24 Affordable Recipes To Make For Your Next Summer Party (2024)

    Get the gang together without going broke.

    by Hannah LoewentheilBuzzFeed Staff

    Hosting a crowd can be a ton of fun... but it can also get expensive. Luckily, it doesn't have to be. Here are a bunch of affordable recipes for your next summer get together.

    24 Affordable Recipes To Make For Your Next Summer Party (2)

    Hannah Wong/BuzzFeed

    1. Mini Chicken Tacos

    Claire Nolan/Tasty / Via tasty.co

    Start with tortillas, shredded rotisserie chicken, and your favorite taco toppings. Then, set up a DIY taco station. Get the recipe.

    2. Cheddar, Bacon, and Ranch Potato Salad

    24 Affordable Recipes To Make For Your Next Summer Party (3)

    Cooking Classy / Via cookingclassy.com

    No picnic or barbecue is complete without a good potato salad recipe. This one calls for only five ingredients: red potatoes, cheddar cheese, bacon, Ranch dressing, and green onions. Get the recipe.

    3. Pineapple Sangria

    24 Affordable Recipes To Make For Your Next Summer Party (4)

    Fed and Fit / Via fedandfit.com

    Sangria gets a tropical makeover with the help of pineapple juice, basil, and rum. Get the recipe.

    4. Pizza Pull-Apart Sliders

    The Country Cook / Via thecountrycook.net

    Two words: Herb butter. Drizzle it on top of these sliders to take them to the next level. Get the recipe.

    6. Creamy Spinach Dip

    24 Affordable Recipes To Make For Your Next Summer Party (6)

    Homemade Hooplah / Via homemadehooplah.com

    Just a few basic ingredients like sour cream, frozen spinach, Monterey jack, and cream cheese make for a seriously addictive party dip. Get the recipe.

    7. Grilled Garlic Butter Mushrooms

    24 Affordable Recipes To Make For Your Next Summer Party (7)

    The Endless Meal / Via theendlessmeal.com

    For a vegetarian side dish even meat eaters will love, give these mushroom skewers a shot. Get the recipe.

    8. Grilled Vegetable Quesadillas

    24 Affordable Recipes To Make For Your Next Summer Party (8)

    Jo Cooks / Via jocooks.com

    Use any grilled vegetables to make these cheesy quesadillas that guests of any age will love. Get the recipe.

    9. Three-Ingredient Cajun BBQ Ribs

    Alvin Zhou/Tasty / Via tasty.co

    Introducing your newest, easiest, and most delectable barbecue recipe. Get the recipe.

    10. Buffalo Chicken Taco Salad

    24 Affordable Recipes To Make For Your Next Summer Party (9)

    Peas and Crayons / Via peasandcrayons.com

    You can get creative with this recipe. Just take whatever protein you like best and toss it with your favorite Tex-Mex toppings. Get the recipe.

    11. Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels

    I Wash You Dry / Via iwashyoudry.com

    The tried-and-true turkey sandwich gets a makeover, thanks to chive cream cheese, craisins, and spinach. Make them in tortillas and cut them into pinwheels: It's the perfect finger food for a crowd. Get the recipe.

    12. Mini Mac 'n' Cheese Bites

    Old House to New Home / Via oldhousetonewhome.net

    Make an extra batch. These babies go quickly. Get the recipe.

    13. Sheet Pan Pizza

    Completely Delicious / Via completelydelicious.com

    Put down the delivery menu. This pizza comes together from start to finish on a single sheet pan. Dress it up with all your favorite toppings and chow down. Get the recipe.

    14. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

    Cooking Classy / Via cookingclassy.com

    Toss boneless, skinless chicken breasts, peppers, onions, and spices on a baking sheet. After 25 minutes in the oven, dinner is served. Get the recipe.

    15. Mexican Street Corn Salad

    24 Affordable Recipes To Make For Your Next Summer Party (10)

    Garnished Plate / Via garnishedplate.com

    Have leftover corn on the cob? Turn it into something way more exciting. Get the recipe.

    16. Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings

    Dinner at the Zoo / Via dinneratthezoo.com

    These wings are never fried — they're baked in the oven from start to finish, but they still manage to get nice and crispy thanks to baking powder and spices. Get the recipe.

