Our 50 Most-Saved Fourth of July Recipes for the Best Barbecue Ever
Find your favorite sides, sauces, barbecue, and desserts.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Independence Day is almost here, and with it, all the best American food you can imagine. That's why we've rounded up the 50 Fourth of July recipes that our home cooks saved the most, from prize-winning baby back ribs to delicious desserts. Others remind you of your Nana and Grandpa. Some are regional meals and fusion recipes. Of course, many showcase the classic red, white and blue. No matter what you're looking for, you'll find something to love in this collection of our most-saved Fourth of July recipes.
American Potato Salad
ALLRECIPES / QI AI
"Just a good old fashioned, down home potato salad recipe that brings back memories of picnics in the park and family gatherings. Wonderful as it is or make it your own by adding additional ingredients of your choice." —JOSLYN
Yeah, I-Lived-in-Texas, Smoked Brisket Recipe
ALLRECIPES / JULIA HARTBECK
"This smoked beef brisket recipe is hands-down the best way I have found to cook a brisket." —all rec
Red, White, and Blue Dump Cake
"A 4th of July dump cake that is easy to make, delicious to eat, and there is only one pan to clean! Perfect to eat while watching the fireworks! Serve with whipped topping." —sbennett05
Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Corn on the Cob
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
"My husband made for two picnics over the 4th. BIG HIT! Everyone loved the bacon wrapped corn." —Bonnie
Easy Spicy Mexican-American Chicken
"My husband is Mexican, and he loves spicy chicken from the supermarket. I was trying to re-create one of the spicy packaged chicken dishes at home; this is what I came up with, and he loves it! It is very spicy, tangy, and easy to make." —Anna Rivera
Alabama-Style White Barbecue Sauce Recipe
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
"This Alabama white sauce is incredibly easy to make. It was invented in 1925 by Robert 'Big Bob' Gibson at Big Bob Gibson's Bar-B-Q restaurant, in Decatur. Don't let this mixture's appearance stop you from trying what is a devastatingly delicious marinade, basting sauce, and serving sauce." —Chef John
Better than Best Fried Chicken
"This chicken fried with cornstarch is simply delicious and uses, of all things, cream of chicken soup! The end result will surprise you. It will be perfect — crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and loaded with mouthwatering flavor. This chicken will definitely be requested on a regular basis by family and friends!" —CANDY WOO LI
Louisiana Crawfish Boil
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
"This crawfish boil is quite a feast! Invite the family and dig into this messy, delicious meal. Combining crawfish, sausage, corn, mushrooms, potatoes, and artichokes, this is a dish you'll crave over and over. Add other seafood or vegetables to your liking." —IMANKAY
BBQ Pork for Sandwiches
"Huge hit with the family! My 15 month old ate 2 servings and my husband ate tons! It's so easy, I wish all meals were so easy!" —bwmn
American-Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
"This fusilli pasta salad made with garden veggies, Italian parsley, Genoa salami, and a creamy Italian dressing will be a favorite at your next picnic or potluck." —Carol Emory
Best Vinegar Coleslaw
ALLRECIPES / QI AI
"This tangy vinegar coleslaw is perfect for those who like slaw with no mayonnaise. I got this wonderful recipe from one of the ladies in my Amish community." —Christina J
Southern Dill Potato Salad Recipe
"This creamy dill potato salad is the one my mother made for me as a boy growing up in Spanish Fort, Alabama. I know you will enjoy it! The best flavor is achieved when the salad is covered and placed in the refrigerator overnight." —NE1canCook
Grilled Corn on the Cob
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
"Grilled corn on the cob with butter, salt, and a little pepper cooked in foil will be perfectly tender and sweet. Easy to prep and perfect for every summer barbecue." —SUETEITSMA
No-Bake Cheesecake Flag Cake
"You can make this lovely, sweet treat for 4th July or any patriotic holiday without turning on the oven! Besides the taste and light mousse-like texture, I think your guests will enjoy the iconic stars and stripes design provided by the fresh blueberries and strawberries." —Chef John
Grill Master Chicken Wings
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
"These grilled chicken wings are always a hit! I grill them up before a party and keep them hot in a low oven. I always use Frank's RedHot sauce. It's got lots of flavor and isn't too spicy." —PartyFil-Grillmaster
Sweet Zucchini Relish
AllRecipes / Julia Hartbeck
"My mother's sweet zucchini relish is a family favorite. It's delicious on hamburgers and hot dogs." —Gail
Red, White, and Blueberry Fruit Salad
"This is an easy, refreshing strawberry and blueberry salad recipe that's been in our family for years. We usually make it for our Fourth of July party, but it can be enjoyed all year long." —JoAnn Cambareri
Chef John's Boston Baked Beans
"This is what baked beans are all about! I added a little extra sugar since I only had light brown sugar. I also used a pound of bacon. These are delicious and EXACTLY what I want when I make baked beans." —Carolyn
Blooming Onion and Dipping Sauce
