Looking for the BEST 4th of July picnic recipes? Look no further! From dinner to desserts to unique sides, you’re covered.
With the 4th of July holiday weekend soon to be upon us for those of us here in the States, I have all of the best 4th of July picnic recipes on my mind!
Ask my husband and he will tell you – there is almost nothing we love more than plotting out a menu for a holiday dinner or a backyard barbecue.
It brings me immeasurable joy to consider what side dishes, desserts, cocktails and main dishes I want to pair together to serve our friends and family.
If you have plans that include hosting or gathering with friends to celebrate the 4th of July, here’s the most epic of picnic menus for your consideration!
Rest assured, there’s a little something here for everyone – from the traditional barbecue fare to a few unique surprises. Give them a try!
1
Meghan Bassett
Spicy Ginger Grilled Chicken with Mango Avocado Salsa
I’m not sure there’s anything as quintessential summer as grilled chicken! (And that’s something coming from the resident vegetarian.) Our spicy grilled chicken thighs are first steeped in a marinade of agave nectar, soy sauce, sriracha chili sauce, fresh ginger and lime juice before then being grilled and topped with a delicious homemade mango avocado salsa. This is one you can’t miss.
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2
Kristan Roland
Strawberry Pie Bars Recipe
I have always loved a pie bar for dessert! Baked on a big sheet pan with a buttery homemade crust topped with a homemade strawberry filling and whipped cream, these strawberry pie bars are perhaps the perfect summer dessert and absolutely one of the best 4th of July picnic recipes in my very humble opinion. If you want to keep dessert simple on a hot summer day, these pie bars are the answer.
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3
Olivia Ribas
Black Bean Couscous Salad Recipe
I love a light and bright salad during the summer – I often make a big double batch to serve at a picnic and then enjoy the leftovers straight up as lunch at the beginning of my work week. This black bean couscous salad is exactly the right kind of salad for that! Loaded with veggies and fresh herbs then tossed with a tangy homemade vinaigrette, this salad pairs perfectly with all of your grilled dishes for a 4th of July picnic.
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4
Meaghan Mountford
Homemade Otter Pops Recipe
If you didn’t know that you could buy your own freezer pop bags – here’s your sign to put making your own on your summer bucket list! Nothing feels quite as classically summer as a big box of Otter Pops and making your own to serve all the kids at your 4th of July picnic is the ultimate power play. Made with fresh fruit juice and Greek yogurt they’re also incredibly easy to make!
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5
Megan Myers
Texas Heat Burgers Recipe
I’m not sure I can adequately express in words the flavor that these burgers pack. Our mouth-watering recipe uses Stubb’s Legendary Bar-B-Q Sauce in the burger itself and also in the tangy, savory BBQ mayo. Melt Coly Jack cheese over top and stuff it into a bun before topping your burger with thinly sliced red onions, lettuce, tomato and pickled jalapeños.
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6
Nora Rušev
Lemon Blueberry No Bake Cheesecakes
If you love cheesecake (like I do), but don’t always have the time you need to bake a true, traditional cheesecake (especially in the heat of summer) consider these perfectly portioned lemon blueberry no bake cheesecakes for your 4th of July menu! Tangy and creamy, each little pot is topped with a homemade blueberry sauce, fresh blueberries and whipped cream creating a dessert that’s sure to become a summer favorite.
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7
Susan Palmer
Strawberry Pimm’s Slush Recipe
While you’re working on tending the grill, stay cool with this strawberry Pimm’s slush recipe! It’s exactly the kind of fruity, refreshing cocktail recipe I prefer on a holiday like the 4th of July. Loads of fresh frozen strawberries are blended into a crispy cold drink garnished with strawberries and mint for the ultimate in refreshment. For an alcohol-free version, simply skip the Pimm’s liqueur!
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8
Meghan Yager
Jerk Chicken Mango Avocado Sliders Recipe
These crowd-pleasing jerk chicken mango avocado sliders taste like a trip to the tropics while never leaving your own backyard! Shredded jerk chicken is made easily in the Instant Pot, then piled high on toasted Hawaiian buns along with mango salsa and avocado. You can serve these sliders as an appetizer, but they’re delicious enough to stand alone as the star of your 4th of July picnic!
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9
Stacey Mebs
Easy Focaccia with Strawberries and Feta Recipe
This easy focaccia with strawberries and feta is topped with a flavorful balsamic glaze and it makes a surprisingly perfect side dish when planning a barbecue or 4th of July picnic! In addition to the incredible savory yet slightly sweet flavor, this focaccia is surprisingly simple to make – it does not require any kneading, just mix it together with a dough whisk or a wooden spoon.
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10
Kim Beaulieu
S’mores Brownies Recipe
Made directly on the grill in a cast iron skillet our s’mores brownies recipe isn’t your average brownie recipe. No, this is a decadent, fudgy, ooey, gooey brownie recipe, which is perfect for s’mores brownies if you ask me! Topped with marshmallows and crumbles of graham cracker, you’ll get all the s’mores flavor you’re craving at your 4th of July party and all summer long.
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11
Erin S.
Taco Pasta Salad Recipe
Is it even a summer barbecue if there isn’t pasta salad?! One of the best 4th of July recipes going is this unexpectedly tasty take on a classic pasta salad. What is taco pasta salad? Exactly what it sounds like! A creamy pasta salad tossed with all your favorite taco toppings like corn, tomatoes, cheese and olives along with a taco seasoning dressing made with sour cream and salsa.
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