Our best 4th of July side dishes! They include everything you need for a crowd-pleasing cookout: pasta salad, corn on the cob, watermelon, and more.Jeanine Donofrio Phoebe MoorePublished Jun 30, 2026  Have you decided what 4th of July side dishes you’re making this year? If you’re still on the fence, you’re in the right place! Below, I’ve rounded up our best 4th of July sides for a crowd-pleasing cookout.They range from BBQ classics like coleslaw to easy grilling recipes and picnic salads galore.

Many are easy to toss together at the last minute, and even more are great for making ahead.I don’t know about you, but the side dishes are always my favorite part of an Independence Day BBQ.They’re the most fun, fresh, and flavorful part of the meal, filled with peak-season ingredients like sweet corn, watermelon, and summer tomatoes.I’ve made all the recipes below for countless cookouts over the years, and they’ve been hits every time.

Choose one (or more) for your 4th of July menu—you can’t go wrong! Our Top 5 4th of July Side Dishes Easy Pasta SaladWith over 600 5-star reviews, this pasta salad is one of our most popular 4th of July side dishes.Great for making ahead, it’s packed with juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, tangy feta cheese, and a bright lemon vinaigrette.Mexican Street Corn SaladEvery time I make this salad for a summer gathering, I get asked for the recipe.

Inspired by Mexican elote and esquites, it’s filled with c

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