4th of July Picnic Side Dishes
These Picnic Side Dishes are the perfect way to feed a crowd on a hot summer day like the 4th of July! Use this list of easy side dishes to plan a menu that will feed your family and friends!
Picnic recipes are a lot of fun to make, especially for the 4th of July Weekend. I love quick side dish recipes that are easy to make and easy to transport. There are so many on this list that I love!
These delicious side dishes are perfect for a July celebration. Many dishes feature summer vegetables, making them ideal for a July potluck or BBQ side dishes. I love making these for outdoor barbecues because they’re easy and quick to prepare!
These would work for any summer barbecue and make a delicious spread on the table! Add them to your Fourth of July menu and get ready to have a whole list of new favorites. These are some of my favorite things to make for any July Fourth barbecue!
Picnic Safety Tips
Planning a Fourth of July picnic with delicious side dishes? Ensure your gathering is both enjoyable and safe with these essential picnic safety tips. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your food stays fresh and your guests stay healthy throughout the festivities:
- Food Temperature: Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold to prevent bacterial growth.
- Sanitation: Use clean utensils and wash hands regularly to avoid contamination.
- Cover Food: Protect dishes from insects by covering them with lids or nets.
- Hydration: Ensure everyone stays hydrated, especially in hot weather.
Whether you’re serving classic potato salad or grilled veggies, safety is key to enjoying your delicious dishes without worry.
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What is the key to a good side dish for a 4th of July celebration?
The key to a good side dish for a 4th of July celebration is simplicity, shareability, and seasonal freshness. Here’s the winning formula:
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You want a dish that tastes great cold or at room temperature.
- Colorful & Festive: Red, white, and blue vibes are a bonus!
- Easy to Serve: Think crowd-pleasers that don’t require cutting or utensils,
- Hot Weather Approved: Avoid dishes that wilt or spoil easily in the sun (skip heavy mayo unless it’s well-chilled).
- Flavor-Packed but Familiar: Add fun twists, but keep it familiar enough that all ages dig in.
FAQ: Delicious Fourth of July Picnic Side Dishes
More Fun Ideas and Options
In addition to the picnic side dishes below, here are some other options for summer flavors, ideas, and activities!
1
Kale and Apple Potato Salad
This is not your average potato salad! The addition of Kale, apples, and creamy yet tangy MIRACLE WHIP takes your potato salad from boring to oh so wonderful!
Check out this recipe
2
Cornbread Casserole
This Cornbread Casserole side dish is super easy to prepare, tastes deliciously sweet and buttery, and is guaranteed to be a hit at any backyard barbecue or potluck party!
Check out this recipe
3
Old Fashioned Potato Salad Recipe
You won't find a better potato salad than this old fashioned potato salad recipe! It's creamy and delicious and guaranteed to be a favorite!
Check out this recipe
4
Loaded Baked Potato Salad Recipe
Loaded Potato Salad is the perfect summer side dish. Bacon and cheese jazz up this recipe!
Check out this recipe
5
Feta Corn Salad
The perfect side for any party or get together, this feta corn salad uses fresh ingredients! it's easy to make and healthy!
Check out this recipe
6
Easy Summer Orzo Salad
Made with easily available ingredients and comes together quickly, this is great for summer parties and potlucks because it’s a guaranteed crowd pleaser. 5 Minutes. Vegan.
Check out this recipe
7
Weight Watchers Broccoli Salad
This Broccoli Salad recipe is easy to make and tastes great. It's always requested at family gatherings and potluck suppers.
Check out this recipe
8
Hawaiian Mac Salad
This Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is a creamy, comforting, side dish from the islands that’s perfect for summer cookouts, barbecues, and luaus, and yes, the 4th of July!
Check out this recipe
9
Cold Peanut Noodle Salad
Cold peanut noodle salad is popping with the flavors of peanut butter, tamari, and brown rice vinegar. With plenty of crisp, cool vegetables & a handful of nuts, you get a complete meal in one bowl!
Check out this recipe
10
Overnight Fruit Salad Recipe
Making this amazing overnight fruit salad recipe could not be easier. There are a few surprise ingredients that really come together after an evening in the fridge.
Check out this recipe
11
Bacon Broccoli Salad Recipe
This Bacon Broccoli Salad Recipe is the perfect cold, summer dish for those hot days! With carrots, bacon, and broccoli, this is the perfect deli salad.
Check out this recipe
12
Amazingly Delicious Tri Color Cold Pepperoni Pasta Salad Recipe
Neighborhood Favorite, Pepperoni Pasta Salad made with all your favorite toppings. This Pot Luck Salad is always the first to be eaten at any gathering. It's delicious.
