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22 vegan 4th of July recipes: From appetizers to mains!

22 vegan 4th of July recipes: From appetizers to mains!

You’re planning to host a vegan Fourth of July party this year, and it’s your first time. Okay, take a deep breath and don’t panic! You might be thinking that a vegan-themed celebration is no fun and has a limited menu, but here’s the good news: You’ll still be able to enjoy your Independence Day classic dishes like burgers and hot dogs, but with a vegan spin. I know I did!

Here, we’ve rounded some of the best vegan recipes to add to your Fourth of July menu, from enticing appetizers to mouthwatering sides, entrees, and more. 

And the best part of this recipe list is that these plant-based dishes won’t just wow your vegan friends and family members—they are also fun to make, too—you might just make them year-round!

A plate of vegan avocado toast with sliced cherry tomatoes, jalapenos, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze on a wooden cutting board.

Vegan 4th of July appetizers

1. Vegan Carrot Dogs in a Blanket

This recipe takes your carrot dogs game up a notch. Paired with spicy mustard, these little vegan appetizers are sure to be a hit at your Fourth of July table. 

The secret to its burst of flavor is the presence of a special marinade made from soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, liquid smoke, garlic, fresh ginger, and onion powder. 

The sauce is caramelized onto the carrots until they look like little hot dogs. These carrot dogs are then wrapped in a puff pastry before being baked for up to 15 minutes in the oven. 

Quick tip: To achieve that “hot dog” look for your carrots, ensure to cook all sides evenly.

Here’s the recipe.

2. Italian Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms

Start your Independence party off right by serving these Italian-inspired stuffed mushrooms to your vegan guests. Flavorful, crowd-pleasing, and oh-so-easy to make, you’ll go back to this recipe again and again!

This appetizer is made from organic white button mushrooms, Italian seasoned bread crumbs, vegan butter, garlic, spices, avocado oil, and fresh parsley as garnish. 

Here’s the recipe.

3. Avocado Bruschetta

Bite-sized and based on vegetables, this 30-minute is big on flavor and captivating on a tabletop. The baguette slices are baked to golden brown perfection before being adorned with tomatoes, avocado, olive oil, salt, and pepper on top. 

At the last minute of the prep, the inclusion of balsamic glaze turns the appetizer into something extraordinary with lots of intense flavors. 

Get the recipe here.

Vegan 4th of July Main Dishes

1. Vegan Burger

This fantastic burger—made with fresh vegetables—gets that little something extra from a delicious drizzle of vegan thousand island dressing on top. 

It’s totally vegan! The burger patty combines chickpeas, soy sauce, tomato paste, crushed walnuts, vegan mayonnaise, hoisin sauce, dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, ground black pepper, smoked paprika, and liquid smoke. Don’t be intimidated, the recipe is pretty easy!

Quick tip: If you’re grilling the patty, make sure to add a little oil on the grill so that your burger won’t stick. 

Here’s the recipe.

2. Vegan Carrot Dogs

Outdoor holiday gatherings don’t quite feel complete without hot dogs. However, they’re 100 perfect off-limits for your vegan friends. 

Worry not! Bring the taste and texture of hot dogs to your vegan-themed party with these carrot dogs. 

The making process is straightforward. Start with peeling and cutting your carrots in bun length. Boil them in water until tender. Let the carrot dogs cool down before mixing them to the marinade, then grill! Place the grilled carrot dog on the bun and add your favorite toppings. 

Here’s the recipe.

3. Vegan Nachos

Liven up your Independence Day table with fresh and colorful layered nachos made from vegan taco meat. The savory flavor of black bean mix, salsa, the creaminess of vegan nacho cheese, and the nutty flavor of guacamole topping will wow any hungry crowd. 

Aside from its look, this dish tastes fantastic too! Make sure to double this recipe because it’ll go in a snap, for sure. 

Get the recipe here.

4. Vegan Sloppy Joes

This tempting sandwich is your new go-to recipe for any vegan holidays, occasions, and observances. And as the recipe is made from fresh vegetables and pantry staples, it’s incredibly budget-friendly and simple to put together.

The best part? They freeze beautifully. Whether you have leftovers (which is impossible) or you make a second batch, you can easily freeze the lentil mixture in an airtight container then reheat it when you need it. 

Get the recipe here.

5. Vegan Chickpea Meatballs Subs

Serve this vegan-inspired sandwich alongside your favorite salad or roasted veggies to make the perfect Fourth of July meal! 

