If you’re hosting or attending a 4th of July cookout, we’ve gathered some easy recipes and inspiring ideas you’ll want to see!
4th of July Cookout Inspirations
See our 4th of July Summer Patriotic Porch ideas for more porch inspirations.
Inspiring Venues
4th of July Cookout Serving Ideas
It doesn’t get much more simple than this serving of easy to prepare fruit from BHG.
Decorative Utensil Jars
“Don’t bother setting silverware—guests can grab what they need from these adorable, no-fuss serving buckets. Simply decorate containers, like empty oatmeal canisters, by wrapping them with festive paper and securing with tape. Add an adhesive chalkboard label to send a fun message.”
Celebrate with Snacks
Wrap craft paper around tin cans for a fun way to serve snacks. Speaking of snacks, amp up your standard onion dip with creamy ricotta, as seen in the bowl on the left.
Get the Creamy Ricotta recipe >
4th of July Cookout Recipes
Grilled Chicken with Quick Barbecue Sauce
“Commercial barbecue sauce often contains gluten. This sweet-spicy version, however, is a delicious alternative that will inspire friends to come back for more.”
Get the Grilled Chicken with Quick Barbecue Sauce recipe >
Bobby Flay’s Perfect Burger
“This is Bobby’s standard, go-to burger how-to. Perfectly melted cheese and toasted burger buns are of the utmost importance.”
Get the Perfect Burger recipe >
Grilled Hotdogs with Fixin’s
“Take your cookout to the next level by topping the summer staple with one of these unexpected ideas.”
Grilled Hotdogs with Fixin’s recipes >
Instant Pot Ribs
“This fall-off-the-bone Instant Pot Ribs recipe is incredibly finger-licking delicious. It’s also super quick and easy. In under 30 minutes, you’ll have tender, juicy, and delicious ribs everyone in your party will love.”
Get the recipe >
Best Grilled Burgers
Like Steakhouse Burgers, these easy and simple burgers are juicy and mouthwateringly delicious. Perfect for a 4th of July cookout!
Get the recipe >
BBQ Brisket Sandwiches with Quick Slaw
“Traditional Southern fare doesn’t get any more delicious than hearty barbecue brisket on a bun, topped with a tangy cabbage slaw.”
Get the BBQ Brisket Sandwiches with Quick Slaw recipe >
Cobb Style Hot Dog
“Our favorite salad fixings paired with a 4th of July favorite? Yes, please! These Cobb-style hot dogs are grilled to perfection, then loaded with avocado, tomatoes, lettuce, bacon, and creamy buttermilk dressing.”
Get the Cobb Style Hot Dog recipe >
Old Bay Shrimp
“Those 18 herbs and spices in Old Bay make this five-minute dish taste ah-mazing.”
Get the Old Bay Shrimp recipe >
Green Bean Salad
This colorful salad will brighten up any 4th of July table!
Get the Green Bean Salad recipe >
Easy Corn Salad
A quick and easy Mexican Corn Salad will be a favorite side all summer long. It’s healthy, a simplified version of elotes, robust with the warm and spicy flavors of cumin and red pepper. Serve warm or cold, it’s simply delicious.
Get the Corn Salad recipe here >
Summer Easy Pasta Salad with Shredded Carrots
I can’t remember when we’ve had a 4th of July cookout without this favorite, super easy pasta salad!
Get the Summer Easy Pasta Salad with Shredded Carrots recipe >
Parmesan Garlic Grilled Corn
“An outdoor summer feast is never complete without corn. This year, switch up your standard seasoning to one everybody will ask about.”
Get the Parmesan Garlic Grilled Corn recipe >
Classic Potato Salad
This is the potato salad of your childhood. Just like grandma used to make. It isn’t summer without making this recipe at least once!
Get the recipe >>
Color Packed Potato Salad
“Gorgeous, tangy, delicious and healthy, this salad brings everything you love to the table.”
Color Packed Potato Salad recipe >
Cayenne Grilled Eggplant with Fresh Tomato Salad
Brighten up the cookout with these colorful grilled veggies!
