While there are a lot of patriotic holidays throughout the year dedicated to honoring our country and the soldiers that serve us, Fourth of July is undoubtedly my favorite, and not only because it’s a prime opportunity to create a summer cookout menu.
While Memorial Day signifies the beginning of the summer, the weather hasn’t always caught up to the calendar.
In some parts of the country, the sun shines regardless, but where I’ve lived, Memorial Day can just as easily mean a day indoors on the couch with the heater on.
And Labor Day? Well, Labor Day is fine except for the fact that it essentially means summer is over and in just a few short weeks, we’ll be donning sweaters and winter coats.
Depending on the summer’s average humidity index I tend to be okay with that, but nonetheless, Labor Day is kind of a bummer, don’t you think?
So that leaves us with the Fourth of July.
A day for the pool, the beach, barbecues, Popsicles, fireworks and sunburn.
And of course, plenty of red, white and blue.
Since party planning can be overwhelming no matter how often you entertain, we’ve pulled together some of our favorite entertaining ideas for the perfect July 4th bash.
Summer Cookout Menu Tips
Prep ahead
Do all of your baking the day before your party or picnic so that on the day of the party, your pie crusts will be baked, your salads will be chilled in the fridge and you’ll only need to set foot in your kitchen is to refill the sangria.
Some dishes are even better the next day like bacon potato salad and cold sesame noodles (the beauty of the summer cookout menu is the leftovers, right?).
Buy extra ice
Whenever I have a party, one of two things happen: I forget to purchase ice at all and make a frantic call to one of my friends, asking them to pick some up on the way over OR I buy a giant bag of it and someone leaves it sitting out so it melts, leaving our drinks warm and our white wine room temperature.
I know, cue the violins.
Just don’t forget to buy ice.
Set the scene
Instead of buying tacky July 4th decorations that you’ll only use once, adorn your table with items you’ll actually use, like festive straws to add a retro vibe to your table, and also facilitate efficient cocktail consumption.
If you’re serving red sangria or a bright cocktail, serve it in a Mason Jar Drink Dispenser to celebrate traditional American style.
If your theme is red, white and blue, pick up a few sets of red, white and blue plates from Pottery Barn, which you’ll be able to use again when you’re not saluting the flag.
Menu Ideas
Appetizers
Baked Chicken Meatballs with Pancetta from We Are Not Martha
Black Bean Salsa from The Blond Cook
Photo: Leigh Loftus
Spicy Shrimp Guacamole from In Good Taste
White Bean and Artichoke Dip from In Good Taste
Jalapeño Popper Dip from In Good Taste
Main Dishes
Grilled Lamb Pitas with Pistachio and Mint Pesto from I Was Born To Cook
Grilled Shrimp from The Little Kitchen
Grilled Chicken Sliders with Roasted Tomatoes from Sweet Caroline’s Cooking
Photo: Leigh Loftus
Sliders with Chipotle Mayonnaise from In Good Taste
Candy Chicken from Chez Us
Salads and Side Dishes
Macaroni Salad from 101 Cookbooks
Lemon Cole Slaw from One Perfect Bite
Cilantro Lime Corn on the Cob from The Little Yellow Kitchen
Photo: Leigh Loftus
Basic Potato Salad from In Good Taste
Summer Heirloom Tomato Salad from In Good Taste
Desserts
Blueberry Sour Cream Torte from In Good Taste
Berry Spangled Lemon Cheesecake from Eat, Drink and Be Merry
Thick and Chewy M&M Cookie Bars from Greens and Chocolate
Creme Filled Strawberries from Baker’s Royale
Cake nor Candy Brownies from In Good Taste
Cocktails
Photo: Leigh Loftus
Pomegranate Sangria from In Good Taste
Sparkling Blueberry Lemonade Cocktail from My Diary of Us
Strawberry Margarita from Sweet Life
Photo: Leigh Loftus
Fresh Basil Lemonade from In Good Taste
Photo: Leigh Loftus
Strawberry Sangria from In Good Taste
52 Comments
Plan the Best Patriotic Party in Orange, CT | Grand Reserve Orange
June 19, 2012 at 3:16 pm[…] Source: InGoodTaste (blog) […]
Pretending to be Patriotic: Traditional Apple Pie
September 2, 2011 at 2:00 pm[…] the cookouts and parties and friends and blah blah blah on Memorial Day and subsequently, on the Fourth of July, so this weekend is going to be a little […]
Chez Us
July 7, 2011 at 12:19 amGreat post on gearing up for the holiday – love it! Also love the shout-out on our candy chicken; thank you!! Hope you licked your fingers clean after eating it!
