Casual Cookout Party Ideas with Hot Dogs & Topping Recipes (2024)

Casual Cookout Party Ideas

Summer season means parties are hosted almost every weekend. And with grilling season upon us, everyone is craving an all-American hot dog. Today I’m bringing you casual cookout party ideas that include a hot dog roast. This is a great idea for summer grilling and entertaining.

It never fails that we include hot dogs on the menu when we grill out with friends, so I’m sharing three unique topping recipes that will will spice them up! I created a corn and avocado relish, a spicy jalapeno slaw, and curry ketchup as part of the hot dog toppings bar.

Cookout Side Dishes

If you’re hosting a party with a hot dog bar, you’ll want your side dishes to be just as delicious and easy to make. Here are some tried and true recipes for cookout side dishes for hot dogs.

1. Our are a real crowd pleaser. There’s never a cookout without baked beans!
2. Put some grilled corn slathered with Parmesan butter on this easy menu.
3. This is one of the best classic potato salad recipes. It’s creamy and crunchy, and salty and tangy!
4. Here’s another southern favorite; our classic pasta salad recipe.
5. It’s a good idea to add something green and healthy(ish) to the table. This is great for that.
6. You ALWAYS add chips to an outdoor party. Why not dress them up like these !
7. The classic treat for summer is no-churn easy ice cream recipe for dessert.

Desserts for a Cookout

For a casual cookout you want to make dessert an easy treat to eat. Here are some of our all time favorites that friends and family love.

• Chocolate chip oatmeal bars
• Best lemon bars
• S’mores
• Chocolate marshmallow nut bars
• Best peanut butter cookie recipe with 2 kinds of chips

Casual Table Setting Ideas

You’ll want to set up a simple table where guests can sit and eat. Keeping it minimal keeps it casual.

• Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers for a simple centerpiece. The colors range from blue to purple to pink and white. You’re sure to find one to suit your color scheme.
• Use a burlap runner for a rustic and casual feel. You can find them pre-made or simply cut a piece from the fabric store.
• One of the adorable details we added to the table is individual bottles on ice in mini buckets. It’s certainly an unexpected touch and the pails have chalkboard labels where you can write names for place settings. While name cards are not needed at a casual cookout they can take the style up a notch.
• Add a hint of color with napkins, dishes or flowers.

Hot Dog Toppings Recipes

If you’re setting up a casual hot dog bar, dress it up with these creative topping ideas. They can really elevate the menu.

We included these recipes for curried ketchup, roasted corn and avocado relish, and jalapeno slaw. We rounded out with spicy brown mustard from the store.

• Curry ketchup is popular right now and it’s delicious on hot dogs, french fries, and burgers.
• The corn relish was out of this world and makes a yummy ‘dip’ for tortilla chips too.
• Finally, the jalapeno slaw is creamy and crunchy with a kick. It can be served as a side dish as well.

Curry Ketchup

• 1/3 cup Hunts Ketchup
• 2 teaspoons ground curry powder

Combine ingredients together and serve.

Serve with hot dogs, burgers, french fries, or roasted potatoes.

Roasted Corn & Avocado Relish

• 1 cup corn {frozen, canned or fresh}
• 1/2 of an Avocado, diced
• 1 medium Tomato, diced
• 1/2 cup fresh Cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 of a Lime
• 1/8 teaspoon ground Cumin
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Spray a small pan lightly with non-stick spray, and saute corn over medium heat until it begins to caramelize slightly. Remove from heat and cool.

In a medium sized bowl, combine corn, avocado, tomato, and cilantro.

Squeeze the juice from 1/2 of a lime into combination and stir.

Add cumin and salt. Stir, cover tightly, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Serve as a relish for hot dogs or scoop with tortilla chips.

Spicy Jalapeno Slaw

• 2 1/2 cups slaw mix (use regular cabbage slaw for a softer crunch, or broccoli slaw for a firmer crunch)
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 jalapeno, sliced very thin
• 1/4 cup light mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup pineapple tidbits from small can
• 1 Tablespoon pineapple juice from the can of tidbits

Combine all ingredients together, cover and chill for at least 2 hours. Serve on hot dogs or as a side dish.

Cilantro Slaw

• 1 ¼ cup bagged cabbage slaw mix
• 2 tablespoons cilantro chopped
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• Lime wedge, squeezed

Combine ingredients together in a medium bowl and season with salt to taste. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Serve on hot dogs or tacos.