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
"These are wonderful they are so close to the one's you get at a Steakhouse (Outback's). Everyone loves them and the dipping sauce is very good!" —Chuck
Easy Apple Slaw
Edible Times
"This apple slaw is one of our favorite summer recipes. It's a yummy combo of fruit and veggies in a sweet dressing — a must at every barbecue or potluck!" —Aunt Mamie
Frosty Strawberry Squares
"This is just like the strawberry fluff my mom made when I was growing up. Delicious and surprisingly easy to make...Great desert no matter which way you make it!" —mom2dylan&morgan
Smooth Sweet Tea
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
"This sweet tea is a classic Southern drink perfect for hot summer days!" —cookincode3
Classic American-Style Potato Salad
"DE-LICIOUS. I have never made a potato salad with eggs and red wine vinegar. Or scallions for that matter. I used to make it very basic, but ALAS! This is fantastic. I went a little heavy on the red wine vinegar, but otherwise it is heavenly. I also chopped my potatoes up a bit smaller since I don't like big chunks. I will make it again and again and plan on toting it to a BBQ ASAP." —smessycook7
Southern-Style Buttermilk Fried Chicken
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
"This buttermilk fried chicken is a down-home recipe I have used for years, and I thought I would share it. The buttermilk marinade is terrific and is such a comfort food. This is not a recipe that can be done quickly, but the wait is well worth it!" —pinkchef
Apple Hand Pies
Penne
"These apple hand pies, also known as apple turnovers, look too perfect to be homemade! Any of your favorite pie fillings, both sweet and savory, will work. I hope you give this easy technique a try soon." —Chef John
Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kabobs
"Fantastic! I made these for a birthday luau and they were a huge hit. I made no changes to the recipe and marinated only two hours and they were so yummy. Even the 3-year old at the party loved them!" —tracymc222
Southern Potato Salad
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
"I made this for my dad's 65th birthday party (for 75 people)....IT WAS FABULOUS! I must say that I am one who prefers a warm potato salad, but I served this one cold at the party and I still loved it!" —sagedoodlebug
Strawberry Cheesecake
"This creamy strawberry cheesecake is perfect for any special occasion! You have to bake the cake and let it cool for an hour, then chill it in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before serving." —Kathy Higgins
American Lasagna
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
"UN-BELIEVABLE! I absolutely loved this recipe! I've doubled the ricotta cheese mixture because I like it nice and cheesy. Very easy to make. A definite keeper!" —VAL428
Strawberry Shortcake
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
"This strawberry shortcake is the classic, biscuit-style shortcake — not the pound cake variety. The cake is sliced in half and layered with sweet juicy strawberries and whipped cream for a delicious summer treat!" —Denyse
Jello Poke Cake
ALLRECIPES / ANA CADENA
"This jello poke cake is an old Southern recipe passed down by my grandmother. Vary the flavor of gelatin used to get a specific color for any holiday...you can top this cake with berries or sprinkles if you like!" —mollie
Beer Brats
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
"These awesome brats are simmered in beer with onions and spices to make them bursting with flavor before finishing them off on the grill. Place the grilled brats in hot dog rolls, and top them with the tender onions and mustard." —Zach
Scott Hibb's Amazing Whisky Grilled Baby Back Ribs
"This is by far, hands down the best rib and sauce recipe! I make this time and time again for my husband and our guests. Everyone raves about it and can't wait until I make them again (and invite them over for it). I don't do anything different from what the recipe calls for — if you make it as is and pay attention to everything, it will turn out amazing!" —PK
Cedar Planked Salmon
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
"This cedar plank salmon is a dish my brother prepared for me in Seattle. The salmon is moist, smoky, and by far the best I've ever eaten. I like to serve it with Asian-style rice and asparagus." —Wendy Freeman-More
Blonde Brownies
France C
"WOW! I work at a bakery and I am always looking for easy cookies and bars. These did come out more like a moist chewy cookie, but they have been selling like crazy. Honestly, I was originally looking for something with more of a brownie/cakey texture, but these came out so yummy in their own right. A perfect, soft inside and crispier outside." —Allrecipes community member
Dave's Low Country Boil
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
"Low country boil is famous in Georgia and South Carolina. This boil is done best on an outdoor cooker. It has sausage, shrimp, crab, potatoes, and corn for an all-in-one-pot, all-you-can-eat buffet! Grab a paper plate and a beer and enjoy!" —Lisa
Deviled Eggs
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
“I'm surprised to find myself giving 5 stars to a fairly standard deviled egg recipe, but there is something about the balance of sweet and acid in this that is just right,” according to Jajam.
