Fourth of July Menu Ideas

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links. As an Amazon Associate, and a King Arthur Baking affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Share this Recipe!

Whether you’re out for a picnic in a city park or at home with family for a barbecue, here are a few Fourth of July Menu Ideas. Have a great celebration!

(Post modified on 6/21/23.)

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post for a few special recipes for Patriotic Desserts that are fabulous for celebrating the 4th of July! 

Fourth of July Menu Ideas – Breakfast

Start your day with  Biscuits and Gravy. It’s not uncommon for me to make this breakfast on the Fourth of July. It’s what my mom did when I was a girl, and I guess it’s one of those traditions that carried on through the years. Serve with Country Biscuits or Sourdough Biscuits. Enjoy

Country Sausage Gravy

Here's a recipe I make every year on the Fourth of July. Serve with Country Biscuits or Sourdough Biscuits. Enjoy!

Check out this recipe

We like Breakfast Burritos at any time of year, but it seems especially fitting for the summer months.

Breakfast Burritos

Here's a recipe we enjoy making at any time of year.

Check out this recipe

Or how about Sourdough Blueberry Pancakes to celebrate the 4th of July! Fluffy sourdough pancakes with lots of plump, juicy blueberries. Add some fresh strawberries on the side for a Red, White, and Blue Breakfast!

Sourdough Blueberry Pancakes

Try this recipe for Sourdough Blueberry Pancakes, perfect for a weekend brunch. Fluffy pancakes with a hint of sourdough flavor and lots of plump, juicy blueberries. 

Check out this recipe

Appetizers for the Evening Meal

Easy Corn Dip– Here’s a delicious dip introduced to me by a good friend years ago. This dip is perfect with corn chips. Try it with Lime-flavored Corn Chips!

Easy Corn Dip

Here's a delicious dip introduced to me by a good friend years ago. It's especially good with lime flavored corn chips.

Check out this recipe

Guacamole Dip- One of my favorites using ripe avocados and tomatoes. It’s perfect for outdoor barbecues or the next time you make Mexican food.

Guacamole Dip

Here is a yummy dip perfect for outdoor barbecues or the next time you make Mexican food.

Check out this recipe

Try Baked Jalapeno Poppers with Bacon when you’re craving a little heat in an appetizer. These little poppers are so delicious. Cheesy, seasoned, spicy, plus the deliciousness of bacon!

Baked Jalapeno Poppers with Bacon

Here's an easy recipe to make with your garden jalapeno peppers.

Check out this recipe

Main Dishes for the Grill

Barbecued Baby Back Ribs – Ribs, anyone? We love these ribs. Start them in your oven and finish off on the grill. So yummy! 

BBQ Baby Back Ribs

Here's a delicious recipe to try the next time you want to grill. Enjoy!

Check out this recipe

Cajun Shrimp – Don’t want to heat up your oven in the summer? Try these grilled shrimp on a Skewer.

Cajun Shrimp

Here's a fun recipe for any shrimp-lovers out there. A great addition to any barbecue.

Check out this recipe

One of my favorite summer dinners is grilled Burgers with Garlic Mayo and Onions — caramelized onions, that is!

Burgers with Garlic Mayo and Onion

The caramelized onions and garlic mayo really tip this recipe over the top, turning these burgers into a gourmet dinner. 

Check out this recipe

 Honey-Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs – This chicken recipe is delicious. 

Honey-Glazed Grilled Chicken Thighs

Here's a recipe perfect for summer grilling that is easy to make and quite delicious.

Check out this recipe

Salads and Side Dishes for your Picnic or Barbecue

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad – Here’s a recipe that reminds me of the boxed Suddenly Salad dish you can buy in the store. Only better!

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Here's a recipe that reminds me of the boxed Suddenly Salad dish you can buy in the store. Only better!

Check out this recipe

Antipasto Rotini Salad is an easy recipe to make for your 4th of July celebration. Tri-colored rotini with my favorite antipasto ingredients–green and black olives, red onion, carrots, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, pepperoni, marinated artichokes, and fresh mozzarella. Then marinated in a creamy Italian dressing.

Antipasto Rotini Salad

Here's an easy and colorful salad recipe to enjoy when the weather turns warm.

Check out this recipe

Broccoli Raisin Salad – Here’s a delicious salad to serve at your next family gathering. One of our favorites!

