Effortless 4th of July Barbeque ideas | Recipes, Decor How To and More (2024)

What do you think of when you hear 4th of July party? I think of outdoor barbeques, sparklers, watermelon, lemonade and cool desserts! I wanted to share some my favorite 4th of July barbeque ideas that are both easy and quick.

Easy 4th of July Barbeque Ideas

Starting with the nighttime photo, however, it looked very different when the party started in the early evening as you scroll you can see how everything changed. As it got later and the sun had set we moved the different “stations” closer to the string lights in the tree.

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4th of July party

Who wants to spend all day cooking for a party? I sure don’t and I guess you don’t either, so I wanted to share my quick and easy 4th of July barbeque ideas with you so you can get back to enjoying your day with you family and friends. Did I mention it is budget friendly too?

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Bar cart for self-serve drinks and desserts

My hardest working piece of furniture for entertaining is my vintage bar cart. I use it for every holiday because its so versatile and easy to decorate. In minutes I can replace the bunting and its ready for the next event.

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4th of July Bar Cart

This vintage bar cart would not be complete without my favorite vintage ice bucket.

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Bar Cart Ice Bucket

The lemonade (see my friend’s recipe HERE) looks so festive served in the clear glass pitcher with the large square ice cubes. I was amazed at how easy these new ice cube trays were to empty (I remember the old metal ones with the lever) so I am going to order them in every size.

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Homemade Lemonade

Self-serve canned drinks

How about a vintage rolling laundry basket for a canned drink station? Its perfect since the condensation looks so refreshing and it drips right off. I bet you guessed by now that I adore bunting. You can see the cute red, white and blue bunting my daughter made a couple of years ago.

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Canned drink station

Grab your own sparklers

I wanted the guests to help themselves to the over-sized sparklers, so I displayed a sign with them. The sign I whipped up on my computer and added stars I cut out with my Cricut Maker then I strung fairy lights around the sign.

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Handmade bunting

Jar flower arrangements

The flower arrangements I made in jars with wire lid inserts which make arranging flowers a dream.

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Seating area

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Relaxing with a cold lemonade

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Handmade outdoor pillows

Message board with menu lets my guests know what will be served.

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4th of July menu

A galvanized pail holds the bandanna’s that I am using for napkin silverware rolls tied up with tassel napkin rings (see how I made the tassels HERE).

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Napkin with silverware and tassels

Grilled sausage could not be easier to cook and everyone loves them. I made my friends recipe for grilled zucchini with cheese and it was a hit!

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Grilled and chilled from the menu

Desserts

Keto-friendly red white and blue dessert jars are a breeze to serve. You can find the recipe in an earlier post HERE!

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Easy to serve desserts

Light and moist vanilla cake garnished with red and blue fruit for the 4th of July.

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French Vanilla Cake with fruit garnish

For the chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches I made the Nestle Toll House recipe from the back of the chocolate chip bag. I used vanilla ice cream between the cooled cookies and added sprinkles. Note: serve them fast!

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Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

These delicious infused waters were made by a friend, Jamielyn from I heart Nap-time. I wanted to share how she makes them HERE. These healthy and super hydrating drinks are served up in jars with fun lids and straws.

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Fruit infused water

These easy block signs I DIY’ed in minutes you can see the how I made them in an earlier post HERE.

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4th of July signs

Those empty almond butter jars that I have been saving came in handy for mood-lighting for the party I just dropped in tealights and lit them right before my guests arrived. I used pretty paper plates and added a red star that I cut with my Cricut Maker to each place setting.

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Simple 4th of July barbeque table settings

Every place setting had a jar tealight that added a wee bit of something special and a little more light. I used silk eucalyptus and real lemons as my table-runner and the center piece were my DIY block signs and jar flower arrangements.

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Re-cycle jar lights

I used wire to hang some of the jar lights in the trees.

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Re-cycle jar lights place settings

Nighttime at the 4th of July barbeque

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Fairy lights at night

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Light up the night sparkler sign

The fairy lights add some fun to the signs I made. After it was totally dark out I moved everything closer to the string lights in the trees and lit some sparklers that I pushed into the ground. You can see my one-board-bench is holding the menu flags and jar with filled with fairy lights

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Nighttime view of the party

You might also enjoy these posts:

DIY 4th of July Decorations.

Effortless 4th of July Barbeque ideas | Recipes, Decor How To and More (25)

4th of July Signs

How to make tassels.

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Napkin with silverware and tassels

My Amazon Picks:

I would love to hear about your 4th of July plans please let me know what you are planning in the comments below.

Happy 4th of July,

Kippi

Effortless 4th of July Barbeque ideas | Recipes, Decor How To and More (2024)

FAQs

What do you bring to a 4th of July BBQ? ›

Other popular dishes are ribs, coleslaw, and fried chicken. What is a good side dish or dessert to bring to a 4th of July party? A good side dish to bring to a 4th of July party may be pasta or macaroni salad, baked beans, potato salad, grilled corn, or fruit salad.

