For many of us, nothing beats an alfresco meal, whether under the summer sun or a star-lit sky. But you don’t need to go to a restaurant to enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience.
Picnicking in the park, hosting outdoor dinner parties, or serving up a feast for one are all wonderful ways to get outside and enjoy the good weather.
But what makes a great alfresco meal? The warmer months are ideal for embracing a new palette of tastes and textures – from fruity salads and family barbecue favourites to Mediterranean sides and delicious mixed drinks.
Below, we take a look at 27 recipe ideas for your next alfresco feast.
Portable picnic bites
On long, lazy days spent at the park or beach, why not take some treats with you? Here’s our selection of portable picnic bites that are delicious and travel well…
1. Htipiti
This Greek dip made with feta and red pepper is ideal if you’re bored of the same tubs of hummus or jars of salsa. It’s creamy with a kick of chilli and pairs perfectly with toasted pitta. There are plenty of variations out there, but we love this one from Souvlaki for the Soul.
2. Melon and prosciutto skewers
Once summer arrives, I automatically start thinking about how to combine sweet and savoury flavours. And one classic combination that never fails to impress is melon and prosciutto.
These Italian-inspired skewers from Delish are quick to make and beautifully balanced. Combining creamy mozzarella, zingy basil, salty prosciutto, and refreshing melon, it’s difficult to believe you can achieve this much flavour with so little effort. For a picnic, try taking the balsamic glaze separately and drizzling it on just before eating.
3. Scotch eggs
Scotch eggs are a perennial picnic staple here in the UK, but sometimes shop-bought ones can be dry and underwhelming. For mouthwateringly moist ones, why not try this highly recommended recipe from BBC Good Food?
Or, for a tantalising twist on a classic, you could whip up these chorizo scotch eggs from Tesco, or these crisp onion bhaji-inspired ones from Delicious Magazine.
4. Vegetable samosas
Speaking of Indian finger food, who doesn’t like a vegetable samosa? Spicy, satisfying, and perfectly portable, these crowd-pleasing parcels are enjoyable hot or cold. This authentic recipe from Nish Kitchen will show you how to make them entirely from scratch with a simple tomato dipping sauce.
5. Vietnamese summer rolls
If it’s particularly balmy outside, you might be in the mood for something lighter than samosas and scotch eggs. If so, Vietnamese summer rolls are a great alternative.
These treats combine crunchy veggies like cucumbers and Chinese cabbage, fragrant herbs like fresh coriander and mint, and chewy vermicelli noodles and rice paper wrappers. Gourmet magazine describes them as “a salad packed into an edible container”. Plus, they’re endlessly customisable. Check out this article from The Guardian to find out how to make your own.
Sumptuous starters, snacks, and sides
Dining alfresco gives us a chance to relax, soak up the beautiful weather, and enjoy a festival of flavours. So why not try mixing and matching a few (or all) of these sumptuous starters, snacks, and sides at your next outdoor meal?
6. Gazpacho
Light and rich in taste, soup is a superb appetiser. But in the summer months, the prospect of hunching over a steaming bowl might not appeal. So why not take a leaf out of the Spaniard’s book and try making gazpacho?
This chilled soup from Spain’s Andalusian region incorporates the refreshingly raw flavours of tomatoes, onions, cucumber, and peppers. Not only is it tangy and tasty, but it’s also healthy, cheap, and suitable for veggies and vegans. Check out this recipe from Cookie and Kate to find out how.
7. Classic potato salad
What barbecue is complete without a classic potato salad? Creamy, cooling, and fantastically filling, it’s a staple summer side dish for many of us in the UK. This recipe from BBC Good Food provides the perfect base, but you can always liven it up by adding some Dijon mustard, crispy bacon, or even chopped apple for a Germanic twist.
8. Crab rolls
If you’re looking for a simple recipe with a luxurious feel, you could serve these crab rolls from Tesco Real Food at your next outdoor dining experience.
Just mix sweet crab meat with a dressing made from mustard, mayonnaise, Tabasco, lemon zest, and chives, before adding it to chewy, oven-warmed brioche rolls. Top with lettuce and serve as a starter, or even as a snack on lazy days in the garden.
9. Tabbouleh
Salad is a go-to for any summer meal, and this traditional Lebanese one is as delicious as it is healthy. Peppery parsley is the star of the show, but it’s accompanied by tomatoes, lemon juice, olive oil, spring onions, and bulgur wheat, which are packed with goodness. Plus, you can make your tabbouleh gluten-free and protein-packed by swapping bulgur wheat for quinoa.