Marinated Flank Steak
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
"A great flank steak marinade like this one is important if you want a tender, juicy, flavorful steak. Make sure you marinate your flank steak for at least 2 hours for best results or longer if you have time. This wonderful quick and easy recipe also works great when the steak is sliced and used for fajitas." —GUYCON
Prize-Winning Baby Back Ribs
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
“This is a foolproof recipe,” according to Charles Nguyen. “Easy to find ingredients, simply get an excellent quality rib, pair it with your favorite bbq sauce and voilà!”
Strawberry Pie
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
"This strawberry pie is my favorite pie, and it's very easy to make. I got the recipe many years ago in North Jersey from the Sussex County Strawberry Farm." —OKBEE
Southern Coleslaw
ALLRECIPES / JULIA HARTBECK
"This Southern coleslaw recipe has been passed down the generations and is great for any occasion. It has the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. I've even been told it is reminiscent of KFC coleslaw. You be the judge!" —Kristina
Seven-Layer Taco Dip
AllRecipes / Julia Hartbeck
"This taco dip is always a big hit at parties and family get-togethers. People gather around the platter until it's gone!" —SUE CASE
Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
"These jalapeño poppers are creamy in the middle with crispy bacon on the outside. They're easy to make and taste so much better than traditional poppers." —videogator
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
"Strawberry pretzel salad is an easy dessert with lots of contrasting textures and flavors. It isn't too sweet, nor too salty, and looks really pretty when you make it in a glass dish." —Betty
Juiciest Hamburgers Ever
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
"No more dry, lackluster hamburgers. These are juicy, and spices can be easily added or changed to suit anyone's taste. If you find the meat mixture too mushy, just add more bread crumbs until it forms patties that hold their shape." —Jane
Perfect Summer Fruit Salad
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
"This fruit salad is perfect for a backyard bbq or any occasion. There are never leftovers! This is one of my favorite fruit salad recipes, as I think the citrusy sauce really makes it. This salad is tastier the longer you can let it soak in its juices. I prefer 3 to 4 hours in the refrigerator before I serve it." —Nicole Graham Holley
Oven-Baked Baby Back Ribs
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
"These oven-baked baby back ribs are seasoned with a homemade dry rub, then glazed with barbeque sauce and baked until tender and delicious. If you're in the mood for a little virtual trip into summer, give this technique a try. It works with literally any dry rub and barbecue sauce combo." —Chef John
Grandpa's Classic Coney Sauce
"Coney sauce is a condiment of ground beef simmered in tangy flavors and served on hot dogs. My grandfather owned a drive-in restaurant back in the 1950s. This is his exact recipe for Coney dogs from back in the day. I make this on special occasions, and it is always hit with friends and family." —Sean S
Key West Chicken
"This recipe from the Florida Keys has been given to almost everyone I know. It is the best marinade for chicken, and it only takes 30 minutes from prep till you can grill! It's a great blend of flavors with honey, soy sauce, and lime juice. If you have time, try marinating overnight for the fullest flavor." —TINA B
Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans
ALLRECIPES / MADHUMITA SATHISHKUMAR
“I’ve made this just like the recipe says and it tastes fantastic,” according to Brenda. “It’s a real favorite in my family and it’s easy to make too. Definitely a five star recipe!”
More 4th of July Inspiration
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