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If you’re hosting a 4th of July BBQ, we have you covered for all the best 4th of July Recipes – main dishes, sides, desserts, and drinks!
More Collections: 4th of July Appetizers, 4th of July Desserts, 4th of July Side Dishes
We Love a cookout!
I love hosting a backyard party to celebrate America on the 4th of July, with lots of water activities to cool us down!
I prefer to provide the main dish when I host and love it when guests bring sides and desserts.
Why we love these ideas:
- We have it all. With a wide range of main dishes, side dishes, desserts, and drinks, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at the 4th of July celebration.
- Grilling tips. The post also provides valuable grilling tips for those hosting a BBQ, ensuring your main dishes are cooked to perfection!
- For hosting or attending. When I am the guest, I bring dishes that are easy to transport, serve without much fuss, and will feed 12-15 people like our Macaroni Salad or Homemade Potato Salad.
Tips for hosting a 4th of July BBQ
As always, we suggest making assignments so you don’t have to make EVERYTHING. Most are willing to help out with the food.
- Grill meats, fruits, and veggies. The char marks add a unique grilled flavor.
- Utilize the crock pot. You can still get delicious main dishes and side dishes without spending time in an oven-hot kitchen.
- Keeping food cool outside. Put the food table in the shade, don’t put everything out at once, put dishes on ice, and keep food covered.
- Take the party outside and end the night with fireworks.
Grilling tips
Whether you want to grill up a delicious piece of meat or add some extra flavor to your fruits and veggies, grilling lets you do both!
- Grill size. A larger grill allows you to adjust the temperature on different sections.
- Map it out. Create a chart that lays out what item will be grilled in what section, as well as how long each piece of meat or vegetable will need to cook. Don’t overlap the different types of food before or during grilling.
- Clean it. Clean the grates and apply a thin layer of oil to help keep food from sticking to the grill grates.
- Prepping meat. Take the meat out of the fridge 20-30 minutes before grilling.
- Flipping. Flip it once. By doing so you allow each side to heat up enough to start forming a nice caramelized crust.
- Sauce. Allow your meat to cook almost completely before coating it with the sauce.
- Let it rest. Allow meat to rest for a few minutes before cutting.
- Grilling vegetables and fruit takes a fraction of the time as the meat. Since meat needs to rest once it is done cooking, this is a perfect time to reduce the heat and grill up your veggies. Lay your vegetables across the grates so they don’t fall through, or use a Grilling Basket.
- Safety. Have a box of baking soda on hand in case of a grill fire.
Favorite 4th of July Recipes
Use any of our favorites to plan your Independence Day menu. All are crowd-pleasers that will be a hit for celebrating America’s birthday!
Pulled Pork Recipe
This deliciously easy pulled pork recipe is made in the slow cooker and takes just minutes to prep making it a go-to dinner idea!
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Huli Huli Chicken
Grilled huli huli chicken is the juiciest and most delicious Hawaiian-style chicken you'll ever try! Serve it alone or on rice or noodles!!
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Best Hamburger Recipe
This is the BEST Hamburger recipe for grilling up a juicy American classic. You'll have a perfect burger every time!
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Steak Marinade
Our all-time favorite steak marinade requires only four ingredients and makes mouth-watering steak that tastes amazing!
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How to Make Baby Back Ribs
Learn how to cook baby back ribs! Slathered in both a dry rub and sauce for a flavor explosion, they are tender and utterly delicious.
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Teriyaki Chicken Burgers Recipe
Marinated Teriyaki Chicken Burgers are quick, easy and full of sweet, tangy flavor! Grilled pineapple make these burgers perfection.
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Hot Dogs in Crock Pot
Hot dogs in crock pot are the easiest way to make hot dogs for a crowd! They're perfect for your summer potluck needs.
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Kalua Pork Recipe
This kalua pork recipe is a classic Hawaiian favorite, made easily in your slow cooker with just a few ingredients!
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Steak Kabobs
Easily grill up perfectly tender and flavorful steak kabobs packed with your favorite veggies all summer long!
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Ranch Burger Recipe
These are the BEST homemade hamburgers!! This cheesy Ranch Burger is complete with the most delicious secret sauce!
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More Fourth of July Recipes
Stick to a classic recipe like Ranch Burgers on the grill or make some finger-licking barbecue Baby Back Ribs.
Dr. Pepper Ribs Recipe
Pork ribs cooked in Dr. Pepper, grilled to perfection, and smothered in BBQ Sauce. These Dr. Pepper ribs are fall off the bone delicious!
