Fourth of July Classics (2024)

Credit: Alison Miksch

Pay tribute to the red, white, and blue with All-American dishes you can mix and match for your Independence Day cookout.

mr-The Best Grilled Ribs

The Best Grilled Ribs Recipe

When you're in the mood to grill ribs, you're most likely looking for a magically meaty experience—and trust us, there's a reason we call these the best.The texture of these smokey beauties is everything you want. Grilling your ribs over anindirect heat gives them a crispy exterior bark, while the meat stays tender, but not completely falling-off-the-bone tender—you’re left with the perfect amount of chew. Baby back ribs are readily available at most any supermarket; when shopping, look for the smaller racks as these tend to have more tender meat.

Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs image

Oven Baby Back Ribs Recipe

These baby back ribs offer classic BBQ flavor, but are made simple in the oven. Rich and perfectly tangy-sweet, the homemade barbecue sauce used for this recipe is nothing short of divine, but feel free to use your favorite bottle in a pinch. Wrapping the ribs in foil helps to keep them moist throughout the low and slow cook time, while broiling at the end gives them a deliciously crispy crust. To reheat a slab of these oven-baked ribs, re-wrap in foil and return to the oven heated to 300°F for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

mr-Perfect Grilled Burgers

Perfect Grilled Burgers Recipe

Delightfully charred, juicy, and full of nuance, these burgers are the only ones you will ever want to make. That’s why we named them Perfect.

Instant Pot Soy-Honey Baby Back Ribs image

Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs Recipe

When you’re going for a mouthwatering BBQ experience done indoors, these Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs are the way to go. Using the Instant Pot creates incredibly succulent ribs with virtually no fuss; you even make your sauce right in the pot. Finishing these honey-soy ribs under the broiler creates a nice, crispy exterior crust, but you can bypass this step if you want to avoid heating the oven at all. And if you’re short on time and looking to make this recipe an even speedier dinner solution, you can skip the dry rub; however, the flavor enhancement this mixture of dry spices and aromatics provides is well worth the extra effort when possible.

mr-Grilled New York Strip Steaks Image

Grilled New York Strip Steaks Recipe

For the absolute best of a classic, everything-you-expect grilled steak experience, you simply can’t beat the New York strip steak. Remember that no matter how you’re cooking a steak, success starts at the supermarket. When shopping, look for steaks that have a nice, even marbling of fat throughout, avoiding those that have a thick ribbon of fat going down the center. Even if it feels like anextraneous step, don’t skip out on making the garlic butter and tying up a bundle of herbs to serve as your basting brush. Trust us, the results are more than worth the minimal time doing both will require. Both will boost the flavor of your steak like you wouldn't believe.

mr-Herb-Grilled Summer Squash Image

Herb-Grilled Summer Squash Recipe

Grilled vegetables are as essential a part of the outdoor, open-flame cooking experience as any cut of meat. And few vegetables say summer quite like zucchini and yellow summer squash. Dressed in olive oil and an abundance of fresh herbs, this versatile grilled vegetable recipe is perfect for just about any occasion.

Ginger-Lime Chicken Thighs with Peaches

Grilled Ginger-Lime Chicken Thighs with Peaches Recipe

Bursting with fresh flavor from minced fresh ginger and lime juice, these boneless chicken thighs are anything but a boring chicken dinner. Served alongside juicy, grilled peaches ona bed of greens with pecans and goat cheese, this hearty poultry dish makes for an easy, go-to summer supper.

mr-Grilled Bone-In Chicken Thighs Image

Grilled Bone-In Chicken Thighs Recipe

How can such a simple recipe for grilled chicken thighs taste so flavorful and satisfying? Once you sink your teeth into the super-crispy skin andfind rich, tasty dark meat waiting underneath, you’ll understand. Thislow and slow cooking method yields tender, succulent meat with carefully developed flavors. Make grilled chicken thighs the simple way, because juicy, decadent chicken doesn’t have to be so complicated.

