It doesn’t take fireworks or a tropical getaway to make a colorful summer memory. Some of summer’s best moments come when we’re willing to embrace a low-key, unscripted approach to entertaining. No rules, no rigid plans, no stress—just the table and the people we love seated around it. Or no table! Like we said, there are no rules when connection is your goal.
Sure, entertaining can feel daunting, especially when we’re all so busy, but summer is the ideal time of year to remember what’s important and make time to enjoy beautifully uncomplicated get-togethers. In fact, if you focus on the basics, your next summer gathering can be as easy as following a recipe. Discover our recipe for easy summer entertaining.
Step 1: Budget Your Time
Biting off more than you can chew is a big reason entertaining can feel so overwhelming. So before you’re frazzled and elbow deep in complicated menu prep, consider your calendar. Are you leaving for vacation in two days? Probably not the right time to embark on a multi-course summer feast. Or maybe it’s the opposite; perhaps a long weekend is on the horizon and you have the space to create something extra-special. Either way, adjust your entertaining strategy to suit your actual schedule and breathe easy.
Be willing to expand your idea of entertaining. When life is jammed full with activities, having friends over for a simple supper absolutely counts. Shellfish makes a great party trick here. Steaming a big pot of Lobster, Mussels or Clams only takes a few minutes with hardly any work, but the end result feels special and communal. Plop the big Deep Oven or Stockpot in the center of the table and add some crusty bread, crisp wine, and a salad. Light a few candles and watch your friends lean in closer.
Step 2: Set the Vibe
Think back to all the great dinner parties you’ve attended. The specifics blur as time passes, but you remember how the gathering felt. Your best tool for creating a night that feels unforgettable is a good theme. Easy to plan and even more fun to attend, themed gatherings instantly boost your party’s wow factor. They don’t have to be complicated, either. You could build a simple theme around a moment in time (school’s out, a holiday, the summer solstice, etc.), a particular cuisine or ingredient (tomato tribute, oyster night, and so on) or even an unexpected pairing (spritzes + hot dogs).
Once a theme is settled on, décor, drinks, and music tend to follow pretty naturally, but if you’re feeling stuck, lean on a pre-made playlist that matches the mood you’re after. Next, set the table with real dinnerware and cloth napkins—even if you’re just serving simple, store-bought foods. Summer is a great time to play with color. We like to layer our vibrant Dinnerware in complementary or contrasting colors for a visual pop. Turn down the lights or string up some twinkle lights if you’re entertaining outside. Last, but not least: don’t start cleaning up when your party winds down. Nothing kills a great vibe faster than someone flipping the overhead lights on and stacking dirty dishes.
Step 3: Put the Grill to Work
The real secret to easy summer entertaining is the grill. Nothing comes close to imparting such great flavor in such little time. Depending on where you live, you may have an expansive outdoor space with a proper grill, a shared communal outdoor space, or none at all. No matter what your grilling set-up, you can always enjoy the smoky flavor of the grill with our Square Grill Pan if you need to cook indoors.
Since grilling proteins and vegetables already brings a lot of great flavor, you can serve straight off the grill or dress them up with delicious sauces or dips if you want to go all out. Make it easy by marinating your food in the Rectangular Dish with Platter Lid and then, once finished grilling, serve it on the accompanying platter lid. Finish the spread with various sauces in small bowls stationed around the platter for a choose-your-own-adventure experience. Don’t worry about getting everything cooked before your guests arrive. Invite them outside with you, pour them a festive drink, and let the quintessential summer experience of cooking over fire bring everyone together.
Step 4: Keep It Light
Save your cozy braises and baked pastas for sweater weather—you’ll want to follow the season’s lead when planning what to serve. Light, refreshing, herb-and-vegetable-forward dishes with plenty of brightness and texture satisfy guests without feeling too heavy in the hot days of summer. Fish makes a perfect light summer entrée, with the added bonus of feeling special-occasion worthy. For foolproof cooking, use the elegant Fish Baker and serve it right at the table for a real showstopper.
But perhaps you have a few seafood-averse friends in your group or you’re hosting a whole crowd of people? Even a big summer pasta can taste light and fresh so long as you emphasize lemon and seasonal produce. The generously-sized Soup Pot is excellent for tossing together a large-scale pasta to feed a gathering. Set out freshly-grated cheese, along with our Salt and Pepper Mills for finishing, and see how the party comes alive. Pasta always brings people together.
