30 Perfect Recipes For Your Next Pool Party (Inflatable Flamingo Not Included)
There ain't no party like a pool party, and it's not just because we never want a pool party to stop. While we're always excited to float around with a beach-y cocktail on an inflatable flamingo, we'd be nothing without an incredible spread of pool party-friendly foods and recipe ideas to keep us swimming until the sun goes down. Whether you're pool-hopping hotel pools (or lucky to have a pool of your own OR a friend with a pool), we've rounded up 30 perfect pool party foods to make-ahead (or grill poolside) for good eating all summer long.
No matter what body of water you dive into this summer (beach, pool, lake, river, heck, even a kiddie pool...), you've gotta have your snacks. Sometimes when we're busy playing pool volleyball, we end up just snacking through out the day (the dream). Which is why we love digging into hearty appetizers, no-cook appetizers, and dip-ables that help us get back to playing marco polo ASAP, like a 7-layer dip, salmon ceviche, and avocado salsa.
When the temps are solidly reaching "BRB living in a swimsuit until September" weather, keep your cool at the pool with plenty of chilled pasta salads, refreshing summer-y salads, and a frosty frozen dessert to finish it off. Feel free to mix and match your favorite summer flavors (we're pretty obsessed with our watermelon quinoa salad recipe, TBH), just don't forget to end your feast with a slice of our copycat Dairy Queen ice cream cake to make it a pool day for the scrapbooks.
Harissa Grilled Chicken
In the world of powerhouse pantry staples, harissa is a flavor bomb. We’re no strangers to its magic, and now we’re tapping it again for this easy, throw-together marinade for grilled chicken that's perfect for a low-key grilled dinner by the pool.
Get the Harissa Grilled Chicken recipe.
7-Layer Dip
The pinnacle party dip, in our book, a pool party really isn’t complete without 7-layer dip. If you’ve always went for the store-bought version, trust us—it’s worth making at home. Ready in under 30 minutes, this is the easiest last-minute app to prepare when you need a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Get the 7-Layer Dip recipe.
Watermelon Quinoa Salad
We love to snack on bites of watermelon all summer long, but one of our favorite ways to enjoy the juicy, sweet fruit is in a refreshing salad. With mint, feta, red onion, cucumber, and a balsamic glaze, this one's got everything you love about traditional watermelon salad, but with an additional protein boost from one of our favorite grains, fluffy and nutritious quinoa.
Get the Watermelon Quinoa Salad recipe.
Lobster Salad
Lobster rolls are a classic summer meal, but the truth is, you don't really need the split-top hot dog buns (or melted butter if you're eating it Connecticut-style). Lightly dressed with mayo and finished off with a big squeeze of lemon juice, lobster salad tastes incredible on its own, especially paired with slices of creamy avocado. 😉
Get the Lobster Salad recipe.
Italian Pasta Salad
In our opinion, pasta salad is a summer pool party must. We have plenty of beloved variations of this staple side dish, but this Italian-inspired recipe is our guaranteed go-to when we need a reliable BBQ side for a day at the pool.
Get the Italian Pasta Salad recipe.
Orange Creamsicle Bars
These triple-layered orange bars have us feeling all nostalgic for the classic frozen Popsicle treat that inspired them. They’re creamy, dreamy, and the perfect blend of citrusy orange and vanilla bean flavor paired with a graham cracker crust. Despite looking like a pastry chef came into your home and put them together, these are so easy to make, too! Our secret to success? Using store-bought ingredients, like graham crackers, orange Jell-O, vanilla pudding, and Cool Whip.
Get the Orange Creamsicle Bars recipe.
Fish Taco Bowls
When you’re craving the flavors and textures of a fish taco, but need some vegetables in your life, this salad is perfect for you. Crispy fish and a creamy, spicy slaw are the base of these veggie-packed takes on everyone’s favorite taco. There sweetness from the diced mango and creaminess from cool avocado blends perfectly with the drizzle of a spicy crema, making this summer salad an instant staple.
Get the Fish Taco Bowls recipe.
