20 Best July 4th Menu Ideas for Every Type of BBQ
From traditional summer dishes to new recipes bound to become favorites.
It’s nearly time to celebrate America’s birthday, the 4th of July! So dust off the outdoor furniture, clean the grill, and get prepping for America’s favorite barbecue and booze-fueled holiday. If you’re hosting this year’s Independence Day festivities, we’ve put together 20 of the best July 4th menu ideas for your bash — no matter the size, location, or style of your get-together.
There are several routes you can take when planning your menu for a 4th of July party. The obvious choice is traditional American fare such as hamburgers, hot dogs, and mac and cheese. But if you’re looking to mix things up this year, browse through our list of menus that cater to various party themes, dietary preferences, and types of gathering. We’ve included Fourth of July menus for everything from potlucks to picnics to fish fries.
To cater to your vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free friends, we’ve included menus with 4th of July recipes they can fully enjoy — and they don’t just consist of salad! There are recipes for portobello burgers, strawberry pizza, and pineapple and black bean fajitas, just to name a few. Hungry yet?
Browse our easy 4th of July menus and choose your favorite list of recipes for a hassle-free holiday, from the appetizers and drinks to dessert under the fireworks. Because the last thing you want to do is spend all day in the kitchen when your guests are outside lounging by the pool.
Traditional July 4th Menu
It doesn't get more classic than these popular American favorites — hot dogs, hamburgers, mac and cheese, and s'mores. There's no better way to celebrate this festive holiday than with widely beloved American staples. To get the full 4th of July experience, throw on a button-up shirt, khaki shorts, and baseball cap for an American Dad look.
Appetizer
Main Course
Classic All-American Bacon Cheeseburgers
Hot Dogs with Pickle and Parsley Relish
Sides
Corn on the Cob with Chili Salt
Dessert
Speculaas S'mores With Strawberries and White Chocolate
Drink
Easy 4th of July Menu
If it's your first time hosting a 4th of July meal or if cooking simply isn't your thing, aim for a menu that tastes great and is easy to make. That way, you'll wow your guests without spending the day stressed in the kitchen. Instead, throw it together with ease and grab a glass of sparkling thyme lemonade to celebrate.
Appetizer
Main Course
Sides
Watercress Salad with Honey-Lime Vinaigrette
Desserts
No-Churn Banana Split Ice Cream
Drink
July 4th Cookout Menu
If there was ever a holiday to break out the grill, it would be the 4th of July. There's something about the warm weather, cool drinks, and water activities, that begs to be bookended with a meal off the grill. It's the American way — we don't make the rules.
Appetizer
Main Course
Spiced Mini Burgers with Spinach and Couscous
Sides
Mustardy Potato Salad With Watercress
Dessert
Drink
Boozy 4th of July Menu
Another staple of the 4th of July is booze. It's a celebration of America's independence after all! Why not solidify booze as the star of the show by adding it to every dish? This menu is sure to entice your alcohol-loving friends to stop by…just make sure they Uber back home.
Appetizer
Cajun Sausage Puffs with Bourbon Mustard
Main Course
Bourbon, Molasses, and Spice Glazed Ham
Grilled Cheese with Bourbon Melted Onions
Side
Turkey and Green-Apple Salad With Mint Dressing
Desserts
Pretzel-Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars
Drink
Fruit-Focused July 4th Menu
Summer is the season of fruit, with watermelon, peaches, grapes, and more all reaching their peak ripeness! The sweet, refreshing taste of fruit hits the spot on a hot summer day. Center your 4th of July gathering around it for a boost of vitamin C and glee!
Appetizer
Main Course
Hawaiian Pork Pull-Apart Rolls
Sides
Desserts
Drinks
Gluten-Free July 4th Menu
Make sure your gluten-free friends and family can partake in the 4th of July fun by making an all gluten-free menu. Each dish is so tasty, your gluten tolerant friends won't even notice they've gone sans grain for the day.
Appetizers
Main Course
Side
Spring Chopped Salad With Cider Vinaigrette
Desserts
Drink
Slow Cooker 4th of July Menu
If your holiday is stacked with plans, but you still need to feed the family, slow-cook your 4th of July meal. The work is in the prep, which can be done the day before. Then, on the day of, simply let the food simmer while you enjoy your day. It will be waiting — hot and full of flavor — for when you get back.
Appetizers
Slow Cooker Balsamic-Ginger Chicken Lettuce Cups
Main Course
Slow Cooker Pulled-Pork Sandwiches
Sides
Slow Cooker Overnight Baked Beans
Desserts
Slow Cooker Coconut Rice Pudding
Slow Cooker Applesauce Spice Cake
Drink
Vintage 4th of July Menu
What better way to celebrate this centuries old holiday than with dishes from the past? You can celebrate the 4th of July the same way generations before you did — with a thick slice of apple pie and and an old-fashioned lemonade. It's a great way to honor America's history and try retro recipes that may be new to you.
Appetizer
Main Course
Sides
Desserts
Mini Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Drink
Southern 4th of July Menu
Put a southern twist on your July 4th menu this year by incorporating popular dishes and flavors such as a Po-Boy style burger, cajun seasoning, and fried chicken. It's a feast of American comfort foods on America's birthday.
Appetizer
Main Course
Southern Buttermilk Fried Chicken Recipe
Sides
Southern "Fried" Chicken Salad
Dessert
Drink
Fiesta 4th of July Menu
Outside of typical American fare, Mexican food has cemented itself as a staple in American culture and cuisine. There is little Americans love more than snacking on chips and salsa while sipping a margarita. So whether you're aiming for classic Mexican dishes, Tex-Mex, or some other variation of Mexican-style food, it's sure to be a hit this 4th of July.
