Fast and Festive: 4th of July Recipes for When You're Short on Time
The 4th of July is a time for fireworks, parades, and, of course, gatherings filled with delicious red, white, and blue food. If you’re searching for festive dishes that will light up your holiday party but are short on time, let us take that worry off your plate with this collection of stress-free 4th of July recipes!
At Culinary Care, we believe food should be something everyone looks forward to and that it should make the day better. These recipes are designed to do just that! They're easy to prepare without a lot of fuss, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time savoring moments with your loved ones.
Each recipe can be adjusted to meet different dietary needs, so feel free to mix and match ingredients as needed.
Enjoy!
*Before incorporating a new recipe into your diet, please consult with your healthcare provider to ensure compatibility with your treatment plan & health needs.
Festive Fruit Salad
Recipe from Melissa's Healthy Kitchen
Ahhh, the perfect summer treat—sweet, refreshing, and bursting with star-spangled goodness!
Ingredients:
Watermelon
Mint
Strawberries
Blueberries
Jicama (or banana/pears if unavailable)
Optional: juice of a lime, Manuka honey drizzle, sea salt
Instructions:
Cut the watermelon into bite-sized pieces and add to a bowl.
Add blueberries and sliced strawberries.
Peel and slice the jicama, then use a star cookie cutter to form stars (or use banana/pears as substitutes).
Add fresh chopped mint.
If desired, add the optional lime juice, Manuka honey drizzle, and sea salt on top.
Fruit Firecrackers
Recipe from Melissa's Healthy Kitchen
These fun fruit firecrackers will be a sparkling hit with kids and adults alike, offering a burst of festive flavor with every bite!
Ingredients:
Watermelon
Mini marshmallows
Blueberries
Skewers
Star cookie cutter
Instructions:
Cut the watermelon, and with the star cookie cutter, cut out watermelon stars.
Take your skewer, add blueberries and mini marshmallows, and top with the star watermelon.
Strawberry Avocado Chicken Salad
Recipe from Melissa's Healthy Kitchen
This refreshing salad is packed with superfoods and healthy fats, making it a nutritious and delicious option for your 4th of July festivities!
Ingredients:
Supergreens (like kale or spinach)
Strawberries
Blackberries or blueberries (or both!)
Feta cheese or goat cheese
Candied pecans
Avocado
Diced chicken
Balsamic and vinegar dressing
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
Mix and add balsamic and vinegar dressing.
Beet Hummus (Dairy-Free)
This vibrant beet hummus is not only visually stunning but also packed with so much goodness!
Ingredients:
Red beets (fresh roasted or pre-cooked)
Chickpeas
Tahini
Lemon juice
Garlic
Olive oil
Parsley (optional)
Dippers like crunchy veggies and pita bread
Instructions:
If using fresh beets, roast them at 375°F for about an hour until tender. Peel and chop.
Add beets, chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic to a food processor. Blend until smooth.
While the processor is running, stream in olive oil.
Spoon into a bowl and optionally season with salt, pepper, and chopped parsley.
Serve with dippers like crunchy veggies and pita bread.
Chia Seed Pudding with Summer Berries
Recipe from The Veg Connection
This is a delicious and nutritious way to start your holiday or enjoy it as a dessert!
Ingredients:
1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
½ cup soy or almond milk
6 tablespoons chia seeds
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup raspberries
½ cup blueberries
Instructions:
Combine coconut milk, soy or almond milk, chia seeds, 1 tablespoon sugar, and vanilla extract in a medium mixing bowl. Taste and add more sugar if desired. Cover and refrigerate overnight or at least 3 hours.
Before serving, mash raspberries with a fork and 1 tablespoon sugar.
Divide chia seed pudding among 4 glasses, layer with raspberry mash, and top with blueberries.
Watermelon Dessert “Pizza”
Recipe from Health My Lifestyle
This is the perfect summer treat—sweet, refreshing, and 100% plant-based, making it a delightful, healthy, and hydrating addition to your 4th of July celebration.
