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The Most Popular Fourth of July Recipe in Every State

Alex Andonovska is a staff writer at Cheapism and MediaFeed, based in Porto, Portugal. With 12 years of writing and editing at places like VintageNews.com, she’s your go-to for all things travel, food, and lifestyle.

Cake with strawberries, blueberries and cream forming American flag.

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Cake with strawberries, blueberries and cream forming American flag.
Rolf Karlsson/istockphoto

Patriotic Picnic

What says independence more than firing up the grill, overestimating how many sides you need, and enjoying a pyrotechnic show in the skies above?  


To find out what Americans are really cooking for the Fourth of July, researchers at Time2Play analyzed Google search trends for over 100 different foods in the weeks leading up to the holiday. 


Here’s what each state is most likely putting on the table. 

Homemade potato salad
Mariha-kitchen/istockphoto

Potato Salad

States: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oregon, West Virginia


Who would’ve thought that the humble, loyal side dish would beat out carnivore heavyweights like brisket and burgers? But here we are — potato salad is the undisputed winner of Fourth of July foods, topping the charts in 10 states. Whether it’s mayo-based and sweet in the Midwest, tangy with vinegar in the South, or full of dill and red onion on the West Coast, every family swears theirs is the right way to make.  

Baked Beans
grandriver/istockphoto

Baked Beans

States: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, Ohio 


Apparently, the Fourth of July is a big day for sides, and baked beans—runner-up in eight states — are yet another classic that refuses to be ignored. Most searched in the Midwest and Northeast, the usual recipe is simple: beans, brown sugar, molasses, mustard, onion, and bacon. In New England, they swap the bacon for salt pork and lean heavy on the molasses.

Deviled eggs served on clear plate with grape tomatoes
sbossert/istockphoto

Deviled Eggs

States: Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi, North Dakota, Pennsylvania 


Deviled eggs may be a retro potluck recipe, but they’re still a Fourth of July favorite in five states. The recipe is simple—hard-boiled eggs mixed with mayo, mustard, a splash of vinegar, and topped with paprika.

Homemade macaroni salad with vegetables
IgorDutina/istockphoto

Macaroni Salad

States: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Vermont 


Yet another side dish making a strong Fourth of July showing, macaroni salad is the most googled recipe for the holiday in five states. It’s a cold pasta salad tossed with mayo, mustard, celery, onion, and sometimes sweet pickles or shredded carrot.  

Beef Brisket on the BBQ
LauriPatterson/istockphoto

Smoked Brisket

States: Georgia, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming 


Finally, the main event. After all the cold salads and baked sides, smoked brisket shows up like the headliner it is. It was the most searched Fourth of July recipe in five states, including — obviously — Texas, where it's one of the states most popular barbecue dishes. 

Three Pieces of Elote Mexican Grilled Corn on a Glass Plate
sbossert/istockphoto

Grilled Corn

States: Alabama, Maryland, Nebraska, North Carolina, Wisconsin 


Here is a Fourth of July side that actually hits the grill. Grilled corn was the most searched recipe in five states, holding its own next to brisket. Some opt for a classic smothered with butter and seasoning, while others dress it up in a street-style manner with mayo, cheese, and lime.

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Fourth of July fruit pizza
Rachel Schneider / Cheapism

Red, White & Blue Fruit Pizza

States: Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota 


Pizza, but make it patriotic. This dessert was the most searched Fourth of July recipe in four states, and it’s basically a sugar cookie crust topped with cream cheese frosting and a very on-theme lineup of strawberries, blueberries, and sometimes bananas. 

Grilled Spicy Hot Spare Pork Ribs Barbecue
Victority/istockphoto

Smoked Ribs

States: Idaho, Montana, Nevada 


Smoked ribs on the Fourth of July just makes sense — so it’s a bit of a mystery that only three states got the memo. Maybe everyone else didn’t want to deal with the mess. But in Idaho, Montana, and Nevada, they went all in: dry rubs, long smokes, sticky sauce, and a pile of bones by the end.

Buffalo Chicken Dip
ALLEKO/istockphoto

Buffalo Chicken Dip

States: Florida, South Carolina, Virginia 


Buffalo chicken dip isn’t your typical Fourth of July fare, but it still came out on top in three states. Usually made with shredded chicken, cream cheese, hot sauce, and ranch or blue cheese, it’s hot, cheesy, and great for scooping. 

Homemade Organic Coleslaw with Shredded Cabbage
bhofack2/istockphoto

Coleslaw

States: Idaho, New York 


Idaho and New York are the only two states still loyal to this not-so-exiting, but dependable classic — shredded cabbage, mayo or vinegar-based dressing, maybe some carrot if you’re feeling wild.  

Roasted potatoes with herbs
Bartosz Luczak/istockphoto

Roasted Potatoes

States: Maine, Washington 


Roasted potatoes made the list in just two states, but they came in hot — literally. While most Fourth of July sides aim to cool you down, Maine and Washington went for crispy, oven-roasted spuds.  

Hand holding Fried chicken and eating in the restaurant
PhanuwatNandee/istockphoto

Fried Chicken

State: Mississippi 


Well, what in the Benjamin Franklin? Fried chicken — arguably the most American food known to man — only topped the list in one state: Mississippi. Somehow overlooked everywhere else, but down South, they know better. 



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