50+ Best 4th of July Recipes for a Classic Southern Cookout

Plan your perfect 4th of July Southern cookout with 50 easy recipes for appetizers, sides, grilled mains, and patriotic desserts. Get ready for a stress-free and delicious celebration!

The 4th of July is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to plan the perfect menu for your celebration! Whether you’re hosting a big neighborhood block party, a fun pool party, or a simple family cookout, planning all the food can feel like a huge task, I know. But don’t you worry! I’ve put together the ultimate 4th of July menu with 50 of my favorite easy recipes to make your Southern celebration stress-free and absolutely delicious.

Plan your perfect 4th of July Southern cookout with 50 easy recipes for appetizers, sides, grilled mains, and patriotic desserts. Get ready for a stress-free and delicious celebration!
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This year, I’ve pulled together 50+ of my best 4th of July recipes—all Southern favorites that’ll help you host a cookout that feels festive, delicious, and totally doable. Let’s get this party started!

Answering Your 4th of July Party Questions (FAQ)

What is the most popular food for the 4th of July?

Classic American cookout foods are always the star! Think juicy hamburgers, grilled hot dogs, flavorful ribs, and classic side dishes like potato salad, corn on the cob, and coleslaw. And of course, you can’t forget a festive red, white, and blue dessert!

What are good make-ahead side dishes for a BBQ?

Cold pasta salads, potato salads, and coleslaws are perfect for making ahead of time. In fact, they often taste even better the next day! Dips like my Million Dollar Dip or Pimento Cheese Sausage Dip can also be prepped in advance to save you time on party day.

How can I make my 4th of July party easy and stress-free?

The key is planning! Choose recipes that can be made ahead, like the ones in my “Stress-Free Slow Cooker & Make-Ahead Mains” section. Prep your ingredients the day before, and don’t be afraid to ask guests to bring a side dish or dessert. The goal is to celebrate, not spend the whole day in the kitchen!

My Top 3 Tips For A Classic Southern Cookout

  1. Don’t Forget the Ice (Seriously) – If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s this—you always need more ice than you think. Between keeping drinks cold, filling coolers, and tossing scoops into sweet tea and lemonade, it goes fast. I always grab an extra bag or two just to be safe.
  2. Stick to the Classics, With a Little Twist – I always serve the tried-and-true favorites—grilled chicken, deviled eggs, baked beans. But I like to throw in something new each year too, just to keep things fun. A seasonal salad, a fresh dessert, or a creative dip gives guests something to talk about.
  3. Make It Comfortable So Folks Will Stay Awhile – Good food is just the start. I always set up a few shady spots, fill coolers with drinks, and play some music to keep the mood light and easy. Add a few flags or festive touches, and you’ve got yourself a classic Southern celebration that’s relaxed, welcoming, and full of good memories.

Crowd-Pleasing 4th of July Appetizers & Dips

Southern Caviar – Black Eyed Pea Appetizer

Made with black-eyed peas, corn, and a zesty dressing, Southern Caviar (or Black Eyed Pea Appetizer) is quick and super easy to make! This spicy and crunchy recipe is a versatile Southern staple that can be served as an appetizer, side dish, or on top of grilled seafood or chicken.

Antipasto skewers with olives and pasta lined up on a serving platter.

Antipasto Skewers: The Ultimate Appetizer or Side Dish

These Antipasto Skewers are a fun, make-ahead appetizer packed with bold Italian flavors. Great for parties, easy dinners, or serving alongside soup or grilled meats—this is finger food done right.

Party Cheese Ball

There’s something undeniably charming about a good cheese ball—it’s nostalgic, simple, and always the first thing to disappear at a party. My Southern Cheese Ball Recipe perfectly balances sweet and savory with creamy cheeses, crunchy pecans, and a burst of fresh apple. No fancy ingredients, no complicated steps—just real food, real flavor, and a whole lot of Southern comfort.

Celery stuffed with cream cheese, bacon, herbs and cheddar cheese are outrageously good! Served as an appetizer or snack, this is a recipe that's sure to become a favorite at parties, BBQs and family gatherings.

