4th of July Recipes

4th of July is truly one of the best holidays because it’s just an excuse to eat delicious food, particularly on the barbecue. Rain or shine, the 4th of July is the perfect summer holiday and excuse to gather, eat, drink and be merry with friends and family!

Whether you’re bringing a dish to a party or hosting on yourself, here are some of my favorite recipes that scream “4th of July” and “summer”, in general!

1. Spicy Hawaiian Hot Dogs

Is it really the 4th of July if you’re not eating a glizzy?! Answer: no. With grilled pineapple, a limey, teriyaki mayo, jalapeno slices and cilantro, these dogs are spicy, sweet perfection.

2. Seattle Dogs with Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions

This iconic Seattle street food is perfect for summer gatherings. The best part is while you’re kicking back and enjoying the day, your slow cooker can do the work for you with some beer-infused caramelized onions.

3. Spicy and Smoky Pasta Salad

Every summer gathering needs a pasta salad! If you’re into spicy, smoky flavors, this one has your name written all over it.

4. Buttermilk Barbecue Chicken

This easy yet impressive buttermilk barbecue chicken is my go-to summer barbecue recipe. An overnight spicy buttermilk bath makes for the juiciest, most flavorful chicken you’ll ever taste. Finger lickin’ good!

5. Burgers with Blue Cheese Mayo, Jammy Onions and Arugula

Your 4th of July gathering needs a ball-out burger. It just does, plain and simple! And these burgers with blue cheese mayo, jammy onions and arugula I think are the perfect ball-out burger to impress the masses.

6. Jerk Chicken

My jerk chicken is another crowd-pleasing recipe you just have to feature on your summer spread. It certainly packs a punch with a whole habanero, but it equally packs loads of unexpected flavor.

7. Garlicky White Bean Dip

No summer spread is complete without some crunchy veggies and the perfect dip. That perfect dip to me happens to be my infamous garlicky white bean dip. When I say garlicky, I mean garlicky!

8. Sausage Stuffed Mini Peppers

Probably my most popular appetizer, these sausage stuffed mini peppers are creamy, meaty and delicious. Trust me when I say they will be one of the first things to go at the party!

9. Beer-Braised Onion Dip

What’s more American than chips and dip? Go classic with a twist with my beer-braised onion dip featuring one of my favorite beers. This one’s sure to be the star of the show!

10. Salted Watermelon Margaritas

All this tasty food is going to need something to wash it all down. My salted watermelon margaritas are about as summery and refreshing as it gets!

11. Spicy Honey and Lime Corn Salad

As delicious and classic as buttered corn on the cob is, it can be such a mess! Make things easy and spice things up with this spicy honey and lime corn salad.

12. Bacon Honey Mustard Potato Salad

It wouldn’t be summer without a potato salad! Bacon and honey mustard makes this dairy-free potato salad the perfect, sweet, tangy and savory combination.

13. Mini Cheesecakes

I can’t remember a summer holiday in my life without the addition of mini cheesecakes. Choose any fruit you like to top these creamy and downright addictive mini cheesecakes.

14. Salty Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats

Party rule #1: always bring a batch (or several) of my salty chocolate rice krispie treats! Once you’ve had them, you’ll understand why they are just about as famous as the 4th of July itself.