    17. Grilled Cheese Hot Dogs

    24 Affordable Recipes To Make For Your Next Summer Party (11)

    The Baker Mama / Via thebakermama.com

    What happens when you combine two of your favorite classic comfort foods? Magic. Get the recipe.

    18. Spinach Feta and Orzo Salad

    24 Affordable Recipes To Make For Your Next Summer Party (12)

    The Girl Who Ate Everything / Via the-girl-who-ate-everything.com

    Orzo, red onion, pine nuts, spinach, and feta get tossed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar in this light and fresh pasta salad. Get the recipe.

    19. Cowboy Caviar

    Culinary Hill / Via culinaryhill.com

    Serve this bean, corn, and tomato medley as a salsa on top of burgers, as a dip with tortilla chips, or as a stand alone salad. Get the recipe.

    20. Strawberry Champagne Party Punch

    24 Affordable Recipes To Make For Your Next Summer Party (13)

    Sugar and Soul / Via sugarandsoul.co

    Add some sparkle to your get together with this easy (and affordable) co*cktail, made with frozen strawberries, simple syrup, citrus, and your favorite bottle of bubbly. Get the recipe.

    21. Peaches 'n' Cream Poke Box Cake

    Katie Aubin/Tasty / Via tasty.co

    Use the rounded edge of a wooden spoon to poke small holes into the pound cake. That way, the the peaches and cream filling will seep in and keep the whole dessert moist and delicious. Get the recipe.

    22. S'mores Pizza

    It's Always Autumn / Via itsalwaysautumn.com

    Delicious s'mores with no campfire required. Get the recipe.

    23. Mixed Berry Slab Pie

    The Crumbly Kitchen / Via thecrumbykitchen.com

    When life gives you berries, make a giant pie on a sheet pan. Get the recipe.

    24. Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Pretzels

    24 Affordable Recipes To Make For Your Next Summer Party (14)

    Julie's Eats and Treats / Via julieseatsandtreats.com

    Let's be honest, these bites of heaven won't last long on the table. Get the recipe.

    Looking for even more food and drink inspiration? Check these out:

    15 Big-Batch co*cktails You Can Make For $30 Or Less
    20 Cheap Meals That Won't Break The Bank

    24 Affordable Recipes To Make For Your Next Summer Party (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the cheapest food to feed a crowd? ›

    Feed the masses without breaking the bank with these budget-friendly dishes.
    • Mexican Lasagne. A spicy lasagne for those of us who love Mexican and Italian food. ...
    • Cheese Cob Dip. ...
    • The Best Burger in Oz. ...
    • Kangaroo Casserole. ...
    • Sausage Casserole. ...
    • Nanna's golden sausage casserole. ...
    • Quiche Lorraine. ...
    • Turkey and Pumpkin Lasagne.

    What should I bring to a summer gathering? ›

    Sharing dishes
    • 1) Healthy veggie platter.
    • 2) Seared tuna & cucumber salad.
    • 3) Smoky veggie nachos.
    • 4) Summer vegetable & flatbread platter with dill & mustard dip.
    • 1) Nutty chicken satay strips.
    • 2) Cheese & pesto whirls.
    • 3) Jamaican veggie patties.
    • 4) Coronation chicken pie.

    What do you feed a crowd of 25? ›

    19 Ideas For Easy Meals For Large Groups
    • Taco Bar.
    • Meatballs.
    • Butter Chicken.
    • Lasagna.
    • Chili.
    • Homemade Pizza.
    • Baked Pasta.
    • Skewers.
    Apr 4, 2023

    How to feed 30 people cheaply? ›

    Cheap tricks for the best outdoor cookouts.
    1. 1 / 7. Hot Dog Snack Board. ...
    2. 2 / 7. No-Cook Dip and Veggie Summer Board. ...
    3. 3 / 7. Instant Pot Pulled Porchetta Sandwiches. ...
    4. 4 / 7. Chicken Caesar Salad Skewers. ...
    5. 5 / 7. Chopped BBQ Chicken Salad. ...
    6. 6 / 7. Fish Tacos. ...
    7. 7 / 7. Ice Cream Sandwiches for a Crowd.
    Apr 19, 2023

    How can I feed 50 guests cheap? ›

    Create a “Bar” and feed everyone cafeteria-style

    There are lots of bar ideas out there, such as the Nacho bar, Baked potato bar, Burrito bar, Hot dog bar, Root Beer float bar, Hawaiian Haystacks bar, Sandwich bar, etc. All of these can be done on the cheap, and links to all these ideas can be found below.

