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.

June 6, 2018

Image may contain Dish Food Meal Plant Platter Vegetable Bowl and Broccoli

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.

1/80
Charred and Raw Corn Salad
All the things that you love about elote (Mexican grilled corn), now in a convenient tossed-together form.
View Recipe
Alex Lau
2/80
Ramen With Steak and Sesame-Ginger Dressing
This cold noodle salad can be customized however you want, but it's all about that sesame dressing.
View Recipe

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.
View Recipe
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?
View Recipe

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!
View Recipe
Ryan Liebe
6/80
Israeli Couscous and Tomato Salad
Use any cooked grain or other small pasta for this bittersweet number.
View Recipe

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.
View Recipe
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.
View Recipe

Alex Lau
9/80
Smashed Potato Salad
This recipe was created by reader Kim Smithers in our Chef Watson potato salad challenge.
View Recipe
Alex Lau
10/80
Haricots Verts with Summer Squash and 8-Minute Eggs
This bean salad is taken to new, luxurious levels with the addition of eggs, anchovies, and your favorite summer squash.
View Recipe

Ted Cavanaugh
11/80
Crunchy Salty Lemony Salad
TBH, you can sub in any raw veg, oil, or cheese you feel like. This salad's a no-brainer.
View Recipe
Peden & Munk
12/80
Potato Salad with 7-Minute Eggs and Mustard Vinaigrette
Egg salad and potato salad: Unite! We like how the still-soft yolks dress the salad, but you can cook the eggs a minute or two longer if you like them more set.
View Recipe

13/80
Mexican Corn Salad
The only thing better than Mexican corn on the cob is Mexican corn off the cob. This riff on esquites goes heavy on the cotija and lime.
View Recipe
Nicole Franzen
14/80
Collard Greens Salad with Ginger and Spicy Seed Brittle
When dressing hardy raw greens, it’s good to be aggressive. Fortunately, we’ve got spicy ginger and seedy flavor bombs on hand.
View Recipe

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

Explore Bon AppétitSummer