The term al fresco brings back some of my fondest memories. I can almost taste the delicious breakfasts my dad used to make on our back patio throughout my childhood. It’s no surprise that I now have such a deep love for dining outdoors. With summer quickly approaching, it’s the perfect time to embrace the fresh air and warm sunshine with a thoughtfully-curated spread. That’s why I’ve put together this list of outdoor dinner party menu ideas, filled with fresh and flavorful dishes that are easy to prepare and perfect for warm-weather gatherings.
So, what makes a great outdoor dinner party menu? As someone who grew up in Florida, I know firsthand how important it is to choose recipes that can withstand the heat while keeping prep time minimal. This roundup features light, refreshing dishes that cater to a variety of dietary preferences, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Ready to create the ultimate outdoor dinner party menu? Keep reading for the best recipes to elevate your next al fresco gathering.
Featured image by Michelle Nash.
There’s something undeniably magical about gathering for an evening under the open sky with good conversation and unforgettable food. Whether you’re hosting a casual backyard gathering or a refined garden soirée, having the perfect menu brings warmth and flavor to every moment shared al fresco.
Appetizers
Hummus Toast with Tomatoes, Feta, and Za’atar
I recently dined at my local French bistro with my sister and ordered a Caprese tartine with pesto. Needless to say—my life was changed, and I fully hopped on board with the hand-held appetizers. These hummus toasts, made with savory roasted garlic hummus and fresh cherry tomatoes, are a fantastic way to elevate your typical toast.
Bhutta Street Corn Guacamole
Specifically, when dining in Texas, I’ll never skip an opportunity to munch on chips and guac. This Indian take on a Tex-Mex classic is perfect for any upcoming outdoor entertaining plans, using crunchy charred corn and chaat masala.
Bruschetta with Slow-Roasted Tomatoes & Ricotta
In terms of a no-recipe recipe, this bruschetta takes the cake. All it takes is a few simple steps: grill your fresh, crusty bread, then layer your ricotta, add your roasted cherry tomatoes, and enjoy! No chopping or dicing required.
Smokey Eggplant Dip
When charred eggplant had its moment a few years ago, this dip came as the result. If you’re not into dining in, this dip allows you to hop onto the long-loved trend. Inspired by muttabal, this eggplant dip uses smokey aubergine and a variety of warming spices to create a luscious, stunning spread.
Sides
Avocado Caprese Salad
Simple salads are the perfect complement to long days and summer heat. Taking the elements of a traditional caprese salad (mozzarella, tomato, and basil) and adding a superfood like avocado adds heart-healthy fats and fiber to a refreshing side dish.
Simple Potato Salad with Smoked Chili Aioli
This aesthetic twist on a classic Southern dish is one of my favorite outdoor dinner party menu ideas. This recipe makes things even more straightforward compared to the traditional recipe and easier to digest without loads of mayo. Requiring only a handful of whole, unprocessed ingredients, its elegant simplicity is perfect to enjoy all summer.
Spicy Watermelon Feta Salad
Camille said it best: “There’s nothing better than cold slices of watermelon devoured at the height of summer.” There are only a few ways to make this juicy and sweet fruit better than on its own, but this spicy salad with fresh jalepeños and creamy feta is hands down one of our favorites.
Detox Salad With Cashew-Tamari Dressing
On her Ibiza trip, Camille picked up this Mediterranean salad recipe loaded with garden-fresh veggies and topped with a creamy cashew dressing. With plenty of nutrients and fiber, this salad will have you on your way to a full body reset after the heavy and stress-filled winter months.
Main Course
When deciding on a main course from my list of outdoor dinner party menu ideas, I typically turn to salmon. Not only does this fish contain a variety of healthy fats and Omega-3 vitamins, but it’s also light and flavorful—perfect for all things al fresco. While arugula, salmon, and grapefruit make this salad a true stunner, it’s orange-grapefruit dressing that truly pulls this salad together.