Outrageously Good Stuffed Celery

Celery sticks stuffed with cream cheese, bacon, herbs and cheddar cheese are outrageously good! Served as an appetizer or snack, this is a recipe that's sure to become a favorite at parties, cookouts and family gatherings.

Shredded cheddar cheese green onion and candied bacon all showing on top of a freshly made million dollar dip all put inside a nice wooden serving bowl.

Million Dollar Dip

Million Dollar Dip made with just a few simple ingredients is totally addictive and deserving of its name! This easy dip recipe made with cheese, bacon, green onions, almonds and mayo is great to serve at parties, for game day or when you're entertaining.

Freshed jalapenos cooked with sugar, spices and just the right amount of seasoning are turned into an irresistible dish that's perfect for burgers, dogs, salads, sandwiches and appetizers.

Candied Jalapeños Recipe (Cowboy Candy)

It doesn't matter if you call them Candied Jalapeños or Cowboy Candy, this sweet and spicy concoction is downright irresistible! With just a few ingredients, fresh jalapeños are turned into something extra special and perfect with burgers, sandwiches, salads, and appetizers or anything else that suits your fancy.

Warm dip made with crumbles sausage, cream cheese, pimento cheese along with green chilies and tomatoes is the perfect dip for parties, game day or tailgating!

Pimento Cheese Sausage Dip

Pineapple Bacon Cheese Ball cut and served on a round cracker for cocktails.

Pineapple Bacon Cheese Ball

Crushed pineapple, smoky bacon, and plenty of cheese come together to make a sweet and savory Pineapple Bacon Cheese Ball that’s hard to resist! Serve it with your favorite crackers for an appetizer during the holidays, at parties, or anytime you want to jazz up cocktail hour.

Black Bean and Corn Salsa Recipe

This colorful and fresh Black Bean And Corn Salsa is creamy, and crunchy with a subtle spicy kick! Made with 6 simple ingredients and in just 10 minutes, this salsa makes a great appetizer on its own, but don't stop there. Serve it as a side dish, or pile it on tacos, salads, eggs, or just about anything!

Spoon in Crab Dip cooked in cast iron.

Easy Hot Crab Dip

Rich, creamy Hot Crab Dip cooked in a cast-iron skillet is the ultimate appetizer for any party! Loaded with fresh crab meat and seasoned perfectly, your friends and family will be begging for this easy-to-make recipe.

Ranch Dill Pickle Spears and Chipe for snacks or sandwiches.

Ranch Dill Pickles (TikTok Recipe)

Ranch Dill Pickles have been blowing up the internet! Turn a jar of dill pickles into something ridiculously good with a packet of ranch seasoning mix. For snacking, appetizers and a must for any summer cookout or party.

Tomato Relish in a jar with a wooden spoon for serving.

Fresh Tomato Relish

Fresh Tomato Relish is full of bright, sweet, and tangy flavors making it irresistible! Serve it as an appetizer with crunchy bread and cheese or as a dip with chips. It's super versatile and makes the best topping for grilled burgers, sausages, chicken, and fish.

Wooden spoon with Crock Pot Queso Beef Dip.

Slow Cooker Queso Beef Dip

Queso Beef Dip is creamy, cheesy, loaded with ground beef, and simple to make in the slow cooker! This velvety smooth dip with swirls of green chilies, salsa, and jalapeños is a crowd-pleasing appetizer at any party, game-day celebration, or when you're entertaining.

Essential Cookout Salads & Sides (Cold)

Classic Potato & Pasta Salads

Creamy Tomato Cucumber Pasta Salad made with a simple dressing with fresh herbs and red onions.

Creamy Tomato Cucumber Pasta Salad

Fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, and herbs tossed in a light creamy dressing with pasta make a salad that's absolutely irresistible! Creamy Tomato Cucumber Pasta Salad is not only easy to make but it's colorful, cool, and does double duty as a side dish or salad.

