Simple Summer Party Recipes
Hosting a summer get-together is a breeze when you’ve got the right recipes. From gazpachos and salads to grilled chicken and mixed drinks, these warm-weather dishes are sure to impress.
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Fresh Peach Salad
Fresh, juicy peaches are a highlight of summer. Make the fruit sing by pairing the peaches with arugula, gouda, candied pecans and a red wine vinaigrette.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Peach Salad
Delicioso Adobo Grilled Chicken
Get the Recipe: Delicioso Adobo Grilled Chicken
Pink Lemonade Moscato Punch
Grown-ups, this one’s for you. Combine homemade lemonade with sparkling wine and garnish with fresh mint, lemon slices and raspberry-filled ice cubes.
Get the Recipe: Pink Lemonade Moscato Punch
Lobster Rolls
Get the Recipe: Lobster Rolls
Grilled Corn on Cob with Kimchi Mayo and Scallions
A kimchi mayonnaise and a sprinkle of scallions elevate Molly’s grilled corn from a summertime staple to a flavorful side you’ll want to cook again and again.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn on Cob with Kimchi Mayo and Scallions
Gazpacho
Get the Recipe: Gazpacho
Sticky Honey-Soy Chicken Wings
Get the Recipe: Sticky Honey-Soy Chicken Wings
Couscous Salad with Tomatoes and Mint
Get the Recipe: Couscous Salad with Tomatoes and Mint
Perfect Homemade Lemonade
Get the Recipe: Perfect Homemade Lemonade
Arugula, Watermelon and Feta Salad
Get the Recipe: Arugula, Watermelon and Feta Salad
Olive-and-Spice-Rubbed Leg of Lamb
Get the Recipe: Olive-and-Spice-Rubbed Leg of Lamb
Asparagus Crostini
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Crostini
Farro Salad with Tomatoes and Herbs
Get the Recipe: Farro Salad with Tomatoes and Herbs
Spaghetti with Pinot Grigio and Seafood
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti with Pinot Grigio and Seafood
Raspberry Lime Punch
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Lime Punch
Roasted Shrimp Salad
Get the Recipe: Roasted Shrimp Salad
Zucchini Caprese Sliders
Make the most of summer produce with Ree’s veggie sliders. Be sure to grill the zucchini for just a few minutes — long enough to have grill marks, but not so long that they lose their firm texture.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Caprese Sliders
Grilled Yellow Gazpacho
With a bounty of summer veggies and fresh basil for garnish, Trisha’s beautiful gazpacho is like sunshine in a bowl. Pro tip: make the gazpacho the day before you plan to serve and let it chill overnight — the soup will only improve as it sits!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Yellow Gazpacho
Low Country Boil
Nothing says “summer” quite like a low country boil. For a classic country feel (and easy cleanup!), spread the meal over newspaper and have your guests help themselves.
Get the Recipe: Low Country Boil
Charred Sweetcorn Salsa
Combine charred corn with tomatoes, jalapeno and lime to make a simple salsa that’s bursting with fresh flavor.
Get the Recipe: Charred Sweetcorn Salsa
Roasted Salmon Tacos
Ina tops easy fish tacos with a crunchy fresh slaw and simplified guacamole. If you are hesitant about cooking fish, this is the recipe for you. No flipping required and the roasted salmon is broken up into chunks for the tacos, so you don’t have to worry about getting it onto the spatula in one piece. Bring on (Fish) Taco Tuesday.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Salmon Tacos
Jicama and Red Cabbage Slaw
Trisha’s tangy slaw makes a beautiful accompaniment to grilled chicken or barbecued pork.
Get the Recipe: Jicama and Red Cabbage Slaw
Nick's Favorite Grilled Orange Soda
Yes, you can use your grill to make drinks. Molly grills oranges until they’re extra sweet and slightly smoky, then combines the juice with soda water and a pinch of turmeric.
Get the Recipe: Nick's Favorite Grilled Orange Soda
Chicken Fajita Salad
Ree puts a fresh twist on the charcuterie board with her fun and festive salad, which is cooked from start to finish on the grill.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fajita Salad
Pesto
Get the Recipe: Pesto
Tuna Poke Bowls
This Hawaiian staple is trending all over the U.S. Buy the tuna for this recipe the day you want to make it for a super-fresh dish.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Poke Bowls
Macaroni Salad with Dill and Ham
Get the Recipe: Macaroni Salad with Dill and Ham
Brown Butter Scallop Rolls
Make these savory scallop rolls the centerpiece of your next backyard feast. Allowing the butter to brown gives the scallops a juicy texture and subtle nutty flavor.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Scallop Rolls
Herby Ranch Dressing
Get the Recipe: Herby Ranch Dressing
Fried Chicken Salad
You'll make it your business to have leftover fried chicken, just so you can make this creamy and tangy salad the next day.
Get the Recipe: Fried Chicken Salad
Fried Rice Pineapple Boat
Sweet-and-salty fans, rejoice. This fried rice in a pineapple boat is the best of both worlds. And who can resist a pineapple boat?
Get the Recipe: Fried Rice Pineapple Boat
Grilled Shrimp with Peach Cocktail Sauce
Looking for an elegant summer appetizer? Giada’s easy grilled shrimp has you covered. Hold onto the extra peach sauce — the sweet and spicy condiment makes an excellent addition to a cheese board or sandwich.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp with Peach Cocktail Sauce
Warm Picnic Burritos ("Burritos De Machaca")
Get the Recipe: Warm Picnic Burritos ("Burritos De Machaca")
Blackberry-Bourbon Iced Tea
Get the Recipe: Blackberry-Bourbon Iced Tea
Grilled Lamb Meatball Flatbread
Summer entertaining is all about budgeting your prep time so you don't miss the party. Valerie starts out with store-bought naan as the base for her grilled flatbread to save some time, but goes the extra mile to make delicious Mediterranean-spiced lamb meatballs from scratch. The result is a fun new take on grilled pizza.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Lamb Meatball Flatbread with Grilled Tomato Sauce
Grilled Lemonade Chicken
The secret ingredient in this sweet and tangy grilled chicken is a refreshing summer staple — lemonade! Serve it with grilled corn or a classic potato salad for a simple seasonal dinner.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Lemonade Chicken
Chilled Cucumber Soup
Get the Recipe: Chilled Cucumber Soup
Lettuce Wedges with Blue Cheese Dressing
Get the Recipe: Lettuce Wedges With Blue Cheese Dressing
Pappardelle with Lobster and Corn
Toss pappardelle in a creamy tomato sauce with corn and sweet chunks of lobster meat for a decadent pasta dish worthy of a special occasion.
Get the Recipe: Pappardelle With Lobster and Corn
Crab Cake Sandwiches with Oyster Cracker Breading
Impress your guests with these summery sandwiches. The recipe makes 8 servings, enough for a dinner party on the patio.
Get the Recipe: Crab Cake Sandwiches with Oyster-Cracker Breading
Creamy Coleslaw With Grapes and Walnuts
Get the Recipe: Creamy Coleslaw With Grapes and Walnuts
Goat Cheese and Sun Dried Tomato Profiteroles with Herb Oil
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese and Sun Dried Tomato Profiteroles with Herb Oil
Chicken And Spinach Waldorf Salad
Ina’s take on a Waldorf salad is filling enough to be a full meal, thanks to roasted chicken, bacon and a mix of nuts, but light enough to keep you feeling good about swimsuit season.
Get the Recipe: Chicken And Spinach Waldorf Salad
Fried Pickle Po' Boy
Don't love seafood? Don't worry. This fried pickle sandwich is a fun twist on a po' boy, and it features all the crunchy goodness of the original. It's also a great pick for when you're entertaining and you've got vegetarians on the guest list.
Get the Recipe: Fried Pickle Po' Boy
Cauliflower Tabouli
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Tabouli
Stuffed Zucchini and Red Bell Peppers
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Zucchini and Red Bell Peppers
Summer Squash Carpaccio
Get the Recipe: Summer Squash Carpaccio
Crabmeat Cakes with Mustard Sauce
Get the Recipe: Crabmeat Cakes with Mustard Sauce
Asian Watermelon Salad
Get the Recipe: Asian Watermelon Salad
Grilled Seafood with Linguine
Shrimp, scallops, clams — the gang's all here. Now you just need to gather yours to enjoy this simple and summery pasta.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Seafood with Linguine
Spinach and Cheese Flatbread
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Cheese Flatbread
Key Lime Cake
Get the Recipe: Key Lime Cake
Watermelon and Haloumi Salad
Get the Recipe: Watermelon and Haloumi Salad
Seafood Salad
Get the Recipe: Seafood Salad
Spanish Potato Salad
Get the Recipe: Spanish Potato Salad