4th of July Recipes

Get ready for the 4^th of July - one of the best holidays of the year. It's the epitome of the summer season, which means grilling is a necessity. To make your party a success, we've rounded up four recipes for Independence Day that are fan favorites.

Prepare for a patriotic meal and have a very happy 4th of July!

Light and creamy Potato Salad

Skip the fatty store-bought stuff and make a lighter potato salad right at home. Out of all the 4^th of July recipes, potato salad is one of the most popular. And with light buttermilk and low-fat mayo, you can stay summer fit while eating well.

Borrowed from our friends at Good Housekeeping.

Ingredients

• 4 pounds red potatoes, cut into chunks if large
• ¼ cup dry white wine, like Chardonnay
• 1 + 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• ½ cup low-fat buttermilk
• ¼ cup light mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves
• Fresh chives, chopped

1. Place potatoes in an eight-quart pot and add enough cold water to cover by two inches. Cover and heat to boiling on high. Add one teaspoon salt.
2. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low, simmering for 8-10 minutes or until tender. Drain well and transfer to a large bowl.
3. Add wine and one tablespoon lemon juice. Toss gently until mixed and let cool to room temperature.
4. Prepare the dressing by adding buttermilk, mayonnaise, mustard, salt, pepper, and remaining 3 tablespoons lemon juice to a bowl or large measuring cup. Whisk until blended.
5. Add dressing and basil to potatoes. Toss gently until evenly coated and garnish with chives.

Grilled Barbecue chicken

Start with a summer main dish that's smoky and flavorful. Grilled chicken is always a good choice and the homemade barbecue sauce really amps it up. Make the sauce 24 hours in advance to let the flavors mingle longer.

Borrowed from our friends at Taste of Home.

Ingredients

• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons butter
• 1 cup ketchup
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup chili sauce (ketchup or cocktail sauce can be substituted)
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon celery seed
• 1 tablespoon yellow or Dijon mustard
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 dashes hot sauce, like Tabasco
• 2 broiler/fryer chickens (3 ½-4 pounds each), cut up

1. In a saucepan over medium-low heat, sauté garlic in butter until tender, but don't overcook. Add all other ingredients except chicken. Bring the sauce to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and set aside.
2. On a lightly greased grill rack, grill chicken, covered, over medium heat for 30 minutes, turning occasionally.
3. Baste chicken with sauce and grill 15 minutes longer (or until an internal temperature of 165 degrees is reached), basting and turning several times.

4^th of July Trifle

Talkin' bout that red, white, and blue. Get festive with this colorful trifle that's one of the easiest 4^th of July recipes. Simply mix, layer, and chill.

Borrowed from our friends at Genius Kitchen.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 8 ounces sour cream
• ¼ teaspoon + 3 tablespoons almond flavoring
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 8 ounces heavy whipping cream (ready-to-use whipped cream can be substituted)
• 1 angel food cake, cubed
• 32 ounces strawberries
• 32 ounces blueberries
• ¾ cup sugar

1. Blend cream cheese and powdered sugar together. Then, add the sour cream, vanilla, and ¼ teaspoon almond flavoring. Set aside.
2. In a chilled bowl, whip the whipping cream and then gently fold into the cream cheese mixture.
3. In a separate bowl, mix together the strawberries, blueberries, sugar, and remaining three tablespoons almond flavoring.
4. Using a trifle dish or large glass bowl, alternate layers of angel food cake, cream cheese mixture, and berries.
5. Garnish the top with berries and refrigerate for at least two hours before serving.

S'mores Dip

No mess and all the sweet, gooey goodness. S'mores dip takes the hassle out of our favorite summer treat. The recipe listed below is just a suggestion. Go crazy with your own add-ins!

Ingredients

• 14 ½ ounces graham crackers, crushed
• ½ cup butter, melted
• 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
• 3 cups (18 ounces) chocolate chips
• 2 cups mini marshmallows

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a Dutch oven or large cast-iron pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
2. Mix together crushed graham crackers and melted butter. Then, press the mixture into the bottom of the pan.
3. Pour sweetened condensed milk over the crust and sprinkle with chocolate chips.
4. Cover the Dutch oven or cast-iron pan with oven-safe lid or heavy-duty foil. Bake for 6-8 minutes or until marshmallows are toasted, watching closely. Use oven mitts to remove the pot and allow the mixture to cool for five minutes. Feel free to dip, but it's safer and easier to serve the mixture onto plates with a spoon.

With 4^th of July recipes in hand, you're ready for any picnic the holiday may throw at you. Go forth and have a happy Independence Day!

Related Posts

• 4^th of July Activities for Campers
• Grilled Side Dishes for Summer Picnics
• 6 Gourmet S'mores Recipes [Infographic]