Summer Party Food for a Large Group: Tips + Ideas

From family reunions to birthday bashes, there are plenty of reasons to host a large summer gathering this year. Taking some time to plan your summer party food menu strategically will help keep your kitchen cool and give you more time to enjoy your guests.

While creating multi-course meals from scratch might be perfect for a small dinner party, it pays to take a different approach when you’re serving groups of 20 or more. The following ideas will help you feed a crowd like a pro.

How do you prepare summer party food for a large group?

In the middle of summer, the last thing you want to do is spend all day slaving away in a hot kitchen. Use the following cooking methods to keep your kitchen cool so that you can enjoy your day.

Cook the main meal outdoors

Enjoying fresh-grilled meats is one of the best things about summer! Not only is it fairly easy to grill for a large group, but you can also make a wide variety of different foods. If you want to go the traditional route, fire up some burgers, hot dogs, and brats. This is a solution that’s sure to please almost all your guests. If you want some healthier options, you can also toss some turkey or chicken burgers on the grill. Are vegetarians or vegans joining your party? Add a few veggie burgers as well.

Place your grilled meats on a large plate and set them on a table that’s been pre-set with a selection of buns and condiments. Don’t forget to put out some toppers like lettuce, tomato, onions, cheese, and bacon.

Looking for something a bit more interesting? Marinade some chicken, cut it into chunks, and put them on skewers with fresh pineapple pieces. Then, toss them on the grill.

You can also make a fantastic side by spreading a thin layer of mayo on a piece of aluminum foil, sprinkling it with paprika, and using it to wrap a piece of corn on the cob. Toss the corn on the grill for eight to ten minutes, and your guests will enjoy a treat they won’t soon forget.

Use your crock-pot to make delicious barbecue pork

If you have a large crock-pot, you can make a crowd-pleasing dish with almost no effort! BBQ pork is easy to make – the key lies in choosing the right cut. If you’re ordering your groceries from Instacart, leave a note for your shopper asking them to look for a pork shoulder that has plenty of marbling. The fat in the meat will keep it from drying out during the cooking process, ensuring a juicy dish everyone will love.

If you cook your pork in a tasty marinade, you probably won’t need any BBQ sauce at all. However, since everyone’s taste is different, you might want to put out a couple of bottles just in case. Serve your pulled pork with fresh rolls and some crispy onion straws, and shredded cheese on the side.

Prep your summer appetizers and sides before the party

Once you’ve got the main course covered, you’ll want to start thinking summer appetizers and side dishes. When planning your summer party food menu, keep it light and fresh and choose dishes you can make ahead of time. Here are a few ideas to help inspire you.

Fresh fruit salad

Fruit is known as “nature’s candy,” making it one of the best summer appetizers. When placing your food order, ask your shopper to choose fresh summer fruits that are at the peak of ripeness. There are so many types of seasonal fruits to choose from. Some exciting options include watermelon, grapes, apples, cherries, peaches, and more!

An extra-large bowl of fruit salad should serve about 20 people. If you’re planning to have more than that, you may want to make a second bowl. If you don’t end up using it all during the party, you can always freeze it to make fruit smoothies.

To keep everything fresh, you’ll want to wait until a few hours before guests arrive to start cutting and mixing your fruit. Then, cover it tightly and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to put it out.

Pasta salad

A cold pasta salad is always a crowd-pleaser. Since you can make this dish the night before your event, it’s also one of the most popular summer party recipes.

Cook some bowtie pasta, rinse it in cold water, then add fresh veggies like cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, and artichokes. Toss it in balsamic vinaigrette and set it aside. Before you put it out, mix in fresh basil and feta cheese. This dish is excellent when served as a summer appetizer or as a side dish.

Homemade coleslaw

Coleslaw is a light, refreshing side dish that goes great with both grilled foods and BBQ pork. You can cut up red and green cabbage for the base or save yourself a ton of time by picking up some bags of pre-shredded coleslaw mix.

Easily make your own dressing by combining mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, celery seeds, salt, and pepper. Right before your guests arrive, mix the dressing and coleslaw, and, voila! You’ve got a delicious side dish your guests will love.

End the day with a crowd-pleasing dessert bar

You can’t plan a summer party without dessert. Whether your guest list includes kids or adults who are kids at heart, there’s sure to be a sweet tooth or two in the crowd. Sure, you could put out a tray of premade bakery cookies, or you could make a real impression with a fun dessert bar.

S’mores bar

It’s fair to say that s’mores are the ultimate summer party food. If your event will go into the night, consider lighting a fire pit and providing your guests with an upscale s’mores bar. You’ll need some long skewers for roasting marshmallows and a variety of ingredients to make both classic and exciting versions of this delicious treat.

Keep things exciting by choosing a few different flavors of marshmallows and a variety of candy. You can also pick up some chocolate graham crackers, cookies, and brownie bites in addition to traditional graham crackers.

Ice cream sundae bar

If you’re planning a daytime party or don’t want to deal with fire, an ice cream sundae bar is another excellent option. First, you’ll want to purchase several large tubs of ice cream in a few different flavors. Then, put out various sauces, toppings, and candy, and let your guests go to town, creating their own sweet creations!

Takeaways for serving summer party food to a large group

Planning a large gathering is sometimes a challenge, but choosing the right summer party food can make it a breeze! Start by cooking outdoors or using a crockpot to keep your kitchen cool. Prep refreshing sides and starters ahead of time, and end with an unforgettable dessert bar.

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