60 4th of July Appetizers to Kick Off Your Patriotic Party
Get the party started with light bites, skewers, and dips.
For some folks (Ree Drummond included!), the 4th of July is all about gathering with family, firing up the grill, and eating your way through the day—with a fireworks display thrown in for good measure. At the Drummond family's annual Pawhuska celebration, there's no shortage of burgers, hot dogs, and grilled steaks. But before the main course hits the table, it's always nice to have a few 4th of July appetizers ready to go. Whether it's a simple platter of deviled eggs or a whole lineup of small bites, skewers, and summery salads, these recipes are perfect for kicking off your 4th of July party.
Like any good host knows, you can't go wrong with party dips like guacamole, whipped feta dip, mango salsa, or taco dip. These crowd-pleasing recipes are sure to be hit at any summer get-together. Looking for finger foods to enjoy at your outdoor cookout? Here, you'll find plenty of sliders, kebabs, and grilling recipes to pair with your 4th of July menu. Try the cheeseburger bites, the Southern fried okra, or the watermelon feta orzo salad that's perfect for a red, white, and blue theme. Looking for more festive ideas? Celebrate with a round of 4th of July cocktails and that'll really get the party started.
Pickle Cheeseburger Bites
Here's a fun twist on your classic cheeseburgers! Instead of serving up the patties on buns, these skewers use two dill pickles to create the perfect bite. There's even a burger sauce for dipping.
Get Ree's Pickle Cheeseburger Bites recipe.
Caprese Salad
This classic salad is simplicity at its best. All you need are juicy summer tomato slices, mozzarella, and garden-fresh basil. Ree likes to kick things up with a homemade balsamic glaze.
Get Ree's Caprese Salad recipe.
Mango Salsa
This salsa is fruity, fresh, and so much fun. It's the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, thanks to the chunks of mango and crunchy jalapeño. Serve it up simple with chips for dipping or use it as a tasty topping for your favorite tacos.
Get the Mango Salsa recipe.
Corn Muffins
Move over, bread—these warm, homemade corn muffins are here to steal the show! They're subtly sweet and perfect for pairing with any BBQ foods.
Get the Corn Muffins recipe.
Zucchini Pizza Bites
Put your abundance of summer zucchini to good use with these fun bites that even picky eaters will love. They're saucy and cheesy (just like pizza!), and topped with mini pepperoni for extra flavor.
Get the Zucchini Pizza Bites recipe.
Pimento Cheese
According to Ree, you can never have too much pimento cheese. This version is creamy and a little bit smoky, so it's perfect for serving as a dip with veggie sticks or crackers.
Get Ree's Pimento Cheese recipe.
Pigs in a Blanket
Nothing says 4th of July quite like hot dogs—and these bite-sized versions will have everyone coming back for more! Each one is wrapped up in flaky pastry and served with three types of sauces: spicy-mayo, maple-dijon, and quick ranch.
Get the Pigs in a Blanket recipe.
Grilled Chicken Wings
These wings are smoky, juicy, and just the right amount of crisp. Toss them in your favorite sauce or serve them plain—either way, they'll go fast!
Get the Grilled Chicken Wings recipe.
Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
Hearty enough to satisfy but light enough for a hot July day, these stuffed mushrooms are packed with flavor and easy to serve straight from the grill.
Get the Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms recipe.
Lobster Rolls
These buttery rolls will make you feel like you're at the beach even if you're in the middle of Oklahoma. They're light and buttery and perfect for summer!
Get the Lobster Rolls recipe.
Grilled Tomatoes
Simple, sweet, and just a little smoky, grilled tomatoes are the underrated side you'll be glad you made. Serve them warm with fresh herbs on top!
Get the Grilled Tomatoes recipe.
Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Thingies
Ree's famous "thingies" are always a hit. They're creamy, spicy, and wrapped in bacon. (So basically, they never last more than five minutes.)
Chicken Bacon Ranch Dip
This is the kind of dip that disappears before the burgers even hit the grill. It's just the right mix of comforting and over-the-top.
Get the Chicken Bacon Ranch Dip recipe.
Zucchini Fritters
These crispy bites are all about celebrating summer zucchini. And the creamy chipotle-lime crema really helps to enhance the veggie's flavor.
Get the Zucchini Fritters recipe.
Corn and Black Bean Salsa
Fresh summer corn, hearty black beans, and zesty lime juice make this twist on salsa an instant favorite. Serve it as a party dip or use it for topping a plate of nachos—you can't go wrong!
Get the Corn and Black Bean Salsa recipe.
Spring Rolls
Fresh, chilled spring rolls can be made in so many different ways, but this version uses cooked shrimp, crisp veggies, and rice noodles as the filling. It's perfect for dipping in a peanut sauce.
Get the Spring Rolls recipe.
Bacon-Shrimp Skewers
The combination of succulent shrimp, sweet pineapple, and smoky barbecue sauce is a match made in heaven. Not to mention, it's all wrapped in bacon.
Get Ree's Bacon-Shrimp Skewers recipe.
Hot Corn Dip
This piping hot dip is loaded with fresh summer corn and comes together in under an hour. Win-win!
Get Ree's Hot Corn Dip recipe.
Dill Pickle Deviled Eggs
Ree loves serving deviled eggs at just about any party. To give the classic app a tangy spin, try adding finely chopped pickles and pickle juice to the mix.
Get Ree's Dill Pickle Deviled Eggs recipe.
Grilled Eggplant
Summertime is when eggplant is in season so it's the perfect time of year for this grilled eggplant starter. Serve it up with marinara, tzatziki, or pesto for dipping.
Get the Grilled Eggplant recipe.
Grilled Corn and Avocado Salad
Cookout Sides Beyond Potato Salad and Coleslaw
Chipotle Black Bean Veggie Burgers
Blackberry Cheesecake Bars
