Ready to steal the spotlight at your 4th of July cookout? These mouthwatering dishes are guaranteed to spark conversation (and cravings). From smoky meats to cool, creamy sides, this lineup hits all the holiday high notes without making you break a sweat in the kitchen. This recipe roundup brings together all the flavors of summer—think saucy BBQ pulled pork sliders, juicy Thai chicken, creamy mac and cheese, and refreshing fruit salad. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or keeping it low-key, there’s something here to impress every guest. You’re going to want to try them all.

Saucy BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders

Pork sliders on Hawaiian buns with extra barbecue sauce and melted cheese
Saucy BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Perfect party appetizers, pulled pork sliders with a sweet and tangy barbecue sandwich sauce, melted cheese, on sweet Hawaiian slider buns.
Get the Recipe: Saucy BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders

Easy Slow Cooker Sloppy Joe

Easy Slow Cooker Sloppy Joe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This made-from-scratch sloppy joe recipe for a crowd has a sweet and tangy sauce, easy to prepare and simmer in a slow cooker.
Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Sloppy Joe

Easy Flavorful Fruit Salad Recipe

A bowl of fruit salad containing strawberries, apples, grapes, kiwi, and pear, garnished with pomegranate seeds. A lemon half, a bowl of honey, and a spoon are placed around the bowl on a white surface.
Easy Flavorful Fruit Salad Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Make a beautiful fruit salad with a zesty honey-lemon dressing that can be ready in under 15 minutes. It’s a light, flavorful salad.
Get the Recipe: Easy Flavorful Fruit Salad Recipe

Spicy and Juicy Thai Chicken

thai chicken with coconut on it.
Spicy and Juicy Thai Chicken. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This spicy Thai chicken recipe cooks up juicy, flavored packed chicken breasts in 30 minutes for an easy weeknight meal everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Spicy and Juicy Thai Chicken

Tasty Grilled Corn In Husk

Grilled corn in the husk that has the husk removed
Tasty Grilled Corn In Husk. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Nothing says summer like grilling and corn on the cob, so this Grilled Corn In Husk recipe is the essence of summer flavors.
Get the Recipe: Tasty Grilled Corn In Husk

Savory BBQ Chicken Wings ( 3 Ingredients Only!)

bbq chicken wings with sauce brushed on
Savory BBQ Chicken Wings ( 3 Ingredients Only!). Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Easy 3 Ingredient Crockpot BBQ Chicken Wings Recipe made with three simple ingredients and a slow cooker, create tender finger-licking wings.
Get the Recipe: Savory BBQ Chicken Wings ( 3 Ingredients Only!)

Easy Chicken Salad With Grapes Recipe

Four triangular slices of wheat bread sandwiches filled with chicken salad, grapes, and green leafy vegetables on a white plate. The plate rests on a yellow and white striped cloth.
Easy Chicken Salad With Grapes Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This quick and easy chicken salad with grapes is packed with flavor! Made with tender chicken, juicy grapes, crunchy celery, and a creamy dressing, it’s ready in just 10 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Salad With Grapes Recipe

Creamiest and Cheesiest Mac And Cheese

Crock pot macaroni and cheese being scooped up with a spoon
Creamiest and Cheesiest Mac And Cheese. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

My slow cooker mac and cheese recipe uses all the best things in life: butter, Velveeta, half and half, and cheddar cheese. Only 20 min. prep.
Get the Recipe: Creamiest and Cheesiest Mac And Cheese

Quick and Creamy Cucumber Onion Salad Recipe

A close-up of a creamy cucumber salad garnished with fresh dill. The salad includes cucumber slices mixed with a creamy dressing, accented by bits of red onion. A wooden spoon rests on the side.
Quick and Creamy Cucumber Onion Salad Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Learn how to make a crisp, creamy cucumber onion salad! With thinly sliced cucumbers, onions, and sour cream, makes a quick side dish.
Get the Recipe: Quick and Creamy Cucumber Onion Salad Recipe

Delicious Bacon And Bourbon Baked Beans

Bourbon bacon and baked beans with a bottle of bourbon next to them
Delicious Bacon And Bourbon Baked Beans. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Easy slow cooker bourbon baked beans with a sweet barbecue sauce, bacon, brown sugar, molasses, and a touch of your favorite bourbon.
Get the Recipe: Delicious Bacon And Bourbon Baked Beans

