Summer Party Food - 9 Insanely Smart Ideas for Your Backyard Party

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Throwing a backyard bash? Trying to figure out what (and how) to serve your guests? You’re in the right place. We’re breaking down 11 of the best recipes sure to make a bold impression on your summer party guests. 

Whether you’re looking for an appetizer and party snacks, main course, and dessert options, you’ll find it here. We’ll also help with curating and creating your perfect menu for your outdoor celebration. Many of these recipes are easy to make, great for serving large groups, and ideal for the summer weather. 

Here we go!

 

1. Mozzarella Cantaloupe and Prosciutto Appetizer

Every backyard party needs a good appetizer and you really can’t go wrong with this super summery combination of flavors. These appetizers are very easy to make. You only need three ingredients! What’s more, they look great — these little bites make it appear like you’ve put a lot of effort into their preparation. Your guests are bound to be impressed. 

What You’ll Need: 

• Thinly sliced Proscuitto
• Cantaloupe
• Fresh mozzarella
• Basil leaves (optional)

 

2. Caprese Salad Bites Appetizer Recipe

For another appetizer, why not try these Caprese salad bites on a skewer? They’re just as simply made as the Mozzarella Cantaloupe and Prosciutto Appetizer recipe, and they’re also health-conscious and super tasty. If you want to go with something more fun than a traditional salad, these are a great option. 

What You’ll Need: 

• Cherry tomatoes
• Fresh basil
• Mozzarella cheese (squares or balls work best)
• Balsamic vinegar

 

3. Potato Salad with Bacon and Eggs

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If you’re looking for something a little more hearty, why not try this egg-salad-meets-potato-salad combination? This salad is filling, delicious, and jam-packed with zesty flavor. It’s a great crowd-pleaser and not too difficult to prepare. This recipe takes some prep work but the payoff is worth it. 

What You’ll Need:

• Potatoes
• Large eggs
• Bacon slices
• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream
• Dill relish
• Dijon mustard
• Garlic powder
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Cherry tomatoes, halved
• Pitted black olives, halved
• Salt (recommended: kosher)

 

4. Raspberry and Lemon Rosé Sparkler

Every backyard party could benefit from a refreshing fruity libation. This raspberry and lemon rosé sparkler recipe is a hit, guaranteed to make a splash with your guests. The best part about this recipe is that it uses real raspberries for that extra special twist. Plus, it couldn’t be easier to put together.

What You’ll Need (for a serving of 6): 

• 1 1/2 pt. fresh raspberries
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1 bottle sparkling rosé, chilled
• Sliced lemons and raspberries, for serving

 

5. Southern Style Pork Tenderloin

Looking for a mouth-watering grill recipe that differs from traditional burgers, steaks, and chicken drumsticks? This Southern Style Pork Tenderloin is so good, it’ll make you (and your guests) beg for more. 

What You’ll Need (to serve 6):

• 1/4 cup bourbon
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup dijon mustard
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 whole pork tenderloins, approx. 2 pounds total, trimmed

 

6. Grilled Chicken and Corn Quesadilla

Image by Jeremy Cooley from Pixabay

Quesadillas are usually huge hits at backyard bashes so we thought we’d suggest something with a twist. These quesadillas can be easily prepared in advance and revamped on the day of the party. It’s great for those of you who might feel overwhelmed by the thought of prepping all this food on the day of the barbecue.

What You’ll Need (for a serving of 6): 

• 5 tsp kosher salt
• 1 lb chicken breast, boneless and skinless
• 2 ears fresh corn
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 5 cups jack cheese, grated
• 6 flour tortillas

 

7. Pesto Shrimp Skewers

Next up, we’ve got these pesto shrimp skewers which only take about 30 minutes to prep and three minutes to cook. This is another dish that’s easy to prepare the day before. They’re great for the whole family and look quite impressive for the time it took to put them together. 

What You’ll Need: 

• Pesto
• Large shrimp, peeled and deveined

 

8. Irresistible Lemon Bars Recipe

Alright, now we’re onto desserts. We highly recommend this irresistible lemon bars recipe, for a few reasons. One, the recipe is super easy to follow and find the ingredients for. Two, the flavors speak for themselves. And three, lemon bars are a great way to feed a large crowd of people at something like a backyard party. They’re the ideal summer treat. 

What You’ll Need: 

• Butter, unsalted
• Powdered sugar
• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Eggs
• Granulated sugar
• Lemon juice
• Lemon zest

 

9. S’mores Blossom Cookies

Last but not least, we have a good old fashioned cookie recipe — with a special twist. Cookies are the ideal backyard summer party treat because they don’t require utensils for munching. These S’mores blossom cookies combine all the right flavors and are sure to be well received by adults and children alike. 

What You’ll Need: 

• 5 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup cookie butter
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar (plus more for rolling)
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons of milk
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 24 large marshmallows, cut in half
• 48 chocolate kisses, unwrapped 

*Note: Keep in mind that, although these recipes suggest a certain quantity of items for a certain number of people, all recipes can be increased (or decreased!) to suit your needs.