Stress-free 4th of July Menu Plan

2 days ahead  
About 2 ½ to 3 hours total

• Make Potato Salad and refrigerate. 45 minutes
• Make Pasta Salad and refrigerate. 45 minutes  (Be sure to make a extra jar of dressing to mix in at the picnic. It will help lighten up your salad and give it another layer of flavor.)
• Make Jello Salad and refrigerate. 20 minutes 
• Make Baked Beans and refrigerate. 20 minutes 
• Pull out all dishes and paper goods needed you will need. 30 minutes 

1 day ahead  
About 3 hours total

• Any green Salads cut and prepare all components and package separately. Refrigerate. 30 minutes
• Make Beef Kebabs, marinate, and refrigerate.  1 hour
• Cut and skewer Chicken and Pork and refrigerate. 1 hour
• Set up tables. 15 minutes
• Use Post Its to mark which items will be served in which serving bowls and platters and where they will be on table. 15 minutes

 The 4th of July
About 40 minutes total

• Place Chicken and Pork in marinade in the morning until ready to grill. 10 minutes 
• Toss Salads and put in serving dishes just before guests arrive. 30 minutes
• Grill Meat and place Beans on BBQ to heat while enjoying your guests with your favorite beverage in hand the rest of the day