The Fourth of July is the perfect time to gather friends and family for a laid-back barbecue with your favorite recipes. When we asked our readers what their top 10 must-make recipes for the holiday were, the answers were nearly identical: seasonal desserts, easy salads, and make-ahead casseroles. Here are 12 recipes to add to your Fourth of July menu.
Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors-Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
Baked beans are always a favorite at backyard barbecues, especially Fourth of July barbecues. A tray of smoky baked beans is a must-have for any Fourth of July gathering.
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Tory Cox
Deviled eggs of any kind are perfect for this occasion. Keep the ingredients simple and classic with just egg yolk, mayonnaise, mustard and relish.
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Tory Cox
Whether it’s peaches, plums or berries, cobbler is the perfect summer dessert, and in this recipe, in-season blueberries highlight the perfect amount of sweetness.
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Tory Cox
Prepare a trifle bowl and add a festive touch to your potluck with this layered recipe that combines homemade cornbread, bacon, corn, black-eyed peas and more for a dish perfect for sharing.
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Tory Cox
Forget the floral centerpiece, this patriotic cake will do the trick. This moist and delicious cake is coated in vanilla icing and finished with juicy red and blue berries.
Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors-Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
It’s a classic! This old-fashioned squash recipe is popular for its creamy sauce and buttery cracker topping — one scoop just isn’t enough.
Emily Laura
Bake up a batch of these Red Velvet Cookies for a backyard party. These Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies take advantage of the similarity of making cookies using just a few ingredients from a box of cake mix.
Stacey K. Allen, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Peaches are truly the star of summer, and they’re a must-have in this 6-ingredient, 10-minute recipe that transforms peaches into a delicious crowd-pleaser.
Dotdash Meredith
A favorite dish for moms when celebrating, this Southern potluck staple is made with onions, celery, sour cream, mayonnaise, and bacon.
Robbie Lozano, Food Stylist: Jasmine Smith, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
A homemade recipe with a zesty mash-up of pepperoni, pasta, olives and bell peppers tossed in a zesty dressing. Served chilled, this salad is perfect to bring to a late afternoon picnic or potluck.
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Tory Cox
Summer’s bounty of zucchini offers a ton of tasty treats, and this recipe is a top choice: not only is it easy to make, it’s seasonal, satisfying, and perfect for baking and taking home when you want to feed a crowd.
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Tory Cox
It has been widely agreed that strawberries and ice cream are a must for any 4th of July celebration, and if you are hosting a party at home, I highly recommend serving this delicious recipe for dessert.
