No-cook dinner party ideas

To help you make the most of the sunshine without slaving away in the kitchen, we’ve curated our top dinner party no-cook recipes. Bid farewell to sweating over a hot stove and watch your gas bill shrink. Explore our guide on energy-efficient cooking and discover inventive dinner menu ideas designed to streamline party planning and alleviate stress.

Hosting doesn’t always have to be formal; for a relaxed get-together, why not try our sharing recipes and platter recipes for a delightful mezze spread? And for those who want to add a touch of sophistication without breaking the bank, our selection of budget-friendly dinner party recipes and student-friendly options show that you can enjoy a fine dining experience without the hefty price tag.

Find more inspiration with our no-cook recipes, summer recipes and dinner party ideas.

Starter

1. Vietnamese prawn summer rolls

Enjoy the refreshing flavours of rice paper rolls filled with prawns, delicate vermicelli noodles, carrots, cucumber, and fragrant herbs, all accompanied by a sweet ginger chilli dipping sauce. This is a great quick and healthy option. It also makes a fun activity for family and friends – prep the fillings and let everyone assemble their own rolls.

Discover more fresh and fragrant Vietnamese recipes.

2. Epic summer salad

Ideal for BBQs and buffets, our epic summer salad is vibrant, colourful and delicious. It makes a great veggie starter or side, and it’s also gluten-free, ensuring everyone can enjoy it. The best part? It comes together in just 10 minutes, leaving you more time in the sun to enjoy a Pimm’s cocktail.

Make the most of seasonal produce with more of our summer salad recipes.

3. Radish confetti with salsa verde

Savour a simple yet elegant starter featuring raw vegetables thinly sliced with a mandoline for a refined touch. Drizzle with a vibrant Italian green sauce bursting with the flavours of fresh herbs, zesty capers and salty anchovies.

Try more of our punchy, peppery radish recipes.

4. Peppered mackerel & pink pickled onion salad

Preparing the pickled onion for this elegant starter is effortless, as the same mixture doubles as a dressing. Simply let your onion pickle while you dice your beetroot, then divide it between two plates. Topped with baby cress, smoked mackerel, and honey-roasted mixed nuts, this two-step starter is simple and sophisticated. Make vegetables last longer and reduce waste by trying our tangy pickle recipes.

5. Avocado panzanella

This vegan avocado panzanella makes a colourful starter, ready in 20 minutes. Despite its simplicity, this dish boasts satisfying flavours and textures, thanks to the softness of the tomatoes and avocados paired with crunchy ciabatta.

Read more on the health benefits of avocados.

Main

6. No-cook veggie fajitas

Transform your dinner into a fiesta by loading soft tortillas with jarred chargrilled vegetables, hearty beans, tomato salsa, and creamy smashed avocado. It’s a quick and satisfying meal that’s sure to please everyone at the table. Want to take it up a notch? Swap out the shop-bought salsa for our sensational homemade ultimate tomato salsa.

Discover more Mexican-inspired recipes.

7. Salmon & smacked cucumber noodles

Whip up a refreshing cold noodle salad using smacked cucumber and succulent salmon. Make a tantalising sauce by mixing garlic, soy sauce, caster sugar, rice wine vinegar, and sesame oil for a perfect balance of sweetness and umami richness. Drizzle this flavourful sauce over your noodles, then garnish with chopped peanuts for an irresistible crunch.

Discover more noodle salad recipes.

8. Mango chutney & chicken sliders

Enhance your chicken sliders with a burst of flavour by adding mango chutney, red onion, a zesty chilli and cucumber salad, and a refreshing mint and yogurt dressing. These sliders are a great way to use up leftover chicken from a Sunday roast, proving that dinner party fare doesn’t always have to be extravagant to be delicious.

Make the most of what you have with our leftover chicken recipes.

9. Prawn & grain poke bowls

Quickly marinate prawns in a chilli and lime dressing, then serve with grains, mango, radish, avocado and spring onions. This dish is packed with goodness and full of summer flavours.

Read about the top healthiest grains.

10. Chipotle gazpacho

This effortless, no-cook chipotle gazpacho makes a great starter. Not only is it incredibly delicious, but it’s also a nutritious choice. It provides three of your 5-a-day servings of fruits and vegetables, along with a hefty dose of vitamin C to boost your immune system.

Try more of our gazpacho recipes for the perfect taste of summer.

Dessert

11. Cookies & cream fridge cake

Introducing our magnificent cookies & cream cake, a fabulous no-cook dessert. With its decadent layers and irresistible flavour, it’s guaranteed to steal the spotlight at any gathering. Plus, it’s a lifesaver for hosting large crowds, serving up to 14 people without needing to fire up the oven.

Whip up a decadent pudding in no time with our easy, no-bake dessert recipes.

12. Raw coconut truffles

Indulge guilt-free with these delightful raw, nutty bites – a perfect dairy-free alternative to traditional chocolate for a post-dinner treat.

Find more dairy-free dessert recipes to satisfy your sweet tooth.

13. Blueberry & coconut frozen ‘cheesecake’ bars

You would not believe that these blueberry & coconut cheesecake bars are gluten-free and vegan! They have a creamy texture, achieved through the magic of soaked and blended cashews, and delicious flavours of coconut, vanilla, and a hint of lemon.

If you’re following a vegan diet and cannot consume gluten, these gluten-free and dairy-free dessert recipes are here to save the day.

14. Edible cookie dough

These five-ingredient edible cookie dough balls might not be the most sophisticated of desserts, but who doesn’t love cookie dough? Enjoy as they are, or mix them into ice cream to jazz up an easy shop-bought dessert. It’s also a fun family activity, as kids will love to help mould them into small balls.

Try our ultimate vanilla ice cream if you want to impress guests by making everything from scratch.