34 AIP Fourth of July Recipes Perfect for Picnics!
From warm afternoon picnics to evening firework displays, the Fourth of July always make me think of the great foods of summer. So many AIP-friendly foods are a natural fit for this time of year, from easy grill-able veggies, like sweet potato or asparagus, to delicious summer berries, perfect for dessert.
So, to get ready for fireworks season this year, I’ve put together my favorite AIP-friendly Fourth of July recipes.
With over thirty recipes, this list is perfect for a day of friends, family, picnics, parades, and, of course, fireworks! From easy summery dips and salads, like a mayo-free coleslaw, to avocado burgers and chicken skewers for main courses. I’ve even put some great red, white, and blue dessert options on this list, like a fantastic summer berry trifle, perfect for celebrating Independence Day!
Here are just a few of the AIP Fourth of July Recipes we’ve included:
- AIP Baked Honey Ginger Pork Ribs
- Slow Cooker AIP Pork Carnitas
- Easy No-Mayo Coleslaw
- AIP Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Leeks
- AIP Honey Mint Roasted Carrots
- AIP Easy Roasted Asparagus
- Creamy AIP Mango Chicken Salad Recipe with Coconut Caesar Dressing
- Creamy AIP Cucumber Salad
If you click or tap any of the links above, it will instantly take you to the recipe below. Or download the entire list by clicking on the green button below.
AIP Fourth of July Main Dishes
AIP Baked Honey Ginger Pork Ribs
– Healing Autoimmune
Ingredients: pork ribs, honey, applesauce, coconut aminos, olive oil, ginger, garlic, salt.
When you see these delectable pork ribs you will never go back to the dry ones again! Pork and honey is a really great match as the pork turns sticky and sweet, but the applesauce stops the ribs from being too sweet and adds great moisture to the cooking process. You will not believe that this is an AIP recipe as the ribs taste like the best ones around!
Sweet Potato Burgers
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: sweet potatoes, ground beef, salt.
Homemade burgers might seem to be a bit complicated to make, but this amazing paleo and AIP-friendly recipe will show you just how easy it can be! Because you are adding sweet potato to the beef, you will end up with moist and juicy burgers and avoid the ‘leather’ texture of some beef burgers. The only seasoning used here is salt, but you could vary the flavor by adding in herbs.
Grilled Chicken Skewers Recipe with Garlic Sauce
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: chicken breast, onion, zucchini, garlic, salt, lemon juice, olive oil.
The garlic sauce in this paleo recipe can also be used as a dip for veggie sticks and tastes amazing! For a slight difference, roll up strips of bacon instead of some of the chicken. It might be a good idea to use metal skewers for chicken as they help to make sure the meat is cooked thoroughly.
Mini Zucchini Avocado Burgers
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: zucchini, ground beef, avocado, olive or avocado oil, salt.
The overall appearance of these little bites is so impressive that they would make a great dish to serve if you have guests over for a few drinks, or as a plate of goodies at a kid’s party. Using zucchini instead of buns makes these AIP snacks lighter and less filling, making them a good idea for children too. Simply serve with a green side salad for a lovely summery lunch.
Grilled Shrimp & Pineapple Salad
– Adventures in Partaking
Photo Credit: Adventures in Partaking
Ingredients: olive oil, lime juice, parsley, ginger, sea salt, pineapple, shrimp, mint, cucumbers.
Here is another recipe where there are few ingredients but the end result is so tasty! Shrimp goes well with tropical fruits like pineapple, lime or mango, and if you can get fresh pineapple it certainly makes a difference to the texture of this AIP-compliant dish. It can add to the overall appearance of the meal if you leave the tails on the shrimp and they can also be used as finger foods this way!
Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings
– Cook Eat Paleo
Photo Credit: Lisa from Cook Eat Paleo
Ingredients: chicken wings.
Just imagine serving a huge dish of these smokey chicken wings at your next barbecue or party! There may not be too much meat on a wing, but they make the perfect AIP finger food. If you don’t have a smoker, simply cook them on the grill over wood chips to get the same effect.
Slow Cooker AIP Pork Carnitas
– Healing Autoimmune
Ingredients: olive oil, dried oregano, lime juice, turmeric, salt, pork shoulder, onion, garlic, chicken stock, orange juice.
Pulled pork has got to be one of the best inventions ever! It goes with everything from salads to soups and is perfect for lettuce wraps, like in this AIP recipe, to serve for lunch for the family. If you are cooking this in a slow cooker, you will find the pork maintains its juiciness and is so tender that it will just fall apart. Serve this in lettuce wraps for a summer lunch that is full of flavor.
