Preparing the perfect Fourth of July barbecue

Seasoned veterans of the grilling game wait all year for the Fourth of July. As we celebrate our country’s independence and enjoy the height of summer weather, there’s one thing we can’t do without on this day. Having a barbecue on the Fourth of July is a tradition as old as America itself. We’re not quite sure how the Founding Fathers celebrated after signing the Declaration of Independence, but we honor them and their contributions to our country with a delightful spread of burgers, hot dogs, and other grilled classics.

To get to the fun of grilling on the Fourth, there’s a lot of prep that needs to happen first. Check out these tips and tricks on how to plan a classic Fourth of July barbecue this year.

Get plenty of food for your cookout

If the star of the show on Independence Day is your grill, the biggest supporting actor has to be all the delicious food you plan to make on it. For this, you’ll want to plan according to the number of guests and even down to what their taste buds like. For most kids, they’ll eat any combination of cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and mac and cheese, so stock up on the ground beef and bratwurst on your next grocery run. For the adults in the house, consider adding some tasty veggies, appetizers, and even vegan-friendly foods. On top of balancing out the meal, those leafy greens and starter courses will make for some photo-friendly plates.

Remember, you really can’t overdo it when it comes to grilling a lot of food. Anything you and your guests can’t finish on the Fourth will almost certainly make for good leftovers on the Fifth of July.

Create the perfect backyard vibe

Any party planner knows that the key to a successful fiesta is to create the right atmosphere for the day’s celebration. Whether you plan to have your backyard barbecue during lunch or dinner, use the holiday as an excuse to go all out. Unlike other barbecues, this one has a pretty clear and obvious theme, so lean into it! We recommend creating an America-themed cookout setting with red, white, and blue streamers, sparklers for the kids (and maybe even the adults) to hold, and even decking out your backyard with some colorful lights. If you’d like to show off your patriotism in another way, simply add Fourth of July-themed paper plates, napkins and cups into the mix. We promise these decorations will go a long way to adding to the entertainment value of the day, while keeping family occupied when you’re whipping up some delicious food on the grill.

From a five-piece griddle tool set to meat presses to grilling gloves, our friends at Blue Rhino have the backyard propane accessories that will certainly impress your family members!

Keep things simple on the big day

This Independence Day hosting a small gathering with family or a few friends can still be big fun. Regardless of the circumstances, it’s still a barbecue, so it’s supposed to fun (and even a little messy at times). Unlike other formal holidays, the Fourth of July doesn’t require an extravagant sit-down meal. Whatever you grill up, toss it into an aluminum baking pan, cover it in foil, and let others grab and go as they please. This allows you to keep your focus on putting your chef’s touch on your favorite barbecue recipes.

Speaking of recipes, we couldn’t let you host a barbecue without some of our top picks to grill any time of year. Try this simple main dish, side, and dessert from the grilling experts at Blue Rhino, and let us know if they’re a hit at your barbecue!

1. Maple-Bacon Beer Burger

There’s just something so right with bacon on a burger. With a quick prep time of 10 minutes, and a cook time on the grill between eight and 15 minutes, you’ll have a household favorite in no time with this Maple-Bacon Beer Burger.

2. Simple Potato Salad

Can it be a barbecue without potato salad? This grill-friendly recipe will have your taste buds jumping for joy after the first bite. With just a few seasonings and some hard-boiled eggs, you’re well on your way to have the perfect complementary side dish.

3. BBQ Apple Pie

Along with baseball and fireworks this holiday, nothing seems more American than apple pie. Cap off your Fourth of July barbecue with this delicious apple pie recipe and serve with a heaping helping of ice cream to accompany it.

Choose Ferrellgas for your propane needs

You stick to the cooking and we’ll handle providing you with the propane. Visit your local Ferrellgas office, or check out Blue Rhino's Propane Finder for a list of the closest locations carrying our propane!