Tucson gets hot in the summer, and hosting an outdoor event requires carefully planning the venue, catering menu, and seating. You must make sure that the food and drinks stay at optimal temperature for your guests’ comfort, and that all food safety protocols are followed. Serving cold dishes can keep your guests hydrated and happy and reduce the risk of food spoilage.
At Tucson Creative Catering, we have decades of experience in event planning and catering food for summer events. As one of the premier full-service catering companies in Tucson, AZ, our team can help you plan every last detail of your summer party to ensure the food, decor, entertainment, and party rentals are perfect. Before you start planning your summer party menu, take a look at some of these delicious cold dishes our chefs recommend.
Salads and Veggie Platters
Salads that are made from fresh, seasonal local produce can add color and flavor to your overall summer party menu. We recommend serving salads and veggie platters that are rich in quality local produce and that are arranged in a way that is pleasing to the eye and easy to serve and eat, even when your guests are moving around. Here are some amazing veggie ideas that are sure to be crowd pleasers for guests of all ages and can hold up to the Tucson summer heat:
- Macaroni coleslaw
- Marinated vegetables
- Lemon orzo salad
- Three bean salad
- Yogurt, honey, and frozen grapes
- Watermelon and strawberry mint salad
Finger Foods
When guests are eating outside in the summer, they don’t want to have to carry around heavy plates of hot foods. Finger foods are easy to plate, hold, and eat and they won’t disappoint in terms of flavor or quality. Some of our favorite summer finger foods are:
- Mini cucumber, mint, and tomato sandwiches
- Marinated feta cubes
- Bruschetta bagel bites
- Prosciutto wrapped melon balls
- Antipasto skewers
- Cajun deviled eggs
- Caprese, tomato, and avocado skewers
Lean Meats
While some meats need to be served hot to be enjoyed and might be too heavy for an outdoor summer party, others can be served cold and won’t seem overwhelming to eat in the heat. Lean meats are the perfect add-in for salads and sandwiches and can also be served on their own when prepared properly:
- Layered chicken salad
- Cobb salad
- Asian ham sandwiches
- Mini hasselback tomato clubs
- Turkey, hummus, and veggie wraps
Simple Entrees
Whether your event is a casual summer barbecue or a sit-down dinner, keep your entrees simple and light. Most people don’t feel like eating big, heavy meals in the heat, and will appreciate smaller plates with lighter fare. Our favorite cold summer entrees are:
- Chopped kale salad with cornbread croutons
- Shrimp pasta salad
- Crispy chicken lettuce wraps
- Chilled gazpacho
Drinks and Dessert
Don’t forget drinks and dessert when planning your summer party menu. Drinks should be iced, chilled, or frozen, and you should offer plenty of non-alcoholic options. Some ideas are:
- Daiquiris
- Frozen margaritas
- Mint mojitos
- Moscow mules
- Rum punch
- Sangria
- Frozen lemonade
- Flavored seltzers
- Infused water
- Iced tea
Dessert choices should also be chilled, light, and simple. Try to think of desserts that won’t quickly melt or lose shape in the heat, such as:
- Frozen cheesecake squares
- Mini fruit pies
- Strawberry shortcake cups
- Peaches, berries, and cream
Our Tips for Planning a Casual Summer Party Menu
When you work with our experienced party catering team, we can help you design a menu that fits the theme, venue, and occasion of your event. Here are some things you should consider when planning a summer party menu:
- Make sure you have an accurate guest count, including the number of kids and adults.
- Get a list of everyone’s specific allergies, dietary restrictions, and food sensitivities.
- Choose foods, drinks, and ingredients that won’t spoil in the heat.
- Keep it simple and opt for finger foods or dishes that are easy to eat while standing.
- Choose dishes that can be presented in an attractive way and won’t melt in the heat.
- Give your guests plenty of non-alcoholic drink options for staying hydrated.
Call Tucson Creative Catering to Start Planning Your Summer Party Menu
At Tucson Creative Catering, we can help you plan the perfect menu for your summer party in Tucson, AZ. We have been planning events of all sizes for over 36 years, and our clients trust us to create inspirational menus that perfectly capture the nature and occasion of their event. Because we offer full-service event catering, we can handle everything from designing a menu, providing party rentals, planning decor and entertainment, setting up sound and lighting, and plating and serving food and drinks.
Call us now or contact us online to set up an initial consultation for catering in Tucson. We’ll go over menu possibilities and ensure each detail aligns with your unique vision for your event.