Tamarind Chipotle Barbecue Sauce

Grilled Chicken Wings with Tamarind Chipotle Barbecue Sauce Recipe

Tangy, fruity tamarind, popular in Latino and Asian cuisines, is the secret ingredient in our favorite new barbecue sauce for chicken wings.

ck- Greek Chopped Salad with Grilled Pita

Greek Chopped Salad with Grilled Pita Recipe

We take the extra step of grilling the bell peppers along with the pita wedges to add a bit of char and smoky depth to the salad. You could also broil the peppers in the oven until blackened and peel them, and then toast the pita until browned.

Yukon Gold Potato Salad

Yukon Gold Potato Salad Recipe

A middle ground between waxy red potatoes and starchy russets, buttery Yukon Golds are great in potato salad.

Whole Roasted Red Snapper image

Whole Roasted Red Snapper with Potatoes and Onions Recipe

While cooking a whole fish definitely seems intimidating, this is the recipe to show you just how easy it really is. But don’t worry, no one has to know—because it’s gonna look ridiculously impressive when served, no matter what. You simply need to ask your fish monger to scale and clean/gut the fish, as well as remove the gills and fins; then, you just pop it into the oven like anything else. Roasting a whole fish on a sheet pan like we do here is exponentially easier than tackling it on the grill, as you have less to worry about with temperature control and there’s no flipping required. Be sure not to skip cutting slits in the snapper—this is a really important step for a few reasons. For one, it lets you rub the flavorful herb mixture into the flesh of the fish for a tastier final product, the slits allow heat circulation around the flesh of the fish for quicker, more even cooking, and finally, these openings are the perfect spot to check for doneness with a fork (meat should release easily from the bone). If you use larger potatoes, just cut them into 1-inch pieces to ensure they cook all the way through. This simple one-dish meal is certainly elegant enough for a special occasion, but easy enough to pull together on a Tuesday. If you have any leftover fish, flake the meat for fish tacos or a fishchowder.

mr-Simple Grilled Halibut

Simple Grilled Halibut Recipe

Though simple, this recipe provides you with the tools to grill most any flakey fish. We happen to particularly love halibut because it’s an inherently flavorful fish that requires no more than salt, pepper, and a squeeze of fresh lemon to taste absolutely divine

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Credit: Photo courtesy of The Food Gays

Grilled Corn Pasta Salad Recipe

This vibrant, flavor-packed summer side dish combines a bounty of favorite seasonal flavors into a single, epic pasta salad. The recipe comes from our friends The Food Gays, and they developed this colorful grilled corn dish as a fresher, brighter alternative to the typical mayo-based pasta salads that often show up a summer parties. Packed with fresh produce and dressed in a light and zippy lemon-mustard vinaigrette, this grilled corn pasta salad is anything but boring. Give it a try at your next summer cookout and enjoy as the compliments pour in.

mr-Grilled Salmon with Orange-Soy Glaze

Grilled Salmon with Orange-Soy Glaze Recipe

While the grill is obviously the cooking method for casual, outdoor-centered meals and gatherings, don’t forget that you can still bring a touch of sit-down-dinner-type sophistication to the patio table too. This buttery, smoky, and gloriously glaze-y salmon does just that.We call for individual fillets in this recipe, but you could also opt for going with a whole side of salmon (of roughly equivalent weight) for a truly impressive presentation.

Korean Barbecue Spatchco*ck Chicken with Shish*tos and Scallions image

Korean Barbecue Spatchco*ck Chicken with Shish*tos and Scallions Recipe

This impressive and vibrant meal comes together surprisngly quick thanks to the power of thegrill and the power of spatchco*cking. If you've never tried it before, spatchco*cking is a technique that refers to removing the bird's back bone so that you can butterfly the whole chicken open. This technique is aguaranteed route tosucculent meat, ultra-crispy skin, and a much quicker cooking time.

deli-style-tortellini-pasta-salad

Credit: Courtesy of The Food Gays

Deli-Style Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe

Reminiscent of deli-style salads we’ve all ordered at one time or another, this easy and delicious recipe works overtime providing you with an effortless dinner and even-tastier leftovers the next day. Like most pasta salads, this one tastes best once chilled for 24 hours, and because of its large yield, can be enjoyed for lunch throughout the week. Enjoy it cold, or at room temperature.