Vegan mozzarella cheese and a thick layer of marinara give each bite of this savory sandwich a rich and creamy taste with a velvety texture nuance. 

While pesto lends the overall dish some flavors of basil and garlic. To save time, use store-bought vegan mozzarella and marinara sauce instead of homemade. 

Here’s the recipe.

Vegan 4th of July Side Dishes

1. Corn on the Cob

If you enjoy fuss-free Fourth of July sides, this corn-on-the-cob recipe is made for you. It’s up to you how you choose to cook your corn on the cob—you can either roast them on the grill, boil or cook them in the microwave—it isn’t much you can do wrong!

To prepare this quick and easy side dish on the grill, start by peeling back the corn husks, folding the husks back up around the cob, and then placing the corn on a medium-high grill for 20 minutes. 

Take the sweet flavors of your fresh corn on the cob to the next level by adding some parmesan butter, roasted garlic, mayo, or the sweet and spicy blend of honey and cayenne pepper. 

Quick tip: Rotate the corn every 5 minutes to cook evenly. 

Here’s our recipe

2. Vegan Potato Salad

This vegan potato salad transcends occasions—from holiday brunch, potlucks to Fourth of July cookouts—you name it! And what makes it even more remarkable is its creamy and classic flavors that no one will guess it’s vegan!

Packed with good-for-you ingredients such as potatoes, red pepper, onions, celery, parsley, vegan mayo, and yellow mustard, this dish is sure to send your taste buds on a trip. 

Crunchy celery offsets the creaminess of vegan mayonnaise and potatoes, giving the balance of mouthfeel and texture needed to make your vegan guests come back for more. 

Get the recipe here.

3. Vegan Pasta Salad

Looking for a reliable dish that’s family-friendly and incredibly easy to make? This vegan pasta is all you need! 

Dressed simply with a tangy and creamy tahini dressing, each bite of this crowd-pleasing dish will deliver the fresh flavors and textures of haricots verts, cherry tomatoes, navy beans, red onion, kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, and sunflowers seeds. 

The best part? It has endless variations, and you can customize the recipe to your heart’s content! Make an Italian version of the dish with roasted red bell peppers or simplify it by skipping the spiralized squash and increasing the pasta. 

Here’s the recipe

4. Veggie Skewers

When you’re still undecided about what side dishes to serve this upcoming Fourth of July, make these colorful kebabs of ear corn, zucchini, yellow summer squash, red bell pepper, red onion, and brown mushrooms out at the grill.

There’s no need to marinate the vegetables before grilling—a splash of virgin olive oil, salt, and fresh ground black pepper is enough to transform these skewers into an extraordinary side item. 

If you want to add more flavors, drizzle some garlicky chimichurri sauce, creamy avocado salsa verde, or balsamic glaze at the end. 

Get the recipe here.

5. No-Mayo Carolina Coleslaw

The best thing about this coleslaw recipe is the exclusion of mayonnaise into the mix. Instead, it has an extra flavor punch of cider vinegar and mustard, giving the dish a sweet and tangy undertone. 

If you aren’t comfortable with the odor of the red onions, it’s best to soak them in a water-vinegar mixture for a few minutes before use. No apple cider? No problem, white vinegar to the rescue!

Get the recipe here

Vegan 4th of July desserts

1. Vegan Gluten-Free Cake

This show-stopping dessert is sure to be a favorite among your vegan family members and friends at the Fourth of July or any gathering and festivity. 

The cake features creamy gluten-free cake layers with golden ground flaxseeds and then frosted with a vegan cream cheese frosting consisting of vanilla, vegan cheese, lime juice, and butter. 

To fit the Independence Day theme, sliced blueberries and strawberries get added to the cake, forming an American-inspired flag design. 

Get the recipe here.

2. Blueberry Lime Cheesecake

With its creamy and tangy mouthfeel, this luscious dessert deserves a spot at your Fourth of July party table! 

The cheesecake starts with a chewy crust made from a blend of nuts and dates. From there, three incredible layers of lime cheesecake and blueberry cheesecake follow. The chill time of each layer might seem like a hassle, but don’t worry, it makes this vegan recipe the ideal make-ahead dessert. 

Read more about this recipe here.

3. Patriotic Popsicles

If you want a refreshing treat this upcoming Independence Day, keep these patriotic popsicles on hand. Fresh strawberries and blueberries are often used for sweet drinks and desserts such as strawberry smoothie and old-fashioned blueberry cobbler but turning them into popsicles is also a delicious way to use the fruits. 

