4th of July Recipes for 2021: Build Your Party Menu

Hearty, delicious vegan recipes for July 4th cookouts and picnics.

This Fourth of July, celebrate your freedom to enjoy healthful, delicious food that will leave you feeling satisfied, not sluggish. Browse our favorite vegan recipes for potlucks and barbecues. And if you’d like, you can use the Add to Menu link beneath your favorite recipes to build your own custom menu: After you make your picks, click the Email My Menu button to save your choices. Want to leave the planning to us? Download the Summer Party Menu e-cookbook, a complete menu by FOK head chef Darshana Thacker.

Appetizers

O say, can you see a Fourth of July gathering without a few appetizers? Consider making a trio of these plant-based appetizers and dips the centerpiece of your table. Serve each on red, white, and blue dishes to create a festive vegan Fourth of July spread.

Salads

Nothing says summer like a salad that explodes with flavor from fresh fruits, vegetables, and greens. If you’re making ahead, be sure to keep any dressings on the side until you’re ready to serve.

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Mains

We collected a variety of main courses to suit different Fourth of July plans. Burgers are great if you plan to fire up the grill; sandwiches, wraps, and pasta salads are great for making ahead, as they’ll travel well to the park or the potluck.

Sides

While main dishes are the star of the show, no Fourth of July menu would be complete without a side dish or two. Consider classics like potato salad as well as more inventive sides like chilled summer soups.

Desserts

Warm weather calls for cool treats. These fruit-forward desserts feature fresh berries, melon, and other fruits that hit peak sweetness during the summer months.