Quick and Easy Sides for a 4th of July Party or Picnic...

Quick and Easy Sides for a 4th of July Party or Picnic...

Posted by Rachel Parcell on

Today I'm sharing my tried-and-true and super easy recipes for summer picnics and celebrations! These are some of my go-to sides for weekends, pool days, family gatherings, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and (of course!) the 4th of July. I love to whip them up and serve alongside a main course (especially Drew's BBQ!) and pick up a couple of easy drinks (think pink lemonade and fresh spritzers) for a complete meal. 

To celebrate a new season of summer entertaining, I've also included some gorgeous tabletop inspo from my latest RP collection. This blue collection includes floral, gingham, and star prints for a perfectly mismatched palette. I especially love the melamine dishware; it's so convenient to set up on the patio, it won't break if you drop it, and it's super easy to clean!

Check out my 4th of July recipes and summer tablescape inspiration below. You can also shop all my RP home items in the links. (Order before June 23rd to get them before the 4th!)

Festive Berry Salad 

1 cup Strawberries
1 cup Blueberries
1/2 cup Slivered Almonds
1/2 cup Feta Cheese
Spinach
Butter Lettuce

Poppyseed Dressing 

1/2 cup Olive Oil
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Sugar
Juice of 1 Lemon
1 Tbsp. Vinegar
1 Tbsp. Honey
1 Tbsp. Poppyseeds
4 Tbsp. Greek Yogurt 

Instructions for Festive Berry Salad with Poppyseed Dressing

This 4th of July salad recipe is super easy; I just mix up the salad ingredients in whatever ratios I like best or ingredients I have the most of, then blend up the dressing! My secret to making the dressing perfectly emulsified: Combine everything except the oil first, then add the oil drop by drop as you blend with an electric mixer. 

 

Easy 4th of July Sides Recipes

^^ Ingredients for Festive Berry Salad Recipe; Williams Sonoma Mixing Bowls

Easy 4th of July Sides Recipes

^^ RP Blue Floral Melamine Bowl

Easy 4th of July Sides Recipes

^^ RP Melamine Bowl + Strawberry Slicer

Easy 4th of July Sides Recipes

^^ RP Melamine Bowl

Easy 4th of July Sides Recipes

^^ RP Melamine Bowl

Quick and Easy 4th of July Sides Recipes

^^ Ingredients for Poppyseed Dressing; Williams Sonoma Mixing Bowls

Quick and Easy 4th of July Sides Recipes

Quick and Easy 4th of July Sides Recipes

Quick and Easy 4th of July Sides Recipes

^^ Completed Salad in the RP Melamine Bowl + RP Blue Gingham Napkins

Quick and Easy 4th of July Recipes Sides

 

Watermelon Dip

8 oz Cream Cheese, Softened
13 oz Marshmallow Fluff

Instructions for Watermelon Dip

Super simple: Just blend with an electric mixer and serve with watermelon spears! Cutting a watermelon into spears is really easy: Cut the watermelon in half, shave off the rind with a chef knife or serrated knife (be super careful with your fingers), cut even slices in one direction, and then slice crisscross in the other direction. 

 

Quick and Easy 4th of July Recipes Sides

^^ Ingredients for Watermelon Spears and Dip; RP Cake StandWilliams Sonoma Mixing Bowls

Quick and Easy 4th of July Recipes Sides

Street Corn with Greek Yogurt

Corn on the cob
Nonfat Greek Yogurt (I prefer Chobani)
Cilantro
Cotija Cheese 
Mexican Chili Powder
Salt

 

Instructions for Mexican Street Corn

This is another flexible and easy side for 4th of July, especially if you've already got your grill fired up. I don't measure the toppings exactly; I just eyeball from what I have and how much everyone wants! 

First up, there are a couple of ways to prepare your corn: 

  • Peel your corn cobs completely, then boil in salted water. Brown with your oven broiler or straight on the grill. 
  • Peel back the husks on your corn, clean off the silk, and then replace the husks. Soak the whole cob in water for at least 30 minutes, then place directly on the grill.
  • Place peeled corn directly on the grill to char.

However you decide to char the corn, be sure to let it cool before moving on to the next steps so the Greek yogurt doesn't melt off the cobs. Greek yogurt makes for a lighter option, but you can also use traditional mayo or sour cream. (So yummy!)

Once the corn cobs are cooled, remove any husks if you have them, then brush on the yogurt with a pastry brush. Roll in Cotija cheese, then sprinkle with cilantro, chili powder, and salt.

Quick and Easy 4th of July Recipes Sides

Quick and Easy 4th of July Recipes Sides

^^ Ingredients for Mexican Street Corn; Williams Sonoma Mixing Bowls

Quick and Easy 4th of July Recipes Sides

^^ Williams Sonoma Baking Sheet

Quick and Easy 4th of July Recipes Sides

Quick and Easy 4th of July Recipes Sides

Quick and Easy 4th of July Recipes Sides

^^ RP Melamine Star Plates

Instructions for Berry Ice Cubes

I love to make festive berry ice cubes for summer celebrations! All you do is add berries to an ice cube tray, fill with water, and freeze. They make drinks look so much more elevated and special. 

Quick and Easy 4th of July Recipes Sides

^^ Fruit Ice for Drinks

Quick and Easy 4th of July Recipes Sides

Quick and Easy 4th of July Recipes Sides

Quick and Easy 4th of July Recipes Sides

 

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