30 Easy 4th of July Side Dishes

Our best 4th of July side dishes! They include everything you need for a crowd-pleasing cookout: pasta salad, corn on the cob, watermelon, and more.

Have you decided what 4th of July side dishes you’re making this year? If you’re still on the fence, you’re in the right place! Below, I’ve rounded up our best 4th of July sides for a crowd-pleasing cookout. They range from BBQ classics like coleslaw to easy grilling recipes and picnic salads galore. Many are easy to toss together at the last minute, and even more are great for making ahead. I don’t know about you, but the side dishes are always my favorite part of an Independence Day BBQ. They’re the most fun, fresh, and flavorful part of…

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Strawberry Icebox Cake

This easy icebox cake recipe has layers of fresh strawberries, tender graham crackers, and whipped cream. It's a delicious no-bake dessert for summer!

This strawberry icebox cake recipe belongs at your next summer gathering! My strawberry tiramisu became an instant reader favorite after I shared it last 4th of July, so this year, I wanted to develop another no-bake dessert for your summer celebrations. After testing and tweaking this icebox cake multiple times, I’m happy to report that it’s even easier and just as delicious. It has layers of fresh strawberries, homemade whipped cream, and graham crackers that soften into a light, cake-like texture as the icebox cake chills in the fridge. My Strawberry Icebox Cake Recipe Icebox cakes aren’t a new concept,…

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20 Best 4th of July Drinks

Celebrate the 4th of July with these festive drinks! They include fruity cocktails, summery spritzes, refreshing non-alcoholic options, and more.

Say hello to our best 4th of July drinks! They include cocktails that range from fruity and fun (looking at you, strawberry margarita) to crisp and classic (like this negroni). You’ll also find several non-alcoholic options here. They’re colorful, refreshing, and just as festive as any of the alcoholic cocktails on this list. I think drinks are an underrated part of any July Fourth cookout, potluck, or picnic menu. A summery cocktail or a cold pitcher of lemonade will instantly make your celebration feel more festive, and it gives everyone something to sip while you put the finishing touches on…

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Agua Fresca Recipe

Learn how to make aguas frescas! These refreshing drinks are a simple blend of water, fruit, sweetener, and lime. They're perfect for hot summer days!

This agua fresca recipe is the best way to cool off on a hot day! Made with 4 fresh ingredients—your fruit of choice, water, sweetener, and lime—these colorful drinks are lightly sweet, bright, and refreshing. On a blistering summer day in Austin, they’re my favorite way to beat the heat. Best Fruits for Aguas Frescas A fun thing about this agua fresca recipe? You can make it with almost any fruit! Here are some of my favorite agua fresca flavors: Watermelon Mango Pineapple Honeydew Cantaloupe Strawberry Cucumber (I don’t peel it, but you could if you prefer!) Sweet, juicy fruits without…

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Ramen Noodle Salad

This ramen noodle salad recipe is filled with crunchy ramen noodles, colorful veggies, and a tangy dressing. It's a delicious cookout side dish!

Who else grew up eating ramen noodle salad at potlucks and cookouts? This recipe is my updated take on the nostalgic summer side dish. It stars crisp veggies, juicy orange segments, a sweet and tangy vinaigrette, and the best part: a crunchy mix of toasted ramen noodles, nuts, and sesame seeds. I’ve made this ramen noodle salad recipe for a few BBQs already this summer, and it’s always been the first side dish to disappear. I hope you try it for a gathering soon—I promise it’ll be a hit! Ramen Noodle Salad Ingredients Here’s what you’ll need to make this…

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Grilled Portobello Mushrooms

This grilled portobello mushrooms recipe is an easy 15-minute side dish! A simple balsamic marinade fills the mushrooms with delicious savory flavor.

