Dinner Party Diaries – Volume 2 Issue 15 – 4th of July Menu Ideas
In my head, a 4th of July celebration represents the peak of summer and all of the “fun in the sun.” I have these visions of picnic tables filled to the brink with food, water games, and kids running around having fun. In service of that ideal, here are some 4th of July Menu Ideas to inspire your upcoming celebration(s).
While I realize that much of that idealized visual can be attributed to a narrative generated by marketing departments for the retail and entertainment industries, I’ll choose to enjoy it and all of the associated food anyway and hope you do too. 😀 Enjoy!
The Details
Serving Style: Buffet
Some Menu Ideas for Your 4th of July Celebration(s)
Appetizers
When it comes to appetizers for celebrations like the 4th of July, I often lean into recipes that fall a bit more on the heavy side. I don’t know what your celebrations are like, but ours are usually more smorgasbord-like with people continuing to grab food a couple bites at a time throughout the life of the party.
Bacon-Wrapped Low Carb BBQ Hot Dog Bites
I’m always a fan of these Bacon-Wrapped Low Carb BBQ Hot Dog Bites and am pretty sure I could eat about a million of them. While you could technically make these on the grill, I recommend the oven as directed purely for the sake of more easily preventing the bacon from unwrapping and falling through the grill grates. (Smoky mess and waste of bacon.)
These little Mini Low Carb Tomato Furikake Toasts are another fun one for the summer. If desired, you could easily add some bacon and a piece of lettuce to these to transform them into mini BLTs. However, I also love them as-is.
Entrées
For 4th of July celebrations, I like making the entrées conducive to picnic plates (i.e. things that don’t require much in the way of cutting). Sandwiches and wraps made with low carb buns or lettuce wraps are easy ways to go. While classics are often classics because they’re crowd pleasers, I like to add some fun to the menu by incorporating some less expected flavors. You could choose offerings like specialty brats or assorted pulled meats with varied flavor profiles. Both of the pulled meats I have listed below work beautifully for making in advance and then reheating to serve.
Some of my favorite brats include: Roasted Red Pepper & Smoked Mozzarella Chicken Brats; Porcini Mushroom Brats; Spinach & Feta Chicken Sausage; Cheddar, Jalapeno & Bacon Brat Burgers; and Turkey, Apple, & Caramelized Onion Brats.
I love this Braised Pork All’Arrabbiata for a bit of a twist on pulled pork sandwiches or wraps. The fire-roasted tomatoes lend a nice smoky depth to the dish.
Keto BBQ Rubbed Chicken Thighs
You can either just stick one of these Keto BBQ Rubbed Chicken Thigh on a bun with some accouterments or shred them in advance and serve as pulled chicken. Both ways are delicious.
Sides
I may actually enjoy making sides more than entrées much of the time. Or maybe it’s just that I call things sides that could easily be main courses as well. That’s probably because I find myself more easily able to justify adding copious amounts of cream and / or cheese if it’s a “side.” Hmmm . . . I’m sure there’s some self-reflection due on that topic. Anyway . . . check these out.
Sticking with my preference in this menu for recipes that can be made in advance and then stored, my Keto Asian Noodle Salad is another fun addition. It’s a great way to scratch the itch for a cold pasta salad without all the carbs.
Tropical Summer Chayote Squash Salad
Although a relatively new addition to my repertoire, this Tropical Summer Chayote Squash Salad makes a fantastic, no-cook addition to any summer menu. The flavors are bright and light.
Desserts
For dessert, I’m sticking with summer flavors for the win. These can both be made in advance and stored in the fridge until you’re ready to put them out for your party spread.
Keto Blueberry Spice Cookies with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
I’m a little obsessed with these Keto Blueberry Cookies with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting. Make them with the frosting or without. Either way, they’re a terrific grab and go treat.
Reminiscent of a summer picnic favorite from childhood, this Keto Pineapple Bread Pudding is a sweet treat with a little tropical flair. You can heat it if you wish or just let it come up to room temperature.
Wine and Cocktail Pairings
- Rosé Wine
- When the heat is up, I love a good rosé
- Cakebread Cellars Vin de Porche
- Brasswood Cellars Rosé of Pinot Noir
- Trefethen S.I.N. (Summer in Napa)
- Corison Touriga Nacional Rosé Corazón
- Whispering Angel
- Charles & Charles
- White Wine
- Trefethen Dry Riesling
- Gundlach Bundschu Gewürztraminer
- Peju Winery Sauvignon Blanc
- Red Wine
- I’d suggest a syrah / shiraz
- Cakebread Cellars Syrah Suscol Springs Vineyard
- Cocktails
4th of July Recipe Ideas
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