70 Fourth Of July Side Dishes For An All-Star Cookout

There’s bound to be potato salad on the menu of any Fourth of July gathering. Switch things up a little by grilling cooked red potatoes and dressing them with a German-style vinegar-based sauce for smoky, tangy flavor.

Sure, we love our good old-fashioned deviled eggs and they are always right for the occasion—especially a potluck.

If the grill is already hot, Grilled Corn Ribs are the ideal 4th of July side. Fresh cilantro adds a pop of fresh flavor to this seasonal dish.

A dish of baked beans is a welcome addition to any backyard barbecue, and this recipe is classic and effortless to make and take.

For when you can’t decide between corn and mac and cheese, we decided to combine the two.

Making squash casserole on a sheet pan instead of a casserole dish means there’s even more surface are to cover with the crispy topping.

This recipe may remind you of the potato salad your grandmother always served at family reunions. With hard-boiled eggs, sweet salad pickles, mayonnaise and jalapeño peppers, we guarantee your guests will be back for seconds.

This recipe is simple and delicious enough on its own—but the real stars of the show are the four topping options. From a bacony ranch drizzle to a basil butter with parmesan, these toppings are so good you’ll officially make corn on the cob your forever-favorite cookout side.

While there are plenty of different ways to make potato salad, this simple, no-fuss recipe is likely similar to the basic one that Grandma always makes.

You’ll know this homemade mac and cheese is ready to take out of the oven when the cheese is melted and golden brown.

This dish is a staple at cookouts and barbecues around the South. For an added wow factor, you can top the creamed corn with a sprinkling of fresh chives if desired.

As much as we love using up our summer tomatoes in a fat-stacked BLT, we make use of 2 pints of fresh cherry tomatoes for this refreshing salad.

Make sure to allow at least 30 minutes for the coleslaw to chill before serving.

This corn salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator overnight, just reserve the basil to add until just before serving.

Packed with some of summer’s best produce, including onion, corn, and lima beans, this traditional Southern side makes the perfect potluck dish.

If you can’t decide between pasta salad and deviled eggs, serve up the delicious flavors of both in one dish with this 20-minute recipe.

The ideal big-batch summer salad to make ahead for any gathering, this dish is packed with fresh veggies, including cucumbers, tomatoes, and spinach.

This cheesy onion casserole is guaranteed to become your new favorite side dish.

Trifle dishes aren’t just for desserts. It’s the perfect dish for serving up this layered salad that’s not only delicious but pretty.

This is a staple dish that pairs well with just about anything you’ll find at a cookout. It takes advantage of summer squash at its peak for a rich and cheesy, yet veggie-heavy dish.

You’ll find less sugar and salt in this recipe than traditional baked beans, but still plenty of flavor thanks to a grated sweet potato, chopped sweet onion, and bacon.

Think of this salad as summertime in a bowl. It comes together with just a little bit of stirring.

Store-bought broccoli slaw helps this recipe come together with just 15 minutes of hands-on time.

This recipe serves up everything you love about loaded potatoes in one bowl that’s perfect for potlucks.

Grilled corn, onions, and jalapeños make a delicious addition to homemade guacamole.

This recipe is the quickest way to be everyone’s favorite host: 1 bowl, 10 ingredients, 20 minutes.

Starting the potatoes for this recipe in cold water will help them cook evenly as the water comes to a boil.

This simple side dish salad comes together in just 10 minutes with no cooking required.

Just a little bit of oil, salt, and pepper are needed to transform fresh summer squash and zucchini into the ideal side dish for any 4th of July gathering.

When you don’t have the time or energy to grill it, bake it! This recipe is a keeper.

Think of this recipe as the best of both corn casserole and mac and cheese together in one casserole.

As far as we’re concerned, this old-school cold salad pairs well at any cookout.

Coleslaw is a summer side dish that we can’t get enough of. This recipe is best served the day-of for maximum freshness.

If the grill is already fired up for the main dish, toss some fresh asparagus on the grates as well.

