52 Easy 4th Of July Side Dishes For The Perfect Independence Day Celebration

We all love a classic mayo-based potato salad, but it’s time to elevate and try something with a little more… je ne sais quoi. In this recipe, tender, creamy potatoes get tossed with a garlicky mustard dressing and showered with plenty of fresh chopped herbs to create this simple and satisfying version of the crowd-pleasing side.

Get the French Potato Salad recipe.

This watermelon Caprese combines slices of juicy, sweet watermelon, mozzarella, fresh basil, and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic glaze to top it all off. The result is a simple, sweet-salty snack ready in 15 minutes (and isn’t that what summer is all about?).

Get the Watermelon Caprese recipe.

Bunches of zucchini jamming up your crisper drawer? These cheesy garlic zucchini “steaks” are calling your name. Slathered with garlic oil and showered with mozzarella and parmesan, this showstopping vegetarian side might just upstage the actual steaks at the grill-out.

Get the Cheesy Garlic Zucchini Steaks recipe.

Cucumber salad is a spring and summer picnic staple, and for good reason: When tossed in a bright vinegar-based dressing and packed with thinly sliced onions, cukes can withstand warm temperatures and sit out at a sunny outdoor gathering for hours.

Get the Cucumber Salad recipe.

This side is perfect for any cookout staple—try it with BBQ chicken or grilled steak—or, at a party, you could set up all of the toppings (adding a few wildcards, like scallions, crumbled bacon and sriracha) and create a Build Your Own Elote Bar. 😱

Get the Mexican Street Corn (Elote) recipe.

News flash: Strawberries aren’t just for dessert; their sweet and slightly tart flavor lends itself perfectly to savory dishes. We took the building blocks of the ever popular strawberry spinach salad, threw in some spiral pasta, and added creamy goat cheese, crunchy toasted almonds, delicate shallots, and fresh mint and basil to make it a real party.

Get the Strawberry Balsamic Pasta Salad recipe.

Instead of leaving the zucchini in their traditional slices, we threaded them onto skewers to lessen the amount of direct contact the zucchini had with the grill and create contrasting textures. The ribboning also creates plenty of nooks and crannies for the creamy ricotta and walnuts to settle.

Get the Grilled Zucchini With Ricotta & Walnuts recipe.

These potatoes are the perfect summer side. Throw 'em on the grill next to your grilled meats for a smoky, summer take on burgers & fries.

Get the Grilled Potatoes recipe.

Since plums are their best at the height of summer, it’s only right to toss them on the grill and add some smokey char to their naturally sweet-tart flavor. The transformed plums get tossed with crispy pancetta, tangy goat cheese, fresh cherry tomatoes, and grilled sourdough bread, then drizzled with a maple-Dijon dressing, turning this humble salad into a work of art.

Get the Grilled Plum & Pancetta Panzanella Salad recipe.

This time around, pasta salad gets a Mediterranean twist, showcasing some of my favorite flavors from that corner of the globe. And the best part—although pasta salad is usually thought of as a side, the added protein from the chickpeas will make this easy to turn into a main.

Get the Mediterranean Pasta Salad recipe.

When it comes to summer BBQs, potlucks, and picnics, coleslaw is a classic, staple side dish to rely on. Everyone needs a go-to recipe, and we happen to think that ours is the one you should reach for.

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Whether we’re looking for sides to complete our summer BBQ, 4th of July celebration, or our weeknight dinner, grilled corn is a classic we return to again and again. While we love the smoky, charred flavor the grill gives corn all on its own, sometimes we’re looking to do something a little extra. We’ve dreamed up countless toppings for grilled corn on the cob, but this cheddar, bacon, and ranch combination just might be our favorite.

Get the Cheddar Bacon Ranch Corn recipe.

When green tomatoes are in season, this Southern staple is the first dish we think of. A classic remoulade is our condiment of choice, but if you don’t feel like whipping one up from scratch, making a simple two-ingredient spicy mayo will absolutely do the trick.

Get the Fried Green Tomatoes recipe.

This versatile, flavorful corn salad is the perfect way to use up leftover grilled corn. Mix and match your favorite cheeses, herbs, and nuts, but keep the citrus for brightness and oil for a little richness. Like a little *kick*? Add some sliced jalapeños or a big pinch of red pepper flakes.

Get the Grilled Corn Salad recipe.

We took inspo from two summer salad staples—Caprese salad and watermelon feta salad—to create this best-of-both-worlds creation. In it, fresh strawberries combine with juicy watermelon, tangy feta, and fresh basil for an extra-sweet summer treat.

Get the Watermelon Strawberry Caprese Salad recipe.

Mushrooms can get sidelined at a BBQ as a lame side dish, but when tossed in a balsamic-soy glaze, they'll get ALL the attention.

Get the Balsamic Grilled Mushrooms recipe.

Macaroni salad is one of our favorite things to pair with pulled pork or ribs, which is why it's such a disappointment when it's too dry or soggy. Not to fear—this recipe guarantees perfection ever time.

Get the Classic Macaroni Salad recipe.

Potato salad is about as classic a summer side as it gets, and we love experimenting with different flavor combinations. If you’re looking to lighten up your usual potato salad, look no further—this version is bursting with all the flavors of your favorite antipasto.

Get the Antipasto Potato Salad recipe.

Though we'll always love a classic, tomato-based gazpacho, the addition of watermelon gives the soup a delicious subtle sweetness we can't get enough of. Full of juicy, bright fruits and veggies, this no-cook soup is equal parts satisfying and refreshing.

Get the Watermelon Gazpacho recipe.

Tender Yukon gold potatoes paired with hard-boiled eggs, celery, sweet pickles, and red onion make this Southern-style potato salad the perfect sidekick to your holiday BBQs and family gatherings.

Get the Southern Potato Salad recipe.