While these colorful sides might not be the main event, they’ll add oomph to any celebration. So much so that I give them the same amount of love as I do the burgers, hotdogs, and steaks. After all, the more options at a BBQ, the better! I know I’ll be making more than one of these tasty 4th of July side dishes. What about you?
1. Watermelon Blueberry Salad
This summery salad looks so stunning in red, white, and blue! One look and you already know it’s perfect for the 4th of July. Besides the patriotic colors, what makes this salad holiday-worthy is how delectable it is. The combo of fresh watermelon, blueberries, and feta crumbles is so refreshing, it goes well with any hearty, meaty entrees.
2. 4th Of July Potato Salad
Tell me you’re making potato salad and expect me at your door in 15 minutes. That’s how obsessed I am with this side dish. This potato salad doesn’t have the usual creamy dressing, but a simple lemon and olive oil vinaigrette instead. What makes it extra special is that it uses not just one, but three kinds of potatoes. It also features red peppers, onions, and lots of herbs, too!
3. Red White and Blue Fruit Salad
Here’s another red, white, and blue salad that’ll surely get you into the holiday spirit. It’s a bowl full of fresh bananas, strawberries, and blueberries tossed in a honey-lime dressing. The combination of sweet and tart flavors from both the fruits and dressing makes this salad truly refreshing. Serve it up in a star-shaped bowl for an even more patriotic presentation.
4. Grilled Corn on the Cob
Nothing beats the goodness of classic, grilled corn on the cob! As far as BBQ sides go, this is probably the most beloved. It’s bright, sunny, and a hit with the kids too. Oh, and it’s delicious. It’s sweet, perfectly charred, and crunchy as well as soft and chewy. It’s the kind of side dish you won’t mind getting your hands dirty for.
5. Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Whoever came up with the idea for pasta salad deserves an award. The combination of fresh veggies and hearty pasta is pure gold! In this case, it’s a colorful mix of rotini, tomatoes, bacon, and a creamy dressing. Once it’s had time to marry, it’s the perfect balance of rich and refreshing.
6. Wedge Salad with Blue Cheese
This wedge salad is as crunchy and refreshing as can be! And sure, iceberg lettuce isn’t the most exciting vegetable known to man. But with a touch of blue cheese and a smothering of luscious sour cream dressing, it becomes irresistible.
7. Pesto Pasta Salad
I’m not a fan of greens, but I think pesto is the besto! (Yep, that’s a Friends reference, right there.) This pesto salad doesn’t contain sour cream or mayo, but it is creamy beyond belief! It’s all thanks to a blend of basil, pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil. The dressing is no doubt tasty, but the salad mix-ins are equally awesome. Fusilli, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls for the win!
8. BBQ Baked Beans
Just like corn on the cob, BBQ baked beans is another must-have at a 4th of July feast. Its sweet, savory, and smoky flavors, as well as its soft and starchy textures, go wonderfully well with grilled meats and barbecues. Plus, it tastes great with other 4th of July sides, too, such as coleslaw and potato salad.
9. Grilled Watermelon
Fresh watermelon is good, but grilled watermelon is unbelievable. Whoever thought about putting watermelon slices on a grill is a genius. It gives the fruit an even sweeter and deeper flavor, and it makes it look and smell extra special, too! Serve the grilled slices with cilantro and lime wedges for a colorful presentation.
10. Loaded Baked Potato Foil Packs
Tender and starchy grilled potato chunks overloaded with sour cream, shredded cheddar, bacon, and chopped green onions – what more could you want? The toppings are awesome, but I also want to highlight just how delicious the spuds are on their own. Flavored with sea salt, peppercorn, roasted garlic, and herb seasoning, then grilled to perfection, they’re definitely enjoyable even without the add-ons.
11. Rotisserie Chicken Salad Recipe
There’s no better way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken than to turn it into this chicken salad. I’m not exaggerating, this salad is sensational! It’s a complex mix of shredded chicken, grapes, almonds, and celery tied together by a super creamy dressing. This is so tasty on its own, but also amazing as a sandwich filling, especially in a croissant.
12. Asparagus Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
It doesn’t sound too amazing, does it? But don’t knock it until you try it. This recipe is actually a terrific way to elevate humble asparagus into a side dish worthy of being served on the 4th. Radishes and green onions offer a nice color contrast. They’re then tossed with a simple lemon, olive oil, and sugar vinaigrette to liven up their flavors. I’m telling you, it truly is worth a try!
13. Quinoa Fruit Salad
This quinoa fruit salad may be vegan, but I’ll bet even your meat-loving friends will ask for seconds. I mean, just look at it! Its presentation alone will make you want to try it. This salad is a mix of quinoa, blueberries, and strawberries tossed in a sweet and tangy citrus dressing. It’s light and refreshing, but because of the quinoa, it’s also very hearty and filling.