Potato salad scooped out of a bowl with a wooden spoon.

Southern Potato Salad

With tangy mustard and hard-boiled eggs, this Southern Potato Salad is the perfect easy side dish for family gatherings and a must for holiday celebrations. Loaded with a flavor and a creamy texture, after just one bite, you'll know why this cherished recipe is a crowd favorite!

Creamy and full of flavor, Deviled Egg Pasta Salad is a side dish classic that perfect for any family gathering, cookout, or potluck. Made with elbow macaroni, boiled eggs, celery, bacon and topped with green onions all in a delicious mayonnaise based dressing topped with a sprinkle of paprika served in a white bowl.

Creamy Deviled Egg Pasta Salad

A creamy mix of deviled eggs, macaroni, crunchy celery, onions, and bacon—this pasta salad takes a Southern favorite to the next level and is perfect for cookouts, summer parties, or any family gathering.

Bacon ranch pasta salad being tossed with a wooden spoon.

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad combines crispy bacon, tender pasta, sharp cheese, sweet peas, and a cool ranch dressing to create the BEST pasta salad ever! You can never have too many salad recipes in your recipe box, and this one is an all-time favorite.

BLT Tortellini Pasta Salad served for a picnice or cookout is the ultimate side dish for summer.

BLT Tortellini Pasta Salad

Inspired by a classic BLT sandwich, this pasta salad is outrageously good with the addition of cheese tortellini and a light creamy dressing! This easy to make recipe is just the thing for any cookout, potluck, or family gathering. 

Fresh & Fruity Summer Salads

White serving bowl with fresh fruit salad.

Fresh Fruit Salad for A Crowd

Fruit Salad for A Crowd is a fresh, delicious, easy-to-make-ahead recipe that can feed a crowd without breaking the bank. Whether you're hosting a family reunion, block party, or tailgating event, this budget-friendly fruit salad recipe will be loved by all!

White serving platter loaded with fresh watermelon, grape tomatoes, red onion, spinach and feta cheese is an easy to make side dish for any spring or summer gathering.

Watermelon Salad With Feta (Refreshing And Easy)

With the perfect mix of sweet and savory flavor, Watermelon Salad with Feta is bright, refreshing and super easy to make! Whether served as a side dish or light lunch, it's the best cool salad for summer.

Best Salad For A Crowd

When it comes to feeding a crowd, salad is an excellent choice for its versatility and ease of preparation. Whether you're hosting a party, potluck, or gathering, serving up a delicious salad has something for everyone.

Pineapple Slaw is made with pineapple chunks, bagged cabbage, sliced almonds and green onions with a light, sweet dressing is a side dish that is great for any occasion!

Pineapple Coleslaw Recipe

Pineapple Slaw is sweet and crunchy with a light dressing that will have you feeling like it's summertime with every single bite! This quick and easy recipe is great to serve as a side dish, take to a covered dish supper and is a must at any backyard BBQ.

Ambrosia salad made with oranges, cherries, pineapple and marshmallows is tossed in a light fluffy mixture of fresh whipped cream with a touch of sour cream for extra flavor.

Easy Ambrosia Salad

Ambrosia Salad is a classic recipe that's hard to resist. Make with pineapple, cherries, oranges, coconut, pecans and grapes all wrapped up in fresh whipped cream and marshmallows, is a fruit salad that dreams are made of!

Ripe tomatoes and mozzarella pearls make the Best Caprese Pasta Salad.

Caprese Pasta Salad (Fresh and Easy)

This fresh and easy salad combines all the classic flavors of a Caprese Salad with pasta! Perfect for a simple family meal or when feeding a crowd this make-ahead recipe for the best Caprese Pasta Salad delivers a burst of flavor everyone will love.

Green Bean Salad made with fresh bean, tomatoes, onions and feta cheese, tossed into a light lemony dressing is the perfect side dish for any meal!

Simple Green Bean Salad

A crisp, refreshing green bean salad that’s a lighter alternative to heavier sides and comes together in minutes.