    What is the cheapest food to cater a party? ›

    Cheap catering food ideas include rice or pasta-based dishes, hot dogs, burritos, tacos, cookies, and muffins, which are loved by everyone and are often more affordable than sophisticated seafood or meat dishes.

    How much finger food for 25 guests? ›

    How many bites per person? If you're hosing 25 -35 guests, plan 3-4 bites per person if a full dinner is to be served afterwards, or 5-7 bites per person if a lighter meal will be served. If you're hosting a party of 50, then you can offer 6 to 9 different items.

    What is a good meal to cook for a large group? ›

    Feed-a-crowd recipes
    • Spiced salmon with traybaked sag aloo. ...
    • Chicken Provençal. ...
    • Chicken gyros. ...
    • Sharing bavette with blue cheese, beef dripping wedges & ranch salad. ...
    • Sticky tamarind tomato & spinach whirl. ...
    • Summer vegetable & flatbread platter with dill & mustard dip. ...
    • Spring sharing board. ...
    • Waste-nothing loaded potato wedges.

    What do you serve at a summer buffet? ›

    Sample Summer Buffet Menu
    • Salads. Garden Salad With Cucumbers, Cherry Tomatoes, Carrots, And A Variety Of Garden Vegetables Served With Herb Dijon Red Wine Vinaigrette. ...
    • Seafood. Grilled South African Lobster Tails With Garlic Butter. ...
    • Meat And Chicken. ...
    • Vegetables (Served Warm) ...
    • Desserts. ...
    • Full Coffee And Tea Service.

    What food is good for outdoor party? ›

    Easy park party food ideas include chicken salad sandwiches, pinwheel sandwiches, buffalo chicken sandwiches, etc. You can't go wrong with slow cooker hot dogs for a crowd or Insta Pot hot dogs! You will also find savory dip like buffalo chicken dip, walking tacos, black bean salsa.

    How to feed 100 people cheap? ›

    Serving budget-friendly cuisines like salads, sandwiches and pasta dishes can be a very cost-effective choice. Or, if you're looking for a more casual option, how about a barbeque? Burgers, hot dogs and other grill-oriented foods are sure to be crowd favorites, and they won't rack up a big bill.

    What is a good meal to serve 20 people? ›

    Pasta: Pasta dishes are a great option for large groups, as they can be prepared in advance and are easy to serve. You could make a big pot of spaghetti or fettuccine with a variety of sauces to choose from, such as tomato-based, creamy or pesto.

    How to feed 40 people cheaply? ›

    How about casseroles that are easy to make in bulk to feed to a large crowd?
    1. Lasagna (Use this method to make it easy to build several Lasagnas at once. ...
    2. Easy Breakfast Casserole (served with a variety of homemade muffins – recipes below – and fresh fruit)
    3. Simple Crock Pot Taco Pasta.
    4. Simple Pizza Chicken Bake.
    Jul 24, 2011

    What is a good meal to feed a large crowd? ›

    Gather, Share, and Eat: Easy Meals for Large Groups That Won't Break the Bank
    • The Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs. ...
    • Tantalizing Tacos. ...
    • Perfectly Baked Potatoes. ...
    • Pizza Extravaganza. ...
    • Mouthwatering Pulled Pork. ...
    • Fabulous Fajitas. ...
    • Hearty Chili. ...
    • Build-Your-Own Sandwiches.
    Oct 19, 2023

    How can I eat a lot on a low budget? ›

    By following these six tips, you may be surprised at how much you can stretch your grocery budget.
    1. #1: Plan Your Recipes. ...
    2. #2: Shop With a List. ...
    3. #3: Buy Frozen or Canned. ...
    4. #4: Cut Cost With Coupons. ...
    5. #5: Buy Store Brands. ...
    6. #6: Try Growing a Garden. ...
    7. Healthy Eating: Not “One Size Fits All”

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