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Hawaiian Haystacks Recipe
Totally customizable Hawaiian Haystacks are a pile of fluffy rice stacked with chicken, gravy, and all your favorite toppings!
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Carnitas Recipe
This carnitas recipe takes minutes to prep and is great in tacos, bean burritos, quesadillas, chimichangas, and more!
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Chicken Kabobs
Mouth-watering chicken kabobs are loaded with veggies for the ultimate sweet and savory grilled summer dish.
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Sloppy Joe Recipe
This sloppy joe recipe is quick and easy, perfect for feeding a crowd! You'll make these meaty sandwiches from scratch every time.
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Best Chicken Marinade
This best chicken marinade is the perfect way to flavor chicken before grilling or cooking. It makes the meat juicy, tender, and so good!
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Fajita Recipe
Make those sizzling restaurant fajitas at home! It may seem intimidating, but this fajita recipe couldn't get any easier.
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Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sandwiches Recipe
Loaded with juicy grilled pineapple, red onion and crisp lettuce, this Hawaiian BBQ Chicken sandwich is perfect for summer entertaining!
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Carne Asada Recipe
Make an authentic carne asada recipe right at home! Easily create perfect Mexican-flavored meat to add to tacos, burritos, and more.
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Cilantro Lime Chicken
Cilantro lime chicken is marinated with fresh lime and herbs, bursting with zesty flavor for an easy weeknight meal.
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Crockpot BBQ Meatballs
Our sweet & savory crockpot bbq meatballs recipe are a hit at every party and only require 5 minutes of prep.
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Crock Pot Ribs
Juicy BBQ crock pot ribs are fall off the bone delicious with minimal work. Great for a small family, big family, or cooking for a crowd!
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Sides + Salads
Be sure to include plenty of sides to pair with the star of your party. Stick to chips and dips, or try any of our scrumptious recommendations. Seasonal produce like fresh berries and Watermelon salad are always a welcome addition!
How to Boil Corn on the Cob Recipe
Boiling corn on the cob is a cinch! You will love this juicy corn on the cob to put on the side of any summer meal.
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Corn Salad
This vibrant corn salad is veggie-packed, lightly dressed for a fresh taste, and ready to brighten your plate in under 15 minutes!
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Fruit Salad Recipe
This fruit salad recipe includes an array of colorful and healthy fruits, making it a delicious side dish for any meal.
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Pasta Salad Recipe
This easy pasta salad recipe takes minutes to make. It's a classic side dish, perfect for BBQs, picnics, or any night of the week!
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Baked Beans Recipe
Easy Homemade Baked Beans is a must-have at all of our BBQ's. Everyone who tries it agrees it's the best baked beans recipe!
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Easy Coleslaw Recipe
This quick and Easy Coleslaw makes the perfect side dish for any picnic or BBQ. It takes just minutes to put this classic coleslaw recipe together, and it can easily be customized with the spices and flavors you love most.
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How to Cut a Watermelon
Is there anything better than a ripe juicy watermelon? Learn How to Cut a Watermelon into cubes, sticks, and triangles with our top tips!
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Broccoli Salad
Simple broccoli salad recipe delivers a hearty and satisfying crunch with a vibrant mix of fresh ingredients smothered in a creamy dressing.
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Jiffy Corn Pudding
Jiffy corn pudding is a creamy, buttery, and sweet side dish perfect for any dinner or holiday, and comfort food at its finest.
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Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
Greek pasta salad is packed with traditional Greek flavors and covered in a tasty dressing! It's perfectly light and refreshing.
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Snickers Salad
Our 10-minute Snickers salad is a sweet and tart dessert where bright pops of apples perfectly complement chewy chunks of Snickers.
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Fruit Kabobs
Colorful fruit kabobs are the best appetizer or side for any occasion! Load up your favorite fruits and get snacking.
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Macaroni Salad With Ham
A favorite for generations, our kid-approved macaroni salad with ham is a potluck winner made in only 20 minutes!
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Grilled Asparagus
Sprinkled with salt, pepper, and a little parmesan cheese, grilled asparagus is a simply flavorful side for any dinner recipe!
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Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Recipe
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus is a smoky and savory side dish. It is crispy, delicious, and takes about 20 minutes to prepare!
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7 Layer Salad Recipe
Deliciously customizable 7 Layer Salad is filled with just the right amount of goodness. It's perfect to make ahead!
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Pretzel Salad
Classic pretzel salad is the ultimate combination of sweet and salty – a chilled layered jello treat that's always a hit!
