Ready to fire up the grill and show off your red, white, and blue spirit? Coast Guard Day is the perfect excuse to gather friends and family for a feast that honors our brave heroes at sea. Imagine sizzling burgers, vibrant fruit platters, and star-spangled desserts stealing the spotlight at your celebration.
I remember last summer when we hosted a small barbecue for Coast Guard Day. We decorated the backyard with flags, served themed dishes, and ended the night with fireworks. The energy was electric, and everyone loved the patriotic food spread. Little touches like these truly make the day feel special.
The best part about these recipes is how simple yet festive they are. Whether you’re hosting a big party or just a cozy family dinner, these dishes add a patriotic flair without the stress. Think easy-to-make treats, refreshing drinks, and main courses that taste like summer itself.
Get ready to impress your guests and celebrate with pride. From colorful snacks to decadent desserts, these 11 recipes will help you throw a Coast Guard Day party to remember!
1. Beachside Crab Cakes – crispy, golden, and full of flavor!
Ingredients:
1 lb lump crab meat
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 large egg
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp butter or oil for frying
Instructions:
In a large bowl, gently mix crab meat with breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, egg, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, parsley, and green onions. Season with salt and pepper.
Shape the mixture into small patties and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
Heat butter or oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook crab cakes for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
Serve hot with a side of tartar sauce and lemon wedges.
Decoration Tips:
Garnish the crab cakes with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant touch.
Serve with a lemon wedge on the side to add a fresh citrus aroma.
Present the dipping sauce in a small bowl with a sprinkle of paprika on top for color contrast.
Happy Baking
2. Berry Croissant Bake – buttery layers filled with creamy berries!
Ingredients:
4 large croissants, sliced in half
1 cup fresh mixed berries (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries)
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 tbsp powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish.
In a bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
Spread cream cheese mixture inside each croissant half and fill with berries. Arrange filled croissants in the baking dish.
In another bowl, whisk eggs, milk, and heavy cream. Pour the custard mixture over the croissants, letting them soak for a few minutes.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and set.
Remove from oven, let cool slightly, and dust with powdered sugar.
Decoration Tips:
Sprinkle extra fresh berries on top before serving for a vibrant finish.
Lightly dust with powdered sugar to enhance the layered texture.
Serve on a white plate to make the golden croissants stand out beautifully.
Happy Baking
3. Blueberry Lemonade Popsicles – refreshing and bursting with fruity flavor!
Ingredients:
2 cups fresh blueberries
1/2 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1/4 cup honey or agave syrup
1 cup water
1/2 cup Greek yogurt (optional for creaminess)
Instructions:
In a blender, combine blueberries, lemon juice, honey, and water. Blend until smooth.
For a creamier texture, mix in Greek yogurt before blending.
Pour the mixture into popsicle molds, adding a few whole blueberries into each mold if desired.
Insert sticks and freeze for at least 4-6 hours or until solid.
To release, run molds briefly under warm water and gently pull out the popsicles.
Decoration Tips:
Add whole blueberries into the molds for a beautiful speckled look.
Serve the popsicles on a chilled platter with lemon slices for a bright summer presentation.
Lightly drizzle with honey before serving for an extra glossy finish.
Happy Baking
4. Coastline Clam Chowder – creamy, hearty, and packed with fresh clams!
Ingredients:
2 dozen fresh clams, scrubbed clean
4 slices bacon, diced
1 tbsp butter
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 stalks celery, diced
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 cups clam juice
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
Steam the clams in a pot with a little water until they open. Remove clams from shells, chop meat, and reserve the liquid.
In a large pot, cook diced bacon until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving the drippings.
Add butter, onion, and celery to the pot, sautéing until softened.
Add potatoes, thyme, clam juice, and chicken broth. Simmer until potatoes are tender.
Stir in chopped clams, bacon, and heavy cream. Simmer gently for 5 minutes without boiling.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.
Decoration Tips:
Top with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a refined finish.
Garnish with a few whole clams in their shells for a restaurant-style presentation.
Serve with oyster crackers or crusty bread on the side for added texture.
Happy Baking
5. Frozen Coconut Cream Pie – creamy, chilled, and topped with toasted coconut!
Ingredients:
1 prepared graham cracker crust
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut, toasted (divided)
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup coconut milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups whipped topping
Instructions:
Sprinkle half of the toasted coconut over the bottom of the graham cracker crust.
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sweetened condensed milk, coconut milk, and vanilla extract, mixing until creamy.
Fold in whipped topping until well combined.
Pour mixture into the crust and spread evenly.
Freeze for at least 4 hours or until firm.
Before serving, top with remaining toasted coconut.
Decoration Tips:
Sprinkle extra toasted coconut on top just before serving for added crunch and visual appeal.
Garnish with a few coconut flakes around the edges of the plate for a tropical touch.
