Everything for an Independence Day cookout: burgers and steaks for the grill, low-and-slow ribs and brisket, a New England clambake and lobster rolls, the classic sides, and red, white and blue desserts. Below the recipes you will find how much to buy, the temperatures that matter, and how to keep food safe on a hot afternoon.
Classic Grilled Cheeseburger27 min total | 4 burgersThick, juicy grilled beef patties with melted American cheese on toasted sesame buns with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles. Makes 4.
Steakhouse Burger with Bacon and Mushrooms55 min total | 4 burgersA thick burger seared in cast iron and topped with aged Cheddar, crisp bacon, caramelized onions and sauteed mushrooms on a toasted brioche bun. Makes 4.
Grilled New York Strip with Herb Butter1 hr total | 4 servingsNew York strip steaks grilled over high heat and topped with a slice of parsley, chive, garlic and lemon compound butter that melts into a sauce. Serves 4.
New England Marinated Steak Tips4 hr 27 min total | 4 servingsSirloin tips marinated in soy, garlic, brown sugar and Worcestershire, then grilled or pan-seared until caramelized. A New England pub favorite. Serves 4.
Herbed Beef Kebabs6 hr 50 min totalSirloin cubes and green pepper marinated 6 hours to overnight in an herbed mustard and vinegar marinade, grilled with mushrooms over slow coals, with tomatoes on their own skewers.
Carne Asada4 hr 35 min total | 6 servingsFlank or skirt steak marinated in orange and lime juice with garlic, jalapeño, cilantro and cumin, grilled over high heat and sliced for tacos or plates. Serves 6.
Grilled Baby Back Ribs with Homemade Barbecue Sauce3 hr 20 min total | 4 servingsBaby back ribs baked low and slow in foil until tender, then finished on a hot grill with a homemade whiskey, honey and molasses barbecue sauce. Serves 4.
Yogurt-Marinated Chicken Kebabs1 hr 32 min total | 6 servingsChicken breast cubes marinated in Greek yogurt with tomato paste, garlic, lemon, red pepper and sweet paprika, then grilled on skewers. Serves 6.
Start these early: brisket and ribs take most of the day, and pulled pork can cook in the slow cooker while you set up.
Texas Smoked Brisket13 hr 30 min total | 12 to 16 servingsA whole packer brisket rubbed with coarse salt and pepper, smoked low and slow over oak or hickory, wrapped in butcher paper and rested until tender. Serves 12 to 16.
Smoked Baby Back Ribs5 hr 20 min total | 4 to 6 servingsBaby back ribs rubbed with a sweet and smoky spice blend, smoked low and slow, wrapped until tender and finished with a glossy barbecue sauce glaze. Serves 4 to 6.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork10 hr 15 min total | 10 servingsPork shoulder rubbed with brown sugar and smoked paprika, slow cooked with onions and cider vinegar until it falls apart, then tossed with barbecue sauce. Serves 10.
New England Clambake (Stovetop)1 hr 40 min total | 4 servingsA whole New England clambake layered in one big pot: red potatoes, onions, sausage, corn, lobsters, steamers and mussels, steamed together and served with melted butter. Serves 4.
Connecticut Lobster Roll (Warm with Butter)25 min total | 4 rollsChunks of sweet lobster warmed in melted butter with a squeeze of lemon and piled into a toasted, buttered split-top bun. The warm Connecticut-style roll. Makes 4.
Maine Lobster Roll (Cold with Mayo)50 min total | 4 rollsChilled lobster meat lightly dressed with mayonnaise, lemon, celery and chives, served in a toasted, buttered split-top bun. The classic Maine roll. Makes 4.
Grilled Oysters with Garlic Butter33 min total | 24 oysters, 4 servingsOysters on the half shell grilled until bubbling with garlic herb butter and Parmesan, the Gulf Coast way. Serves 4.
Tandoori Shrimp56 min total | 4 servingsShrimp marinated in spiced yogurt with garam masala, paprika, ginger and garlic, grilled on skewers until charred, and served with mint chutney. Serves 4.