One of the best things about tabbouleh is it goes well with practically anything. Serve alongside traditional Lebanese fare, such as hummus and lamb koftas, or use it to spice up a traditional barbecue spread. Check out this recipe from Feel Good Foodie to find out more.
10. Pomegranate and halloumi salad
This recipe from How Sweet Eats is one of my favourite salads. The sweet, zingy pomegranate pairs delightfully with the saltiness of the halloumi. Plus, the soft cheese and crunchy honey-roasted walnuts combine to make a thoroughly satisfying texture. It’ll hopefully keep even the fussiest of guests happy.
Mouth-watering mains
For the main event, why not serve up one of these delectable dishes as your meal’s centrepiece, or combine a few for a family-style smorgasbord?
11. Prawn saganaki
This prawn saganaki recipe from Supergolden Bakes is one of my personal favourites for a summer feast. As Chef Lucy Parissi says, it usually works well as a shared appetiser with lots of crusty bread to mop up the rich tomato and feta sauce. Though, you can eat it as a main over rice too.
To take things up a notch, you can flambé the prawns in ouzo (a Greek aniseed liqueur) before adding them to the sauce to give the dish a liquoricey depth. And, after, you can use the rest of your ouzo to make some refreshing cocktails – for example, this lemon and mint one from The Mediterranean Dish. Or serve it over ice for an after-dinner aperitif.
12. Barbecue ribs
If you or your loved ones are big meat eaters, you can’t go wrong with these barbecue ribs from Allrecipes. One reviewer with 50+ years of rib-cooking experience even called it “without a doubt the best recipe I’ve found online”.
Other than being succulent and full of flavour, you can marinade and cook your ribs beforehand, saving you time on the day. Just throw them on the grill for 30 minutes before serving to get that delicious barbecued taste. For extra flavour, you could also use spiced rum instead of regular rum in the marinade.
13. Pasta primavera
While ‘primavera’ means ‘spring’ in Italian, this dish will also go down a treat all summer long. Packed with veggies, it offers a tantalisingly light alternative to some of the heavier mains on this list.
This pasta primavera recipe from Love and Lemons uses red onion, courgette, asparagus, tomatoes, and peas, but you can add pretty much any vegetables you fancy. Broccoli and sugar snap peas work well.
Pair with a dry, floral Sauvignon Blanc, or a Tuscan Chianti Classico, if you prefer red. Buon appetito!
14. Grilled Teriyaki Salmon
Sweet, tangy, and deliciously umami, teriyaki sauce has had a huge popularity boost in recent years – not just in restaurants, but on dinner tables at home. Other than the taste, this is largely because it’s so easy to whip together.
Many people choose to grill salmon inside on the hob. But I think it’s best done on the barbecue, as salmon doesn’t fall apart like some other fish and you can achieve a lovely charred taste. This recipe from Erin Lives Whole will show you how.
15. Lamb kebabs with summer pea salad
Nothing beats a meaty kebab fresh off the grill. And these lamb skewers from Sainsbury’s Magazine are glazed in honey, garlic, thyme, lemon, and olive oil to complement the meat’s bold flavour. Plus, the simple summer pea salad adds a touch of elegance to this otherwise rustic dish.
16. Masala roast chicken
If a simple roast chicken is a little unexciting for your taste, you could try this Indian-inspired one from The Oxford Magazine. Packed with herbs and spices ranging from coriander and cumin to paprika and peri-peri seasoning, this recipe is a treat for the senses.
While you can make it with chicken breasts or thighs, drumsticks are ideal for a party-style setting. It’ll also go beautifully with the potato salad we’ve included above.
17. Spicy black bean tacos
One of the best ways to dine alfresco is family-style, where you serve up all the elements of a good meal and let your loved ones build their own plate – and tacos are perfect for this.
These vegetarian tacos from BBC Good Food are rich, tasty, and ready in less than half an hour. The pomegranate seeds add a particularly summery touch. And if you’re missing the meat, you can always throw in some chicken seasoned with chilli, cumin, paprika, oregano, and garlic powder.
18. Crusted beef carpaccio with parmesan
For a classy dish that works well as a main, side, or starter, you could try this crusted beef carpaccio with parmesan from Delicious Magazine. It’s a great dish for dinner parties because it’s simple and you can make it all in advance. Choose a high-quality tenderloin cut for that classic melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Delicious desserts
Just because dinner’s over, the fun doesn’t need to end. Whether you’re looking for something light and fruity, or a more substantial treat, hopefully, these desserts will inspire the next course of your alfresco feast.