Serve with a dollop of whipped cream on the side for a luscious presentation.
Happy Baking
6. Grilled Lemon Herb Salmon – juicy, smoky, and full of fresh citrus flavor!
Ingredients:
2 large salmon fillets
3 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp lemon zest
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
Salt and black pepper to taste
Lemon slices for garnish
Instructions:
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, parsley, dill, salt, and pepper.
Brush the salmon fillets generously with the marinade and let them sit for 15 minutes.
Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
Place salmon on the grill, skin side down, and cook for 4-5 minutes per side or until cooked through and flaky.
Remove from grill, drizzle with extra marinade if desired, and serve immediately.
Decoration Tips:
Garnish with fresh lemon slices on top of each fillet for a vibrant presentation.
Sprinkle additional chopped herbs over the salmon for a fresh green touch.
Serve on a white platter to make the charred grill marks stand out beautifully.
Happy Baking
7. Lobster Rolls with Garlic Butter – buttery, tender, and packed with fresh lobster!
Ingredients:
1 lb cooked lobster meat, chopped
4 split-top hot dog buns
4 tbsp unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions:
In a small skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Stir in lemon juice and chopped parsley, then remove from heat.
Toss the cooked lobster meat in half of the garlic butter mixture until coated.
Lightly toast the buns on a skillet or grill.
Fill each bun generously with the buttered lobster meat.
Drizzle remaining garlic butter over the top. Season with salt and pepper if needed.
Decoration Tips:
Sprinkle extra fresh parsley on top for a bright, fresh finish.
Serve with lemon wedges on the side for added citrus aroma.
Arrange the lobster rolls on a white platter to highlight the vibrant lobster color.
Happy Baking
8. Patriotic Berry Trifle Cups – layers of cake, cream, and vibrant berries!
Ingredients:
1 pound cake or sponge cake, cut into cubes
2 cups strawberries, sliced
1 cup raspberries
1 cup blueberries
2 cups whipped cream
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
In a bowl, beat cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Fold in whipped cream to create a fluffy mixture.
Place a layer of cake cubes at the bottom of each cup.
Add a layer of the cream mixture, followed by a layer of blueberries.
Add another layer of cake, more cream, and top with strawberries and raspberries.
Finish with a swirl of cream on top.
Decoration Tips:
Garnish each cup with a mix of fresh berries on top for a patriotic color theme.
Pipe the cream using a star tip for an elegant presentation.
Serve the cups chilled for a refreshing dessert look and taste.
Happy Baking
9. Red White & Blue Berry Cheesecake Bars – creamy cheesecake with a festive berry topping!
Ingredients:
For the crust:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
For the filling:
16 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream
For the topping:
1/2 cup blueberry jam
1/2 cup strawberry jam
Fresh strawberries and blueberries for garnish
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press into the bottom of the pan and bake for 8 minutes.
In a bowl, beat cream cheese with sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla and sour cream. Mix until creamy.
Pour filling over the crust and bake for 30-35 minutes or until set. Cool completely.
Spread blueberry jam and strawberry jam in sections over the cheesecake, swirling lightly.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing into bars.
Decoration Tips:
Top each bar with fresh strawberries and blueberries for a vibrant patriotic look.
Drizzle extra jam over the bars for a glossy finish.
Serve on a white platter to highlight the red, white, and blue layers.
Happy Baking
10. Seaside Shrimp Tacos – fresh, zesty, and bursting with flavor!
Ingredients:
1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup shredded cabbage mix
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp honey
6 small flour tortillas
Lime wedges for serving
Instructions:
In a bowl, toss shrimp with olive oil, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through.
In a separate bowl, mix cabbage, carrots, cilantro, mayonnaise, lime juice, and honey to create a creamy slaw.
Warm tortillas and fill with slaw, then top with cooked shrimp.
Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
Decoration Tips:
Garnish tacos with fresh cilantro for a bright pop of color.
Add thin slices of lime inside the tacos for a refreshing look.
Lightly char the tortillas for a rustic, appetizing appearance.
Happy Baking
11. Star-Spangled Cupcakes – soft vanilla treats topped with patriotic swirls!
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk
For the frosting:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
2-3 tbsp heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
Red and blue food coloring
Star sprinkles
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well.
Gradually add dry ingredients, alternating with milk, and mix until smooth.
Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full and bake for 18-20 minutes. Let cool completely.
For frosting, beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla, beating until fluffy.
Divide frosting into three portions: leave one white, tint one red, and one blue.
Using a piping bag, add all three colors side by side to create swirled frosting and pipe onto cupcakes.
Decoration Tips:
Use a star tip nozzle to create beautiful swirls on top of the cupcakes.
Sprinkle with red, white, and blue star-shaped sprinkles for a festive look.
Arrange cupcakes on a white platter to make the colors stand out.
Happy Baking
