45 Essential Fourth of July Side Dishes
Updated: Jul. 09, 2024
Every hero needs a sidekick. That's why we've rounded up all of the best Fourth of July side dishes. These salads, slaws, veggies and more complement whatever star you throw on the grill.
It’s time to celebrate everyone’s favorite summer holiday! Whether you’re going to a 4th of July potluck or hosting your own backyard party, we’ve got all the sides you need.
For something light and refreshing, like a vegetable coleslaw, you’re in the right place. If you prefer something on the heavier side, our BBQ baked beans are sure to be a winner amongst the party animals, too. Last but not least, the patriotic jello salad may just be the best tasting (and looking) side dish you will ever make. Cheers to red, white and blue!
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Jalapeno Popper Mexican Street Corn
You can’t celebrate Fourth of July without corn on the cob! The creamy dressing and jalapeño kick makes this dish surprisingly unique and delicious. If you’re really feeling wild, we recommend sprinkling crumbled bacon on top!
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Watermelon Feta Flag Salad
This incredibly delicious salad resembles the American flag, making it the ultimate July Fourth side dish. It’s an all-American centerpiece that’s truly red, white and blue.
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My Favorite Avocado Salad
Tangy lime dressing is the perfect topper for this avocado salad. Toasted walnuts make for crunchy goodness, but try it with any kind of nut you like. —Ilia Kaku, North Richland Hills, Texas
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Ranch-Style Beans
These ranch beans are ideal for Fourth of July barbecues. The spiciness and sweetness of the sauce makes it an instant crowd pleaser.
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Sliced Tomato Salad
This easy to make salad is fresh and ideal for hot summer days. The brightness of the tomatoes really bring out the spirit of America, too.
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Red, White & Blue Potato Salad
This potato salad will be an instant hit wherever you go this July Fourth. We recommend tossing the cooked potatoes with vegetable or chicken stock and wine right after you drain them. The liquid will absorb like magic.
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Grilled Mushroom Kabobs
These earthy grilled mushrooms are sure to get your tastebuds buzzing. The balsamic vinegar adds a great touch making this the ideal side dish for hearty steaks or other meats.
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Radish Cucumber Salad
This salad is a refreshing dish to bring to any Fourth of July gathering. It pairs well with any kind of meat dish, and it is a cooling way to beat the July heat.
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Potatoes Romanoff
These potatoes are a hearty dish that pairs well with roasted veggies as well as chicken or steak. The cheese on top will easily get your neighbors excited about digging in.
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Cherry Tomato Pasta with Avocado Sauce
This addictive pasta dish is indulgent, without feeling heavy. The avocado sauce is creamy and its bright flavor is sure to be a big hit with your fellow Fourth of July party-goers.
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Cheese-Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
These cherry stuffed tomatoes are juicy and bursting with flavor. You simply can’t go wrong with this delightful dish that pairs well with just about everything.
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Summer Squash Side Dish Casserole
Start the summer off right with this summer squash dish that will make your tastebuds sing. For larger July Fourth parties, you can easily double or triple this dish.
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Grilled Peach Couscous Salad
This salad is perfect for when you need a break from all the burgers you may have consumed. The grilled peaches and limes with the sweet dressing will make this your new favorite summer salad.
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Four-Berry Spinach Salad
On the Fourth on July, you can’t go wrong with fruit. The addition of the red vinegar and fresh spinach makes this salad tangy and full of flavor.
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Tomato Cobbler
This tomato cobbler is a contest winner for good reason! There’s no better time than the Fourth of July to enjoy fresh tomatoes in the height of their season.
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Miso-Buttered Succotash
If you’re feeling adventurous, this miso succotash may be the perfect thing to bring to your next-door neighbor’s barbecue for the Fourth. Feel free to use as many different veggies as you want to amp up the flavor and nutrition.
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Cucumber Melon Salad
This colorful salad will keep you feeling refreshed and revived all day long. Who wouldn’t love some fresh fruit on their plate?
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Grilled Potato Fans with Onions
Looking for the ultimate Fourth of July side dish? These seasoned potato “fans” are oozing with grilled onions and flavor.
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Grilled Vegetable Platter
This classic summer dish is a fan favorite and we agree. The grilled colorful vegetables are almost too pretty to eat.
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Patriotic Gelatin Salad
Guests will love this jello salad that is full of fruit and creaminess in every bite. Not only is it delicious and refreshing, but its colors are undeniably patriotic.
