Want a great summer party menu that won’t break your budget? You’ll need great food when you invite the family and friends over for the 4th of July, host the end-of-the-season Little League celebration, or participate in a summer block party.
I’ve compiled some of the best recipes on the internet for your summer party menus. Check out this collection for easy and inexpensive party food and beverages.
Cold Summer Party Foods
Table of Contents
1. 5-Minute Loaded Baked Potato Dip
This 5-Minute Loaded Baked Potato Dip is a quick cold dip recipe that’s sure to please everyone on a hot day! From Stacey at The Soccer Mom Blog.
2. Avocado Feta Dip
A vibrant green dip that goes great with raw veggies, crisp crackers, or pita chips, and will add color and flavor to your party table! Takes just minutes to make. This recipe is from Louisa Clements at Living Lou.
3. Mango Salsa
How about some fresh mango as the basis for a homemade salsa for your next summer get-together? Rebeka from Zen and Honey created the perfect salsa to eat with chips, on fish tacos, or with other seafood.
4. Easy Pesto Tortellini Skewers
This recipe is a real WOW with only three ingredients! Quick and easy to make ahead, these tortellini skewers can be served cold or at room temperature. Your guests will love them. From Christine on Foody Schmoody.
5. Chicken Lettuce Cups
For a small summer party, these lettuce cups are a different and yummy way to serve chicken. Crunchy veggies and a squeeze of lime make this chicken a tasty delight!
6. Cranberry Chicken Salad on Apple Slices
A twist on serving a great chicken salad—spoon it onto crisp apple slices! If you want to use it for a heartier main dish, that’s okay, too! It’s bound to impress! Created by Yummy Addiction.
7. Vegan Pesto Pinwheels
These delicious pinwheels will be devoured by the vegans and the non-vegans at your summer get-together! Fresh ingredients are the key to this great pinwheel wrap recipe from registered dietitian Catherine Perez at plant-based RD.
8. Mediterranean Feta Bites
Add a little international flavor to your summer party menu with these Mediterranean Feta Bites—phyllo cups filled with feta, tomato, cucumber, and onion. By Carly, the Mommy at Mommy On Purpose.
9. Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint
It’s not a summer get-together without watermelon…but, have you ever paired it with feta cheese ? This is a great way to serve watermelon, especially to your adult friends. (Kids might prefer their more familiar watermelon slices!) Check out this Watermelon Salad recipe at Love and Lemons.
10. Spaghetti Salad
Full of fresh veggies and chilled pasta, this spaghetti salad has crunch and flavor. Easy to make ahead of your party, it’s a great side for sandwiches, BBQ, and potluck get-togethers. There won’t be leftovers after your guests taste this! From Holly at Spend With Pennies.
11. 7-Layer Salad
This classic Southern recipe is loved by generations of party-goers. Best made and served in a tall, clear glass bowl so everyone can see the layers. By Jessica Randhawa on The Forked Spoon.
12. Avocado Deviled Eggs
Think deviled eggs are hum-drum or boring? Avocado Deviled Eggs are anything but hum-drum or boring! Try this variation for a healthy and delicious experience. Make plenty—they won’t last long. From Shruthi Baskaran-Makanju at Urban Farmie.
13. Marinated Green Bean Salad
This is a great make-ahead salad using a veggie you usually eat hot. You just add tomatoes and sliced onions right before serving. Great at a summer pool party or a picnic. It’s sure to become a favorite! From FlavorMosaic.
14. Grilled Corn Salad
A great salad that goes with everything! Take advantage of summer’s fresh corn on the cob to make this Grilled Corn Salad, a refreshing side dish for cookouts, picnics, and poolside parties. From Christina Cherrier at Eatwell 101.
14. Cashew-Chicken Rotini Salad
Pasta, chicken, and cashews are the stars of this salad. Serve it with sandwiches and grilled or BBQ meats. Take this Cashew-Chicken Rotini Salad to potlucks and come home with an empty dish. By Kara Cook, Taste of Home.
15. Mediterranean Rice Salad
This is a gluten-free and vegetarian salad that can be used as a main dish or a side. The combination of a chopped salad and rice is mixed with a very light dressing. Prepare the Mediterranean Rice Salad ahead of time. Recipe written by Dannii Martin on Hungry Healthy Happy.
16. Mandarin Orange Salad
A great addition to your summer party menu is a tasty and visually appealing salad with mandarin orange segments and sugared almonds. Nellie of Butter with a side of Bread says, “it’s sweet, simple and everyone loves it.”
17. Summer Berry Salad with Yogurt Dressing
Fresh summer fruit, dressed in a creamy honey and cinnamon yogurt dressing, takes just ten minutes to prepare. Is it a dessert or a salad? Maybe a dessert salad! Check out this recipe by Kristina Tipps on Tasty Oven.
Hot Summer Party Foods
18. Zucchini Lasagna
When zucchini is in its prime in the summer, use it to replace some pasta in a family-sized pan of lasagna. Depending on your crowd, you may need to make 2-3 pans of this delicious Zucchini Lasagna. By Southern Living Test Kitchen, updated July 29, 2023.
19. The Best Chinese Chicken on a Stick
These skewers are simple and very easy to make. They can be cooked in a grill pan, on a grill, or in the oven. Any leftover skewers are easy to reheat or can be frozen for later consumption. By Maretha Corbett of
The Cinnamon Jar.
20. Pulled Pork Nachos
Nachos made with pulled pork (leftover or made fresh), crispy nacho chips, creamy cheese…topped with salsa…Yum!! A great poolside snack, everyone will love Pulled Pork Nachos! From Addison LaBonte at 100 Days of Food.
21. Smoked Jalapeno Poppers
For those who appreciate a little smokey spiciness, these awesome Smoked Jalapeno Poppers will be a huge hit! Recipe author Katia of Whole Made Living says wrapping the poppers with bacon is optional.
22. Chicken Drumstick Lollipops
Recipe author Mariska Ramondino of My Chefs Apron shows us how to “French” a drumstick for this great presentation. The presentation is matched by amazing flavor. Check out Chicken Drumstick Lollipops here.
23. Marinated Grilled Vegetables with Avocado Whipped Feta
This is a very simple, inexpensive dish to make when summer vegetables are abundant. The whipped feta will surprise everyone. Yummy! Recipe by Jessica on How Sweet Eats.
24. Easy Grilled Potatoes in Foil
Easy-Peasy, 10-minute prep time, then let the grill finish this tasty potato dish for you. Make 1 foil packet for every 8 guests. Recipe by Kellie at the Suburban Soapbox.
25. Dill Pickle Relish Cornbread Muffins
Melted butter, Parmesan cheese, and dill pickle relish take these corn muffins over the moon! Recipe by Liz Mervosh of Real Simple.
26. Southern Fried Green Tomatoes
Southerners recognize these as a great treat. Crunchy and tender at the same time, they can serve as an appetizer or a side dish to almost any entree. Best served with a creamy remoulade sauce, don’t be surprised at how quickly these fried green tomatoes disappear. Recipe by Gina on Home by Cedar Springs Farm.
27. Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Dipped in a zesty lemon and garlic marinade before cooking, these beautiful shrimp skewers are summer party winners! Check out this shrimp skewer recipe by Erin Merhar on The Pioneer Woman. Author Georga Gooden helps you decide: Shell or no shell? Devein or don’t devein? Soak the skewers or not?
28. Homemade Chicken Fingers
Everybody loves some version of fried chicken. These are restaurant-quality chicken fingers—juicy and tender! Set out several dips for your guests to enjoy with these golden-brown chicken fingers. This easy recipe by Sara on Dinner at the Zoo.
29. Farmers Market Street Tacos
Ralph Jones, Taste of Home, promises that any fresh produce you pick up at your local farmers’ market will taste great grilled in these street tacos. Give them a try! Check out Farmers Market Street Tacos.
