Don’t underestimate the cooking people do to get ready for the Fourth of July.
The holiday’s official event is a barbecue, and the official colors are — what else — red, white and blue. We’ve put together a list of great recipes for any Fourth celebration, proving you don’t have to serve a mayo-slathered, sugar-laden feast to please your guests.
Click on the links below to check out the recipes:
Grilled Corn on the Cob with Cilantro Pesto, via Epicurious: What’s a cookout without corn on the cob? Cook fresh ears of corn in the husk on the grill, then brush them a deliciously creative cilantro pesto. Use only as much butter as you think is necessary!
Red, White and Blueberry Trifle, via Skinnytaste: Combine angel food cake, strawberries, blueberries and pastry cream for this light and patriotic dessert.
Watermelon Pico de Gallo, via Pioneer Woman: Combine bell peppers, watermelon, red onion and cilantro for a fresh pico de gallo that makes a great appetizer.
Lime and Peanut Coleslaw, via 101 Cookbooks: This totally fresh coleslaw needs no mayo to hold it together — making it a great light side for any barbecue.
Red, White and Blueberry Yogurt Popsicles, via The View From Great Island: This recipe only has three ingredients, but it takes some time. We think it’s worth the effort.
Vegan, Gluten-Free Chocolate Sorbet, via Elana’s Pantry: If you can’t have dairy or gluten, there’s no reason you have to miss out on a cool treat for the holiday. Water, chocolate and agave sweetener freeze together to make this delicious sorbet.
Three-tier Gluten-Free Fourth of July Cake, via The Culinary Life: This festive cake is a real showstopper — the three layers of chocolate cake and ganache will definitely impress all your guests.
Cherry-Strawberry Chia Seed Fool with Vanilla Bean Coconut Whipped Cream, via Oh She Glows: Here’s a great red and white vegan and gluten-free dessert that uses in-season fruit like cherries and strawberries.
Homemade Pink Lemonade, via Smitten Kitchen: Drop that lemonade powder and make something that actually has some nutrition value! This pink lemonade gets its color from raspberries and blackberries, not dye.
Potato Salad with 7-Minute Eggs and Mustard Vinaigrette, via Bon Appetit: This potato salad replaces the traditional mayo with an olive oil-based vinaigrette and gives it a protein boost from some hard boiled eggs.