Grilled Citrus Herb Chicken and Veggies
– Fed and Fulfilled
Photo Credit: Fed and Fulfilled
Ingredients: chicken breasts, zucchini, asparagus, broccolini, olive oil, sea salt, garlic powder, lemon juice, lime juice, garlic, honey, apple cider vinegar, parsley, thyme.
This is a dairy and gluten free grilled dish that makes a wonderfully tasty alternative to drumsticks and burgers for your family barbecue. The citrus marinade gives the chicken a great zesty flavor and the caramelization on the chicken makes the pieces look as good as they taste. The chicken is served on top of grilled veggies and then you can add the rest of the marinade as a sauce.
AIP Fourth of July Side Dishes
Easy No-Mayo Coleslaw
– Healing Autoimmune
Ingredients: cabbage, carrots, onion, olive oil, honey, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, salt.
Coleslaw is one of those summer sides that everyone enjoys, but if you can’t have dairy or eggs it can be difficult to make. So enjoy this AIP alternative which has all the taste of the veggies but without the mayo, and has a bit of a zing from the cider vinegar. This is great to serve with grilled meats or as part of your regular salad and it will keep for a couple of days in the refrigerator.
AIP Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Leeks
– Healing Autoimmune
Ingredients: sweet potatoes, leek, olive oil, rosemary, thyme, salt.
This AIP-compliant recipe is for a tasty side that would go with any grilled or roast meats or fish. Leeks are much like onions, but take on a sweeter flavor when they are cooked. They also go really well with herbs, which can make them fit better with your meal. For example, add in rosemary if you are serving this with lamb, or sage with a pork dish.
AIP Honey Mint Roasted Carrots
– Healing Autoimmune
Ingredients: carrots, honey, olive oil, mint.
Here is a simple AIP-friendly vegetable recipe where the results are amazing! The roasted carrots have sweetness from the honey and aromatics from the fresh mint and can be a handy side to serve with roasted meats. As mint has many vitamins and nutrients, it makes a good ingredient to add to your diet, so next time you are having roast beef or lamb, why not try this great carrot dish!
Easy AIP Chicken Salad Recipe with Honey Lemon Dressing
– Healing Autoimmune
Ingredients: chicken breast, strawberries or other berries or other fruits, salad leaves, olive oil, honey, lemon juice.
Honey and lemon together make such a lovely sweet and sour combination in a dressing and keep this AIP salad fresh in its flavor. This recipe uses strawberries but you can use whatever fruit you like or try using raspberries instead. This is a good meal to use up leftover chicken from a roast and like most salads this one takes just minutes to prepare.
AIP Notato Salad
– The Paleo Mom
Photo Credit: Sarah from The Paleo Mom
Ingredients: vegetables, red onion, celery, palm shortening, salt, turmeric, wasabi powder, dill, olive oil, lemon juice, coconut milk yogurt or kefir.
When you have to follow the autoimmune protocol for health reasons it can be a challenge to find healthy alternatives to dishes like potato salad and coleslaw, which have been enjoyed for years. So this salad gives you a dairy free option to try. There are plenty of vegetables to choose from as the base of the salad and the creamy dressing is made with coconut milk – no dairy at all!
Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
– Meatified
Photo Credit: Rach from Meatified
Ingredients: white sweet potatoes, avocado oil or tallow or lard, parsnips, onion, chicken broth, sea salt, green onions, celery, radishes, tarragon, dried dill, garlic powder.
This is a clever AIP-friendly recipe as it uses parsnips to form the creamy sauce that we all expect in a potato salad! There is a load of flavor from the vegetables, but also from the herbs that are incorporated in the sauce. If you think it looks too ‘saucy’, don’t worry – the sauce will thicken up as it cools, which is why it is best to leave this potato salad in the refrigerator overnight.
Refreshing Watermelon Salad with Lime and Mint
– Eath Heal Thrive
Ingredients: water, honey, lime juice, lime zest, mint, watermelon.
This fruity salad is freshness in a bowl, with all the flavors of summer from the watermelon and lime, highlighted by the taste of the fresh mint. In the dressing you have zingy lime and honey, giving just the right notes of sweetness to bring this AIP salad to life. This dairy and grain free recipe is best served chilled, either on its own or as a side for chicken.
AIP Avocado “Potato” Salad
– Unbound Wellness
Ingredients: parsnip, bacon, celery, avocado, green onion, apple cider vinegar, sea salt.
In this AIP version of traditional potato salad you are using parsnips which can replicate the texture of regular potatoes, but without the health issues that nightshades can cause. There is still a creaminess thanks to the avocado, and the bacon adds a bit of crunch and color to this popular dish. This salad makes a great dish to serve with grilled meats and is best when it is chilled.
AIP Easy Roasted Asparagus
– Healing Autoimmune
Ingredients: asparagus, olive oil, salt.
