70 Best 4th of July Side Dishes to Serve Alongside BBQ and Fireworks
These delicious sides will complement all your grilled meats.
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You've got your steaks picked out and your burgers ready for the grill, but no 4th of July cookout is complete without a few great side dishes. That means grilled veggies, creamy potato salad recipes, and plenty of mac and cheese piled high next to whatever you're serving hot off the grill. This roundup has a little bit of everything, from picnic-ready sides to easy dishes you can bring to a summer potluck. Whether you're making ribs, hot dogs, or kebabs, there are plenty of 4th of July sides here to round out your menu.
Take advantage of your local farmers' market where corn, tomatoes, and zucchini are in abundance this time of year. Then, put them to use with the bacon-wrapped corn, zucchini casserole, and grilled vegetable skewers. Of course, you should cover classic dishes like coleslaw and skillet cornbread, but also make sure to include some creative 4th of July side dishes as well. Check out Ree Drummond's grilled watermelon or the chef's salad that's served on a stick. All of these summer recipes will work as a side dish for steak or with any of your grilling recipes. Heck, you can even fill your plate up with only sides if you prefer. Just be sure to save some room for 4th of July desserts!
Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad
Cool, crisp, and a little bit tangy, this salad is summer in a bowl. The combo of juicy tomatoes, crunchy cukes, and salty feta never gets old.
Get Ree's Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad recipe.
Bow Tie Pasta Salad
Pasta salad just feels right on the Fourth—and the bow ties make it extra cute and tasty! Tossed with ham, peas, cheese, and peppers, it's a total crowd-pleaser.
Get the Bow Tie Pasta Salad recipe.
Ratatouille
This one's for the veggie lovers. It's colorful, cozy, and a great way to use up all that zucchini and eggplant. Bonus: it tastes even better the next day!
Get the Ratatouille recipe.
Southern Fried Okra
Once you start popping these little beauties in your mouth, it's hard to stop. Fried until crisp and lightly salted, they're a classic for a reason—and they go fast.
Get the Southern Fried Okra recipe.
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
This is the unexpected pasta salad you didn't know you needed! It's especially good alongside smoky ribs or anything off the grill.
Get the Hawaiian Macaroni Salad recipe.
Cornbread Salad
It sounds a little wild, but it works. Cubes of cornbread are tossed with veggies, beans, and a creamy dressing. It's got texture, it's got tang, and it always gets compliments.
Get the Cornbread Salad recipe.
Cowboy Pasta Salad
This hearty salad has cowboy caviar vibes in pasta form. With kielbasa, black-eyed peas, and a limey dressing, even Ladd's on board for this one!
Get Ree's Cowboy Pasta Salad recipe.
Zucchini Pizza Bites
These little guys are great for picky eaters and veggie lovers alike. They're saucy, cheesy, and topped with mini pepperoni, so they taste basically like bite-sized happiness.
Get the Zucchini Pizza Bites recipe.
Street Corn Pasta Salad
A twist on elote that's perfect for a potluck. Corn, cotija, lime, and pasta all tossed together and chilled. It's zippy and satisfying without being too heavy.
Get the Street Corn Pasta Salad recipe.
Grilled Tomatoes
Throwing tomatoes on the grill brings out all their juicy sweetness. Serve them warm with a little olive oil, and you'll wonder why you don't do it more often.
Get the Grilled Tomatoes recipe.
Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
These hold their own on any cookout table. Hearty enough to satisfy, easy enough to prep ahead, and they look like you tried a whole lot harder than you did!
Get the Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms recipe.
Perfect Potato Salad
This one’s been in Ree's rotation for years, and for good reason. The texture is light and fluffy, the flavor is spot-on, and the mix-ins—like pickles, bacon, and hard-boiled eggs—make it a go-to for any summer meal.
Get Ree's Perfect Potato Salad recipe.
Grilled Mushroom Skewers
Looking for an easy side dish that's vegetarian-friendly, too? Mushrooms are a great idea! They're hearty and savory and couldn't be easier to cook on the grill.
Get the Grilled Mushroom Skewers recipe.
Mediterranean Pasta Salad
This pasta salad will transport you to the sunny Mediterranean with its bright Spanish-style romesco sauce, hearty chickpeas, and tangy veggies. A generous handful of fresh herbs at the end ties everything together.
Get the Mediterranean Pasta Salad recipe.
Corn Muffins
A basket of corn muffins will fit right in with your backyard barbecue (but it can also double as a 4th of July brunch idea). They're best served warm out of the oven with a hefty smear of salty-sweet honey butter.
Get the Corn Muffins recipe.
Caprese Salad
This side salad is incredibly simple and full of seasonal flavor. The juicy summer tomatoes are paired with creamy mozzarella, garden-fresh basil, and tangy balsamic glaze.
Get Ree's Caprese Salad recipe.
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Corn season is the best season! And this method for grilling the cobs ensures they come out perfect every time. Finish them with garlic-chive butter and everyone will be happy.
Get the Grilled Corn on the Cob recipe.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Caesar salad meets pasta salad in this fun cookout mash-up. It's creamy, cheesy, and packed with diced chicken, croutons, and crunchy lettuce.
Get the Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad recipe.
Tabbouleh
If you're looking for something light to balance out all the grilled meats on your plate, then a fresh tabbouleh salad is the way to go! It's packed with tomatoes, cucumbers, lemon juice, and lots of fresh herbs.
Get the Tabbouleh recipe.
Cowboy Beans
The smoky combination of beans, bacon, and beef makes this popular dish perfect for any barbecue. It takes some time to cook and thicken, but you can also make it ahead for easy holiday prep.
Get the Cowboy Beans recipe.
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