It’s nearly time to celebrate America with some great food. If you’re hosting a cookout or asked to bring something, here are menu ideas for the Fourth of July. I’ve tried to choose a little bit of this and that so it could be your entire BBQ spread.
We know prices for everything have risen a lot these days. That’s why I love to make a flat iron steak. While it’s pricier than normal, it’s still affordable.
To make it tender, though, it needs a good marinade. Delores Ward’s (Barboursville, WV) Grilled Flat Iron Steak recipe offers just that.
“My family and friends love this and ask for it at dinner and cookouts,” shares Delores. “I always make extra and that is even gone by the end of the meal – you just keep wanting one more piece.”
Take easily accessible prepared sauces, mix ’em and you’ve got a unique and delicious marinade. The final result is a mixture of smoky, rich, savory flavors. After the steak is grilled, it’s perfectly tender. This will be a big hit with your guests and your wallet.
Another grilling option is Susan Feliciano’s (Oak Ridge, TN) Grilled Vegetables With A Tangy Sauce.
They make a great side dish but are hearty enough to enjoy as a main if you have any vegetarian guests.
“I love making up flavorful sauces for marinating and basting,” explains Susan. “I used to try to avoid things that required basting, but after doing it a few times and noticing the difference in the finished product, I am now a fan!
These vegetables were fresh and flavorful without the sauce. But, that sauce! The sauce takes these up a level or two.
I would suggest marinating the vegetables in the sauce to allow the flavors to meld together a little more. They’re sweet, smoky, and delicious.
“This is the hands-down best potato salad out there,” thinks Susie Huckvale (Camas, WA) Ma Huck’s Smoky Potato Salad. “Everyone who tries it can’t stop eating it.”
An excellent potato salad when you’re looking to switch up your go-to recipe. It’s creamy with a hint of smokiness.
The potato salad has a light onion and mustard flavor with crisp peppered bacon and chopped hard-boiled eggs folded in. You’re going to have a hard time not falling in love with this potato salad.
Brenda Dixon’s (Mt. Juliet, TN) Pineapple Baked Beans are super easy to make and flavorsome.
“Everyone loves my baked beans and I am frequently asked to bring them to potlucks,” says Brenda. “These are so easy to mix in the casserole dish and slide in the oven while getting showered and ready to go!”
These beans start with canned beans and are jazzed up with a bit of mustard, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and bacon.
What makes these different is chunks of canned pineapple. The added pineapple gives the baked beans a nice sweet and sour flavor making it hard to resist a second plate.
Is pasta salad a favorite at your house? Try Dawn Whitted’s (Spearfish, SD) Ranch Pasta Salad.
“This is one of my most requested pasta salads at my house,” shares Dawn. “There are few ingredients and kids always like it.”
If you love the flavor of creamy ranch dressing, then this pasta salad recipe is for you. It has the perfect ratio of pasta and dressing.
Cucumber and tomato lighten up the salad and add some crunch. Ham and cheese not only provide flavor but make the pasta salad heartier. You can almost eat this as a meal.
Dawn’s salad was delicious right after the ingredients are combined… but it was really delicious after it chilled for a while. I recommend making this a few hours ahead of time.
There is nothing more American than a warm and gooey chocolate chip cookie and I love Ann Morell’s (Nashville, TN) All-American Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe. They’re a “4th of July fave” for Ann.
This is a classic recipe filled with nuts and chocolate chips. The cookie is buttery and tender. You get multiple chocolate chips and the right amount of walnuts in every bite.
I love serving chocolate chip cookies at a BBQ because they’re versatile. People can grab a cookie and just enjoy that. Put out a tray and guests can make ice cream sandwiches. Or, use them to make a sundae. So many options.
With the patriotic decorations and great food, July 4th is one of my favorite holidays. If you want more ideas for your cookout, check out our Fourth of July recipe collection. It’s filled with delicious ones. Happy July 4th and Happy Pinching!