Check out this recipe
13
Doritos Taco Salad Recipe
This classic Doritos Taco Salad Recipe is perfect for a summer lunch, picnic or potluck. The homemade dressing has a wonderful flavor that completes the crunchy Doritos Taco Salad Recipe dish. It will be everyone’s favorite!
Check out this recipe
14
Apple and Carrot Salad
Everyone will LOVE this Apple ? ? and Carrot ? salad ?! It is just two points per serving the pic shows how big the serving size is! My kids were fighting me for seconds and thirds but I told them THIS SALAD was all mine!
Check out this recipe
15
Creamy Cold Seafood Salad with Pasta & Shrimp
This cold seafood salad recipe is full of flavor and is oh so very pretty. Made with a special sauce that will get your taste buds dancing, it’s a great option to serve at your next social gathering or cookout.
Check out this recipe
16
Cauliflower Potato Salad
For low carb eaters, this cauliflower “potato” salad is a hit!
Check out this recipe
17
Couscous and Quinoa Salad with Lime Vinaigrette
Couscous and Quinoa Salad with peppers, red onion, chick peas, spinach cucumbers and a lime vinaigrette. Perfect cold summer salad side dish for BBQs and potlucks.
Check out this recipe
18
Gluten Free Pasta Salad (with Hummus Pasta)
This hummus pasta salad is a great vegetarian side option for any picnic. It’s a healthier pasta salad option, with a hummus dressing and can be made with any veggies on hand!
Check out this recipe
19
Quick Instant Pot Potato Salad
Pressure Cooker Potato Salad Recipe is so easy you’ll fall in love with making potato salad again. Cooking the eggs and potatoes together in an Instant Pot, and you’ll get quick, perfectly cooked eggs and potatoes every time.
Check out this recipe
20
Tortellini Salad with Corn,Tomato & Zucchini
A summer pasta salad filled with tortellini, corn, zucchini and tomatoes.
Check out this recipe
21
Curried Egg Salad Recipe
This delicious Curried Egg Salad Recipe is a slight step above your basic egg salad recipe! With yogurt instead of mayonnaise, it is also a bit healthier than your standard egg salad!
Check out this recipe
22
Slow Cooker Calico Beans
These deliciously easy beans go by many names, but they’re all basically the same thing, a variety of colorful beans slow simmered in a sweet and tangy sauce with ground beef and bacon.
Check out this recipe
23
Easy Italian Pasta Salad
Make this easy Italian Pasta Salad for your next barbecue or pot luck. This pasta salad uses bottled Italian dressing instead of mayonnaise so it makes it a lighter version of a pasta salad to bring to your next get together.
Check out this recipe
24
Mustard Potato Salad (Gluten Free, Dairy Free)
This Mustard Potato Salad is perfect for gatherings, potlucks and BBQ’s. A classic recipe that’s easy to prepare and loaded with tons of flavor. Creamy mayo & mustard combined with crunchy dill pickles give this potato salad just the right amount of tang.
Check out this recipe
25
Pearl Couscous Salad
Couscous salad is a perfect summertime side dish. It can be made ahead of time and doesn't have to be refrigerated.
Check out this recipe
26
Vegetarian BBQ Baked Beans
Easy Barbecue Baked Beans cooked in a delicious homemade BBQ sauce that’s rich, savory, tangy, sweet, and smoky. Vegan, low-fat, delicious, and ready in less than 30-minutes!
Check out this recipe
27
Vegan Creamy Cucumber Salad with Blackberries & Pepitas
This easy Vegan Creamy Cucumber Salad with fresh dill, juicy Blackberries, and toasted pepitas is the perfect healthy yet satisfying side for your backyard BBQ The vegan sour cream dressing will fool any meat eater into thinking it had cream in it!
Check out this recipe
28
Dairy Free Chopped Greek Salad
Serve this creamy and cool Classic Greek Salad with your favorite summer main dish. This simple but flavorful salad is grain free, dairy free, and low carb!
Check out this recipe
29
Cajun Macaroni Salad
Cajun Macaroni Salad, a spicy Southern twist on a classic side dish for summer, this creamy Creole pasta salad will have everyone back for seconds!
Check out this recipe
30
Bombay Potatoes
Call it Bombay Potatoes or Bombay Aloo, these roasted Indian spuds makes a delightful vegetable accompaniment to any curry and doubles up as an appetizer, too. It’s an easy, spicy and a delightful way to eat potatoes.
Check out this recipe
31
Simple Carrot Salad
This Simple Carrot Salad is perfect for prepping the night before – or making a large batch and enjoying throughout the week.
