Enjoy these flavorful, easy dishes and sides to simplify your casual outdoor entertaining this summer – no cooking required!
It’s no secret that hosting fun and festive backyard parties can generally involve a lot of work between planning, preparing, cleaning and cooking.
Party prep can consume your free time for several days and in the summer heat, using the oven or even the stovetop can be very hot and uncomfortable.
These flavorful, easy recipes are perfect for porch parties or floating in the pool this summer – and there’s virtually no cooking required!
Gather your neighbors and invite them to join you for a casual gathering with dishes that will be easy for you to prepare but will still wow your guests!
Whatever else your summer brings, make sure you add a party packed with these delicious dishes to your itinerary.
1
Serene Herrera
Cilantro Tomato Avocado Salad Recipe
Perfectly balanced, fresh flavors that can come straight from your garden or local farmer’s market, this salad dish combines cilantro, tomatoes, avocados, and delicious queso fresco for a cool, refreshing main or side dish. It’s great for cookouts or as a standalone meal, you’ll love this chilled salad loaded with crisp summer veggies – and so will your guests!
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2
Serene Herrera
Texas Caviar Recipe
Variations of this easy summer recipe have been exploding on my timeline lately as more and more people on social media discover the absolute treasure that is Texas Caviar! While it’s awesome as a dip for corn chips, it can be eaten by itself with a spoon or used as a topping for naan or flatbread, or even piled onto a bed of greens and drizzled with your favorite dressing.
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3
Meghan Bassett
Smoked Salmon Avocado Cream Cheese Bagel Recipe
A fresh, flavorful spinoff of bagels and lox, these easy smoked salmon avocado cream cheese bagels are familiar, elegant, and filling as an easy, refreshing dinner on a hot summer evening. Guests will love the gourmet presentation that’s still relaxed enough for a yard party setting. Serve them alongside a fresh fruit salad for a savory and sweet pairing that’s just right.
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4
Meghan Yager
Avocado Ricotta Tomato Pesto Layer Dip Recipe
This avocado ricotta tomato pesto layer dip presents a delicious twist on the classic 5-layer dip. It’s decidedly creamy and rich, and pairs perfectly with toasted bread or melba toast. Make this dip the day before your party and store it in the fridge to save time the day of your party – just make sure you hide it so nobody eats it all beforehand!
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5
Serene Herrera
Loaded Guacamole Recipe
Take classic guacamole to a whole new level with this loaded guacamole recipe and the addition of bacon, diced tomatoes, crumbled queso fresco, chopped cilantro, red onion, and diced jalapeños. It’s sheer brilliance! Festive, fresh, and flavorful, your guests will remember this guacamole (and ask for it again) for years to come!
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6
Serene Herrera
Mango Salsa Recipe
This juicy, fresh mango salsa recipe is loaded with red onion, bell pepper, jalapeños, and cilantro then sprinkled with lime juice and salt. It is incredible served with corn chips or used as a topping on your favorite tacos, plus is pairs beautifully with grilled shrimp, fish, or chicken dishes. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, you need to try this one.
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7
Taylor Kiser
Lentil Hummus Recipe
Hummus is a classic vegetarian favorite in our home! Hearty, perfect as a vegetable dip, great with crackers or soft bread, and easily customizable, we use hummus for parties regularly! This also tastes great as a spread in wraps, so consider hosting a unique make your own wrap dinner party on the front porch one evening this summer.
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8
Taylor Kiser
Tuna Ceviche Bowls Recipe
Bright, colorful, sunny tuna ceviche bowls are the perfect way to incorporate a healthy salad with surprising, fresh tuna for a flavorful, beautiful main dish. I love fresh tuna, and this is soaked in lime juice for an extra zesty flavor profile you’ll be more than happy to serve up. If you want to serve a really special dish without heating up the kitchen, this is your pick.
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9
Nora Rusev
Mediterranean Chopped Chickpea Couscous Salad Recipe
This crunchy, satisfying couscous salad is excellent served on its own or as a side along with grilled chicken or steak. Rich and flavorful, our Mediterranean chopped chickpea couscous salad is filled with familiar flavors such as tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, and onions, but still unique enough to feel special when served at a casual outdoor dinner gathering.
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10
Tanya Schroeder
Thai Cashew Chicken Salad Recipe
Romaine, bok choy, chicken, veggies, and the most incredible homemade cashew dressing bring together flavors that will remind you of your favorite traditional Thai take out but with that cool, light, summer flair you want. This Thai cashew chicken salad recipe is crunchy, fresh and easy to toss together, but also still slightly unexpected if you’re hosting friends.
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