See what 4th of July recipes we’re serving this year, plus more than 25 additional recipes to help you use your Instant Pot to make faster, easier, and tastier main dishes, side dishes, and desserts!
In our family, the Fourth of July is all about the classic summertime food!
I’ve put together a big roundup of recipes you’ll be proud to serve on the 4th. Then, to make things easy for you, I’m including our meal plan, timing guide, and shopping list that we’re using this year!
Keep reading to get the details!
30+ Recipes for the 4th of July Your Family Will Love
Craving something else for your 4th of July? These recipes will have a little something for everyone!
Pressure Cook Then Grill Mains
1
Easy Make-Ahead Baby Back Ribs
Baby Back Ribs have been a Fourth of July tradition in our family for decades. We used to bake them in a big roasting pan in my oven. But from the moment I tried them out the pressure cooker, I’ve never looked back! I love this recipe because the ribs cook up quick and juicy, hold together on the grill so you can caramelize them, and are fall-apart tender on your plate.
If you're not a fan of the prep work for the ribs, these BBQ chicken legs have the same easy prep-ahead option without having to carve up anything afterwards.
Pulled pork is a great option when you have a crowd to feed, and it doesn't call for many ingredients! It cooks up fall-apart tender and is served on a bun with a smoky-sweet barbecue sauce.
If you love things a little sweeter, this Root Beer Pulled Pork Sandwich recipe makes a big batch of tender pulled pork in a sweet root beer–barbecue sauce.
No need to grill! These homemade Sliced Beef and Cheddar Sandwiches are the upgraded version of your favorite Arby’s classic, with melty cheese sauce, thin-sliced beef, and onion rolls.
If your grill is busy or you want a small batch, these easy Instant Pot Hamburgers are made with a filling of smoked paprika, diced sweet onion, and garlic.
This Instant Pot Carnitas recipe is made with tender-cooked pork shoulder seasoned with the perfect blend of spice and a splash of citrus, and served street-taco style
Creamy, traditional Egg Salad Sandwiches—made in an egg loaf in the Instant Pot—make a crunchy, tangy, and satisfying lunch with mayonnaise, sour cream, and fresh chives.
If you’re like me, Corn on the Cob is a must this time of year. Corn cooked in the pressure cooker tastes SO much better than when it’s boiled on the stove.
You’ll love this Italian Pasta Salad recipe because it’s the easiest way to make this classic summer side dish. You can cook the pasta and veggies and dress the salad in the same pot. (It’s even easy to transport and finish in the cooking pot!) Plus, we use our favorite Italian dressing to keep it quick and easy.
This Instant Pot Potato Salad is a one-pot recipe that cooks the diced potatoes and hard-boils the eggs at the same time. With a flavorful, creamy, and a bit tangy dressing, this is the PERFECT easy potato salad recipe!
Need a simple, delicious and adaptable one pressure cooker pot dinner? We’ve got you covered! Cook your chicken together with your choice of russet or sweet potato in the electric pressure cooker, and WA-LAA! Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Potatoes are served.
These tender Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken Wings pressure cook in a delicious, homemade teriyaki sauce, then get browned sticky and sweet in your oven with your air fryer lid.
This thick and hearty Instant Pot Ground Beef Chili is medium heat and packed with flavor from dried spices, tomatoes, tender beef, and tortilla chips.
Instant Pot Twice Baked Ranch Potatoes are a crowd-pleasing side dish with soft and fluffy baked potatoes topped with cheesy ranch flavor and scallions.
Cook these red potatoes quick in the electric pressure cooker, then coat in melted butter, garlic and herbs, and Parmesan cheese, and crisp them to perfection in your oven.
For your next outdoor barbecue, use dried navy beans to make this easy Instant Pot Baked Beans recipe, featuring a classic sticky sauce of molasses, ketchup, and seasonings.
This gooey, melty Instant Pot Homemade Queso Dip is a hearty Tex-Mex-inspired cheese sauce made with ground pork sausage, beans, jalapeño, and diced tomatoes.
