It wouldn’t be the Fourth of July without a potluck cookout. On this hot summer day, whether you’re going to a parade downtown, spending the day doing something active, or holding down the fort at your campsite, don’t forget to observe the holiday with food. We’ve put together a menu of a few festive side dishes, main courses, and desserts to add patriotic spirit to mealtime.
Get together with friends and family, reserve an RV or other Outdoorsy experience, hit the road, set up camp in the shade, and dig into these summertime foods.
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Country Corn on the Cob
All you need is a grill, oil, butter, and corn to make this tasty side. The simplicity makes this recipe perfect for campfire cooking. Fire up the grill, either shuck the corn first or after grilling, rotate them with some tongs, and brush on some melted butter.
Patriotic Potato Salad
Straight from the heartland, potatoes are inherently American. With paprika, black pepper, bacon, pickles, green onions, pickles, and more flavorful ingredients, this potato salad packs a punch. The great thing about potato salad is that you can add as much or as little as you want to customize flavor.
Crackle and Pop Coleslaw
Prep for this tangy coleslaw is super easy. Once you toast and soften some green and red cabbage in a skillet, simply mix it together with spices, vinegar, and sour cream and mayo. We can guarantee you’ll be going back for seconds.
Deviled Eggs
Another easy one to prep at the campground. Prep the hard-boiled eggs ahead of time and pack just a few pantry items like relish and mayonnaise to make these delicious hors d’oeuvres.
Mix and enjoy.
Flag Fruit Skewers
Forgo the single-use party decorations. Instead, easily add red and blue to your soiree with a colorful array of nature’s finest fruits. Skewer sweet strawberries and tart blueberries in alternating order for an American flag-inspired snack. Add whipped cream because why not?
Summer Salad
For another way to use blueberries, don’t be afraid to toss them into a salad. The fruit is mild enough to complement any savory ingredients, like mozzarella cheese and arugula. Here’s just one seasonal recipe, but this is a solid option to use what you have and pull something together.
Star-Spangled Salsa
Start with a base of chopped red onions and add ingredients from there. This patriotic salsa—with jicama, cilantro, jalapeno, and yes, even blueberries and strawberries if you’re brave—is delicious for munching while you’re waiting for the veggies and meat on the grill.
Brave and Bold Bratwursts
Sizzling bratwursts are good all year round, but especially on the Fourth. There’s not much in the way of recipes for this one. Just throw them on the grill and let the fire do the magic. Top your hot dog buns with ketchup, mustard, relish, onions, and all the fixings.
All-American Burgers
You can’t serve hot dogs without burgers. Again, these are just a few recipes that you can’t mess up. Cook them to your liking and fix with all the glorified toppings like bacon, specialty cheeses, parsley, pineapple, grilled veggies—literally whatever you want.
Cast Iron Skillet Nachos
Ain’t nothing wrong with a chip dinner. Whatever you like on your nachos, pile it into a cast iron skillet and fire up your heat source. This recipe calls for ground beef and chili beans, but the beauty of nachos is that you can add whatever toppings you want.
Yankee Doodle S’mores
There’s more than one way to make a s’more. Whip up America’s favorite campfire dessert ingredients into a pie, a cookie, banana boat, or a savory take. Or put your creativity to the test to come up with another recipe.
Classic Peach Cobbler
It’s stone fruit season! Make this sweet treat ahead of time or at your campsite, either in a Dutch oven or regular oven if you have one in your RV. The peaches combine tartness and sweetness, while the crumble on top adds a crunch.
Perfect Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
This cake is another example that you can make basically any desert in a Dutch oven. Pack some canned pineapple slices, maraschino cherries, yellow cake mix, and you’re almost halfway there with the ingredients.
Freedom Key Lime Pie
Key limes are a staple during summertime. Squeeze a bunch of these little zesty fruits for a tart dessert poured into a sturdy graham cracker crust. This recipe doesn’t even require baking. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of lime zest.
Red, White, and Blueberry Buckle
Bring more blue to the party with a buttery, sugary, blueberry pie. Topped with streusel, a buckle is a dessert that’s more cakey than cobblers and crisps, but more fruity than coffee cake. This recipe will make your mouth water.
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Now that we’re all hungry, let’s not waste any more time. Reserve a rig and a campsite for the holiday to start cooking up a holiday feast. Make sure to bookmark this post for Fourth of July celebrations for years to come. Which dishes will make it on your picnic table?
