Recipes

80 Dishes to Bring to an Outdoor Party

Not all food is ready to withstand hungry hordes and sit outside in the hot, hot heat.
Image may contain Dish Food Meal Plant Platter Vegetable Bowl and Broccoli
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Chris Morocco, prop styling by Emily Eisen

When we're heading to picnics, cooking out in the backyard, and gearing up for days at the beach, we want our food to be as ready for the summer sun as we are. But not all food can withstand crowds and sitting outside in the hot, hot heat. That's why these 80 dishes exist. Let everyone else show up with six packs; show up with these and be a hero.

  • Image may contain Dish Food Meal Plant Platter Vegetable Bowl and Broccoli
    Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Chris Morocco, prop styling by Emily Eisen
    3/80

    Broccoli Salad With Peanut Dressing

    The raw broccoli salad at Emmy Squared in Brooklyn showed us that broccoli can be delicious even when squeaky raw.

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  • Image may contain Food Plant Dish and Meal
    Photo by Peden + Munk, food styling by Sue Li, prop styling by Rebecca Bartoshesky
    4/80

    Potato Salad with Bacon and Eggs

    Can’t decide if you’re in the mood for egg salad or potato salad? How about both—with bacon?

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  • Image may contain Plant Food Produce Dish Meal Salad and Vegetable
    Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Amy Wilson
    5/80

    Spicy Kimchi Slaw

    We traded the goopy sweet mayo dressing in your typical cole slaw for a whipped, airy kimchi dressing. Cabbage two ways!

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  • Image may contain Plant Food Dish Meal Produce and Vegetable
    Ryan Liebe
    6/80

    Israeli Couscous and Tomato Salad

    Use any cooked grain or other small pasta for this bittersweet number.

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  • Image may contain Plant Animal Seafood Food Lobster Sea Life Produce Vegetable Dish and Meal
    Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Amy Wilson
    7/80

    Charred Bean and Pea Salad

    A riff on a three-bean salad with a garlic-chile-maple-lime dressing that we can’t quit.

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  • This image may contain Fruit Plant Food and Strawberry
    Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
    8/80

    Matcha-Dipped Strawberries

    Matcha and sesame seeds take these strawberries to a place chocolate-dipped berries only dream of.

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  • Image may contain Electronics Keyboard Computer Computer Hardware Hardware Computer Keyboard Food Dish and Meal
    Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott
    25/80

    Noodle Salad with Chicken and Chile-Scallion Oil

    This bracing dish offers a taste of China's Sichuan Province and needs no reheating or additional prep at lunchtime.

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  • Image may contain Food Dessert Creme Cream Yogurt and Plant
    Peden + Munk
    26/80

    Caramelized Shallot Dip

    Like a lighter riff on a classic French onion dip, this yogurt-based dip is just begging for chips or crackers. The texture will make you pause before reaching for sour cream–based ever again. We suggest using low-fat Greek yogurt (we like Fage and Wallaby brands). Fat-free is astringent and chalky, and the richness of full-fat can drown out other flavors.

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  • Image may contain Plant Food Produce and Vegetable
    Christopher Testani
    29/80

    Farmers' Market Quinoa Salad

    Don’t obsess over getting these exact ingredients in this precise combination. Any nut you like will work here for crunch, and you’re looking for a mix of bright herbs and enough cooked grains to make it substantial.

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  • Image may contain Food Dish Meal Platter Lunch Salad and Plant
    Photo by Alex Lau
    30/80

    Crisp and Crunchy Chicken Salad

    If you prefer skinless, boneless thighs, that’s fine too. You will need to add about 2 Tbsp. olive oil to the pan to start, and your total cook time will be shorter. Change up the crunchy vegetables as you wish—any sturdy veggie that you enjoy eating raw will be equally good.

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  • Image may contain Plant Fruit Food Citrus Fruit Grapefruit and Produce
    Juco
    45/80

    Sorbet in Grapefruit Cups

    These frozen treats are also super cute made with orange rinds and work with any flavor sorbet or sherbet you fancy.

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  • Cole Slaw in a white bowl on a fabric
    Photograph by Emma Fishman, Prop Styling by Emma Ringness, Food Styling by Mieko Takahashi
    46/80

    Classic Coleslaw

    Hattie B’s version of this traditional fried chicken side tastes like coleslaw should: crunchy, a little creamy, and with enough vinegar to keep it bright. Best of all: It will help put out the fire.

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  • Image may contain Plant Food Produce and Vegetable
    Peden & Munk
    49/80

    Snap Peas and Green Beans with Arugula-Mint Pesto

    When not using this pesto to dress this very green salad, you could schmear it on just about any sandwich, or stir it into scrambled eggs.

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  • Image may contain Plant Cutlery Spoon Food Produce Dish Meal and Vegetable
    Christopher Testani
    50/80

    Grilled Cobb Salad

    For a simple summer salad, grill vegetables of your choice and serve with a hearty grain, such as quinoa or farro. This version, created by editor-in-chief Adam Rapoport, goes great with a vinaigrette created by his wife, Simone Shubuck. Get the recipe here.

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  • This image may contain Food Dish Meal Plant and Salad
    Photo by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott, food styling by Andy Baraghani, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski
    75/80

    Grain Salad with Tomatoes and Cucumbers

    Bring this to ALL the picnics this summer.

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  • This image may contain Food Bread Burger and Fried Chicken
    Photo by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott, food styling by Andy Baraghani, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski
    76/80

    Shrimp Empanadas

    Gather a crew to help you stuff and fold these flavorful empanadas, and then pack them up and head to the beach.

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Associate Web Editor. When she’s not posted up at a café, reading and praying that sipping her cappuccino won’t mean sacrificing a night’s sleep, Elyssa writes about food culture and restaurant trends for bonappetit.com. The team’s unrelenting sweet tooth and beverage nerd, Elyssa can also be found refreshing the Wait-or-Buy ... Read More
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