Bringing America Together, One Cookout at a Time

If you’re hosting a Fourth of July party this summer, here’s my biggest tip: don’t overcomplicate it. The best backyard cookouts are the ones that feel relaxed, nostalgic, and just a little chaotic in the best way. For my setup, I focused on classic summer food, easy sides, and things people could grab while hanging out by the pool.

The burger station was the main event. I set out juicy grilled burgers, melty Kraft Singles, sliced avocado, lettuce, tomato, onions, and pickles so everyone could build their own plate. For a fun twist, I mixed ketchup and mayo with a little chipotle seasoning for an easy burger sauce and added a drizzle of A.1. Sauce to the Cali-style burgers. I also kept classic ketchup, mustard, and mayo on the table because no cookout is complete without them. One thing I always recommend when hosting? Make at least one cold side dish ahead of time. I made mainly all of them ahead of time.

I made a simple pasta salad with rotini pasta, chopped veggies, mozzarella, and Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing and it ended up being one of the first empty bowls of the night. It’s easy, inexpensive, and tastes even better after sitting in the fridge for a few hours before guests arrive. I also added a Cobb salad with ranch dressing because having at least one fresh option balances out all the burgers and chips.

For comfort-food sides, I kept it simple with Velveeta Shapes & Cheese. Honestly, easy crowd-pleasers are the secret to stress-free hosting. Nobody’s expecting a five-star menu at a pool party, they just want food that tastes good and feels nostalgic.

My favorite hosting hack of the night was using Cool Whip on cupcakes instead of traditional frosting. It stayed light and fluffy in the heat and made desserts super easy to prep ahead of time. I also recommend keeping extra towels outside, using disposable trays for easy cleanup, and setting up a self-serve food table so people can snack whenever they want.

By the end of the night, there were wet flip-flops by the pool, empty burger trays on the tables, and people still hanging around the grill talking long after sunset. It was the perfect summer party to me….simple food, summer nostalgia, and a backyard full of people having a good time.