4th of July is next week and the Crouch family is SUPER excited! Partially because we love celebrating freedom with fireworks and partially because we are having our summer family reunion next week! We are super excited to be able to spend this holiday together for the first time in years.
With a large family gathering (or party with your friends!) comes meal planning! Holiday meal planning is so much fun, but can also be a little stressful.
We compiled some of our favorite 4th of July recipes to make your holiday food prep a little easier. From appetizers to desserts and drinks, we have you covered! Check out This Blue Dress’ top choices for 4th of July foods/drinks below!
*The images below are included below are used for review purposes only and belong to the individual bloggers credited.
4th of July Appetizers/Sides
1: This fruit tray from Passion for Savings and this vegetable tray from Living Locurto are so cute! They make a healthy and visually appealing addition to any 4th of July party.
2: This Cheese & Onion dip from Pizzazzerie looks really delicious! Pair it with the cute star chips like the ones they post and it is a crowd pleaser for sure.
3: Looking for something a little fancier for a more intimate gathering? These Mason Jar Salads from The Cookie Rookie are darling!
4: Are there going to be kids at your party? You’ll want to plan some foods that both kids and adults will enjoy and these Firecracker Dogs from Handmade in the Heartland are the way to go!
5: You can never have too many dips at a party. Especially festive ones! This flag-inspired 7 layer dip from Mariah’s Pleasing Plates is sure to win your guests over and is a healthy alternative to traditional 7 layer dips.
4th of July Entrees
1: A southwestern twist on the traditional burger, this Fajita Burger from the Marvelous Misadventures of a Foodie are an excellent entree choice for the Fourth of July.
2: Hosting a Luau for the 4th? You can’t find a more suitable entree than this Luau Chicken Sandwich from Real Housemoms!
3: Do you prefer a meatless option for your main course? Foodie Crush featured a mouthwatering Rosemary and Charred Corn Pizza that would wow your 4th of July guests.
4: Another great chicken option are these yummy Buffalo Chicken Sliders, again from the Marvelous Misadventures of a Foodie. They’d pair very well with some of the sides we list in the next section!
5: What would a summer recipe compilation be without Kebabs on the list? We love that that Fabulously Frugal managed to sneak bacon into her BBQ Chicken Kebab recipe! Because, you know, who doesn’t love bacon?
4th of July Sides
1: In my opinion, every meal should include Mac & Cheese. It’s just so good! This gourmet Philly Cheesesteak Macaroni & Cheese from White Lights on Wednesday is amazing and makes an excellent, hearty side for parties.
2: Exchange your traditional corn on the cob for a delicious Mexican Street Corn Dip from PureWow! You will not regret it!
3: This creative side dish mixes potato salad and loaded baked potatoes and makes them both healthier and tastier! Check out this fun Loaded Sweet Potato Salad recipe from Ari’s Menu.
4: Another summer side staple is Baked Beans. I didn’t like Baked Beans as a kid, but I have since found a few INCREDIBLE homemade Baked Beans recipes that changed my mind. These Southern Style Homemade Baked Beans with Bacon from RecipeTin Eats will wow you, too!
5: Every summer salad should have fruit in it! It’s the best time of the year to get some really fresh fruits mixed into those dark greens. This Berry Feta Salad from Carlsbad Cravings is SO good that it might just overshadow the rest of your meal if you’re not careful!
4th of July Desserts
1: Make your dessert double as a decoration with these darling Fourth of July Dipped Pretzels from The 36th Avenue! They’re also easy to serve and easy to clean up!
2: Trifle is probably one of my favorite desserts in the whole world. The cream cheese and the fresh fruit and the cake, YUM!! This gorgeous No Bake Strawberry Blueberry Trifle from Natasha’s Kitchen would look beautiful in the center of your 4th of July spread!
3: I love this Angel Food Cake with Berries recipe from Simple Easy Creative because it takes so little time to prepare, but still looks fancy! If you don’t have a lot of time to prep dessert for your party OR just don’t have a knack for baking, this is an excellent dessert option!
4: Because every dessert list needs a chocolate option, I found these Patriotic Extreme Cookies from the Two Sisters. They boast the red, white and blue AND contain both chocolate and caramel.
5: Another layered dessert option is this No Bake Summer Berry Lasagna from Oh My Goodness Chocolate Desserts. It’s very visually appealing and festive and won’t heat up your kitchen with the oven!
4th of July Drinks
(All non-alcoholic and kid-friendly!)
1: I haven’t tasted this concoction myself yet, but it is very visually appealing. Make sure you carefully follow the directions for creating this really cool Independence Punch from Big Bear’s Wife!
2: Everything is better with ice cream! These Patriotic Ice Cream Sodas from Mostly Homemade Mom are a great specialty drink choice for Independence Day parties, especially if you choose a lighter dessert.
3: Those of you who have seen my other drink compilations know I have a thing for bright blue drinks. They are just so pretty! This Blue Pina Colada Party Punch from Wishes and Dishes is no exception! It is both eye-catching and tastes amazing!
4: Check out this attention-grabbing American concoction that will make your guests ooh and ahh! Your kids and guests alike will love the Captain America Kids’ Drink from This Worthey Life.
5: Finally, there are few drinks people enjoy more than a good smoothie! I’ll be making this Triple Berry Frozen Smoothie from Katrina’s Kitchen for my family on 4th of July and probably on many occasions after that!
Happy 4th of July everyone! We wish you all a Happy Independence Day and hope that you get to spend the holiday eating delicious food with your friends and family as you celebrate the Land of the Free.
-MaLee
What is your favorite thing to serve on the 4th of July? Let us know in the comments!