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Salsa Recipe
This is such an EASY salsa recipe. It tastes just like restaurant salsa and goes perfectly with tortilla chips, tacos, and more!
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Easy Tortellini Salad Recipe
Fresh and filling Tortellini Salad whips up in minutes for a delicious summer salad topped with creamy ranch dressing.
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Corn on the Cob on the Grill
Corn on the cob on the grill has become our new favorite summer side dish, and we can't get enough of that smoky char!
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Desserts + Drinks
What celebration would be complete without a few holiday desserts and refreshing drinks as the cherry on top of your festivities?
4th of July Poke Cake Recipe
Cool, light, and refreshing 4th of July Poke Cake is great for summer holidays! It's sure to be a tasty hit.
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Dirt Cake Recipe
This deliciously addicting dirt cake recipe preps in minutes for a cool, creamy, family-favorite treat perfect for Oreo lovers!
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Cream Puff Cake Recipe
Smooth + rich Cream Puff Cake is a take on the popular cream puff dessert. Drizzle it in chocolate for a perfect bite!
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Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry shortcake is one of the easiest desserts you'll ever make!! Just 4 ingredients and 20 minutes for a light summer dessert.
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Fruit Pizza
Fruit pizza is an all-time favorite that starts with a sugar cookie crust and is completely customizable with your favorite fruit.
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Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
Fresh and creamy homemade vanilla ice cream is a simple four-ingredient dessert that is incredibly delicious!
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Chocolate Lasagna
Chocolate lovers will swoon over the creamy and crunchy textures of this layered no bake chocolate lasagna.
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Oreo Ice Cream Cake Recipe
Oreo Ice Cream Cake makes for the perfect no-bake dessert during warm summer months. Best of all, it only takes 5 simple ingredients!
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Banana Pudding Cake Recipe
With only 10 minutes of prep, banana pudding cake has all the flavors of banana cream pie, just in cake form. It’s sure to be a hit!
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Triple Berry Pie
This easy-to-make fresh and fruity berry pie has a crumb topping for a delicious dessert that can be enjoyed all year round!
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Patriotic Poke Cake
Patriotic Poke Cake – perfect for the Fourth of July!! Moist and refreshing with cool whip frosting!
Red White and Blue Cake
Make a spectacular red white and blue cake that's beautifully festive, delicious, and incredibly easy to put together!
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American Flag Cake
Festive fruit-topped American Flag cake is a simple, light, and refreshing way to celebrate any patriotic holiday!
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4th of July Rice Krispies Treats
Delicious, simple and quick 4th of July Rice Krispie Treats are always a hit, and are festive for any patriotic occasion.
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4th of July Cookies
Chewy 4th of July cookies are studded with M&Ms to add a simple festive flair to your holiday celebrations!
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Dessert Parfait Recipe
A Dessert Parfait is a creamy combination of a delicious fluffy pudding and fresh fruit. They are simply heavenly!
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Dessert Kabobs Recipe
Dessert Kabobs are a simple and delicious way to serve several "mini" treats at once. They are perfect for parties, BBQs and every day!
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Lemon Lasagna Recipe
This luscious Lemon Lush consists of 4 tasty layers, including a Lemon Oreo crust, cream cheese layer, lemon pudding layer and topped with whipped cream!
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Ice Cream Sandwich Cake Recipe
Oreo studded Ice Cream Sandwich Cake is cool, creamy, and refreshingly delicious. It is perfect for hot summer days!!
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Fruit Tart Recipe
This sweet, buttery Fruit Tart is perfect for spring and summer parties, holidays, or get-togethers. It's simple, yet beautiful!
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Cherry Pie
Classic cherry pie is simple and elegant, but it tastes amazing. With fresh berries and a flaky crust, it's perfect for any occasion!
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Easy Peach Cobbler
This easy peach cobbler recipe takes 5 minutes to prep and is buttery and delicious. It is our FAVORITE peach dessert!
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No Bake Strawberry Shortcake Recipe
NO-BAKE Strawberry Shortcake has layers of cream filled cookies, vanilla pudding, and strawberries. It's the perfect cool dessert!
Peach Dump Cake Recipe
Three ingredient peach dump cake is quick, simple, and utterly tasty. It is warm, gooey, and perfectly peachy!!
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Angel Food Ice Cream Cake Recipe
Angel Food Ice Cream Cake is creamy, light, & refreshing, made from layers of angel food cake and your favorite ice cream flavor. A scrumptious treat, chilled to frozen dessert perfection!
