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It’s the 4th of July and like any good American, you’re getting ready to grill some burgers and hot dogs, right? Well, before you make all your cooking plans, consider highlighting the foods that are native to America along with those grilling staples, on this most patriotic of holidays.
Many of our favorite summer sides are made with foods that could at one time only be found in North, Central, and South America. Just like at Thanksgiving, foods that America gave the world make their mark on Independence Day menus.
Of course there is corn the cob. Cooked and slathered with butter, it’s an American summertime staple. And we have tomatoes, which are approaching the peak of their season and just starting to show up at local farmers markets across the country. Sliced fresh tomatoes, dressed with extra virgin olive oil, a little balsamic vinegar, and salt and pepper, almost always make an appearance when I fire up the grill.
But did you know that chili peppers, avocados, and pineapple are also native to the Americas? Cool yourself off this 4th of July with a spicy homemade salsa, perfect for dipping with red, white, and blue tortilla chips. Or try a cool and colorful tomato and avocado salad, the perfect way to highlight the flavors of these fruits at the height of their ripeness.
Just as American as those native fruits and vegetables is the peanut. Baseball fans know the perfect way to enjoy nine innings is with a bagful of peanuts, roasted in the shell, and ready to eat one by one. For a fun and crowd-pleasing snack, serve a bowl of spiced roasted peanuts.
Then you have the two most basic dessert flavors: chocolate and vanilla. Where would we be without these key ingredients? I just cannot imagine a world without chocolate or vanilla ice cream! We wouldn’t have Oreos, hot fudge sundaes, or chocolate chip cookies either.
Another Independence Day staple are brilliant and native red raspberries, strawberries and blueberries, perfect for decorating red, white, and blue flag cakes and desserts. These patriotically colored berries are just right to arrange in a stars and striped pattern to resemble Old Glory.
In addition to all of those foods, there is the humble potato. It also commonly shows up on the 4th of July picnic table in the form of potato salad. No summer barbecue or picnic would be complete without it. Whether it’s served warm or cold, and if the potatoes are grilled, roasted, or broiled, it’s the perfect thing to add to a summer menu. This year, you can try your favorite potato salad recipe, using a mix of half red skinned potatoes, and half blue potatoes to round out your red, white and blue menu.
So this 4th of July, amidst all the parades, fireworks and grilling, celebrate with an ode to American foods that are both patriotic and celebrate our country’s history. So try incorporating some truly all American favorites into your barbecue plans for a fun and delicious holiday!
©2026 CDKitchen, Inc. No reproduction or distribution of any portion of this article is allowed without express permission from CDKitchen, Inc.
To share this article with others, you may link to this page:
https://www.cdkitchen.com/cooking-experts/pamela-chester/1274-american-july-foods/
As American as Corn on the Cob, Potato Salad, and a Hot Fudge Sundae
It’s the 4th of July and like any good American, you’re getting ready to grill some burgers and hot dogs, right? Well, before you make all your cooking plans, consider highlighting the foods that are native to America along with those grilling staples, on this most patriotic of holidays.
Many of our favorite summer sides are made with foods that could at one time only be found in North, Central, and South America. Just like at Thanksgiving, foods that America gave the world make their mark on Independence Day menus.
Of course there is corn the cob. Cooked and slathered with butter, it’s an American summertime staple. And we have tomatoes, which are approaching the peak of their season and just starting to show up at local farmers markets across the country. Sliced fresh tomatoes, dressed with extra virgin olive oil, a little balsamic vinegar, and salt and pepper, almost always make an appearance when I fire up the grill.
But did you know that chili peppers, avocados, and pineapple are also native to the Americas? Cool yourself off this 4th of July with a spicy homemade salsa, perfect for dipping with red, white, and blue tortilla chips. Or try a cool and colorful tomato and avocado salad, the perfect way to highlight the flavors of these fruits at the height of their ripeness.
Just as American as those native fruits and vegetables is the peanut. Baseball fans know the perfect way to enjoy nine innings is with a bagful of peanuts, roasted in the shell, and ready to eat one by one. For a fun and crowd-pleasing snack, serve a bowl of spiced roasted peanuts.
Then you have the two most basic dessert flavors: chocolate and vanilla. Where would we be without these key ingredients? I just cannot imagine a world without chocolate or vanilla ice cream! We wouldn’t have Oreos, hot fudge sundaes, or chocolate chip cookies either.
Another Independence Day staple are brilliant and native red raspberries, strawberries and blueberries, perfect for decorating red, white, and blue flag cakes and desserts. These patriotically colored berries are just right to arrange in a stars and striped pattern to resemble Old Glory.
In addition to all of those foods, there is the humble potato. It also commonly shows up on the 4th of July picnic table in the form of potato salad. No summer barbecue or picnic would be complete without it. Whether it’s served warm or cold, and if the potatoes are grilled, roasted, or broiled, it’s the perfect thing to add to a summer menu. This year, you can try your favorite potato salad recipe, using a mix of half red skinned potatoes, and half blue potatoes to round out your red, white and blue menu.
So this 4th of July, amidst all the parades, fireworks and grilling, celebrate with an ode to American foods that are both patriotic and celebrate our country’s history. So try incorporating some truly all American favorites into your barbecue plans for a fun and delicious holiday!
Patriotic Grilled Potato Salad
Made with blue potatoes, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, celery seed, paprika, celery, sweet onion, red bell pepper
Made with blue potatoes, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, celery seed, paprika, celery, sweet onion, red bell pepper
Serves/Makes: 10
- 2 pounds small red potatoes
- 2 pounds small blue potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 3 stalks celery, finely diced
- 1 medium sweet onion, finely diced
- 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 dill pickle, finely diced
- 4 scallions, thinly sliced
- salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Parboil potatoes by placing them in a pan large enough to hold them all, cover with one inch of water, and bring just to a boil. Turn off heat and let sit for 8 to 10 minutes.
Drain potatoes, let cool and cut in half or quarters, depending on their size. Toss in a bowl with olive oil, salt and pepper.
Heat grill to medium. Place potatoes directly on the grill, cut side down and cover, cooking for 3-5 minutes. Turn potatoes over with tongs, and continue grilling until just cooked through, about 4 more minutes.
Meanwhile combine vinegar, mayonnaise, mustard, celery seed, paprika, salt and pepper in a large bowl with a whisk. Fold cooked potatoes, celery, onion, red pepper, pickle and scallions into mayonnaise mixture.
Serve warm or chill for 30 minutes before serving. Check seasoning and add additional salt and pepper, if desired.
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©2026 CDKitchen, Inc. No reproduction or distribution of any portion of this article is allowed without express permission from CDKitchen, Inc.
To share this article with others, you may link to this page:
https://www.cdkitchen.com/cooking-experts/pamela-chester/1274-american-july-foods/