Ginger Rosemary Smoked Pork Ribs

Ginger Rosemary Smoked Pork Ribs Recipe

These maple-glazed ribs with a subtle touch of ginger are a mainstay at Odys + Penelope restaurant in Los Angeles. At home, chef-owner Quinn Hatfield smokes them using either a Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker or a Pit Barrel Cooker. For versions of the recipe to cook on regular grills instead of smokers, go to Ginger Rosemary Smoked Pork Ribs on a Gas Grill, and Ginger Rosemary Smoked Pork Ribs on a Charcoal Grill.

Mixed Berry Cream Pie with Double Chocolate Crust

Mixed Berry Cream Pie with Double Chocolate Crust Recipe

Brushing red currant jelly onto the berries makes them shine, like those fruit tarts you see in bakeries. If you can't find red currant jelly, use strawberry jelly (don't subsitute jam or preserves).

Strawberry and Watermelon Punch with Lime and Tarragon

Strawberry and Watermelon Punch with Lime and Tarragon Recipe

You can buy strawberry puree or make it yourself: Blend 16 ounces thawed frozen strawberries in a food processor. Strain through a fine sieve; discard seeds. Serve this refreshing punch with or without alcohol.

Grilled Buttermilk Chicken

Grilled Buttermilk Chicken Recipe

This creamy buttermilk mixture makes a great marinade for grilled chicken.

Grilled and Dilled Corn on the Cob

Grilled and Dilled Corn on the Cob Recipe

This creamy, savory topping perfectly compliments sweet corn on the cob.

Tomato Salad with Herbed Ricotta and Balsamic Vinaigrette

Tomato Salad with Herbed Ricotta and Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe

Sliced heirloom tomatoes are wow-worthy on their own--a simple vinaigrette and dollops of basil-flecked ricotta take them over the top. Serve with toasted baguette slices to sop up any tomato juices.

Crawdogs

"Crawdogs" Recipe

If you serve our étouffée and have leftovers, slather it on top of grilled 'dogs.

Ultimate BBQ Chicken

Ultimate BBQ Chicken Recipe

This chicken is wonderfully moist, with a smoky sauce that will have you firing up the grill year-round.

New Potatoes with Shaved Celery, Buttermilk, and Dill

New Potatoes with Shaved Celery, Buttermilk, and Dill Recipe

Crisp potatoes and a mild creamydressing help keep this chunkypotato salad from being anything but boring. Chill at least 1 hour before serving.

The California Dog

The Southern Dog Recipe

Pimento cheese on a hot dog is nothing short of genius. Allowing pickled jalapeños to sit in sugar overnight tames the peppers' heat, while intensifying their sweetness. Thisspiciness is the perfect contrasttothe rich pimento cheese.

Rum Baked Beans

Rum Baked Beans Recipe

The secret to this tender baked bean medley? Rum. Make it ahead of time by preparing steps 1 and 2. Cover with foil and refrigerate up to 2 days until ready to bake.

The California Dog

The Texas Dog Recipe

If you like texture, you'll love this crumbled corn chip topping. If you can't find queso fresco, substitute feta cheese.

Chicago Char Dog with Fresh Cucumber Relish

Chicago Char Dog with Fresh Cucumber Relish Recipe

Classic Chicago dogs are served in poppy seed buns. If you can't find them, lightly brush buns with egg white and sprinkle with poppy seeds; toast in the oven at 350° for 2 to 3 minutes.

Corn-Off-the-Cob Bread

Corn-Off-the-Cob Bread Recipe

This corn bread skillet incorporates fresh corn kernels, as well as corn meal for an easy, go-to side dish. Because corn loves cornbread and so do we.

Crispy Potato Chips

Crispy Potato Chips Recipe

Slice the potatoes as thin as possible to get that great crispy crunch.

