriotic Mini Trifles by Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
Red White and Blue Cake by Preppy Kitchen
Wave Your Flag Cheesecakes by Grumpy’s Honeybunch
Angel Cake Berry Trifle Sundae by A Farmgirl’s Kitchen
Red, White, and Blueberry Smoothie Popsicles by The Suburban Soapbox
Berrylicious Ice Pops by Joy Filled Eats
Berries and Cream Ice Cream Pie by Joy Filled Eats
Red, White, and Blue Patriotic Fruit Popsicles by Delicious Table
Firecracker Popsicles by Fried Dandelions
Berry Cheesecake Bomb Pops by Lively Table
Patriotic Ice Cream Sandwiches by Cooking on the Front Burner
Cherry Pie Ice Cream Sandwiches by Delicious Table
Patriotic Popsicles by Preppy Kitchen

Patriotic Red Velvet Cake Balls ~ Butter Your Biscuit

Red, White, and Blue Cake ~ The Preppy Kitchen

Patriotic Mini Trifles ~ Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

An All American July 4th Party Menu:

Each year, our family enjoys our traditional July 4th menu. We decorate the backyard and pool, put baby back ribs in the smoker early in the morning, rubbed with my BBQ rub.

It starts early and goes late until the last fireworks crackle. It is one of my favorite holidays, and I serve more food than people can believe, but somehow it all disappears… here is what is usually on the menu:

Baked Hamburgers with Burger Sauce

EASY Baked Hamburgers are stuffed with cheddar cheese and spread with Burger Sauce. Oven-bake these for dinner or serve to a crowd. Perfect July 4th party food for summer cookouts!

Check out this recipe

Melted cheese on small hamburgers with buns, lettuce, tomato, and special sauce ready to eat at a patriotic party.

Potato Salad Recipe

Serve up the VERY BEST Potato Salad with Red (crispy bacon), White (potato), & Blue (cheese) with crisp celery and green onions. And, this potato salad is perfect for patriotic holidays like Memorial Day, Fourth of July, or Labor Day!

Check out this recipe

Two bowls of Loaded Potato Salad in white bowls with forks ready to eat.

American Flag Blueberry-Strawberry Pie

Bake a large American Flag Blueberry-Strawberry Pie (aka sheet pan or slab pie) this patriotic dessert serves 20 people on July 4th or patriotic holidays!

Check out this recipe

A large sheet pan baked American Flag Strawberry Pie on a blue and white a table.

White Sangria Recipe

Serve this light and refreshing White Sangria recipe at your summer party, BBQ, or 4th Independence Day celebration. Made with sweet fruit and white wine, serve it all summer!

Check out this recipe

Two glasses of white wine sangria loaded with sliced strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries with patriotic straws and flag pic decorations.

Blueberry-Lemonade

Ice cold Blueberry Lemonade captures Summer in every sip. This tasty lemonade can be made in minutes with homemade blueberry syrup, fresh lemon juice, and sweet honey.

Check out this recipe

4 glass mugs of ice cold blueberry lemonade on a blue tray.

Ice Cream Cake

Serve an Ice Cream Cake frozen dessert this summer or for July 4th. This Oreo ice cream cake has an incredible red velvet cookie crust, layers of ice cream, pound cake, caramel, chocolate sauce, whip cream, and fun sprinkles!

Check out this recipe

A slice of ice cream cake removed from a round layered whip cream frosting ice cream cake with patriotic red white and blue sprinkles and decorations.

Summer Fruit Popsicles (low sugar_

Healthy refreshing fruit popsicles made with coconut water (low sugar) hit the spot on a hot summer day. Try them sliced strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. This is a sugar-free recipe and gluten-free recipe!

Check out this recipe