Fourth of July Recipes
From appetizers to desserts, recipes to make your 4th of July great!
Whether you're planning a casual picnic or a big backyard barbecue, these recipes will help make your 4th of July a truly spectacular occasion.
4th of July food should be easy to make and easy to carry with you wherever you go, whether it's a neighborhood pot luck party or a picnic at the beach.
Of course, there's nothing wrong with the traditional 4th of July fare -- burgers, hot dogs, cole slaw and potato salad. But why not jazz things up a bit with new twists on old favorites? Top your burgers with radish basil pesto instead of ketchup. Turn your hot dogs into quesadillas? And make your cole slaw a broccoli slaw instead?
These Fourth of July recipes are healthy, delicious and many of them can be made in advance, so you can have more time with your guests and spend less time in the kitchen.
Rockin' 4th of July Appetizers
- Bruschetta with Pesto and Tomatoes -- A great way to get their taste buds going.
- Mini Steak Fajitas -- Ideal when you're serving lighter fare as the main course, and they're so cute!
- Artichoke Dip -- Easy, creamy and satisfying.
- Guacamole -- The best guacamole dip ever!
- 3 Layer Mexican Dip -- Always a crowd favorite.
- Spinach Dip -- Light and tasty.
- Tortilla Chips -- Homemade, and they go with any dip.
- Roasted Vegetable Dip -- Inspired by the Barefoot Contessa recipe.
- Cheese Dip with Garlic -- Amazing and low carb.
Cool 4th of July Salads
- Ranch Bacon Pasta Salad -- Always popular, always delicious.
- Pasta Salad -- A cold pasta salad with Italian bologna for added flavor.
- Greek Salad -- Goes with everything.
- Pea Salad -- Easy and refreshing.
- Bok Choy Salad -- Asian flavors made easy with Ramen noodles.
- Quinoa Salad -- A waldorf salad made with quinoa.
- Carrot Raisin Salad -- The kids will love it.
- Broccoli Salad -- Easy and fabulous.
4th of July Side Dishes
- Oven Fried Zucchini -- Crunchy and delicious.
- Roasted Green Beans -- This side dish goes with everything.
- Salmon Deviled Eggs -- A new twist on an old favorite.
- Scalloped Potatoes with Cheese -- Easy and can be made ahead.
- Cool Whip Jello Recipe -- Works as a sweet side or a light dessert.
Grand 4th of July Main Dishes
- Barbecue Chicken -- A real crowd-pleaser.
- Oven Fried Chicken -- Forget the grill. This is easier and you can do it a day ahead.
- Juicy Southwestern Burgers -- A new twist on an old favorite.
- Shrimp Quesadillas -- Grill the shrimp in advance.
- Chicken Satay -- Who doesn't love food on a stick?
- Paella Salad -- A perfect fourth of July make-ahead main dish.
Patriotic 4th of July Desserts
- Frozen Strawberry Margarita Pie -- Icy cool and refreshing. You can even add a little tequila and triple sec for the adults!
- Strawberry Fruit Pizza -- Attractive and delicious.
- Angel Food Cake with Strawberry Dessert Sauce -- Light, and you can make the sauce in advance.
- Peanut Butter Blossoms -- A classic made even easier.
- All-Natural Frozen Key Lime Pie -- Tart and cool with a secret ingredient.
- Orange Cream Cupcakes -- Vegan-friendly.
- Lemon Bars -- The perfect picnic dessert.
- Chocolate Brownies with Peppermint -- When only a chocolate dessert will do.
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookies -- Everybody loves 'em.
- Magic Cookie Bars -- They're not just for Christmas.
The copyright of the article Fourth of July Recipes in Healthy Cooking is owned by Stephanie Gallagher. Permission to republish Fourth of July Recipes must be granted by the author in writing.