Get the Cayenne Grilled Eggplant with Fresh Tomato Salad recipe >
Charred Corn Salad
“A sprinkling of red onion and a red chili give this smoky corn side some serious bite.”
Get the Charred Corn Salad recipe >
Instant Pot Baked Beans
It isn’t the 4th of July without baked beans. These Instant Pot baked beans are so yummy, packed with the smoky flavor we love. If you don’ have an Instant Pot, see our Slow Cooker Boston Baked Beans recipe or a Quick and Easy Skillet Baked Beans.
Get the Instant Pot Baked Beans recipe >
Strawberry Galette
This Strawberry Galette is deceptively simple and incredibly delicious. A perfect 4th of July dessert!
Strawberry Galette recipe >
Easy S’mores Bars
“These s’mores bars are the easiest, most quintessentially summer desserts you can make. Without a campfire, and a mere 6 minutes in the oven.”
Get the Easy S’mores Bars recipe >
Rustic Strawberry Scones
“Rustic, fresh Strawberry Scones are a rite of summer passage. Easy to make, dotted with strawberries that bring early summer flavor. With no cutting or rolling, these are the best and easiest summer scones.”
Get the Strawberry Scones recipe >
Little Strawberry Pies
As charming as they are tasty, Little Strawberry Pies conclude the party on a sweetly spectacular note.
Get the Little Strawberry Pies recipe >
Berry Hand Pies
“These little cuties are so good and extremely simple. This is a perfect dessert to celebrate Summer and the Fourth of July.”
Get the Berry Hand Pie recipe >
Mini Stars Berry Pies
“Top these tiny desserts—filled with raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries—with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream.”
Get the Mini Stars Berry Pies recipe >
Blueberry Crostata
Do you need an easy, easy 4th of July dessert? This Summer Fresh Blueberry Crostata is one of the simplest “pies” you’ll ever make.
Blueberry Crostata recipe >
Red, White, and Blue Summer Berry Yogurt Mousse
With 3 simple ingredients… this Red, White, and Blue Summer Berry Mousse is a lighter, and even healthier option for 4th of July treats.
Get the Red, White, and Blue Summer Berry Yogurt Mousse recipe >
Berry Coconut Yogurt Popsicles
“We’re celebrating our Independence Day with this super-refreshing, creamy, and delicious Berry Coconut Yogurt Popsicles. But in light of their red, white, and blue colors, why don’t we simply call them Patriotic Fruit Popsicles to make it easy?”
Get the Berry Coconut Yogurt Popsicles recipe >
Watermelon Mint Popsicles
There’s nothing quite like Watermelon Mint Popsicles on a hot, summer 4th of July day. It’s an easy, 2-3 ingredient, simple and refreshing treat.
Get the Watermelon Mint Popsicles recipe >
Red, White, and Blueberry Shortcakes
“Red White and Blueberry Shortcakes with a (slightly) healthier whipped cream are perfect little desserts to celebrate patriotic summer celebrations, from 4th of July, to Memorial Day and Labor Day!”
Get the Red, White, and Blueberry Shortcakes recipe >
Lemon Bars
“Lemon desserts are a cool, refreshing end to any summer meal—and these yummy lemon bars couldn’t be easier. The prep time is less than 30 minutes, and the yield is more than 35 bars. Add this tart treat to your rotation of 4th of July dessert recipes and win the holiday.”
Get the Lemon Bars recipe >
Old-Fashioned Lemonade
“Take a break from the July heat with a tall glass of fruit-filled lemonade.”
Get the Old-Fashioned Lemonade recipe >
Fruit Infused Water
“For an infusion of some of the season’s best indulgences, steep handfuls of sliced strawberries, cucumber, and basil in spring water for at least an hour. Serve over ice for a thirst-quencher worth sipping throughout the afternoon.”
Watermelon Berry Limeade
“We all love cooling off with a juicy slice of watermelon, so we turned this favorite summer fruit into a refreshing drink! Blend in strawberries and coconut water to really make this summer drink sparkle.”
Get the Watermelon Berry Limeade recipe >
