What’s on your menu for Independence Day? We combed our recipe collection and found these 10 dishes that represent American favorites and are perfect for summer parties. Try one – or more – of our recipes and celebrate the diverse flavors of America when you gather with friends and family this season. With bacon, steak, wings, ribs, and burgers in the mix, you can’t go wrong.

1. BLT Salad

Even though this dish is mostly bread and meat, it’s still a salad in our book! Panzanella is a Tuscan-style salad usually made with stale bread and tomatoes. Here we added the classic American flavors of a BLT with our hickory smoked bacon, bibb lettuce, and a creamy citrus dressing.

2. Lobster Rolls with Bacon

Everybody loves a lobster roll, and the classic New England sandwich gets a smoky kick with our bacon in this easy recipe remix. Make the lobster filling ahead of the party, and scoop it into freshly buttered and toasted (maybe on the grill?) split-top rolls.

3. Texas-Style Beef Short Rib Chili

Who needs beans when you have beef, beer, and bacon? Our boneless beef short ribs cook slowly in a rich combo of pureed chiles, dark beer, beef stock, bacon, and spices. A little dark chocolate at the end adds depth of flavor – don’t skip it. This is an indoor project and can be cooked in advance of the party, making it easy on the host. Also great for potlucks!

4. Grilled Ribeye Steak with Garlic Herb Butter

There’s not much better than a good steak grilled over fire. We kept the preparation simple on this one, topping the ribeye with a pat of compound butter packed with fresh herbs and garlic. The butter enhances without overwhelming and when it mingles with the meat juices, makes a delectable sauce.

5. Black Truffle Butter Buffalo Wings

Spicy Buffalo-style wings are the always a party favorite, but we’ve upped the flavor ante to make them even better. Our creamy black truffle butter adds a whole new dimension of richness and depth, making these wings your guests won’t soon forget.

6. Baked Beans with Bacon & Molasses

Baked beans are a summer cookout must-have and making them yourself is well worth the time. This easy recipe yields tender beans with a sweet, smoky sauce. Bacon weave optional (but recommended).

7. Sweet-and-Sticky Baby Back Ribs

Cane syrup, a sticky sweet syrup made from sugar cane, gives this barbecue sauce backbone, along with honey, molasses, and cider vinegar.

8. Buffalo Bleu Cheese Burger

Our big bleu burgers burst with flavor from meaty ground buffalo, smokey bacon, bleu cheese and our favorite “secret” seasoning: porcini powder! These babies are equally good pan-seared or flame-grilled.

9. Bacon Mac and Cheese

You can’t eat BBQ without mac and cheese. This quick and easy stovetop recipe for includes bacon and will satisfy adults and kids alike. It makes a great side dish for your backyard meals this season.

10. Duck Fat Fried Chicken Drumsticks

An overnight soak in seasoned buttermilk along with pan-frying in a blend of duck fat and peanut oil makes this chicken extra flavorful, crispy, and browned. It’s equally delicious piping hot or served cold, picnic style – perfect for a July 4th gathering.

What’s on your menu? Tell us about your favorite summer recipes for backyard entertaining. Connect with us on social media to share your cooking adventures. Tag @dartagnanfoods on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.