Don't miss these 4th of July Menu Ideas for 2024! Choose from 4th of July appetizers, drinks, entrées, sides and desserts, all from Cooking with Mamma C. Whether you need ideas for what to bring to a cookout or need July 4th recipes for your own party, you'll find something delicious!
Who's ready to enjoy a 4th of July party with family and friends?
Whether you're hosting a shindig, celebrating quietly at home or need to bring a dish to a potluck, I'm here to help plan your 4th of July menu!
I've pulled my favorite recipes that are perfect for a summer party buffet, barbecue or cookout. I assume you know how to grill hamburgers and hotdogs, so I'm covering the rest. (Check out these Quick Hamburger Buns!)
Are you ready?
4th of July Menu Ideas for 2024
I've rounded up a collection of 4th of July recipes so you can plan your menu! Every one of these has been a hit at various parties and potlucks over the years. Enjoy!
4th of July Drinks
Any of these tasty drinks from Papa C would be perfect for your 4th of July cookout!
Lemonade Moonshine
This easy Lemonade Moonshine screams summer! It's so refreshing and delicious, it's our most popular drink recipe!
Iced Tea and Rum Cocktail
You just need three ingredients and a quick minute to make this Iced Tea and Rum Cocktail! Everybody loves this refreshing iced tea for adults.
Red Wine Slushies
Wow your guests with these stunning, refreshing Red Wine Slushies! You just need four ingredients, including ice!
Easy Apple Pie Moonshine Recipe
You'll love this delicious, no-boil moonshine with Everclear. Just pour five ingredients into a pitcher, stir and let it sit overnight!
Dark Cherry Amaretto Sour
Use frozen dark cherries and a homemade sour mix to make this festive Dark Cherry Amaretto Sour! It's always a hit.
4th of July Appetizers
Whether you're looking for dips or 4th of July finger foods, you'll find something delicious here!
Fresh Blueberry Salsa (Sweet & Savory)
Your guests won't be able to stop eating this Fresh Blueberry Salsa! Serve it with tortilla chips and enjoy its sweet-and-savory vibe.
Seven-Layer Taco Dip from Scratch
Ditch the packets and make this Seven-Layer Taco Dip from Scratch! It's easy, addictive and a real crowd pleaser!
Homemade Ranch Dressing
If you haven't tried this easy Homemade Ranch Dressing, you don't know what you've been missing! Dip raw veggies in it or mix it in a salad.
Tomato Bruschetta with Balsamic Glaze
Basil, garlic powder and onion powder provide just the right accents for this delicious Tomato Bruschetta with Balsamic Glaze. Your guests will be so impressed with this easy appetizer!
Asiago Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Everyone will crowd around this fabulous Asiago Spinach and Artichoke Dip! Serve it with pita chips or raw carrots.
Baked Parmesan Jalapeño Poppers with Prosciutto (Gluten Free)
These gluten-free Baked Parmesan Jalapeño Poppers are so delicious! Make them mild or as spicy hot as you like!
Guacamole with Cherries, Gorgonzola and Walnuts
This sweet-and-savory guacamole with cherries is a showstopper! It's drizzled with honey and is irresistible!
Italian Zucchini Fritters Recipe
My Nonna's Italian Zucchini Fritters are amazing! Don't miss this family favorite from Naples!
4th of July Entrees
If you want to go beyond hamburgers and hot dogs, check out these main dish ideas for fourth of July food!
Super Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs
If you love falling-off-the-bone ribs, you have to make these Super Easy Slow Cooker BBQ ribs! Everyone will think you worked so hard to make these, but this is probably the easiest main dish on my site!
Slow Cooker Carolina Pulled Pork
You just need 15 minutes to prep this amazing Slow Cooker Carolina Pulled Pork before letting it cook for eight hours. It's juicy, tender and has a nice vinegar kick! Serve it on buns or in tortillas.
Steak Pinwheels with Bacon, Spinach and Parmesan
These steak pinwheels are always a hit! The bacon, spinach, Parmesan and balsamic glaze provide the perfect accents.
Leftover Spaghetti Frittata
This Spaghetti Frittata is fabulous served cold or at room temperature and is perfect for a 4th of July picnic! Everyone will love this meatless main dish from Naples!
Easy Sausage and Peppers in the Oven
These Easy Sausage and Peppers in the Oven are perfect for your July 4th menu! This has been my go-to recipe for decades, and everyone loves it!
4th of July Side Dishes
Need side dishes for hamburgers and hot dogs? I've got several delicious options for you! These have all appeared on our summer buffets throughout the years.
Deviled Egg Potato Salad
People say this is the best potato salad they've ever had! It's creamy and full of flavor from red and green onions, mayo, mustard, sour cream and a kick of cayenne pepper.
