9 Summer Party Dishes that Melt in Your Mouth (And Not in the Heat)

It’s summer, it’s hot and the last thing you want at your outdoor cookout is for all of your food to wilt and get soggy before it’s enjoyed by party guests. Summer party dishes should be tasty, colorful and have enough stability to last through a couple hours in nature without getting gross. Here are some fabulous recipes to try at your next cookout!

Crunchy Noodle Salad: This crispy noodle salad infuses flavors from Asian cuisine and includes all of your favorite colorful summertime vegetables. The crunchy texture and sweet dressing makes this dish perfect for outdoor parties. Click here to get the recipe.

>> Read more: Best and Worst BBQ Side Dishes 

Skinny Cajun Shrimp Skewers: Get your mouth ready for some serious heat, because our Skinny Cajun Shrimp Skewer recipe is ready to knock your socks off! Load up on garden veggies and marinated shrimp to pierce on your skewer and grill away. Since the seasoning on this may be hotter than you expect, try to pair this with a simple side without any intense flavorings. Click here to get out recipe!

In-n-Out Cheeseburger (Animal Style) Made Skinny: California’s In-n-Out Burger is notorious for their massive, juicy and unfortunately, unhealthy hamburgers that are obsessed over by customers. An animal-style cheeseburger from this joint yields roughly 480 calories with about 27 grams of fat and 1,000 grams of sodium… not worth the splurge, trust us. This cheeseburger recipe makes a copycat recipe that totals at 422 calories, 10.8 grams of fat and 10 Weight Watcher Points Plus using a Trader Joe’s Honey Wheat Bun; Using a sandwich thin instead of the honey wheat bun will total the dish at 322 calories, 9 grams of fat and 8 Weight Watcher Points Plus. You gotta check out this recipe—click here!

>> Click here to read more about vegetarian grilling.

Hawaiian Pork and Pineapple Kabobs: Nothing screams outdoor summer party louder than a nice spread of freshly grilled kebobs! This recipe is great for days when you need to add a little more vegetable variety into your meals and want to satisfy the guests at your cookout. Check out our Hawaiian Pork and Pineapple Kebob recipe and see what it’s all about. Click here!

Barbecue Chicken Sliders with Jalapeño Avocado Spread: Wholesome avocado, jalapeño and lime work together to create an unforgettable sandwich spread, and encourage the addition of healthy toppings such as lettuce and tomato to complete this tasty treat. We have the perfect barbecue chicken slider recipe that will leave your guests fighting over the last one—check it out!

Easy and Low-Calorie Italian Chopped Salad Stuffed Shells Appetizer: Tasty and low-cal treats made out of a classic Italian chopped salad and cooked pasta shells. Prep everything the night before and add the dressing in the cooked shells prior to serving your guests. Easy to hold with one hand or picked at by a fork! Click here for the recipe! (via The Skinny Kitchen)

Crab, Corn and Tomato Salad: Seafood lovers will enjoy this colorful crab salad recipe! Tart lemon-bail dressing drizzled over a combination of sweet corn, tomatoes and crab will complement other barbecue dishes served at your cookout. Click here to see!

>> Read more: Go Go Gadget: Corn Peeler 

Lemony Grilled Potato Salad: Enjoy the smoky barbecue flavor of grilled vegetables in a coat of zesty lemon juice and black pepper. This dish will go great with other grilled entrees and can serve a wide variety of guests. Click here to check out the recipe!

Grilled Sweet Potato Salad with Curry Almond Butter Vinaigrette: This recipe is Paleo and vegan-friendly, and has a flavor combination that will leave you grabbing for more. Similar to other unique and intricate recipes, this one might take a little longer to prepare, but nevertheless, is definitely worth it. Click here to check it out! (via Food Faith Fitness)

Want more? Click here to see our roundup of 50 Skinny Grill Recipes!