The Spread
Skip the fussy dishes and serve up a stunning spread of summer favorites. Make the most of in-season ingredients like sweet corn, tomatoes, and juicy peaches. Buying local produce at its peak means tastier and less expensive dishes! To get the look, layer an outdoor table with a simple white tablecloth and top it with big wooden cutting boards ($49, Wayfair). Set up a top-your-own burger station and grilled sweet corn tray, and fill in with plenty of sides.
Pick a Party Theme
Themes are fun and funky and make decorating so much easier. Red, white and blue is a classic, but you can serve your burger bash at a backyard beach party, a floral fiesta, or any theme you choose. Head to the party supply store for inexpensive outdoor decor like balloons ($5, Target), streamers, and tablecloths to get the look. Placing clusters of balloons and streamers around key party points like the buffet or porch is a great way to control the party’s flow and lets guests know where the action is! Want to DIY your party decor? Don’t worry; we’ve got your back with easy handmade decorations.
Pick a Party Theme
Summer, lemonade, we get it. But this is a party! So perk up your next batch of homemade lemonade with plenty of juicy, sweet raspberries and strawberries. It’s so much better than lemonade from concentrate! Serve your big batch drink in a large glass vessel ($26, Target) and let guests serve themselves. No reason to get stuck refilling glasses at your party! Accessorize the spread with colorful paper straws and a patterned runner for a festive DIY drink station ready to party.
Serve the Best Burger
This summer party’s all about one thing—a great burger! Chevalo shares his tips for perfecting summer’s favorite food.
Choose the Right Meat: Chevalo says buy 80/20 ground beef. “It has the best fat content for moisture and flavor,” Chevalo says.Add a Marinade: Gently work in the marinade with your hands until just distributed (you shouldn’t see any of the marinade). Don’t overwork the meat or you’ll end up with a tough burger.Perfect the Size: Chevalo starts with a quarter pound of meat, shapes it into a ball, and flattens it to about ½ to ¾ an inch thick and slightly bigger than the bun. If you press your thumb into the center to make a dimple, the patties will cook more evenly, stay flat and shrink less.Timing Matters: Chevalo prefers the flavor you get from a charcoal grill, but a gas grill or cast-iron skillet on the stove also turns out delicious burgers. Cook 4 to 5 minutes on each side for medium doneness. With the marinated meat, medium well, or even well-done burgers will still be juicy.
Creative Toppers
A great burger gets even better with an assortment of creative toppers. Serve up a tray with the expected favorites like lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese but throw in a few surprises! Try adding bowls of hot peppers, pickled okra, avocados, and flavored mustard to the mix for a build-your-own burger bar that’s anything but boring.
Side Dishes Layer the Flavor
Party-worthy sides don’t have to be complicated or stuffy. Serve up a spread of familiar favorites with fresh twists. Head to your local farmers market for a bounty of fresh ways to take classic dishes over the top. Take the Peachy Rice Salad, which adds fresh peach slices to cherry tomatoes, blueberries, basil, and a spicy pepper jelly vinaigrette that brings all the flavors together. Or, adapt regional recipes with new ingredients.
End the Day With Something Sweet
We’ve found the perfect dessert recipes to pair with this summer meal, like this gorgeous S’mores Icebox Cake. All the classic s’mores ingredients are here but served in a glass baking dish right from the fridge. Finish your summer cake with a toasted marshmallow topper and chocolate chips.
Fun for the Kids
Make it a party with an assortment of outdoor games! Set up a few game stations and let imaginations run wild. Perfect for kids (and adults!), our DIY outdoor game ideas are easy to set up and inexpensive to make. Try organizing a few friendly competitions during party time and let the games begin.
