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4th of July Bbq food, Fireworks and Red, White and Blue Finds, it’s weekend meanderings.
Happy weekend friends!
It’s Saturday morning and I am joining Juliet and Kim for our weekly series Weekend Meanderings. When you finish here pop over and check out all of their weekend favorites as well.
Today I am sharing my 10 favorite 4th of July bbq foods, fireworks, some red, white and blue finds and more. I hope that you enjoy it!
WEEKEND MEANDERINGS…
This week marked the first day of summer. Even though I am knee deep in dust from the kitchen renovation I am now in “vacation” mode and ready to celebrate and enjoy my family, friends, and all that summer has to offer. The 4th of July will be here before you know it so be sure to bookmark this post so that you have these scrumptious recipes for your celebrations.
10 of my favorite 4th of July BBQ foods
1. Grilled Sausages served with your favorite toppings. Add hamburgers and hot dogs to the grill as well and you will have something for everyone!

Image Oh Sweet Basil
2. Pulled Pork Sandwiches with lots of spicy bbq sauce.
3. Baby Back Ribs, are always a popular meat at any BBQ so make extra.
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Image and recipe. |
4. Baked Beans are a must, there are a lot of great recipes and if you want you can even take a short cut and just used canned beans and doctor them up with bacon, brown sugar and other condiments.
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Image and Recipe Here |
5. Old Fashioned Potato Salad is may absolute favorite thing to eat at a BBQ. I prefer it the old fashioned way, with celery, onions, eggs and mayonnaise. If you are serving it at your BBQ make sure to keep this dish cool in the heat.
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Image and Recipe Here |
6. Blue Cheese Coleslaw my second favorite thing to eat at bbq’s and picnics. I actually am all about the side dishes the more the better.
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Image and Recipe Here |
7. Grilled Corn, Peach and Tomato Salad is an easy and delicious salad to serve at your gathering because you can change the ingredients to suit your taste. If you don’t like peaches skip them and add some black beans, and squash.
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Recipe and photo here |
8. Red, White and Blue Popsicles are a great dessert for kids and the young at heart! I remember getting these popsicles from the ice cream man on hot summer days this year I think I will try to make these. Here is another option using sports drinks.
9. Chocolate Chip Cookies are the perfect dessert to make ahead, so that you have one less thing to make on the day of your party. They are also a great treat to bag up and take to munch on at the fireworks. You can also serve your favorite cereal treats, brownies and more.
10. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup S’mores or traditional s’mores are a fun treat for everyone, you could also set up a s’mores bar with graham crackers, cookies, your favorite candy bars, and marshmallows and let your guests make their own.
Don’t see anything you like here? No problem, here are 49 easy 4th of July recipes you could make.
If that is still not enough check out my Summer Food Pinterest Board!
What is your favorite 4th of July bbq food? Do you have a family recipe for potato salad or cole slaw that your want to share? What about your favorite dessert? I am always looking for something new to make so please share your favorite recipe.
Fireworks
Next to the food the star of the 4th of July is the fireworks! Some of my happiest memories are going to the fireworks in Milwaukee with my siblings, mom and grandmother. The colorful display is set off along Lake Michigan next to the Summerfest grounds and it’s amazing.
Do you like to watch the fireworks in person or on tv? Whichever the case I’ve got you covered.
Here are The Best Places to See Fourth of July Fireworks in Every State in 2022.
Best Cities to Watch Fourth of July Fireworks by Boat
The Best 4th of July Fireworks to See (Or Stream) Across the U.S.
4th of July History
The Fourth of July—also known as Independence Day or July 4th history
Finds
Flag tea towels could be used as napkins as well. This towel and these napkins would be a great addition to your pool side party.
I love the simplicity of the American Flag collection, the salad plates are perfect for small bites, cake and can be used with your plain white everyday dinner ware. It is 25% off!
I may need to order this gingham dress for the holiday weekend. This blue one is cute too!
Comfy and stylish sandals are always a good idea.
If you want to learn how to make the perfect pie, this book has all of the tips and tricks that you need.
