Sarra Ina Garten 4th of July recipes go way beyond basic burgers, with grilled salmon, lemon chicken, crispy oven fried chicken, fresh corn salads, creamy potato salad, and summer desserts that make any backyard spread feel special. These 20 picks cover everything you need from the grill to the dessert table.
From the Grill
1. Grilled Lemon Chicken
Boneless chicken breasts soaked in a marinade of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, fresh thyme, and rosemary, then grilled for about 10 minutes until charred on the outside and juicy inside. The citrus marinade keeps the chicken from drying out on the hot grill. Ready in 20 minutes total for the easiest protein at the cookout.
2. Asian Grilled Salmon
Salmon fillets glazed with a sweet and savory mixture of soy sauce, Dijon mustard, honey, fresh ginger, and garlic, then grilled until caramelized on the outside and flaky inside. The glaze turns sticky and golden on the grill, coating each fillet with an incredible crust. Done in just 20 minutes for a lighter option alongside the burgers.
3. Grilled Swordfish
Swordfish steaks marinated in lemon juice, orange juice, olive oil, parsley, rosemary, and garlic, then grilled for just 8 minutes until firm and charred with a tender, flaky center. The citrus-herb marinade gives the fish a bright, fresh flavor without overpowering it. Ready in about 18 minutes for an elegant grilled option.
4. Grilled Halibut
Halibut fillets brushed with olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, fresh dill, and parsley, then grilled for about 9 minutes until just cooked through and flaky. The dill and lemon keep it tasting clean and bright without masking the delicate fish. Finished in just 15 minutes for the quickest grilled seafood on this list.
5. Turkey Burgers
Juicy turkey burgers made with ground turkey, Worcestershire sauce, grated onion, parsley, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper, grilled until golden on the outside and cooked through. The Worcestershire and grated onion keep the lean meat moist and flavorful. About 27 minutes for a lighter burger that holds its own on the grill.
6. Sliders
Mini beef patties made from 80/20 ground beef seasoned with Worcestershire, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, grilled and served on small buns with cheddar, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and your favorite condiments. The high-fat beef stays tender and juicy even at slider size. Done in about 20 minutes and easy to eat while standing around the grill.
7. Hot Dogs in Puff Pastry
Puff pastry wrapped around high-quality hot dogs, brushed with egg wash, sprinkled with optional sesame or poppy seeds, and baked until the pastry is golden, crispy, and flaky. A swipe of Dijon mustard inside adds a sharp kick. Ready in about 30 minutes for a crowd-pleasing finger food kids and adults both grab first.
8. Oven Fried Chicken
Buttermilk-soaked chicken pieces coated in panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan, smoked paprika, and garlic powder, then baked until the coating is deeply golden and crispy while the meat stays tender and juicy underneath. All the crunch of fried chicken without the deep fryer or the mess. About 55 minutes for a cookout main that works hot or at room temperature.
Summer Sides and Salads
9. Fiesta Corn and Avocado Salad
Fresh corn kernels tossed with diced avocado, red and yellow bell peppers, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, and olive oil for a bright, colorful salad with creamy bites of avocado in every forkful. Optional jalapeño adds a little heat for those who want it. No cooking required and ready in about 15 minutes.
10. Confetti Corn Salad
Sweet fresh corn sautéed in olive oil and butter with diced red bell pepper and red onion, then seasoned with salt, pepper, and torn fresh basil for a warm, vibrant side that celebrates summer corn. The butter brings out the natural sweetness of the corn while the basil adds a fresh herby note. Done in about 18 minutes.
11. Blue Cheese Coleslaw
Shredded green and red cabbage and grated carrots tossed with a tangy dressing of mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and celery seed, then loaded with crumbled blue cheese and fresh parsley. The blue cheese adds a sharp, salty punch that makes this coleslaw far more interesting than the usual version. No cooking and ready in about 15 minutes.
12. Dill Potato Salad
Baby red or Yukon Gold potatoes boiled until tender, then tossed with a creamy dressing of mayonnaise, sour cream, white wine vinegar, plenty of chopped fresh dill, and scallions. The dill and sour cream keep it tasting bright and tangy rather than heavy. Done in about 30 minutes for the potato salad every 4th of July table needs.
13. Baked Beans
Smoky navy beans baked with diced bacon, onion, garlic, ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire until the sauce is thick, sticky, and sweet with a savory depth from the bacon. The long bake time lets all the flavors meld together. About an hour and forty-five minutes, mostly hands-off, for a classic cookout side.
14. Macaroni Salad
Elbow macaroni tossed with a creamy dressing of mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of sugar, then mixed with diced celery, red onion, and chopped parsley. The vinegar and mustard cut through the richness and keep it tasting fresh. Ready in about 25 minutes and holds up well sitting out at a party.
15. Cucumber Tomato Salad
Cherry tomatoes halved and tossed with sliced English cucumber, thin red onion, fresh basil or parsley, red wine vinegar, and olive oil for a crisp, refreshing salad that brightens up any plate of grilled meat. Simple, clean flavors with no cooking required. Done in about 10 minutes for the fastest side on this list.
16. Feta Watermelon Salad
Cubed watermelon tossed with crumbled feta, chopped mint, baby arugula, sliced red onion, lime juice, olive oil, and optional honey for a sweet, salty, tangy summer salad that is pure refreshment. The peppery arugula and briny feta balance the juicy sweetness of the melon. No cooking and ready in about 10 minutes.
17. Deviled Eggs
Hard-boiled eggs filled with a smooth mixture of mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, white wine vinegar, salt, and pepper, then finished with a dusting of paprika and optional fresh chives or dill. The filling is tangy and creamy without being too heavy. Ready in about 25 minutes for a cookout appetizer that always gets picked up first.
Summer Desserts
18. Strawberry Shortcakes Deconstructed
Buttery homemade biscuits made with flour, baking powder, cold butter, and heavy cream, split open and filled with macerated strawberries and freshly whipped cream. The biscuits are golden and crumbly while the berries release their sweet juices into every layer. About 40 minutes for the most patriotic-looking dessert on the table.
19. Peach Cobbler
Sliced peaches tossed with sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, cinnamon, and vanilla, then topped with a buttery crumble of flour, sugar, baking powder, and cold butter, baked until the fruit is bubbling and the topping is golden and crispy. Served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it tastes like summer in a bowl. About an hour and five minutes for a crowd favorite.
20. Cowboy Cookies
Loaded cookies packed with oats, shredded coconut, chopped pecans, chocolate chips, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla, baked until golden on the outside and chewy in the center. Every bite has a different texture and flavor going on. Ready in about 25 minutes for a big-batch cookie that travels well to any cookout.
