50+ Fourth of July Food Ideas

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

Get your all-American 4th of July recipes so that you are ready for all of those summer parties and barbecues. From grilling to salads and sides to red, white, and blue treats, you’ll be enjoying these patriotic food ideas from Memorial Day through Labor Day, including the fabulous Fourth!

collage of fruit salad, grilled steak, hamburger, deviled eggs, broccoli salad, and strawberry shortcake

Fourth of July Food Ideas (for Memorial Day and Labor Day too!)

When you are planning your menus for Memorial Day, Fourth of July, or Labor Day, what are you thinking? Cool sandwiches and salads for a picnic? Snacks and treats for the beach? Burgers and hot dogs for a barbecue? Or popsicles and red white and blue sweets for dessert? Well, I think I can help you out there are 4th of July food ideas and recipes galore from Cupcakes & Kale Chips and more of your favorite food blogs.

4th of July Recipes

CLICK ON THE TITLES TO GET THE RECIPES

Key to finding gluten free recipes:

GF – gluten free recipe
GFO – recipe with gluten free option

Appetizers and Snacks

Let’s get the party started. And the best way to fo that is with some finger foods everyone can grab and munch on while they say hello to friends and family.

Healthy Deviled Eggs GF

This picnic classic is made without mayo, using Greek yogurt instead. But they are still nice and creamy with the zippy flavor everyone loves.

A row of Greek Yogurt Deviled Eggs without Mayo on a slate serving platter

Chef Salad on a Stick GF

Turn the classic salad into a cool and easy finger food perfect for dunking in your favorite dressing or dip. Just roll up deli meats and cheese and thread them on a toothpick with lettuce tomatoes, and cucumbers.

Chef Salad on a Stick - gluten free appetizers

Mediterranean Chicken Pinwheels GFO with gluten free flatbreads

All you need are a few ingredients and leftover rotisserie chicken to make this easy appetizer with delicious Greek-inspired flavors.

Cheesy Mexican Dip GF

Just layer 4 ingredients and bake until hot and melty. Then rip open that bag of tortilla chips and get ready to scoop up ooey gooey layers of cheese and salsa.

Dipping a tortilla chip into layered Mexican dip

Ants on a Log Kids Snack Platter GF

One of the all-time favorite kids snacks is super super fun when you turn it into a kid-friendly version of a charcuterie board. They can DIY their favorite combos.

Wooden cutting board with celery, nut butters, dried fruit, celery, carrots, apples, and toppings

And don’t forget the veggie platter and chips with these favorite dips:

Grilled Main Dishes

No collection of 4th of July recipes would be complete without something to toss on the grill. You can go with basic burgers and hotdogs, but maybe you want to level up your barbecue.

Honey Balsamic Grilled Flat Iron Steak GF

The flavor-packed five-ingredient balsamic vinegar marinade gives this grilled flat iron steak a sweet and smoky crust and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

sliced grilled flat iron steak on a white serving plate with bowls of side dishes behind it

French Onion Stuffed Burgers GFO with gluten free bun

Turn your basic grilled cheeseburger into something totally epic. Inspired by the classic French Onion Soup au Gratin, stuff those caramelized onions inside a juicy beef hamburger and pile all the gooey cheese on top.

Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Breasts GF

Grilled chicken dinner on a plate with cooked potato slices

Buffalo, Bacon and Blue Cheese Hot Dogs GFO with gluten free bun

You’ll be Top Dog when you load those franks with homemade spicy buffalo ketchup and plenty of smoky bacon and crumbled blue cheese.

Closeup of Buffalo, Bacon, and Blue Cheese Hot Dogs in a bun on a red and white striped plate

Caprese Filet Mignon GF

A simple and creative way to dress up some amazing grilled steaks. After cooking your steak on the grill, top it with juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and balsamic for a summery flavor treat.

several caprese filet mignon on a cutting board

Greek Beef Kabobs GF

Take a trip to Greece without going any further than your own backyard! Just thread steak and vegetables on skewers and let them soak in an easy marinade for a burst of fresh Mediterranean flavors.

Beef Kabobs on the grill make a great Mediterranean dinner with rice and pita

Bourbon BBQ Sauce GF

Whatever you are grilling, be sure to slather on this tangy sauce. Smoky and sweet, this rich and thick sauce is so easy to make but next-level deliciousness.

bourbon bbq sauce dripping off of a spoon into a glass jar

More grilling recipes:

Jalapeno Bacon Burger from Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts | GFO with gluten free bun
Sweet Maple Barbecue Chicken Kebobs from A Dash of Sanity | GF
Spicy Southwestern Turkey Burgers from Self Proclaimed Foodie
Spicy Grilled Chicken Drumsticks from Lemons for Lulu | GF
Grilled Sausage with Peppers and Onions from Cravings of a Lunatic | GFO with gluten free bun
Grilled Shrimp and Scallop Kabobs from Culinary Ginger | GF

Summer Salads and Sides for Parties

The Fourth of July menu isn’t complete without side dishes. From cool salads to hearty beans and potatoes, there is something for everyone.

