Independence Day is best celebrated with Fourth of July foods. From main courses to desserts, these foods are definitely worth celebrating and would be perfect for serving at your upcoming summer barbecue and picnics. Fire up the grill and add these foods to your menu.
We just had to include hot dogs on the list. They are probably one of the foods most associated with traditional American food being served at sporting events and summer barbecues. They would be great to be served on America’s birthday. Honestly, they taste so much better when grilled over an open fire. There’s nothing more satisfying than those black burn marks that appear. There’s also no limit on what you can put on a hot dog. You’ll want to include every topping imaginable like onions, relish, and peppers. You can also definitely go rustic with spicy mayo and crushed potato chips for a crunchy element. Vegetarian and vegan hot dogs are also a great option that won’t sacrifice any flavor.
Another example of a food that is perfect for grilling, hamburgers are also essential for every Fourth of July gathering. While pure beef patties might be considered the norm at any barbecue, there are plenty of other options that are just as flavorful if not more. Veggie burgers for one are packed with vegetables as well as other spices that you’ll be able to taste from the first bite. They taste great and you get a serving of vegetables, serving these would be a win-win. Other alternatives include salmon burgers and burgers seasoned with teriyaki flavor. The buns are equally as important, so whole wheat, pretzel, and brioche buns are definitely great choices. Of course, burgers would not be complete without toppings like the traditional lettuce and tomato or even grilled pineapple.
Another example of Fourth of July foods that are welcomed onto any grill is chicken wings. The possibilities are really endless as the raw wings themselves offer a blank canvas to the one in charge of the grill. The spiciness of buffalo and the bold sweetness of honey barbecue are probably your best bets for crowd favorites. Once you lay each of your wings on the grill, sprinkle your favorite flavors and as much as you want to satisfy your ideal need for zest. Try including a splash of citrus flavor coming from a freshly squeezed lemon over your wings for a subtle sweetness. If you already have lemonade being served, you might as well use them! Just like that, your wings are ready to be served, just be careful not to bite any bones.
Bring some red, white and blue to your food with a charcuterie board. Having one of these platters at your Fourth of July gatherings lets your guests customize their bite-size snacks. Keeping with the theme allows you to incorporate more fruit on the menu especially in the middle of summer when they are in the peak of freshness. Strawberries, red grapes, and blueberries look great with an assortment of crackers and cheese slices. Add some classiness to your Fourth of July gatherings with this charcuterie board.
Another great addition when it comes to food is just to have fruit itself. Fruit salad definitely leans more towards the healthier side which everyone will definitely appreciate. When preparing your fruit salad, you can definitely choose to include your favorite fruits or you can always keep with the Fourth of July foods theme. Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries or cubed watermelon both look and taste great when mixed together in a fruit salad. You can keep the fruit as it is or sprinkle in some flavor with mint, chili powder or add some sweetness with honey. The freshness in each bite of this fruit salad will keep you in the summer mindset even past the fourth of July.
The fruit that is synonymous with summertime should definitely have a place as one of the most important Fourth of July foods. The bright red color within a watermelon also makes this a welcome addition to your Independence Day gathering. Like mentioned, you could cut it into cubes and serve them in individual bowls or a large one for your guests to take. Even if you just them up, everyone will be guaranteed to be reaching for a slice. You can also use the watermelon as a drink option by hollowing it out and pouring your drink inside! This reduces the number of plastic cups you use and your drinks will have an added watermelon flavor to them.
These frozen treats just might take you back to your childhood. The red, white and blue popsicles known as firecrackers will keep you cool all summer long but will especially be appreciated on the Fourth of July. Make sure you have a cooler handy while you are outdoors to keep all the popsicles intact. While the main courses are being prepared, have your guests snacking on these popsicles to keep them satisfied. Just have napkins ready since they will most likely start to drip right away. Since these popsicles will eventually start to melt in the sun, you can always place them in your drink to keep the flavor in your drink. Not to mention this will keep the mess to a minimum. Whether you are sharing a meal outdoors or even looking at the sky filled with fireworks, you’ll definitely want to stock up on these essential Fourth of July foods before your next gathering.
To finish everything off, there’s no better choice than pie for dessert. While cherry pie is considered the traditional American flavor for pie, there are plenty of flavors to choose from. If you are feeling creative, check out this patriotic dessert choice. The base of the pie is made using cookie dough which is relatively straightforward. Using blueberries, raspberries and whipped cream, try making an American flag pattern with a blueberry border. This can be a bit time-consuming, but in the end, it will be worth it. It doesn’t have to be perfectly arranged, but your guests will appreciate the effort you made. Making this type of pie is a delicious dessert option but also light and healthy.
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