:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/tomatoes-with-lightly-whipped-cream-103044774-492b3e7c6c8642dfab88890209811783-crop-0623-971b3b423ecb4f9e9b37276bb4621b90.jpg)
Chelsea Cavanaugh
Get the party started with a selection of our favorite summer appetizers. They're packed with seasonal produce and are light and refreshing—just the kind of dishes to serve on your deck or in the garden, around the pool, or beside the grill.
Many of these recipes are no-cook; some only need a turn on the grill. Several need to be made ahead, which is a boon for the busy host—you'll know your appetizers are ready in the refrigerator for when guests arrive. Choose from chilled soups, fresh dips, antipasto platters, and grilled appetizers—and celebrate the season.
Grilled Prosciutto-Wrapped Melon
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/skewers-6734-d111184_vert-16ddfb39dede413dbdb9114ace4fd308.jpg)
You know how good the pairing of cantaloupe and prosciutto is. Give it a summer slant on the grill. It takes minutes and transforms the flavors. Even better, it works with any melon and cured meat you like.
Roasted Tomatoes and Cheese With Thyme
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/roasted-tomatoes-and-cheese-with-thyme-0519-b62476a7-1-7b44342f0c0d4a9cb1922131b8a41761.jpg)
A prep time of 10 minutes produces this delightful summer appetizer. Simply combine small tomatoes with thyme, olive oil, salt, and cheese, then bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Top with more cheese, bake for another five, and watch how fast it disappears.
Chilled Avocado-Cucumber Soup With Crostini
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/chilled-avocado-cucumber-soup-with-crostini-90182735-0820-onecms-7bb7bf6339eb48fdbd49de47856fcf60.jpg)
Not only are chilled soups refreshing, they’re also excellent for entertaining, as they must be made ahead to allow time for them to chill in the refrigerator. This creamy but dairy-free version is packed with cucumbers, cilantro, scallions, and avocados. Â
Cantaloupe and Mozzarella With Prosciutto and Basil
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cantaloupe-0711med10722-sea006_hd-31cd92b1be9c454f9134754a7663d072.jpg)
A summer antipasto platter that tastes as good as it looks. In this no-cook appetizer, melon balls make a refreshing pairing with prosciutto and the bite-sized mozzarella balls known as bocconcini. The main work is arranging the platter, drizzling it with olive oil, and scattering fresh basil leaves.
Roasted-Garlic Toast With Tomato
Take tomato bruschetta to the next level with these toasts that top the bread with a luscious roasted garlic spread and juicy sliced tomatoes. While the recipe calls for making the toast in the oven, the grill would be an excellent alternative.
Greek Layer Dip
Whip up a creamy bean spread with canned cannellini beans, garlic, Greek yogurt, and lemon juice. It's spread onto a platter and topped with juicy cherry tomatoes, cool cucumbers, olives, feta cheese, and herbs.
Shrimp Cocktail With Three Sauces
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/mld104912_0809_shrimp_cocktail_hd-492392a825ea474b9036771590f001e9.jpg)
Whether you serve the shrimp on a platter or arrange them in individual serving dishes, this fresh take on the classic shrimp cocktail will be a winner at your party. Guests can choose from mango-basil, tomato-horseradish, or remoulade sauce.
Zucchini, Avocado, and Jalapeño Tartine
It's easy being green with this bevy of flavorful toppings—crisp zucchini, creamy avocado, spicy jalapeño, and fresh cilantro. It's the perfect starter to show off seasonal produce.
Hearts of Palm Dip
This vegan dip gets all of its creaminess from canned hearts of palm, which are pulsed in a food processor along with chopped chives, cilantro leaves, the juice and zest of a lime, and extra-virgin olive oil.
Citrus and Green Olives With Goat Cheese
Serve this rich platter of green olives, mixed oranges and tangerines, goat cheese, and rustic Italian bread to kick off an extra-special dinner al fresco. Mix the cheese with good-quality olive oil for a creamy spread.
Tomatoes With Lightly Whipped Cream
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/tomatoes-with-lightly-whipped-cream-103044774-ec486a67830f4287bbdbeb129dfa66dd.jpg)
This might be one of our best summer appetizer recipes. All you need are high-quality heirloom tomatoes, fruity olive oil, flaky salt, fresh basil, and heavy cream. The tomatoes get a dollop of unsweetened whipped cream as a garnish, resulting in one of the simplest yet most delicious warm-weather dishes around.
Grilled-Vegetable Agrodolce
Grilled zucchini, yellow squash, and eggplants, plus assorted cured meats, burrata, goat cheese, and crusty bread, create a stunning summer antipasto platter.
Spanish Gazpacho
No matter when or how you serve it, tomato and bell pepper gazpacho is one of the best no-cook summer dishes. This chilled soup recipe makes about five cups, so you can serve small cups to a crowd.
Greek-Taverna Salad
Every color and flavor of summer shines on this platter appetizer—cocktail tomatoes, mini cucumbers, bell peppers, feta cheese, and pepperoncini peppers.
Creamy Artichoke Ranch Dip
When artichoke dip meets ranch dip, the result is twice as tasty. This easy appetizer is a no-cook favorite. Simply whizz marinated artichoke hearts, anchovy fillets, parsley, Greek yogurt, and extra-virgin olive oil in the food processor and serve.
Chilled Sour-Cherry Soup
Sour and savory flavors marry in this seasonal soup that uses fresh sour cherries, cucumbers, and scallions, plus plenty of fresh cilantro and dill.
No-Knead Tomato Focaccia
Fresh, juicy cherry tomatoes shine on top of our easy-to-make focaccia. While it only requires 15 minutes of prep work, the dough should rise for at least 12 hours, so plan if you want to make this scrumptious summer bite.
Creamy Edamame Dip
This healthy dip is deceivingly indulgent, thanks to creamy cottage cheese. It's also satisfying thanks to the edamame, while cilantro, serrano chile, and lime juice give it a lively flavor. Serve drizzled with olive oil alongside pita or crudités.
Seeded Feta Bites
Feta cheese is light and refreshing in the summertime, especially as a bite-sized nibble on a skewer. Embed these little white cubes with the rich flavors of tangy sumac, toasted sesame seeds, and flaky sea salt that blend to make a great no-cook finger food appetizer.
Tomato Burrata Bites
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/burrata-bites-6423164-0817-ocms-3b7132b815ae47c298ab41033d47688b.jpg)
Whip up a quick and cheerful display of no-cook tomato bites stuffed with creamy burrata cheese. Each hollowed-out sweet Campari tomato is drizzled with a little olive oil and topped with fresh basil for a satisfying finger food appetizer.
Bloody-Mary Tomato Salad
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ms-bloody-mary-tomato-salad-8bebf71a-0619-horiz-a6052a6beb204d93b2963e2ced7e386b.jpg)
Dana Gallagher
In this zesty tomato salad recipe, juicy heirloom tomatoes are sliced and drizzled with toppings that hit the notes of a Bloody Mary cocktail, including Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, and celery seed.
Tomato, Corn, and Avocado Salad
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/med103553_0708_tomato_sld_vert1-563e8e56ca9a44368ed5b2137e176eb7.jpg)
This quintessential summer salad brings together the sweetest corn, the juiciest cherry tomatoes, and ripe avocado. Toss in some scallions for bite and crunch, dress with lime juice and oil, and season with salt and pepper.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(1440x0:1442x2)/skewers-6734-d111184_vert-16ddfb39dede413dbdb9114ace4fd308.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(732x497:734x499)/pasta-salad-with-tomatoes-mozzarella-and-chickpeas-c7ab902f-0619-horiz-0922-24d05a71cb204719986a917ff9753e52.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(721x741:723x743)/0703_msl_vodka_ade_detail_vert-45df8f3e4bf9487aa47c7dea1f2df9ab.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(451x0:453x2)/gherman-beetlebung-36-ms108744_vert-73bcf80f503e455392d0954a43db4212.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(1499x0:1501x2)/any-juice-ice-pops-d107281-0615_vert-3bcb7f542f3a4bf3a8bc54ded3306800.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(665x0:667x2)/jello-mld108490_vert-a38a72e7e1c8460c81f9d9a0e349df82.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(249x0:251x2)/mld104827_0609_picodegallo_hd-3892f74039b14d429a7d12523b3645ed.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(633x744:635x746)/crunchy-shrimp-fritters-8c0_WJZ24hF9NvkqVRoIJh-0621-onecms-97f36ebe2d164c67a36daa34646b46c4.jpg)