Fourth of July: Traditional or Tropical?

Sundance Vacations

3 years ago

It’s almost time to dress yourself in your best red, white, and blue attire! Celebrate Independence Day with family, friends, and food! Whether you’re looking to stay close to home this Fourth of July, or you’re looking to travel somewhere exotic and out of the country, here is some great food you can expect to chow down on depending on where you are—and some deliciously creamy nearby ice cream and colorful firework shows to finish off your perfect, patriotic day!

Traditional

If you’re from Mid-Atlantic regions like Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, etc, you’re probably used to the traditional barbecue spread: burgers, beans, and all things slathered in mayonnaise. If you’re unfamiliar with how the Fourth of July is celebrated food-wise in most of the states, here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to see as your main course and side dishes!

Burgers tossed in a mixture of spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, etc, are a must at any barbecue; plopped on the grill and charred until those beautiful grill lines start to brown. Top with your choice of cheese and toppings. Onions, tomato, lettuce, and relish are some of our favorites.

All American beef hotdogs are, well, all American! These beefy links are a staple of any cookout. There are so many great toppings to put on grilled hotdogs, but a Fourth of July classic is mustard and sauerkraut. Prefer something else? No problem, the list is endless! Chili, cheese, onions, relish, and ketchup are also delicious options!

You can’t go wrong with corn on the cob slathered in butter and salt. If you’re looking for more to add to your kernels, garlic powder, basil, parsley, and pepper are good additions for your butter and salt mixture. Remove the husks and turn the cobs every few seconds while grilling until tender.

Canned or fresh baked beans are always a hit at any shindig! If making old fashioned baked beans from scratch, you’ll need a plethora of ingredients to combine with your navy beans, like molasses, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and more depending on your tastes.

Macaroni salad and potato salad… You could choose just one, but why not have both? Nothing screams summer more than these two. Celery, onions, mayonnaise, and hard-boiled eggs are common ingredients found in both. If you’re looking for a light side, these are the ones for you.

Tropical

This may be your first year celebrating the Fourth of July on the islands, or maybe this is your every year norm. If you’re staying at one of our fabulous Caribbean resorts, you might have an on-site grill just waiting to be fired up.

Grilled lamb chops and wasakaka go together like peanut butter and jelly—you can’t have one without the other. For those unfamiliar, wasakaka is an herb and lime sauce, and it’s beyond tasty! Like many recipes previously discussed, grilled lamb chops should be rubbed in a spice mixture of onion powder, garlic powder, and other mouthwatering spices. Cook until they have a warm red center for the perfect grilled lamb chop!

Jamaican jerk chicken skewered and placed between alternating slices of grilled pineapple and bell peppers… we’re swooning just thinking about it. The secret to making amazing jerk chicken is allspice and a drizzle of soy sauce. This flavorful food is sure to be a fan-favorite at your Fourth of July bash!

Piña asada will be the most refreshing treat at your barbeque blowout! Sweet and cinnamon-y, these grilled pineapple slices are best when sprinkled and spread with sugar, butter, and the zest of a lime! You can eat these solo, or you can add it to your burger for a sweet-savory flavor combination!

Mango chow is a healthy vegan-friendly option! This airy dish is simple to make and only includes five ingredients: mangoes, chili peppers, garlic, cilantro, and salt! Add a little kick to your sweetness with this traditional Trinidad snack!

Once you have a taste of Caribbean rice and beans, you’ll be craving this creole side-dish for months to come. Red kidney beans, bay leaves, coconut milk, and creole spices are the superstars of this recipe! This simple concoction is a must-try! Add a little spice to your rice this Fourth of July!

Burgers transcend language and cultural barriers, but you’ll find unique signature creations depending on where you travel–like the plantain burger! The Caribbean spin on the hamburger shines a spotlight on the patty—a crushed and merged combination of plantains, chickpeas, garlic, onions, and breadcrumbs. This burger is great for vegetarians, vegans, and those with stomach sensitivity issues, as it’s gluten free!

No Fourth of July is complete without the sweetest treat of all—ice cream! Here are our recommendations for ice cream shops you should visit near our Mid-Atlantic and Caribbean properties.