The 4th of July is not the 4th of July without those delicious summer side dishes. Slaw, macaroni salad, baked beans, potato salad, corn, fruit salad, and more take your average backyard cookout to the ultimate Independence Day party! We’re drooling just thinking about it. Let’s get ready to celebrate America with a plateful of delicious summer side dishes!
Instant Vanilla Pudding Fruit Salad Recipe
“Instant Vanilla Pudding Fruit Salad Recipe simply delicious, this salad is equally as good with fresh fruit or convenient canned fruit. The secret is using dry instant pudding. It combines with the fruit juice to create a slightly sweet, rich sauce that coats every bite of the fruit.” - Paula
Coffee Baked Beans
“One morning we had a little coffee left in our coffee pot and I was planning to make baked beans for dinner. I thought, why waste the coffee? So I just tweaked my baked bean recipe a bit and came up with this combination. I paired it with roasted Brussels sprouts and seared salmon. It was a huge hit with my whole family!” - Suzanne
Aunt Mary’s Pepper Sauce Coleslaw
“Now, I wasn’t fortunate enough to get to taste this first-hand, but as soon as Heather got in the car, she called to tell me I just had to share it with y’all. After a few phone calls and with the contributions of a keen-eyed bystander, I think we’ve got the recipe pretty darn close.” - Stacey
Lite Tri-Color Pasta Salad
“This to me is one of the perfect summer salads. Not only does it tastes and look delicious. It has less fat and fewer calories than most pasta salads yet you still get the wonderful full flavor you expect. I did not have any frozen broccoli to add but it is great in addition to the corn.” - Sue
Creamy Cucumbers
“You see that bowl of cucumbers up there? I ate every bit of that. Sure, not in one sitting. It took me a couple of tries but I’m no quitter and I stuck with it until the bowl was empty. And I’d do it again, too, given half the chance. Creamy Cucumbers are just that good!” - Christy
Broccoli Crunch Salad With a Parmesan Twist
“Light, crisp, savory, and sweet are the words that come to mind when I describe this salad. Everybody wants to make it.” - Mary Kay
Southern Cheesy Jalapeno Bacon Skillet Cornbread
“Slightly sweet and savory, Southern Cheesy Jalapeno Bacon Skillet Cornbread, is full of smokey bacon, spicy jalapenos, and cheese. Alone or as a side, this cornbread recipe is delectable!” - Paula
Nana JoAnn's Potato Salad
“Looking for a simple potato salad recipe for summer cookouts? Definitely try this one. JoAnn uses red potatoes in her recipe which is a great choice because they are firm and don't become super mushy in the potato salad. Since there are very few ingredients, using good mayonnaise and mustard is a must in this recipe. The mustard, along with the lemon pepper, gives the salad a little tang. If you have picky eaters, this potato salad is for you.” - Kitchen Crew
Vegetable Pasta Salad
“I love this salad because it’s quick and easy to make, it’s tasty and I can make it beforehand and refrigerate. You will love this salad for all the same reasons!” - Paula
Slap Your Mama It's So Delicious Southern Squash Casserole
“Ohh my! That's what I said after my first bite! This is wonderful! And a very adaptable recipe, too, which makes it even better!” - Mary
Balsamic Grilled Vegetables
“Veggies marinated in balsamic vinegar and soy sauce and cooked in a grill basket until smoky, slightly charred and tender-crisp. A healthy and tasty side dish!” - Susan
Miss Millie’s Best Coleslaw
“All coleslaws are not created equal. Some are just okay, some are pretty good, and some are magical. Of course, whichever descriptive the coleslaw merits is purely in the eye of the beholder but in my mind, Miss Millie’s Best Coleslaw definitely fits into the ‘magical’ category.” - Christy
Bacon Fried Corn
“As a child, I would go to my grandmothers garden and pick fresh corn for dinner. She would cut it off the cob and fry it. It was so delicious and the natural sweetness from the corn would come out from the heat. I have added a twist to her old recipe and it is delicious. I hope you enjoy it.” - Jenny
Fresh Pea Salad
“This is one of those salads where it is even better to make it a day ahead of time as the flavours have a chance to come out and mingle while sitting in the fridge overnight and serving it chilled, straight from the fridge is perfect on hot summer days!” - Kevin
Zucchini and Tomatoes Foil Packets
“This is a delicious way to create a zucchini side dish with all the extra zucchini and tomatoes from the garden. The flavor from the garlic and basil infused into the zucchini and tomato slices. We love the bit of salty Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top. This is easy to prepare and so good!” - Kitchen Crew
