The Fourth of July is just around the corner and many people are wondering what to make.
No fear, Morning Chores is here to bring you some great ideas that are fairly quick and definitely yummy! From appetizers to the main dish (did you know that one hundred and fifty million hot dogs get eaten on this day), to dessert… we have your back.
Fourth of July Recipes
Here's our list of the fourteen best recipes to make for the Fourth of July.
1. Hot Dogs
I recommend a hot dog buffet – add lots of different ingredients. One of my best experiences was during a Fourth of July that I had to work. My co-workers did a buffet and a friend of mine recommended I try the hot dog with mayonnaise and Pico de gallo. Now… it's the only way I eat my hot dogs.
Another great thing about hot dogs is it goes where you go. You can cook them at home with a microwave or in boiling water. If you decide to go out, you can grill them.
2. Hamburgers (or Cheeseburgers)
Yep. I just went there. I figure if you are going to have hot dogs, you might as well have hamburgers. When you are having a group, it is always a good idea to have multiple options.
The great thing about having hamburgers is that you can integrate some of the toppings. The tomatoes you used to make the Pico de gallo can also be used as sliced tomatoes for the hamburger. Pickles can be diced up for relish or left as is for hamburgers. Ketchup and mustard go well either way!
I prefer to make my hamburger recipe with ground beef and steak seasoning. If you want a more exact recipe, I recommend this recipe.
3. I'm Adding the Pretzel Buns because, why not?
These pretzel buns went so well at my house that my husband ate one of them without any meat on them. That alone deserves some recognition because he is a meat eater, one hundred percent!
I learned something very interesting when I started making pretzels and bagels. The key to a crisp outer piece is to boil the bread a few minutes before baking it in the oven.
Giving your guests fresh buns will excite them, making them pretzel buns might just rock their world. Find the recipe here.
4. Wings
My family loves chicken wings and I know this would be on our Fourth of July menu. We have made it during football season and on New Year's Eve already!
This is divided in half with both being oven fried. For those of us who like spicy, there is Buffalo Wings and for those of us who prefer less spice, there's Lemon Pepper Wings.
5. Potato Salad
Potato salad was one of those recipes that I saw at every Fourth of July growing up and did not start eating until I was a teenager. My husband is not a potato salad fan so after we got married, I have stopped eating it for the most part.
Naturally, then, when I can get my hand on potato salad I eat it up. I do not like the mustard style as much as the vinegar potato salad. Maybe it's because I am reminded of Thrasher Fries on the Maryland and Delaware boardwalks. Thrasher fries scream “ADD VINEGAR TO ME!!!” when purchased. Mmmmm….
Since I don't change the recipe at all I'm just going to send you to the site that I use over at All Recipes. You can find it here.
6. Macaroni Salad
While we are on the topic of good salads – the macaroni salad was another one I wouldn't touch as a child; however, my oldest daughter will eat macaroni salad like it's going out of style. She has always been that way and I am thankful for that.
Macaroni salad and potato salad both are good options that go well with hamburgers and hot dogs. They also pair well with barbecue chips. It, to me, is the perfect Fourth of July feast paired perfectly with family and friends.
Here's the recipe we use (which is adapted from All Recipes)
Ingredients:
- 1 (16 ounces) package elbow macaroni
- 6 hard-boiled eggs, diced
- 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sweet pickle relish
- 1/3 cup prepared honey mustard
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
- Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked soft.
- Drain and rinse macaroni under cold water until chilled. Transfer macaroni to a large salad bowl.
- Toss pasta with hard-boiled eggs, and green bell pepper. Whisk mayonnaise, milk, pickle relish, and honey mustard in a bowl and pour dressing over the salad.
- Once well mixed, add salt and pepper, to taste.
7. Apple Nachos
My girls went to a school that didn't allow cupcakes for birthdays or holidays. They didn't allow anything unhealthy, to be exact. So I opted to bring apple nachos to one event. It was a huge hit and super simple to make. Here's the process:
- Cut the apples. If you want to peel them go ahead, I opted not to.
- Add caramel drizzle to your liking
- Add chocolate chips to your liking
- Add sprinkles to your liking
And wa-la! You're done.
8. Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake Salad
I guess our theme should have been “Best Fourth of July salads” but this fun one comes from our younger daughter. My mother might have originated this but my daughter is perfecting it by adding in her favorite fruits. Sometimes we have done mandarin oranges but since it's Fourth of July, I'm thinking red, white, and blue. Here's the recipe:
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. cream cheese
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 8 oz. whipping cream (already whipped)
- 3 cups strawberries
- 1 cup blueberries
- Marshmallows
Directions:
- Beat the cream cheese and sugar together. Once well blended, fold in the whipping cream.
- Then add the berries and the marshmallows.
- Let sit in the refrigerator for thirty minutes.
- Enjoy!
Yes, it is that simple. Have fun with this one!
9. Strawberry Pie
My mother actually made this! I have to say, she is the one who inspired me to start cooking in the first place and it is easy to see why. She got these strawberries from the local farm near her house in Tennessee. Fresh is always best and with it cooled down, with whipped cream, you have the perfect cool dessert for the hot Fourth of July.
