Celebrating a Spectacular Independence Day with a Deli Spread

July 4th is an ideal day to celebrate with friends and family. Gather everyone together for a massive outdoor picnic around the pool or at the lake house for a cool down before lighting up the sky with a firework spectacular after sunset.

Grilled foods often dominate mid-summer Independence Day celebrations, but who really wants to spend the heat of the day working over a hot grill?

Change it up this year with a delicious deli spread featuring Columbus products, customized to your family’s tastes. No one will miss the heavy July 4 hamburgers and hotdogs when they can enjoy delectable fresh deli favorites.

Set the Table

The best way to set up for a crowd is to prepare a large table spread with deli meats, cheeses, fruits, and more. Choose your location — indoors works best for ensuring freshness — and then plot your layout.

Step 1

Intersperse plates full of ham, pastrami and turkey options along the table. Be sure to pile them high to invite guests to take as much as they please. With so many tasty ABF (antibiotic-free) options, even the younger set can fill up on protein-packed favorites.

Step 2

Add large platters full of cut melon wedges and plump summer berries around the table to give a flavorful contrast to the meats. For example, slices of Black Forest ham complement cantaloupe wonderfully. You can even set little tasting cards along the table to provide tasting choices for your guests’ benefit.

Step 3

Bring some artisan cheeses and olives to the mix to round out your offerings and keep your guests sated throughout your July 4 party. Provide a good mix of subtly flavored cheeses to bring some kid-friendly options to the table, and place smaller plates of hard or smelly cheeses toward the back, alongside the meats and fruit they best complement.

Picnic Tips

If you’re planning an Independence Day hike or day trip, set aside some time the day before to package meats and cheeses into delicious sandwiches for the whole group. Follow the same principle as the deli table by giving your family members and guests a choice of combinations, or packing up some classics you know will be a hit. Ham and Swiss, anyone?

Stack sourdough slices high with turkey breast slices and wedges of Brie for an unforgettable sandwich. Pack along chilled containers with cut fruit and a potato salad for an easy portable picnic wherever your July 4 adventures take you.

You can also make a variety of sandwiches, cut them into quarters, and let everyone mix it up and taste a little bit of everything. A well-planned sandwich spread makes sitting on a blanket at the park and waiting for the fireworks to begin the highlight of the evening. Happy 4th of July!