Courtney
July 4, 2011 at 2:31 pmWhat a great line up! Happy 4th to you!!
Reeni
July 3, 2011 at 6:24 pmThanks for all the great tips and mouth-watering recipes! Have a wonderful holiday!
Sawsan@chef in disguise
July 2, 2011 at 1:28 pmI can’t wait to explore all these amazing links
sweetlife
July 2, 2011 at 9:36 amwonderful round up of great ideas for this weekend!! glad to be on the sipping list, lol
have a great weekend!
sweetlife
The Harried Cook
July 1, 2011 at 9:52 pmWhat fabulous suggestions, Maris! Happy 4th of July weekend, and congrats on Food News Journal! Awesome 🙂
foodwanderings
July 1, 2011 at 8:07 pmExcellent round up and post Maris. Congrats on Food News Journal and Happy 4th of July weekend my friend!!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
July 1, 2011 at 4:48 pmWhat a great round-up of delicious recipes! Have a wonderful holiday weekend!
Wendy
July 1, 2011 at 10:15 amGreat post! And congrats on the pick up by Food News Journal!
Mary
July 1, 2011 at 9:34 amThank you so much for including me in the round up. Everything sounds delicious. Have a great holiday. Blessings…Mary
Rachel @ Not Rachael Ray
July 1, 2011 at 9:29 amWhat a terrific round-up! Thanks for taking the time to compile and share this!
Susan
July 1, 2011 at 8:47 amWhat a delightful array of recipes for the 4th! Have a great holiday!
Beth @ DiningAndDishing
July 1, 2011 at 8:34 ami have GOT to make those cream filled strawberries. we’re having a potluck on monday and i’ve definitely got my recipe now!! 🙂
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes
July 1, 2011 at 8:00 amThe 4th of July is a favorite of mine too. Both those pictures and the roundup of recipes are mouthwatering. Have fun!
Joanne
July 1, 2011 at 7:42 amMy family has always been really big on celebrating the 4th of July! It’s such a fun, relaxing holiday! I’ll definitely be trying some of these recipes this year. Awesome round-up!
Kitchen Belleicious
July 1, 2011 at 7:06 amYou are like my hero! Girl, is there any recipes or post or article you can’t write. Love this one! Love the fruit tart, love it all! Hope you have a fabulous weekend!
Rosa
July 1, 2011 at 5:20 amWhat a beautiful cake! Have a great 4th of July!
Cheers,
Rosa
Sabrina
July 1, 2011 at 5:16 amThank you for featuring my start spangled berry lemon cheesecake! it is so simple and easy to make…and delicious too! You have a wonderful site here!!! have a wonderful fourth of July!
Sherilyn @ Wholepromise
July 1, 2011 at 5:01 amWhat a great selection is on offer here. Can’t wait to start browsing. It all looks wonderful. Enjoy the 4th July!
Glorinha Rinaldi
July 1, 2011 at 4:09 amWe are following your blog, it is wonderful and very well done congratulations.
Glorinha and Rogerio Rinaldi
Creators earring Like
http://sbrincos.blogspot.com
bjs.
Shen @ Justonecookbook
July 1, 2011 at 1:31 amGreat party tip and recipe ideas! I love the cocktails!
Maureen
July 1, 2011 at 1:00 amYour advice about planning ahead is what I need to hear. I always end up working and waiting til the last minute.
I made those strawberries for friends today but dipped them in chocolate and they were delicious.
Since nobody celebrates the 4th around here but me, I’ll definitely be doing all the cooking!
Nami @ Just One Cookbook
July 1, 2011 at 12:53 amWhat a great work, Maris! I know it’s not easy to collect all the recipes into one area and your list is a great reference for people who need help with a meal plan! Luckily I don’t need to cook anything for this weekend…but I’ll pass this on to some friends who asked me some advice. 😉
peachkins
July 1, 2011 at 12:43 amthose are just amazing recipes!
The Waspy Redhead
June 30, 2011 at 11:53 pmThanks for featuring my guacamole!
Lauren
June 30, 2011 at 11:49 pmGreat round up! Now I have an even bigger list of recipes to try!
Junia @ Mis Pensamientos
June 30, 2011 at 9:23 pmthese are FABULOUS recipes here!!! esp that pommy sangria! hope you have a wonderful 4th of july 🙂
T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types
June 30, 2011 at 8:20 pmHappy Fourth, Maris! Hope it’s a great party for you!
