We received a last minute invitation to a cookout back on Memorial Day. I brought some ordinary Rice Krispie treats and sliced watermelon, because they were cheap and easy to prepare. With the Fourth of July coming up, I’ve compiled a list of recipes that are a bit more impressive for a neighborhood or family gathering, but are inexpensive and won’t take too much effort to prepare.
Desserts tend to catch my eye, but there are some ideas for side dishes here as well. I tried to find food that would work well outside and go with the standard fare of hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, and macaroni salad. In the interest of frugality, it would be nice to use vegetables from our garden. That’s why my first idea is a refreshing cucumber and tomato salad. This one looks really easy to make.
Another option to use our tomatoes are these yummy looking appetizers. While they’re probably best when warm, I think that they would also be tasty as part of a picnic. You could even make a gourmet hamburger by using one of these tomatoes as your garnish.
As our tomatoes may not be ready by the Fourth, I found a few other recipes, including some yummy desserts. It wouldn’t cost too much to make this Strawberry Cheesecake Salad. The most expensive ingredient would be the strawberries, but they are often on sale this time of the year.
I just have to try this next one, Smores Pie. All the goodness of the traditional campfire treat, no sticks necessary and probably less of mess.
Watermelon is always a good dish for a cookout, but not very exciting. I love the idea of using a cookie cutter to dress it up for the occasion. I could see Goofball helping to prepare this one.
This next desert is so easy to prepare, a child can do it (this blogger’s son is featured in the step-by-step instructions). The site claims that it only costs $4 to make, but it’s still pretty and looks delicious. We actually make a version of this with different flavors of pudding and those premade pie shells. My favorite so far? We did layers of chocolate and banana pudding, and it was delicious.
These cupcakes look awesome! I found some on Pinterest that actually use tri-color batter as well, but that doesn’t really seem necessary. All that you need to do is make any type of cupcake and adorn them with the three different colors of sprinkles.
Moving away from all of this sweetness, this next recipe looks unique and tasty. You could make it cheaper by sticking with cheese, and maybe adding some beans. Why can’t you serve a quesadilla at a cookout? Just slice it into smaller triangles and it would compliment the other food just fine.
Corn is very inexpensive, so it might be a good idea to volunteer to bring this as a side dish. You can flavor it with all sorts of different spices or cheese, and cook it in your oven, crockpot, or the grill. We like to wrap it in tin foil and place the cobs around the edge of a bonfire.
This last idea is definitely different. Everyone loves bacon, right? I think that miniature BLT sandwiches or sliders would go great with traditional cookout food. It’s definitely All-American cuisine.
We’re trying to save as much money as possible, in order to pay off our debt and move closer towards our goal of financial semi-independence. But that doesn’t mean we can’t socialize. There are plenty of ways you can participate in mainstream culture without spending a lot. I personally can’t wait until the Fourth of July, bring on the food and fireworks!
these are all totally up my alley! love taking a party to the next level (if it’s easy and inexpensive) – good job!
Thanks! Happy to help 🙂
Oh, I love this roundup. Fourth of July is the best time for food because the colors are so fun.
Tricia recently posted…Smoked Salmon with Veggie Cream Cheese Bagel Recipe
I love the Fourth – USA, colors, summer, food, and fireworks. It is the best.
What a nice round-up of July 4th ideas. The Kool Aide pie looks yummy, and think of all the different flavors you could do for other holidays as well. Yum. 🙂
Brandi H. (@supergirlsaving) recently posted…Super Daddy Day Gift Ideas!
in going to have the kids help
Me make the star spangled fruit salad, so cute!
Yes! This is great. My two favorites; cheap and easy. Thanks:)
Tracy recently posted…What to Expect when talking to your Teen about Drug Use
love these!! I absolutely LOVE cucumber salad it is my favorite! I could eat the whole bowl! My kids would love that smores chocolate pie!
These are great ideas. I don’t even know what I am doing for the 4th yet, but now I am prepared with food ideas. I love the cupcake idea, and the watermelon with blueberries salad.
Michele recently posted…For the Love of Boats
Great round-up! I’m intrigued by that strawberry cheesecake salad. Salad and cheesecake in the same sentence?! WHAT?
Kim recently posted…Bollywood Inspired Party
The star shaped watermelon just screams Fourth of July to me. Nice collection!
LydiaF recently posted…Hummingbird Cupcakes with Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting
I love your idea of using a cookie cutter on watermelon – it looks much more special that way! The parmesan tomatoes look very tasty too 🙂
annabelt recently posted…A Year of Geeks Diets: It’s my Blog Anniversary!
Okay, these all look freaking incredible. Bookmarking it for future reference. Thanks for sharing!
DC @ Young Adult Money recently posted…10 Ways I’ve Made Side Income
I LOVE cucumber and Tomato Salad! Can’t wait till my tomatoes are ripe. Thanks for sharing!
Allison (funfamily.vacations) recently posted…VersaLiving Luxury Rear Car Seat Cover Review & Giveaway
This seriously just made me hungry! And I have been craving a cucumber & tomato salad lately! I love it with olives, boiled eggs and a little lemon juice. OMG I just made it sound so gross lol.
Irion recently posted…Aloha Friday Blog Hop & $200 Giveaway
I love 4th of July cookouts and I love summer food! All these dishes look so yum! I think I could eat corn in the cobb every night!! Thank you for sharing!
Ashleigh recently posted…Liebster Award, Round Two
Baked parmesan tomatoes!!! YUM!!! Love tomatoes in the summer
The snow cones and pie look fab. Thanks for linking up with #linkalist
What an awesome and affordable selection of yummy foods. Thanks for posting this!
Tirralan – Tinseltown Mom recently posted…View The Official Peanut’s Movie Trailer Plus Enter to Win a Dancing Snoopy!
Thanks for linking up to Tasty Tuesday last week. I hope you’ll link up again tomorrow! I’ve pinned your great recipe to the Creative K Pinterest board.
Ashley Mullen recently posted…Cinnamon Roll Donuts
Very Nice cooking ideas. I love cooking and i want to try these delicious dishes. Thank u for sharing.
aden sivi recently posted…Fourth of July Birthday Party Ideas
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