Fourth of July means food, fun, and fireworks. While most tables have the usual stars—think burgers, corn, and potato salad—there’s always room for something unexpected.
This list has both the tried-and-true dishes everyone loves and a few new ones you’ve likely never seen.
Try something fresh this year alongside your favorites!
1. Grilled Hamburgers With All The Fixings
Juicy patties seared over flames, tucked into buns with crisp lettuce, sharp pickles, melty cheese, and tangy sauces.
That smoky char and hearty bite are hard to beat. A backyard cookout without burgers just feels incomplete.
2. Classic American Hot Dogs
Steamed or grilled franks tucked in soft buns, topped with mustard, ketchup, or relish depending on where you’re from.
They’re quick, tasty, and endlessly customizable. No Independence Day feels right without them.
3. Southern-Style Potato Salad
Tender potato chunks folded into creamy mayo with bits of celery, onion, and a whisper of mustard.
Chilled and rich, it balances all the hot, smoky flavors on the grill. A bowl is never enough.
4. BBQ Chicken Thighs
Skin-on thighs marinated, grilled, and slathered in sweet, sticky sauce until slightly charred and incredibly tender.
They’re juicy, savory, and perfect for licking fingers clean. This is comfort food with fire-kissed flair.
5. Corn on the Cob With Butter And Sea Salt
Golden ears boiled or grilled, then slathered in warm butter that melts into every nook of the kernels.
Sprinkled with flaky salt, it’s simple perfection. A summer staple that delivers every time.
6. Macaroni And Cheese
Elbow pasta coated in a molten mix of cheddar, butter, and cream baked until bubbling and browned on top.
Creamy and bold with a crisp top layer, it’s a dish loved by all generations at once.
7. Watermelon Slices
Thick wedges of ruby-red melon, chilled and served cold, offer a crisp snap and a flood of sweetness.
Hydrating and refreshing, this is the fruit of every Fourth of July memory.
8. Baked Beans With Brown Sugar And Bacon
Beans slow-cooked until tender, kissed with molasses, brown sugar, and smoky bacon for depth and sweetness.
They’re earthy, sticky, and filling. Just the right sidekick for smoky meats.
9. Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing
Al dente pasta tossed with veggies, herbs, and a tangy vinaigrette that soaks into every twist and crevice.
Cool, colorful, and bright, it holds up through the heat and pairs with everything on the table.
10. Deviled Eggs
Halved hard-boiled eggs filled with creamy yolk mix sharpened by mustard and paprika for a velvety punch.
They’re rich, smooth, and always disappear fast. Old-school charm with real bite.
11. Coleslaw
Shredded cabbage dressed in vinegar or mayo-based sauce with a snap of sweetness and crunch.
It cuts through fatty mains with a refreshing bite. Cool and crisp to the core.
12. S’mores
Toasted marshmallows sandwiched between melty chocolate and graham crackers by the firelight.
Sticky, warm, and sweetly nostalgic. A fireside ritual wrapped in gooey bliss.
13. Flag Cake With Berries And Whipped Cream
Sheet cake topped with strawberries, blueberries, and fluffy whipped cream to resemble the American flag.
It’s festive, colorful, and just the right balance of airy and rich.
14. Grilled Sausages And Peppers
Links seared until snappy and juicy, paired with charred bell peppers that bring sweetness and smoke.
Rustic and hearty, this duo brings boldness to the plate without fuss.
15. Homemade Lemonade
Fresh-squeezed lemons, sugar, and ice blended into a citrusy burst that cools like nothing else can.
Bright and bracing, it refreshes the crowd from first sip to last drop.
16. Grilled Peach And Burrata Salad
Caramelized peach halves meet creamy burrata, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic reduction on a summer-green base.
Sweet, savory, and silky all at once. This is sunshine on a plate.
17. Blue Corn Nachos With Pickled Jalapeños
Blue corn chips loaded with melted cheese, pickled heat, and creamy avocado for a visual and flavor twist.
Crisp, colorful, and boldly spiced. They’re nachos with firecracker flair.
18. Elote-Inspired Corn Ribs
Quartered corn cobs grilled until curled and smoky, then coated in cotija, mayo, lime, and chili powder.
Crunchy, creamy, and totally fun to eat. These ribs are corn gone rogue.
19. Watermelon Gazpacho
Chilled soup of pureed watermelon, tomato, cucumber, and herbs served in cups or bowls.
Savory, sweet, and icy-cool. An unexpected starter that steals the spotlight.
20. Cherry Cola Glazed Ribs
Slow-cooked ribs lacquered in a sticky glaze of cherry cola, garlic, and brown sugar until glossy and fall-apart tender.
Sticky, sweet, and smoky. This is soda pop meets pitmaster magic.