What I’m Serving for Our 4th of July Party This Year

There’s something special about gathering friends and family for the Fourth — laughter, sparklers, full plates, and red-white-and-blue everything. I love making the day feel festive without stressing myself out, so I stick with tried-and-true favorites that always impress and leave everyone happily stuffed.

Here’s a peek at what’s on our 4th of July menu this year — including some of my favorite recipes from trusted creators, and a couple of nostalgic classics I couldn’t imagine skipping!

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Smoked Chicken Wings + The Perfect BBQ Rub

Recipe by Sara @ Dinner at the Zoo
Rub recipe here

These wings are out of this world. I’ve smoked them, baked them, even reheated them the next day — they’re always delicious. For the 4th, my husband will smoke a big batch along with a pork loin. Sara’s BBQ rub adds the perfect flavor punch!

The Pioneer Woman’s Best-Ever Baked Beans

Recipe: The Pioneer Woman

This is the easiest crowd-pleaser I make. No one believes how little effort they take. You just dump, stir, bake — and brace yourself for an empty dish by the end of the party.

Savory Creamed Corn

Recipe: AllRecipes – Cream Corn Like No Other

My kids can’t get enough of this cheesy, comforting side. I like to add a few shakes of onion powder for extra flavor. So easy, so satisfying, and it reheats well if you’re lucky enough to have leftovers.

Classic Deviled Eggs

You just can’t go wrong with deviled eggs at a summer party. They’re nostalgic, delicious, and always disappear fast. My oldest is obsessed and would absolutely eat them all if I’d let her. I keep mine simple:

• Hard-boiled eggs
• Mayo, mustard, vinegar
• A quick mix in the food processor (I linked the one I have and love – it makes life so much easier!)
• And a DIY piping bag with a Ziplock!

I’ll share the full recipe in a separate post soon — stay tuned!

Skillet Dinner Rolls

Recipe: Pioneer Woman’s Buttered Rosemary Rolls
(I skip the rosemary — we’re a no-herbs-on-bread family.)

You’d never guess these came from frozen dough. They taste like I slaved over them all day. These buttery rolls are perfect for soaking up beans or balancing out the smoky BBQ. You can put them in any dish, but I love to use a cast-iron skillet like Ree does, for a nice crust on the rolls and a rustic look on the table.

Dirt Cake with a Patriotic Twist

Recipe: Iowa Girl Eats

This is my husband’s birthday favorite and it makes an annual appearance at our 4th of July table. I simplify it by using a 9×13 pan, and this year I’m topping it with fresh strawberries and blueberries to resemble an American flag. It’s easy, festive, and irresistible.

Copycat Crumbl Sugar Cookies – Red, White & Yum!

I made my version of those iconic Crumbl cookies — soft, sweet, and topped with a swirl of patriotic buttercream. They’re as fun to make as they are to eat! You can grab the full recipe right here.

Tips

• I recommend using a food processor for the deviled egg filling and for crushing the Oreo cookies at lightning speed! I have this one and I love it. It works great and is the perfect size for my purposes.
• You can (and should) make the dirt cake a day or two ahead of time so it has time to set. Everything else can also be prepared ahead (except maybe the rolls, those are really best when fresh out of the oven) so you can relax on your holiday!
• I like to prep the beans ahead in a foil pan and then just heat them up the day of. You can also make the corn and then transfer to another foil pan so that you can just stick it in the oven with the beans. Once the meat is smoked, you can place it in another foil pan in the warm oven if you need to. This all saves time on the day of the party, and saves you some dishes afterward, too! These are a great option.

These recipes aren’t just delicious — they’re part of the tradition now. Sharing them here helps me capture the joy of the season and hopefully give you a little inspiration for your own celebrations!

Let me know if you try any of them — I love hearing what’s on your holiday table.