25 Fourth of July Side Dishes for Your Cookout

Fourth of July Salad

Toss together fresh berries, watermelon, and coconut for a quick and easy fruit salad that's perfect for 4th of July picnics and BBQs. "This is the best holiday salad, hands-down," says Maggie. "Great wholesome healthy taste! Great for the fireworks, picnics, or a family dinner side. Add a hint of love and enjoy!"

• 9 Top-Rated Fruit Salad Recipes

Bourbon and DP Baked Beans

The Doctor is in! In the beans, we mean. Dr Pepper soda and bourbon whiskey mix it up with a touch of brown sugar and bacon in these amazing baked beans. "These are the best baked beans I have ever eaten!" raves Shannon Taylor. "My company all asked for the recipe!"

Bacon Pea Salad

Bacon, fresh peas, and cheese combine with a creamy dressing to create a 5-star summer salad. Chill well before serving. "A delicious refreshing side dish!" raves Asiantipped. "Perfect with bbq chicken or anything really!"

Mikes' Coleslaw

The pride of the picnic, this quick-and-easy coleslaw recipe contains almonds, cranberries, celery, peppers, and onions. "A nice change from traditional coleslaw with a mayonnaise dressing," says lutzflcat. "Enjoyed the sweetness from the honey and the crunch from the almonds. Very nice."

• How to Make the Best Coleslaw Ever

Patriotic Pasta

"Serve this patriotic pasta salad loaded with tomatoes, blue cheese, and pasta for a festive addition to the 4th of July picnic table," says OlgaB.

Corn Salad with Creamy Italian Dressing

"This corn salad recipe is one of my favorite summer side dishes," says Chef John. "Simple deliciousness, that's what this is. It's a perfect complement to just about any meat you pull off the grill, and can be dressed in countless ways. Serve at room temperature."

Sweet Carrot Salad

"This salad is sweet and simple," says Doug Matthews. "Great for a BBQ or a potluck and best when left to sit for an hour to let flavors meld."

• 15 Potluck Recipes So Good They'll Make You Famous at Church

Chef John's Classic Macaroni Salad

Here's a true classic. "Whether it's sitting next to some smoky ribs or just a humble hot dog, this deli-style macaroni salad will always be a crowd favorite," says Chef John.

Chef John's Boston Baked Beans

These Boston baked beans go with just about anything you'll toss on the grill or bring to the picnic. Bacon, navy beans, molasses, brown sugar, and mustard are the key ingredients here. It's 4th of July food with a true-blue Boston pedigree.

Chef John's Baba Ghanoush

A refreshing dip, perfect for chips and veggies, baba ghanoush gets a smoky flavor thanks to a quick trip to the grill.

Spicy Watermelon

"What a great combination of flavors," says Volleyballmom. "Never would have thought to add these spices to watermelon. So glad we did."

Sour Cream Cornbread

A hearty slice of cornbread is perfect for sopping up sauce from baked beans or coleslaw. This recipe stays delightfully moist, thanks to the addition of sour cream.

American Potato Salad

"Just a good old fashioned, down home potato salad recipe that brings back memories of picnics in the park and family gatherings," says JOSLYN. "Wonderful as it is or make it your own by adding additional ingredients of your choice."

Quick Savory Grilled Peaches

Fresh peaches get a savory twist with a brush of olive oil and sprinkling of herbs. Reviewer Emil24 says she was able to successfully make this recipe on her indoor griddle too, no grill required.

• 8 Hot Tips to Make the Best Grilled Fruit

Creamy Broccoli Salad

"I love broccoli salad but have never had it with Mozzarella cheese gives a nice mild creaminess to the salad," says *Sherri*. "This salad is good enough for company and will be in my recipe box."

Calico Bean Casserole

This hearty combination of kidney beans, baked beans, butter beans, ground beef, bacon, and onion makes an excellent alternative to baked beans. "I made this for a BBQ I went to and everyone wanted the recipe," says reviewer Mary Ann.

Fresh Corn and Zucchini Saute

Put your summer bounty of tender squash and sweet, fresh corn on display in simple form. "...I like the fresh, clean, unenhanced flavor of good, fresh vegetables," says reviewer naples34102.

Best Fried Green Tomatoes

No southern summer would be complete without fried green tomatoes, so good thing they're plentiful come Fourth of July.

Easy Cajun Grilled Veggies

Fresh yellow squash, zucchini, and onion are all marinated in a Cajun-inspired marinade: "We'll use this easy, extremely tasty recipe often this summer," says reviewer LIZCANCOOK.

Cajun Grilled Corn

Three ingredients are all you need to make this easy summer side: corn, butter, and Cajun seasoning.

Cola Beans

A can of cola and brown sugar add sweet flavor to canned baked beans and bacon. "I am absolutely hooked on the taste that the cola gives these beans!" raves reviewer Ashley Smith.

Corn with Jalapenos

Frozen corn gets a simple yet flavorful upgrade with the help of jalapeno and fresh cilantro. You can also use fresh corn when in season!

Hobo Beans

The great part about these slow cooker beans is they can stay in the slow cooker on the "keep warm" function for easy, no-reheat serving at your gathering.

Chef John's Succotash

"This may be America's oldest vegetable recipe, coming from a Narragansett Indian word, 'msickquatash,' which, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, means 'boiled corn kernels,'" says Chef John. "When most of you hear the word succotash, you probably don't think of a delicious vegetable side dish, you probably think of the catchphrase, 'Sufferin' succotash!' But succotash really is a great and very underrated recipe."

Smoked Asparagus

Throw some asparagus on the smoker alongside your meaty mains at your Fourth of July barbeque — you'll never go back to asparagus any other way.

Related:

• Our Best 4th of July Appetizers
• 27 Traditional Fourth of July Foods for a Classic Celebration
• 15 Fourth of July Cakes Worth Celebrating