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25 Best 4th of July Side Dishes for a Celebratory Summer Cookout

These will balance out all your grilled favorites.

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Bowl of creamy deviled egg macaroni salad with vegetables and herbs.
C.W. Newell

Whether you’re serving seared steaks or juicy burgers, no 4th of July meal is complete without a great supporting cast. Grilled vegetables, creamy potato salads, gooey mac and cheese, and other delicious 4th of July side dishes will round out any plate of BBQ favorites fresh off the grill. Not to mention, these delicious dishes will keep everyone happy until the fireworks start!

Wondering which sides to select for the holiday festivities? This list of 4th of July sides has all the best add-ons for patriotic potlucks, picnics, and cookouts alike. Take advantage of ripe summer produce by whipping up seasonal dishes like corn on the cob, Caprese salads, or grilled zucchini. Crowd-pleasing classics like potato salads and pasta salads are essential, but you can also try fun variations worthy of a celebration, such as jalapeño popper potato salad or BLT pasta salad. Whatever you choose, these 4th of July side dishes will taste amazing with any grilled main you serve. Heck, you can even fill your plate up with only sides if you prefer. Just be sure to save some room for 4th of July desserts!

1

French Potato Salad With Mustard Vinaigrette

French potato salad with mustard vinaigrette
Con Poulos

If you prefer a tangy take on classic potato salad, this 4th of July side has fresh parsley, pickled shallots, and a mustard vinaigrette to thank for its bright flavor. It’s easy to prep a day ahead, and it comes together in just 30 minutes.

Get Ree’s French Potato Salad With Mustard Vinaigrette recipe.

2

Grilled Zucchini

grilled zucchini
C.W. Newell

To balance out your BBQ spread, consider serving up a side of grilled zucchini. The charred spears in this recipe are full of fresh, simple flavor, but the dish also features a celebratory touch: a sprinkle of homemade lemon salt.

Get Ree’s Grilled Zucchini recipe.

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3

Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad

the pioneer woman's deviled egg macaroni salad recipe
C.W. Newell

It’s hard to beat a side that combines two party staples: macaroni salad and deviled eggs. Each bite of this 4th of July side dish also includes crunchy bits like pickles, celery, and bell peppers.

Get Ree’s Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad recipe.

4

Grilled Corn With Hot Honey Butter

the pioneer woman's grilled corn with hot honey butter
Ryan Liebe

Want to give classic corn on the cob a fiery kick? Adding hot honey butter will bring an explosion of flavors that might just rival the fireworks show! This 4th of July side will be ready in 15 minutes with just a few ingredients.

Get Ree’s Grilled Corn With Hot Honey Butter recipe.

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5

Strawberry Spinach Salad

the pioneer woman's strawberry spinach salad recipe
Will Dickey

Fresh strawberries, toasted pecans, creamy goat cheese, and a lemon poppyseed dressing transform a bed of spinach into a summery side that’s perfect for 4th of July. It’ll taste delicious with grilled shrimp, chicken, or salmon!

Get the Strawberry Spinach Salad recipe.

6

Perfect Potato Salad

perfect potato salad
David Malosh

This one’s been in Ree's rotation for years, and for good reason. The texture is light and fluffy, the flavor is spot-on, and the mix-ins—like pickles, bacon, and hard-boiled eggs—make it a go-to for any summer meal.

Get Ree's Perfect Potato Salad recipe.

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7

Caprese Salad

caprese salad
Will Dickey

This side salad is incredibly simple and full of seasonal flavor. The juicy summer tomatoes are paired with creamy mozzarella, garden-fresh basil, and tangy balsamic glaze.

Get Ree's Caprese Salad recipe.

8

Best Baked Beans

baked beans in red casserole dish with spoon
Danielle Daly

Put a Southern spin on your 4th of July menu with these baked beans. They have a layer of bacon on top, so you know it's going to be good!

Get Ree's Best Baked Beans recipe.

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9

Macaroni Salad

macaroni salad in wavy bowl with blue checkered background
Ralph Smith

Even the pickiest eaters will love this classic macaroni salad. It's sweet, but tangy and creamy, and also light. It's the best of both!

Get Ree's Macaroni Salad recipe.

10

Grilled Corn on the Cob

grilled corn on the cob
Will Dickey

Corn season is the best season! And this method for grilling the cobs ensures they come out perfect every time. Finish them with garlic-chive butter and everyone will be happy.

Get the Grilled Corn on the Cob recipe.

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11

Southern Fried Okra

fourth of july side dishes
Will Dickey

Once you start popping these little beauties in your mouth, it's hard to stop. Fried until crisp and lightly salted, they're a classic for a reason—and they go fast.

Get the Southern Fried Okra recipe.

12

Cowboy Pasta Salad

fourth of july side dishes
Gordon Sawyer

This hearty salad has cowboy caviar vibes in pasta form. With kielbasa, black-eyed peas, and a limey dressing, even Ladd's on board for this one!

Get Ree's Cowboy Pasta Salad recipe.

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13

Grilled Veggie Skewers

fourth of july side dishes grilled veggie skewers
C.W. Newell

These flavorful veggie skewers are an easy and nutritious way to add color to your cookout! The tender veggies soak up all the tangy-sweet flavors of the balsamic vinaigrette for the perfect side dish for any grilled feast.

Get the Grilled Veggie Skewers recipe.

14

Corn Muffins

corn muffins
Will Dickey

A basket of corn muffins will fit right in with your backyard barbecue (but it can also double as a 4th of July brunch idea). They're best served warm out of the oven with a hefty smear of salty-sweet honey butter.

Get the Corn Muffins recipe.

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15

Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad

the pioneer woman's tomato cucumber feta salad recipe
C.W. Newell

Cool, crisp, and a little bit tangy, this salad is summer in a bowl. The combo of juicy tomatoes, crunchy cukes, and salty feta never gets old.

Get Ree's Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad recipe.

16

Mac and Cheese

mac and cheese in square baking dish with wooden spoon
Ralph Smith

This extra creamy mac and cheese looks like it took hours to make, but it really comes together in just 30 minutes! Pair it with ribs, steak, or your favorite barbecue meats and your friends and family will thank you.

Get Ree's Mac and Cheese recipe.

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17

Grilled Corn Salad

grilled corn salad in wood bowl
Ralph Smith

Looking for a way to serve corn off the cob? Try a grilled corn salad—it's loaded with avocados, beans, tomatoes, and lots of charred corn.

Get Ree's Grilled Corn Salad recipe.

18

Watermelon Salad With Feta and Mint

watermelon and cucumber salad with feta and mint and wooden spoon on side
con poulos

After a day spent in the hot sun, you'll want to cool down with something light and refreshing. This salad will do the trick! It’s packed with juicy watermelon, crisp cucumber, and bright mint for a delicious addition to your summer menu.

Get Ree's Watermelon Salad With Feta and Mint recipe.

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19

BLT Pasta Salad

blt pasta salad in wood bowl
Will Dickey

Crispy bacon, veggies, and a ranch-flavored dressing make this pasta salad a new favorite. If making it ahead, be sure to leave out the lettuce and bacon until just before serving.

Get the BLT Pasta Salad recipe.

20

Three Bean Salad

classic three bean salad
Will Dickey

This simple bean salad is totally customizable. Add whatever beans you have on hand—chickpeas, lima beans, or wax beans—then change up the herbs based on what's growing in your garden.

Get the Three Bean Salad recipe.

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