Outdoor eating brings a unique charm, blending fresh air with delightful flavors. Whether it’s a relaxed afternoon picnic or a more formal outdoor supper, the right setup—from a simple picnic table to an elegant outdoor dining set—can elevate the experience. Here, we explore various outdoor-friendly dishes, their preparation, and the best settings in which to enjoy them, whether at a casual outdoor coffee table or with a complete outdoor table and chairs arrangement.
1. Grilled Chicken Skewers with Veggies (Finger Food, Casual)
Chicken skewers are perfect for casual outdoor meals, such as a picnic or a relaxed afternoon on the patio. They are easy to eat with your hands, making them ideal for patio chairs or a picnic table setting.
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 red onion, chopped
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh herbs (rosemary or thyme)
Cooking Instructions:
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Thread the chicken, peppers, zucchini, and onion onto skewers.
- Drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs.
- Grill for 10-12 minutes, turning frequently, until the chicken is cooked through.
Best Setting: These skewers can be enjoyed casually, lounging on outdoor dining chairs around a small outdoor coffee table. Their finger-food nature makes them great for an easy-going gathering.
2. Mediterranean Quinoa Salad (Healthy and Light)
This vibrant, nutritious salad can be served as a side or main dish and works well in any setting. Packed with veggies, it’s perfect for a sunny outdoor lunch at a picnic table or even on the patio.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup quinoa, cooked and cooled
- 1 cucumber, chopped
- 1 tomato, chopped
- ½ red onion, finely diced
- ½ cup Kalamata olives
- ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- Fresh parsley
- Olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper for dressing
Cooking Instructions:
- Cook quinoa according to package instructions and let it cool.
- Mix the chopped cucumber, tomato, onion, olives, and parsley with the quinoa.
- Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper.
- Top with crumbled feta before serving.
Best Setting: This salad is light and can be served casually at a picnic table or outdoor coffee table, where guests can scoop their own portions and enjoy the fresh flavors.
3. Grilled Steak with Chimichurri Sauce (Formal, Requires Cutlery)
For a more formal outdoor dinner, grilled steak paired with chimichurri sauce is an elegant yet rustic option. This dish is best enjoyed at a formal outdoor dining set with a complete set of crockery and cutlery.
Ingredients:
- 2 ribeye steaks
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil
For Chimichurri Sauce:
- 1 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- ½ cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Cooking Instructions:
- Preheat your grill to high heat.
- Rub the steaks with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Grill for 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare, or adjust to your preference.
- For the chimichurri, mix parsley, garlic, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Let the steaks rest for 5 minutes before serving with the chimichurri on top.
Best Setting: Enjoy this hearty meal with a more formal outdoor dining set where you can sit comfortably and savor the flavors with proper cutlery and serving dishes.
4. Grilled Vegetable Wraps (Finger Food, Casual)
These wraps are perfect for a light, nutritious snack or meal and are excellent for an informal gathering. Served warm or cold, they’re easy to eat with your hands while seated around a picnic table or outdoor coffee table.
Ingredients:
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 eggplant, sliced
- 1 avocado, sliced
- Hummus
- Whole-wheat tortillas
- Olive oil, salt, and pepper
Cooking Instructions:
- Grill the zucchini, bell pepper, and eggplant on a preheated grill, drizzling with olive oil and seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Spread hummus onto the tortillas, and layer with the grilled vegetables and avocado.
- Roll the tortillas tightly and cut them in half before serving.
Best Setting: Perfect for a casual setting with patio chairs around a small table, these wraps make an excellent finger-food option for any informal outdoor occasion.
5. Lemon-Garlic Shrimp (Formal, Requires Cutlery)
Shrimp cooked with lemon and garlic provides a refreshing yet luxurious outdoor meal. This dish is ideal for a formal dinner outdoors, served with cutlery on a patio dining set.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh parsley
Cooking Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a pan on medium heat.
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and cooked through.
- Add lemon juice, salt, pepper, and parsley, tossing to coat.
Best Setting: Serve on a full outdoor dining set with proper cutlery and crockery for a more formal outdoor dining experience.
6. Fresh Fruit Tart (Dessert, Casual or Formal)
A fresh fruit tart is versatile, fitting into both casual and formal settings. It can be enjoyed at a picnic table or as a more refined dessert after a formal outdoor supper.
Ingredients:
- 1 pre-made tart shell
- 1 cup pastry cream
- Fresh fruits (berries, kiwi, peaches)
Cooking Instructions:
- Spread the pastry cream into the tart shell.
- Arrange the fresh fruits on top in an appealing pattern.
- Chill in the fridge for an hour before serving.
Best Setting: This tart is perfect for either a casual outdoor coffee table setting or a more elegant presentation with a full outdoor dining set.
What else to say?
From casual, finger-friendly meals to more formal dishes requiring cutlery, outdoor dining offers a variety of experiences. Whether you’re gathering around a picnic table with a few friends or family, reclining in outdoor dining chairs, or hosting a more formal affair with a complete outdoor dining set for many family members and friends or work colleagues, the right food and setting creates unforgettable moments. Don’t forget to take some photos of the food before you eat it! And of course everyone enjoying it!