Whole Food Plant-based 4th of July Recipe Round-Up

“I prepared a 4th of July feast for my husband, daughter and her family using your Easy BBQ Baked Beans, Greek Pasta Salad, Black Bean Salsa, and Fruit Pizza. What a treat! We packed everything into our insulated coolers and took it all to the park to watch the fireworks. Even my 2 1/2-year-old granddaughter ate to her heart’s content. These are wonderful recipes. I was so amazed at the lemony goodness of the fruit pizza and made everyone guess the frosting ingredients–truly amazing!”–Ruth B.

Festive Breakfasts 

Red, White and Blue Fruit Salad

Simply put this easy red, white and blue fruit medley on pancakes, oatmeal, smoothie bowls, granola, yogurt parfiat, etc. Really, who wouldn’t love a bowl of fruit like this all by itself? 

You can order the  star cookie cutter I use (although I found mine at Hobby Lobby) which really comes in handy year after year!

You could put this patriotic medly on simple oil-free granola, or this fruit-sweetened rawnola. You could top these Fluffy Whole Wheat Pancakes with the fruit, which is our go-to pancake recipe.

 

Tried-and-True Main Dishes

Our Perfect Veggie Burger from Oh She Glows. This is what I’m making for our holiday weekend.

Smoky BBQ Black Bean Burgers from Minimalist Baker. A little labor-intensive, but definitely yummy!

Lentil Sloppy Joes–So easy, you’ll definitely want to make this at some point during 4th of July week!

 

Sides and Salads

I’m all about the sides, and often it’s all I eat at get-togethers. 

Vegan Greek Pasta Salad is my summer staple!! Go make it!

Red, White and Blueberry Salad from Letty’s Kitchen is so festive with star-shaped jicama! Use your favorite oil-free dressing and tofu feta, if desired. 

(You’ll want that star cookie cutter again!)

Black Bean Salsa is always a hit and is made of strictly whole, plant foods and spices. Your bowl will definitely be returned to you empty! Serve as is, or mixed with quinoa, or with baked corn chips or corn tortillas. 

Easy BBQ Baked Beans have the smokiness of bacon, but are 100% whole food plant-based and can be quickly made in a crock pot or Instant Pot. 

Oil-free Potato Salad from Detoxinista is creamy and simple!

Cheesy Chili Oil-Free Fries from Minimalist Baker are also one of our favorite ways to make potatoes. 

Some of the best sides don’t need a recipe! Serve a big bowl of watermelon, corn on the cob, a plate of summer cucumbers, a bowl of cherries.

You could also arrange red fruits (watermelon, berries, cherries) and white fruits (bananas, white peaches, pears) on a plate with a small square bowl of blueberries in the corner for a beautiful flag fruit platter!

Desserts

Fresh Watermelon Cake from Wife Mama Foodie is so fresh and festive! She walks you through how to make this masterpiece, which is made of 100% fruit.

Fruit Pizza can be made with red, white, and blue fruit for a fun dessert for the 4th. 

Mango Pina Colada Popsicles would be the perfect post-BBQ treat. 

Chocolate Banana Monkey Tails are another fun frozen treat. 

Deep Dish Cookie Pie is a favorite dessert.

Clearly, there are many options besides classic burgers and hot dogs! Happy fourth!