Grilled Corn on the Cob with Chili Lime Butter22 min total | 6 earsHusked ears of corn grilled until charred in spots and brushed with a butter of lime zest, chili powder and smoked paprika. Ready in about 20 minutes; serves 6.
Potato Salad2 hr 10 min totalOld-fashioned potato salad of tender cubed potatoes with grated carrot and onion in a creamy dressing of mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar and water shaken in a jar.
Creamy Coleslaw1 hr 15 min total | 8 servingsCrisp shredded cabbage and carrot in a tangy, creamy dressing of mayonnaise, cider vinegar, a little sugar, Dijon and celery seed. Serves 8.
Doctored Baked Beans1 hr 40 min totalCanned baked beans baked slowly with brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, minced onion and green pepper at 325°F for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Bessie's Corn Bread35 min totalA sweet, tender cornbread made with King Arthur flour, cornmeal, milk, melted butter, an egg and a touch of vanilla, baked at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes.
Tomato Bruschetta35 min total | About 16 piecesSlices of grilled country bread rubbed with garlic and topped with ripe chopped tomatoes, fresh basil and good olive oil. The simplest Italian starter. Makes about 16.
Strawberries and blueberries are at their best in early July. Top strawberry shortcake with a handful of blueberries for the full red, white and blue.
Strawberry Shortcake1 hr 10 min total | 8 servingsTender homemade cream biscuits split and filled with juicy sugared strawberries and softly whipped cream. A summer classic; serves 8.
Fresh Strawberry Pie3 hr 25 min total | Serves 6 to 8An easy summer pie: whole fresh strawberries in a baked crust under a glaze of cooked crushed berries, sugar and cornstarch, chilled and served with whipped cream.
Blueberry Cake40 min total | 1 (9-inch round or 8-inch square) cakeA simple, not-too-sweet blueberry cake of flour, egg, milk or pineapple juice and fresh blueberries, baked at 375°F for 30 minutes in a 9-inch round or 8-inch square pan.
Key Lime Pie3 hr 45 min total | 1 (9-inch) pie, 8 servingsA tart, creamy key lime pie with a buttery graham cracker crust and a filling of lime juice, egg yolks and sweetened condensed milk, topped with whipped cream. Serves 8.
Charleston Iced Tea1 hr 10 min total | About 2 quartsIced tea steeped with a cinnamon stick and slices of orange and lemon for an hour, served over ice with fresh mint.
Strawberry Daiquiri5 min total | About 4 drinksA frozen strawberry daiquiri blended from frozen limeade or lemonade, rum measured with the can, fresh strawberries and ice.
| Food | Plan on, per person |
|---|---|
| Burgers | 1 to 2 patties of 1/3 pound each |
| Hot dogs or sausages | 1 to 2 |
| Steak | 8 to 12 ounces boneless |
| Baby back ribs | 1/2 to 1 rack |
| Brisket (raw weight) | about 1/2 pound; it loses close to half its weight cooking |
| Chicken pieces, bone-in | 2 pieces, about 3/4 pound |
| Side dishes | about 1/2 cup of each |
| Food | Safe minimum internal temperature |
|---|---|
| Burgers and sausages (beef, pork) | 160°F |
| Chicken and turkey, including ground | 165°F |
| Steaks, chops and roasts (beef, pork, lamb) | 145°F, then rest 3 minutes |
| Fish and shellfish | 145°F |
| Hot dogs and precooked sausages | 165°F, steaming hot |
Steak lovers often take steaks off at 130 to 135°F for medium-rare; the USDA safe minimum is 145°F. Use an instant-read thermometer for everything; color is not a reliable guide, especially for burgers. Our cooking time calculator and steak doneness chart have the details.
Holiday guides: Thanksgiving dinner | Feast of the Seven Fishes | Swedish Christmas julbord | New Year's Eve | Super Bowl party | Passover | Easter dinner | Fourth of July BBQ | All holiday recipes | Meal planner
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