7 Festive Fourth of July Recipes

When it comes to Fourth of July festivities, there’s a lot to look forward to. With barbecues, fireworks, family, and friends, what’s not to love about this holiday? This Fourth of July, we’re giving you even more reason to anticipate the holiday: delicious recipes to get you in the USA spirit! These red, white, and blue treats are as pretty as they are tasty, so whether you bring them to a picnic, serve them at your family dinner, or enjoy them solo, these patriotic dishes will be sure to please.

1. Red, White and Blue Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Recipe courtesy of Baking Bites

It’s no secret that fruit and chocolate is a match made in heaven. By dipping strawberries in white chocolate and dusting them with blue sugar, you’ll get a dessert that’s easy to make and super satisfying to eat

Ingredients

• 1 pint strawberries
• 4 oz white chocolate
• Blue sanding sugar or sprinkles

Directions

1. Line a baking sheet or cutting board with wax paper or parchment paper.
2. Chop up the chocolate roughly with a knife if it’s in block form. In a medium-sized, microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate in the microwave. Heat it in 45- or 60-second intervals, stirring between each time to ensure that the chocolate is melting evenly and not burning. Meanwhile, place blue sanding sugar into a small bowl and set it aside.
3. When chocolate is smooth, dip the berries 3/4 of the way into the chocolate, dip the tips into the blue sprinkles, and place the berries on wax paper.
4. Berries can set at room temperature if you live somewhere cool; otherwise, refrigerate them until ready to serve to allow the chocolate to set up.

2. Patriotic Vegan Fruit Smoothie

Recipe courtesy of The Lunchbox Bunch

This layered smoothie is filled with healthy ingredients, so you get a load of vitamins with each patriotic sip. This treat is sure to help you beat the summer heat!

Ingredients

Red Layer:

• 3/4 cup frozen raspberries
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 2 fresh strawberries
• 1/2 cup coconut water ice cubes
• 3/4 cup vanilla soy milk
• 1 tbsp agave syrup

Blue Layer:

• 1 cup frozen blueberries
• 1 cup acai juice
• 1/2 cup coconut water ice cubes
• 1/4 cup fresh blueberries

White Layer:

• 1 frozen banana
• 1 fresh banana
• 1 cup vanilla soy milk
• 1 tbsp agave syrup
• 3 tbsp fine flaked coconut
• 3/4 cup coconut water ice cubes

Garnish:

• 5 strawberries, sliced into rounds
• 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
• Pinches of coconut flakes

Directions

1. Chill serving glasses in the freezer (it helps layers stay separated better).
2. Blend up the red layer; add all the ingredients, but blend the fresh strawberries in last.
3. Place the red smoothie into a container and place in freezer until needed.
4. Blend up all the blue ingredients; again, always blend the fresh fruit in last.
5. Pour it into a separate container and place in freezer.
6. Wash out your blender very well to create your white layer.
7. Add all the white layer ingredients and blend until frothy and smooth. 
8. For a fluffier, icier, white layer, add more ice.
9. Now, you can remove the red and blue layers from the freezer, as well as your frosted glasses, and begin assembling the smoothies.
10. Place enough red smoothie in each glass to fill 1/3 of the glass.
11. On top of the red layer, place one thinly sliced strawberry round.
12. Next, pour another 1/3 full amount of blue smoothie mix in each glass.
13. Next, add 4 to 5 fresh blueberries on top of the blue layer.
14. Next, spoon the white layer smoothie into the glass until it is filled to the brim.
15. Garnish: Place a sprinkling of coconut, one blueberry, and one strawberry slice in each glass.

3. Watermelon Feta Salad

Recipe adapted from Red, White and Blueberries

Watermelon and feta are a dynamic summer duo—the flavors and textures complement each other well and make for a refreshing combination. Watermelon is always a staple at July Fourth parties, so this salad that puts a spin on a classic will definitely be a hit at yours!

Ingredients

• ½ seedless watermelon
• ¾ cup blueberries
• ¼ of a medium red onion, sliced
• ½ to 2/3 cup feta cheese
• Juice of 1 lime and 1 lemon
• Large handful of fresh mint and parsley

Directions

• Place sliced red onion, lemon juice, and lime juice into a small bowl. Allow onions to sit while preparing the rest of the salad.
• Cut watermelon into 1-inch cubes.
• Cut mint and parsley into tiny pieces.
• Combine watermelon, blueberries, onion, feta cheese, mint, and parsley into a medium sized serving bowl.
• Allow salad to chill for 30 minutes before serving so flavors can meld.

4. Grilled Chicken with Cherry-Chipotle Barbecue Sauce

Recipe courtesy of EatingWell

While hamburgers and hot dogs are usually the stars of Independence Day barbecues, juicy, grilled chicken is a healthier but equally satisfying alternative. In this recipe, chicken gets marinated in a cherry-chipotle sauce, giving it a unique flavor that is perfect for a summer barbecue.

Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh or frozen (thawed) dark sweet cherries, pitted and chopped
• 1/2 cup reduced sodium chicken broth
• 1/3 cup cherry preserves
• 1/3 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons minced canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, or more to taste
• 1 1/4 teaspoons dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed

Directions

1. Stir cherries, broth, preserves, ketchup, vinegar, chipotle peppers, thyme, and allspice in a small, deep bowl. Transfer to a shallow nonreactive dish large enough to hold chicken. Add chicken and turn to coat well. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least two hours, or overnight.
2. Preheat grill to high. Oil the grill rack. Remove the chicken from the marinade. Transfer the marinade to a medium skillet.
3. Bring the marinade to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until the sauce is reduced by about half (12 to 15 minutes).
4. Meanwhile, reduce the grill heat to medium and grill the chicken until cooked through and no longer pink in the middle (7 to 9 minutes per side). Let the chicken cool slightly; serve with the sauce.

5. Layered Berry Trifle

Recipe courtesy of Recipe Girl

This cake is so beautiful to look at that you may be reluctant to dig in, but once you have your first bite, you won’t be able to stop! Made from berries, whipped cream, and pound cake, this trifle cake is light and fluffy, so it’s a great way to end a big meal on a sweet note.

Ingredients

Syrup:

• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• ¼ cup water

Layers:

• 12 oz pound cake or butter loaf (store bought works)
• 8 oz reduced fat cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3 cups fresh blueberries
• 3 cups fresh strawberries

Directions

1. Prepare lemon syrup: in a small saucepan, bring sugar, lemon juice, and water to a boil over medium heat. Stir to dissolve sugar completely. Let cool.
2. Slice cake into ¾-inch slices. Then, brush over both sides of each cake slice with syrup. Quarter each slice.
3. Beat cream cheese with sugar on high speed until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to medium and slowly add cream. Continue beating until mixture resembles soft whipped cream.
4. Arrange half of the cake pieces in the bottom of a glass serving bowl or dish. Spoon half cream-cheese mixture over the cake in dollops; spread to the sides of the dish. Scatter half of the blueberries and strawberries on top. Repeat layering with cake, cream cheese and berries. Pile additional strawberries on top.
5. Cover and refrigerate until chilled (about an hour). You may also refrigerate overnight.

6. Red, White, and Blue Jell-O Push-Up Pops

Recipe courtesy of Craftaholics Anonymous

Remember push-up pops from back in the day? These Jell-O pops aren’t just for kids, though! People of all ages will enjoy this fun, crafty treat. You can find push-up pop containers at craft stores at craft or party stores, or online at sites like Amazon or Etsy.

Ingredients

Blue layer:

• 3-oz package blue Jell-O
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 cup cold water

White layer:

• ½ envelope unflavored gelatin
• ¼ cup water
• ½ cup milk
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 cup (8 oz) sour cream
• 1 tsp vanilla

Red layer:

• 3-oz package red Jell-O
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 cup cold water
• Cool whip and blueberries to garnish

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, dissolve blue Jell-O in one cup boiling water. Stir in one cup cold water.
2. Carefully spoon two tablespoons of the liquid Jell-O into each push-up pop container. Refrigerate for 1-1.5 hours, or until firm.
3. In a saucepan, sprinkle unflavored gelatin over 1/4 cup cold water; let stand for one minute.
4. Add the milk and sugar; heat over medium heat, stirring until gelatin and sugar are dissolved. Let mixture cool for about 5-10 minutes.
5. Whisk in sour cream and vanilla. Spoon two tablespoons of the white gelatin mixture into each push-up pop over the blue Jell-O. Refrigerate for one hour or until firm.
6. In a medium bowl, dissolve red Jell-O in one cup of boiling water; stir in one cup of cold water. Spoon red Jell-O over the white layer. Chill until set, about 1-1.5 hours.
7. Fill the remaining space in the push-up pops with cool whip and garnish with blueberries.

7. Fourth of July Cocktail

Recipe courtesy of Food Network

Move over, beer—there’s a new BBQ drink this Fourth of July season. This red and blue cocktail is festive and fancy but still easy to put together, so you can sip in style without breaking a sweat.

Ingredients

• 1 oz watermelon schnapps
• 1 big splash cranberry juice
• 1 very thin slice jalapeno or Serrano pepper
• 1 slice lemon
• 1 slice lime
• 1 ½ oz tequila
• ¼ oz blue curacao
• ½ oz simple syrup
• Watermelon wedge, for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Mix the schnapps and cranberry juice in a shaker; pour into an ice-filled glass.
2. Combine the jalapeno pepper, lemon and lime slices, tequila, blue curacao, and simple syrup in the shaker. Slowly strain into glass over red layer.
3. Garnish with watermelon, if desired.

Whichever red, white, and blue recipe you decide to whip up for your friends and family (or just yourself, we’re not judging!) this Fourth of July, you’ll be sure to wow everyone with your patriotic culinary skills. Even the fireworks will be jealous that you’re stealing their thunder.

Got any other festive Fourth of July recipes? Share in the comments below!