How do you plan a 4th of July BBQ? ›

Organization

You should have your BBQ station, drink station, a few conversation stations with nibbles, and one or two activity stations. The reason you want to do this is to ensure that your guests aren't just hovering around with nothing to do.

What is a cheap thing to bring to a BBQ? ›

Beans, chips, macaroni salad, grilled veggies, slaw, potato salad and watermelon are just a few examples of BBQ side staples that are budget-friendly crowd favorites.

What is not usually served at a 4th of July cookout? ›

Chocolate- It's going to melt in the heat, so skip this sweet treat. Deviled eggs- People still love this retro appetizer, but that egg-yolk-and-mayo filling can spoil quickly. Fatty steaks- It can be tough to cut through a big chunk of meat with a plastic fork and knife.

What to bring to BBQ easy? ›

Here's our list of 7 things to bring to a summer BBQ (that are WAY better than chips!):
  1. Fresh Fruit Platter. ...
  2. Tasty Skewers With Fresh Veggies & Produce. ...
  3. Margarita Pitchers. ...
  4. Desserts From Yours Truly. ...
  5. Quebrada Corn Muffins. ...
  6. A Refreshing Salad (with or without pasta) ...
  7. A Keg, or a Few Six Packs.

What to serve 30 people at a BBQ? ›

Citrus and yogurt marinated grilled chicken thigh skewers are the perfect easy BBQ idea for a crowd.
  • Lemon-Marinated Grilled Chicken Thigh Skewers Recipe.
  • Mustard Chive Grilled Flank Steak Recipe.
  • Grilled Pork Chops Recipe.
  • Grilled Carne Asada with Cilantro Lime Marinade Recipe.
May 27, 2022

What is the best meat for a BBQ party? ›

Some of the best BBQ meats include steak, pork chops, ribs, succulent chicken thighs and breasts, burgers, fish, and sausages. Enhance your proteins by marinating them overnight in spices, herbs, and oils for added flavour.

How do you have a successful 4th of July party? ›

To make your 4th of July party fun, focus on creating a festive atmosphere with patriotic decorations, fun activities, and a variety of food and drink options. Incorporate games and activities that will be enjoyed by guests of all ages, like a movie screening, a bingo or trivia game, or sparkler lighting.

How do I host the best summer BBQ? ›

Make your backyard barbecue party one to remember with these 8 tips.
  1. Keep it Simple. The key to a great barbecue is to keep it casual. ...
  2. Take a Seat. ...
  3. Get Groovin' ...
  4. Avoid a Condiment Catastrophe. ...
  5. Stock the Bar. ...
  6. Entertain the Masses. ...
  7. Bugger Off. ...
  8. Two Words: Sundae Bar.

What not to bring to a BBQ? ›

So if you want to avoid the possibility of melted treats and food poisoning, try your best to avoid serving these items at your next cookout.
  • Canned foods. Anthony Berenyi/Shutterstock. ...
  • Cheese plate. ...
  • Chocolate. ...
  • Dark and heavily carbonated beer. ...
  • Deviled eggs. ...
  • Drinks in glass bottles. ...
  • Elaborate desserts. ...
  • Flavored chips only.
May 17, 2021

What are two essential items for a barbecue? ›

Tools and Gear
  • Grill or smoker. Any kind will do! ...
  • Spatula and tongs. For flipping burgers, hot dogs, veggies, buns. ...
  • Fuel: charcoal, wood, pellets, kerosene.
  • Lighter or long matches.
  • Heat-resistant gloves. No need to burn yourself.
  • Apron. For that classic barbecue look!
  • Thermometer. Necessary for perfection!
  • Timer.

What do you bring to a BBQ when told not to take anything? ›

Ideas for Host Gifts They'll Love

On Trent's list of treats she loves to give and receive: a favorite room spray with a cute ribbon, a simple candle with a sweet note, or a single flower in a keepsake bud vase. "This is always cute, because it's meant just for the host," she says of the individual bloom.

Should you bring something when invited to a BBQ? ›

Ask if there's anything you can bring

Sure, most hosts will say something along the lines of 'don't worry, just bring yourself' but it's always polite to bring something with you to the barbecue, even if it's just a bottle of wine or some sides.

What should I bring to a BBQ party as a guest? ›

Arriving with a ready-to-grill main course is always appreciated. Consider bringing marinated meats, poultry, or a vegetarian option that can cater to various dietary preferences. Classic choices like sausages or hot dogs are also fail-safe, crowd-pleasing options.

What should I bring to someone's house for BBQ? ›

Unique and Delicious Things to Bring to a BBQ People Actually...
  • The Meat. The sky is your limit when it comes to BBQ meat, but our top picks are steaks, sausages, ribs, burgers, chicken wings and thighs. ...
  • Beverages. Frozen Margarita. ...
  • Side Dishes. ...
  • Salads. ...
  • Dessert.

Should you bring a gift to a BBQ? ›

Guests should always bring a little gift for the hosts, either chocolates or wine and must always be on time. You should not arrive before the appointed time but you can arrive up to 10 minutes after.

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