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Lemon Bar Recipe
These classic Lemon Bars are simple, delicious, and sweet, with just the right amount of tart! Add a bit of powdered sugar, and these easy lemon bars are irresistible!
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Key Lime Pie Bars
Key lime pie bars are a favorite dessert in a bar – a buttery graham cracker crust and a tart and creamy lime filling!!
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Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes Recipe
A fun twist on the classic cake recipe, these pineapple upside down cupcakes have the perfect hint of pineapple flavor!
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Cheesecake Cupcakes
Bite-size cheesecake cupcakes are a simple 6-ingredient cheesecake treat. Top with cherry pie filling, or any other topping you like!
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Blueberry Pie Recipe
Fresh homemade blueberry pie is sweet, tart, and bursting with juicy berries. It's a favorite summer treat!
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4th of July Punch Recipe
This layered Patriotic drink is pure magic! It's not difficult to make, all it takes is Hawaiian Punch, blue Gatorade, and sprite zero.
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Ocean Water Recipe
Fizzy coconut Ocean Water is easy and refreshing! This copycat Sonic drink is perfect for parties or a hot, summer day.
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Pineapple Pink Lemonade Soda Recipe
All-time Favorite Party Drink – this Pink Drink recipe (aka Baby Shower Punch) takes a minute to make and is made with 3 ingredients including – pink lemonade dry mix, sprite, & pineapple juice!
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Watermelon Juice Recipe
Delicious and refreshing watermelon juice is a favorite drink in the summertime! It takes minutes to make and is perfect for fruit lovers.
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Sonic Cherry Limeade Recipe
Delicious recipe for Sonic’s Cherry Limeade – tastes just like it! Ingredients include 7-Up, cherries, a lime, and maraschino syrup!
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Homemade Lemonade Recipe
Refreshing homemade lemonade is made with a simple syrup for the perfect sweet-to-tart ratio. It is perfect for warm summer days, or any day!
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Shirley Temple Recipe
Our classic Shirley Temple recipe is a favorite non-alcoholic drink – sweet and vibrant red, perfect for any party and any age!
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Homemade Root Beer
This do-it-yourself homemade root beer has the perfect touch of fizz and amazing flavor. It's party perfect!
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Best Strawberry Lemonade
The BEST Strawberry Lemonade filled with chunks of your favorite fruit including strawberries, pineapple, mangos, cantaloupe and watermelon!
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A TWist on a Classic Burger
These are the BEST homemade hamburgers!! These cheesy Ranch Burgers are complete with the most delicious secret sauce!
This uncomplicated combination of cheddar cheese and ranch mix will make your burgers taste delicious!
Here is the recipe:
80+ 4th of July Recipes
If you're hosting a 4th of July BBQ, we have you covered for all the best 4th of July Recipes – main dishes, sides, desserts, and drinks!
Prevent your screen from going dark
Ingredients
For Burger Patty
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- 1 package Hidden Valley ranch mix, or 3 tablespoons
For Secret Sauce
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup relish
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Other Topping Ideas
- lettuce
- tomato
- onion slices
- pickles
- avocado
- bacon
Instructions
- To form meat into patties, mix cheese and ranch with hamburger meat, use hands to flatten and shape. Grill to your liking.
- With a whisk, combine all sauce ingredients and mix well.
- For a fantastic restaurant-style burger, top with this delicious sauce, and your favorite toppings!
Nutrition
Calories: 725kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 27g, Fat: 63g, Saturated Fat: 19g, Cholesterol: 127mg, Sodium: 922mg, Potassium: 461mg, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 415IU, Vitamin C: 1.7mg, Calcium: 237mg, Iron: 3.2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Fabulous 4TH Of July Recipes
Your holiday celebration is sure to be a booming success with so many delicious and easy 4th of July recipes to choose from! From main dishes and sides to desserts and drinks, let us know which recipes were a hit at your get-together!
More Collections: Summer Recipes, Memorial Day Recipes, Grilled Dinner Ideas
Love the patriotic poke cake. It’s chilled and perfect for a hot July day.
I personally love the kalua pork recipe in this list! We’ve been having it yearly for our 4th of July celebration. And I’m excited to try the other recipes on the list.
Great recipes for the 4th! Such a variety for the best tried and true recipes. You will enjoy them all!
I will never run out of recipes with this list! Thanks Kristyn for these 4th of July recipes, such a big help!
What a great list of recipes! Can’t wait to make some of these for my 4th of July party, thank you!!