by When the Fourth of July rolls around, everyone is eager for some delicious burgers and hot dogs, but if you ask me, the sides and share plates are just as important. I have put together a collection of my absolute favorite recipes for a summer cookout.
Whether you are feeding a small group or a hungry crowd, there is something here for everyone. From a creamy, caramelized-onion potato salad loaded with crispy bacon to a ridiculously easy guacamole that disappears in minutes, all these dishes are about big flavor without a whole lot of fuss.
I highly recommend trying as many of these recipes as you can for your Fourth of July celebrations. I promise you will not be disappointed.
1. Caramelized Onion Potato Salad with Bacon
No Fourth of July BBQ spread is complete without a big bowl of potato salad, and this one is truly delicious. The combination of sweet caramelized onions, crispy bacon, and a creamy mayonnaise dressing is absolutely incredible. It is always a huge hit whenever I make it, and it never lasts long on the table.
2. The Best Taco Salad
This taco salad is one of my favorite share plates for a summer cookout. It is loaded with delicious ingredients and an excellent way to feed a hungry crowd with minimal effort. If you are already a fan of Tex-Mex flavors, I highly recommend trying this one.
3. Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese
This gluten-free mac and cheese is my ultimate comfort food side, with a smooth cheddar sauce and tender pasta in every bite. I skip the roux entirely and thicken the sauce with cornstarch, so it comes together quickly with no risk of lumps. It is an easy way to keep the spread gluten-free, right alongside the cornbread.
4. Air Fryer Loaded Potatoes
I love cooking loaded potatoes in the air fryer because they come out deliciously crisp on the outside and perfectly fluffy on the inside. The topping of crispy bacon and mozzarella is a simple combination, but it will have everyone going back for more. They pair beautifully with anything coming off the grill.
Get the Loaded Potatoes Recipe
5. Hasselback Potatoes
I love making these Hasselback potatoes as they are incredibly delicious and look so impressive on a cookout spread. They cook to be crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with flavor from the herb seasoning.
Get the Hasselback Potatoes Recipe
6. Gluten-Free Cornbread
This gluten-free cornbread is absolutely packed with flavor, making it the perfect addition to any summer cookout table. The delicious bits of bacon and sun-dried tomatoes throughout add savory flavors to every single bite. It is the kind of bread that has everyone reaching for a second or third piece.
7. Air Fryer Frozen Pigs in a Blanket
The air fryer is the perfect way to cook frozen pigs in a blanket quickly. They are super easy to prepare while I am busy with everything else at the cookout. They come out golden and flaky in just minutes, and they taste incredible.
Get the Frozen Pigs in a Blanket Recipe
8. Easy Guacamole
This easy guacamole is so simple to put together that I always have a fantastic dip ready in just minutes. I keep this recipe nice and traditional, letting the fresh avocados shine with just the right amount of garlic, lime, and seasoning. It is a must-have on any holiday spread and disappears incredibly fast.
9. Easy Deviled Eggs
No Fourth of July spread feels complete to me without a platter of deviled eggs. I keep the filling simple with just mayonnaise and a touch of mustard, then finish them with a sprinkle of paprika for a bit of color. They keep well in the fridge, so they are always the first thing I check off my prep list.
10. Easy Cauliflower Cheese
This cauliflower cheese is my go-to for a deliciously cheesy side dish. I steam the cauliflower until tender, then smother it in a quick stovetop cheese sauce with a hint of mustard. It comes together in about twenty minutes and disappears just as fast.
Get the Cauliflower Cheese Recipe
11. Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
I love how the air fryer gives corn on the cob a slightly crisp edge in just ten minutes, with no boiling required. I finish mine with a cube of butter and a pinch of salt, though a scattering of Parmesan works beautifully too. It is one of those simple sides that always ends up being someone’s favorite.
Get the Corn on the Cob Recipe
