Easy Summer Birthday Party Food and Drink Ideas
Feeding a large group of people for a summer party can be fun but also overwhelming. Here are some easy summer party food and drink ideas for a birthday or the Fourth of July.
Summer Party Food
A hot dog bar complete with all the toppings, sauces, and recipe suggestions is a great way to feed a large group of people in the summertime. You can use a crock pot to keep the hot dog warm throughout the party.
Heating Hot Dogs in a Crockpot:
Cooking hot dogs for a large party in a crockpot is quite simple! Here’s a basic method:
Set the crockpot to the desired temperature. Most crockpots have settings like Low, High, and sometimes a Keep Warm setting.
Place the desired number of hot dogs into the crockpot. You can add as many as comfortably fit in a single layer standing up. Cover the crockpot with the lid and cook the hot dogs. For High Setting, cook for approximately 2 hours. For low Setting cook for approximately 4 hours. Hot dogs are typically done when they are heated through and plump. You can check by cutting into one to ensure it’s cooked to your liking.
Once cooked, you can serve the hot dogs immediately or keep them on the Keep Warm setting until ready to serve.
Remember, cooking times can vary depending on your specific crockpot model and how many hot dogs you are cooking. Adjust accordingly to ensure they are heated through properly.
Hot Dog Recipe Suggestions:
LA Mexican- Jalapenos and bacon
Texas- BBQ, cheddar, onions
New York- mustard and sauerkraut
Coney Island- chili, mustard, onion
Southern- ketchup, mustard, onions, pickles, chili
Chicago- mustard, relish, tomatoes, onions, pickles, peppers, celery salt
Hawaiian- ham, pineapple, onion, mayo
Southwest- Corn, olives, cheese, onions, ranch
Free Hot Dog Bar Printables
Featured on Instagram, here are some free hot dog bar printables to easily download and print.
Summer Food Side Dishes
Get more summer party decorating ideas by reading Summer Birthday Party Sneak Peek and Summer Birthday Party Decorations. For sides serve individual cups of potato salad, fruit skewers, party mix, chips, pretzels, jello with whipped cream, and cookies.
For a summer party, it’s great to offer side dishes that are refreshing, easy to eat outdoors, and complement the main dishes. Here are some excellent options:
Grilled Vegetables:Such as corn on the cob, zucchini, bell peppers, or eggplant. Grilling enhances their flavors and pairs well with grilled meats.
Fresh Fruit Salad: A mix of seasonal fruits like watermelon, berries, pineapple, and grapes. It’s refreshing and provides a cool contrast to savory dishes.
Caprese Salad: Slices of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves drizzled with balsamic glaze or olive oil. It’s light, flavorful, and showcases summer produce.
Pasta Salad: Cold pasta tossed with vegetables (like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and olives) and dressed with vinaigrette or creamy dressing. It’s filling and easy to make ahead.
Potato Salad: Creamy potato salad with herbs, mustard, and a hint of vinegar. It’s a classic side dish that pairs well with grilled meats.
Coleslaw: Crunchy cabbage and carrots dressed with a tangy dressing. It’s refreshing and adds a nice texture to the meal.
Cornbread: A classic Southern side that’s slightly sweet and pairs well with barbecued meats and chili.
Chips and Salsa/Guacamole: An easy snack that guests can munch on throughout the party. It’s great for dipping and sharing.
These side dishes are not only delicious but also easy to prepare in large batches for a crowd. They complement various main dishes typically served at summer parties, such as grilled meats, burgers, and barbecue.
Drink & Beverage Station
Use furniture, like a a dresser, to display the drinks with jugs. These are from Target. Open the top drawer for cups and straws. Keep the extra hot dog buns and chips in the drawers for easy access. Next, make lemonade with sliced lemons, and strawberry lemonade with sliced strawberries. It is also a good idea to have a jug of ice water on hand and a bottle of citrus vodka if the adults wanted to add a little kick to their drinks!
Decorate Your Own Cupcake Station
If you have kids attending the party, this station is a hit because it doubles as an activity for the kids. It also cost effective to get plain non decorated cupcakes. Some topping suggestions are chocolate chips, mini M&M’s, gum drops, and chocolate balls. I also had caramel, chocolate, raspberry sauces and whipped cream.
08/12