Happy Fourth of July! This year, enjoy all the best summer has to offer, with an all-American twist. This roundup features cookout sides, grilled favorites, patriotic desserts, and everything in between.
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Burgers? Check. Hot dogs? Check. Those are a given for any 4th of July cookout, big or small. But for this year’s big Independence Day celebration, you’ll need all the best sides, appetizers, and extra-special grilling inspiration as well. From a beautiful tray of fresh seasonal fruit to the best side salads ever, everything this time of year just seems to taste better. Especially when served outside with a side of sparklers at sunset. Here’s the Unpeeled roundup of Best 4th of July recipes.
And don’t miss: 10 Patriotic 4th of July Desserts
4th of July Recipes: Salads and Sides
Burgers and hot dogs are great, but the sides are the best part. Here are all the best dishes to round out your backyard barbecue.
1. Baby Kale Salad With Buttermilk Herb Dressing
This may be the best salad you’ll make all year. Baby kale is more tender than it’s grown-up version, but is still substantial enough to not wilt when dressed. Combined with toasted corn, cornbread croutons, fresh tomatoes, and other goodness, this makes a centerpiece salad fit for all occasions.
2. Green Chile Cornbread
A deliciously moist, buttery, all-American skillet cornbread, loaded with cheddar, green chiles, buttermilk, and sweet corn. Adapted from Toni Tipton-Martin’s award-winning cookbook Jubilee‘s recipe for Spanish Cornbread.
3. Mexican Street Corn Salad
Cheesy, salty, spicy, fresh, and wholly satisfying. Mexican street corn, or elote, makes an amazing summer side. This salad recipe riffs on the same great combination of corn, cotija, chile, and fresh lime for an easy crowd pleaser.
4. Greek-Style Pasta Salad
Loaded with plenty of Greek feta, olives, lemon, herbs, and tomato, this leans heavy on the “salad” for a fresher, brighter, better version of traditional pasta salad.
5. Homemade Fresh Salsa
Salsa fresca takes about five minutes to make, and involves zero cooking. This recipe hews classic: tomatoes, white onion, jalapeño, cilantro, salt, and a spritz of fresh lime. With diced avocado for a bit of extra bulk and richness.
6. Melissa Clark’s “Greek Goddess” Feta Dip
Green goddess dressing is a creamy salad dressing made with watercress, mayonnaise, chives, garlic, tarragon, parsley, and vinegar. This Greek goddess dip is a spin on green goddess, subbing yogurt for mayo, dill for the watercress, and adding tangy, briny feta. The entire dip only takes five to 10 minutes to make. Just combine it all in a food processor until smooth, and serve chilled with assorted crudité or pita wedges or slices.
7. Classic Deviled Eggs With Fresh Herbs
This recipe for classic deviled eggs with fresh herbs is all dressed up in a fresh way. The extra color and unfussy look of these deviled eggs make a classic hors d’oeuvre into a modern hit, while still tasting just like the real deal.
8. No-Mayo Potato Salad
This potato salad recipe doesn’t need mayo. Instead, a fresh vinaigrette gets tossed with warm potatoes and tons of fresh herbs for a true standout side dish inspired by an Ina Garten classic.
9. The Best-Looking Vegetable Platter Ever
Fourth of July Main Dishes
For all of you looking for something beyond the burgers and ‘dogs, these recipes feed a crowd and are guaranteed wins.
10. Marinated Chicken Kabobs
Who doesn’t love something on a skewer? This recipe for easy, herby kabobs will make you a dinner or cookout hero. No grill? You can also cook this right under your broiler.
11. Stuffed Blue Cheese Burgers
Why only put cheese on top when you can put it inside the burger so it oozes out, too? Blue cheese adds just the right salty tang to ground beef, and these are restaurant-level good.
12. New England Crab Rolls
This authentic New England crab roll recipe keeps things simple and perfect, with sweet lump crabmeat and grilled buttered rolls.
