15 Make-Ahead 4th of July Recipes for a Simple Summer Celebration
Get a head start on prep for America’s biggest party!
Although it always ends up being rewarding, there’s a lot to do for a 4th of July get-together: planning a patriotic menu, finding a star-spangled outfit, and decorating the house in red, white, and blue. The biggest task of all, of course, is cooking all the 4th of July food, so getting a head start on the holiday meal will make things a whole lot easier. How? Preparing make-ahead 4th of July recipes!
A lot of classic 4th of July dishes like pasta salads, potato salads, and coleslaw recipes keep for days in the fridge, so you can prep them a night or two before the festivities and serve them chilled once it’s time to eat. But you can also assemble some cookout favorites like shredded chicken and BBQ ribs in advance, too. Just take Ree Drummond’s oven-baked ribs, which you can roast the day before and reheat them right before your guests arrive.
Our list of make-ahead 4th of July recipes also has easy appetizers like crowd-pleasing cowboy caviar and festive desserts, such as no-bake cheesecake bars painted in red, white, and blue, that you can add to your spread. Whether you’re grilling in the backyard, setting up a poolside buffet, or organizing a waterfront picnic, these dishes are full of summer flavor, great for feeding a crowd, and perfect for transporting. Ready to dig in? Here are some of the best make-ahead options for your 4th of July celebration.
Perfect Potato Salad
Potato salad is a no-brainer for the 4th of July, and, luckily, it’s make-ahead friendly! Fluffy potatoes are tossed with pickles, bacon, and hard-boiled eggs and folded in a creamy, tangy dressing for a versatile side that’ll last for three days in the fridge.
Get Ree’s Perfect Potato Salad recipe.
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
Thanks to your trusty slow cooker, this make-ahead 4th of July dish is basically hands-off. Just toss the chicken in smoky BBQ sauce with some spices up to three days ahead, pop the finished product in the fridge, and reheat it on the big day.
Get the Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken recipe.
Bell Pepper-Cabbage Slaw
Bell peppers and cabbage are the ideal base for this 4th of July side—the crunchy veggies hold the tangy, slightly spicy dressing without turning soggy. Make this dish up to a day ahead, and the flavors will meld even more.
Get Ree’s Bell Pepper-Cabbage Slaw recipe.
No-Bake Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake Bars
Since the ingredients need to firm up in the fridge, these patriotic cheesecake bars can be made up to four days before your 4th of July get-together. What’s more, you won’t have to bake a thing!
Get Ree’s No-Bake Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake Bars recipe.
Cowboy Caviar
Not only can you assemble this simple dip a couple days before the holiday, but you can also whip it up in 15 minutes tops. You’ll just need a few pantry staples and a handful of fresh ingredients to churn out this easy party appetizer.
Get the Cowboy Caviar recipe.
Beef Kebab Marinade
Yep, even kebabs can be assembled before your 4th of July party begins! Just thread the marinated beef onto skewers with veggies, refrigerate them overnight, and let them come to room temperature before throwing them on the grill.
Get the Beef Kebab Marinade recipe.
Esquites
Esquites (also known as Mexican street corn salad) is another make-ahead dish that’s perfect for the 4th of July. Instead of grilling corn on the cob, coat charred kernels in dressing ahead of time.
Get the Esquites recipe.
4th of July Pie
No 4th of July celebration is complete without a flag-shaped treat! This one is full of berry flavor and patriotic flair that’ll look dazzling as your centerpiece. The best part? You can assemble and bake the whole thing a day or two beforehand!
Get Ree’s 4th of July Pie recipe.
Classic Three Bean Salad
With three types of beans in a lemony dressing, this make-ahead dish is perfect for picnics, potlucks, and BBQs. Although it’ll keep for three days, for the brightest color and flavor, it’s best prepared a few hours beforehand.
Get the Classic Three Bean Salad recipe.
Pimento Cheese
Pimento cheese is a Southern classic that’ll satisfy the whole crew at your 4th of July gathering, especially when it’s served with crispy crackers and sliced veggies. It takes just 15 minutes to make, yet it’ll last up to a week!
Get Ree’s Pimento Cheese recipe.
Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs
While you can always serve these smoky ribs right out of the oven, if you want to prep them ahead of time, bake them the day before the festivities and reheat them with BBQ sauce once it’s time for dinner.
Get Ree’s Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs recipe.
Cherry Pie Parfaits
These single-serve cherry pie parfaits are almost too cute to eat, yet they’re incredibly easy to whip up a day before your party. In fact, while these pre-portioned treats sit in the fridge, the cookies will adopt a similar texture to pie crust.
Get Ree’s Cherry Pie Parfaits recipe.
Macaroni Salad
Simple yet flavorful, creamy yet crunchy, Ree’s favorite macaroni salad tastes even better after it sits in the fridge. (It’ll keep for three days!) If you decide to make this dish ahead, just be sure to give it a good stir before serving it!
Get Ree’s Macaroni Salad recipe.
Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are a go-to party food for a lot of reasons: They’re quick, crowd-pleasing, easy to serve, and make-ahead friendly. While you can assemble them up to a day before your party, if you want an even bigger head start, prep the egg whites up to three days before.
Get the Deviled Eggs recipe.
Broccoli Salad
Since this make-ahead salad uses crunchy broccoli as the base, you won’t have to worry about any wilted greens on your plate! To prepare this recipe in advance (up to three days), hold off on adding the cheese, bacon, and almonds until you’re ready to serve it.
Get the Broccoli Salad recipe.
Grilled Corn and Avocado Salad
Cookout Sides Beyond Potato Salad and Coleslaw
Chipotle Black Bean Veggie Burgers
Blackberry Cheesecake Bars