Raspberry Lemonade

Pour a tall glass of fresh-squeezed lemonade infused with sweet raspberries. Garnish the rim with red, white, and blue sugar for a patriotic finish. To make colored sugar, mix one drop of food coloring with 1/2 cup of sugar in a zip-top bag and shake.

Recipe:Raspberry Lemonade

Frogmore Stew

A Low Country summer entertaining classic, Frogmore stew combines sausage, shrimp, red potatoes, corn, and seasonings, yielding a feast that's perfect for a crowd.

Recipe:Frogmore Stew

Red, White, and Blue Pops

Red, White, and Blue Pops Recipe

Keep the layers distinct by fully freezing each one before adding the next.

Root Beer Baked Beans

Sweet, smoky, and savory, this delicious baked bean dish is sure to be a hit for Independence Day. Root beer adds a fun twist, making this dish one of a kind.

Recipe:Root Beer Baked Beans

America the Beautiful Burgers

America the Beautiful Burgers Recipe

These great and classic burgers are perfect for your next cookout.

Big Top Watermelon Salad

Nothing says summer like juicy watermelon. For a unique take on this Fourth of July staple, cube watermelon and toss with feta, onions, pine nuts, and fresh herbs.

Recipe:Big Top Watermelon Salad

Grilled Salt-and-Pepper Chicken Wings

Grilled Salt-and-Pepper Chicken Wings Recipe

Broiler option: Broil on a foil-lined jelly-roll pan 8 inches from heat 20 minutes or until done, turning halfway through.

Grilled Chicken With White Barbecue Sauce

Put a spin on barbecue chicken with spicy white sauce, a combination of mayonnaise and vinegar. The sauce is finger-licking good and ready in only 10 minutes.

Recipe:Grilled Chicken With White Barbecue Sauce

Sweet-Hot Baby Back Ribs

Get out the paper towels for this backyard favorite. Combining Asian flavors–sweet chili and ginger with spicy red pepper flakes–creates the Sweet-Hot 'Cue Sauce. Take a bite of these ribs, and you'll whisper "wow" in total respect for the amazing taste.

Recipe:Sweet-Hot Baby Back Ribs

Red, White, and Blue Cupcakes

Red, White, and Blue Cupcakes Recipe

This is a real dandy. It would be a great addition to your July 4th celebration spread. The amusing effect of the swirled frosting can be duplicated using any colors for any occasion. It makes a fun Christmas cupcake using red and green or a pretty spring cupcake using pink and green.

Sweet Tea Lemonade

Sweet Tea Lemonade Recipe

This summer refresher combines the best of both worlds: sweet iced tea and tart lemonade.

Peach-Cinnamon Ice Cream

The iconic summer treat, a big scoop of cool ice cream filled with peaches and spiced with cinnamon. Garnish with fresh peaches and enjoy the perfect ending to any Fourth of July festivity.

Recipe:Peach-Cinnamon Ice Cream

Jell-O Stars

Jell-O Stars Recipe

These fun Jell-O shapes are a hit with the kids, and great for celebrating the Fourth of July.

Sweet Heat Hot Dogs

Sweet Heat Hot Dogs Recipe

Take hot dog toppings beyond traditional sauerkraut and mustard by dressing with sweet-hot pickles, shredded red cabbage and a creamy topping made of mayo, whole grain mustard, and hot chili sauce.

Warmed Berries with Honey and Fresh Cheese

Warmed Berries with Honey and Fresh Cheese Recipe

You may adapt this dessert to your taste by adjusting the blend of berries, the amount of honey, or even the amount of cheese. The idea is luxury in the amount of berries. Fromage blanc is wonderfully subtle; you can sub Greek yogurt, which is tangier.

Watermelon-Strawberry-Granola Breakfast Bowls image

Watermelon-Strawberry-Granola Breakfast Bowls Recipe

Why toss the rind? Jumpstart sunny summer days by filling them with peak-season watermelon, strawberries, and chopped mint.