You’ll only need just four essential ingredients to make these fresh pops: greek yogurt, blueberries, strawberries, and honey. Plus, the recipe just requires 10 minutes of prep time!

Here’s the recipe.

4. Blueberry Strawberry Banana Ice Cream Cake

This scrumptious ice cream cake is truly a berry and banana lover’s dream. 

The summertime treat combines the wonderful flavors of strawberries, blueberries, bananas, dates, and nuts. The result? A creamy, sweet, fresh, and festive ice cream cake! And you’ll be surprised how easy this recipe is—you can even eat it the same day you make it. 

Here’s the recipe.

Vegan 4th of July Drinks

1. Watermelon Cucumber Smoothie

Quench your thirst with this simple smoothie filled with honey, buttermilk, lime, watermelon, and cucumber. The presentation should excite everyone at the gathering. The taste? It’s sure to please!

Not to mention, it’s a delicious way to use up that surplus of watermelon. Just secure a blender so you can gulp this uber-refreshing drink anytime, anywhere!

Here’s the recipe.

2. Red, White, and Blue Ginger Lemonade

This colorful lemonade recipe is sure to become one of your favorites to serve at pool parties or Fourth of July family gatherings. To create this stunning lemonade, you need butterfly pea flower, hibiscus tea, coconut milk, ginger, lemon, and sugar. 

Take a few minutes to mix a batch of this drink and enjoy a few sips while waiting for that corn on the cob on the grill or serve it alongside your favorite appetizers and side. 

Get the recipe here.

3. Cranberry Cocktail

Sorry kids, you all are off-limits! 

This sparkling cocktail earns its lovely red color from a combination of cranberry juice, and the sugar-coated cranberries garnish adds a pop of color to the cocktail, complementing the tangy flavor profile of lime. 

If you want to make it kid-friendly, you could use white grape juice or ginger ale in place of the vodka. 

Here’s the recipe.

4. Cape Cod Cocktail

Celebrate the Fourth of July and enjoy the epic fireworks and parades while sipping this thirst-quenching drink. The best part about the Cape Cod cocktail is that it’s so easy to make—you don’t even need to take out the cocktail shaker! 

You just need to pour the vodka, cranberry juice, and simple syrup over ice in your high glass, stir, garnish with a lemon wheel, then serve. Want more kick to the cocktail? Add a splash of your ginger ale into the mix!

Get the recipe here.

5. Blueberry Lemonade Mocktail

You simply can’t go wrong with this fancy blueberry lemonade mocktail recipe! 

Packed with the perfect blend of tartness and sweetness, you better expect to get busy filling everyone’s glasses at the party!

Feeling boozy? Feel free to add your favorite light liquor alongside sugar, blueberries, and lemon juice. 

Unlock this recipe here.

The bottom line

Fourth of July is a day to celebrate freedom and togetherness. And this glorious holiday event ultimately needs some good dishes to pass around and to bring everyone closer together. 

And with this compilation I’ve come up with, I have great hope that you’ll get the courage to gather your vegan neighbors and besties to commemorate the upcoming Independence Day. 

What are your favorite dishes on the list? Tell us in the comments!

22 Vegan 4th of July Recipe Inspiration

22 Vegan 4th of July Recipe Inspiration

Celebrate freedom and togetherness with these 22 vegan Fourth of July-themed recipes, featuring tempting appetizers to fancy main dishes.

Ingredients

  • Vegan carrot dogs in a blanket
  • Italian vegan stuffed mushrooms
  • Avocado bruschetta
  • Vegan burger
  • Vegan carrot dogs
  • Vegan nachos
  • Vegan sloppy joes
  • Vegan chickpea meatballs subs
  • Corn on the cob
  • Vegan Potato salad
  • Vegan pasta salad
  • Veggie skewers
  • No-mayo Carolina coleslaw
  • Vegan gluten-free cake
  • Blueberry lime cheesecake
  • Patriotic popsicles
  • Blueberry strawberry banana ice cream cake
  • Watermelon cucumber smoothie
  • Red, white, and blue ginger lemonade
  • Cranberry cocktail
  • Cape cod cocktail
  • Blueberry lemonade mocktail

Instructions

  1. Choose two appetizers and main dishes. 
  2. Pick three drinks and desserts. 
  3. Make them all and create a special Fourth of July party.

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Two red, white, and blue vegan popsicles on a bed of ice with blueberries and raspberries on a wooden table.

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