Whether you are hosting, attending, or just hanging out by yourself, next week and into the weekend most everyone will be grilling and enjoying summer. The 4th of July is always full of festivities in our neck of the woods. My husband’s birthday is on the 2nd so we make a week of good food and fun. There will be kids running everywhere with flags, fireworks, boating, swimming, and lots of food to snack on. While I’ll be mixing some favorites with new recipes, I thought I’d share some great ones here to get your menu planned. I’ve included a little bit of everything to make life just a little easier come this 4th of July. So, get your prep work done so you can sit back and relax!

Let’s start with appetizers. Something easy that you can make ahead and will be cool and refreshing.

Cowboy Caviar is always a hit. It has filling beans and corn so this will tide guests over for quite some time.

Basil Dip is refreshing and different. It has lovely summer flavors rather than a heavy onion dip.

On to BBQ essentials! Why use store bought when you can make your own!

Ranch Dressing is great for veggies and chicken. Making your own yields wonderful results!

Ketchup is a hamburger staple, at least for this girl, and when you’ve worked hard at the grill to make the perfect one, why top it with anything but the best?

Hamburger Buns  We can attest that homemade bread is amazing and hamburger buns are no exception. This year, make your burger or sandwich the best it can be by pairing it with a homemade bun.

Sides are every bit as important to a great BBQ as the main attraction. Whether it be a wonderful pasta or potato salad or a bag of chips, you just have to have them!

Tropical Butternut Squash Salad is perfect if you don’t want a salad that is laden with starch or mayonnaise. It also has such a unique, wonderful flavor everyone will be going for seconds!

Confetti Coleslaw is a fun twist to a classic. Again, no mayonnaise so you wont feel so full, but heavy on flavor and color!

Fried German Potato Salad is definitely not light on the stomach, but it has such great flavor and is always a hit! If you are cooking at home, you’ll want to add this to your menu.

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Zesty Grilled Veggies are a great way to add some health factor into your menu. With great flavor and color, you may find many reaching for this rather than the corn on the cob.

On to the main event! Here are just a few of my favorites that can appeal to all if you are looking for something besides the classic hot dog and burgers.

Hawaiian Chicken Sandwiches are so delicious and so easy to make, if you choose these you had better make a lot. They go fast!

Garlic and Soy Pork Chops require a simple marinade, but are full of flavor.

Lobster BLT’s Don’t feel like grilling, but want something special for your summer meal? I promise these wont disappoint!

Herbed Balsamic Grilled Chicken is a great way to turn up the flavor on your chicken. Simply marinade and cook!

Spiedies These are a Binghamton, NY staple and for good reason. You can use a few different kinds of meats, but no matter what the result will be your guests lining up for more!

It wouldn’t be a festive gathering if there weren’t desserts. These are a few of my favorites that just scream summer to me and are easy to bring to any gathering.

Star Spangled Jello are festive, easy and all will love. Leave the flag cake at home and make these instead!

S’more Cupcakes are awesome. Really, that’s it! 🙂

Key Lime Cupcakes are a light, flavorful dessert that has a delicious key lime custard hiding on the inside.

S’mores Everyone knows how to make these, but impress with homemade ingredients. There is nothing better than a homemade marshmallow. You’ll never be able to go back to store bought!

No matter what you end up making, I hope you all have a fun and safe holiday. If you have any great recipes to share, add them to the comments so others can see!