By Victoria von Biel
When I was growing up, my mother was a master of the low-effort, high-reward weekend lunch. She would arrange cold cuts, cheeses, bread, mustard, mayonnaise, sliced tomatoes, and crispy lettuce leaves on the big kitchen table. Then, the five of us would make sandwiches and compare notes on our afternoon plans. Cleanup was a breeze. Leftovers went back into the fridge, and plates were stacked in the dishwasher.
When I had kids of my own, I adapted this DIY system for the way we live. Instead of weekend lunches, I translated it to weekday dinners, and as soon as the weather warms up, I move it outdoors. My formula relies heavily on boards and grilling but still allows for plenty of personal choice. I’ve made bulked up charcuterie boards, salad boards (see the brilliant Cobb Salad Board below), and grilled pizzas, sausages, and budget cuts of steak. Add a salad (or leftover grilled veggies), some condiments, and crusty rolls, and there you have it: lazy patio dinners with minimal cleanup, but lots of fun.
These are some of my favorite Savory recipes for patio dinners when I really want to wow friends or family. A little extra effort than my usual routine, but worth it when you want to make an impression but still keep your cool.
Grilled Pizza on a Stick
This kid-favorite mashup of kabobs and pizza is definitely a winner. While it requires some upfront effort to assemble, the payoff is worth it. Let kids help put together their own skewers, then pop them on the grill and let everyone dig in. Once you master the recipe, you can experiment with your own ingredient combinations. But whatever you do, don’t forget the pizza sauce for dipping!
Get the recipe: Grilled Pizza on a Stick
Grilled Cobb Salad Board
In my opinion, a salad board is a dinner workhorse. Make it simple or dress it up (like this recipe), but the basic principle is the same: greens, fresh or grilled veggies, grilled meat, and then cheese, croutons, or whatever else you like on your salads. The Cobb Salad approach is brilliant because it allows everyone at the table to skip the ingredients they don’t like and load up on the ones they do. This version looks spectacular and will make even salad haters into converts.
Get the recipe: Grilled Cobb Salad Board
Korean Beef Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps
Beef Bulgogi wraps are one of my family’s all-time favorites. Wrap marinated steak and rice in a lettuce leaf, and you get addictive mouthfuls of sweet, savory, spicy, crunchy perfection. Don’t be scared off by the gochujang paste. Yes, you need it for the flavor punch, but in a pinch, you can sub in some miso and a dash (or three) of red pepper flakes. And by the way, I have made this with London Broil when it was on sale. It’s not as tender, but just as tasty and better for my budget.
Get the recipe: Korean Beef Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps
Low Country Shrimp Boil
This is the ultimate one-pot patio dinner and one of the few non-grilled meals I make in the summer. This is designed for a crowd, so invite friends over, spread your patio table with a (disposable) tablecloth or newspaper and paper plates, and watch while everyone digs in. It really is that good and worth half an hour in a steamy kitchen getting everything ready. Bonus: Cleanup is almost non-existent.
Get the recipe: Low Country Shrimp Boil
Grilled Salad Pizza with Prosciutto
I’m a huge fan of grilled salads, and this salad pizza in particular. Is it my kids’ favorite? I have no idea, I haven’t asked. I’m too busy eating. There’s just something about the combination of warm grilled crust and cool, crunchy salad with a tangy dressing that I just can’t resist. Add silky, salty, savory prosciutto, and I’m in heaven.
Get the recipe: Grilled Salad Pizza with Prosciutto
Grilled Sausage Rope with Peppers and Onions
Skip hot dogs and go straight for this recipe when you want something super satisfying and all-American for dinner. Raid your fridge for condiments, like mustards, ketchup, sauerkraut, and anything pickled. Have a basket of sturdy, bakery-style rolls at the ready so everyone can load up their sausages with the grilled veggies and whatever else they like.
Get the recipe: Grilled Sausage Rope with Peppers and Onions
Grilled and Marinated Vegetables
I can’t talk about patio dinners without including these grilled veggies. It’s one of my all-time favorite Savory recipes, and perfect for meal planning. Whether you serve them alongside grilled chicken, slice them on a pizza, toss with pasta, or tuck them into a sandwich, they’re reliably delicious, easy, and gorgeous. Make this recipe on a Sunday and future you will be very happy.
Get the recipe: Grilled and Marinated Vegetables
Victoria von Biel is SavoryOnline’s content director and an avid home cook.
