50 Best 4th of July Recipes for an All-American Menu
Get ready for a star-spangled spread!
Planning your 4th of July menu? You're in good company. Ree Drummond knows how to throw a celebration, and every year, her family's big bash in Pawhuska is packed with music, friends, family, and a whole lot of food. Whether you're sticking with the classics—like burgers, ribs, and July 4th sides like grilled corn on the cob—or adding a few fun twists to your spread, you'll find plenty of ideas here to make your Fourth feel festive, delicious, and totally worthy of fireworks.
Here you'll find tons of options for make-ahead dishes that are a lifesaver on holidays like the 4th of July. After all, who wants to be stuck inside cooking while everyone else is celebrating? Try pasta salads that get even better as they sit and frozen desserts like ice cream sandwiches, icebox cakes, and popsicles that'll rival the firework show. There's even a handful of red, white, and blue desserts including a trifle that can be assembled in seconds and a seriously festive flag cake.
Of course, this fun holiday isn't all about the sweets. Fire up the grill for saucy, slow-cooked ribs, veggie skewers, and grill-fried chicken. As far as sides, you can't beat summer potluck sides like Ree Drummond's favorite baked beans and a bowl of creamy potato salad, but you'll find even more to love on this list. No matter which dishes you choose, this will be the best 4th of July yet.
Kansas City-Style BBQ Ribs
Juicy, tender ribs are the perfect 4th of July fare. Prepared Kansas City-style, these ones are brushed with a homemade BBQ sauce that turns nice and caramelize on the grill for a fusion of tangy, sweet, and smoky flavors in every bite.
Get Ree’s Kansas City-Style BBQ Ribs recipe.
Grilled Corn with Hot Honey Butter
It wouldn’t be 4th of July without the ultimate summer side: corn on the cob. To give this classic side a little extra flair, smear on some hot honey butter before grilling it.
Get Ree’s Grilled Corn with Hot Honey Butter recipe.
No-Bake Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake Bars
Finish off your 4th of July meal with some festive cheesecake bars. Not only can you make these patriotic treats up to four days ahead of the festivities, but you don’t have to turn on the oven!
Get Ree’s No-Bake Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake Bars recipe.
Sonoran Hot Dogs
Wrapped in bacon, stuffed in a soft bun, and loaded with all the toppings is a hot dog prepared right! This 4th of July recipe takes 30 minutes to make, yet it might just steal the show.
Get Ree’s Sonoran Hot Dogs recipe.
Warm German Potato Salad
This lighter (and warmer) take on potato salad is completely mayo-free. But rest assured, it’s just as tasty, thanks to a zippy mustard vinaigrette, fresh herbs, and crispy bacon.
Get Ree’s Warm German Potato Salad recipe.
Spicy Queso Burger
Turn up the heat this Fourth with a burger that doesn't hold back. A juicy patty gets smothered in melty queso and topped with pickled jalapeños for just the right kick. It's bold, messy, and totally worth it.
Get Ree's Spicy Queso Burgers recipe.
Ramen Noodle Salad
This potluck-perfect salad is full of delicious texture. The toasted ramen noodles give it some serious crunch alongside cashews and convenient coleslaw mix. The mandarin oranges are bursting with juicy sweetness! It holds up beautifully in the fridge.
Get the Ramen Noodle Salad recipe.
Red, White, and Blue Berry Dessert
This festive dessert is as easy as it is eye-catching, thanks to layers of whipped cream, fresh berries, and cake. It's light, sweet, and perfect for patriotic celebrations.
Grilled Chicken Wings
These wings are smoky, juicy, and just the right amount of crispy. Make a big batch with a few sauce options (buffalo, BBQ, garlic parmesan) so there's something for everyone.
Get the Grilled Chicken Wings recipe.
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Summer and sweet corn go hand in hand—and tossing it on the grill only makes it better. Finish each cob with a swipe of garlic-chive butter and watch them disappear fast!
Get the Grilled Corn on the Cob recipe.
Strawberry Sheet Cake Recipe
This sweet, fluffy cake gets a big berry boost from real strawberries baked right into the batter. Top it with sugary frosting and you've got a nostalgic summer treat.
Get Ree's Strawberry and Cream Sheet Cake recipe.
Summer Vegetable Tarts
These flaky tarts are loaded with colorful summer produce and look beautiful on a platter. They're deceptively simple to pull together—just grab some puff pastry and go!
Get the Summer Vegetable Tarts recipe.
Beer Can Chicken
If you bought a pack of beers for your 4th of July party, use one of the cans to make this flavorful twist on barbecue chicken! It comes out tender and juicy every time.
Get the Beer Can Chicken recipe.
Perfect Potato Salad
Ree's take on classic potato salad is light, fluffy, and loaded with flavor. She mixes in hard-boiled eggs, bacon, sweet pickles, and green onions for a crowd-favorite side dish.
Get Ree's Perfect Potato Salad recipe.
Pickle Cheeseburger Bites
These bite-sized burgers pack big flavor in a fun little package. Stack the mini patties with pickles, lettuce, tomato, and a drizzle of burger sauce for the ultimate party skewer.
Get Ree's Pickle Cheeseburger Bites recipe.
Strawberry Delight
Creamy, fruity, and layered with crushed cookies, this retro dessert is as fun to make as it is to eat. Keep it chilled until you're ready to serve and watch it disappear.
Get Ree's Strawberry Delight recipe.
Chili Dogs
Nothing says Fourth of July quite like a good old-fashioned chili dog. Pile 'em high with your favorite toppings and pass out extra napkins—these are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Get Ree's Chili Dogs recipe.
Ranch Slaw
This quick and creamy slaw is made with homemade ranch dressing. It's tangy, herby, garlicky, and all the things you love about ranch!
Get Ree's Ranch Slaw recipe.
Caprese Salad
When tomatoes are this good, you don't need to do much. Layer them with fresh mozzarella, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a simple salad that always feels special.
Get the Caprese Salad recipe.
Blueberry Upside-Down Cake
This gorgeous cake lets peak-season blueberries shine! Serve it with lemon whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a fresh, fruity Fourth of July dessert.
Get Ree's Blueberry Upside-Down Cake recipe.
Grilled Corn and Avocado Salad
Cookout Sides Beyond Potato Salad and Coleslaw
Chipotle Black Bean Veggie Burgers
Blackberry Cheesecake Bars
