10+ Recipes for your 4th of July Celebration

Exploding with flavor, these recipes are sure to blow up your taste buds! Find something fun and exciting to make for your 4th of July celebration. Eat like a true patriot!

Watermelon Salad

Recipe source: Don't Eat Your Heart Out cookbook.

Independence Day All-American Baked Beans

I've been making these baked beans for a long time. A friend of mine who normally hosts a 4th of July cookout, always asks that I bring these babies. It has always gone over very well due to the fact that these are scrumptious in flavor and really the best baked beans I've had. Much, much, much better than the best brand of canned baked beans. If you follow the recipe, you will...

Mixed Berry Cornmeal Cake

This would make a good Independence Day recipe. Especially if you chose to include blueberries and red raspberries or strawberries. The whipped cream would be the white. This could be cut into 12 or 24 pieces. The berries will be throughout the cake, covered with the crunchy cornmeal.

Red, White and Blue Cheesecake With Chocolate Cookie Crust

This is the first cheesecake I've ever made. No need to find another recipe.(Ever again) It is from a Gourmet magazine (1993). I have made several variations with the topping, like caramel and peaches, but nothing to change on the main cheesecake recipe. Try it! You will never regret!

BBQ Macaroni Salad

Another Cook's Illustrated tested recipe, however I've added my own personal touch. They recommend the sweet, smoky flavor of Texas Best or Bull's-Eye barbecue sauce, but feel free to substitute your favorite. As the salad sits, it can become dry; just before serving, stir in a few tablespoons of warm water to bring back its creamy texture. Time indicated includes recommended cooling time.

Bacon Cheeseburger

The all-American burger, this one is good!

Beer Marinade For Beef

We have been using this recipe since 1974. It was given to me by a good friend and Master Chef at the Charcoal Inn in Gaithersburg, MD. Very flavorful. This works well for meats prepared on the grill (indoor or out), in a smoker, under a broiler or in the oven. Note: Best if marinaded over night.

Barbecued Chicken Breasts

This is not only quick and easy but great tasting as well. Had I not tasted this delicious grilled chicken I likely would never have chosen to make a barbecue sauce that had horseradish as one of the ingredients. Enjoyed at a friends house, I just had to have the recipe. Love when good friends share! A year around favourite at our house, awesome on the barbecue as well the indoor grill or pan....

Lindas Apple Brownies

The first time I had these I thought I had died and gone to heaven... This recipe is in the Top 5 for my FAVORITE desserts... Add a scoop of French Vanilla Ice Cream on top of one of these yummy brownies when they are warm, is the ultimate in desserts in my opinion! Use an 8x8" pan.

Fannie Farmers Classic Baked Macaroni & Cheese

I found this in the 1946 Edition of my Fannie Farmer's Boston Cooking School Cookbook. I have made it often throughout the years. It is an absolute favorite with my family. Here are a few tips to follow that may come in handy: When making the roux, melt the butter over low heat. When the foaming begins to subside, add the flour and stir constantly, watching the color of the flour. Let it...

Fresh Fruit Salad in a Pineapple Bowl

A fun way to serve fruit salad at a BBQ, picnic, potluck or party. I had quite a bit of leftover fruit that didn't fit into the pineapple bowl, so I served it on the side and when the pineapple bowl emptied out, I refilled it. You can add a touch of lime juice, if you're worried about the fruit browning. I cut mine close to when I served it, so I didn't have that problem. I was...

Strawberry Spinach Salad (WW)

Recipe source: Weight Watchers Under 20 Cookbook. 2 points plus/serving. 1 serving is 1 1/2 cups which is a decent amount!

A&W Teen Burger 2 (Copy Cat)

When I was little my Mom took us to A&W and this was my favorite burger. The sauce seems to have changed so this is the newer version. Ok the computer took the first one back so instead of salad dressing and barbecue sauce put 1 tablespoon Thousand Island dressing; this is how I remember it in the early '60s. There wasn't as much barbecue sauce as there is now.

Oven Fried Chicken Bisquick

This is out of my Bisquick cookbook. It's an All Time Favorite. It says for a dynamite, down-home meal, serve this crispy chicken with biscuits, steamed veggies and a spoonful of barbecue sauce on the side. As good as fried, this easy oven-baked chicken Bisquick recipe is delicious! Use wings, thighs, legs or boneless. We added a video to make learning the recipe fun and easy.