Show off your pride with red, white and blue recipes like watermelon salads, pork tenderloin with triple-berry salsa, frozen lemonade and more fun patriotic food that bring the fireworks to your backyard cookout.
37 Patriotic Recipes for Your 4th of July Cookout
Updated on Jul. 09, 2024
Patriotic Dessert
I took this patriotic dessert to a luncheon and came home with dozens of requests for the recipe! It was quite a success. People told me it looked as good as it tasted. —Flo Burtnett, Gage, Oklahoma
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Red, White and Blue Summer Salad
Total Time
25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
In this dish, I combine traditional Caprese salad flavors with summer peaches and blueberries. I also add prosciutto for saltiness, creating a balanced, flavor-packed side dish. —Emily Falke, Santa Barbara, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 233 calories, 18g fat (5g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 486mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 8g protein.
Discover more 4th of July salads and the best 4th of July recipes for a crowd.
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Patriotic Pizzas
Total Time
30 min
Servings
1 pizza
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a pie-in-the-sky-idea—fruit pizzas you decorate like a high-flyin' flag! You can decorate it with stripes for the U.S. or with a maple leaf for Canada. Both designs consist of tangy fruit and smooth cream cheese over a tender crust. Since each version is simple to make, you can quickly create either one for a summer picnic or patriotic party. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 377 calories, 21g fat (13g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 190mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (33g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein.
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Red, White & Blue Cheesecake Bars
Total Time
45 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I’ve tried “light” cheesecake recipes before with mixed results. Making a few changes, I created a rich, creamy cheesecake filling that truly tastes like the real deal. —Katie Farrell, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 bar: 193 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 226mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1-1/2 fat.
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Patriotic Potatoes with Mustard Sauce
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Show your true spirit with a bowl of red, white and blue potatoes dressed with bacon and sour cream. They’re tops in my hit parade of patriotic dishes. —Julie Murphy, Peachtree City, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
3 potatoes with about 2 tablespoons sauce: 300 calories, 19g fat (4g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 402mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 6g protein.
Start the party off right with these crowd-pleasing 4th of July appetizers.
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Watermelon Feta Flag Salad
Total Time
25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Our family celebrates the Fourth of July with a watermelon salad that resembles the flag. Here’s an all-American centerpiece that’s truly red, white and blue. —Jan Whitworth, Roebuck, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup salad: 140 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 256mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
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White Texas Sheet Cake
Total Time
40 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This cake gets better the longer it sits, so I try to make it a day ahead. My mother-in-law introduced this deliciously rich sheet cake to me. With its creamy frosting and light almond flavor, no one can stop at just one piece! —Joanie Ward, Brownsburg, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 409 calories, 19g fat (10g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 304mg sodium, 58g carbohydrate (45g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
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Pork Tenderloin with Three-Berry Salsa
Total Time
55 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband came home from a work meeting that had served pork with a spicy blueberry salsa. He was amazed at how tasty it was, so I came up with my own rendition without seeing or tasting what he had. It took several tries, but this is the delicious result. —Angie Phillips, Tarzana, California
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked pork with 2/3 cup salsa and 3 tablespoons sauce: 239 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 645mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fruit.
Make your holiday menu simple. These 4th of July recipes are easy to make and always a hit.
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Mixed Berry Pie
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a delightful way to enjoy summertime fruits. If you're short on one of the berries, just make up the amount with one of the other fruits in the pie. —Elaine Moody, Clever, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 510 calories, 26g fat (16g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 275mg sodium, 66g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 4g fiber), 5g protein.
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Red, White and Blue Frozen Lemonade
Total Time
10 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This patriotic drink is as pretty as it is delicious. With cherries, blueberries and lemon juice, we created a striped lemonade that is perfect for a Fourth of July celebration. —Shawn Carleton, San Diego, California
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 229 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (55g sugars, 1g fiber), 0 protein.
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Patriotic Gelatin Salad
Total Time
20 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Almost as spectacular as the fireworks, this lovely salad makes quite a "bang" at our July Fourth meal. It's exciting to serve, and our guests loved the cool fruity and creamy layers. This salad really added to my patriotic theme. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 206 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 75mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (33g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein.
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Star-Spangled Parfaits
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The best time for this dessert is midsummer, when the blueberries are thick in our northern woods. Red raspberries can be added to the mixed berries, too, to brighten the patriotic colors. —Anne Theriault, Wellesley, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
1 parfait (calculated without coconut): 172 calories, 7g fat (5g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 41mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 5g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1 fat, 1/2 starch.
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Patriotic Pops
Total Time
15 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My kids love homemade ice pops, and I love knowing that the ones we make are good for them. We whip up a big batch with multiple flavors so they have many choices, but these patriotic red, white and blueberry ones are always a favorite! —Shannon Carino, Frisco, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 pop: 55 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 24mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch.
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Berries & Cream Torte
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
It's so easy to see why this fruity dessert always impresses dinner guests. I sometimes substitute the berries with sliced bananas.—Tina Sawchuk, Ardmore, Alberta
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 572 calories, 39g fat (23g saturated fat), 158mg cholesterol, 354mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (33g sugars, 4g fiber), 5g protein.
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Red and Blue Berry Lemonade Slush
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This delightfully sweet-tart beverage showcases fresh raspberries and blueberries. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 139 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein.
You can also add some extra fun to the holiday for adults with 4th of July drinks!
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Red, White & Blueberry Poke Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A sweet treat in the summer, this patriotic poke cake with dazzling red and blue stripes is a fun one to make with the kids. —Elisabeth Schulz, Blossvale, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 477 calories, 28g fat (13g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 328mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (38g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
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Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches
Total Time
45 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you’re tight on time, you can use store-bought cookies, but I highly recommend making these oatmeal chocolate cookies from scratch. The dessert sandwiches are pure fun. Sometimes I decorate the sides of the sandwiches with colorful jimmies, too. —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 ice cream sandwich: 475 calories, 26g fat (15g saturated fat), 105mg cholesterol, 296mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (36g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein.
