37 Summer Recipes for a Backyard Bash
37 Summer Recipes for a Backyard Bash
Read Time: 17 mins
37 Summer Recipes for a Backyard Bash
fiber), 34g protein
fiber), 34g protein. 2/37 Sweet and Spicy Baked Beans 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Sweet and Spicy Baked Beans Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 14 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This recipe is a hit with guests and family. It’s sweet, simple and delicious, and someone always asks for the recipe. —Elliot Wesen, Arlington, Texas Nutrition Facts: Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup equals 285 calories, 9 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 10 mg cholesterol, 860 mg sodium, 46 g carbohydrate, 7 g fiber, 7 g protein. 3/37 Chunky Ketchup
It’s so delicious and fresh-tasting
2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 50 min Servings 3-1/2 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I created this chunky homemade ketchup to jazz up chopped steak sandwiches and hot sausage sandwiches for my family. It’s so delicious and fresh-tasting. I gave some to our friends, too, and they enjoyed it on hamburgers and even stuffed peppers. —Susan Stahr, Driftwood, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 2 tablespoons: 40 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 258mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 0 protein. 4/37 Coney Island Sauce 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved
Roast some up over the fire, then top with this irresistible one-pot sauce
Old-Fashioned Coney Hot Dog Sauce Recipe photo by Eric Kleinberg for Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 2 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Camping and hot dogs go hand in hand. Roast some up over the fire, then top with this irresistible one-pot sauce. —Loriann Cargill Bustos, Phoenix, Arizona Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup: 103 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 355mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 12g protein. 5/37 Crisp Onion Relish 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings about 6 cups Go to Recipe
It adds a special zip! —
From the Recipe Creator: I take this relish to picnics for people to use as a condiment on hamburgers and hot dogs. It adds a special zip! —Marie Patkau, Hanley Saskatchewan Nutrition Facts: 2 tablespoons: 47 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 26mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein. 6/37 Cilantro Lime Slaw 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a refreshing take on slaw with a honey-lime vinaigrette rather than the traditional mayo. It’s a great take-along for
all those summer picnics
all those summer picnics. —Emily Tyra, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1/2 cup: 86 calories, 5g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 170mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat. 7/37 Red Potato Salad 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Red Potato and Egg Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 17 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This flavorful red potato salad recipe with egg is the perfect side for summer cookouts. The red potatoes really dress it up. —Margaret Blomquist, Newfield, New York Nutrition Facts:
Now, both of my children love these pickles too
3/4 cup: 276 calories, 17g fat (3g saturated fat), 69mg cholesterol, 309mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein. 8/37 Favorite Bread & Butter Pickles 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Favorite Bread & Butter Pickles Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 11 pints Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I made these pickles while growing up and love them because you can eat them with just about anything. Now, both of my children love these pickles too. I think you’ll enjoy them as much as we do! —Linda Weger, Robinson, Illinois Nutrition
The salad goes well with barbecued meats or cold sandwiches
Facts: 1/4 cup: 60 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 645mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein. 9/37 Rainbow Fruit Salad 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 20 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When my children were young, I would often dress up fresh fruit in this easy salad. Decades later, my grandchildren and great-grandchildren still love digging in to the fruity layers. The salad goes well with barbecued meats or cold sandwiches. —Jonnie Adams Sisler, Stevensville, Montana Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 123 calories, 7g
Get ahead of the game and stuff them ahead of time, then grill later
fat (5g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 31mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein. 10/37 Mushroom-Stuffed Cheeseburgers 15 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 40 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: No need to call my family twice when these burgers are on the menu. Get ahead of the game and stuff them ahead of time, then grill later. — Joyce Guth, Mohnton, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1 burger: 418 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 82mg cholesterol, 653mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 31g protein. 11/37 Jersey-Style Hot Dogs 8 Reviews
It’s a combo you’ll love
Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour Servings 12 servings (10 cups potato mixture) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I grew up in northern New Jersey, where hot dogs with grilled potatoes were born. It’s a combo you’ll love. —Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New Jersey Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 453 calories, 24g fat (8g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 1261mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 4g fiber), 13g protein. 12/37 Double Hot Horseradish Mustard Test Kitchen Approved Double Hot Horseradish Mustard Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 1/2 cup Go to Recipe From the
Recipe Creator: My family enjoys spicy food and hot mustard is a favorite
Recipe Creator: My family enjoys spicy food and hot mustard is a favorite. We crave this in sandwiches. —Madeline Cole, Willow, Alaska Nutrition Facts: 2 tablespoons: 74 calories, 4g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 18mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. 13/37 Cucumber Salad with Miracle Whip 27 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Kansas Cucumber Salad Recipe photo by Orly Catz for Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Cucumbers are my very favorite garden vegetable, so I use this recipe often. I got it from a
friend years ago
friend years ago. I’ve heard this refreshing dish keeps very well in the refrigerator, but it goes so fast around our house, I’ve never found out for myself. —Karen Ann Bland, Gove, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 122 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 201mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. 14/37 Grilled Sweet Corn 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Since we have plenty of fresh sweet corn available in our area, we use this recipe often in
Parsley, chili powder and cumin accent the corn’s just-picked flavor
summer. Parsley, chili powder and cumin accent the corn’s just-picked flavor. —Connie Lou Hollister, Lake Odessa, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 ear: 201 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 345mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 5g protein. 15/37 Strawberry-Rhubarb Ice Pops 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Strawberry-Rhubarb Ice Pops Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 8 pops Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These cool, creamy pops are a deliciously different way to use up the bounty from your rhubarb patch. —Donna Linihan, Moncton, New Brunswick Nutrition Facts: 1 pop: 72
Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch
calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 18mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch. 16/37 Wagon Wheel Pasta Salad 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Wagon Wheel Pasta Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Summertime gatherings aren’t complete without a refreshing pasta salad. This tasty version features a mayonnaise and picante dressing. It may become one of your favorite side dishes for tacos, too! —Kathryn Donahey, Oil City, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 207 calories, 13g fat (3g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 fruit
saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 374mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein. 17/37 Watermelon Tomato Salad 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 18 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Watermelon and tomatoes may seem an unlikely pair, but they team up to make a winning combination in this eye-catching salad. —Matthew Denton, Seattle, Washington Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 33 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 7mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 fruit. 18/37 Balsamic Three-Bean Salad 9 Reviews
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
⭐ Expert Tips
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Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.
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Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.
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Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.
✅ Key Takeaways
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These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.
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Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.
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Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.
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