4th of July Menu Ideas

The 4th of July brings friends and family together for annual celebrations and presents a valuable opportunity for your catering business. From appetizers to desserts, there are countless options to choose from as you build your catering menu. We’ll introduce sample 4th of July catering menus complete with pricing suggestions and required equipment below.

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4th of July Catering Packages

Identifying what foods your catering business should offer for the 4th of July requires research and planning. Choose a theme to focus your menu and narrow your serving options. Remember that most 4th of July events will be held outside, so whether you're offering on-site catering or preparing foods for pickup, it's important to invest in the right supplies. Take inspiration from one of the following menu concepts to keep your customers happy this 4th of July:

Picnic Catering Menu

three cheeseburgers on a plate with American flag toothpicks

Picnics are emblematic of the 4th of July, and serving picnic foods is an easy way to curate a crowd-pleasing menu. Consider offering the following traditional picnic foods for your customers:

  • Grilled burgers and hot dogs: No summer picnic would be complete without burgers and hot dogs. Give customers the option to choose hamburgers, cheeseburgers, or both. Offer unique regional varieties of hot dogs to attract more customers.
  • Barbeque ribs: When it comes to feeding large groups, ribs are an excellent choice. Offer short ribs, baby back ribs, or pork ribs to build out your menu.
  • Classic macaroni salad: This cookout classic is a favorite of many. It is easy to prepare and can be made with a wide range of ingredients, giving you menu flexibility.
  • Brown sugar baked beans: Perfect for picnics and barbeques, baked beans are a natural complement to your grilled foods. You can even mix various types of meat, such as beef or pork, with the beans to add flavor.
  • Apple pie churros: This reinterpretation of the classic Hispanic dessert incorporates traditional 4th of July flavors. Apple pie churros are easy to serve to crowds, creating an excellent addition to your catering menu.
  • Patriotic jello shots: Jello shots are popular at parties and picnics. Use red and blue jello to embrace your patriotic theme, and serve them in plastic shot glasses for an eye-catching presentation that facilitates easy cleanup.

Cost per person: $14.99 - $24.99

Picnic Catering Supplies Needed

If you plan on serving your picnic catering menu on-site, there are several types of equipment to invest in. Continue reading to learn about the most important types and how they are used:

  • Outdoor grills: Hot dogs, hamburgers, and other grilled foods are best when they are fresh off the grill. Invest in a portable outdoor grill to ensure your foods are of the best quality.
  • Propane tanks: If you’re using a gas grill, you’ll need propane to power it.
  • Chafing dishes: Use chafing dishes to present your baked beans conveniently and stylishly.
  • Steam table pans: Store your macaroni salad in a disposable steam table pan for easy transport and serving.
  • Cupcake stands: Utilize disposable cupcake stands to arrange your desserts attractively.
  • Disposable shot glasses: Use disposable shot glasses to serve your jello shots. Once guests have finished their shot, they can discard the shot glass.
  • Food delivery bags: You may not be able to prepare foods like ribs, cupcakes, and jello shots on-site. Prepare them in advance and transport them to the event using insulated food delivery bags.

Seafood Catering Menu

grilled shrimp and pineapple skewers on a black slate plate with cocktail and tartar sauce in black ramekins

Creating a seafood catering menu allows you to put a twist on traditional 4th of July foods. When executed correctly, this menu can provide a unique experience for your customers. Build out your seafood menu with these foods:

  • Grilled seafood kebabs: Kebabs are easy to prepare and offer you the versatility to get creative with your menu. Feature foods like scallops, shrimp, and grilled fruits and vegetables like pineapple or bell peppers on your kebabs. You can even add sausage to the recipe for more variety.
  • Freshly shucked oysters: When served correctly, freshly shucked oysters will be a hit at your catered events. Serve your oysters over crushed ice to keep the dish cool, and provide guests with mignonette sauce.
  • Roasted shrimp with cocktail sauce: Keep your guests satisfied by curating a platter of roasted shrimp. Roast various types of shrimp with garlic and other herbs to add an extra layer of flavor, and serve it alongside cocktail sauce.
  • Classic potato salad: Simple to prepare, potato salad is a staple at 4th of July cookouts across the country. It pairs well with grilled fish and shrimp and can be customized as you see fit.
  • Lemon cheesecake: The key to choosing a dessert to pair with seafood is finding the right flavor combination. The citrus flavors of lemon cheesecake will provide a natural contrast to many of your seafood offerings, creating a delicious pairing. You can even decorate your cheesecake with patriotic colors to match the theme of the holiday.
  • Mezcal margaritas: The saltiness and acidity of a mezcal margarita will pair excellently with your seafood menu. Mezcal is a spirit made from the Agave plant, the same plant that tequila is made of. It features a smokier taste and higher ABV than its counterpart, contributing to a unique drink.

