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  4. 4th of July Recipes
  5. Healthy 4th of July Side Dish Recipes
  6. 22 Make-Ahead Side Dishes That Are a 4th of July Must

22 Make-Ahead Side Dishes That Are a 4th of July Must

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Danielle DeAngelis June 27, 2022
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Celebrate the 4th of July weekend with these delicious side dishes that you can make ahead of time. From creamy pasta salads to colorful veggie slaws, these recipes are perfect for any backyard BBQ or lakeside get-together. Recipes like our Loaded Broccoli Salad and Classic Deviled Eggs are perfect for the holiday and will save you time, so you can fully enjoy your festivities.

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Loaded Broccoli Salad

Loaded Broccoli Salad
Credit: Photographer / Brie Passano, Food Stylist / Annie Probst, Prop Stylist / Holly Raibikis
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This is the broccoli salad you will get special requests for. The combination of bacon, sour cream, mayonnaise, scallions and Cheddar is hard to resist. And the addition of rice vinegar or cider vinegar sharpens all the flavors.

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Fresh Tomato Salsa

Fresh Tomato Salsa
Credit: Jason Donnelly
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This easy fresh tomato salsa recipe yields about 5 cups of salsa—plenty to serve a crowd. If you like spicy salsa, use the full amount of jalapeños and add more cayenne pepper. Serve with chips, tacos and more.

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Classic Deviled Eggs

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We love the taste of dill relish in the filling of this deviled egg recipe, but if you like a sweeter deviled egg' opt for sweet relish instead. Our secret to healthy, creamy deviled eggs with fewer calories is to swap out half the full-fat mayo for nonfat Greek yogurt.

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Taco Dip with Tomato Wedges

Taco Dip with Tomato Wedges
Credit: Ted & Chelsea Cavanaugh
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Enjoy a fresh tomato in all its ripe glory with this simple creamy dip. A little taco seasoning, lime and cheese adds tons of flavor to protein-packed Greek yogurt for a satisfying snack.

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Caprese Skewers

Tomato-Basil Skewers
Credit: Photographer / Jen Causey, Food Stylist / Emily Nabors Hall
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We take all the ingredients of a classic caprese salad and layer them onto skewers for a quick appetizer. These tomato-mozzarella-basil skewers are easy to assemble and perfect for a party.

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Watermelon, Cucumber & Feta Salad

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Here's a healthy salad recipe to make at the height of summer when watermelon and cucumbers are at their juiciest and most flavorful. Feta adds the perfect creamy, salty, tangy edge, and mint makes this salad taste even brighter. This is one easy side salad you'll want to serve at all your summer BBQs.

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Cucumber Pasta Salad

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This light and tangy cucumber pasta salad is fresh and bright. The orecchiette pasta holds the dressing for flavor in every bite, but you can use another small pasta shape if you like. This easy salad is perfect for a warm day or to serve as a lunch dish for company! For a fruitier flavor, try apple-cider vinegar in place of white distilled vinegar.

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American Flag Caprese Salad with Blueberry-Balsamic Vinaigrette

overhead shot of an American flag made out of cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls and blueberries
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This caprese salad with a patriotic twist marries the flavors of cherry tomatoes and creamy fresh mozzarella with fruity blueberries. A sweet and tangy blueberry dressing served on the side helps pull it all together on the plate. Garnish with fresh basil leaves to round out the summery flavors.

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Easy Pineapple Coleslaw

Easy Pineapple Coleslaw
Credit: Andrea Mathis
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This easy pineapple coleslaw is a fresh take on the traditional coleslaw recipe—it contains those familiar savory flavors plus a touch of sweetness thanks to the pineapple. If you prefer a more tart-tasting slaw, feel free to add an additional tablespoon of lemon juice. This recipe is part of our Juneteenth Family Cookout Menu.

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Quinoa-Herb Tomato & Balsamic Salad

quinoa herb tomato salad
Credit: Andrea Mathis, M.A., R.D.N., L.D.
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In this easy tomato salad recipe, we add a healthy kick of protein and fiber in the form of quinoa. This whole grain helps make this veggie-packed salad more satisfying, which makes it the perfect thing to pack up for lunch or serve as a dinner side. This delicious salad takes just 10 minutes to make and while you could eat it right away, it tastes even better the longer it sits, so plan to leave at least an hour of marinating time before serving.

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Quick Pickled Zucchini Ribbons

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Lively tasting quick pickled zucchini is a nice addition to any summer lunch or dinner spread. Cutting the zucchini into long strips makes for a pretty presentation.