Check out this recipe
32
Rainbow Fruit Tray with Dip
This delicious (and so so easy) from-scratch chocolate strawberry fruit dip will be a huge hit at your next BBQ or potluck! No one will even know it's sugar free and healthy.
Check out this recipe
33
Shrimp and Vegetable Couscous Salad
Colorful and summery, this Shrimp and Vegetable Couscous Salad is a perfect easy side dish for cookouts and summer gatherings. Your guests will love it!
Check out this recipe
34
Chilled Italian Pasta Salad
Perfect for hot weather and travel because it doesn't contain mayo.
Check out this recipe
35
The Best Kale Salad
Most delicious Kale Salad ever! This one has apples, candied cashews and pecan, mango, kiwi plus this so amazingly easy dressing that will make this salad not a side but a main dish
Check out this recipe
36
Creamy Macaroni Salad Recipe – Easy Classic Pasta Salad Recipe
This creamy pasta salad recipe is a summer classic, and super easy to throw together. Always a hit and one of the first things to go at my cookouts!
Check out this recipe
37
Grandmas Hamburger Bean Casserole Recipe
A beautifully rich and flavor mix of hamburger bacon and several beans. This is an excellent summer BBQ side dish.
Check out this recipe
38
Bacon & Blue Cheese Potato Salad
This bacon and blue cheese potato salad recipe combines bacon, blue cheese, and balsamic vinegar to create a salty, tangy, and sweet side dish that is perfect for BBQs and cookouts!
Check out this recipe
39
Taco Salad with Doritos and Western Dressing
This Beef Taco Salad with Doritos and Western Dressing is an American Classic that can be made ahead of time and put together when ready eat!
Check out this recipe
40
Easy Tortellini Salad Recipe with DIY Dijon Vinaigrette
This Tortellini Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette Recipe is so easy to whip up that our kids can do it. Personally, I love recipes that can be made ahead of time.
Check out this recipe
41
Homemade Creamy Coleslaw
This Homemade Creamy Coleslaw is easy to make and tastes delicious. It's the perfect side dish for summer barbecues and picnics
Check out this recipe
42
Red, White And Blue Fruit Salsa
This sweet and juicy red white and blue fruit salsa is easy to make with all the flavors of summer. Eat this with your favorite chips for a delicious Fourth of July side that is as tasty as it is fun.
Check out this recipe
43
Corn and Black Bean Quinoa Salad
Nutritious and delicious Corn and Black Bean Quinoa Salad that can easily be made ahead!
Check out this recipe
44
Grilled Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad
Grilled Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad is a mixture of delicious pasta mixed with the cream of the summer crops veggies. These crisp grilled vegetables along with rotini pasta are tossed in a light dressing and loaded with beautiful color and flavor.
Check out this recipe
45
Patriotic Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe
This creamy summer pasta salad recipe is made with stars and stripes pasta from World Market and makes the perfect addition to your Fourth of July party! Learn how to make this Patriotic classic macaroni salad recipe for your own holiday celebration. Bonus: It can even be made ahead of time.
Check out this recipe
46
The Best Creamy Potato Salad Recipe
An easy crowd pleaser perfect for BBQ’s and potlucks, and always a family favorite!
Check out this recipe
47
Mediterranean Cold Rice Salad with Feta and Fresh Herbs
Mediterranean Rice Salad with Herbs and Feta is a delicious, versatile side dish! The fresh taste from the herbs, buttery olive oil, and tangy feta cheese give it a decidedly Mediterranean feel.
Check out this recipe
48
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Calling all pickle lovers! This Dill Pickle Pasta Salad is a classic cold pasta salad with a tangy twist. Quick and easy to make, this tangy pasta salad recipe is just the thing for serving at those backyard barbecues, summer picnics and taking to potlucks.
Check out this recipe
49
Instant Pot Potato Salad
All the taste, with no mustard! This easy potato salad recipe is made with just a few ingredients, in just a few minutes. Great for a July 4th side dish, picnic, pot luck or anytime!
Check out this recipe
50
Bacon Baked Beans
They’re great because in the warm weather you don’t need to worry about keeping them chilled. They are the perfect addition to any Summer Cookout.
Check out this recipe
51
Italian Potato Salad
This easy to make Italian Potato Salad with green beans will quickly become your favorite summer potluck recipe. You are going to love this no mayo potato salad!
Check out this recipe
52
White Bean Salad
This bean salad is so easy to make, packs well and fits most diets too – plus it's fresh and tasty! Perfect for any party!
Check out this recipe
When it comes to planning for a picnic, don’t make it complicated! Any of these simple sides are perfect for a variety of flavors!
