How To Throw An Outdoor Summer Party Without Lighting The Grill

If you don't have a grill, your grill is broken, or you're just really sick of spending every cookout standing over the boiling grates, flipping burgers for hours on end, there's no need to write off hosting summer parties. Summer dishes don't all have to be grilled, even though they do tend to be, and summer parties don't have to be centered on the barbecue. Instead, they could be focused on a table of non-grilled, but still wonderfully delicious food instead.

Swap the creamy coleslaw, for this hearty, spicy, salty, warming slaw, which your guests will be piling up on their plates.

Asian Kale Slaw With Miso-Ginger Dressing recipe, click here.

Replace the grilled burger patties with baked falafel, and stuff them in a pita with plenty of hummus, garlic sauce, lettuce, and tomatoes.

For the Baked Falafel Burger recipe, click here.

Baked chicken tenders coated in crunchy cornflakes are such an easy, tasty dish, perfect for snacking on alongside all the summer salads and sides.

For the Breaded Chicken Fingers recipe, click here.

If you're not grilling your chicken, you should definitely be frying it. Buttermilk fried chicken is always a popular option at every party.

For the Buttermilk Fried Chicken recipe, click here.

Add all the most wonderful Italian flavors to your pasta salad: Everyone will be totally addicted to this fresh, garlicy, cheesy and herby side.

For the Caprese Pasta Salad recipe, click here.

Set out a beautiful charcuterie board ready and waiting for when your guests to arrive. Nibbling on cured meats while sipping on a glass of wine will get every summer party off to a perfect start.

For tips on how to build a charcuterie board, click here.

Don't miss out on eating all the corn, just because you're not turning your grill on. This Mexican corn salad is made in one pan, which chars the corn, without you having to cook it over open flames.

For the Charred Mexican Corn Salad recipe, click here.

Creating a cheese platter for your guests to nibble on alongside a glass of red wine at the end of the evening is a delicious and easy way to keep your guests well-fed and entertained late into the night.

To learn how to make the ultimate cheese platter, click here.

Without a grill, ending dinner with charred summer fruit isn't an option, but no one will be complaining when they're presented with this decadent chocolate Nutella semifreddo instead.

For the Chocolate Nutella Semifreddo recipe, click here.

This eggplant parm sandwich, coated in bubbling, melted mozzarella is a great dish to serve if you're worried your guests will be upset about the lack of cheeseburgers and chili cheese dogs.

For the Eggplant Parmigiano With Fresh Mozzarella recipe, click here.

A creamy, garlicy kale Caesar salad is the perfect accompaniment to every summer party, whether the main focus is on grilled burgers and steaks, or fried chicken and slow-cooked pulled pork.

For the Kale Caesar Salad recipe, click here.

Toss roasted chicken with ribbons of zucchini, chopped almonds, and a delicate citrus-mustard dressing for a healthy, but satisfying salad.

For the Marinated Zucchini Chicken Salad With Marcona Almonds recipe, click here.

Make sure you don't miss out on summer's best berries, by making these mini no-bake strawberry cheesecakes at every party you host during these sunny months.                                                    

For the Mini No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecakes recipe, click here.

Don't miss out on the tacos just because you're avoiding the grill for this party. These panko-fried fish tacos are topped with lightly pickled onions and guacamole for the tastiest of summer dishes.

For the Panko-Fried Fish Tacos recipe, click here.

Help everyone cope with the searing heat by serving up a huge bowlful of this salty, sweet, fresh, and crunchy watermelon salad.

For the Refreshing Watermelon Salad recipe, click here.

There's no need for ribs to be barbecued for hours to gain their signature deep, smoky flavor. Sometimes, the slow-cooker can do a perfectly good job for you, and if you finish them under the broiler, they'll still get that classic caramelized exterior.

For the Slow-Cooker Barbecue Ribs recipe, click here.

While you're not feasting on burgers or hot dogs, swap the grill for the slow-cooker and serve these flavor-packed, slow-cooked pulled pork sandwiches.

For the Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches recipe, click here.  

If you're not cooking dinner over open flames, you may think s'mores aren't a viable option, but you'd be wrong. This s'mores dip includes everything you crave from your melted marshmallow, cookie, and chocolate combination.

For the S'mores Dip recipe, click here.

Ribbons of summer squash tossed in a light, refreshing citrus dressing, makes the most refreshing salad, perfect for balancing out all the rich fried chicken, pulled pork, and slow-cooked ribs.

For the Summer Squash Salad With Lemon Citronette recipe, click here.

Serve up one of summer's best ever dishes at your outdoor party by making up batches of lobster rolls. No grilling is required, and these rolls really are the essence of summer.

For the Ultimate Lobster Roll recipe, click here.