Mustard-Roasted Salmon and Veggies
Sheet pan recipes will always prevail in keeping cook-time to a minimum. Served with a zesty lemon vinaigrette and roasted with veggies like Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes, your entire meal comes together in one hour—who could say not to that?
Spice-Rubbed Chicken Thighs
These flavor-packed chicken thighs are a go-to for an effortless outdoor dinner party menu idea. They’re an incredibly budget-friendly option for serving a crowd, and come together in a stunning display using lemon slices and a bit of crunchy arugula.
Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Grapefruit Avocado Salsa
If you find yourself far from the coast, these shrimp tacos will bring your beachside without the plane ride. This recipe has a short and sweet ingredient list—a baseline requirement for any excellent summer recipe—with peeled shrimp, corn tortillas, avocados, and grapefruit as some of the highlights.
Spicy Tuna Tostadas with Avocado and Crispy Shallots
While yellowfin tuna can occasionally be a bit pricey, it’s worth the splurge for this delicious recipe. Inspired by Camille and her husband Adam’s meal at Contramar, these tuna tostadas, marinated in a sesame-soy sauce, are a vibrant and flavor addition to any outdoor dinner party menu.
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Five ingredient recipes make hosting a breeze. Add the fact that these sheet pan chicken fajitas only require one dish, and you have the most manageable and most customizable outdoor dinner party menu idea.
Desserts
No-Churn Fruit Sorbet
Using Camille’s “double blend” technique, making sorbet has never been easier. With this technique, the frozen sorbet is removed from the freezer, chopped into chunks, and then thrown back into the blender for a final whiz. With this method, your sorbet will be perfectly creamy and smooth.
Summer Fruit Salad With Meringue
Some may say this summer fruit is the perfect dessert for hosting your outdoor gatherings. With all the tips and tricks for how to make the easiest meringue that can be prepped ahead of time (it’s worth it, we promise) and how to get the most flavor out of your summer fruits, this recipe has it all.
Bendita Entre Los Melones
I was hooked on this recipe when I first tried it last summer. Using juicy Charentais melon (similar to canteloupe) and a chilled, sweet white wine, this boozy melon recipe is perfect to end a long pool day in the sun.
Strawberry Cake With Mascarpone Creme
No oven is required for this simple strawberry cake. Whereas other desserts require hours of prep and worrying about the final result, this strawberry cake recipe involves simple layers and a few easy components together in a Pyrex pan.
Summer Fruit Fools
I love a personalized dessert, and these summer fruit fools are among the best. Inspired by the traditional English dessert with sweet whipped cream (or custard, your call) and sweet and tart blackberries, this dessert will convince you that fruit desserts ARE worth the hype.
Drinks
Spicy Mezcal Paloma
During SXSW in Austin last year, I had my first run-in with Mezcal. The friend who I was with warned me that it’s an acquired taste, but it turns out it’s one that I absolutely love. This spicy paloma with fresh jalepeños, a tajin rim, and grapefruit juice is the perfect way to try your hand at this smoky and summery liquor.
La Grande Plage
This French Riviera-inspired cocktail is one of our top summer cocktail recipes and one that should be enjoyed during sunset. Might I dare to say—it gives the beloved Aperol spritz a run for its money.
Lillet Spritz
Another twist on the classic Aperol spritz, Lillet rosé brings a delicate fruity aroma that’s lighter than Sangria but still summery. Pair with club soda, orange bitters, and dry sparkling wine, and you have yourself the most refreshing summer beer.
Rose & Elderflower Lemonade
If you’re in pursuit of a NA cocktail, this rose and elderflower lemonade is classy enough to make the cut. This sophisticated spin on the classic lemonade adds a unique and distinct flavor profile with floral elderflower syrup and rose water.
Aperol Spritz
Lastly, this list wouldn’t be complete without a classic Aperol spritz recipe. While we know this recipe is hyped up, I’d argue it’s worth the hype, with the perfect balance of summer sweetness and bitter tang.