These easy summer recipes are perfect for cheering on your favorite team.
Reviewed by Dietitian Maria Laura Haddad-Garcia
Key Points
- Shareable snacks and dips make match-day hosting easy and festive.
- Grilled skewers and make-ahead sides keep the menu flexible.
- Batch drinks and bite-size desserts help hosts enjoy the game, too.
I am happily in my soccer mom era. My boys play a few times a week with their team or in our backyard—and, unfortunately, sometimes our kitchen. When soccer isn’t being played at my house, it’s usually on the TV. And my family frequently attends minor league soccer games (let’s go, Vermont!).
Needless to say, the World Cup is a very big deal—and not just for my family. It’s the most-watched sporting event in the world and only comes around every four years.
Even if you’re not a huge fan, it’s hard to deny the energy surrounding the World Cup. Soccer is beloved around the world, and the sport’s fans bring a contagious excitement to every match day. This year’s tournament runs from June 11 through July 19, which gives you more than a month—and plenty of prime weekends—to host a watch party or two. And every great watch party starts with good food.
That’s why we’ve pulled together a menu full of summer favorites that will be a hit on match days. These dishes are easy to share, and they make the most of seasonal ingredients. Plus, many travel well if you’re not hosting. While these recipes feel festive enough for a game day, they’re also balanced and satisfying to keep you and your guests fueled through every match. Use these recipes to craft a full menu, or mix in some of your own favorite dishes, too.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just tuning in for the excitement, the World Cup is the perfect excuse to gather friends and family around great food.
The Best Watch Party Starts with Snacks
Every party needs a few snacks to keep guests happy before the main event. I like to set out a few easy noshing options for when guests first arrive, like simple dips and spreads paired with veggies and chips. Or I’ll arrange some fruit, vegetables, meats, cheeses and nuts for an easy snack-board spread. Either option is a top-tier presentation for a low lift.
One of my go-to dips is hummus. You can certainly opt for store-bought hummus, but making your own with avocado and cilantro leans into global flavors and still comes together in less than 10 minutes.
For more composed snacks, I think mini bell peppers are the perfect party vegetable, and they get even better with a zesty, protein-packed cottage cheese filling. (For anyone watching their salt intake, look for no-salt-added cottage cheese to keep the sodium in check.) And homemade bruschetta celebrates summer’s tomato bounty and is perfect for any guests who follow a vegan or dairy-free diet.
Fire Up the Grill
Having the biggest soccer tournament in the world align with peak summer grilling season is music to my ears. Whether you’re tailgating at an actual World Cup game (lucky!) or cooking up party fare for your backyard, grilled options are sure to be a hit.
Making a skewer spread, rather than focusing on a single main dish, adds nice variety and lets your guests mix and match. Almost any protein source works here—think chicken, shrimp, fish, beef and tofu skewers—paired with some veggies. The key is to cut things evenly so the cooking time is consistent. Avoid mixing and matching proteins on the same skewer, and consider grilling veggies on their own as well to ensure you don’t over—or under—cook anything.
For a nod to the international nature of the tournament, serve the skewers with dips and sauces associated with the different countries playing. Argentinian-inspired chimichurri and salsa verde from Mexico are packed with plenty of vibrant green herbs. A Japanese barbecue sauce, Thai peanut sauce or Indian mango chutney goes well with just about anything that comes off the grill. Or for something creamy, opt for a yogurt sauce. Mix in harissa for a kick, or make a cool tzatziki. Depending on your party size, you could pick a few proteins, a variety of veggies and a dipping sauce or two for a hearty spread that offers a nice mix of flavors.
Crowd-Pleasing Side Dishes
Side dishes worthy of a summer party should be full of flavor and taste delicious served at room temperature. And whether you’re hosting, as I often do, or need something to bring as a guest, sides that can be made in advance are key.
No-cook bean salads are hearty and easily adaptable to different flavors from around the globe. These simple sides work well on their own or paired together. And if I’m tight on time, these are also the dishes I know I can assign to a friend to bring.
Homemade dressings that lean on spices, herbs and citrus add lots of flavor and brightness to these dishes. And many of these sides are rich in fiber from beans and veggies, so they’re ultra-satisfying.
Cool Drinks for Hot Match Days
Although we’re not working as hard as the players on the pitch, we still need to stay hydrated. Rather than get stuck behind the bar, I like to make big batches of drinks for people to pour themselves.
Creating a self-serve drink station is simple. Start with a pitcher drink, maybe a sangria-inspired mocktail or a refreshing mint spritzer. Iced tea is always a good idea, too. I love making a batch of unsweetened peach black tea or a caffeine-free herbal tea.
I also include sparkling water to use as a mixer or drink plain. Bowls of sliced citrus and cucumber along with berries, mint and basil allow everyone to customize their drinks. These can be added as fun drink toppers or muddled into the bottom of a glass. My kids love it if I add straws, umbrellas or swizzle sticks, too. And if you’re including any alcoholic beverages in your lineup, just be sure to clearly label them so there’s no confusion.
Easy Summer Desserts for the Final Whistle
One of my favorite things about supporting our local soccer team in person is that they serve free ice cream at every game. While I won’t be hiring an ice cream truck to come to my house, I still want everyone to end their evening with a little something sweet.
But the last thing I want to do is miss a penalty kick because I’m slicing cake or pie, so I like to set out a few different bite-size desserts. This cuts down on serving time and makes it easy for people to just grab a quick bite.
Kids will love popping mini frozen yogurt bites out of an ice cube tray. Cookies can be baked the day before and are also easy to eat while cheering on your team. And mini pies use store-bought phyllo cups for “crust” and add a patriotic flair to your dessert spread with some red, white and blue.
No matter which team you’re rooting for, sharing good food is one of the best ways to bring people together. And remember, the best watch-party menu doesn’t need to be complicated—just delicious and shareable. So gather your crew, fill your table with some favorite dishes and enjoy the excitement of the tournament.
Credits
Editor: Megan Ginsberg
Recipes, Photography & Visuals: Alex Loh; Cassie Basford; Maria Emmighausen; Ali Redmond.
Special Thanks: Victoria Seaver; Carolyn Malcoun; Maria Laura Haddad-Garcia; Sophie Johnson; Alysia Bebel; Allison Little; Taylor Boeser; Anne Treadwell; Beth Stewart; Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD; Lily Menk; and the entire staff of EatingWell.
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