Red, White, and YOU: A Holiday Menu Using What You’ve Already Preserved
The 4th of July is all about freedom—and what better way to celebrate than by freeing yourself from last-minute grocery store runs? If you’ve been canning, dehydrating, or stocking up on shelf-stable goods, now is your time to shine. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, packing up for a beach picnic, or headed to the lake, your preserved foods can take center stage this holiday.
Here are a few festive ideas to inspire your Independence Day menu—straight from your pantry and prep shelves!
1. Red, White & Pickled: A Patriotic Charcuterie Board
Add a punch of flavor and color to your appetizer spread with jars of your home-canned pickles, dilly beans, pickled carrots, and spicy pickled onions. Pair with cured meats, cheeses, and crackers.
Try this: Pickled Garlic Cloves with Pinot Grigio Wine
Or add zing with: Sweet & Spicy Pickled Radishes
2. Backyard Burger Bar with Preserved Toppings
Upgrade your burgers with dehydrated caramelized onions rehydrated in broth, home-canned relishes, or your famous tomato jam. These toppings will have your guests asking for seconds!
Try this: Tex-Mex Corn Relish
Or serve up some tang with: Sweet Pickle Relish
3. Sweet Summer Sides from the Jar
Your preserved corn, green beans, or canned potatoes make side dishes a breeze. Think cold potato salad with your pressure-canned potatoes (after heating them on the stovetop of course), or a quick corn salad from your summer stash.
Try this: Dry Packed Potatoes
Or this: Black Bean and Corn Salsa
4. Sparkling Sips & Mocktails from Syrups and Fruit Infused Water
Use your canned fruit syrups or shrub bases to create refreshing drinks for all ages. Mix with sparkling water, lemonade, or even a splash of vodka for the adults.
Try this: Elderberry Syrup
Or this: Infused Water Recipes
5. Dessert That Pops: Dehydrated Fruit & Canned Pie Fillings
Turn your dehydrated strawberries or peaches into a festive trifle or use your canned cherry or apple pie filling for hoagie pies around the campfire.
Try this: Tart Cherry Pie Filling
Or this: Dehydrated Strawberry Slices
6. Protein from the Pantry: Meals in a Jar
Not in the mood to cook? Pull out a jar of your pressure-canned pulled pork, taco meat, or chicken and make sliders, tacos, or wraps with ease.
Try this: Pulled Mexican Chicken
Or this: Buffalo Chicken Dinner
Let Freedom (and Flavor) Ring!
This holiday, let your hard work preserving food pay off. Whether you’re hosting or heading out, your pantry shelves are filled with celebration-ready ingredients. That’s the beauty of home food preservation—independence at its finest.
Wishing you a flavorful and free 4th of July!
– Diane Devereaux, The Canning Diva®