Get ahead for the holiday with these make-ahead 4th of July side dishes. From potato salads to veggie slaws and pasta salads, these crowd-pleasing recipes are perfect for summer celebrations. Recipes like our Easy Bean Salad with Herby Salsa Verde and Sticky Hoisin Corn Ribs will bring bold flavor to your table while helping make 4th of July entertaining a breeze.
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Easy Bean Salad With Herby Salsa Verde
This refreshing bean salad gets a lift from a quick homemade salsa verde packed with fresh herbs, jalapeño and lime. A mix of creamy beans, crisp radishes and smoky corn makes it hearty enough for a light lunch or easy dinner.
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02 of 19
Sticky Hoisin Corn Ribs
If you’re looking for a fun side dish, these corn ribs are an excellent choice. Cutting the corn into a rib shape is easier than you might think—be sure to use a downward rocking motion, as it allows the knife to do the work and keeps your fingers safe. The hoisin glaze coats the “ribs” for a sweet, salty and tangy bite that you won’t soon forget. Smoked paprika mimics the flavor of the grill, but you can use regular.
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03 of 19
High-Protein Creamy Cucumber-Tomato Salad with Feta & Chickpeas
This high-protein cucumber-tomato salad gets a creamy upgrade with a blended cottage cheese dressing. Fresh herbs, lemon and garlic add bright, savory flavor, while chickpeas and feta boost the protein to make it more satisfying than a typical side. It’s a refreshing, no-cook dish that pairs well with a variety of mains.
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04 of 19
Chunky Black Bean Salsa with Corn & Bell Pepper
This TikTok-trending, veggie-packed salsa gets inspiration from Texas caviar (aka cowboy caviar), a dish created in 1940 to ring in the New Year by Helen Corbitt, who was a chef at Neiman Marcus. Scoop it up with tortilla chips or try it as a topping for grilled meat or fish, or as a filling for a quick quesadilla.
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05 of 19
My Mayo-Free Potato Salad Is the Summer Side You Didn’t Know You Needed
Dressed with a tangy lemon vinaigrette and fresh mint, this potato salad makes the perfect summer potluck contribution.
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06 of 19
Scalloped Corn
Each bite of this spoonable scalloped corn features sweet, crunchy nuggets of corn in a creamy sauce topped with crispy crushed crackers. We use frozen corn to keep the prep time to a minimum, but if fresh corn is in season, it won’t disappoint. You will need 12 to 16 ears of corn to get 8 cups of corn kernels. Serve this easy side dish alongside pulled pork or ribs at your next barbecue, with collard greens on the side.
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07 of 19
Marry Me White Bean Salad
This Marry Me White Bean Salad is a bright, flavor-packed dish that’s hard not to fall for and pulls inspiration from Marry Me Chicken. Tender white beans are tossed with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil and a creamy dressing that soaks into every bite. It’s quick to throw together and perfect for meal prep, picnics or pairing with grilled meats.
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08 of 19
High-Protein Veggie Salad
This colorful, protein-packed salad combines black beans, fresh vegetables and a zesty lime dressing for a quick, satisfying meal. With fiber-rich beans, leafy greens and healthy fats from avocado oil, it delivers bold, fresh flavor in every bite.
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09 of 19
Tex-Mex Pasta Salad
A light and creamy green-salsa dressing highlights this easy pasta salad with Southwestern flavors.
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10 of 19
One Bite of Jerk Corn on the Cob Takes Me Back to Summer Family Gatherings
Sweet corn is coated in a jerk-inspired sauce that combines the lively heat of traditional jerk chiles and spices with the sweetness and smokiness of grilled corn. Any extra sauce that doesn’t nestle between the kernels is equally delicious slathered over grilled meat, seafood and vegetables.
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Green Goddess Salad
This green goddess salad is crisp, creamy and packed with fresh herbs. A vibrant basil-yogurt dressing coats crunchy cabbage, romaine and cucumber, while avocado adds richness for a refreshing side that pairs well with grilled meats or seafood.
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Bang Bang Broccoli Salad
This bang bang broccoli salad features the classic creamy, sweet and spicy bang bang sauce—made with mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce and Sriracha—for a bold flavor that balances heat with a hint of sweetness. It’s typically used as a dipping sauce; here we use it as a dressing instead to coat crispy veggies, delivering a satisfying kick.
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13 of 19
Roasted Vegetable & Bean Pasta Salad
This easy pasta salad is a crowd-pleasing dish for any occasion. Roasted vegetables and white beans add plant-based fiber and protein, while a quick herb vinaigrette ties everything together. If you want to make it more filling, grilled chicken would be an excellent addition.
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14 of 19
Carrot-Vinegar Salad
This carrot-vinegar salad is a simple, refreshing side that highlights crisp vegetables and a lightly sweet-tangy dressing. Finished with fresh herbs, this quick salad pairs well with a variety of main dishes and comes together in just 20 minutes.
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Fresh Tomato Salsa
This easy fresh tomato salsa recipe yields about 5 cups of salsa—plenty to serve a crowd. If you like spicy salsa, use the full amount of jalapeños and add more cayenne pepper. Serve with chips, tacos and more.
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16 of 19
Caprese Skewers
We take all the ingredients of a classic caprese salad and layer them onto skewers for a quick appetizer. These tomato-mozzarella-basil skewers are easy to assemble and perfect for a party.
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17 of 19
Easy Pineapple Coleslaw
This easy pineapple coleslaw is a fresh take on the traditional coleslaw recipe—it contains those familiar savory flavors plus a touch of sweetness thanks to the pineapple. If you prefer a more tart-tasting slaw, feel free to add an extra tablespoon of lemon juice. This recipe is part of our Juneteenth Family Cookout Menu.
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Blueberry-Peach Salad with Sesame-Ginger Balsamic Vinaigrette
In this installment of Diaspora DiningJessica B. Harris’ series on foods of the African diaspora, fresh summer fruit stars in a salad that’s perfect for serving at your Juneteenth barbecue.
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Arugula & Potato Salad with Herbs
Capers and mustard add tanginess to this creamy salad, while chives, dill and parsley add fresh flavor and a splash of color.
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