The best side dish for 4th of July! It includes everything you need for crowd-pleasing dishes, including pasta salad, corn, and watermelon.
Have you decided what 4th of July side dish you want to make this year? If you’re still wondering, you’ve come to the right place! Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best 4th of July dishes for people to enjoy. These range from classic barbecue dishes like coleslaw to easy grilling recipes and hearty picnic salads. It’s easy for a lot of things to be thrown together at the last minute, and more things are better for moving forward.
I don’t know about you, but my favorite part of a Fourth of July barbecue is the side dishes. It’s the most fun, fresh, and flavorful meal, filled with seasonal ingredients like sweet corn, watermelon, and summer tomatoes. I’ve made all of the recipes below for countless dishes over the years and they’re a hit every time. Choose one or more for your 4th of July menu. You can’t go wrong!
5 Best 4th of July Side Dishes
Easy Pasta Salad
With over 600 5-star reviews, this pasta salad is one of the most popular 4th of July side dishes. Containing juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, tangy feta cheese, and refreshing lemon vinaigrette, it’s perfect for making ahead.
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Every time I make this salad for a summer gathering, I get asked for the recipe. Inspired by Mexican elote and esquire, this dish features charred corn kernels, salty chives, and a slightly creamy, zesty dressing made with lots of mayonnaise and lime juice.
Watermelon Salad with Feta Cheese
Juicy slices of watermelon combine with creamy avocado, tangy feta cheese, and cool mint for a very refreshing summer salad. I think watermelon is a must for any 4th of July gathering, and this recipe is a delicious and unexpected way to serve it.
cucumber salad
Do you like dill pickles? This sweet and tangy summer salad is for you! Made with just eight simple ingredients, this is one of the easiest 4th of July side dishes on this list.
corn on the cob
Good news: The best way to cook corn on the cob is also the simplest. Boil for less than 5 minutes to get perfectly sweet and juicy kernels every time.
Pre-made salads for a crowd
Easy Cabbage Salad
This creamy slaw with sweet and tangy homemade coleslaw dressing becomes even creamier when chilled in the refrigerator. It’s the perfect side to prep for the 4th of July!
Best Broccoli Salad
This fresh spin on a Midwestern classic replaces traditional bacon with smoky roasted nuts and seeds. This book has become a huge Love & Lemons reader favorite with over 450 5-star reviews over the years!
best potato salad
Fresh dill, dill pickles, and dill pickle brine add a bold, tangy flavor to this salad. This is one of those 4th of July side dishes and is best made a few hours or a day in advance. The potatoes will absorb the seasoning from the dressing as they cool in the refrigerator.
Orzo Salad
Try pasta salad and Greek salad with these refreshing recipes. Packed with summer greens, salty olives, and dollops of creamy, tangy feta cheese. It’s topped with fresh herbs and my favorite Greek salad dressing.
easy fruit salad
This Summer Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing is one of Ollie’s favorite 4th of July side dishes. I love swapping out mandarin oranges for mangoes or peaches when they’re in season!
macaroni salad
Chopped red bell peppers, celery ribs, and dill pickles add delicious crunch to this creamy summer salad. Want to make it creamier? Fold in two peeled and chopped hard-boiled eggs!
Italian Pasta Salad
Warning: Try this Italian pasta salad on the 4th of July. Then you can keep making them for the rest of the summer. Intense Italian dressing coats pasta, salty pepperoncini and olives, fresh vegetables, and creamy mozzarella cheese.
red potato salad
If creamy potato salad isn’t your thing, try this herb-filled potato salad! Bright and fresh with plenty of green onions, dill and chives and dressed in a rich mustard dressing.
Ramen Noodle Salad
This ramen salad was the first side dish I brought to every barbecue this summer that disappeared. It’s a sweet and savory combination of crunchy cabbage, juicy orange slices, and the best part – crunchy toasted ramen noodles, nuts, and seeds.
Grilled side dishes for July 4th
roasted corn
A simple, classic corn roast is never a bad idea for the 4th of July. We share in the recipe instructions on how to roast them with the skin on (for juicier kernels) and how to grill them in the shell (for more char).
Elote (Mexican street grilled corn)
Take your regular corn roast to the next level by making this elote recipe! Homemade Mexican street corn coated in creamy, bold mayonnaise, smoky chili powder, fresh cilantro, and tangy Cotija cheese.
roasted tomatoes
Sweet, juicy, and grilled to perfection, these roasted tomatoes will wow your guests this Fourth of July. Enjoy plain or drizzled with Greek dressing and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.
roasted pumpkin
Ready in 10 minutes, this tender baked juke is a quick and easy summer side dish that everyone will love.
Grilled Portobello Mushrooms
The balsamic marinade adds a tangy and flavorful flavor to mushrooms roasted for 15 minutes.
baked potato
If you’re grilling burgers (or veggie burgers) for the 4th of July, try these potatoes with them. French fries that are slightly crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside are a favorite summer dish.
roasted vegetables
Can’t decide which vegetables to roast for your dish? You don’t have to! These colorful skewers are a fun and easy way to serve a variety of dishes.
Finger food and dip
cowboy caviar
Packed with vibrant sweet corn, tomatoes, and peppers, this black-eyed pea dip is like a party in a bowl. Serve with tortilla chips with all the summer goodness!
Deviled Egg
Jack’s mom makes the best deviled eggs, and this seven-ingredient recipe is based on hers. tip: Boil the eggs a day in advance to make it easier to assemble them the same day.
caprese skewers
This bite-sized version of the classic Caprese salad is such a fun 4th of July side dish! I love adding fresh strawberries for an unexpected sweetness. You can also add red, white and blue to your table by replacing tomatoes with strawberries and blueberries.
Easy Mango Salsa
This 8-ingredient, 10-minute recipe is one of my favorite party dips to make in the summer. Juicy fruits and crunchy vegetables are so refreshing on a hot summer day.
The best guacamole
Before you know it, the entire bowl will be gone!
dill pickles
These easy refrigerator pickles will be a hit on your 4th of July menu. Lightly sweet, tangy, and crunchy, they beat store-bought pickles every time.
Classic BBQ 4th of July Side Dish
Homemade Mac and Cheese
Every barbecue restaurant in Austin (and everywhere?) serves mac and cheese as a side. If you’re looking for a classic barbecue menu item, this homemade macaroni is perfect. Three types of cheese provide an incredible creamy texture and rich flavor.
fried corn
Cheddar cheese, chives, and cayenne pepper add flavor to pan-seared fries. Make it in advance. It reheats well on a gas stove or air fryer.
Jalapeno Cornbread
Spicy classic cornbread topped with chives, cheddar cheese, and fresh jalapeños. We like it plain, but top it with a generous drizzle of honey butter.
Looking for more 4th of July recipes?
Check out one of these summaries:
