Summer entertaining and BBQ recipes – something for everyone

Is it even summer without a BBQ? Those warm days with cooler evenings make for the perfect party, complete with a BBQ to feed the masses. Make sure you have a host of easy BBQ recipes ready to use, so you can relax when hosting this summer. 

These are some of our personal favourite summer entertaining recipes that tick all the boxes. Let’s get this party started!

How do you throw a perfect summer party?

If you’re looking for summer dinner party ideas, we have plenty! Think about the theme you might like, what music will get people into the spirit, and how much seating you’ll need. If there are going to be kids in attendance, be sure to also plan some activities to keep them happy and entertained. It also pays to plan ahead to keep everyone nice and cool. Make sure there’s enough shade, lots of iced drinks, and plenty of sunscreen to go around.

Now that you’ve got a few BBQ entertaining ideas up your sleeve, let’s get to the hero of any gathering: the food. Read on to discover the recipes you can make that’ll have your guests cheering.

Vegetarian BBQ ideas

While meat is often the main event at BBQs, veggie options add variety and colour to any plate. Make sure to keep the non-meat eaters in mind when planning the BBQ food ideas for your party.

These are some of our favourite non-meat BBQ dishes that are always a hit with both vegetarians and meat eaters alike.

Corn Fritter Burgers

For a vegetarian burger with style, try our Corn Fritter Burgers. Perfectly balanced with the saltiness of haloumi and the sweet taste of corn, it’s sure to have your guests coming back for more!

Grilled Mediterranean Vegetable Platter

Grilled Mediterranean vegetable platters are one of our favourite BBQ lunch ideas. All you need to do is grill or pan fry your favourite vegetables, add them to a dish with some deliciously creamy burrata, add pesto and our beautiful Pane Di Casa Vienna loaf, and you’re good to go!

Goodbye basic burgers

When you’re entertaining in summer, you can’t beat a juicy burger. To have everyone cheering, here are a couple you’re sure to love.

Avocado & Feta Burger

For a burger that’s anything but ordinary, our Avocado & Feta Burger is the perfect combination of creaminess and tang. With juicy beef patties as a base, we’ve added flair with avocado and feta. Piled high onto our delicious Hi-Fibre Lo-GI White Round Roll, you’ll love this twist on an Aussie classic!

Baked Crispy Chicken Burger

When you can’t fit everything on the BBQ, the oven is your best friend. Enter our Baked Crispy Chicken Burger for the perfect summer party pleaser! With a crispy crumb and a hot honey sauce, you’ll wonder how you ever entertained without it.

A twist on a pub fave

If you’re looking for a dish to impress your guests, it’s hard to go past a chicken schnitzel. The tender chicken inside a crispy coating gets everyone’s mouth watering. To make it even better, we’ve added a twist for your summer party.

Caesar Salad Schnitzel

For an easy and tasty meal for entertaining, it’s hard to beat our Caesar Salad Schnitzel. We’ve made this classic colourful by adding Caesar salad to the mix. With tasty breadcrumbs made from our Hi-Fibre Lo-Gi White Block Loaf, it’s all kinds of good!

Party finger foods you’ll love

Food that’s easy to grab and go while you’re mingling is essential for any get together, but what are good finger foods for a barbeque? Well, we have some absolute treats that you and your guests are going to love. 

BBQ Prawns

Nothing says Aussie summer quite like prawns on the barbie. To take your BBQ prawns to the next level, butterfly some large tiger king prawns and toss them in a little olive oil, salt and pepper. Then just pop them on the barbecue, grill, and enjoy!

Lamb Koftas & Cheats Tabouli

Lamb koftas served on skewers with tabouli and Turkish Bread are a great appetiser, but the best part? You can make the kofta ahead of time, ready to be cooked. Tabouli is also easy to make at home — just toss together chopped parsley, tomatoes and red onion with lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Delicious!

7 Layer Greek Dip & Garlic Pizza Dippers

You’ll never look at regular dips and chips again after you’ve had this 7 layer Greek dip with garlic pizza dippers. For the garlic pizza dippers, all you need to do is bake one of our White Pizza Bases with a little crushed garlic and olive oil. While that’s cooking away, layer hummus and tzatziki, and top with chopped cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, onions, olive crumbled feta and a little drizzle of olive oil. Slice your dippers into triangles and watch this summer BBQ recipe disappear before your eyes!

Super summer salad recipes

Salads are an essential for any BBQ. But we’re not just talking about your regular lettuce and tomatoes chucked in a bowl. Add these to your BBQ and your friends and family will be cheering!

Panzanella Salad

This Italian-inspired Panzanella Salad mixes our delicious Ciabatta Loaf with the lively flavours of fresh cherry tomatoes, basil, parsley, avocado and olives to make a tasty salad that’s filling and delicious. Your guests will be clamouring around the food table to pile this onto their plates!

Crumbed Chicken & Garden Salad

Crumbed chicken is always a crowd pleaser, and our Crumbed Chicken & Garden Salad is no exception. Using turmeric and paprika to season the chicken crumbs, and a homemade vinaigrette dressing to add some zest, it’s a great addition to any BBQ or summertime party. 

Summer lunch ideas for entertaining the kids

Keeping kids occupied is key to a summer BBQ everyone can enjoy. Food can double as both sustenance and an activity, whether it’s a fun DIY hot dog bar or a drink station with bowls of freshly chopped fruit, mini umbrellas and fun glasses. Even the adults will be queuing up when they hear your raspberry lemonade is on offer!

Raspberry Lemonade

Let’s face it, summer is hot. So, having a delicious drink both kids and adults can enjoy will go down a hit — and with this Raspberry Lemonade Recipe, you can never go wrong. Before your guests arrive, pull out a big jug, blitz some raspberries, sugar and lemon juice with a stick blender, top with ice and chilled soda water and voila!

Of course, no summer BBQ is complete without delicious breads, rolls and other tasty baked treats. Luckily there’s always a Bakers Delight nearby with all your favourites. Find your nearest Bakers Delight store today.