Red White and Blue Cheesecake is the perfect Instant Pot dessert for the 4th of July, Memorial Day, or any patriotic holiday! You’ll love this silky smooth vanilla Instant Pot cheesecake topped with a juicy compote of fresh strawberries and blueberries.
28
S’mores Cheesecake
This dessert has all the flavors of a summertime kid-favorite, but it's all grown-up in this cheesecake version. We're giving smores to the kiddos while the adults get a fancier treat!
This Instant Pot Coconut Rice Pudding tastes like a pina colada, thanks to smooth coconut milk, creamy arborio rice, and sweet pineapple. Don’t forget the whipped cream and coconut for a tropical dessert treat!
We love this menu for its make-ahead, flavorful foods that keep you (mostly) out of the kitchen when your guests arrive!
Easy Make-Ahead Baby Back Ribs
Baby Back Ribs have been a tradition in our family for decades. I used to bake them in a big roasting pan in my oven. But from the moment I tried them out the pressure cooker, I’ve never looked back!
I love this recipe because the ribs cook up quick and juicy, hold together on the grill so you can caramelize them, and are fall-apart tender on your plate.
TIP: Now that my family has grown, I make two batches of these ribs. I’ll pressure cook them the night before, then let them cool and chill in the refrigerator until my crowd comes over and we’re ready to grill.
Fresh Steamed Corn on the Cob
If you’re like me, Corn on the Cob is a must this time of year. Corn steamed in the pressure cooker tastes SO much better than when it’s boiled on the stove.
You also don’t have to heat up your house, and it’s completely hands off and mess-free. Even better, once you’re done cooking you can release the pressure and use the keep warm setting to keep your corn piping hot until you’re ready to eat.
Easy Italian Pasta Salad
You’ll love this Italian Pasta Salad recipe because it’s the easiest way to make this classic summer side dish. You can cook the pasta and veggies and dress the salad in the same pot. (It’s even easy to transport and finish in the cooking pot!)
Plus, we use our favorite Italian dressing to keep it quick and easy.
Fresh Summertime Fruit
We do tons of fresh fruit, including watermelon, pineapple, cherries, and whatever else smells in season at the farmer’s market. (Our local farmer’s market sells yellow and orange watermelons, which are always a hit with the kids!)
We often have a variety of desserts, and this year we’re definitely including our Red White and Blue Berry Cheesecake. It’s a creamy, silky smooth cheesecake topped with juicy, sweet fresh strawberries and blueberries.
We’ll also have some cookies for the grandkids (and adults) to snack on between sparklers, pop-its, and fireworks. This year we’re planning Caramelitas, Lemon Bar Cookie Cups, and the kids will help decorate our Fourth of July Cranberry Shortbread Cookies.
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Boy there are so many great ideas on this post-makes me wish we were having a party so I could make a bunch of them.
Your potato salad recipe is THE BEST EVER. I made 6 batches of it for my grandson Stephen’s Eagle Scout project lunch yesterday-everybody LOVED it. Robin kept the leftovers but said for sure this is the recipe she’ll make when she wants a “potato salad fix.” You sure can’t go wrong with pressure cooker cheesecakes either-they’re the best. I’m looking forward to trying corn on the cob when we can get some good fresh corn. Happy 4th of July to you and your family!
Make better-tasting meals in a fraction of the time with an electric pressure cooker! At Pressure Cooking Today, we post quick, easy, and delicious recipes that your family will ask you to make again and again!
So many tasty options! And thanks for the shout-out for my Instant Pot Loaded Cauliflower Mash!
Boy there are so many great ideas on this post-makes me wish we were having a party so I could make a bunch of them.
Your potato salad recipe is THE BEST EVER. I made 6 batches of it for my grandson Stephen’s Eagle Scout project lunch yesterday-everybody LOVED it. Robin kept the leftovers but said for sure this is the recipe she’ll make when she wants a “potato salad fix.” You sure can’t go wrong with pressure cooker cheesecakes either-they’re the best. I’m looking forward to trying corn on the cob when we can get some good fresh corn. Happy 4th of July to you and your family!