The 4th of July is nearly here - bringing with it a time to pause, enjoy the sunshine, and gather with the people closest to us. Whether you’re hosting, heading to a friend’s, or keeping things relaxed at home, it’s a moment to slow down and share generous plates of good food.
Of course, while a beautifully laid table sounds wonderful, we know it can sometimes feel like a lot to pull together. But it doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few flavour-packed, straightforward recipes, it’s easy to create something that looks and tastes special, without spending hours in the kitchen. Think colourful summer salads, velvety dips made for sharing, golden tarts piled high with caramelised, roasted veg, and something sweet to finish.
To help make things simple - and delicious - we’ve gathered some of our favourite easy recipes for the 4th of July. So you can spend less time prepping and more time enjoying the day with family and friends.
This is one of our go-to spring salads – fresh, filling and simple to put together. We love the mix of new season potatoes, tender asparagus and beans coated in a creamy tahini sauce. It’s perfect for lunch, picnics or a relaxed supper in the garden.
View Recipe
This nourishing dish is packed with goodness – crispy cauliflower, crunchy chickpeas, coriander seeds, almonds and silky tomatoes. It’s rich in protein, fibre, antioxidants and healthy fats, thanks to the diverse range of plants. Delicious as a simple lunch or as part of a bigger spread.
View Recipe
This is quick and easy cooking at its best, showcasing what you can do with a few simple ingredients. We love it as a lazy lunch, or as part of a bigger spread with lots of tasty dips and nourishing salads. If you can, use good quality butter beans and olive oil, as you’ll really notice the difference.
View Recipe
This week we’ve revisited a well-loved DE recipe and given it a glow-up! Not only does it look vibrant and impressive, it tastes incredible too. It’s full of amazing flavours and textures, and perfect for sharing with friends and family.
View Recipe
Looking for a showstopper salad to impress your friends? This salad is both a feast for the eyes and seriously flavoursome. It’s packed full of earthy root vegetables, crunchy hazelnuts, refreshing cucumber and an incredibly creamy dressing — we can’t get enough of it at the Deliciously Ella office at the moment!
View Recipe
This panzanella salad is a real celebration of summer produce; juicy tomatoes, refreshing cucumber, and fragrant basil — you’ll be making this recipe on repeat! Look for tomatoes with a deep colour and a strong tomato aroma; storing them out of the fridge is the best way to preserve their flavour.
View Recipe
Looking for a super easy recipe to impress your friends and family? This roasted aubergine dish ticks all the boxes. Not only does it look amazing, it can be prepped ahead of time, so when you’re ready, all you need to do is assemble it. Delicious on its own or served as part of a larger mezze of salads, hummus and flatbreads.
View Recipe
Looking for a recipe to make for friends? This is it. These chipotle tacos are deliciously creamy, spicy, and packed with flavour. They’re guaranteed to be a huge hit. Plus, they’re actually very easy to make. You slowly roast the tofu and mushrooms with shallots and chipotle until crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, before piling the mix into hot tacos with fresh avocado, creamy coriander slaw and lime juice.
View Recipe
Just 4 simple steps and you’ve got yourself a bowl of comfort! Cherry tomatoes, black beans and sweet potato are simmered with warming cumin, chilli flakes, garlic and ginger. The final flavour kick comes from the tang of lime juice, creamy coconut yoghurt and umami miso paste.
View Recipe
Impress friends and family with this simple rustic galette. Topped with sweet cherry tomatoes, seasonal courgettes and a layer of pesto, it makes for the perfect summer lunch.
View Recipe
Creamy, crunchy, sweet and spicy, this speedy salad has it all. Sweet roasted tomatoes, crunchy sourdough, fresh basil and butter beans are layered onto a bed of creamy, garlicky yoghurt, then finished with a drizzle of balsamic and a sprinkling of chilli flakes.
View Recipe
This vibrant, crowd-pleasing salad is a textural delight and perfect for any gathering. Avocado is featured chopped in the salad and blitzed through the sauce, adding an extra creamy element.
View Recipe
This moreish miso & butter bean dip featured in our Salad Project partnership, and we'd love to share it with you, our amazing community. It’s perfect in a salad (search for the “Super Green Salad Bowl” on our app or website), with crudités or spread on toast.
View Recipe
Packed with flavour and ready in minutes, this dip is perfect for a picnic, BBQ or served with lots of fresh veggies, crackers or as part of a spread when you have friends round. It also keeps in a sealed container for up to 5 days, so enjoy the leftovers in sandwiches or on the side of salads and traybakes.
View Recipe
These gooey dark chocolate and cherry cookies are the ultimate treat for when you need a bit of indulgence. They’re bursting with tangy dried cherries, golden oats, smooth dark chocolate and just the right amount of sea salt. Perfect with a cup of tea or coffee.
View Recipe
These moreish chocolate and tahini sesame bites are the perfect post-lunch, or post-dinner, hit of chocolate. They’re just the right balance of smooth, rich, sweet and crunchy, and packed with a delicious mix of toasted nuts and seeds.
View Recipe
Chickpea blondies are having a moment so we've given our original recipe a glow-up. These are filled with juicy raspberries, toasted hazelnuts and drizzled with glossy dark chocolate. Perfect for a picnic or getting cosy with a cup of tea.
View Recipe
Minimal effort for maximum pleasure, these irresistible chocolate cookies are so simple — no need for chilling or rolling into balls. Make them in just 20 minutes and enjoy with a cup of tea.
View Recipe