14. Grilled Hasselback Potatoes
There are not enough words to describe just how obsessed I am with these Hasselback potatoes. The savory, buttery, and smoky flavors are outstanding, but what really got me so hooked with this potato recipe are its textures. They’re crunchy and crispy around the edges and super tender and fluffy on the inside. Those thin slices really add an extra depth of texture to the dish. It’s definitely deserving of an A+.
15. Creamy Broccoli Salad
Broccoli doesn’t exactly elicit shrieks of joy, but this creamy broccoli salad will. Broccoli florets, bacon bits, sunflower seeds, and raisins are tossed in a creamy mayo dressing for the ultimate treat! Okay, so, I might be a little biased with this one – I mean, it’s my own, after all. But when have I ever led you astray?
16. Fireworks Pasta Salad
You’ll try it for its name, and you’ll make it again and again for its awesome taste. This fireworks pasta salad is undeniably the bomb. Featuring macaroni and a mayo dressing at its base, it seems ordinary, but the recipe’s long list of spices and seasonings ensure an explosion of flavors.
17. Grandma’s Macaroni Salad
You just can’t beat the classics! This is creamy and decadent macaroni salad is just like your grandma used to make. Complete from macaroni to colorful veggies to a rich mayo dressing, it’s technically a side dish, but it’s definitely filling. In fact, I don’t mind eating it on its own.
18. Balsamic Grilled Vegetables
If you’re looking for something light to contrast the heaviness of grilled burgers and barbecue chicken, the search is over. This medley of grilled vegetables tossed in balsamic is simple, but it hits the spot every time.
19. Bacon-Wrapped Corn on the Cob
Classic corn on the cob is already perfection. But what if you wrapped it in bacon? This, folks, is a side dish of epic proportions. And did I mention it’s spicy, too? That’s right, there’s paprika and jalapeños in the mix!
20. Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
There is a way to make asparagus a hit with the kids, and you’re looking right at it. As we’ve learned from the recipe above: nothing makes vegetables taste better than crisp and smokey bacon. The best part is that this side dish is delicious and nutritious at the same time.
21. Caribbean Macaroni Pie
If this is your first time hearing about Caribbean macaroni pie, you’re in for a treat. Once you’ve tried this dish, you’ll want it in your life forever. This comfort food from the West Indies is a lot like mac & cheese, only this version is topped with more cheese and baked to golden perfection.
22. Berry Caprese Salad
A beautiful medley of strawberries, blueberries, and mozzarella, here’s another patriotic salad perfect for the 4th of July. Tossed with toasted pine nuts and fantastic basil and balsamic vinaigrette, this Caprese salad is one you won’t soon forget. From the colors to the flavor and texture combinations, this salad gets a perfect 10 from me.
23. Grilled Mini Sweet Peppers with Goat Cheese
Sweet peppers stuffed with goat cheese and grilled to smoky, charred perfection might just be the best side dish you’ll ever try. It’s sweet, nutty, and savory with wonderfully soft, creamy, and crunchy textural contrasts. Plus, it looks so complicated to make, but it actually calls for just three easy steps!
24. Cucumber Tomato Salad
Cucumbers and tomatoes don’t exactly conjure up mouthwatering images. This cucumber tomato salad, however, is the stuff of dreams. Full of sliced cucumbers, Roma tomatoes, avocados, red onions, and parsley, it’s vibrant, fresh, and delightfully crisp. Finished with red wine vinaigrette, this is an exciting salad that pairs beautifully with grilled meats.
25. Artichoke Millet Power Salad
This artichoke millet power salad is another healthy addition to your 4th of July celebration. It’s a light and rejuvenating salad filled with millet (a quinoa-like grain), cannellini beans, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, and olives. All that is then tossed in a simple balsamic vinaigrette to tie the flavors together.
26. Classic Coleslaw
No list of 4th of July sides is complete without the traditional coleslaw. This colorful salad is a mix of crunchy cabbage and carrots with a rich mayonnaise dressing. Simple and delicious, it’s always one of the first to disappear from the table!
27. Baked Zucchini Fries
French fries are great, but we all know they’re loaded with carbs and fats. If you’re looking for a healthy option, baked zucchini fries are the solution. Are they as to-die-for as the classic all-American snack? No. But are they delicious? For sure. This dish transforms the humble zucchini into crispy-crunchy, golden treats! And I bet even the kids will dig in.
28. Easy Corn Fritters
These corn fritters are crispy and bursting with flavor with every bite. Also, look how cute they are stacked on top of one another! Serve these fritters hot with cold Ranch or sour cream dip. They’re so good they might just steal the show.
29. Zucchini Noodle Salad with Bacon & Tomatoes
This pasta salad is low-carb but high in flavor. The medley of colors makes it so attractive, too! Loaded with spiralized zucchini noodles, bacon, basil, and tomatoes, this is one salad I won’t ever get tired of eating.
30. Creamed Corn with Cream Cheese
Corn and cream cheese are delicious as individuals, but taste 10 times better when combined. Sweet and crunchy corn kernels plus creamy and salty cream cheese equals an irresistible side dish. It also gets bonus points for being gluten-free. Click on a star to rate it!
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