Ingredients:
1 ripe watermelon
1 can (15 oz) coconut cream
1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Your favorite fruit (berries, kiwi, grapes)
Optional toppings: granola, coconut shavings, chocolate chips, chopped nuts, maple syrup
Instructions:
Refrigerate the sliced watermelon to keep them cool until you’re ready to assemble your “pizzas.”
For the coconut whipped cream: Chill a can of coconut cream in the fridge overnight. Beat the solidified cream in a chilled bowl for 5-7 minutes until soft peaks form. Optionally, add sugar and vanilla extract and beat for another minute.
Spread the coconut whipped cream on watermelon slices.
Top with sliced fruit and optional toppings.
Fresh Blueberry Salsa
Recipe from Cooking With Mama C
Fresh blueberry salsa is a unique and delightful addition to your 4th of July spread, packed with flavor and perfect for snacking or as a topping for grilled dishes.
Ingredients:
3 cups fresh blueberries (divided use)
2/3 of a medium red apple
1/2 of a red bell pepper
2/3 cup chopped red onion
1 jalapeño
1/3 cup fresh cilantro leaves
Juice of 1 lime
2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
1 teaspoon hot sauce
1/3 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon sugar
Tortilla chips for serving
Instructions:
Rinse blueberries and remove any stems. Pat them dry. Place two cups of the berries in a medium bowl. Save the remaining cup of blueberries for later.
Chop the apple, red bell pepper, red onion, and jalapeño. Add them to the bowl with the blueberries.
Add the chopped cilantro, lime juice, applesauce, hot sauce, salt, black pepper, and sugar. Toss everything to mix.
Pulse the mixture briefly in a food processor or blender until everything is chopped but not liquified.
Drain any excess liquid and return the chopped salsa to the mixing bowl. Stir in the remaining cup of whole blueberries.
Refrigerate the salsa for an hour before serving. Serve with tortilla chips or as a topping for grilled salmon or chicken.
Low-Carb Eggplant, Red Pepper, & Mozzarella Stack
This recipe is a festive and healthy appetizer that's perfect for 4th of July gatherings, providing a delicious mix of flavors and vitamins that support overall health.
📷 Fiton
Ingredients:
2 eggplants, cut into ½ – 1-inch slices
2 red bell peppers, cut into quarters
8 oz. fresh mozzarella, sliced
Olive oil, to coat
Optional toppings: pesto, balsamic vinegar, fresh herbs
Instructions:
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Brush the sliced eggplant and bell pepper with olive oil and a dash of salt.
Grill peppers for 3-5 minutes on each side and eggplant for 6-8 minutes on each side, or until soft and charred. Remove from heat and set aside.
To build your stack, start with the roasted eggplant as your base. Layer with one slice of roasted red pepper topped with a slice of mozzarella cheese. Option to place back on the grill for 2-3 minutes to melt the cheese.
Drizzle with balsamic vinegar, pesto, or olive oil and add fresh herbs if desired.
Massaged Kale Salad
Recipe from Melissa's Healthy Kitchen
This salad is delicious, refreshing, and rich in antioxidants and vitamins.
Ingredients:
Kale
Olive oil
Lemon juice
Manuka honey
Salt + pepper to taste
Candied pecans
Strawberries
Blueberries
Blueberry goat cheese or any type of cheese you like
Instructions:
Add the chopped kale to a large bowl.
Drizzle with olive oil, lemon juice, Manuka honey, salt, and pepper.
Massage the kale with your hands for a couple of minutes until it becomes darker green and softer in texture.
Add candied pecans, sliced strawberries, blueberries, and crumbled blueberry goat cheese or your preferred cheese.
Toss everything together and serve.
We hope these recipes take one worry off your plate this 4th of July and allow you to enjoy the festive foods, feel the joy, and savor every moment with your loved ones.
Have a delicious, healthy, and spark-tacular 4th of July!
Culinary Care is a nonprofit that delivers free restaurant-made meals to families during cancer treatment, served with a generous side of community support, happiness, and hope. This summer, be one of 52 people to join The Line, our monthly giving community, and you’ll fill someone’s summer with joyful moments they’ll be able to savor forever.
