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.

    5. Italian Pesto Pasta Salad

    24 Affordable Recipes To Make For Your Next Summer Party (5)

    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

    How do you feed 30 guests on a budget? ›

    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

    What is the best cheap food to feed a crowd? ›

    Feed the masses without breaking the bank with these budget-friendly dishes.
    • Turkey and Pumpkin Lasagne. ...
    • Slow Cooker Savoury Mince. ...
    • Slow cooker barbecue chicken. ...
    • Slow cooker chicken and olives. ...
    • Slow cooker beef stew. ...
    • Creamy Chicken Pie. ...
    • Chicken, Avocado and Bacon Salad. ...
    • Potato Salad.

    How to feed 12 people cheaply? ›

    19 Ideas For Easy Meals For Large Groups
    1. Taco Bar. A taco bar is one of the best inexpensive meals for large groups. ...
    2. Meatballs. ...
    3. Butter Chicken. ...
    4. Lasagna. ...
    5. Chili. ...
    6. Homemade Pizza. ...
    7. Baked Pasta. ...
    8. Skewers.
    Apr 4, 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.

    How do you feed a crowd cheap and easy? ›

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

    How do you feed 25 people for a party? ›

    For a party with 20-25 people, plan on serving approximately 8-10 different food items. Aim for a variety, including appetizers, main dishes, and snacks. Calculate quantities based on the type of event and whether it's a full meal or just light bites.

    How much food do you need for 25 guests? ›

    Rules to Plan By

    Each adult will consume 1 pound of food total; children, about 1/2 pound. The more options you have, the less you need of each; decrease the main course portion sizes by 1 to 2 ounces if served on a buffet. Guests will always eat — and drink — more at night than during the day.

    What is the cheapest meat to feed a crowd? ›

    10 Budget-Friendly Cuts of Meat
    • Ribs (pork or beef)
    • Flat steak (flank, hanger or skirt)
    • Ground beef or ground turkey.
    • Beef brisket.
    • Pork shoulder.
    • Chuck eye steak.
    • Whole chicken.
    • Chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on) or drumsticks.

    What are the most popular finger foods for parties? ›

    Easy Finger Food Recipes to Make Ahead
    • Cheese Puffs. ...
    • Cheesy Garlic Bread. ...
    • Vegetarian Quesadillas. ...
    • Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus. ...
    • Slow-Cooker Jelly Meatballs. ...
    • Loaded Cheese Ball Bites. ...
    • Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts. ...
    • Jalapeño Poppers. Make spicy jalapeño poppers as one of the best finger food ideas for a party.
    Jan 10, 2024

    What should I cook for 20 guests? ›

    • Hearty Baked Penne Pasta. This recipe feeds an army. ...
    • Tasty Taco Bar. Everything you need to make your own Taco Bar at home. ...
    • Baked Potato Bar. ...
    • Crockpot Ham. ...
    • Killer Carnitas. ...
    • Chicken Spaghetti. ...
    • Ham and Cheese Sliders. ...
    • Shredded Beef Tacos.
    Apr 2, 2024

    What can I make to feed 20 people? ›

    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. Barbecue: A barbecue can be a fun and casual option for a large gathering. You could grill up some burgers, sausages, chicken skewers, and veggie kebabs, and serve them with a variety o.

    What to cook for lots of people? ›

    When feeding the masses, think big: pastas, one-pot dishes, and food that is perfect for sharing amongst many. Frittatas and slices that are easily divided can be handy for any occasion, as can hearty salads and large bakes.

    What are the cheapest food to make? ›

    65 Easy And Cheap Dinner Ideas That You'll Want To Make On Repeat
    • Sweet Potato And Black Bean Burritos. tasty.co. ...
    • Barbecue Beer Can Chicken. tasty.co. ...
    • Zucchini Noodles with Kale Pesto. ...
    • One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta. ...
    • Chicken Alfredo Penne. ...
    • Avocado Quinoa Power Salad. ...
    • Tofu Scramble. ...
    • Egg Pizza With Scallions.
    Dec 21, 2023

    What foods are budget friendly? ›

    Top 10 Budget-Friendly Foods
    • Seasonal Fruits & Veggies. This might sound obvious, but it's more complicated than simply seeing what the grocery store has in its aisles. ...
    • Frozen Fruits & Veggies. ...
    • Dried & Canned Beans. ...
    • Canned Tomatoes. ...
    • Pastas & Grains. ...
    • Potatoes. ...
    • Eggs. ...
    • Canned Tuna.

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