Your July 4th BBQ Menu

A special post with all you need to host the perfect BBQ!

No “What to Cook this Week” post since I have been busy planning my 4th of July Barbecue menu. If you’re hosting this 4th or looking for some recipe ideas to enjoy in the summer heat, keep on reading! 

It was on my 2024 bucket list to host dinner parties, and I am dipping my toes in with hosting a holiday barbecue. I’ve planned up a colorful, seasonal menu highlighting summer favs- such as zucchini, melons, and basil. 

While we will be serving up the typical hot dogs and hamburgers with their usual fix-ins, the real star of the show is going to be the sides. 

Melon Salad 

• 1 cantaloupe, cubed

• 2 cucumbers, sliced into half circles

• 2 red bell peppers 

• 1 package edamame 

• handful of chopped basil 

• lime for topping 

• feta cheese for topping 

dressing 

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1/3c white vinegar

• 1/2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp honey 

• 1-2 cloves garlic

• 1 knob ginger grated

• salt & pepper 

Mix dressing together, toss in with all other salad ingredients and enjoy! 

Potato Salad

I linked a potato salad recipe from Love & Lemons, but any of your favorite or family potato salad recipes will do! Having this classic dish is a must! 

Pesto Pasta Salad 

• pasta of choice 

• 2 zucchinis, sliced into thin rounds

• 1 yellow squash, sliced into thin rounds 

• lemon juice

• basil 

• pine nuts *you can make this easy by using store bought pesto but there’s a simple basil pesto recipe linked in the original recipe posting as well. 

steps//Cook pasta according to instructions, reserving a cup of pasta water. Once done, toss with a tbsp of olive oil to keep fresh. Add in pesto and squash

Grilled Zucchini with Goat Cheese and Honey 

• zucchini 

• basil 

• goat cheese 

• honey 

steps// Slice the zucchini long ways lay them out on a paper towel to remove excess water. Grill zucchini on both sides for about 5 minutes each side. Add to a serving plate and top with goat cheese, basil and honey. Enjoy right away! 

Grilled Asparagus 

• asparagus 

• oil

• salt & pepper

steps// brush with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill for about 6-10 minutes until you can pierce the asparagus. Serve with a squeeze of lemon.

Watermelon Margaritas 

• tequila 

• watermelon

• lime juice 

steps// Take a whole watermelon, cut it into chunks and blend with 1/2c-1c of lime juice and about a cup of ice. Then to serve add the tequila for those who want a margarita or can be enjoyed on its own as a non-alcoholic watermelon juice. 

Happy Grilling & 4th of July! Hope you try these refreshing summer recipes.