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Blueberry-Peach Salad with Sesame-Ginger Balsamic Vinaigrette

Blueberry Peach Salad with Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette
Credit: Jacob Fox
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In this installment of Diaspora Dining, Jessica B. Harris' series on foods of the African diaspora, fresh summer fruit stars in a salad that's perfect for serving at your Juneteenth barbecue. 

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Dill-Pickle Pasta Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing

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If you're a fan of pickles, this easy pasta salad will easily become your go-to. If you want to give it some extra kick, an additional teaspoon or two of hot sauce will do the trick. Pair it with anything hot off the grill or pack it up for a picnic. It can also easily translate from a side dish to an entree by adding a can of flaked tuna or shredded chicken.

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Curried Potato Salad

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In this healthy and creamy potato salad recipe, yogurt replaces half of the mayo and we keep the potato skins on for more fiber and potassium. Red bell pepper and green peas add even more color to the yellow-tinted potato salad.

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Grilled Eggplant Salad

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This easy grilled eggplant salad is the healthy side dish you'll want to serve all summer long. It comes together in just 25 minutes and can be served warm or at room temperature, so it's equally suited to casual parties and weeknight dinners. The combination of eggplant, cherry tomatoes, red peppers, red onions and fresh herbs makes for a salad that's full of bright flavors and colors. Serve it with grilled chicken or fish or as part of a vegetarian mezze platter with dips like hummus and pita bread.

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Macaroni Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing

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Give classic pasta salad a fresher, more flavorful spin. This fast pasta dish calls for avocado to replace some of the mayonnaise, which makes it extra creamy. Whole-wheat elbow macaroni and fresh vegetables lighten up this healthy pasta salad that you'll be making all summer long.

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Fresh Fruit Salad

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This refreshing fruit salad is a classic combination that will be the favorite at any potluck or cookout. Serve with a creamy yogurt dressing to take this side (or dessert) to the next level.

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Vinaigrette Coleslaw

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If you prefer, make this salad with broccoli slaw mix instead of the coleslaw mix.

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Arugula & Potato Salad with Herbs

Arugula & Potato Salad with Herbs
Credit: Jason Donnelly
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Capers and mustard add tanginess to this creamy salad, while chives, dill and parsley add fresh flavor and a splash of color.

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Marinated Cucumber & Tomato Salad

Marinated Cucumber & Tomato Salad
Credit: Andrea Mathis
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This marinated salad is such a healthy way to enjoy those fresh summer veggies and can be easily customized. Try adding in some fresh herbs or feta cheese for a little added flavor. You can also swap in seasoned pepper, which is amped up with additional seasonings, in place of the plain ground pepper for an additional flavor boost. This recipe is part of our Juneteenth Family Cookout Menu.

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Caprese Pasta Salad

Caprese Pasta Salad
Credit: Photographer / Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist / Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist / Christine Keely
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This light and fresh caprese pasta salad is brought together with a bright and tangy dressing, with fresh mozzarella pearls adding creaminess to every bite.

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Classic Potato Salad

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In this healthy and creamy potato salad recipe, yogurt replaces half of the mayo and we keep the potato skins on for more fiber and potassium. To hard-boil the eggs while your potatoes are steaming, place them directly on top of the potatoes in the steamer basket. They'll be perfectly hard-boiled when the potatoes are tender.

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    1 of 22 Loaded Broccoli Salad
    2 of 22 Fresh Tomato Salsa
    3 of 22 Classic Deviled Eggs
    4 of 22 Taco Dip with Tomato Wedges
    5 of 22 Caprese Skewers
    6 of 22 Watermelon, Cucumber & Feta Salad
    7 of 22 Cucumber Pasta Salad
    8 of 22 American Flag Caprese Salad with Blueberry-Balsamic Vinaigrette
    9 of 22 Easy Pineapple Coleslaw
    10 of 22 Quinoa-Herb Tomato & Balsamic Salad
    11 of 22 Quick Pickled Zucchini Ribbons
    12 of 22 Blueberry-Peach Salad with Sesame-Ginger Balsamic Vinaigrette
    13 of 22 Dill-Pickle Pasta Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing
    14 of 22 Curried Potato Salad
    15 of 22 Grilled Eggplant Salad
    16 of 22 Macaroni Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing
    17 of 22 Fresh Fruit Salad
    18 of 22 Vinaigrette Coleslaw
    19 of 22 Arugula & Potato Salad with Herbs
    20 of 22 Marinated Cucumber & Tomato Salad
    21 of 22 Caprese Pasta Salad
    22 of 22 Classic Potato Salad

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    22 Make-Ahead Side Dishes That Are a 4th of July Must
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