Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry shortcake is a timeless dessert, and it’s a popular one to serve on the 4th of July. It’s red, white, creamy and filled with sweet strawberries! Our recipe for Strawberry Shortcake comes from Chef Billy Parisi and is both beautiful and easy to make. He makes his shortcake with eggs, whole milk, Organic Unbleached White All-Purpose Flour, cold butter and sugar, and tops the biscuits with Turbinado Sugar for the final bit of whimsy. The strawberries are sprinkled with sugar, and of course, the whipped cream adds the final delightful touch.
Pie and Cobbler
When you think of traditional 4th of July foods, your mind probably wanders to berry or cherry pies and summertime cobblers. If you’ve been given the important job of creating this year’s 4th of July pie, try this recipe for Cherry Berry Pie. Created by Karyn Granrud from Pint Sized Baker, this cherry pie is packed with cherries and raspberries and is especially tasty when served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. We love her unique addition of our Gluten Free Vanilla Cake Mix and Coconut Flakes in her filling! If you’re looking for something non-berry, this Roasted Peach Cobbler is the perfect way to showcase the bounty of the season’s stone fruit. It comes to life with peaches, almond milk, sugar, dairy free butter and our Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Flour, making it both dairy and gluten free.
S’mores
The tradition of s’mores on 4th of July is a fun one! And these Gluten Free Vegan S’mores from our friend Alexa of Fooduzzi are no exception. She uses a simple combination of Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Oat Flour, almond flour, coconut oil, cinnamon, maple syrup and molasses to build her graham crackers before stuffing them with marshmallow fluff and chocolate. If you’re looking to jazz up your s’mores and make them more festive, consider adding some sliced strawberries and using white chocolate (or vegan white chocolate) instead.
Red, White and Blue Cupcakes and Cakes
Red, white and blue cakes and cupcakes are simple to throw together and always a crowd pleaser. These Gluten Free and Vegan Red, White and Blue Cupcakes from Nerdy Mamma take gluten free to new heights with a multi-colored cupcake. Top them all with white frosting and a display of red, white and blue sprinkles and you’re bound to have the most vibrant dessert at the party.
Corn on the Cob
Corn on the cob is another one of our favorite traditional 4th of July foods. You can go simple or get a little more gourmet with this recipe for Grilled Corn on the Cob with Lime Butter Sauce. Corn combines with the flavors of lime, queso fresco and an ancho chile rub for a surprising and unique twist on traditional corn on the cob.
Barbecue
You can’t quite have a 4th of July barbecue without, well, barbecue! From ribs to burgers to hot dogs, there are plenty of ideas for foods to throw on the BBQ. For a good recipe that can go with virtually anything you’re grilling, try this one for Basic Rub. It boasts flavors of brown sugar, paprika, sea salt, black pepper and garlic powder and makes for a wonderful exterior crust.
Ice Cream
Nothing stops the show like homemade ice cream! This Roasted Blueberry Ice Cream is made with fresh blueberries, coconut sugar, coconut milk, Arrowroot Starch, vanilla and almond milk. If you’re planning to serve a couple of different ice creams at your gathering, consider making this one for your vegan guests.
Potato Salad
If you’re serving classic side dishes at your 4th of July party, you’ll definitely want a big bowl of homemade potato salad! This recipe for Healthy Potato Salad uses whole milk Greek yogurt to give it that quintessential creamy taste. We love the crunchy addition of English cucumber, chives and radishes, too.
Coleslaw
Like it’s potato salad counterpart, coleslaw is another one of the most loved, easy 4th of July recipes. Monique from Ambitious Kitchen makes her Best Healthy Coleslaw Ever with fresh purple cabbage, carrots, cilantro and jalapeño for a bit of heat. She adds almonds, too, for a unique taste and a boost of nutritional value and healthy fats.
Roasted Veggies
Roasted veggies are a super simple side that can either be done on the grill or in the oven indoors. Chelsea of Chelsea’s Messy Apron uses everything from red onion to brussels sprouts for her Roasted Vegetables. You can feel free to use whatever veggies are in season, though her seasoning blend of dried oregano, crushed rosemary, thyme, basil and freshly cracked pepper and salt is what steals the show! Garnish with fresh herbs and your guests will be in veggie heaven.
Macaroni Salad
Macaroni salad is a staple at 4th of July picnics, and it’s one that can be made in advance then thrown in the fridge. This recipe from The Kitchen Girl for Macaroni Salad with Greek Yogurt Dressing puts a healthy twist on the traditional by using Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise. Eggs and peas are also added for a delicious taste and texture!
Caprese Salad
Caprese Salad is the perfect way to showcase the incredible flavors of summer. It combines all the best ingredients of the season, like basil and tomatoes, and can even incorporate stone fruits for a creative twist. You can also make a heartier salad, like this Farro Caprese Salad, which incorporates Farro, cherry tomatoes, shallots, garlic, parsley, basil and fresh mozzarella. Mix it all with a dressing of balsamic and red wine vinegar and you’ll have a refreshing and gourmet 4th of July side dish.
Baked Beans
When it comes to traditional 4th of July foods, baked beans are essential! This recipe is appropriately named The Best Baked Beans! With a sauce mixture of ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, soy sauce and spicy brown mustard, the flavors of these beans shine on the 4th of July table. You can add the bacon and ground beef or keep them vegetarian, too.
Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs always seem to be a hit at any party, and that’s especially true in the case of these colorful 4th of July Deviled Eggs. They’re red, white, blue and festive, and offer a pop of color and a pop of protein for your guests! Deviled eggs are easy to create and are fun for kids to help with, too. To jazz them up, consider piping your filling and adding some fresh herbs to the top (although they look beautiful as is, too).
Biscuits
Biscuits and barbecue are the perfect match. That’s why Bob’s Old Fashioned Biscuits are an excellent choice for a BBQ side dish. This recipe can be found on our bags of conventional and organic Unbleached All-Purpose Flour and only requires baking powder, sugar, salt, butter and milk. Whip up a big batch of these and serve them with honey and butter.
From baked beans to biscuits, there are so many delicious options for easy 4th of July recipes. When you’re making things homemade and with love, it’s true that they do shine bright on the festive holiday table (especially in the case of those red, white and blue 4th of July cupcakes).
What are some of your tried and true traditional 4th of July foods? Whether your family is known for whipping up a big batch of the best s’mores in the neighborhood or throwing together a vibrant and tasty caprese salad, we’re excited to hear what you create!
From all of us at Bob’s Red Mill, wishing you a happy and healthy holiday and summer ahead.