Super Tender BBQ Pulled Pork

Pulled pork on a plate with two forks
Super Tender BBQ Pulled Pork. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

I’m going to teach you how to make super tender, smoky BBQ slow cooker pulled pork in under 10 minutes of prep to cooking time.
Get the Recipe: Super Tender BBQ Pulled Pork

Southern Beer Chili Hot Dog Toppings

Hot dogs in a bun smothered with chili and cheese on top
Southern Beer Chili Hot Dog Toppings. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

A bold and flavorful chili made with beer, using the PGA beer. This southern-style crock pot beer chili is packed with beef, beans, and corn.
Get the Recipe: Southern Beer Chili Hot Dog Toppings

Instant Pot Pulled BBQ Chicken

Instant pot hold barbecue chicken sandwich with Pickles
Instant Pot Pulled BBQ Chicken. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This quick and delicious Instant Pot pulled BBQ chicken recipe is perfect for sandwiches, BBQ plates, or tacos in just 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pulled BBQ Chicken

Grilled Tender Pork Kabobs

Grilled skewers of marinated meat, green bell peppers, and peach slices rest on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Grilled Tender Pork Kabobs. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Tender pieces of pork are paired with juicy chunks of peaches for a fresh summertime take on classic Pork Kabobs.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Tender Pork Kabobs

BBQ Pork Chops With Peach Barbecue Sauce Recipe

Two grilled bone-in pork chops with visible grill marks served on a black plate, accompanied by roasted asparagus spears on the side. A bowl of red sauce is partially visible in the corner.
BBQ Pork Chops With Peach Barbecue Sauce Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This naturally sweet barbecue sauce can be made with fresh or frozen peaches and it adds a ton of flavor to tender grilled pork chops.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Pork Chops With Peach Barbecue Sauce Recipe

Delicious Coleslaw Salad

Mexican Coleslaw
Delicious Coleslaw Salad. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

A little bit of spice, cilantro, fresh slaw, and a touch of sweetness makes this Mexican Coleslaw Salad a perfect side salad.
Get the Recipe: Delicious Coleslaw Salad

Amish Potato Salad Recipe

A bowl of creamy potato salad with diced potatoes, topped with a sprinkle of paprika. A wooden spoon is partially visible next to the bowl.
Amish Potato Salad Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Whip up this traditional Amish potato salad with a creamy dressing and tender potatoes. It’s the perfect side dish for potlucks.
Get the Recipe: Amish Potato Salad Recipe

Quick and Classic Deviled Eggs Recipe

A plate of deviled eggs is arranged neatly, each with a creamy orange filling and a sprinkle of paprika on top. The background features stacked white plates and a white cloth.
Quick and Classic Deviled Eggs Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Classic deviled eggs are little bites of goodness that combine hard-boiled eggs, some special seasonings with mayonnaise, and yellow mustard.
Get the Recipe: Quick and Classic Deviled Eggs Recipe

Delicious Smash Burgers Recipe

A close-up of a cheeseburger with melted cheese, pickles, and creamy sauce on a soft bun, placed on a dark plate.
Delicious Smash Burgers Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

There’s nothing better than a juicy hamburger with crispy edges, a SMASH Burger. All it needs is some cheese and SPECIAL SAUCE.
Get the Recipe: Delicious Smash Burgers Recipe

It’s Too Hot To Cook: Summer Dinner Ideas

A white plate filled with a creamy tuna salad mixed with chopped cucumbers and garnished with three cucumber slices on top. The plate is placed on a red and white striped cloth, with leafy greens on the side.
It’s Too Hot To Cook: Summer Dinner Ideas. Image Credit: Intentional Hospitality

When it’s just too hot to cook, these cool and satisfying summer dinner ideas are exactly what you need. From crisp salad bar spreads and refreshing cucumber tuna salad to creamy chicken salads loaded with grapes, pecans, or even a hint of curry, this collection is packed with light, flavorful meals that come together with minimal effort. You’ll also find Southern favorites like Masters egg salad and pimento cheese sandwiches, plus dainty tea sandwiches perfect for warm-weather gatherings. These easy no-cook and low-cook recipes are just right for those sweltering nights when turning on the oven isn’t an option—but a delicious dinner still is. Get All The Recipes: It’s Too Hot To Cook: Summer Dinner Ideas