Blackened Shrimp Bowls
If you're looking for summer in a bowl, turn to these blackened shrimp bowls. Not only delicious, these bowls are also a filling powerhouse. It's also the perfect meal-prep meal: Make all the ingredients ahead of time, then prepare your bowls as you please throughout the week! Filled with whole grains, protein, and fresh veg, these are the perfect bowls if you're looking for an easy, healthy lunch or satisfying weeknight dinner to enjoy all summer long.
Get the Blackened Shrimp Bowls recipe.
Copycat Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake
Dairy Queen’s classic ice cream cake is king in the realm of frozen desserts, but our copycat recipe is coming for the crown. Starring that signature ribbon of fudge and chocolate cookie crunchies sandwiched between vanilla and chocolate ice cream, this homemade version of this iconic treat is equally easy to make and delicious to eat.
Get the Copycat Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake recipe.
Baked Beans
Baked beans are sweet, tangy, savory, and the best part, surprisingly easy to make. Not to mention, they’re a one-pot wonder! Put them on your hot dogs, pair them alongside your cornbread, or enjoy them all on their own.
Get the Baked Beans recipe.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Tired of your same old Caesar salad? Add chicken and penne pasta to transform it into the summer side dish of your dreams.
Get the Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad recipe.
Smash Burgers
Super-thin patties and crispy edges are the draw of a smash burger. The patty is so thin, it’s almost impossible to dry out because it cooks so quickly, and cooking two patties for each burger gives you more of those lacey edges. Using an ungreased skillet or griddle is important, as it gives the ground beef a chance to really stick to the surface and form a crust. Since the skillet is so hot, the meat will still release easily. Make sure your meat starts to sizzle excitedly as soon as it hits the pan, that’s when it’s hot enough.
Get the Smash Burgers recipe.
Fruit Popsicles
In the heat of summer, nothing satisfies quite like a fruit pop. This classic strawberry version is big on fruit flavor and not too sweet.
Get the Fruit Popsicles recipe.
Watermelon Feta Salad
Sweet and juicy watermelon may just be the MVP of summer fruit. While it’s perfectly refreshing all on its own, throw in some cucumbers, mint, red onion, and tangy feta tossed with a very simple vinaigrette (just olive oil + red wine vinegar), and you've got yourself a mean summer salad. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors that will pair perfectly with practically any summer meal (or all on its own, straight out of the bowl—we won’t judge). 😉
Get the Watermelon Feta Salad recipe.
Summer Couscous Salad
Here we're using couscous as the base for a confetti of colored vegetables (cucumbers! bell peppers! red onion!), doused in a creamy lemon Dijon dressing. We’ve also added tangy feta and sun-dried tomatoes, crunchy toasted almonds, and nutty, earthy chickpeas to give it a little added oomph. It’s simple and light, but still special enough for any poolside celebration.
Get the Summer Couscous Salad recipe.
Pinwheel Sandwiches
These retro sandwiches are easy to assemble, look great on a platter, and are ideal for a pool party. To make them, you'll layer flour tortillas with ranch-flavored mayonnaise, sliced cheese, deli meats, and lettuce. All that's left to do is roll them up tightly and slice. Simple!
Get the Pinwheel Sandwiches recipe.
Hawaiian Mac Salad
Hawaiian macaroni salad is a creamy, tangy, iconic comfort food that is practically synonymous with the state. It’s very simple to prepare—you might already have all the ingredients on hand!—making it the perfect easy side to bring to any poolside potluck.
Get the Hawaiian Mac Salad recipe.
Avocado Salsa
Creamy, just-ripe avocados are tossed with chopped tomatoes, jalapeño, red onion, sweet corn, and tons of chopped fresh cilantro to create this refreshing hybrid dip. Now you’ll never have to decide between salsa and guac ever again!
Get the Avocado Salsa recipe.
Bruschetta
Nothing screams summer quite like bruschetta. We know it may sound skippable, but rubbing the toasted bread with garlic will help impart TONS of flavor into your tiny toasts, so we highly recommend it. Top them with simply marinated tomatoes for the ultimate summer snack.
Get the Bruschetta recipe.