19. Cucumber and mint granita
Hailing from Sicily, this refreshing dessert can help you cool down after a summer meal. The Jamie Oliver website describes it as a “bashed-up ice lolly”, but we think it’s more elegant than that, especially when pairing flavours like mint, cucumber, and elderflower, as this recipe from Sainsbury’s Magazine does.
Serve in a glass, garnish with a sprig of mint, and be sure to make enough for seconds!
20. Lemon meringue ice cream
This recipe from Not Quite Nigella proves you don’t need an ice cream maker to whip up everyone’s favourite frozen dessert. And with just five simple ingredients to contend with, this lemon meringue ice cream might be your new go-to summer treat.
We make this often at home and it never fails to impress. The lemon juice, zest, and curd combine to give it a lovely fresh taste, and the meringue shards offer a satisfying crunch. Just remember to remove from the freezer 10 minutes or so before serving to give it a chance to soften up.
21. Banoffee fridge cake
On sultry summer afternoons, the last thing many of us want to do is bake. However, if you’re in the mood for something with more oomph than granita or ice cream, this banoffee fridge cake from Olive Magazine comes highly recommended.
As one reviewer writes, “Me and my friends absolutely love this fridge cake, a super simple make-ahead recipe perfect for dinner parties.” Need we say more?
22. Nectarine crumble
If you and your loved ones are partial to a crumble, you don’t have to stop making them when the warm weather arrives. This nectarine crumble, again from Olive Magazine, embraces the sweet, seasonal fruit to put a delightful summer spin on the much-loved winter staple.
Serve with ice cream, cold custard, or even a dollop of crème fraîche to keep things cool.
Delectable drinks
What’s a true summer spread without some delicious drinks to go alongside? Of course, things like beer, wine, and pre-made soft drinks always go down a treat. But you could mix together one of these recipes to up your game even further.
23. Homemade lemonade
For many, canned lemonade can’t hold a candle to a proper homemade mix. In my opinion, DIY brews are much tangier than the classic canned, carbonated stuff we find on supermarket shelves – and infinitely more refreshing! Plus, this recipe from Tesco Real Food is relatively easy to assemble.
Why not try adding a pinch of salt for an extra kick? This can also help replace some of the electrolytes our bodies lose on hot days.
24. Blueberry and mint iced tea
If lemonade isn’t your bag but you’d like to keep things alcohol-free, you could try your hand at this blueberry and mint iced tea from BBC Good Food.
The cooling flavours are perfectly suited to muggy days, and it’s a great alternative to some of the sweeter, stronger-tasting soft drink recipes out there. Plus, its provocative purple colour looks great on any table.
25. Frozen watermelon margarita
For something boozier but no less thirst-quenching, these frozen watermelon margaritas will add a tropical touch to any outdoor dining experience. With many frozen cocktails, it can be frustrating when the ice melts minutes after serving. However, this recipe uses frozen watermelon cubes to stop your loving-prepared drinks from becoming slushy, watery messes.
You can also use your leftovers to make these old-fashioned pickled watermelon rinds from Country Living – reducing waste and adding another tasty treat to your spread.
26. Pineapple whisky sour
Whisky sours are my favourite cocktail during the winter months. But in summer, I find myself craving something fruitier. With this pineapple whisky sour recipe from Olive Magazine, I can have the best of both worlds.
It’s pretty much just a normal whisky sour with pineapple juice added. But this recipe will help you to get the measurements just right. You can also try it with amaretto if that’s more your thing.
27. Mocha frappuccino
Enjoying a coffee in the sun is one of life’s simple pleasures, so if you’re lucky enough to have your own outdoor space, you might be interested in some summery ways to get your caffeine fix.
While typical iced coffees are relatively simple to make at home (this guide from BBC Good Food will show you how), this decadent mocha frappuccino from Hungry Healthy Happy is sure to satisfy anyone with a sweet tooth.
Final thoughts…
Whether you’re planning an outdoor gathering or simply looking for new recipes to make this summer, we hope you’ve enjoyed this round-up of alfresco recipes.
For more cooking content, why not head over to our food and drink section? Here, you’ll find a range of content – from 8 recipe ideas from around the world to 9 healthy and hydrating alternatives to water.
And for some advice on throwing a summer shindig, take a look at our article; 10 top tips for planning an outdoor dinner party or picnic.
Have you tried any of these recipes? Or do you have any others to recommend? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.