Here's the recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 1/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp. cornstarch
- strawberry jello
- 4 cups strawberries, chopped
- pie crust
- whipping cream, optional
Recipe:
- Bring your first three ingredients to a boil. Once at a boil, stir it for one minute. Don't stop!
- Add in jello until dissolved
- Let sit for two hours.
- About fifteen minutes before the two hours are up, place the strawberries in the pie crust.
- Pour over gelatin mixture.
- Cover and chill two to four hours
- Serve with whipped cream and enjoy!
10. Breakfast of Fourth Champions
If you are anything like me, I think about food on days like the Fourth starting with breakfast and all the way until the end of the day. I want the day to be special for my family and friends and food is the way to do that.
And what better way to start the Fourth of July than with blueberry crepes with honey whipped cream filling? Answer: Nothing! So, without further ado, here's the recipe.
Ingredients:
- 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- pinch of salt
- 2 cups milk
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 1-pint blueberries
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream
- 4 tablespoons honey
Direction:
-
Whisk together the first five ingredients and let stand for fifteen minutes.
-
While the crepe batter is hanging out, make the blueberry sauce by combining the blueberries and sugar together in a pan over medium-low heat. Mash the blueberries down once they are well blended.
-
Next, mix the heavy cream and honey in a Kitchen Aid mixer and whip on 10. Start slowly so you don't end up spraying yourself. Also, watch closely so you don't end up with honey butter!
- Once the batter has sat for fifteen minutes, warm up the skillet and add a drop or two of butter. Pour a small portion of the batter into the pan and let sit until bubbly. Flip over and let sit for thirty seconds to one minute.
- Add the whipping cream into the middle of the crepe. Fold into thirds and add blueberries over it.
- Enjoy!
My recipe was adapted from diethood.com
11. Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes
The first time I had this I was fourteen years old. It was the Fourth of July. I fully expected an ice cream cone and was so surprised when I licked icing instead of ice cream. I quickly bit into my cone to make sure that this was really a cupcake. Sure enough, it was! Ever since this has been one of my favorite things to make on the Fourth. I love watching others have the same surprise.
If you are looking for a surprise as well, here's the recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 box cake mix along with the ingredients called for on the box * Side Note: If you make a mean cake, use that recipe. Cakes are not my specialty so I opt for the box mix.
- 24 flat-bottom ice cream cone
-
1 or 2 tubs frosting (any flavor) *Again, if you like making your own, go for it. I am a bit picky on my frosting, opting to not get any of the added ingredients.
Directions:
- Prepare cake batter according to directions
- Place cones in the muffin pan and fill halfway to two-thirds of the way full.
- Bake as directed.
- Once cooled, add frosting and anything else you'd like to add.
- Enjoy!
12. Toasted Marshmallow Shake
I absolutely love milkshakes. My girls and I would come home from school last spring and pull out the homemade ice cream and make shakes in all sorts of flavors and add all sorts of fun ingredients. One of our favorites is toasted marshmallows. Part of the fun is using the kitchen torch, the other part is drinking it! Here's our go-to recipe:
Ingredients:
- 5 cups high-quality vanilla ice cream
- Enough whole milk to get your shake to your desire (I like mine a little runnier than the girls do)
- 5 jumbo marshmallows
Directions:
- Toast your marshmallows. You can use a kitchen torch or simply toast them in the oven on the broiler setting. If you chose to do the later – watch them closely as they can burn!
- In the blender, add all of the ingredients. Blend until desired consistency.
- Pour the shake into a glass, add any extra ingredients you desire (see picture above for the perfect red, white, and blue shake) and…
- Enjoy!
13. S'mores Cookie Bars
If you are a S'mores fan but know you are not going to be around an open fire this Fourth of July, just bring the goods with you where ever you go!
These S'mores cookie bars are sinful and easy enough that my high school culinary students made them this past year. I promise they will be enjoyed by everyone. Again, since I did not change anything from the recipe (aside from making my own marshmallows) I will just send you over to Something Swanky.
14. Home Made Chips
When I became a cook, I became a foodie. I desired to make my own food and learning to make my own cool ranchDoritoss was like ah-inspiring. It was so amazing and everyone loved it which means I make them on a regular occurrence. Here's the recipe for my Doritos.
Ingredients:
- 8 tortillas
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- 1 1/2 teaspoon nutritional yeast
- 3/4 teaspoons paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried chives
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions:
- Heat oil up to fry ( 350 degrees F).
- While it's heating up, Cut tortilla into eight triangles each.
- Prepare pan and combine all the other ingredients together.
- Deep fry in small batches until browned, one minute or so.
- Drain and place onto pan. Sprinkle seasoning on top. *Don't start another batch until this is done*
- Start at step four until all batches are done.
- Let cool if needed and enjoy!
To Wrap it Up
I hope you will have the most amazing Independence Day, filled with friends and family. May you eat good and enjoy everything our founders wanted you to enjoy when they embarked on the journey of separating from their countries.