A great outfit for the 4th of July weekend
bracelet// dress//sandals//glasses//tote
In case you missed it this week…
Blueberry Lemon Lavender bread, this recipe is so good you will want to have it on permanent rotation for yourself and guests this summer.
Friday Favorites where I shared a few “beach reads”, cocktails, recipes and my favorite finds this week.
That’s all for now
That is it for weekend meanderings, have a wonderful weekend my friends.
DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT KIM AND JULIET’S WEEKEND MEANDERINGS!
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA STYLE
What are your plans for the 4th? Will you be hosting a bbq? Attending one? Traveling or staying home? Spending time at the beach or in the city? Share your plans and fun I would love to hear all about it. We are staying in town because…kitchen. But that’s ok because there will still be fireworks, food, and family.
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Elizabeth, You outdid yourself here! What more would we need for July Fourth? I am saving every recipe. You found the most yummy ideas and twists on traditions. I grew up having my mom’s homemade potato salad with new potatoes, bacon, hard boiled eggs and mayo and mustard. It’s simple, but so good. My dad always bbq’d chicken and we had green salad, corn on the cob, watermelon and garlic bread. Those are our summer foods, plus Nigella’s chocolate pavlova.. My mom’s potato salad is the ultimate comfort food and this is reminding me I need to make it this year..
Such cute dishes and towels and nice to have the links to the shows. Did you grow up in Milwaukee? My mom was raised there and we spent one summer going to see the fireworks there when I was young, which I remember being the first time I ever saw ‘big’ fireworks. Here in California we would always do them in the street with our neighbors..
Also love the dress, but the Boden shoes are so cool. I have to order those. Love July fourth outfits. We always dressed up when my kids were small for a big bike parade at my parent’s neighborhood near here. Such fun times seeing kids all in red and blue and the parents and pets too. We would do a picnic afterwards and the fire department would spray all the kids with the hose. Some of our favorite memories as a family!
You are getting me excited for July Fourth Elizabeth!
Lovely fun post! Have a great weekend too. xo
Kim, it is a small world. I went to HS, Bachelors and Masters in Milwaukee. My parents and most of my aunts and uncles still live there. It is one of my favorite places in the world. I love the city, the arts, the festivals, and the people.
As for your moms potato salad I would love to make it! I LOVE potato salad! I love the 4th festivities, the parades, the fireworks and of course all of the food and time with family.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful memories!
Happy weekend meanderings!
xo
Elizbeth! Such beautiful ideas for the 4th! And that blueberry lemon lavender loaf looks amazing!
Have a great weekend!
xx
annie
Thank you Annie! The blueberry lemon loaf is delicious!
Very tasty!
Thank you
I love this post, Elizabeth. Like for you, 4th of July brings back so many happy memories from childhood. The excitement of fireworks, holding sparklers, making ice cream the old fashioned way, sliced water melon, hot dogs … all the things. Of course, the 4th food is so elevated now and I see so many delicious recipes here. That corn salad is amazing. I have a favorite dip recipe, Juliet’s Top Secret World Famous Bean Dip. And I think I’m ready to spill the beans … hahaha. Next weekend! You’ve got me excited for the 4th … and its just around the corner! xo
Juliet, I will need to top secret recipe for the bean dip! I love dips and things like that. 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays, it brings back so many memories of happy times and it is a holiday about people and spending time with them. Here are no gifts to wrap but lots of food to make for all of the fun times at the parade, the fireworks and various activities.
They all look good.
Thank you Patrick.
So many classic recipes here, Elizabeth! I love the idea of adding blue cheese to coleslaw! That red gingham dress is so cute too!
Thank you Molly! The blue cheese coleslaw is excellent. Have a great week.
Thanks for this fantastic 4th of July post. So many great recipes. I have to save so many I’ll Pin tomorrow morning.
That Smore looks amazing!!
Thank you! I hope that you they them.
The 4th is such a fun holiday – not only does it seem to make everyone a bit more patriotic, but something for everyone between all the great food, fireworks, and just sitting around.