Healthy Broccoli Salad with Apples GF

A no-mayo vegetarian version of the classic picnic side dish. Made with Greek yogurt plus walnuts and cheddar cheese, you get an extra burst of flavors, protein, and crunch.

Closeup of Healthy Apple Broccoli Salad overflowing from a red bowl

Maple Dijon Coleslaw GF

Crisp and creamy with juicy apples, dried cranberries, and a maple Dijon dressing made with Greek yogurt give it a delicious sweet and savory flavor we can all love.

apple coleslaw in a white serving bowl with a blue decorative edge

Cheddar Bacon Ranch Potato Salad GF

Made with Greek yogurt instead of mayo, and it packs in all of your favorite flavors. You don’t even need a Ranch dressing seasoning packet – just simple ingredients from your pantry.

Easy Baked Beans GF

These will have family and friends begging for the recipe. All of the flavors of slow-cooked beans, but none of the effort in a semi-homemade version of the classic barbecue side dish

A spoonful of semi homemade baked beans scooped out of a white corningware dish

Foil Pack Potatoes GF

Simple and buttery, this is a side dish recipe you can enjoy any time, anywhere. That’s because you can toss those potato foil packs over the fire, but also in the oven or on the grill.

Red, White, and Blue Berry Fruit Salad GF

Fresh berries and watermelon stars is perfectly patriotic for the 4th of July and all of the summer holidays. Tossed in a light honey lime dressing, it’s sweet, healthy, and delicious

small bowl of fruit salad with chopped strawberries, blueberries, and watermelon stars surrounded by red ad white star napkins and a blue stripe cloth napkin

Tomato Cucumber Salad with Feta GF

It is light, fresh, and made with just a few basic ingredients that give it a burst of bright Mediterranean flavors. Tomatoes and cucumbers are tossed in a simple dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, and oregano.

More salads and side dishes:

Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad with Artichokes, Tomatoes, and Peas from Domestic Superhero
Blackened Chicken & Quinoa Salad from Fake Ginger
Creamy Pea Salad from Love Bakes Good Cakes
Ranch BLT Pasta Salad from Let’s Dish
Broccoli Bacon Pasta Salad from Mandy’s Recipe Box
Classic Italian Pasta Salad from Wishes and Dishes
Potato Salad with Soft-Boiled Eggs and Maple Mustard Dressing from Cooking and Beer
Basic Macaroni Salad from 365 Days of Baking and More
Spinach, Pine Nut & Parmesan Pasta Salad from Lemon Tree Dwelling
No Mayo Roasted Potato Salad from The Love Nerds

Patriotic Desserts

Don’t let the celebration end without 4th of July recipes for dessert, especially ones in the colors of red, white, and blue. If you don’t see something you like here, check out even more 4th of July desserts.

Watermelon Fruit Pizza GF

A fun and healthy no-bake dessert for the summer that the kids will love to make and eat. When you use your favorite berries and some festive sprinkles you have an easy red, white, and blue sweet treat for a hot day.

Red, White, and Blue Berry Watermelon Pizza from above

S’Mores Chocolate Pudding Pie GFO for crust is included in the recipe

Combine the classic campfire treat with a chocolate cream pie for one amazing dessert recipe. Fill your crust with creamy and rich Hershey’s milk chocolate pudding and top it with fluffy toasted marshmallow meringue.

4th of July Cupcakes GFO is Gluten Free 4th of July Cupcakes

These patriotic treats are made with all the flavors of the classic rocket pop popsicle. With blue raspberry, lemon, and cherry frosting, this red, white, and blue dessert is fun to bring to your summer parties and barbecues.

4th of July cupcake with red, white, and blue frosting

Strawberries and Cream Cake GFO is Gluten Free Strawberries and Cream Cake)

Layers of white cake with fresh strawberry filling and whipped cream come together for a totally heavenly dessert recipe. It doesn’t get any more simple and perfect than this classic combination.

Strawberry Shortcakes GF

Celebrate summer in style with a classic dessert recipe that combines soft buttermilk sweet biscuits, juicy strawberries, and homemade whipped cream into one ultra-satisfying treat.

Berry Pound Cake Bites GFO with gluten free cake

A simple summer dessert recipe that you can make with your favorite store bought or homemade poundcake, even gluten free or low carb. Dunk them in fresh whipped cream, or whipped coconut cream for a vegan option.

More All-American Desserts:

Berry Swirl Cheesecake from Simple Joy
USA Flag Eclair Cake from Big Bears Wife
Patriotic Monster Cookies from That Skinny Chick Can Bake | GFO use certified gluten free oats
Lemon Cheesecake Trifles from The Recipe Rebel | GFO use a gluten free cake mix or gluten free pound cake
Red, White, and Blueberry Cheesecake from My Suburban Kitchen
Blueberry Fluff from Bread, Booze, Bacon | GF
Double Berry Cheesecake Frozen Yogurt from Kleinworth & Co. | GFO omit graham crackers on top or use gluten free graham crackers

Then don’t forget some Skinny Grapefruit Margaritas or Pina Colada Mules!

50+ Fourth of July Food Ideas

Fourth of July Food Ideas (for Memorial Day and Labor Day too!)