This is a basic recipe to use as a guide for roasting asparagus, and this can be so helpful if you are not a seasoned or experienced cook or are just starting on your own culinary journey. Asparagus is a super-healthy vegetable that can be used as a side or as a snack on its own, and this straightforward AIP recipe gives you the option to cook the veg for as long as suits your taste.
Quick Roasted Vegetables
– Autoimmune Wellness
Photo Credit: Autoimmune Wellness
Ingredients: broccolini, cauliflower, yellow summer squash, button mushrooms, coconut oil, thyme, sea salt, lemon juice.
This is a really adaptable recipe as you can use whatever veggies are in season, and roasted vegetables are a great side for any meat. Roasting vegetables gives them a slightly sweeter flavor and in this recipe they have the added taste of the thyme and a touch of lemon for freshness. This is a good dish to make of you are short on space on the stovetop as you can stick the dish in the oven and it’s done!
Turmeric Roasted Vegetables
– Sweet Potatoes & Social Change
Photo Credit: Sweet Potatoes & Social Change
Ingredients: cauliflower, sweet potato, bay leaves, water, olive oil, lemon juice, turmeric, garlic powder, salt, parsley.
Not only does turmeric have great health benefits, but in dishes like this roasted vegetable recipe, it adds a fantastic color and can even be helpful if you are trying to get kids to eat more veggies. They might be tempted to try them because of the vivid orange! To make this recipe totally AIP-compliant, do not add any black pepper when you are seasoning the dish.
Creamy AIP Mango Chicken Salad Recipe with Coconut Caesar Dressing
– Healing Autoimmune
Ingredients: romaine lettuce, chicken breasts, coconut oil, mango, coconut cream, coconut oil, garlic or garlic powder, salt.
Caesar dressing is a great way to dress a salad, giving it a creamy, garlic taste that goes so well with the chicken. Fresh mango and chicken are the perfect partners and you end up with a salad that reminds you of summer days. This is a fantastic AIP salad to serve on its own for a light and tasty meal, or make a large dish to serve for buffets or family get-togethers.
Creamy AIP Cucumber Salad
– Healing Autoimmune
Ingredients: cucumber, coconut cream, lemon juice, salt.
Creamy salads like this one usually involve heavy cream or mayonnaise which can be a no-no on the AIP diet, but this recipe can show you how to make it fit! Simply using coconut cream and lemon juice can take the place of dairy products, yet keeping the cool and creamy salad tasty and delicious! I also like to serve this with curries or spiced meats, especially for guests, as it can cool the spices down for those who don’t like it hot.
Easy Peach and Cucumber Salsa
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: cucumber, peach, cilantro, lemon juice, olive oil, salt.
Cucumber is the perfect vegetable to add to salsas or salads as it is juicy and fresh, yet low in calories and carbs. Along with the peach, it gives this salsa a cool feeling and is so refreshing that it would make a lovely light snack or lunch on its own, served in lettuce wraps or used as a side for grilled meats or fish. This salsa is suitable for both paleo and AIP diets.
Grilled Pineapple Salsa
– Adventures in Partaking
Photo Credit: Adventures in Partaking
Ingredients: pineapple, cucumber, avocado, onion, ginger, sea salt, mint, lime juice.
When you grill pineapple, the natural sugars caramelize perfectly, giving it a sweet but almost toffee flavor, and when this is teamed with the lime juice you get a really zingy flavor that sits well with so many dishes; grilled fish, chicken or pork. Try serving this with your favorite AIP pulled pork recipe as a filling for lettuce wraps for a light and healthy lunch, or team it with some cold chicken for an easy lunchbox recipe to take to work.
Cucumber Garlic Salad
– It’s All About AIP
Photo Credit: It’s All About AIP
Ingredients: english cucumber, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, salt, onion powder.
This recipe is another example of how simple foods can taste amazing. This AIP salad is simply cucumber, garlic and olive oil with a little seasoning and makes a fantastic, quick and easy recipe to make if you are short on time and need a side that takes minutes. I often turn this cucumber salad into a refreshing lunch dish by adding in some pre-cooked and chopped chicken or some crispy bacon.
Grapefruit Supreme Summer Salad with Fennel and Olives
– The Curious Coconut
Photo Credit: The Curious Coconut
Ingredients: grapefruit, fennel bulb, black olives, sea salt, olive oil.
Although grapefruit has a slightly bitter taste, when you add it into a dish with fennel, they complement each other so well and give the dish a refreshing flavor. Add this to the texture of the olives and you have a Mediterranean-inspired salad that would look great as an appetizer at a dinner party. Simply season with salt or sprinkle with a little fresh dill to add a bit of extra color to this lovely AIP dish.
