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Want to impress your guests at the annual 4th of July BBQ? Here are 11 delicious BBQ ideas to whip up some backyard joy.

80% of all Americans in the United States will attend a barbecue on Independence Day.

If you’re hosting a 4th of July BBQ, you may look for ways to impress your guests and there is no other better way to do it than with food. 

To help you make this July 4th unforgettable, we’ve gathered a list of 11 delicious barbecue ideas.

Keep reading to learn more about the top BBQ recipes to blow your guest’s minds and tastebuds away.

The Ultimate List of 4th of July BBQ Ideas

Let’s jump right into these awesome ideas that you can do on your 4th of July BBQ or any summer party!

1. Sweet and Smoky Tri-Tip

The bottom part of a sirloin is known as the tri-tip thanks to its rectangular shape. To dress it up and take it to a whole new level, try this sweet and smoky rub which can be put on up to a day in advance.

Mix 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of cumin, 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 2 teaspoons of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper together.

This can be used for a piece of tri-tip up to 2 pounds, so adjust as needed for the amount of meat you’re using. You’ll want to grill it for around 30 minutes until it reaches 125 degrees Fahrenheit on a meat thermometer.

2. Balsamic Glazed Chicken

Independence Day is a celebration in which all the members of the family should have a great time. For those that want to skip red meat, here’s a delicious chicken recipe.

Season two boneless chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Then, grill them over direct medium heat for 8-12 minutes, turning once or twice until chicken reaches an internal temp of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once the chicken is fully cooked, lightly brush a coating of balsamic glaze onto the chicken and let it cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. After that, all that’s left is to serve it!

3. French Onion Beer Burgers 

You can’t have burgers during such celebration as the 4th of July. It’s like going to watch a baseball game without a hot dog and beer. So, what do you do when you want to take the traditional burger up a notch?

Make these French onion beer burgers. They’ll add a sophisticated taste to your burgers to impress all of your guests.

To start making the onions, add some butter to a skillet over medium heat until it melts. Add onions and cook until caramelized. 

Then, add beef broth, beer of your choice, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking until the liquid is reduced, stirring occasionally.

Cook the meat patties for 3 to 5 minutes, turning over only once about halfway through. During the last minute of grilling, add sliced cheese to your patties so it melts.

You can then assemble your burgers by adding the French onion mixture to the patty along with any other desired topics.

4. Grilled Hot Dogs 

A 4th of July party also isn’t complete without grilled hot dogs. This is why this recipe makes our list. Everybody loves the smoky flavor of charcoal grills in their hot dogs because it makes this celebration homier. 

The key for making ultimate hot dogs is in the toppings. Be sure to have a huge spread out for guests to make their hot dogs to their own preferences. Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, relish, and shredded cheese are a great place to start.

To make your own pickle and onion topping, stir together relish, finely chopped white onions, fresh flat-leaf parsley, and whole-grain mustard in a bowl. Season with salt and black pepper and add it to the toppings bar.

5. Bourbon BBQ Glazed Pork Chops

If you want to combine new flavors for your pork chops to impress your pork-loving guests with a new taste, this recipe is for you. It requires some work but it’s worth the effort.

To start with the glaze, heat oil and add as much garlic as you want in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook evenly for about one minute and then add chili powder and cayenne pepper.

You’ll then want to add some other ingredients like ketchup, bourbon, molasses, vinegar, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce to taste. Simmer all together and stir occasionally until you have a light, thickened glaze.

Once your glaze is done, you can prepare the meat. Season your pork chops with salt and pepper and be sure to cover the bones with foil so they don’t burn. Grill for about 10 to 14 minutes, glazing them during the final four minutes.

You’ll want to be pretty generous with the glaze as you’re cooking to ensure those flavors are added to your pork chops!

6. Vegetable Kebabs

If you want to incorporate a healthy option into your menu to impress your healthy friends, vegetable kebabs are a great choice. These also make great sides to any meat dish.

In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.

Thread mushrooms, tomatoes, bell peppers, white and/or red onions, and zucchini onto skewers. Place the skewers onto a baking sheet. Then, brush your prepared olive oil mixture onto the veggies and let them sit for at least 10 minutes.

Preheat your gas grill at medium-high and grill them until done and that’s it! You now have a vegetarian dish for your guests.

7. Sweet Heat Baby Back Ribs

What about ribs? If you’re hosting any rib-loving friends, you probably would like to impress them with a delicious recipe as well. This plate will satisfy anyone, though, so there’s no need to save it for a rib aficionado.

Prepare the marinade in a bowl using paprika, chili powder, dried mustard powder, garlic powder, ginger, salt, and of pepper. Rub this into the ribs then put it into the refrigerator for at least an hour.

Once your grill is ready, wrap the ribs tightly in aluminum foil and bake on medium heat for around three hours. Check it closely as the time gets closer and remove as soon as it’s done and the meat is tender.

You can give your baby back ribs additional smoky flavor by adding them to your grill with additional marinade after they’re cooked.

8. Aloha Barbecue Slider

One of the best ways to set your barbeque apart from the rest is to serve something a little more tropical. Get your guests thinking of the white sand beaches of Hawaii with this Aloha barbeque slider.

Start by cooking miniature burgers as normal. Then, grill some pineapple slices to top them with along with some barbeque sauce.

That’s all there is to it, yet this recipe is sure to impress your guests.

9. Grilled Stuffed Bell Pepper

Another option for your vegetarian friends is grilled stuffed bell peppers. This delicious option will ensure all of your friends will enjoy both the conversations and food.

There are infinite options when it comes to what you’ll stuff your pepper with, but here are a few of our favorites:

• Spanish rice and beans
• Shredded chicken with barbeque sauce
• Parmesan and cream cheese

Remove the top of your peppers along with the seeds. Then, cook them on a low-heat area of the grill with the open side facing downward for about 10 minutes or until the pepper is slightly charred and soft.

Then you’ll just need to add the prepared stuffing.

10. Parmesan Garlic Grilled Corn

Another traditional barbeque side is yellow corn. Combining the flavors of parmesan cheese and the aroma of garlic provide a delicious option that will have your guests coming back for more.

All you have to do is place the corn on the grill. Turn it once or twice until the kernels are bright yellow. It should take between 15 and 20 minutes.

As the corn is cooking, make a mixture of melted butter and garlic powder. Brush this generously over the corn. Then, sprinkle with parmesan cheese and add some chopped fresh parsley.

For best results, serve while still hot.

11. Lemon Garlic Grilled Shrimp

If you want to take this celebration to another level, consider this dish. You can’t go wrong with grilled seafood and the flavor profile will have everybody’s mouths watering.

Combine lemon juice and zest with olive oil, pressed garlic, white wine, dried parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix them well with a whisk and then add your shrimp to the bowl.

Allow your shrimp to marinate for about 30 minutes before adding them to skewers. Grill for 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until they turn pink. These do best on low heat, so be careful not to burn them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4LI3I7PIoM

Looking for BBQ Smoked Rib Recipes?

Now you know 11 of the best 4th of July BBQ recipes to give your guests an experience they’ll never forget. Pick one or several to try and you’ll be sure to have people asking you where you got the idea.

If you’re looking for more barbeque recipes and ideas, check out our blog. We have a ton of posts about grills and one written for BBQ smoked rib lovers.