Price per person: $24.99 - $39.99

Seafood Catering Supplies Needed

This seafood menu requires a variety of specialized supplies. To prepare your menu on-site, consider investing in the following equipment:

  • Outdoor grills: Prepare kebabs on-site with a commercial outdoor grill.
  • Propane tanks: A propane tank will be necessary to fuel most outdoor grills.
  • Seafood serving trays: Invest in seafood pots and serving trays to create an eye-catching shrimp display that fits your theme.
  • Margarita glasses: Serve your margaritas the right way by investing in margarita glasses. These glasses can also be used as a serving vessel for shrimp cocktails.
  • Kebab skewers: Use skewers to keep your kebabs held in place as they are served.
  • Oyster knives: Use oyster knives to shuck oysters on site.
  • Ice: To cool your oysters and keep them held in place, use crushed ice or a similar type of ice.
  • Insulated food delivery bags: Make sure that any hot foods you prepare off-site stay warm during transportation with insulated food delivery bags.
  • Cooler bags: Keep sensitive foods like oysters and shrimp at a food-safe temperature during transport with cooler bags.

Plant Based Catering Menu

grilled corn salad on a white plate with cotija cheese

A plant-based catering menu allows you to curate a 4th of July experience for customers with alternative diets. Include the following foods on your menu to embrace a plant-based catering experience that invokes the taste of a classic 4th of July celebration:

  • BBQ tempeh: Tempeh is a traditional Indonesian food that can be prepared in many ways. Serve it with barbeque sauce to create a delicious entree that will be the highlight of your menu, and top it with seasonal vegetables for additional texture.
  • Impossible burgers: These burgers offer a plant-based alternative to a classic 4th of July barbeque food. Just as you would with traditional burgers, consider offering a variety of condiments and toppings to add to your selection.
  • Vegan potato skins: Potato skins are a crowd-pleasing appetizer option that will keep guests satisfied. To accentuate the dish, consider topping them with green onions or vegan cheese.
  • Grilled corn salad: This side dish is the perfect complement to various grilled foods and can even be used as a topping in other dishes. Add peppers, onions, and various other ingredients for extra detail.
  • Vegan ice cream: This classic summertime treat is perfect for any 4th of July event. Offer traditional flavors like vanilla and chocolate or summer flavors like blueberry or peach. You can also provide your guests with ice cream toppings to prepare their desserts as they see fit.
  • Watermelon mojitos: A watermelon mojito is the perfect combination of seasonal flavors. Use fresh watermelon and garnish with a cucumber slice to provide customers with a refreshing beverage option.

Cost per person: $19.99 - $29.99

Plant-Based Catering Supplies Needed

A plant-based catering menu requires a variety of supplies to serve on-site. Continue reading to learn about the most popular types of supplies below, as well as how to use them:

  • Outdoor grills: Prepare impossible burgers and grilled corn salad on an outdoor grill.
  • Propane tanks: These are necessary to fuel your commercial grill.
  • Serving platters: Arrange potato skins, tempeh, and other foods in an organized way with disposable serving platters.
  • Salad bar equipment: Conveniently serve and store corn salad by investing in salad bar equipment.
  • Ice cream supplies: Prepare vegan ice cream and reduce cleanup times with disposable ice cream supplies.
  • Collins glasses: Make sure that you have the proper glassware on hand for serving Mojitos by investing in Collins glasses.
  • Insulated food delivery bags: Keep your BBQ tempeh, potato skins, and other hot foods warm during transport with insulated food delivery bags.
  • Cooler bags: Transport ice cream and other temperature-sensitive foods safely with insulated food delivery bags.

How to Price a Catering Menu

There are three options when it comes to setting prices on your 4th of July catering menu: fixed pricing, tiered pricing, and custom pricing. The pricing strategy you choose should depend on the size of your business, how much food you can produce, and the clientele you'll serve.

  • Fixed pricing: This is a flat rate charged per person for a pre-determined amount of food. It is ideal for smaller events or catering businesses.
  • Tiered pricing: This is a variable rate that becomes less expensive as you serve more people. It is best for large catering operations or businesses that cater large events.
  • Custom pricing: A strategy in which you provide customers with a custom quote based on their catering needs. This option gives you the most flexibility but is also the most time-consuming since you and your staff will have to personally calculate each cost.
Back to Top

There are countless options to choose from as you create a 4th of July catering menu. By choosing a theme to focus your menu selection, investing in the right equipment, and pricing your menu the right way, you can set your catering business up for success. Whether you're new to catering or have been in the industry for years, consider using the sample menus above to elevate your catering service this 4th of July.

Posted in: Holidays|Recipes|By Jason Kurtz
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