AIP Fourth of July Desserts
Rustic Apple Galette
– The Curious Coconut
Photo Credit: The Curious Coconut
Ingredients: cassava flour, cinnamon, salt, pumpkin, palm shortening, maple syrup, olive oil, apples, lemon juice, coconut oil.
If you are following the autoimmune protocol, baked goods might be a bit tricky to find, so here is a handy recipe that you can enjoy and still stay within your eating plan. The crust has a wonderful flavor and is crumbly, just like Mama used to make, and a galette is designed to look homemade, so you don’t have to be an experienced baker to make this dessert!
Paleo Triple Berry Trifle
– Fed and Fulfilled
Photo Credit: Fed and Fulfilled
Ingredients: strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, arrowroot starch, coconut flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, salt, coconut oil, coconut milk, applesauce, honey, lemon juice, coconut cream, maple syrup.
Now although this lovely trifle looks very complicated to make, it is actually really easy, and in our house it was my Dad who made the trifle for celebration dinners! This amazing AIP compliant dessert is made up of layers of cake, fruit and coconut cream and it tastes delicious. In Britain they actually never put jam in a trifle, so if you want to make this more authentic you can omit the berry compote.
Spiced English Pear Trifle
– Autoimmune Wellness
Photo Credit: Autoimmune Wellness
Ingredients: water, honey, Bartlett pears, cinnamon stick, orange, orange blossom water, gelatin, coconut, coconut flour, medjool dates, cinnamon powder, sea salt, coconut milk.
In this delicious AIP dessert you have the perfect combination of flavors from the pear and cinnamon, and a load of different textures with the crumble mix which sets off the softness of the fruit and the smoothness of the jelly. The different layers can be made in advance to help save time on the day, and the crumble can be frozen if need be. It tastes great sprinkled on ice cream too!
Paleo Jello (with Berries)
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: strawberries, blueberries, gelatin powder, water.
This recipe gives you jello with a bit of a twist! It has the consistency of mousse because the jello is mixed with fruit puree, making it a lot more exciting. You can use whatever berries you prefer, and if the fruit is sweet enough you may not need to add any sweetener to it. This dessert is light and refreshing and would be a lovely paleo treat served in a fancy glass on a hot summer day. This is a great way to encourage kids to eat more fruit too!
Vanilla Persimmon Jello Dessert
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: hachiya persimmon, water, vanilla extract, gelatin powder, honey.
Jello is a simple dessert, but it is full of health boosting goodness and is ready in the time it takes to set. The first thing you notice about this AIP persimmon jello is the vivid color, which makes this a great winner with kids and is a good way to encourage them to eat more fruit. Obviously you can use other fruit if you can’t get persimmon – raspberries and blueberries are great with this dish.
Coconut Yogurt Berry Parfait
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: coconut yogurt, strawberry, raspberries, coconut flakes.
If you are a fan of yogurt but can’t have dairy, coconut yogurt could be the answer as it is dairy free. The totally tropical flavor of the passion fruit gives this dish a fantastic summery taste and you have a lovely mix of textures. This would be a great dish to make for breakfast because it is so quick to prepare but would also be fine for dessert.
Cherry Blueberry Pie
– Food to Heal Ourselves
Ingredients: pie crust, blueberries, arrowroot powder, lemon juice, honey, salt, sweet cherries.
If you were given Mom’s cherry pie as a kid, you will be really surprised at how great this AIP version tastes. It has all the flavors of traditional cherry pie, but with the added texture of the raw cherries, and the sweet fruitiness from the blueberry glaze. If you prefer to cook the cherries, you can simmer them for a few minutes in a little water before assembling the pie.
Paleo Peach Cobbler
– Gutsy by Nature
Ingredients: peaches, honey, cinnamon, lemon juice, cassava flour, baking soda, salt, lard, water.
Peach cobbler is another of those old-fashioned desserts that were the comfort food of our youth, and although you are now eating the autoimmune way there is no need for you to miss out! The peach base has the added flavor of cinnamon which brings out the sweetness of the fruit, then you have an amazing crunchy topping to finish it off. There are clear instructions in this recipe to convert the dessert to be vegan friendly too.
Allergen-Friendly Cranberry Apple Pie
– Scratch Mommy
Ingredients: coconut flour, sea salt, coconut oil, coconut, apples, cranberries, maple syrup, cinnamon, sea salt, arrowroot powder, lemon juice, tapioca flour, vanilla, water.
In this great apple pie recipe you will find virtually no ingredients that will cause allergy issues – it is gluten, grain and dairy free but tastes so good it will definitely become a family favorite. Cranberries and apple go well together, and because you are baking the pastry base first, you can avoid the pie being soggy on the bottom. This recipe is also suitable for the paleo diet.