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Strawberry Arugula Salad with Feta
This salad combines peppery arugula with sweet strawberries and feta cheese. All these flavors coming together make this a tasty and pretty salad to enjoy on the Fourth of July.
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Mom’s Tangy Potato Salad
This hearty potato salad is a welcomed classic that’s ideal for this patriotic day. The homemade dressing makes it extra creamy and rich.
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Tabouleh
The fresh veggies and mint leaves in this classic middle eastern salad make it light and refreshing on a hot day. For the Fourth of July, you can’t go wrong with this tasty and cooling salad.
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Creamy Coleslaw
This creamy coleslaw recipe is ideal for potlucks. It also makes for a spectacular dip for crackers and chips.
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Pennsylvania Dutch Corn Pie
If you don’t want to serve corn on the cob this year, consider serving corn in a pie! This Pennsylvania Dutch corn pie has a sweet flavor from the corn, and the potatoes make it seem more indulgent than it actually is.
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Slow-Cooker Pinto Beans
While pinto beans may seem boring on their own, the seasoning in this recipe elevates these beans to be a wonderful side dish option.
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Tri-Color Pasta Salad
This tricolor pasta salad is loaded with broccoli, tomatoes and olives. The tangy dressing makes it a perfect quick and easy dish to make for large crowds and parties.
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Nutty Broccoli Slaw
The sweet dressing in this recipe nicely coats a wonderfully crisp salad that is full of broccoli, onions and almonds. The crushed ramen noodles provide a delightful crunch.
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Zucchini Patties
These zucchini patties are perfect for when you’re on-the-go and need to make something in a pinch. They also reheat well, so you can eat them for leftovers too.
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Corn and Black Bean Salad
This salad is colorful, crunchy and flavorful. The sweetness of the corn balances with the black beans quite well. You can also use this salad as a dip.
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Barley Corn Salad
This colorful side dish adds refreshing herb flavor to the corn, barley, and red and green peppers. When you bring it to your next July Fourth get-together, watch how fast it goes!
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Slow-Cooker BBQ Baked Beans
This dish is a potluck favorite! Plus, it’s low in sodium so you can eat as much as your stomach desires.
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Corn ‘n’ Cucumbers Salad
This recipe a nice change from a typical cucumber salad. The corn adds a pop of color and flavor.
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Patriotic Potatoes with Mustard Sauce
Show your American spirit with a bowl of red, white and blue potatoes loaded with savory bacon and rich sour cream. You won’t regret making this dish for your next Fourth of July party.
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Bow Tie & Spinach Salad
Your neighbors will love this pasta and spinach salad that you can customize to your liking. Feel free to change out the kind of beans or vegetables you’d like to use.
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Fresh Heirloom Tomato Salad
This tomato salad is a summertime must and will be outstanding for a July Fourth cookout or potluck. A standout dressing takes the tasty ingredients to a brand-new level.
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Slow-Cooker Sriracha Corn
Need a little heat? Look no further than these spicy ears that will be a crowd favorite for sure.
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Orzo Vegetable Salad
You can’t go wrong with a cooling dressing over veggies and orzo. This side dish is light, but refreshing on a hot day like July Fourth.
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Juicy Watermelon Salad
This fruit salad is oh so juicy, and ready for you devour this summer. Combine seedless watermelon in different varieties of yellow, red and pink for a colorful twist.
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Mixed Veggies and Rice
This healthy and nutritious dish is perfect for when you want something lighter. The fresh veggies in this recipe make it delicious and perfect for the summertime.
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Loaded Potato Salad
Get a load of this loaded potato salad! It’s packed with sour cream, bacon and cheddar cheese making this the ooey-gooey side dish of your Fourth of July dreams. Dig in!
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Basil Grilled Corn on the Cob
Corn on the cob by itself is great, but this recipe is out of this world. The additional basil and lemon make this dish a summertime showstopper.
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Bacon Macaroni Salad
This pasta salad is like eating a BLT in a bowl! It’s creamy, savory and full of fresh vegetables to keep you satisfied and happy.
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Broccoli Slaw
This unique salad has a wonderful tangy crunch to it. The combination of broccoli, carrots and red cabbage is a game changer.
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Turkey and Pasta Ranch Salad
When it comes to summer, pasta salads are always a quick and easy dish to whip up. Every bite of this salad is full of veggies and you can’t resist the ranch dressing!Tangy Macaroni Salad
This tangy macaroni salad is different than your average macaroni salad. It’s loaded with fresh veggies and is guaranteed to be a hit!
Originally Published: June 02, 2021
