14 Party Foods That Belong at Every Backyard Gathering
Great backyard gatherings start with food that’s easy to share and impossible to resist. These party-ready recipes are packed with bold flavors, crowd-pleasing favorites, and simple preparations that let you spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your guests. Whether you’re hosting a casual cookout, family barbecue, or summer celebration, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy. Make a few of these dishes, and don’t expect leftovers by the end of the night.
Shish Tawook
Try this Authentic Shish Tawook recipe – a popular Lebanese grilled chicken skewers recipe. It’s tender juicy chicken marinated in yogurt, lemon and garlic.
Cucumber Sandwiches
Cucumber sandwiches are delicious, savory and fun to eat.These cute tea sandwiches are also ideal for picnics and road trips.
Zucchini Pizza Bites
Zucchini Pizza Bites are a fun and easy summer appetizer featuring a savory zucchini crust! Satisfy your pizza cravings with these bite-sized pizzas for a tasty snack, lunch, or fun party dish!
Easy Tortellini Skewers Appetizer
An ultimate finger food perfect for parties and get togethers, Tortellini Skewers! With just 5 simple ingredients these appetizers are best prepped ahead of time, so perfect for entertaining, just take out of the fridge and serve!
Grilled Halloumi Cheese Recipe
Grilled Halloumi is a fast, delicious appetizer that is crispy, creamy and absolutely scrumptious! All you need is some halloumi cheese from your local grocery store. Be prepared for a delicious and easy treat perfect for tossing in a salad, serving with a pita or drizzling with honey!
Gooey Smores Dip in the Oven
Too cold outside for a camping trip? No fire pit at your house? This easy S’mores Dip is an easy way to make indoor s’mores without an open flame or camp fire. All you need are three ingredients and a hot oven.
Watermelon Mojito Slushie
A Watermelon Mojito Slushie is just what you need to keep cool this summer! Sweet watermelon, fresh lime, mint and a splash of rum makes for a refreshing summer treat to enjoy at your next cookout or backyard party.
Watermelon Feta Salad Recipe
I adore fresh watermelon in summer. Its colorful juicy nature just screams summertime to me. A triangle of the sweet summer fruit makes me think of times at the end of the school year as much as times at the beach on summer break. This watermelon feta salad takes me to those memories.
Peach Scones
Peach Scones are sweet, crumbly, buttery, and SO much easier to make from scratch than you may think! Whether you’re planning a tea party or just happen to have a fresh peach on hand, you’re gonna love this classic, summery recipe.
Pineapple Agua Fresca Recipe
This Pineapple Agua Fresca is a sweet, cooling Mexican drink that is perfect for enjoying in the summertime! Make it with the recipe provided or keep reading for other ways to customize your Agua Fresca!
Soy-Glazed Mushroom Swiss Burgers
These gourmet burgers are beyond your average backyard BBQ fare. Soy-Glazed Mushroom Swiss Burgers with caramelized onions & rosemary aioli are a flavor wallop to the mouth in the best possible way!
Strawberry Tomato Salad
This Strawberry Tomato Salad is light, fresh, and bursting with flavor—perfect for summer nights, backyard cookouts, or an easy appetizer. The sweet strawberries and juicy tomatoes pair surprisingly well in this vibrant warm-weather salad.
Watermelon pizza
I know our Watermelon pizza will be your favorite fruit pizza to make this summer! Topped with Greek yogurt and bright colored fruits the kids are going to have a lot of fun making this with you.
Caprese Salad Skewers
Caprese Salad Skewers with juicy tomatoes, crisp basil, and creamy mozzarella are rich with bold flavors and so easy to make. Top caprese skewers with a good-quality, buttery extra-virgin olive oil, thick balsamic glaze, salt, and freshly ground pepper.