Nothing says summer like a bucket of fresh strawberries from a roadside farm stand!

A little sweet, a little spicy—this slaw is sure to be a potluck star.

With taco-inspired ingredients like black beans, corn, cheese, and ground beef, this side dish might be your new summer family cookout go-to.

Summertime is practically synonymous with tomato pie, and this recipe will have you making it all season long!

When it’s too hot to break out the deep-fryer, a quick and lighter pan-fry will do the trick. It lets fresh okra really shine.

Macaroni and cheese…but make it summery. Use your in-season tomatoes to top off this classic comfort side dish.

While you’ll see plenty of salads that pair tomatoes and watermelon together, we think peaches deserve a little more attention beyond cobbler. This salad tastes like summer.

My, oh my—a macaroni pie?! Mac and cheese that’s firm enough to be sliceable, but with an utterly irresistible creaminess that can only be the result of pure magic—we’re not sure how, but we made it happen.

Part appetizer, part side dish, 100% party-approved.

Using grilled corn helps this side dish hit all of the flavorful, smoky, and slightly sweet notes in every bite.

This isn’t your basic watermelon salad. Cucumbers and melon soak up a tangy lime-lemon-shallot vinaigrette and are topped with feta cheese.

While this whole dish is a winning combo, it’s the okra that will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Two different kinds of potatoes and the foolproof combo of seasonings will see you through this recipe.

It doesn’t get more crowd-pleasing than a Caprese. Give this salad a fun new look by using a mix of multicolored cherry tomatoes and small fresh mozzarella balls tossed in a simple vinaigrette.

Like a cross between a vinegar-based coleslaw and chowchow, this recipe is just the tangy touch to add to any cookout main.

Serve these crispy zucchini fries as a fun and fresher alternative to French fries.

Believe it or not, this reader favorite is made on the lighter side. Subtle than most on the butter and cheese, this outdoor party original will still melt in your mouth.

This gorgeous summer pasta salad showcases peak-season tomatoes, fresh herbs, and field peas.

This light and bright salad comes together with just 10 minutes of hands-on time.

One of our most requested recipes for a summer outdoor event, this classic recipe has a rich, soufflé-like texture without the hassle.

These fritters are reminiscent of hush puppies, but are much lighter and richer in flavor.

Make a light and bright summer salad with your seasonal bounty.

No mayo required for this summertime slaw that gets a little kick from minced jalapeño pepper and a Fresno chile.

Throw some peaches on the grill with your hamburgers and hot dogs. The sweet slices pair perfectly with feta and arugula for a side salad.

A light and refreshing pasta salad for any potluck.

It’s the creamy, cheesy potato bake that belongs at every barbecue.

Yellow squash and zucchini are quite prolific in the South. This recipe, a popular choice for cookouts and outdoor parties, makes delicious use of summer’s bounty.

Baked beans belong at a Fourth of July cookout like hotdogs belong at the ballpark. Loaded with bacon and four types of beans, this side is so hearty some might mistake it for the main course.

This quick and effortless Street Corn Salad comes together in a quick 20 minutes. Combine the ingredients with a dash of olive oil and sprinkle with cheese and you have a delicious summer side or dip. Now that’s summer siding made simple!

No picnic or potluck is complete with one of the most nostalgic spreads—egg salad.

We are bringing old-fashioned ham salad back to the spotlight with this recipe. It’s fit for any occasion: Keep it simple with crackers or dress it up as a tea sandwich.

The ultimate side dish: Serve them shining on their own, with a dip, or on an iconic Fried Green Tomato BLT.

This recipe elevates classic cream corn and makes it extra light and fluffy.

Even the vegetable averse will go crazy for these green beans made with bacon, crispy Parm, and plenty of garlic.

This deconstructed version of summer’s most beloved sandwich (the BLT) makes for an incredibly satisfying side.

You can’t go wrong when you combine two of the South’s most popular picnic dishes: deviled eggs and potato salad.