Italian Potato Salad with Green Beans
If you'd rather skip the mayo, you have to try this Italian Potato Salad with Green Beans! It's made with oil and vinegar and holds up really well on the buffet table. It's a great vegan side dish for the 4th of July.
Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad
Our go-to pasta salad features Parmesan, black olives, cherry tomatoes, basil and a sun-dried tomato vinaigrette. It's always a crowd pleaser!
Caponatina (Eggplant Caponata Recipe)
This Sicilian eggplant appetizer has a sweet-and-sour dressing and is so delizioso! Make it a day ahead to allow the flavors to develop.
Italian Bean Salad
You just need five minutes to make this fabulous Italian Bean Salad! It's the easiest side dish for a cookout.
Italian Carrot Salad with Basil
These gorgeous carrots are accented with basil and a red wine vinaigrette. They taste like a million bucks and will wow your guests!
Cauliflower Rice Caprese Recipe
Ready in less than 10 minutes, this Cauliflower Rice Caprese tastes like summer in a bowl! Cauliflower pearls, tomatoes, mozzarella, basil and balsamic glaze come together in a delicious salad for the 4th of July.
The Best Corn on the Cob
The Best Corn on the Cob is crisp-tender and naturally sweet! Steam it on the stove and see what you've been missing!
Italian Zucchini Bake
This Italian Zucchini Bake is mandatory at all our gatherings! It's made from scratch with Pecorino Romano and Parmesan and tastes better than the original.
Marinated Zucchini with Mint (Zucchine alla Menta)
This Marinated Zucchini with Mint will steal the show at your July 4th barbecue! You won't believe how delicious this tastes until you try it!
Pan-Fried Eggplant with Tomato Sauce
Just make these eggplants from Naples! Serve them chilled or at room temperature, and thank me later. So good!!!
Marinated Roasted Bell Peppers
Bring an Italian flair to your hot dogs by topping them with these Marinated Roasted Bell Peppers! They're sautéed in olive oil with garlic after roasting and taste amazing!
Italian Green Beans with Tomatoes and Garlic
These Italian Green Beans are delicious served at room temperature. This is the perfect vegan side dish for your summer BBQ!
4th of July Desserts
Need ideas for fourth of July desserts? You'll find easy dessert salads, plus delicious pies, cakes and awesome ice cream desserts for a crowd.
Blueberry Pie with Sugar Cookie Crust
It wouldn't be the 4th of July without this Blueberry Pie with Sugar Cookie Crust! Use star cookie cutters, if you have them, to make this a patriotic dessert.
Fresh Strawberry Pie with Amaretto
Put the red in your red, white and blue celebration with this Fresh Strawberry Pie with Amaretto! This is the best strawberry pie you'll ever have. Top it with almond-flavored whipped cream!
Lemon Lush Dessert Recipe from Scratch
Lemon desserts are always a hit, and this Lemon Lush from scratch is the best of them all! Homemade lemon pie filling and whipped cream bring the deliciousness to a whole new level.
Fried Ice Cream in a Pan
You just need 25 minutes to make this awesome Fried Ice Cream in a Pan! Let it freeze for at least five hours, then slice and serve it with whipped cream. Everyone will love it!
Amazing Oreo Ice Cream Cake Recipe with Caramel
This Oreo Ice Cream Cake has been a family favorite for decades! Make it 1-2 days ahead of time for the best texture. Instructions include options for a round springform pan or a 9x13.
Peanut Butter Cookie Variations
These are the best peanut butter cookies! I've been making these for years and have included options for crispy, soft and stuffed versions, plus one with chips. You'll love them!
Triple Chocolate Raspberry Brownies
Every party needs chocolate, right?! These Triple Chocolate Raspberry Brownies are fudgy, gooey and fabulous!
Raspberry-Almond Angel Food Cake
Make this festive angel food cake from scratch or a boxed mix and fill it with raspberries and raspberry-almond whipped cream! Once you try it, you'll make it again and again!
Sour Cream Pound Cake (Low Fat)
Flavor this delicious Sour Cream Pound Cake with almond, vanilla or lemon extract and serve it with berries. You can even cut it into cubes for a patriotic trifle layered with strawberries, blueberries and whipped cream!
Italian Strawberries with Sugar and Lemon
So quick and refreshing, these Italian Strawberries with Sugar and Lemon are the perfect, easy dessert for your 4th of July menu! Serve them as a fruit salad or over ice cream or pound cake.
Grape Dessert Salad
If you've only got 15 minutes but want to be the party hero, you've got to make this addictive Grape Dessert Salad! It features a creamy vanilla dressing and is topped with brown sugar and walnuts.
I hope you enjoy these 4th of July recipes! Have a safe and Happy 4th of July!
Sara Welch says
Looks like I have my menu line up for the 4th! Excited to give these a try; they all look delicious!
Mamma C says
Hi Sara - Enjoy. Thank you!