Our Best 4th of July Side Dishes! They include everything you need for a crowd-pleasing cookout: pasta salad, corn on the cob, watermelon, and more.
Have you decided which 4th of July side dishes you will make this year? If you’re still undecided, you’re in the right place! Below, I’ve rounded up our best 4th of July sides for a crowd-pleasing cookout. They range from barbecue classics like coleslaw to easy grilling recipes and hearty picnic salads. Many are easy to throw together at the last minute, and even more are great for moving forward.
I don’t know about you, but sides are always my favorite part of an Independence Day barbecue. They’re the funniest, freshest, tastiest part of the meal, and they’re packed with peak-season ingredients like sweet corn, watermelon, and summer tomatoes. I’ve made all of the recipes below for countless cookouts over the years and they have always been a hit. Pick one (or more) for your 4th of July menu – you can’t go wrong!
Our 5 Best 4th of July Side Dishes
Easy Pasta Salad
With over 600 5-star reviews, this pasta salad is one of our most popular 4th of July side dishes. Great for making ahead, it’s packed with juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, tangy feta cheese, and a bright lemon vinaigrette.
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 esquites, it’s filled with charred corn kernels, salty scallions, and a tangy, slightly creamy dressing made with mayonnaise and plenty of lemon juice.
Watermelon Salad with Feta
Juicy watermelon cubes combine with creamy avocado, tangy feta cheese, and refreshing mint in this ultra-refreshing summer salad. I think watermelon is a must at any 4th of July gathering and this recipe is a delicious and unexpected way to serve it.
Cucumber Salad
Do you love pickles? This sweet and spicy summer salad is for you! It’s one of the easiest 4th of July side dishes on this list, made with 8 simple ingredients.
corncob
Good news: The best way to cook corn on the cob is also the easiest. Boil it for less than 5 minutes for perfectly sweet and juicy beans every time.
Make-Ahead Salads for a Crowd
Easy Coleslaw
Drizzled with a sweet and tangy homemade coleslaw dressing, this creamy salad becomes even creamier when chilled in the refrigerator. It’s a perfect outfit to head into the 4th of July!
The best broccoli salad
In this new take on the Midwestern classic, I replace traditional bacon with toasted and smoked nuts and seeds. It’s become a HUGE favorite of Love & Lemons readers over the years, with over 450 5-star reviews!
The best potato salad
Fresh dill, pickles, and pickle brine give this salad a bold, tangy flavor boost. It’s one of those Fourth of July side dishes that is best made a few hours or even a day in advance. The potatoes absorb the seasoning from the dressing as it cools in the refrigerator.
Orzo Salad
Pasta salad meets Greek salad in this refreshing recipe. It’s packed with summer greens, salty olives, and creamy, tangy chunks of feta cheese. Fresh herbs and my favorite Greek salad dressing take it over the top.
Easy Fruit Salad
With a honey lime dressing, this summer fruit salad is one of Ollie’s favorite 4th of July side dishes. I love replacing tangerines with mango or peaches when they’re in season!
Macaroni Salad
Diced red peppers, celery ribs, and pickles add delicious crunch to this creamy summer salad. Do you want to make it even creamier? Add a couple of peeled and chopped hard-boiled eggs!
Italian Pasta Salad
Warning: Try this Italian pasta salad for the 4th of July and you’ll be making it for the rest of the summer. A savory 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-packed potato salad! It’s bright and fresh, made with lots of scallions, dill, chives, and a bold mustard dressing.
Ramen Noodle Salad
This ramen noodle salad has been the first side dish to go missing at every barbecue I’ve taken it to this summer. It’s a sweet and savory blend of crispy cabbage, juicy orange segments, and the best part: crispy toasted ramen noodles, nuts, and seeds.
4th of July Grilled Side Dishes
Roasted corn on the cob
Simple and classic, roasted corn on the cob on the 4th of July is never a bad idea. I share instructions for roasting it in the shell (for juicier beans) and without the shell (for more char) in my recipe.
Elote (roasted Mexican street corn)
Take regular roasted corn on the cob to the next level by making this corn recipe! It’s my homemade version of Mexican street corn, topped with creamy, spicy mayonnaise, smoky chili powder, fresh cilantro, and tangy cotija cheese.
Roasted Tomatoes
Sweet, juicy, and perfectly charred, these roasted tomatoes will wow your 4th of July guests. Enjoy them alone or dressed with a drizzle of Greek dressing and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
grilled zucchini
Ready in 10 minutes, these tender roasted zukes are a quick and easy summer side dish that everyone will love.
Grilled Portobello Mushrooms
A balsamic marinade adds a spicy, savory flavor to these 15-minute roasted mushrooms.
Roasted Potatoes
If you’re grilling burgers (or veggie burgers) for the 4th of July, these fries should go with them. They’re summer’s answer to potato chips, with slightly crispy exteriors and creamy centers.
Roasted Vegetables
Can’t choose which vegetable to grill for your cookout? There’s no need! These colorful skewers are a fun and easy way to serve a variety.
Snacks and sauces
Cowboy Caviar
Full of vibrant sweet corn, tomatoes, and peppers, this black-eyed pea dip feels like a party in a bowl. Serve it with tortilla chips for all those summer treats!
stuffed eggs
Jack’s mom makes the best deviled eggs and this 7-ingredient recipe is based on hers. Advice: Cook hard-boiled eggs a day in advance so they are easy to prepare the same day.
Capresse Skewers
This small version of the classic Caprese salad is a really fun 4th of July side dish! I love adding fresh strawberries for an unexpected touch of sweetness. You can even replace the tomatoes with strawberries and blueberries to add a little red, white, and blue to your table.
Easy Mango Sauce
This 8-ingredient, 10-minute recipe is one of my favorite sauces to make in the summer. Juicy fruits and crisp vegetables are very refreshing on a hot summer day.
The best guacamole
The entire bowl will be gone before you know it!
Dill Pickles
These easy refrigerator pickles will be the hit of your 4th of July menu. Slightly sweet, tangy, and crunchy, they always beat store-bought pickles.
Classic 4th of July BBQ Side Dishes
Homemade macaroni and cheese
Every barbecue joint in Austin (and everywhere?) serves mac and cheese as a side dish, so if you’re looking for a classic barbecue menu, this homemade mac and cheese is for you. Three types of cheese give it an incredible creamy texture and rich flavor.
Corn Fritters
Cheddar cheese, scallions, and cayenne pepper fill these skillet fritters with flavor. Feel free to make them ahead – they reheat well on the stove or in the air fryer.
Cornbread with jalapenos
This spicy version of classic cornbread is garnished with scallions, cheddar cheese, and fresh jalapenos. We love it plain, but a layer of honey butter covers it on top.
Looking for more 4th of July recipes?
See one of these summaries below:
