The Best Fourth Of July Party Foods

With every Fourth of July comes the pressure to stand over a hot grill while you sweat profusely over piles of searing meat. But maybe 2018 is the year we change all of that.

Burgers, hot dogs and kebabs aren’t the only foods that evoke summer. In fact, their hot, salty meatiness only reminds us of the most unpleasant parts of the season. How about we celebrate the fresh, sunny elements of summer with some colorful antipasto platters, cheese plates and veggie boards?

There are three food blogs in particular that nail summer party food ― Half Baked Harvest, Foodie Crush and How Sweet Eats ― and we’ve gathered our favorite picks from their offerings. Chill out and enjoy your independence from your grill on this Independence Day.

Greek-Inspired Antipasto PlatterHalf Baked HarvestGet the Greek-Inspired Antipasto Platter recipe from Half Baked Harvest
Cheese Board with Beet Whipped FetaHow Sweet EatsGet the Cheese Board with Beet Whipped Feta recipe from How Sweet Eats
The New Crudité PlatterHalf Baked HarvestGet the New Crudité Platter recipe from Half Baked Harvest
Heirloom Tomato, Avocado and Burrata Salad on Grilled Garlic ToastHow Sweet EatsGet the Heirloom Tomato, Avocado and Burrata Salad on Grilled Garlic Toast recipe from How Sweet Eats
Everything But The Kitchen Sink Pasta SaladHalf Baked HarvestGet the Everything But The Kitchen Sink Pasta Salad recipe from Half Baked Harvest
Summer Crostini 6 WaysHalf Baked HarvestGet the Summer Crostini 6 Ways recipe from Half Baked Harvest
BLT Pasta Salad With AvocadoFoodie CrushGet the BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado recipe from Foodie Crush
Greek Marinated Flank Steak and Party Hummus PlateHow Sweet EatsGet the Greek Marinated Flank Steak and Party Hummus Plate recipe from How Sweet Eats
Thai Grilled Corn and Peach Quinoa SaladHalf Baked HarvestGet the Thai Grilled Corn and Peach Quinoa Salad recipe from Half Baked Harvest
Goat Cheese Stuffed Figs and an Easy Summer Cheese PlateHow Sweet EatsGet the Goat Cheese Stuffed Figs recipe from How Sweet Eats
Antipasto Salad PlatterFoodie CrushGet the Antipasto Salad Platter instructions from Foodie Crush
Summer Crostini with Whipped Roasted Garlic Goat CheeseHow Sweet EatsGet the Summer Crostini with Whipped Roasted Garlic Goat Cheese recipe from How Sweet Eats
Simple Summer Cheese BoardHalf Baked HarvestGet the Simple Summer Cheese Board recipe from Half Baked Harvest
Summer Garden Whipped White Bean DipHow Sweet EatsGet the Summer Garden Whipped White Bean Dip recipe from How Sweet Eats