The 4th of July is fast approaching, which means it’s time to bring out the BBQ and invite some friends over for a great time. Independence Day has always been characterized by hardy All-American foods that are loved by all.
Below we’ve collected some of our favorite recipes to help you find the perfect combination of everything from starters to main courses to help make your 4th of July BBQ a success.
All Time Fave: Pigs-in-a-Blanket
Pigs-in-a-blanket are always a fan favorite. Easy to make and bite size, they are a hit at any party. Follow these three easy steps to make these treats in less than ½ an hour. Start by heating the oven to 375?. Cut your dough (crescent roll dough work best) into triangles. Wrap them around your hot dogs. Bake them on an ungreased cookie sheet for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve on a platter with ketchup and mustard, and they’ll be gone before you know it!
Create Your Own Hamburger
Hamburgers are the perfect food for a 4th of July BBQ! Everybody has their own preference, so let your guests make their own! Have a wide selection of hamburgers ready: beef, turkey, veggie, or salmon (you might even have your guests write their preference on their RSVP). Grill them to perfection, and then set out with a toppings bar. Have labels prepared for each meat/meatless type. Be sure to include lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, a variety of cheeses, sliced onion, avocado, grilled mushrooms, or whatever else suits you!
[Read “Mini-Sliders: Burgers With a Twist!”]
Finish it off with some fun sauces. Stray away from the classic ketchup and mustard and add some BBQ sauce, relish, pesto sauce, ranch dressing, sun-dried tomato vinaigrette, salsa, or even guacamole to make your burger bar more exciting. For some more variety, mix in some different buns; try multigrain, English muffins, onion, or pretzel buns! With all of these great choices, your guests will be able to make their hamburgers just the way they want!
Easy Caesar Salad
Want a delicious caesar salad to serve to your guests? Look no further! Start by throwing some chicken in a preheated skillet with a mix of seasoning and oil. Cook until golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside. Then in your salad bowl, combine lettuce, the Caesar dressing of your choice, Parmesan cheese, and your chicken. Toss and serve it to your guests with their delicious custom hamburger!
[Read “Hearty and Crunchy – Brooke’s ‘Junk Salad'”]
The Best Strawberry Lemonade
On a hot day, plenty of ice cold drinks are a must, and there’s nothing better than a nice glass of strawberry lemonade to cool you down. To add to your party, why not serve a homemade concoction? Start by bringing water and sugar to a boil in a medium saucepan. Then lower the heat and let simmer, stirring every so often until the sugar dissolves. Throw in some lemon peels and lemon juice, then remove from the heat and throw it in a clean pitcher. In a blender, puree a pint of strawberries and add it to a pitcher with lemon juice. Stir well and refrigerate until it’s chilled! Add sparking water if you wish then serve to your guests!
No Stress Cake Pops
Love cake pops but think they’re too complicated to make at home? ModernMom has an easy way for you to make homemade cake pops an everyday dessert. Buy a package of doughnut holes from your local bakery or grocery store, a bag of candy melts of your choice and some festive sprinkles. Microwave the candy melts at 50% power until melted and place in a bowl. Line up your doughnut holes, stick them with a wooden skewer, dip into the melted candy bowl, and then into the sprinkles. Decorate and serve to your hungry guests! Our favorite serving tip to make the cake pops look their best is to get our your colander and place a cake pop in each hole!
[Read “Bake Easy & Delicious Cake Pops with Your Kid!”]
A 4th of July BBQ can be so effortless if done right. With the right food, it can be minimal work for you and maximum enjoyment for your guests! We always recommend adding something special, whether it’s some red, white, or blue sparkle or a personal flare, it’s the little details that make a party the enjoyable for all! Best of luck!
