10 Recipes to Make This Fourth of July

The Fourth of July is the best kind of holiday: almost entirely centered around food. No gifts to wrap, no formal dress code—just a grill, a cooler and something tasty to share. 

Whether you're hosting a backyard hangout that rolls into fireworks or showing up to a picnic with a dish in-hand, the assignment is simple: Make something memorable. We’ve got you covered with crowd-pleasers that feel festive without trying too hard, from potato salad with a twist to spicy fried chicken to a patriotic shortcake.

1. Spatchcock Chicken with Crispy Smashed Potatoes & Green Scallion Sauce

Homemade barbecue sauce does more than just coat the chicken in this recipe, it transforms it. This hoisin-based version brings depth, sweetness and a little edge, especially when it runs into the bright green scallion sauce on your plate. The potatoes are boiled just until tender, then smashed and tossed on the grill for crispy edges and smoky flavor. Scale it up for a crowd, and don’t be surprised if someone asks for the recipe.

2. Smashed Cucumber & Melon Salad with Spicy Sesame Crunch

Rethink your standards for a refreshing side salad. In this cucumber-cantaloupe stunner, craggy smashed cucumber soaks up the gingery dressing, and a sprinkle of spicy sesame brittle might make you question using plain croutons ever again.

3. Grilled Garlic-Parm Corn Ribs

If you’re a fan of extra-charred corn on the cob, then you need to get into corn ribs. After quartering cobs lengthwise, you’ll brush them with garlic butter and grill until they’re deeply golden and tender. Salty Parmesan melts into the ridges, adding a rich, savory contrast to the sweet kernels. There’s something fun about the way they curl up on the grill, too, like corn with a little swagger. For easiest slicing, start with the freshest corn you can find.

4. S’mores Skillet

This dessert is what happens when brownies and s’mores join forces. Layer graham crackers, extra-chocolatey brownie batter, more chocolate, toasted marshmallows and a final crown of grahams for a rich, gooey treat that disappears fast. Make it in your 10"/25 cm Hybrid Fry Pan and bring it out with sparklers for maximum effect.

5. Red, White & Blue Mixed Berry Skillet Shortcake

A single skillet shortcake isn’t just easier than shaping individual ones, it’s also more festive. This version bakes up quickly and feels special with a lemon-sugared mix of blueberries and strawberries spooned over the top. Serve it with a dollop of tangy whipped cream—adding a little sour cream does wonders—for a dessert that’s equal parts effortless and celebratory.

6. Grilled Little Gem Salad with Calabrian Chile Caesar

Caesar, but with attitude. Grilled in your Hybrid BBQ Grill Pan, little gem picks up just enough char and wilt to turn this into a restaurant-worthy side. The dressing brings the heat with Calabrian chili paste, balanced by crunchy, garlicky homemade croutons that soak up just enough dressing without losing their bite.

7. Tomato, Peach and Burrata Salad With Chile-Lime Vinaigrette

Think of this easy salad as caprese’s cooler older sister. Juicy peaches deliver summer sweetness, and burrata adds richness that mozzarella can’t touch. The real star, though, is the chile-lime vinaigrette, which has just enough fish sauce to dial up the umami without overwhelming the fruit.

8. Dr Pepper Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Burgers and dogs are Fourth of July staples, but if you're skipping the grill and aiming for something a little more memorable, these pulled pork sandwiches are it. The pork is slow-cooked until ultra-tender, then piled high on soft buns with crunchy homemade onion rings and tangy slaw. They’re destined to make an annual appearance.

9. Korean-Style Fried Chicken

This spicy, lacquered fried chicken has the kind of heat that matches hot summer days. The gochujang glaze hits the perfect balance of sweet and bold, and the crisp coating—thanks to rice flour and a double fry—holds its crunch long after it hits the plate. Pair with ice-cold beers and plenty of napkins.

10. Grilled Sour Cream & Onion Potato Salad

Potato salad doesn’t have to be bland or beige. This version takes all the best parts of sour cream and onion dip and turns them into a cookout side worth remembering. Boiled baby Yukon Golds get a smoky char in your Hybrid BBQ Grill Pan, then are finished with tangy sour cream, sharp onion, crisp celery and a shower of chives.

We’ll see you grill-side on the Fourth with these festive dishes.