30 Easy 4th of July Recipes - Iowa Girl Eats (2024)

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I can’t believe we’re talking 4th of July, baby! Well, hopefully not anactual4th of July baby – little girl’s still got a few more weeks of cooking to do – but seriously, how did we get here?

Recently I got to thinking about the past few 4th of July holidays and how different they’ve all been. From watching fireworks snap and sparkle behind the White House, to a Midwest crab boil,and celebrating with friends via a fancy roof top patio– the 4th is always a holiday I look forward to, and back on with fond memories. Not like New Years Eve which, despite everyone’s best intentions, never seems to work out. Right? Get it TOGETHER, NYE!

All that said, this year we plan to lay low and have a few friends over to celebrate. I’m about ready to pop and, well, making it past 7pm is a pretty epic feat. We’ll light up some sprinklers, enjoy a homemade s’more or 17, then call it a night. Definitely more low-key then 4th of Julys past, but the good thing about staying home is that we can make and serve a proper holiday feast including a ton of the yummy, summery dishes below. I hand-picked these recipes as being super fresh and picnic or potluck-ready so you can either set them out for friends and family, or bring along to wherever the festivities take you.

Tell me, what are you up to this 4th of July?Wherever it is, and whatever you do – I hope you stay safe, have fun, and eat well (and have a couple cocktails for me!)

Side Dishes

Grilled Corn and Avocado Pasta Salad with Chili-Lime Dressing

Cauliflower Couscous Salad

Crock Pot Baked Beans(or it’s baked brother, Judy’s Baked Beans!)

Italian Guacamole Salad

Southwestern Black Bean Dip

Classic Potato Salad

The BEST Pasta Salad

Ultimate Red-Skinned Potato Salad (Mayo-Free)

Cauliflower “Faux-Tato” Salad

Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Drizzle

Italian Chickpea Salad

Tropical Fruit Salad with Chili-Lime Dressing

Marinated Vegetable Salad

Mojito Fruit Salad

Main Dishes

Homemade Brat Burgers withGluten-Free Beer-Braised Caramelized Onions

Marinated Grilled Chicken with Cucumber-Watermelon Salsa

Perfect Grilled Steak with Herb Butter

Easy Baked Ribs

Spicy Shrimp and Sausage Skewers

Desserts

No-Bake S’mores Icebox Cake

Triple Berry Crumb Bars

Gluten-Free No-Bake Strawberry Shortcake Ice Box Cake

Blueberry Almond Crisp

Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Dirt Cake

Peanut Butter S’Mores Cheesecake Ball

Strawberry-Blueberry Vanilla Chex Bars

Drinks

Boozy Frozé

Sparkling Mint Limeade

Strawberry Coconut Water Lemonade

Chambord Margarita

Dad’s Killer Beergaritas(be sure to use a GF beer if you need it!)

Watermelon Agua Fresca

Secret Ingredient Rose Sangria

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