Strawberry Caprese Pasta Salad made with fresh ingredients is the perfect summer salad to serve at any family gathering or as a side dish for grilled meats and fish.

Strawberry Caprese Pasta Salad

Ripe, juicy strawberries, tender pasta twirls, and creamy mozzarella, all tossed in a bright dressing, make a fresh, easy-to-make salad that's like a pop of summer in every bite.

The Main Event: Classic BBQ & Grilling Recipes

Burgers, Dogs, and Handhelds

Grilled BBQ Chicken Legs with sauce and lemons.

Grilled BBQ Chicken Legs

In just minutes, you can make rich, tangy homemade BBQ Sauce with just the right amount of sweetness and heat! This made-from-scratch sauce is great slathered on chicken, pork, or beef, plus it's great as a dip for fries, onion rings, and veggies.

This classic combination of Grilled Sausage, Peppers and Onions is totally easy to make and delicious. Made with mild Italian sausage, sliced red and green bell pepper and yellow onions seasoned with salt and pepper and cooked on the grill.

Grilled Sausage With Peppers And Onions

For an easy weeknight meal or casual entertaining, Grilled Sausage With Peppers and Onions is a quick and simple dish that has something for everyone. Mild or spicy Italian sausage and tender veggies are a classic combination that's fantastic served with your favorite side dish or on crusty rolls.

Hot Dogs in buns cooked in the air fryer

Easy Air Fryer Hot Dogs

Make the VERY BEST hot dogs ever in the air fryer! Cooked in less than 10 these hot dogs are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and nestled in a toasted bun. This fast, easy way to serve up a family favorite treat is great whether you are feeding a couple of people or a crowd.

Sausage Potato Foil Packs

Sausage and Potato Foil Packs are a delicious dinner shortcut and incredibly easy to make! Flavorful, juicy sausage, potatoes, and sweet onions are cooked together in little bundles on the grill or in the oven for a delicious, stress-free meal.

Air Fryer Chicken Legs (Drumsticks) are so delcious flavored with lemon pepper, paprika, garlic powder. Roasted to perfection in just 20 minutes, this is a great, inexpensive weeknight main dish and perfect for feeding a crowd.

Air Fryer Chicken Legs

This recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Legs is the best for perfectly seasoned drumsticks without heavy breading and extra oil. They are juicy on the inside with mouthwatering crispy, crunchy skin. If that were not enough, they are ready to serve in 20 minutes!

Grilled Barbecued Hot Dogs

Made with yummy beef hot dogs and kicked-up store-bought barbecue sauce, these Grilled Barbecued Hot Dogs are the ultimate cookout recipe!

Hobo Dinner Foil Packs are made with ground beef, sliced potatoes, carrots and onions seasoned with butter and Montreal Steak Seasoning. They can be cooked on the grill, over a camp fire or in the oven.

Hamburger Hobo Dinner Foil Packs

Hamburger Hobo Dinners cooked in foil packs are downright delicious! Whether you’re cooking this meat and potato dish on the grill, a campfire, or the oven, these flavorful packages are sure to be hit with your family and friends.

Showstopper Meats and Kabobs

Grilled Pork Tenderloin marinated in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dried italian seasoning and garlic is tender and juicy. This easy to make recipe is great for a weeknight meal or when you're having guests.

Grilled Pork Tenderloin

Making juicy, tender pork has never been easier! Grilled Pork Tenderloin turns out perfectly every time all thanks to a simple marinade made with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic and herbs. Whether you're grilling on a summer evening with your family or entertaining friends, this delicious recipe is guaranteed to get rave reviews.

Marinated London Broil with lemons and onions with a serving fork on a wooden board.

Easy Marinated London Broil Recipe

Learn how to make the juiciest, most tender London Broil with this easy recipe! A simple marinade makes the beef extra flavorful for a main dish that's easy enough to make for a weeknight meal yet special enough to serve when you're having friends over for dinner.

Tender, juicy chicken marinated in balsamic, honey, garlic, olive oil fresh thyme and rosemary is an easy recipe to make on the grill or in the oven. Perfect for a weeknight meal or a lazy Sunday supper.

