I love cooking out with family and close friends, and, of course, I love steak. Cookouts are a time to bust out ALL the soul food with loved ones, right?! However, a good selection of beef and chicken will make everyone on the guest list happy. While kids guzzle the lemonade, adults can enjoy refreshing summer cocktails, like my favorite tropical drink, piña colada. My collection of favorite 4th of July recipes will have you celebrating red, white, and blue without breaking a sweat. Celebrating Independence Day should be fun, not stressful.
1. Jamaican Jerk Chicken
Spicy hot grilled chicken with a tropical flair will set off flavor fireworks in your mouth. Marinate the chicken the night before with this super-easy marinade for a mouthwatering 4th of July recipe.
2. Country-Style Ribs
Slow-roasted ribs are the bomb! They’re so quick to throw together. It takes time to slow roast anything, of course, but that’s not an issue because it just about takes care of itself once it’s in the oven.
3. Smoked Hot Dogs
Take your classic cookout hot dog over the top in the smoker. Then, slather them with tangy mustard, sweet relish, ketchup, and onions. You’ll love the smoky flavor of a true classic!
4. Corn Dogs
No grill? No problem! Make happy campers with these easy, nostalgic corn dogs on a stick for a family picnic.
5. Marinated Grilled Chicken Breasts
Not everyone is a beef-lover like me. I don’t understand, but I get it. So here’s a healthy and tasty alternative grilled recipe perfect for your family BBQ.
6. Shrimp Po’Boy Sandwich
The first time I tried this incredible sandwich in New Orleans, I was hooked. Crispy shrimp stacked on a deliciously fresh French roll and smothered in a drool-worthy remoulade sauce is so easy to make yourself.
7. Baby Back Ribs
Smokey, juicy, bad to the bones baby back ribs – what’s not to love? With just 4 simple ingredients, including homemade BBQ sauce, everyone’ll be licking their fingers for these outrageously delicious ribs. That’s how good it is!
8. Bacon Burger
Juicy ground beef is deliciously seasoned, slathered with tangy BBQ sauce, and grilled to perfection. Top your burger with crispy bacon and all your favorite fixings, then pile it on a toasted bun for pure joy!
9. Tomahawk Steak
Also known as a cowboy steak, this bone-in ribeye steak is ideal for a special occasion BBQ. It’s French-trimmed for elegance, but I’m sure the cowboys who enjoyed this steak didn’t care about that.
10. Steak Kabobs
Chunks of spicy skewered beef with sweet peppers and onions on the grill are so addictive. The mouthwatering Mediterranean flavors work on any cut of meat for pure versatility.
11. Chicken Sandwich
The 4th of July isn’t just for grilling meat but also for burgers and sandwiches. And this chicken sandwich is a guaranteed hit for kids and adults. Everything in this sandwich, from a perfectly toasted bun to the tender, juicy chicken, screams good food on a sunny day. Feel free to customize the veggie fillings to suit your liking!
4th of July Sides
12. Baked Mac & Cheese
Forget that boxed stuff from the store (oops, sorry). You can’t beat fresh ingredients and real cheese. Plus, my baked version is so simple it will give you more time for what you really want: time with your family.
13. Caribbean Coleslaw
Coleslaw is a must-have at any BBQ, and even more so on the 4th of July. I love the tropical twist the mango gives in this mayo-free recipe. No wonder it’s among the top recipes on the blog during this time of the year.
14. Southern Baked Beans
No BBQ or cookout is complete without baked beans. The bacon’s smokiness and sweetness from molasses deliver the classic flavor. But don’t feel guilty if you need to use canned beans to save time.
15. Franks and Beans
Sweet and savory homemade franks and beans add a fun twist to the traditional baked bean recipe. Make all the kids (and adults, too) happy with this goodness!
16. Ranch Potato Salad
Another traditional 4th of July recipe is potato salad. The creaminess of ranch dressing, the salty smokiness of bacon, and my homemade Creole seasoning’s spiciness make it irresistible.
17. Carrot Raisin Salad
The first time I tried carrot salad, it was a novelty. The carrots’ crispness and the raisins’ sweetness turn this summer salad into a flavor party. And it’s healthy, too. Just don’t tell the kids.😉
4th of July Drinks
18. Piña Colada
Fresh pineapple, cream of coconut, and rum over ice is a refreshingly tropical summer celebration. Perfect for any cookout, special occasion, or I-just-need-something-special drink. Feel free to leave the rum out for a kid-friendly version.
19. Lemonade
This refreshing drink has to be the most popular drink for picnics and BBQs. The cool thing about this recipe is adding other fruit flavors for a refreshing strawberry, mango, or pineapple lemonade. And I have all three of them for you to choose from.
20. Southern Sweet Tea
Southerners are proud of their tea, and they should be. It’s more of an art than a science. So do yourself a favor and get good-quality tea bags. You’ll thank yourself while sipping your ice-cold sweet tea.
Perfect Cookout Desserts
21. American Flag Cake
What better dessert to celebrate the 4th of July than this stunningly beautiful patriotic dessert! Irresistibly soft and moist cake topped with creamy vanilla frosting, fresh blueberries, and strawberries. A sweet, vibrant, and refreshing treat to enjoy this festive celebration.
22. 4th of July Cupcakes
Make gorgeous and delicious memories on Independence Day with these festive cupcakes! Tender, moist cupcakes topped with cream cheese frosting in bright red, white, and blue hues deliver a decadent 4th of July snack or dessert!
23. Strawberry Pound Cake
Pound cake is versatile, making it perfect for any occasion. So add this melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness with summer strawberries for an award-winning dessert that will have your guests fighting over who gets the last piece. Add blueberries and homemade whipped cream on top for a classic 4th of July recipe.
24. Lemon Bars
The sweet and sour deliciousness of lemon in a convenient bar boasts a crumbly buttery biscuit base that balances the lemon. Don’t tell anyone, but finger foods save on plates and clean up afterward.
25. Fruit Tart
Nothing celebrates summer and liberty like a fresh fruit tart. You can choose red (strawberries or raspberries) and blue (blueberries) fruits, and then the white cream filling will give you your red, white, and blue for the perfect 4th of July recipe.