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Jumbleberry Crumble
Total Time
55 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A friend brought this delicious, down-home dessert to church and was kind enough to give out the recipe. Everyone enjoyed it so much and just showered her with compliments! It’s especially wonderful served warm or with a dollop of creamy whipped topping. —Mary Ann Dell, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 290 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 84mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (36g sugars, 4g fiber), 2g protein.
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Watermelon-Blueberry Salad
Total Time
5 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
People love the unique combination of flavors in the dressing that tops the fresh fruit in this salad. It's so refreshing on a hot summer evening. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 78 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 2mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1/2 starch.
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Sliced Tomato Salad
Total Time
25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I got this recipe from my grandmother. It's a perfect platter to serve with burgers or hot sandwiches. —Kendal Tangedal, Plentywood, Montana
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 94 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 159mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 1 fat.
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Crispy Star Pops
Total Time
45 min
Servings
15 pops
From the Recipe Creator:
These patriotic pops are a hit at our annual Fourth of July get-together. Serve them as an after-picnic dessert. Or slip them into cellophane bags, tie on ribbons and give them as favors. —Colleen Sturma, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 pop: 171 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 139mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
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Red, White & Blue Potato Salad
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings (1 cup each)
From the Recipe Creator:
Tossing the cooked potatoes with stock and wine right after you drain them infuses them with flavor. The liquid absorbs like magic. —George Levinthal, Goleta, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 221 calories, 12g fat (2g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 405mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1-1/2 starch.
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Patriotic Ice Cream Cupcakes
Total Time
45 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These frosty cupcakes are practically a fireworks display on their own. The little treats feature red velvet cake, blue moon ice cream, a creamy white topping and star-spangled sprinkles. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 cupcake: 220 calories, 13g fat (6g saturated fat), 46mg cholesterol, 139mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
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Patriotic Taco Salad
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When my daughter asked to have a patriotic theme for her July birthday party, I made this refreshing dish. If you want to prepare your salad in advance, omit the layer of chips and serve them on the side so they don't get soggy. —Glenda Jarboe, Oroville, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 357 calories, 20g fat (9g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 747mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 20g protein.
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No-Bake Cheesecake
Total Time
20 min
Servings
12 servings (3-1/3 cups topping)
From the Recipe Creator:
I've made many cheesecakes and enjoy them all, but they're usually time-consuming. When I first tried this recipe, my husband said it was better than the baked ones, and that was a big plus for me! —Joyce Mummau, Baltimore, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece with about 1/4 cup topping: 432 calories, 34g fat (21g saturated fat), 109mg cholesterol, 229mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.
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Tomato Galette
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I found beautiful heirloom tomatoes and had to show them off. In this easy galette, the tomatoes are tangy and the crust is beyond buttery. —Jessica Chang, Playa Vista, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 317 calories, 23g fat (15g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 559mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 9g protein.
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All-American Pie
Total Time
2 hours
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
With apples, cherries and blueberries, this patriotic slab pie even tastes American. If the day doesn't call for stars and stripes, feel free to use any shaped cookie cutters you like for this awe-inspiring potluck dessert. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 632 calories, 26g fat (16g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 24mg sodium, 97g carbohydrate (55g sugars, 4g fiber), 5g protein.
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Cola Cake with Strawberries & Cream
Total Time
55 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We Southerners have been eating cola cake for decades. This easy version has strawberries too. Chill it in the fridge for a dreamy summer dessert. —Peggy Walpert, Fort Worth, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 418 calories, 20g fat (8g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 176mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (39g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
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Blueberry Pancakes
Total Time
25 min
Servings
12 pancakes
From the Recipe Creator:
My dad makes blueberry pancakes for us every Saturday without fail. The combination of oats, cornmeal and buttermilk in the batter gives the pancakes heartiness we can't resist. —Gabrielle Short, Pleasant Hill, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
3 pancakes: 332 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 746mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 2g fiber), 9g protein.
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Mixed Berry Sundaes for 2
Total Time
10 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These delightful yogurt sundaes are an easy way to add fruit and calcium to your diet. Berries star in the dish, which I enjoy as a simple breakfast or healthy dessert for two. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1 sundae: 160 calories, 5g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 33mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 3g fiber), 10g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat, 1/2 fruit.
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Honey-Lime Berry Salad
Total Time
15 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I picked up this dish a couple of years ago, and really like the mint and fruit combo. Cilantro is one of my summer favorites so sometimes I use it instead. Turns out, this recipe's really two in one! —Kayla Spence, Wilber, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 93 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 2mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 3g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1/2 starch.
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Bacon Cheeseburger
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Where can you get a juicy burger that is so superior to drive-thru fare? Right in your backyard with this delicious bacon cheeseburger recipe. —Jackie Burns, Silverdale, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 472 calories, 25g fat (10g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 947mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 33g protein.
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Patriotic Cookies & Cream Cupcakes
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Bring on the red, white and blue with these creative cupcakes, perfect for the Fourth of July, Memorial Day or any favorite occasion. With some delicious and colorful frosting and a careful arrangement, your sweet display will be a patriotic nod to our great American flag. —Rebecca Wetherbee, Marion, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 cupcake: 338 calories, 11g fat (7g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 230mg sodium, 58g carbohydrate (46g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
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Berry BBQ Sauce
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
On weekends, I jazz up our favorite BBQ sauce with berries. This blackberry-blueberry BBQ sauce makes a marvelous spread for basting and saucing grilled baby back ribs. —Janet Hix, Austin, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 36 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 88mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 0 protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch.
