36 Family-Friendly Recipes to Make This Fourth of July Weekend (2024)

The Fourth of July is like the pinnacle of summer. The sun is out, it’s usually hot (unless you’re Chicago who sometimes seems to have her seasons confused!), there’s always some sort of family fun somewhere, and the kids are in full no-school bliss.

Drinks

1. Star Spangled Fruit Infused Water

Keep guests hydrated during the long holiday weekend with this delicious fruit-infused water that includes watermelon, strawberries, and blueberries.

Source: The View From Great Island

2. Easy Homemade Lemonade

Nothing says summer quite like fresh-squeezed lemonade on a hot day. This easy recipe only includes three simple ingredients: water, granulated sugar, and fresh lemons.

Source: Kristine’s Kitchen

3. Spiked Blueberry Lemonade

For an adults-only drink option, this homemade blueberry lemonade is spiked with vodka. It only take 10 minutes to make and serves 6-8 people. Cheers!

Source: Celebrating Sweets

Appetizers

4. Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Cheese Dip

The only thing better than enjoying chicken wings at a summer party is instead indulging in chicken wing dip. This version can be easily made in the Crockpot with 10 ingredients.

Source: Foodie Crush

5. Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip

For an easy appetizer, serve this simple and protein-packed Greek yogurt ranch dip with sides of salty potato chips, baby carrots, or fresh celery stalks.

Source: Well Plated

6. Cowboy Caviar

A crowd favorite, cowboy caviar—sometimes called Texas caviar—is made with black beans, Black Eyed peas, tomatoes, bell peppers, corn, red onion, jalapeño peppers, cilantro, avocado, and lime juice.

Source: Two Peas & Their Pod

7. Potato Skins

These cheesy potato skins are perfectly crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and topped with bacon bits, scallions, and a rich dollop of sour cream.

Source: Well Plated

Side Dishes

8. Red, White & Blue Watermelon Blueberry Salad

This salad is not only easy to make, but it’s also perfectly patriotic for any Fourth of July party. Make it with fresh watermelon, blueberries, cubes of jicama, and feta cheese crumbles.

Source: Foodie Crush

9. Best Potato Salad Recipe

What’s a Fourth of July cookout without potato salad? This recipe can be made in 45 minutes and is sure to wow any crowd.

Source: Kristine’s Kitchen

10. Spinach Bacon Pasta Salad

A great side dish for a backyard barbecue, pool party, or take-along picnic, this pasta salad screams summer and is an easy make-ahead option.

Source: Bless This Mess

11. Creamy Greek Pasta Salad

Friends and family will love this Greek pasta salad made with whole wheat pasta, cucumbers, grape tomatoes, kalamata olives, red onion, and feta cheese.

Source: Two Peas & Their Pod

12. Burger Salad with Dill Pickle Vinaigrette

A summer cookout calls for a burger—but why not put it on a salad instead? Topped with crispy bacon and dill pickle vinaigrette (yes, you read that right), this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.

Source: The Clean Eating Couple

13. Spinach Strawberry Salad with Balsamic Poppy Seed Dressing

For a more traditional yet oh-so-summery salad, make this spinach strawberry salad with toasted pecans, feta cheese, red onion, and a homemade poppy seed balsamic vinegar dressing.

Source: Well Plated

14. Grilled Summer Cobb Salad

We love a modern twist on a classic Cobb salad and this recipe does just that with grilled lettuce—seriously!

Source: What’s Gaby Cooking

15. Red, White & Blue Potato Skewers

This recipe is simple: use a roasting pan to cook yellow, purple (but they look blue!), and red baby potatoes seasoned with salt and pepper. Then, alternate the colors on wooden skewers for an easy-to-serve side dish.

Source: Fit Foodie Finds

16. Grilled Corn with Spicy Buffalo Butter

Summer and corn on the cob go together like nothing else, so be sure to serve some this Fourth of July weekend. We love this option because it punches up a classic corn on the cob recipe with a spicy Buffalo butter—yum!

17. The Best Baked Beans Recipe

Another great backyard barbecue dish, this baked beans recipe is truly one of the best because it’s deliciously made with molasses, peppers, onions, and bacon.

Source: Oh Sweet Basil

18. Homemade Fries

If you’re serving burgers or hot dogs this holiday weekend, pair them with these easy-to-make homemade fries that will come out perfectly crispy in the oven.

Source: Well Plated

Main Dishes

19. Guacamole Turkey Burger

Add these to your summer grilling menu stat! In just 30 minutes, you can whip up these oh-so-good turkey burgers topped with pico de gallo, pepper jack cheese, and a dollop of guacamole.

Source: What’s Gaby Cooking

20. Tropical Hot Dog Bar

Hot dogs are a must-have July 4th dish, but why not mix things up with tropical condiments? With this recipe, your guests will be talking about your hot dog bar that includes spicy kiwi relish, Maui onion slaw, and mango slaw for years to come.

Source: The View From Great Island

21. Easy Grilled Shrimp Skewers

For the seafood lovers in your life, these grilled shrimp skewers make for a flavorful and healthy dinner that you’ll want to make again and again this summer.

Source: Isabel Eats

22. Dr. Pepper BBQ Baby Back Ribs

Ribs are a quintessential summer food and this recipe is so cool because it (wait for it) includes a homemade Dr. Pepper barbecue sauce that is not only delicious but helps the ribs truly fall of the bone.

Source: What’s Gaby Cooking

23. Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

We love a slow cooker recipe that you can make ahead of time and in mass quantities—and this dish checks both of those boxes.

Source: Host the Toast

24. Loaded Juicy Lucy Sheet Pan Sliders

Wow your Fourth of July party guests with Juicy Lucys AKA burgers that have cheese melted right into the patty instead of layering it on top. These can be made in mass, too, because they’re sheet pan sliders!

Source: Host the Toast

25. Tex Mex Hot Dogs

Jazz up classic July 4th hot dogs with this Tex Mex version that features guacamole, charred jalapeños, and corn relish.

Source: What’s Gaby Cooking

26. Chicken Skewers with Macedonian Taratur Sauce

This tender, flavorful chicken can be easily prepped on the grill and served on skewers for easy eating. Plus, we love it paired with this recipe’s Macedonian yogurt sauce on the side.

Source: Diethood

27. BBQ Turkey Burgers with Chipotle Slaw

Another great turkey burger option, but this one is topped with a delightful chipotle coleslaw. Trust us, your taste buds will thank you for this one.

Source: Recipe Runner

28. Vegan Quinoa Beet Burgers

Not only are these quinoa beet burgers vegan, but they’re also a great gluten-free option to serve guests that may have dietary restrictions.

Source: Jessica in the Kitchen

Desserts

29. Flag Cake

Is there anything more perfect for Independence Day than a flag cake?! We think not. This version is easy to make with a simple cream cheese frosting, sliced strawberries, and blueberries. Make it a fun family activity by having your littles help assemble the flag!