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Planning a summer get-together? These cookout foods for a crowd include pasta salads, cakes, sliders, and kabobs. They’re all easy, tasty and great for sharing.
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If you’ve been cooking the same thing every summer, now’s your chance to mix it up.
These new recipes are fun, flavorful, and don’t require a ton of ingredients. We’ve got you covered, from appetizers and mains to desserts.
Crispy Accordion Potatoes
These crispy potatoes may look fancy, but they’re surprisingly simple to pull off.
The recipe includes pepper and paprika, but go ahead and add some of your favorite seasonings. Make them even more irresistible.
Get The Recipe: Crispy Accordion Potatoes
Sausage Balls with Cream Cheese
Make a big batch of these sausage balls ahead of time for your upcoming weekend gathering.
They’re soft and cheesy, something that pairs well with savory dipping sauces or even fresh fruit skewers.
Get The Recipe: Sausage Balls with Cream Cheese
Bacon Wrapped Smokies
Make appetizers with everyone’s favorite ingredient—bacon!
This recipe only requires four simple ingredients and is ready in less than an hour.
Get The Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Smokies
Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa
You don’t have to head to Chipotle to get that sweet and zesty corn salsa everyone loves.
This version is easy to make at home and perfect for cookouts. Pair it with your favorite grilled chicken.
Get The Recipe: Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa
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Air Fryer Corn Ribs
These corn ribs are crisp and slightly charred on the edges, yet juicy inside.
They’re a much simpler alternative to the classic grilled corn on the cob!
Get The Recipe: Air Fryer Corn Ribs
Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake
This cheesecake is made with Greek yogurt, cream cheese, lemon juice, and of course, fresh blueberries.
Make sure to refrigerate it for a few hours before serving for the best taste and texture.
Get The Recipe: Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake
Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip
Yes, you can use the Instant Pot to make mouthwatering summer dips!
This one is a crowd-pleasing appetizer that you can serve with crackers, carrot sticks, and celery sticks.
Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip
Dairy Free Lemon Bars
Craving zesty treats? These lemon bars offer a healthier twist on the classic dessert.
They’re citrusy, with just the right amount of sweetness.
Get The Recipe: Dairy Free Lemon Bars
Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders
These sliders are a solid crowd favorite. They feature layers of ranch dressing, cheddar cheese, bacon, and turkey deli meat.
They pair well with pasta salads and potato soups.
Get The Recipe: Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders
Hot Girl Summer Salad
Not all cucumber salads are made equal. This one is extra refreshing and filling!
Aside from cucumbers, it includes hard-boiled eggs, bell peppers, and red onions.
Get The Recipe: Hot Girl Summer Salad
Peach Cobbler Egg Rolls
No time to bake a huge cheesecake? Make these egg rolls instead—they’re warm, fruity, and fun to make!
You can also make them vegan by using dairy-free butter instead of the usual salted butter.
Get The Recipe: Peach Cobbler Egg Rolls
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Vegan Strawberry Ice Cream
Want a cool treat without the dairy?
This ice cream is made with coconut milk, vanilla creamer, strawberry purée, and fresh strawberries.
Get The Recipe: Vegan Strawberry Ice Cream
Tropical Fruit Salad
Nothing says summer like a colorful fruit salad.
This recipe is packed with apples, grapes, bananas, blueberries, and mandarin orange segments.
Get The Recipe: Tropical Fruit Salad
Vegan Baked Beans
These vegan baked beans are loaded with smoky, sweet, and savory flavors.
Main ingredients include beans, tomato paste, maple syrup, liquid smoke, and other simple ingredients.
Get The Recipe: Vegan Baked Beans
No Egg Potato Salad
This salad is perfect for guests who prefer a plant-based side.
It uses Yukon gold potatoes, vegan mayo, red onions, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard.
Get The Recipe: No Egg Potato Salad
Sizzling Smoked Chicken Wings
Don’t let the idea of cooking for a crowd intimidate you. Try this recipe!
These wings are easy, juicy, with a little kick from bourbon. You can make it 24 hours ahead of time.
Get The Recipe: Sizzling Smoked Chicken Wings
High Protein Pasta Salad
This high-protein option features cherry tomatoes, ham, chicken breast, feta cheese, chickpeas, and pepperoncinis.
It’s best served cold, so make sure to refrigerate it first before serving.
Get The Recipe: High Protein Pasta Salad
Strawberry Jello Trifle
This dessert is a brilliant choice for large family gatherings.
You only need a few simple ingredients to make it, including strawberry gelatin mix, vanilla instant pudding mix, and strawberries.
Get The Recipe: Strawberry Jello Trifle
Layered Bacon Cornbread Salad
It’s true—the best part of a summer cookout is the food!
Make this cornbread salad part of your menu. It has cheddar cheese, pinto beans, and corn muffin mix.
Get The Recipe: Layered Bacon Cornbread Salad
Grilled Stuffed Mushrooms
Make these stuffed mushrooms in just 30 minutes.
They’re vegetarian-friendly but meaty enough to satisfy everyone. Serve them with couscous salad with lemon and herbs.
Get The Recipe: Grilled Stuffed Mushrooms
Taco Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Tired of the same old grilled cheese sandwich? This version will become your new favorite.
It’s made with butter, cheddar cheese, avocado, and jalapeño pepper.
Get The Recipe: Taco Grilled Cheese Sandwich
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Grilled Hawaiian Beef Kabobs
These beef kabobs are a cookout essential even beginner cooks can make.
Don’t worry, this recipe is so easy to follow. It includes pineapple juice, brown sugar, and zucchini.
Get The Recipe: Grilled Hawaiian Beef Kabobs
Pinchos (Puerto Rican Chicken Skewers)
Pinchos are traditionally served with BBQ sauce or bread, making them a hands-on favorite for casual gatherings.
They’re easy, satisfying, and totally worth trying.
Get The Recipe: Pinchos (Puerto Rican Chicken Skewers)
Strawberry Poke Cake
You’ll never run out of strawberry desserts to try this summer.
Try this poke cake for your next cookout. It’s light and sweet with a burst of berry flavors in every bite.
Get The Recipe: Strawberry Poke Cake
Macaroni Salad
This salad is creamy, tangy, and perfect for balancing out all the grilled meats at your cookout.
It’s easy to prep ahead and pairs well with almost everything on the grill.
Get The Recipe: Macaroni Salad
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Summer is all about good food and fun stories. For your next cookout, prepare simple dishes you can make ahead of time.
Pasta salads, sliders, and no-bake desserts are delicious options that can impress everyone.
Everyone will probably ask you how you made them.
25 Sides for Cookout Season That Wow Without the Work
Ready to wow without the work? These sides for cookout season bring in some of the best flavors and fresh summer fruits and vegetables you can enjoy with your favorite meals.
Read it here: 25 Sides for Cookout Season That Wow Without the Work
20 Grilling for a Crowd Ideas Everyone Raves About
These fun grilling for a crowd ideas will have everyone raving. From flavorful main dishes and easy to make sides, these amazing dishes are grilled to perfection and perfectly flavored.
Read it here: 20 Grilling for a Crowd Ideas Everyone Raves About
Is Walmart+ Worth It? Honest Review 3 Years Later!
Is the new Walmart Plus worth the annual fee or is it just another failed version of Amazon Prime? I spent my own money trying this service out for 12 months and counting. I have a lot to say about the benefits and drawbacks in this Walmart+ honest review.
Read it here: Is Walmart+ Worth It? Honest Review 3 Years Later!
Ready to revamp your summer menu? Skip the same old hot dogs and surprise your loved ones with something a little different this time: