Summertime is backyard fun time

Few things complement warm weather like a summer spread with everyone’s favorite foods. From fresh appetizers and classics like grilled hot dogs to skewered sides and sweet, sugary desserts, these summertime recipes are sure to bring friends, family and neighbors running to get in on the action.

To find more recipe ideas that bring the heat to summer cookouts, visit our summer cookout page.

Up Your Grilling Game with Beloved Toppings

Hot dogs and brats are summer favorites for a reason: the delicious (and personalized) add-ons. Make sure your spread fits everyone’s taste buds with an assortment of tasty toppings like these:

• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Relish
• Hot sauce
• Onions
• Pickles
• Sauerkraut
• Cole slaw
• Jalapenos
• Diced tomatoes
• Guacamole
• Nacho cheese
• Shredded cheese

Summer salad ideas

Start your grill party with some easy to make summer salads. Be they starters, sides, or main-dish meals, salads are one of the most versatile foods going. They can be fresh and light or warm and comforting, crisp and traditional or savory and exotic. Have them on Meatless Monday, make a meaty main course, or even have them as dessert!

Citrus Spring Mix Salad: This garden-fresh blend combines carefully selected tender baby butter and red and green leaf lettuces with baby greens including spinach, arugula and kale that are picked when the tiny leaves are perfect and whole. Perfect as a light lunch or a refreshing side for dinner. See recipe

Chopped Chickpea Salad: Delicious, filling salads don’t require a recipe so much as a smart template and plenty of fresh inspiration and ingredients, which is precisely how this chopped chickpea salad comes together. See recipe

Zesty Watermelon Tomato Salad: This spicy watermelon tomato salad is delicious & refreshing – the perfect summer side dish! If you’re sensitive to spice, start with less jalapeño and add more to your taste. See recipe

Summer Main Dishes

Bruschetta Grilled Chicken: This grilled chicken gets a fresh flavor boost from homemade bruschetta and slices of cheesy mozzarella. The chicken is topped with the mozzarella while on the grill, creating a cheesy, melty goodness, before topping with your fresh bruschetta. Cheesy, herby, acidic—this chicken is anything but boring. See recipe