Food
66 Low-Maintenance Summer Dinner Party Ideas
For the lazy hostess

Additional reporting by
Taryn Pire
Every year once the weather turns hot, you’re faced with the same dilemma: entertaining a crowd with big-batch dishes—and ease (or the illusion of it, anyway). Lugging around three bags of groceries and churning out a five-course feast in 90-degree heat? Not exactly an enticing task, if you ask me.
So when you’re in the mood to entertain but don’t feel like cooking for hours in the sun, try one of these 66 effortless summer dinner party ideas, from easy appetizers and sides to impressive desserts, that taste (and look) spectacular. I’m talking seared scallops with citrus-shallot salad, grilled melon with tahini, chili oil and sesame seeds, broiler s’mores and so much more.

Katherine Gillen
Former Senior Food Editor
- Headed PureWow’s food vertical
- Contributed original reporting, recipes and food styling
- Studied English Literature at the University of Notre Dame and Culinary Arts at the Institute of Culinary Education
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