40 4th Of July Side Dishes For The Perfect Independence Day Celebration

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.

This summery vegetarian side may be quick and easy, but the colorful shingled veggies make for an impressive presentation. Even the most reluctant vegetable-eaters won't be able to resist that cheesy herbed bread crumb topping. 😋

Get the Zucchini Casserole With Garlicky Breadcrumbs recipe.

Packed with shredded cheddar, diced pimiento peppers, garlic powder, and a generous amount of cayenne, these cornbread muffins are a savory delight. Top them with even more pimento cheese for a decadent 4th of July side.

Get the Pimento Cheese Corn Muffins recipe.

With sweet strawberries, herby chicken, tangy feta, and crunchy pecans, this summer salad will make even so-called spinach haters fall in love after just one bite. Leave out the chicken for a summer side dish, or add it in for a hearty main!

Get the Strawberry Spinach Salad 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.

Looking for a wildly simple summer side that can still impress? This bruschetta-inspired pasta salad is it.

Get the Bruschetta Pasta 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.

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.

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.

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.

Think of burrata salad as caprese salad's fancy cousin. Peak-summer tomatoes are topped with this luscious cheese (think a shell of mozzarella filled with a soft, creamy filling) and garnished with a shower of peppery basil leaves and savory chives. 😍

Get the Burrata Salad recipe.

From box mix to homemade, sweet to savory, we’ve never met a cornbread we didn’t love. Northern cornbread is usually made with milk and butter, while Southern-style starts with bacon fat and is (almost) always baked in a cast-iron skillet—we love this recipe alongside other BBQ staples like coleslaw and Southern potato salad.

Get the Southern Cornbread recipe.

Zucchini is one of our favorite vegetables to grill in the summer. Why? It's healthy, it's easy, and it cooks SO FAST. This recipe takes just 10 to 15 minutes from start to finish.

Get the Grilled Zucchini 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.

Bang bang shrimp gets all the hype, but we're here to tell you that flavor-packed grilled corn is just as good (maybe better?) with that sweet-spicy sauce.

Get the Bang Bang Corn recipe.

Panzanella is one of those recipes that truly tastes like summer. It's one that's perfect for the 4th of July—when the tomatoes are extra juicy, the squash slightly sweet, and the basil extra cheap.

Get the Summer Panzanella recipe.

Skip bringing the traditional pasta salad to your 4th of July potluck, and bring this crazy flavorful version instead. It's peanut-y and full of fresh, crunchy veggies, with no mayo in sight. It’s also as delicious hot as it is cold, which means you can easily make it ahead of time. Win win!

Get the Thai Chicken Peanut Pasta Salad recipe.

The char from the grill add a slight bitterness that balances a tomato’s acidity and sweetness really well here. You can season simply with salt, black pepper, and oregano and eat as is, but we love topping this with a flavor-packed tahini-Caesar dressing.

Get the Grilled Tomatoes 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.

Get the Coleslaw recipe.