Healthy Fourth of July Sides You Don’t Have to Cook

There are some things that just go perfectly together: peanut butter and jelly, chocolate chip cookies with a glass of milk, and grilling on the Fourth of July. Every Independence Day, people flock to the grill and look forward to a barbecue-heavy meal, but this year, we’ve got a few recipes that will make you take a step back from using yours the whole time. The heat is already pretty intense, so adding a few of these healthy Fourth of July sides to your menu will bring just the refreshing touch you needed. 

A salad is always a good start when looking for a nutritious side dish. This bowl of leafy goodness has all the power foods to give you just the boost you need on a sweltering day. It’s even made up of the perfect colors to celebrate this patriotic holiday with red strawberries, azure blueberries, and white crumbled feta cheese – mmmm! Add this healthy fourth of July side next to any main course to help cool you off from the heat of the day. 

While your Independence Day lunch or dinner is cooking up, having this appetizer to nibble on really keeps the hunger at bay. Chips and salsa are a staple at barbecues, but this dip is sure to spice things up a little. Unlike regular fresh salsas, this one includes an interesting ingredient – grapefruit – ensuring a citrusy flavor in every bite. In addition to the pink fruit, you’ll get bits of cucumber, avocado, and jalapeño to really give your taste buds the kick they’ve been craving. 

If you’re looking for something simple yet festive to prepare, this American flag vegetable tray is just the healthy Fourth of July side you’ll want to fix up. All you need are some red and white vegetables, a small blue bowl for ranch dip, and a large rectangular tray to place it all on. Assemble the red vegetables such as bell peppers and tomatoes, and the white vegetables such as cauliflower and cucumber centers, all along the tray as if they were part of the red and white lines of the American flag. Place the blue bowl in the upper left-hand corner and keep it in the refrigerator until it’s ready to be snacked upon! And now you have a quick and yummy snack in an obvious, yet simplified version of the American flag! 

We couldn’t make this list without adding a refreshing drink as one of your healthy Fourth of July sides. This beverage is packed full of fresh watermelon, pineapple juice, and lemons to give you a taste of summer in a glass. Whether you’re manning the grill or just sitting around for the food to get done, there’s no better way to wait than by sipping on an ice-cold summer watermelon lemonade in your hand.  

This list was meant to be only healthy Fourth of July sides, but a little chocolate doesn’t hurt when it’s covering fruit, right? Plus, after being so healthy, you deserve a rich treat! Grab a couple mangos, a few chocolate bars for melting, and skewers. Cut your mangos up into slices and keep them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes before dipping them in hot chocolate and skewering. Add sprinkles if you’re really feeling that sweet tooth!