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Summer is for laid-back gatherings—but we can all agree that standing over a hot stove when it’s 100 degrees outside is not the move. Enter my summer lifesaver: what I like to refer to as “snacks for dinner.” It’s my favorite solution for any spontaneous summer evening, whether it’s an impromptu pool party or a relaxed Friday night with family. For those moments when cooking feels like a chore—which, let’s be honest, is most nights when the relaxed, summer vibes are calling my name—snacks for dinner is always my go-to. It’s easy, both casual and festive, and it captures the essence of summer with almost no effort.
To help you make your snacks for dinner menu happen, I teamed up with Target to share my go-to recipes and serving tips for a crowd-pleasing summer meal. Using a variety of delicious, store-bought ingredients from Target’s Good & Gather line, it’s easy to put together a spread that looks and tastes amazing.
Snacks for Dinner Is the No-Cook Summer Cooking Strategy You Need
Why do I love a Snacks for Dinner-style meal so much? Besides being a breeze to throw together, there’s something so elegant about bringing a bunch of simple dishes to the table and having your guests graze as they please. It feels distinctly European, leaning on the flavors of the season and incorporating a variety of textures, flavors, and colors into a single meal. And when served on gorgeous, rustic platters and with tableware that elevates the experience, well—there’s nothing better.
Ahead, discover the Snacks for Dinner menu that my family’s been loving this summer, all made with Good & Gather ingredients. Enjoy it wherever you’d like, but I can guarantee that I’ll be soaking up the sun—and all these delicious flavors—right next to a cool body of water.
My Snacks for Dinner Formula
Crafting a Snacks for Dinner menu is simple. Whip up a toast, curate a grazing board, toss a salad together, and don’t forget a standout sweet. The core concept is artfully arranging delicious, store-bought ingredients that can be quickly assembled. It’s also a great way to get everyone involved. When I’m having people over, guests can help with assembling, turning it into a fun group activity.
And while this formula is already foolproof, I love strategically cutting corners by leaning on elevated store-bought ingredients. For this, no one does it better than Target’s Good & Gather line of trusted staples and delicious picks. (Hello, manchego cheese, roasted garlic hummus, and so much more.)
From an Instagram-worthy grazing board to a fresh and bright citrus salad to the ice cream sandwiches I can’t stop snacking on, read on for my summer Snacks for Dinner menu.
Grazing Board with Salami, Manchego, Pistachios, Crackers, Fruit, & Olives
I always rely on a grazing board to put a variety of seasonal ingredients and snacks front and center. And while it’s so easy to assemble, a grazing board requires a little thoughtful planning in advance to ensure you’re striking the right balance of textures and taste. (As much as I love olives, I need something to cut their strong, briny flavor.) Here’s how I make it happen.
Use a big board. Visual presentation is just as important as your grazing board’s edible components. I opt for a board that’s large enough to feel abundant. This wood serving board lets me pile on my ingredients with abandon, creating a truly stunning scene. I also love the double handle design, making it easy to transfer this board from the kitchen to the table.
Start with the cheese. I like to ground my board with a special, standout cheese. Here, I selected Good & Gather’s manchego cheese that’s been aged for six months. It’s nutty and salty, with the perfect tangy punch to hold its own against your board’s other ingredients.
Add cured meat. You want your board to feel hearty and plentiful. Layering slices of your favorite cured meat—I went with salami here—ensures that your guests will get their fill.
Contrast sweet and savory. Adding fresh fruits—strawberry slices, bunches of grapes, and blackberries—not only gives your board gorgeous color, but they’re also a tasty foil for the board’s salty ingredients.
Elevate with herbs. I sprinkled a few sprigs of fresh herbs from my garden to both bring more flavor to my board and infuse it with as much flavor as possible. Anything from thyme to rosemary to even edible flowers works beautifully.
Finish with some crunch. Crackers or bread (or both!) let guests layer on their desired ingredients into one bite. And while it’s easy to overlook the vehicle for all this deliciousness, I opted for flatbread crackers baked with everything seasoning to make sure this board packs as much flavor as possible.
Hummus Toast with Tomatoes, Feta, & Za’atar
IYKYK: toast has had a major PR upgrade in recent years, and now it’s everyone’s favorite way to pack plenty of color, flavor, and nourishing ingredients into a single, handheld bite. This toast couldn’t be easier, but the final result is so elevated. I simply layer a thick spread of roasted garlic hummus (why make your own when store-bought is so good?) over my favorite rustic sourdough loaf. From there, arrange a medley of sliced tomatoes. Heirloom, cherry, and grape tomatoes in an array of colors make for such a pretty presentation. After that, a little crumble of salty feta and plucks of fresh basil are the perfect finishing toppers. A little drizzle of EVOO and you’re good to go.
Citrus Salad with Almonds & Herbs
We’ve collectively expanded our idea of what constitutes a salad, and I’m obsessed with all the innovative recipes flooding the internet. My favorite take? This simple citrus salad. It calls for only five ingredients and the presentation couldn’t be prettier. Once you’ve mastered the art of slicing your citrus (a sharp knife is key), all that’s left is to toss on Marcona almonds, shaved red onion, and fresh herbs. As always, a drizzle of olive oil and salt and pepper to finish. Oh, and documentation—trust: everyone will be asking for the recipe.
Citrus Water & Rosé
With a pared-back, but still special summer menu, I like to streamline my drink options. I always serve at least two drinks: a few bottles of my favorite rosé and a refreshing, non-alcoholic sipper. For me, rosé is synonymous with al fresco dinners that linger late into the evening. I like bottles that are crisp and clean with a refreshing finish.
I also included citrus water in this menu. Simply infuse a pitcher of water with citrus slices—oranges, grapefruits, anything goes!—and a few sprigs of fresh mint. It’s a step up from just sipping on a glass of water and complements this meal beautifully. Set out and serve your drinks in goblets to bring a relaxed, organic vibe to the table.
Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Sandwiches
If you’re team dessert-is-the-best-part-of-any-meal, I’ve got you. Sure, I love baking up a sweet treat, but in the summer when I can’t be bothered to use the oven, I turn to easy, store-bought options. These cookies and cream sandwiches are a step up from the ice cream novelties of yore while still retaining all the fun and whimsy of eating ice cream as a kid. To make the end of your meal feel a little more elevated, I like to take the sandwiches out of the packaging and serve between strips of parchment paper. Who could say no?
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