4th of July Recipes and Ideas For Your Family 2021

Following the diminished celebrations of last year, 2021's Independence Day represents the height of this oh-so-celebratory post-pandemic summer. Travel's back on, along with gatherings and reunions set to spark under the hot July sun this very weekend. And wherever you're going, the center of celebration is of course the table. Play your part in making this year extra special by elevating the typical hot dog-burger spread. These favorite summer dishes from our recipe archive are sure to wow old friends and new, and to make your meal as unforgettable as the evening's fireworks.

• Denny Culbert

  Chef Isaac Toups' Grilled Garden Veggies with Bacon Vinaigrette

  A favorite from the menu at Toups Meatery, in time for the Fourth of July.

• Randy Schmidt

  Chef Brian Landry's Wagyu Beef Hot Dogs with Criollo Salsa

  The most decadent hot dog you'll find, from the chef at Jack Rose, Hot Tin, and Bayou Bar in the Pontchartrain Hotel.

• Denny Culbert

  Chef Isaac Toups' Grilled Double-Cut Pork Chop with Cane Syrup Gastrique

  A favorite from the menu at Toups Meatery, in time for the Fourth of July.

• Image courtesy of Brustman Carrino Public Relations

  Chef Sophina Uong's Grilled Chanterelles with Ginger Scallion Oil

  A unique take on chanterelles from Chef and Owner of brand-new restaurant Mister Mao, Sophina Uong

• Chef Nina Compton's Grilled Gulf Shrimp with Heirloom Tomatoes Salad

  A light summer recipe from Compère Lapin in New Orleans

• Parish Road Media

  Recipe: Traditional Cajun Sauce Piquante

  Fontenot family recipes—straight from a Cajun grandmother's kitchen

• Jason Vowell

  Recipe: Skillet Boudin Burger

  A new take on your favorite roadside treat

• Alexandra Kennon

  Recipe: Southern Tomato Pie

  Tomatoes are wonderful on their own, but a little (okay, a lot) of cheese and mayo never hurt anything in the South.

• Jordan LaHaye Fontenot

  Recipe: Crawfish Cornbread Dressing

  Cast iron recipes from Charmaine Dupré's "Life Around the Table"

• Jon Sullivan

  Recipe: Mini Crab Cakes with Remoulade Sauce

  Cast iron recipes from Charmaine Dupré's "Life Around the Table"

• Hermes Rivera

  Crawfish Mac & Cheese

  Chef Peter Sclafani's Italian-Creole take on an American classic

• Photo by Denny Culbert.

  Recipe: Chargrilled Oysters

  Ryan Trahan's quick and easy recipe for bone marrow herb butter chargrilled oysters

• Recipe excerpted from Mosquito Supper Club by Melissa Martin (Artisan Books). Copyright 2020. Photograph by Denny Culbert.

  Lucien's Shrimp Spaghetti

  From Melissa Martin's "Mosquito Supper Club" Cookbook

• Crawfish Enchiladas

  An étouffée, with a cheesy twist

• Lucie Monk Carter

  Recipe: Jimbo's Jambo

  Jim Wetherford of Louie's Café finds comfort in service, delivering only the best in jambalayas to essential workers across Baton Rouge

• Recipe: Guac

  No better comfort food than guac and chips

• Fresh-Caught & Bacon-Wrapped Fish

  Campside-cuisine straight from the river

• Lucie Monk Carter

  Recipe: Chicken Blueberry Salad

  A sweet twist on your summer chicken salad

• Recipe: Sweet Corn Potato Salad

  By Chef Bingo Starr

• Louis Hansel

  Margherita Pizza & Dough

  In the craziest of times, Chef Brumby Broussard finds comfort in family pizza nights