14 Side Dish Recipes for Your July 4th BBQ

By Jennifer A. • Jun 18, 2024

Your Fourth of July picnic isn't complete without the summer picnic basics — pasta salad, slaw, potatoes, baked beans, fruit salad, and more. These 14 Fourth of July Sides will round out your picnic in the best way. Fire up the grill and bring on the festivities!

1. Summer Pasta Slaw

Summer is not complete without a couple bowls of coleslaw and pasta salad. Or a few... or 12. Well, this Summer Pasta Slaw is so good even 12 bowls of the stuff might not be enough. We combined two beloved summer salad sides into one, and it will blow your mind! Tender macaroni, crunchy coleslaw mix, crisp apples, and juicy cucumbers make up the refreshing and cool side salad, but the heart-and-soul of the dish is obviously the dressing. That dressing is creamy, tangy, sweet, and a perfect way to bring out the most of the fresh flavors. Summer Pasta Slaw is the perfect way to beat the heat!

2. Cookout Broccoli Salad

When that sweet, sweet summertime rolls around, you know what that means! The season of grilling burgers, hosting pool parties, and serving refreshing sides is upon us. Speaking of great food, with so many options out there, how is one to choose which side to make for the inaugural backyard bash?! Don't fret! This Cookout Broccoli Salad was made for such a time as this! Cool, fresh, and crunchy, this sweet and creamy platter of greatness is just what you need the next time you fire up the grill. Let the good times roll and the bellies get full with this Cookout Broccoli Salad!

3. Easy Grilled Potatoes

Burgers and hot dogs aren't the only requirements for summer barbeques and cookouts; they need an equally impressive side dish to really shine. Often, this means potato salad, but there is another option, one even more on theme: Easy Grilled Potatoes! These potatoes are softened and then grilled on both sides, with tangy olive oil and just a little salt and pepper to elevate the fluffy interiors and crispy exteriors. Best of all, Easy Grilled Potatoes really are as easy as the name suggests, and ready in just half an hour to boot. Now you can be serving up your burgers with a savory side that's just as much in the summer spirit as they are!

4. Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad

What's better than cookout sides?! Well, truly, it's hard to say. But listen... we might just be on to something. We've learned that if you're daring enough to combine your favorite cookout sides together, yep, that's when things get really interesting. Who would have thought?! We did that with Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad and get ready, because your tastebuds' mind is about to be confused in the best way. With this combo of classics, you get to experience the creaminess and bounciness of your beloved macaroni salad all swirled together with the tangy and smooth taste of some deviled eggs. It might sound a little strange at first, but once you plop some on your plastic plate and dig in, you'll understand. Wash it down with a nice cold glass of lemonade and watch Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad become a new staple in your summer spread!

5. Summer Mediterranean Pasta Salad

When the heat hits the street, it's time for some picnicking! With Summer Mediterranean Pasta Salad in tow, every plaid tablecloth party will be a success! Everyone loves the fancy farfalle pasta (you know, the bow tie variety) and when you add freshly chopped English cucumbers, juicy green bell peppers, and bright cherry tomatoes with an amazingly tangy Greek salad dressing... well, you just made the picnic a Mediterranean magical marvel. Summer will never be the same once you whip up this Summer Mediterranean Pasta Salad!

6. Cucumber Shell Salad

Pull out that red checkered tablecloth and get to celebrating all those summertime recipes! This Cucumber Shell Salad is a fresh-from-the-garden taste that the whole picnic-loving family will enjoy! Tender pasta shells, crispy, vine-picked cucumbers, and spry, red onions, all melting in a lake of adored ranch salad dressing... this is just what your no-ants-allowed gathering has been longing for! Cucumber Shell Salad is a refreshing addition to any meal any time of the year, so don't wait for warmer weather to give it a try. Remember, flip flops and sunglasses are optional!

7. Strawberry-Tomato Salad

A little sweet and a little savory but packed with a whole lot of flavors! Strawberry-Tomato Salad makes for a terrific summer side for just about any main dish. The perfect combination of fragrant basil and oregano, a bit of sunny lemon zest, fresh and sweet strawberries, and juicy heirloom tomatoes join to become a uniquely divine taste. Easy, delicious, and refreshing, Strawberry-Tomato Salad is the pairing you didn't know you were missing. What a wonderful summer surprise!

8. Berry Kale Coleslaw

Fresh is always the best. Take advantage of every second of the season with this lively Berry Kale Coleslaw. When kale and green cabbage are chopped and topped with a refreshing, citrusy, Greek-yogurt-mayo-based dressing, and then tossed with fresh-from-the-patch, juicy strawberries, it's like a bit of summer in every bite. If you want an invigorating change of pace, add Berry Kale Coleslaw for an energizing boost to any meal. It's the perfect combination! So fresh!

9. Backyard Baked Beans

You don't need a cookout or even a backyard to enjoy a classic barbecue side dish! You just need beans, bacon, and the right fixings! Backyard Baked Beans are a wonderful balance of sweet and savory, with plenty of pork flavor throughout. With tangy mustard and Worcestershire sauce for greater depth of flavor, Backyard Baked Beans bring any occasion to a cookout-level of fun!

10. Bang-Bang Street Corn

Now here's a side dish with some kick! Bang-Bang Street Corn packs electric excitement into each and every bite. The corn is beautifully grilled so it's summery and sweet, while the créma spread is tangy, luscious, and citrus-bright! That's all before getting topped with the crunchy, crispy breadcrumb mixture and its toasted, fragrant, zesty spices! Mmmm, Bang-Bang Street Corn certainly delivers some explosive eats!

11. Bacon-Wrapped Corn

And you thought grilled corn on the cob couldn’t get any more delicious? Think again! Bacon-Wrapped Corn is corn on the cob like you've never had it before! Why? Because everything is better with bacon. We can promise you one thing: this side dish won't last long at your next cookout!

12. Secret Fruit Salad

We know, we know... secrets don't make friends. We realized we've been gatekeeping this recipe for too long and we've finally decided that you need to have it, too! We're letting this Secret Fruit Salad out of the bag and once you munch on it, you might understand why we've kept it to ourselves all this time. It's bursting with juicy flavors from rosy strawberries, tart blueberries, smooth peaches, and sweet grapes! Every taste is so fresh and delightful... it's practically summer in a bowl. Secret Fruit Salad is a secret no more! Whip it up and try it for yourself!

13. Loaded Guacamole

Just when you thought guacamole couldn't get any better, it did! Loaded Guacamole gives regular guac a makeover with hearty black beans, onions, sharp cheese, and tomatoes. It’s your favorite creamy, tangy, and spicy appetizer dip with some extra bright pizzazz. Loaded Guacamole is so delicious, you won’t have to worry about leftovers!

14. Ultimate Pico De Gallo

Oh sure, you could get your salsa from a jar at the supermarket... or you can show everyone how to really do Mexican cuisine with this Ultimate Pico De Gallo! It's so easy and quick to make you'll be amazed you ever bought the premade stuff! Juicy tomatoes and sharp onions are chopped up and seasoned with fragrant garlic, bright lime, and herbaceous cilantro, plus a little jalapeño pepper for heat. Then, just toss and presto! Ultimate Pico De Gallo is ready to get scooped up with tortilla chips or served on top of burritos or tacos or... well that's the beauty of it. The sky's the limit with this sauce/dip/snack/marvel!