Maria @ Scandifoodie
June 30, 2011 at 8:11 pmWhat a perfect round-up and great tips too!
Vanessa
June 30, 2011 at 7:23 pmSo many awesome ideas. I am bringing two side dishes to the 4th of July party at my parents. Found a few yummy recipes to try! Great post 🙂
velva
June 30, 2011 at 7:13 pmLots of great recipe ideas for the 4th of July. Although, unbelievably hot in Florida in July, it is a wonderful time of the year. I was smiling when you mentioned Labor Day, and in a short few weeks following we would be donning our sweaters. We will still be bathing suits here until mid-November (smile)
Great post. I enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing.
Velva
amy @ fearless homemaker
June 30, 2011 at 6:35 pmgreat tips + awesome menu suggestions. i love making minted lamb burgers as a change from regular burgers. we’ve converted quite a few ‘we-don’t-eat-lamb’ people with those!
Karriann Graf
June 30, 2011 at 6:31 pmA perfect round-up for this weekend, thanks for sharing Maris!
katelin
June 30, 2011 at 6:16 pmlove some of these ideas, i might actually have to try and make one of these. have a fabulous 4th of july!
Lisa from Lisas Yarns
June 30, 2011 at 6:09 pmWhat a great post- I am def book marking this for when I have a party at my new place!! I won’t be doing anything special for the 4th since I move this weekend, but I will hopefully catch some fireworks – if I haven’t passed out from exhaustion. 😉
lisa @ smart food and fit
June 30, 2011 at 5:39 pmThanks for the ideas and tips! I was just thinking about what to make for this weekend! The bacon potato salad looks good. I can’t wait to explore the menu options!
Liz
June 30, 2011 at 3:45 pmSuch fabulous ideas and recipes! Love the pie…and I’ve stuffed strawberries before, but the blueberry is a wonderful twist for the patriotic holidays. Thanks!
Jamie Walker
June 30, 2011 at 3:06 pmYou’re making me wish that I had spent my day preparing food for my 4th of July weekend..but alas, I’m not. So many wonderful recipes in here – thank you for sharing…that cake looks AMAZING.
Emma
June 30, 2011 at 2:58 pmWe as of now have no concrete plans for the 4th – I know we’ll be somewhere, but that’s all I know! So I will make some sort of blueberry dessert for us tonight. June 30th is the new July 4th:)
Ah I love Labor Day – because I love sweaters.
Betty @ scrambled hen fruit
June 30, 2011 at 2:56 pmWhat a great roundup of delicious food! This year- for the first time in many- I’m not hosting a party for the 4th, but these dishes would be wonderful for any occasion. 🙂
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
June 30, 2011 at 2:37 pmLove the roundup!
I am posting a red, white, and blue post in about a half hour.
I love seeing things like this!
sarah
June 30, 2011 at 2:02 pmI love roundups and this is a good one. I haven’t finished figuring it all out so this helps me a lot! I need to make room on my menu for pomegranate sangria for sure.
Daryl
June 30, 2011 at 1:02 pmWhat an awesome recipe roundup!
marci
June 30, 2011 at 1:00 pmFun holiday for cute food decorating! I’m hoping to make strawberries dipped in white chocolate with blue sprinkles. Did it for Memorial Day and it was fun and easy.
Caroline
June 30, 2011 at 12:38 pmThanks for the shout out, Maris!! I can’t wait to check out all of these recipes, as I’ve been hunting for good 4th of July recipes. Those are some gorgeous photos, too. The fourth is one of my favorites holidays as well. 🙂
yummychunklet
June 30, 2011 at 12:24 pmGreat list! I’m finalizing my menu tonight!
JulieD
June 30, 2011 at 12:23 pmGreat tips…I’m usually really good about preparing but the last two parties I threw were really stressful because I didn’t prep ahead of time! Thanks for including my grilled shrimp! 😀
Dishes of Mrs. Fish
June 30, 2011 at 12:22 pmThanks for including me on your link up! 🙂 All the recipes you’ve included sound delicious and the perfect addition to any summer party!
melissa@IWasBornToCook
June 30, 2011 at 12:16 pmThanks for featuring my Minted Lamb Burgers! They definitely do not disappoint 🙂 I love the way your Pomegranate Sangria looks and sounds…may have to try it this weekend. Have a great holiday!
Greg
June 30, 2011 at 12:12 pmI can’t wait to check this out more! Such great tips too and that cake is just fabulous. I love the star.