30. Weeknight Skillet Paella
Who knew it’s even possible to make paella in an hour? According to the editors of PureWow Food, it’s best to stick to basic seafood like shrimp and clams. Your oven can do most of the work for you! Check out their Weeknight Skillet Paella.
31. Zoodle Stir-Fry
This is a great dish for all your vegan friends. It’s a very healthy dish, full of crispy, colorful vegetables. Let your children try making the zoodles if you have a spiral-cut zoodle maker. This recipe is thanks to PureWow Food editors.
32. Deep-Fried Sweet Potato Fries
This 3-ingredient recipe for Deep-Fried Sweet Potato Fries includes two trips into the deep-fryer. The simple seasoning results in fries your family and friends will ask for at every get-together. Angela at The Short Order Cook shares dip recipes for the fries.
33. Instant Pot Shrimp Boil
A certain winner for a summer dinner party, this low-country shrimp boil is easy to cook in an Instant Pot. Bake Me Some Sugar author Kelsey says “…this Instant Pot seafood recipe will blow your tastebuds out of the water.”
34. Italian Pesto Sliders
For rave reviews from your summer party guests, serve these quick and easy Italian Pesto Sliders. Made with pull-apart rolls, they’re so easy to make and serve. This recipe is from Lisa Longley at Simple Joy.
35. Mediterranean Chicken Patties
These moist and juicy chicken patties can be served by themselves with just a side of Tzatziki, on a bun for a quick summer lunch, or as a more complete meal over rice. Get this healthy recipe by Sam Hu on Ahead of Thyme.
36. Stuffed Tomatoes with Chorizo and Quinoa
These tomatoes stuffed with chorizo, quinoa, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese can be a side dish, a hot salad, or a main dish. Check out this delicious recipe by Carrie on Talking Meals.
37. Roasted Tomato Macaroni and Cheese
Adding roasted tomatoes to macaroni and cheese ensures this children’s favorite moves to #1 on many adults’ lists of favorites, too. A little extra seasoning and four delicious cheeses also bump up the flavor! Adam Dolge on Southern Living.
Non-Alcoholic Summer Party Beverages
38. Fruity Summer Punch
This punch is quickly made with just a few simple ingredients. It’s not oversweet; it’s bubbly and refreshing. The recipe is by Eileen Murphy Kelly on Everyday Eileen.
39. Refreshing Watermelon Punch Recipe
This drink will be a great option for everyone who loves the refreshing taste of watermelon. Quickly made with only three ingredients, you can use the “empty” watermelon for your punchbowl. Read the instructions before you cut your watermelon. Erin Henry has modified an earlier version of this recipe on Suburban Simplicity.
40. Sparkling Cranberry-Cider Mocktail
This cranberry-cider drink gets its sparkle from adding club soda to the drink just before serving. Make a punchbowl full for a crowd! Recipe by Andrea Mathis, M.A., RDN, LD on Eating Well.
41. Fresh Berry Lemonade
Another refreshing non-alcoholic summer drink for everyone. Made with homemade strawberry simple syrup, whipping up a batch of this special lemonade is easy! From Woman’s Day Kitchen.
42. Non-Alcoholic Strawberry Lemonade Punch
Another 3-ingredient punch recipe that’s perfect for summer entertaining! Frozen strawberries, lemonade concentrate, and lemon-lime soda make this Strawberry Lemonade Punch a big hit with all your guests! From Katie Crenshaw on A Fork’s Tale.
43. Thai Tea
Take tea up a notch with this recipe! It’s an amazing blend of aromatic spices and creamy condensed milk. Ideal for a small summer lunch get-together with your BFFs, iced Thai Tea will be a big hit! Recipe author Sangeetha Vel on Yellow Chili’s.
44. 2-Ingredient Orange Creamsicle Drink
Remember when the ice cream truck rang its bell, and you couldn’t wait to get an Orange Creamsicle? Well, here’s your chance to savor that taste again, but in a beverage! 2-Ingredient Orange Creamsicle Drink from Tracey on The Kitchen is My Playground.
