
Ready to plan your 4th of July menu? You’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re heading to a backyard BBQ, hosting your own, or keeping it low-key, you’ve gotta serve something that’s tasty and festive!
So, let’s fire up the grill. You can’t go wrong with the classics, like juicy burgers, watermelon, and let’s not forget the pasta salad! We have put together 15 of the BEST and most delicious lightened up 4th of July BBQ recipes. We have salads, sides, and desserts that will be the star dish at your 4th of July picnic!

This Watermelon Feta Salad made with watermelon, feta cheese, and fresh mint is simply irresistible! Perfect for summer. It’s the combination of the saltiness of the feta combined with the sweetness of the watermelon that makes this salad mouth watering delicious!
Red White and Blue Mini Cheesecake Trifles
These Red White and Blue Mini Cheesecake Trifles are decadent, creamy, refreshing, and oh so delicious-packed with angel food cake, a homemade cheesecake yogurt layer, juicy strawberries, sweet blueberries, and then topped with whipped topping! These are a fun patriotic treat, snack, or dessert for summer!

This Greek Chicken Pasta Salad is packed with fresh veggies such as cherry tomatoes, chopped cucumber, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, fresh basil, chicken, rotini, and then drizzled with a homemade Greek salad dressing! This pasta salad is ridiculously delicious-perfect for a picnic, gathering, BBQ, or a side dish to any meal!
Easy Air Fry Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops
These Easy Air Fry Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops are tender, juicy and have amazing flavor! These make for an easy dinner recipe that the entire family will love! These Easy Air Fry Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops naturally gluten-free, low carb, and packed with protein!

This Easy Seven Layer Salad is a classic layered salad with seven colorful layers and a homemade lightened up creamy dressing. This is an easy make ahead salad that looks and tastes amazing!
Lightened Up Strawberry Pretzel Cheesecake Dessert

This Lightened Up Strawberry Pretzel Cheesecake Dessert will be the hit at your next BBQ or family gathering. The combination of a salty pretzel crust, a cream cheese middle, and a sweet strawberry jello layer is one of a kind!

This Skinny Loaded Potato Salad is a healthier version of a loaded potato salad-packed with protein-made with non fat Greek yogurt, light mayo, bacon pieces, green onions, potatoes, and hard boiled eggs! It’s an easy potato salad recipe that has become a staple at our summer picnics, BBQ’s, and holiday gathering. This is a MUST have side dish!
Lighter Bourbon Chicken

This Lighter Bourbon Chicken is made with tender chicken thighs smothered in a lightened up sticky bourbon sauce! This restaurant-worthy chicken dish can be made in less than 30 minutes! Packed with protein and perfect for those busy weekday nights!
Lightened Up Italian Pasta Salad

This Lightened Up Italian Pasta Salad is a simple cold pasta salad with a light Italian dressing, turkey pepperoni, fresh vegetables and two different kind of cheeses-Perfect for summer BBQ’s, a large crowd, potlucks!

This Caprese Chicken Pasta Salad is fresh, flavorful and delicious! Packed with cold pasta, chicken, tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil-then seasoned with Italian seasonings, salt, pepper, a little olive oil and white balsamic vinegar! This pasta salad is a true winner in my book!
Lightened Up Dorito Taco Salad

This Lightened Up Dorito Taco Salad recipe is one of our favorite easy summertime dinners. This Lightened Up Dorito Taco Salad makes for the perfect potluck dish and is quick and easy to make for your upcoming BBQ or family gathering!
Zero Point Patriotic Fruit Kabobs
These patriotic fruit kabobs makes for a fabulous, healthy, summer dessert or appetizer. Perfect for an afternoon snack or your next summer BBQ!
Easy Baked or Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

These Easy Baked or Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries are seasoned with garlic powder, Kosher salt and baked in the oven or air fryer until extra crispy. These fries are irresistibly delicious!

These Skinny Red Velvet Cupcakes are what cupcake dreams are made of! These are light, airy, and perfectly sweet. Topped with a homemade cream cheese frosting that takes these cupcakes to the next level of deliciousness! These will be devoured!!

These Barbecue Baked Beans are so easy to make and a much healthier alternative to the classic canned baked beans! They are sure to become a family favorite!
Comment and tell us what your favorite BBQ dish is!
Did you know? Sharing our website, leaving a review, or making comments helps us continue to do what we love to do; which is helping others find success on their wellness journey and creating FREE delicious lightened up recipes!
If you have made one of our recipes-please tag @therealpounddropper on Instagram or on Facebook at Pound Dropper and share it with others!