You Can't Have a Black Fourth of July Cookout Without These Things

Nothing can ruin a cookout like running out of liquor. So make sure your bar is stocked with wine, beer and the cocktail fixings of your choice before you guests arrive. And of course, you can’t forget sweet tea, lemonade or soda for the kids and the adults who don’t imbibe.

Black folks take our cards seriously. So you can pretty much guarantee that a card game will break out at your Fourth of July cookout. Make sure you have a deck of cards (or two) for your guests, and then get out of the way and let them play.

A great grill is an absolute must for any outdoor party. It doesn’t have to be new – in fact, a well-loved grill might make your food taste better. But it needs to work and it needs to have plenty of room for your meats, veggies and anything else you plan on grilling.

Whether it’s peach cobbler, pound cake or red velvet, having something sweet on your table is an absolute must. The Fourth of July is not the time to be counting your calories. So if you can’t decide what to have, why not have all three?

A cookout ain’t a cookout without good music, so make sure you put just as much effort into your playlist as your peach cobbler. A good mix of old school R&B and hip-hop is always a safe bet. And it wouldn’t hurt to have the Cha Cha Slide or Electric Slide to get everyone on their feet. Check out our cookout playlist if you need a little inspiration.

Potato salad is a must at any Black cookout. But if you’re responsible for making it, you’ve got to get it right. That means it must have eggs, sweet relish and be seasoned properly. And please, for the love of all that is holy, do NOT under any circumstances add raisins. As a matter of fact, if you don’t know what you’re doing, delegate the responsibility to an auntie or grandma who does.

Although sides are an important part of your cookout menu, you already know that everybody is coming for the main course. So make sure the person on the grill knows what they’re doing, from the right seasonings to use to the perfect time to add the sauce. Consider yourself warned – dry ass ribs are a no-no.

Deviled eggs are a must-have side dish on your cookout table. If you don’t have your own recipe, this one from Divas Can Cook is pretty good.

If you’re spending the holiday at someone else’s house, hopefully the food will be so good you’ll want to take some home. And if that’s the case, you’re going to want to bring your own to-go container. Otherwise, you’ll have to create a makeshift container with two paper plates and foil.

I’m all about healthy eating most of the year. But on the Fourth of July, all bets are off, which means cornbread is an absolute must. My favorite is sweet with a cake-like texture. And as far as I’m concerned, there’s no such thing as too much butter (on this day, at least).

You already know that folks will be getting their drink on at your cookout. But you should also have cold water on hand. Keep a pitcher with fresh water on hand to keep your guests hydrated – and add a lemon slice, mint leaves or cucumber slices for a refreshing twist.

We already told you that your meats need to be well-seasoned and cooked to perfection (aka the sweet spot between undercooked and overcooked). But you also need to have some good barbecue sauce on the side for guests who want a little extra something on the side.