4th Of July BBQ Ideas

It’s America’s favorite time of the summer - the 4th of July! The USA celebrates its independence every year with parades, fireworks, festivals, and of course - the best way to ring in another year as a sovereign nation - a BBQ! Check out our favorite 4th of July BBQ menu ideas to ring in this year with a bang.

4th of July Hot Dogs:

The only other thing that’s as American as apple pie is a grilled hot dog! The 4th of July is the biggest Hot Dog Holiday of the year: Americans will consume 150 million hot dogs at cookouts across the country. Hot dog toppings vary in different parts of the country - and the debate as to which toppings are the best is a hot one! New York style dogs are simply topped with spicy brown mustard, with either sauerkraut or sautéed onions in tomato paste.

Chicago Dogs on the other hand are famous for their array of toppings which include fresh tomatoes, a pickle spear, hot peppers, sweet onions, and vivid green relish (do not put ketchup on a Chicagoan’s hot dog - that raises their Midwest ire more than most things! When grilling hot dogs, we recommend creating a topping bar with a wide variety of condiments, so everyone is satisfied!

Burger Time

Another popular choice for your All-American Independence Day BBQ is a  good old-fashioned burger. The experts at Weber suggest using an 80% lean blend of brisket and chuck to make your burgers. We find the optimal patty to be about ¾ of an inch thick, simply seasoned with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper. Then throw it on the grill and watch the magic happen.

Get Ambitious with some Steak and Ribs

Impress your cookout guests with a selection of steaks and ribs on the grill. You can break these babies out early in the day as an appetizer or wait to make them the main course. Either way, you can’t go wrong. Check out our tips for making awesome ribs every time you fire up the grill! 

Don’t be a chicken - eat one.

You can grill chicken in so many different ways, the possibilities are endless and delicious. You have beer can chicken, rotisserie chicken, and you can get creative with chicken kabobs. Then there’s the classic drumsticks and wings to round out your July 4th menu!

Side Dishes for Your 4th of July BBQ

Don’t forget the sides! Some savory side dishes we love to see at a July 4th BBQ include fresh sweet corn on the cob, grilled Portabella mushrooms and zucchini, coleslaw, homemade potato salad, and of course, BBQ baked beans. 

Check out Let us know what’s on your menu this Independence Day, and share any recipes you love that were a hit with your BBQ guests!