I make these grilled portobello mushrooms on repeat all summer. They’re such an easy side dish—meaty, savory, and ready in just 15 minutes on the grill. Their edges are lightly crisp and nicely charred, while their insides stay perfectly juicy. A quick balsamic marinade fills them with rich, smoky, tangy flavor. Below, I’m sharing my tips and tricks for how to grill portobello mushrooms, my go-to seasoning, and my favorite ways to serve them. They’re the sort of ultra-flavorful, super simple side dish I think everyone should have in their back pocket in summer. Try them for your next cookout…

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Tuscan Marinated Olives with Whipped Ricotta

Meet the appetizer I'll be making all summer long: marinated olives with whipped ricotta! A Tuscan spice blend fills them with bold Italian flavor.

This post is in partnership with The Spice House. Jack isn’t usually an olive person, but every time I make these marinated olives with whipped ricotta, he can’t get enough. They’re quickly becoming one of my go-to appetizers for summer entertaining because they feel elevated, but they’re so easy to make. Citrus- and herb-marinated olives sit on a bed of creamy whipped ricotta cheese with a golden ring of olive oil pooling around it. It looks (and tastes!) like something you could get at a restaurant, but it comes together in under 30 minutes. The secret ingredient in this recipe…

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Antipasto Salad

This Italian antipasto salad stars lush greens, marinated vegetables, a zesty dressing, and two types of cheese. It's a delicious no-cook summer meal!

This antipasto salad recipe is exactly what I crave on a hot summer day. Filled with a delicious mix of greens, cheeses, and tangy, briny marinated veggies, it’s refreshing, flavorful, and oh-so simple to toss together. You don’t have to do any actual cooking here. Just whisk up the zesty homemade dressing, rinse off some chickpeas, and do a little chopping. This vibrant antipasto salad will be ready in 30 minutes or less! Antipasto Salad Ingredients Here’s what you’ll need to make this antipasto salad recipe: Arugula and radicchio – These bitter greens make up the base of the salad.…

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Red Wine Vinaigrette

This red wine vinaigrette recipe is better than any store-bought salad dressing! Zippy, bright, and balanced, it's easy to make in 5 minutes.

Meet my go-to red wine vinaigrette recipe! Made with basic ingredients like olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey, this 5-minute salad dressing has a delicious balanced flavor. It’s tangy, savory, and a tiny bit sweet—so much better than any bottled dressing you can get at the store. I’ve been slowly perfecting this red wine vinaigrette recipe over the last few years. When I first started making it, I used too much vinegar, giving the dressing an overly-acidic punch. I gradually tempered it with more oil, honey, and mustard to create a smooth, emulsified texture and complex flavor that…

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Sauteed Zucchini

This sautéed zucchini recipe is a simple, flavorful weeknight side dish! Easy to make in 15 minutes, it's seasoned to perfection with garlic and lemon.

This sautéed zucchini recipe is on repeat in my kitchen every summer. Ready in 15 minutes, it’s such an easy side dish. The zucchini cooks on the stovetop with olive oil or butter, garlic, salt, and pepper. When it’s tender and browned, I season it with a squeeze of lemon for brightness, then add garnishes like red pepper flakes, parsley, and/or Parmesan for savory depth. Out of the many, many zucchini recipes I’ve shared over the years, this simple sautéed zucchini is one I make most often. It’s so quick and so flavorful, with delicious caramelization from the hot skillet.…

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White Sangria

This white sangria recipe is easy to make with white wine, orange liqueur, and fresh fruit. It's a refreshing summer cocktail that's perfect for a crowd!

This summer, this white sangria recipe is the pitcher cocktail I can’t stop making. It’s crisp, bright, and refreshing, a delicious blend of white wine, orange liqueur, and fresh fruit. I sometimes add a little peach schnapps to make it even fruitier, but it’s also lovely with just a touch of simple syrup for sweetness. A handful of mint rounds out the fresh summer flavors. It’s the perfect drink for summer entertaining. This easy white sangria recipe makes a whole pitcher and is designed to make ahead. Peaches, berries, and citrus infuse the wine with fruity flavor as it chills overnight…

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