Appetizers
Main Course
Sides
Slow-Cooker Smoky Black Bean Soup
Dessert
Strawberry-Horchata Shaved Ice
Drink
July 4th Picnic Menu
For a fun, summer outing, pack your 4th of July meal to-go and enjoy it as a picnic at the park or on the beach. Pre-make these delicious dishes and transport them via cooler for when you're ready to eat. This fun excursion and meal is sure to be something the kids will remember for years to come.
Appetizer
Marinated Tomato and Watermelon Wedges
Main Course
Sides
Dessert
Strawberry and Snickers Sticks
Drink
4th of July Brunch Menu
Start the 4th off right with a hearty brunch to fill your stomach before moving on to afternoon activities. There's a mix of savory and sweet options for those who can't decide. This early meal can be happily enjoyed outside under the shade of an umbrella before the scorching sun of the afternoon.
Appetizer
Quick 'n' Easy Southern Biscuits
Main Course
Morning Burritos With Salsa Verde
Sides
Dessert
Drink
Festive Fourth of July Menu
Besides a dinner prepped almost entirely on the grill, a red, white, and blue-themed menu is up there for the most patriotic dinner you can serve on Independence Day. Perhaps, choosing which cool 4th of July dessert and drink to make will be the best part of prepping this menu, but you'll be shocked at how creative you can get when it comes to apps and sides.
Appetizer
Main Course
Sides
Red, White, and Blue Potato Salad
Tomatoes with Green Goddess Dressing
Desserts
Drink
Vegetarian 4th of July Menu
Hamburgers, hot dogs, and other grilled meats, poultry, and fish may be the foods that come to mind when you imagine a July 4th menu. But there are plenty of delicious and festive veggie-focused dishes you can make instead, if you and the majority of your guests follow a vegetarian diet. All of these ideas incorporate seasonal produce and will make for a healthy summer dinner.
Appetizers
Roasted Broccoli–Artichoke Dip
Main Course
Summer Squash, Mint, and Pecorino Pasta
Sides
Dessert
Drink
July 4th BBQ Menu
If you and the family are avid grillers during the summer months, then going the traditional cookout route for your holiday bash will please everyone's taste buds. Whether you bring out your family's secret BBQ sauce or want to try a new recipe to spice things up, this menu packs summertime flavors that all ages will enjoy.
Appetizer
Main Course
Grilled Chicken with White Barbecue Sauce
Sides
Corn on the Cob with Parsley Butter
Dessert
Red-White-and-Blue Berry Pizza
Drink
Kid-Friendly Cookout Menu
If you have a lot of kids attending your July 4th party, it may be a good idea to adjust your menu so that even the pickiest eaters will find something they want to eat. And while the kids may want to spend the majority of the time splashing in the pool or playing a few rounds of cornhole, you can also get them involved in the cooking process. Trust us, once they hear that corn dogs and nachos are on the menu, they'll want to run to the kitchen ASAP to taste test.
Appetizers
Main Course
Side
Dessert
Drink
Light and Healthy July 4th Menu
Sometimes, summer weather calls for a lighter meal full of juicy fruits and veggies that are at their ripest during June, July, and August. Health-conscious guests will appreciate this menu selection, and you may be surprised how much kids will too once they see peach popsicles up for grabs. Swapping red-meat classics for poultry will also allow for a heart-healthy grilling experience.
Appetizer
Salami-Wrapped Melon with Basil
Main Course
Sides
Summer Bean, Corn, and Radish Salad
Dessert
Drink
July 4th Seafood Cookout Menu
Seafood is often at its peak during the summer, and if you have a fair amount of pescatarians attending your July 4th party, or you're just looking for some healthier recipes, designing a fish-focused menu can be both seasonal and delicious.
Appetizers
Smoked Salmon Bites
White Wine Mussels
Main Course
Crunchy Tortilla Fish Sticks with Purple Cabbage Slaw
Sides
Dessert
Drink
4th of July Potluck Menu
If you have a lot of mouths to feed on July Fourth then an easy (and collaborative) solution is to host a potluck dinner. Each guest can bring an appetizer, main course, side dish, dessert, or drink from the following list so you don't have to carry all the weight in the kitchen. Everyone can pick a dish that speaks to them, which basically guarantees your guests will love at least one item at the table. Although, we're pretty sure they'll love all of these recipes.
Appetizers
Main Course
BBQ Brisket Sandwiches with Quick Slaw
Side
Desserts
Drink
4th of July Vegan Menu
Preparing a vegan or plant-based cookout menu can be difficult, but if you think outside your typical grilling repertoire you will find that there are plenty of recipes every guest will love. For a filling menu, opt for plant-based proteins like lentils, chickpeas, and beans. There are also lots of summery bites on the lighter side for a refreshing nibble in between courses.
Appetizers
Sweet Potato Skins and Pico de Gallo
Main Course
Pineapple and Black Bean Fajitas
Quick Sautéed Beans and Tomatoes
Dessert
Drink
Kate Franke (she/her) is the editorial assistant at Woman’s Day. She loves all things lifestyle, home, and market related. Kate has a BAJMC in Magazine Media and BA in Writing from Drake University. She is a proud ASME alum whose work has appeared in Food Network Magazine, The Pioneer Woman Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Modern Farmhouse Style, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, and more. Next to writing, Kate’s two favorite things are chai lattes and pumpkin bread!
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.
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