Is there anything more American than firing up the grill and cutting into a pie? We didn’t think so. Try Fourth of July meal ideas that show your love for the stars and stripes with red, white, and blue desserts that prove this is the land of the free to eat whatever you want—and home of the brave enough to try.
Entrées and sides
Let’s start with the main course. Try these Fourth of July recipes so guests can grab some much-needed grub after a day full of pool time and lawn games.
1. Kansas City Style BBQ Ribs
Those amber waves of grain gave us some of the best barbecue in the country. In this recipe, tender ribs are coated with a sweet and spicy rub, then baked, basted, and tossed on the grill for the final smoky touch.
2. Aloha BBQ Sliders
Hawaii may not have become a state until 1959, but it’s been a key part of American culture ever since! Add BBQ sliders to your list of Fourth of July meal ideas. These burgers perform their own sort of luau on your taste buds with barbecue sauce, Swiss cheese, pineapple, and red onion!
Did you know? The Liberty Bell hasn’t been rung since 1846 to avoid cracking (even more). Every Fourth of July the bell is tapped 13 times for each of the original colonies.
3. Grilled Beer Brats & Potatoes Foil Packets
Easy and delicious holiday recipes? Yes, please! These foil packets are easy to assemble, easy to clean up, and most importantly—DELISH!
4. Kosher Italian Beef Topped Chicago Dog
Nothing says America like the crack of a bat and biting into a plump, juicy hot dog, which is why we’re giving you this patriotic recipe served up Chicago style, with just as much spunk as the Windy City itself.
Did you know? July 4th is the biggest hot-dog-consumption day of the year with Americans consuming an estimated 155 million!
5. Loaded Scalloped Potatoes
You know what goes well with BBQ? Potatoes! But not just any potatoes. This cheesy casserole, developed by Chef Billy Parisi, amps up regular taters with sharp cheddar cheese, spicy ranch, bacon, and other fixings that make our country great.
6. Grilled Potato Salad with Mustard Dressing
Hot potato! This Fourth of July recipe lets you grill your side right by your burgers before piling on the classic potato salad accents—bacon, dill, green onion, and a mustard dressing.
Did you know? Fireworks were first used in 1777. Congress chose fireworks as a way to celebrate the first anniversary of America—along with bells and bonfires.
7. Avocado Corn Salad
Knee-high by the Fourth of July means it’s the perfect time to whip up one of our favorite patriotic recipes that features juicy corn! Serve it by itself or with your favorite crunchy chips. Recipe by Chef Billy Parisi.
Drinks and desserts
Now it’s time for the fun part… cool down with these festive drinks and dazzle others with our red, white, and blue desserts.
8. Tomato Watermelon Granita
If a dip in the pool wasn’t enough to cool you off, this refreshing drink accented by lemon and mint should do the trick! Recipe by Chef George Duran.
9. Firecracker Shakes
Want to make your Fourth of July celebration truly “pop”? We’ve got just the thing: an Instagram-perfect milkshake. Add the finishing touch to your Fourth of July meal ideas with an (almost) too-pretty-to-sip sweet treat, topped with a summery surprise: popping candies that put the party in your mouth.
10. 4th of July Firecracker Cupcakes
Bright, summery flavors with popping candy as the grand finale: What’s not to love about these Firecracker Cupcakes? Duncan Hines® Signature Strawberry Supreme Cake Mix takes center stage while the maraschino cherries dipped in melted white chocolate and popping candy play a show-stopping encore.
11. Red, White and Blue Ombre Cake
Normally beautiful desserts and rich, can’t-get-enough desserts aren’t the same thing, but this gorgeous treat begs to differ. With as much styling as our forefathers’ wigs, the patriotic recipe will also tug at your savage instincts with its addicting combination of fresh fruit and buttercream frosting. Happy birthday, America—now let’s eat one of our most festive red, white, and blue desserts.
12. American Flag Cupcake Cake
We’re a sucker for an American flag cake, and this one keeps things as interesting on the inside as they are on the outside. Duncan Hines Classic Devil’s Food Cake Mix lends its talents to make decadent cupcakes all the more crave-worthy with pretzels and peanut butter chips folded in. Nonpareils and star sprinkles help form our beloved stars and stripes, all while letting the chocolate surprise peek through.
13. Stars and Stripes Cake
Red velvet cake and homemade cream cheese frosting… it doesn’t get much better than this holiday recipe! The irresistible flavor combo gets a patriotic spin with the help of parchment paper stencils and red and blue sprinkles.
14. Cookie Dough Brownie Ice Cream Cake
You can never have too much of a good thing. Like ice cream. And brownies. And cookie dough. And SPARKLERS. Dig into this red, white, and blue dessert that offers cool, creamy, and crunchy bliss.
15. Patriotic Cake in a Jar
Is it a drink or dessert? The lines are blurred with this refreshing holiday recipe. Duncan Hines Classic Yellow Cake Mix gets a patriotic pop of color with the help of red and blue food coloring. Watermelon drink mix gives the cake layers a summery spin while cream cheese filling adds fluffy texture. Finish it all off with watermelon stars and raise a toast to the U.S. of A.
16. Brownie Bowl Ice Cream Sundaes
Forget waffle cones: Homemade brownie bowls are a next-level vessel for hefty scoops of ice cream. All you need are two muffin tins and Duncan Hines Chewy Fudge Brownie Mix—shape ’em, bake ’em, let ’em cool, and stuff ’em with all your favorite sundae accessories. Check your local grocery store for pre-packaged red, white, and blue sprinkles, or make your own star-spangled sprinkle combo by mixing up individual colors.
17. Red, White and Blue Marble Cake
Let out your inner artist! No paintbrushes required—you’ll use a butter knife and the back of a spoon to create a marbled masterpiece in cake form. Slice into your all-American artwork and eat up with this delicious Fourth of July recipe.
18. Brownie Crispy Bars
The dessert mashup you never knew you needed—until now. Delight your potluck or picnicking pals with the unexpected combo of marshmallow treats and brownies, united for sweet, bite-sized stacks of fudgy, crispy, chewy goodness.
19. Red, White and Blue Ice Cream Pie
The ultimate dessert is here to pair with your patriotic recipes! Use fresh berries, a graham cracker crust, vanilla ice cream, and a big whoosh of Reddi-wip®.
Fun fact: Ice cream pie is definitely the “Pursuit of Happiness,” but did you know Thomas Jefferson originally declared the “Pursuit of Property” before changing it to that?
20. Mini Berry Trifles in a Jar
If Betsy Ross were still alive today, she’d totally make this patriotic red, white, and blue dessert that’s assembled in a Mason jar.
21. Red, White and Blue Popcorn Balls
Serve up these popcorn balls for a festive and easy sweet and salty snack!
Fun fact: The White House had its first Fourth of July party in 1801. We would’ve loved to have been there!
