Sure, burgers and dogs are essential to your Independence Day picnics, parties and cookouts, but the sides we'll be going back for. From potato salad and coleslaw to homemade dill pickles, baked beans and corn, these recipe ideas will round out your menu with a little something for everyone.
"Drizzle on some balsamic vinegar along with the olive oil. I travelled all over Italy last summer and ate this salad everywhere. Many places added the balsamic and it makes a good salad really good!"
-Rebecca1
"This is the way I grew up eating corn on the cob and I can't remember the last time I boiled it! This really brought back delicious memories."
-PaulaG
"These are really great! They have quite a nice kick from the red pepper flakes. I made mine in spears but would like to try as chips next time as I think they'd be great on a burger!"
-flower7
"Great coleslaw recipe! Took it to a family dinner tonight and it was a hit. I added chopped apples, but other than that I followed the recipe."
-carole in orlando
"Superb flavor! Beautiful combination of colors and flavors!! I used the jalapenos and the spiciness was right on target for our taste. I served with blue corn tortilla chips for a beautiful presentation!"
-Bev I Am
"These were some awesome beans! We had them with hotdogs on the grill and they were enjoyed to the max! Loved the taste and can't wait to make one of Linda's bean sandwiches."
-Chef Lori
"This is a nice, simple German-American-style potato salad that tastes just like I expected it to. It's nice and vinegary, and it reminds me of my childhood and church potlucks (where you could choose from several different family recipes of potato salads all in one sitting)."
-Julesong
"Fantastic recipe! Halved it and used kalamatas instead of black olives but otherwise changed nothing and it turned out great. This was a perfect side for some baked chicken on a hot late-summer day."
-sugrmag78
"I had never made macaroni and cheese from scratch and this is so delicious! I followed the recipe for the sauce exactly except for adding a little more cheese in the sauce. It was perfect: slightly tangy and very flavorful. I think the dry mustard really makes it taste so good."
-SaraFish
"I made these for a neighborhood get together and they were gone in 60 seconds! Not really, but almost. I used Victoria's Louisiana seasoning in them and sprinkled them with celery salt just before sprinkling the paprika."
-Ann Cecile
"Just goes to you show that no one is EVER too old to learn a new thing or two. I've never grilled corn before. I tried this technique and we LOVED it!"
-bratzy1
"Instead of layering, I cubed the watermelon, used crumbled feta and tossed it like a salad. Easy, colorful, refreshing and delicious, it was a big hit with all the guests!"
-shirleyblind
"I loved this potato salad! Mainly because it doesn't have any mayo in it and it was still delicious! Perfect for picnics."
-Jonathan Melendez
"I take this salad everywhere I go for potlucks, especially in the summer months. It's always a huge hit!"
-Chef Doozer
"Made this tonight... very easy and really tasty. I would serve this to company because not only does it taste good but with the grill marks it looks like fancy restaurant food!"
-Reggies Mom
"Loved it! Made exactly as written, except we added a bit of turmeric for some color (and we like the taste!). This was so easy to make and so fresh."
-Jostlori
"These potatoes were wonderfu! I love dishes like this that go together quickly and you don't have to stand over them fussing with them. I used a garlic infused olive oil instead of the vegetable oil."
-Bayhill
"This was very good and a hit at the potluck for which I prepared it. Great, cold salad that is different from the pasta and potato salads most people bring. Make sure to use fresh delicious tomatoes, the taste brings a lot to the dish."
-Chef Romano-Clarke
"Mmmm! The taste of pesto and tomatoes with the feta cheese is out of this world. I snuck a wee bit of chopped red pepper in also, I didn't bother with a bun and just served them with a side salad. They made a wonderful lunch."
-Tea Jenny
"I enjoy experimenting with cucumber salads. This one is a keeper! Cumin adds a unique flavor and the yogurt-lemon dressing provides a refreshing tang."
-Suzie D
"My daughter and I love this recipe. All of the fresh ingredients and the chunkiness... yum! We can almost eat a whole batch in one day. Keep the pit in with the guacamole to have fresh guac' for days!"
-punkarooni
"My family went absolutely CRAZY over this pasta salad! It's amazing and I wouldn't change one single thing about it. I will be making it again and again!"
-Juenessa
"We loved these! I used the largest jalapeños I could find, so I used fewer. I think I might try adding cheese of some sort to the sausage next time, partly because I love cheese, but I also think it would help hold the sausage together."
-GaylaJ
"Wonderful! We all loved this recipe and will make it again! It is easy, fast, and delicious. I might add pineapple next time. We used green and red grapes with chopped walnuts."
-khordiyenko
"Delicious, fresh and light. It tastes like summer. This salad also keeps really well in the fridge."
-Ishapka
"This was a great recipe. My girlfriend and I made these pickles on Saturday, and we ate two jars at Sunday supper with the family. Even just a day later, they were great!"
-wordslinger
"It doesn't get much easier than this. I just tossed the packet on the grill and forgot it for 40 minutes. When we put the meat on the grill I added cheese and bacon and moved the packet to the side."
-Guava Girl
"We are big pasta fans and are always on the lookout for new pasta dishes. This is a new family favorite. The flavors all work so well together, and everytime we make it for friends they want to know exactly how to make it."
-janiceswilor
"Do not skip the topping! It is what makes this so addictive. I have substituted different nuts like walnuts and hazelnuts. Just be sure they are toasted first to get the best flavor."
-GinaCucina
"I have used this recipe several times, and as a true southerner I can say that this is the most authentic cornbread recipe on this website. Thank you for not putting sugar in this recipe."
-Lindsey H.
"Ahhh, this is it! My mom used to make this when I was a kid. It was one of those recipes I never got from her. This is my first year growing cucumbers and I've got more than I can handle. I made this salad according to the recipe and this is it. Takes me back for sure."
-budderfish
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