Every Fourth of July, it seems like cookouts and family gatherings across the country come with the smells of grilled meats, sweet desserts and classic sides. These foods have become so associated with Independence Day it's hard to think of celebrating the holiday without them.
However, many of the foods that appear on picnic tables today, originated far from the United States.Some of them, early immigrants brought them along, and many of them only became popular because of American culture over time. Here is a closer look at how some of these favorite July 4th foods became staple foods associated with the holiday.
The Taste of American History
The hot dog is also widely regarded as the quintessential symbol of summer in America, but it has its beginnings in Germany. Notably, the sausage known as the frankfurter was introduced by German immigrants to the U.S. in the 1800s. In time, Americans began pairing the sausage with a bun for easier eating at public events (imagine trying to eat a sausage on a stick at a baseball game or a street fair). Now, the hot dog is one of the most popular food items served on Independence Day.
Hamburgers also have German origins. The concept of a ground beef patty came from Hamburg, Germany. In the U.S., the patty was eventually served between two pieces of bread or buns and we have now taken it for granted that "burgers" are simply a part of our diet. Like hot dogs, their ease in cooking and serving quickly made hamburgers a favorite at backyard barbecues and thus remained a July 4th staple.
In summer, potato salad is commonly served as a side dish at picnics. Potato salad is based on European recipes and both cold and warm versions have been consumed as a dish for a long time. The American potato salad created using mayonnaise and served cold is now a traditional dish at holiday gatherings.
They say apple pie is one of most known and favorite American foods in the dessert category. That said, the recipe for apple pie originated from Europe, specifically from the English and the Dutch. Through the 19th century, it was being baked at home in America and by the time of World War II, took on very strong patriotic meaning. The phrase “as American as apple pie” was coined and stuck.