Broccoli Raisin Salad

Here's a delicious salad to serve at your next family gathering. One of our favorites!

Check out this recipe

Cheesy Corn and Macaroni Casserole  is a favorite recipe on my husband’s side of our family. It’s quite nice for church dinners or family gatherings and is a perfect choice for your next picnic, barbecue, or even holiday dinner.

Cheesy Corn and Macaroni Casserole

Cheesy Corn and Macaroni Casserole is a favorite recipe on my husband's side of our family. It’s quite nice for church dinners or family gatherings and is a perfect choice for your next picnic, barbecue, or even a holiday dinner.

Check out this recipe

4th of July just wouldn’t be complete without Yummy Baked Beans on the table. It has been baked and served in our family since I was a little girl. And it’s still one of my favorite side dishes! Sweet and saucy with thick pieces of bacon.

Yummy Baked Beans

This is an old family favorite. So good!

Check out this recipe

Homemade Bread for the Fourth

Ranch Loaves – We love this recipe. And it makes 4 loaves. Enough for a large gathering!

Ranch Loaves

This recipe is one of our favorite breads. It won a purple ribbon at the county fair.

Check out this recipe

Tangy Sourdough Bread – Here’s a sourdough recipe we adore and make every week. If you don’t have a sourdough starter, you may make your own HERE. This bread is delicious with butter, plus it makes 2 large loaves.

Tangy Sourdough Bread

Here's a sourdough recipe we adore and make every week. This bread is delicious with butter, makes wonderful Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, or use it to make your own Sourdough Croutons.

Check out this recipe

A Few Desserts Before Fireworks

How about serving Red, White, and Blue with our favorite fruit pies! Cherry, Blueberry, Apple, and of course, a serving of Ice Cream, too!

Homemade Cherry Pie is so delicious when using fresh cherries. If you can find them, (or pick them from a tree) we love tart cherries, which remind me of my childhood. But dark sweet cherries work well, too.

Cherry Pie

Here's a yummy recipe to try when you have fresh cherries--tart or dark sweet cherries.

Check out this recipe

Homemade Apple Pie – Nothing says America more than a slice of fresh apple pie. This pie dough is a family favorite. And it goes perfectly with a bowl of ice-cream–another summertime favorite!

Homemade Apple Pie

Here is a favorite recipe for homemade apple pie:

Check out this recipe

Here’s a delicious recipe for Country Blueberry Pie that uses fresh blueberries and a homemade pie crust. So yummy! Especially when served with whipping cream or ice cream!

And speaking of ice-cream, we’d better not leave that out! Here’s my mom’s recipe for Homemade Ice Cream. We love it and it’s perfect for a hot, summer celebration.

Mom's Homemade Ice Cream

Here's a favorite recipe served at almost every family gathering we have on the Swiler side. Creamy and sweet.

Check out this recipe

SPECIAL RECIPES – Patriotic Desserts

To end this post, lets look at some special recipes for Patriotic Desserts. You’ll want to be sure to make at least one of these to show your patriotic spirit. Kids love to take part in the preparation of these recipes so be sure to get them involved!

Patriotic Cupcakes – How about some Red, White and Blue Cupcakes! Here’s a fun recipe to make for your 4th of July Celebration. (You may substitute other colors for other times of year.)

Patriotic Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting

Here's a fun recipe to make for your 4th of July Celebration. (You may substitute other colors for other times of year.)

Check out this recipe

This Patriotic Popcorn Snack is not only tasty, but it’s colored with Red, White, and Blue, making it the perfect way to celebrate the 4th of July.

Patriotic Popcorn Snack

Filled with popcorn coated in white chocolate, Skittles, M&M's, Gummy Bears, and colorful sprinkles, this snack will make kids jump like a firecracker!

Check out this recipe

I like to make Patriotic Berry Dessert for the 4th of July. Filled with strawberry and blueberry Jello, whipped cream, berries, and angel food cake, it was the highlight of the evening, usually enjoyed following the fireworks display.

Patriotic Berry Dessert

Every 4th of July, I like to make this Jello dessert to celebrate the colors of our nation. It's cool and refreshing, and oh, so yummy!

Check out this recipe

Whatever you decide to make for this American holiday, I hope you will have a Grand Fourth of July!

See more Entertaining Ideas Here. 

Share this Recipe!