Juicy Balsamic Chicken Thighs

For an easy weeknight meal or a casual weekend get together, Balsamic Chicken Thighs are always a welcome sight at the table. Marinated in balsamic vinegar, honey with fresh herbs and garlic, this chicken is tender, juicy, tangy, and sweet.

Grilled Pineapple Chicken Skewers

Honey Chiptole Grilled Chicken

This Honey Chipotle Grilled Chicken recipe is sweet, smoky, and just spicy enough! Made with honey, chipotle peppers, and lime, it's perfect for grilling season.

Stress-Free Slow Cooker & Make-Ahead Mains

Crock Pot Hawaiian Meatballs on spoon with pineapple.

Crock Pot Hawaiian Meatballs

Easy Crock Pot Hawaiian Meatballs made with pineapple, BBQ sauce, and ginger. Sweet, tangy, and tender — perfect as a party appetizer or weeknight meal.

Silver spoon with a scoop of creamed corn that has been cooked in the crock pot.

Crock Pot Creamed Corn

Rich, creamy Crock Pot Creamed Corn, with a hint of sweetness, might be the ultimate side dish. It's easy to make since the slow cooker does all the work! Free up your stove top or oven space during the holidays or busy weeknights with the Crock Pot.

Bourbon Meatballs in a black pot with a wooden spoon

Crock Pot Bourbon Meatballs

Crock Pot Bourbon Meatballs are tender, succulent, and loaded with irresistible flavors. These meatballs, prepped in just minutes, are cooked in the Crock-Pot and are perfect to serve as an appetizer, for game day or on lazy weekends.

Crock pot full of country style pork ribs being served with a fork.

Crock Pot Country Style Pork Ribs

Crock Pot Country Style Ribs are slow-cooked until they’re tender, juicy, and full of flavor. Coated in a rich, savory sauce, they’re the kind of no-fuss comfort food that’s just right for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend dinners—no need to leave the house to enjoy ribs this good!

Easy Crock Pot Baked Beans

Slow-Cooked, sweet and savory baked beans with brown sugar and bacon is a side dish recipe that's pure perfection! For any cookout, barbecue, or summer party, these Easy Crock Pot Baked beans will be a hit.

Must-Have Side Dishes (Hot)

Red potatoes flavored with ranch seasoning then cooked on the grill in foil packets are loaded with cheese for a side dish that is perfect for any cookout or BBQ!

Cheesy Ranch Potato Foil Packs

Cheesy Ranch Potatoes cooked in Foil Packs are the perfect side dish for cookouts and BBQs. Cooking in foil packs on the grill is super popular, and for good reason. You can customize your dish with your favorite ingredients; it's easy, there's virtually no cleanup, and most importantly, the flavor is outstanding.

Bowl of air fryer cajun potatoes served as a side dish.

Air Fryer Cajun Potatoes

Crispy on the outside and fluffy inside, these Air Fryer Cajun Potatoes are packed with bold Southern flavor and ready in under 15 minutes—an easy, flavorful side dish for any meal.

Southern style green beans and perfectly cooked chopped up bacon all sitting inside of a square serving dish sitting on a blue and white kitchen towel.

Southern Style Green Beans

Savory, and full of Southern flavor, these green beans are a classic side I turn to again and again. Simmered with bacon and simple seasonings, they’re easy to make and always a hit at the table—whether it’s Sunday supper or a holiday meal.

Air Fryer Corn On The Cob is perfectly cooked and delicious.

Air Fryer Corn On The Cob (Quick And Easy)

Air Frying is an easy, one-step way to cook perfect corn on the cob in just minutes. Irresistibly delicious, corn on the cob is crispy on the outside, tender and sweet on the inside, with a grilled taste you'll love!

Festive Red, White & Blue Desserts

It wouldn’t be the 4th of July without a patriotic dessert! This sweet treat is as beautiful as it is delicious.

