Our full guide on the Most Popular 4th of July Dinner Ideas for you to try to cook at home.
The 4th of July is a perfect occasion to enjoy a festive meal with friends and family. Here are some delicious and crowd-pleasing dinner ideas to celebrate Independence Day.
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Popular 4th of July Dinner Ideas
1. Grilled BBQ Ribs
Ingredients:
2 racks baby back ribs
Salt and pepper
Your favorite BBQ sauce
Instructions:
Prepare the Ribs
Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs. Season generously with salt and pepper.
Grill the Ribs
Preheat the grill to medium heat. Place the ribs on the grill and cook for about 1.5 to 2 hours, turning occasionally.
Baste with BBQ Sauce
During the last 30 minutes of cooking, baste the ribs with BBQ sauce, turning and basting every 10 minutes until they are sticky and caramelized.
Serve
Let the ribs rest for a few minutes before slicing. Serve with extra BBQ sauce on the side.
Tips
Serve with coleslaw, cornbread, and baked beans for a classic BBQ meal.
2. Classic American Burgers
Ingredients:
2 lbs ground beef (80/20 mix)
Salt and pepper
8 burger buns
Cheese slices (optional)
Lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles
Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise
Instructions:
Prepare the Patties
Form the ground beef into 8 equal patties. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
Grill the Burgers
Preheat the grill to high heat. Grill the patties for about 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare, or until cooked to your desired doneness. Add cheese slices during the last minute of cooking if using.
Assemble the Burgers
Toast the buns on the grill for a minute. Assemble the burgers with your favorite toppings and condiments.
Tips
Serve with potato salad, chips, and a variety of pickles.
3. Grilled Vegetable Skewers
Ingredients:
Bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, red onion, mushrooms
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Fresh herbs (optional)
Instructions:
Prepare the Vegetables
Cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Thread them onto skewers.
Season the Skewers
Brush the skewers with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs if desired.
Grill the Vegetables
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill the skewers for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and slightly charred.
Tips
Serve with a yogurt dipping sauce or a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
4. Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Ingredients:
3 lbs pork shoulder
Salt and pepper
1 cup BBQ sauce
8 sandwich rolls
Coleslaw (optional)
Instructions:
Prepare the Pork
Season the pork shoulder with salt and pepper. Cook in a slow cooker on low for 8 hours or until the meat is tender and easily shredded.
Shred the Pork
Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred with two forks. Mix with BBQ sauce.
Assemble the Sandwiches
Serve the pulled pork on sandwich rolls, topped with coleslaw if desired.
Tips
Serve with sweet potato fries and pickles.
5. Grilled Salmon
Ingredients:
4 salmon fillets
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Lemon wedges
Instructions:
Prepare the Salmon
Brush the salmon fillets with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Grill the Salmon
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill the salmon fillets for about 4-6 minutes per side, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
Serve
Serve the salmon with lemon wedges.
Tips
Pair with grilled asparagus and a quinoa salad.
6. Hot Dogs and Sausages
Ingredients:
8 hot dogs or sausages
8 hot dog buns
Toppings: ketchup, mustard, relish, sauerkraut, onions
Instructions:
Grill the Hot Dogs
Preheat the grill to medium heat. Grill the hot dogs or sausages for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until heated through and slightly charred.
Serve
Serve in buns with a variety of toppings.
Tips
Serve with macaroni salad and corn on the cob.
7. Caprese Salad
Ingredients:
4 large tomatoes, sliced
1 lb fresh mozzarella, sliced
Fresh basil leaves
Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Assemble the Salad
Arrange the tomato and mozzarella slices on a platter, alternating them. Tuck basil leaves between the slices.
Dress the Salad
Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and pepper.
Tips
Serve as a refreshing side dish or appetizer.
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.