The Fourth of July is approaching faster than we have time to break out the grill, but luckily we have the recipe situation done and dusted. Still need to sort out a few last-minute additions to your festive spread? You’ve come to the right place. Food and lifestyle expert Brandi Milloy stopped by TODAY to share some twists on cookout favorites for this weekend’s red, white and blue barbecue.
Who said that sides couldn’t be the stars of the show? Milloy has two different crowd-pleasing salads that will have guests going back for seconds. First, a grilled Caesar pasta salad that can be elevated with homemade dressing or made easier with a bottle of store-bought. And second, elote potato salad that combines two summery dishes into one make-ahead mash-up. Moving on to the mains, Milloy whipped up two different mouth-watering options. For burger lovers, her dirty martini version topped with a briny olive and blue cheese spread is a must-try. And for those looking to turn up the heat, her hot honey chicken skewers have just the right amount of char.
Ready for some fireworks of flavor? We’ve made it even easier for you. Shop all the recipes — plus, a few tools you may need — below.
Brandi Milloy’s Fourth of July recipes
An elevated twist on a classic burger, this savory, briny and creamy creation translates the flavors of a dirty martini cocktail by mixing blue cheese and Castelvetrano olives with a little of their juice into a thick cheesy paste.
This recipe combines two cookout classics into one crowd-pleasing side. Romaine hearts get a quick char on the grill before being chopped and tossed with spiral pasta, parmesan, croutons and creamy caesar dressing.
These juicy chicken skewers are marinated in salad dressing plus herbs before being grilled and brushed with hot honey. The sweet-spicy glaze caramelizes beautifully and creates irresistible charred edges. They’re easy to prep ahead and perfect for feeding a crowd.
This mashup combines two summer favorites: classic potato salad and Mexican street corn. It’s smoky, bright and feels like an upgraded backyard barbecue staple.