No Bake Cherry Delight In Jars is a yummy, easy to make dessert. A crust made with crushed graham crackers, butter and sugar is layered into small jars then topped with a mixture of cream cheese, powdered sugar and fresh whipped cream all topped with cherry pie filling.

No Bake Cherry Delight In Jars

For the easiest, yummiest no-bake dessert, ever, Cherry Delight served in jars is a sure-fire winner! It’s sweet, creamy, and great to serve at any summer gathering, party or during the holidays. This simple little dessert has quickly garnered a cult following. Here’s how it happened… A couple of weeks ago, I had Hunter and

More Sweet Southern Treats

Slice of Million Dollar Pound Cake on a white plate along with sliced of cake served for dessert.

Million Dollar Pound Cake

Million Dollar Pound Cake is buttery, soft, has rich flavors of vanilla and almond, and is a dessert that's worthy of its name! This classic recipe not only looks impressive but also tastes amazing and, believe it or not, is very simple to make with just 7 ingredients.

Chocolate Dip in bowl on fruit platter with cookies and pretzels.

Easy Creamy Chocolate Dip

Creamy, dreamy, light, and fluffy is what Chocolate Dip is all about! This decadent treat whipped up in less than 15 minutes is great served with fresh fruit, cookies, or your favorite salty snack.

Butterscotch cookies on a parchment lined baking sheet.

No-Bake Butterscotch Cookies

No bake cookies made with crunchy corn flakes, melted butterscotch chips and creamy peanut butter, are super easy to make!

Chocolate Chips mixed with cream cheese, sugar and vanilla create a dip that tastes like a slice of bakery cheesecake! Serve with fresh fruit, pretzels, and cookies for a sweet treat everyone will love.

Easy Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Dip

Get your cheesecake fix with this sweet, creamy, easy to make dip! This no-bake dessert has all the classic flavors of cheesecake yet it's taken to a whole new level with the addition of fresh fruit, cookies and savory pretzels for dipping.

Super Simple S’mores Brownies

S'mores Brownies are super easy to make with a box brownie mix and then amped up with toasted marshmallows, crispy graham crackers, and chocolate. This rich, gooey, summertime treat can now be enjoyed any time of the year!

Orange Pound Cake made with fresh squeezed orange juice and zest is a delicious dessert to enjoy any time of year! This buttery, sweet cake is surprisingly easy to make and and will disappear quickly.

Orange Pound Cake

No Churn Peach Ice Cream

No Bake Coconut Cream Pie In A Jar

No Bake Coconut Cream Pie In Jars

Indulge in a sweet treat with this easy no-bake coconut cream pie in jars recipe! With its creamy coconut filling and crunchy crust.

Refreshing Summer Sips & Drinks

Salty Dog made with grapefruit juice, vodka is served in a glass with a salted rim is refreshing and fun to drink!

Grapefruit Salty Dog

Sweet, tart and salty flavors is what a Grapefruit Salty Dog is all about! It's refreshing and a great easy to make, summer cocktail with a fresh burst of citrus flavor. With just 4 simple ingredients and 5 minutes of your time, you can relax in the sunshine sipping this irresistible drink!

Glass of homemade lemonade with a lemon wedge and sprig of mint on a wooden board.

Easy Refreshing Homemade Lemonade

2 pretty glasses of Tequila Sunrise cocktails on placemants with napkins.

Fresh Tequila Sunrise Cocktail

Beautiful to look at and refreshing to drink, Tequila Sunrise is a 3-ingredient cocktail that's full of summertime flavors.

Watermelon Cooler Cocktail is the perfect summer sipper. Make with fresh watermelon, lime juice and a bit of sugar and splash of tequila. For a drink the kids will love, just leave out the alcohol!

Watermelon Cooler Cocktail

Watermelon Cooler Cocktail is the perfect summer sipper! A refreshing drink, with or without tequila to enjoy at any summer party, BBQ or when you’re relaxing while watching the sun set. One of the best parts of summer is enjoying a sweet, ripe watermelon. When I was a little girl and spent summer days with

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