A Fourth of July Dinner

The fennel sliced up so fair, the tri-tip roasting in air

If you want to bedeck yourself in the red, white, and blue or belt out “The Star-Spangled Banner” on July Fourth, that’s your call—but leave the food to us. Here we depart from the traditional burgers and potato salad for a menu that’s easy to assemble and just as crowd-pleasing. Plus it can all be prepped in advance. The only thing you’ll have to worry about is staying in tune for the national anthem.

And if you’re dining outdoors to watch the fireworks, we’ve got you covered with menus for grilling, picnicking, and camping.

Harissa-Marinated Tri-Tip Roast A quick preparation with a spicy North African marinade.

Fennel, Parsley, and Celery Salad A simple salad with unexpected depth that can stand up to the roast.

Couscous with Zucchini and Pine Nuts Take this campfire recipe indoors for an easy side dish.

Chocolate Icebox Cake with Mascarpone and Blackberries It looks fancy but isn’t hard to make. This no-bake dessert guarantees a knockout finish.