The Best German Potato Salad
“Y’all, I’m not kidding with the title up there. If you love German Potato Salad as much as I do, the first bite of this will bring tears of joy to your eyes. This really is The BEST German Potato Salad!” - Christy
Ranch Pasta Salad
“This is one of my most requested pasta salads at my house. There are few ingredients and kids always like it. If you don't like the tomato, replace it with another veggie such as red bell pepper, green onion, radish, or zucchini. Or leave it out! It's still really good and really simple.” - Dawn
Okra and Green Tomato Fritters
“I’ve taken these crispy, delicious morsels and kicked them up a notch. Imagine the best of fried okra and fried green tomatoes in one bite. Simply amazing.” - Stacey
Macaroni Salad
“This macaroni salad recipe deserves a spot on your cookout menu. Liz uses melted cheese to make the pasta extra creamy. Dill pickle juice and pickles give lots of flavor to the recipe. Start with a little juice and continue to add as you go until it suits your taste. The salad also has fresh diced tomato, crunchy celery, a little bit of onion and hard-boiled eggs. It definitely leans towards a dill pickle macaroni salad. This creamy macaroni salad will be great on your summer table.” - Kitchen Crew
Berry Quinoa Salad
“The salad is brightened up with a lemon and orange based dressing that has a touch of sweet honey and a strong hit of mint which makes it so light and refreshing! I like to finish the salad off with a crunchy toasted nut link almonds and crumbled feta would not be out of place here either! If you are looking for a way to enjoy summer, this fresh berry quinoa salad in a citrus-y mint dressing is the perfect way to go!” - Kevin
Thomas BBQ Mashed Potato Salad
“So much of our beloved foods and recipes are loved for the memories attached to them, just as much as the taste. Thomas BBQ Mashed Potato Salad is the best potato salad I have ever tasted (in my life) but there is a reason beyond that which makes it even more special.” - Christy
Pineapple Baked Beans
“Everyone loves my baked beans and I am frequently asked to bring them to potlucks! These are so easy to mix in the casserole dish and slide in the oven while getting showered and ready to go!” - Brenda
Amazingly Easy Grilled Corn
“Regardless, fresh corn is one of those things that takes a little time and effort. The husking and de-silking alone deters most people from serving the fresh variety and going the frozen route. But my grilled corn makes it pretty darn easy, if I do say so myself.” - Stacey
Johnnie's Simple Potato Salad
“Creamy, simple and delicious! This potato salad has all the classic potato salad flavors and will be great for a party. The dill pickles add a bit of tang. Thanks to the onion there's a slight crunch in every bite. We like our potato salad creamy, so did add about 1/4 cup more of mayo. But start with what Jamie recommends and add as needed. We also suggest making this ahead of time and letting the flavors have a chance to meld together.” - Kitchen Crew
Peggi's Chicken-Bacon Ranch Salad
“I made a comment on this recipe last year, but once again I made this, and this time entirely from leftovers! It saves so much time and it was yummy. My husband says he could eat this every night, “ - Elizabeth
Bacon and Pea Summer Salad
“Nothing says summer like an outdoor BBQ with friends and family. But no one wants to get stuck in a hot kitchen prepping your side items! So grab some Libby’s® Vegetable Pouches to create delicious, quick nutritious vegetables in a flash and get back to enjoying time with family and friends.” - Stacey
Florida Slaw
“Cool and refreshing, this is a great twist on a traditional coleslaw recipe. There's just enough sweetness and citrus in the mayo mixture to balance the cabbage and radicchio. The fresh lime juice and cilantro add tons of flavor. Great for a summer BBQ and this would go lovely with fajitas or tacos too. Very versatile!” - Kitchen Crew
Simple Ranch Potato Salad
“I made this for a potluck and everyone loved it . Very easy and a nice change from the same old potato salad. I think the mayo and bacon portions were perfect.” - Debbie
Greek Pasta Salad
“There's nothing ordinary about this pasta salad recipe. It's a delicious salad filled with a blend of Mediterranean flavors. The mixture of cucumber, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and Feta cheese gives this pasta salad a distinct Greek flare. Its light dressing marinates the salad and the flavors marry together wonderfully. A beautiful and refreshing Greek salad for your next cookout.” - Kitchen Crew
Creamy Cranberry Coleslaw w/Raspberry Vinaigrette
“Love this! Great with bar-b-que or just in fridge for quick easy sides.” - Shane