Salmon Ceviche
For this rather unorthodox ceviche, we borrowed techniques and ingredients from all over the world, from Japan to Mexico. Because we know high-quality white fish commonly used in ceviches can be hard to find in the states, we went with something that wasn't: salmon. But not traditional doesn't mean it's not delicious! If you've eaten salmon raw before, you know it's insanely smooth and decadent. If you do your research (or chat with your fishmonger) to find a high-quality salmon, you will be rewarded with some seriously delicious ceviche that marinates (and citrus-cures) in a beautiful leche de tigre mixture. We say: worth it!
Get the Salmon Ceviche recipe.
Copycat Shake Shack Shroom Burger
The cult favorite from the NYC-based chain is the rock star of veggie burgers and just might even convert the carnivores at your next pool party!
Get the Copycat Shake Shack Shroom Burger recipe.
Best-Ever Lobster Roll
Did you know? There are two types of lobster rolls: Maine style and Connecticut style. If you're more of a Maine person, let us direct you to our lobster salad recipe. It's dressed with mayo and would be delicious in a buttered, top-split hot dog bun, as per tradition. This lobster roll, on the other hand, is Connecticut-style. That means absolutely no mayo in sight, just melted butter and some chives for freshness. We think this version really lets the lobster take center stage so, crustacean lovers, this is the sandwich for you.
Get the Best-Ever Lobster Roll recipe.
Mahi Mahi Tacos
Being a meaty, tender fish, mahi mahi stands up well to the grill and is even better when marinated. You could use a traditional citrus-oil mixture, or do like we did and go with a mayo-based marinade that adds some richness and a ton of flavor. Throw the fish on a tortilla with some spicy pineapple-jalapeño salsa, and you'll have an amazing summer taco.
Get the Mahi Mahi Tacos recipe.
Antipasto Potato Salad
Potato salad is about as classic a summer side as it gets, and we love experimenting with different flavor combinations. If you’re looking to lighten up your usual potato salad, look no further—this version is bursting with all the flavors of your favorite antipasto.
Get the Antipasto Potato Salad recipe.
Cilantro-Lime Shrimp Wraps
The cilantro-lime flavor profile will always be a hit. But, when we're looking for low-carb lunch gold, we turn to these shrimp wraps. With tangy lime juice, a kick of cumin, and a fresh herby zing from the cilantro, these quick-cooking shrimp pair perfectly in our crisp lettuce wraps.
Get the Cilantro-Lime Shrimp Wraps recipe.
Hawaiian Hot Dogs
Half the fun of eating a hot dog is loading it up with all kinds of toppings. This time we took a tropical approach. The pineapple salsa combats the spice from sriracha, creating a perfect balance of flavor and texture.
Get the Hawaiian Hot Dogs recipe.
Thai-Inspired Grilled Cauliflower Steaks
Cauliflower steaks demand a place on your grill! We found the perfect funky balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy in this Thai-inspired sauce to blanket them. Try the sauce and if needed, balance it out to your taste with brown sugar for more sweetness, red pepper flakes for more heat, lime juice for more pucker, and salt.
Get the Thai-Inspired Grilled Cauliflower Steaks recipe.
Hot Dog Cubans
Cuban bread is a white, French bread-like loaf made with lard, which makes this upgraded Cuban sandwich incredibly soft. This allows the bread to get super crispy when pressed without destroying the roof of your mouth when you bite into it. Can't find it? Use a hoagie roll instead. To make a good pressed sandwich, you don't need a panini make. All you need is a two skillets—one to toast the sandwich and the other to weigh it down!
Get the Hot Dog Cubans recipe.
Veggie Kabobs
These kabobs have the *perfect* combination of flavors and textures. Serve them up with our ultimate meat-lovers veggie burger for a backyard vegetarian feast that even a carnivore couldn't turn down.
Get the Veggie Kabobs recipe.
Tzatziki Potato Salad
This tzatziki-inspired version of potato salad is very dill-forward and nicely lemony and bright with yogurt, crunchy cucumber—both fresh and pickled—and creamy boiled baby red potatoes. Add in a bit of zesty red onions and a pinch of MSG, and you’ve got a paradox of refreshing indulgence.
Get the Tzatziki Potato Salad recipe.
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