Outdoor dining

The best sides for feeding a crowd

Whether you’re hosting a summer party, street party or simply looking to make a delicious family feast, our sides have got you covered. As the days get longer, what could be better than sunshine and good food to tuck in to?

10 super sauce recipes for your barbecue

Add excitement to your grilled meat and veg with moreish dips and sauces, from a deep and rich

Cracking camping recipes

You can whip up our easy camping recipes over a small gas stove, a barbecue or even an open fire. You won’t need much when it comes to kitchen equipment – a medium-sized frying pan, saucepan and wooden spoon will go a long way (just don’t forget the plates and cutlery!).

Our favourite fro-yo recipes

Simple and speedy picnic ideas

Picnic prep doesn’t have to be stressful – you can do it all the day before or throw everything together in under an hour. Our easy picnic recipes are simple enough for the kids to help, too. Get the little ones to roll up the blankets, wash fruit and veg, and help with weighing and stirring ingredients. Give everyone a job and you’ll be ready in no time.

How to pack a picnic without bread

And it’s time to think beyond the sandwich – it’s really easy to pack up a picnic without bread. Just take a look at these delicious recipes…

All-time top 10 BBQ tips

It’s outdoor dining month here at Jamieoliver.com. The sun is out, as are the terrible T-shirt suntans, and that means one thing: barbecue season.

Smoked chicken tacos with salsa verde

The winds recently changed here in Texas, bringing in a comforting heat with a touch of humidity from the Gulf of Mexico, and when that happens we change as well. Trading in our boots for flip-flops, we all hear the call of summer – hot days wading in the river and star-blanketed nights with children laughing, music, cold drinks and, of course, something hot off the grill.

Our ultimate guide to BBQ smoking

Besides the unreliability of the weather, the only guaranteed things to expect from a typical British barbecue are burnt burger offerings and sausage suicide – with the main culinary emphasis on getting as many lagers in the fridge as possible.

Chilled soups for summer

Summertime… and the dining is outdoors. It's the season we all count down to during the rest of the year. Teachers, school children and parents – everyone looks forward the longer, lighter days when the pace of life slows down – no more early alarms, after-school commitments or Sunday evening family-life panics. Even mealtimes slow down – no more eating on the run while en route to another commitment.

Slow-roasted tomato & Parmesan tartines

Summer eating lends itself well to simplicity. Fresh garden produce is abundant and needing little adornment - since everything is so fresh and tasty, why complicate things?

Beer & BBQs: it’s not about the brand

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Pick your own: berry stains & belly aches

The epitome of summer for me as a child was clutching a little paper mache basket and carefully treading through the sandy lanes between raspberry canes and clusters of strawberry plants. I’d pick one for me and one for the basket (which I no longer condone), and the tell-tale signs of overindulgence would cover my t-shirt, followed by the inevitable “dicky” tummy.

Sturdy sandwiches & picnic breads

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A guide to edible flowers

Growing your own food adds an extra dimension to the experience. While doubtless it’d be lovely to stretch out a languid arm to pluck grapes from the ancient vine shading the table, frankly I feel pretty chuffed cutting salad leaves from the trough by the back door or getting a handful of raspberries to scatter over ice cream. Feeding people is always lovely, but if you’ve grown some of the ingredients yourself, the pride makes that pleasure greater still.

Outdoor cooking for the whole family

The days are long and bright, and getting dinner on the table should be the last thing on your mind. However, the school year has come to an end, and the children are free, so think about it many of us must.

Five tips for outdoor dining

Then, at a picnic it’s all too easy to fill up on a host of pasties, pies, tarts, crisps and sausage rolls. In a sea of beige it’s easy to graze all day and lose sight of how many calories you’re consuming.

Simple sugar-free strawberry lemonade

On a hot summer’s day there is nothing more reviving than fresh homemade lemonade, and because this strawberry lemonade recipe does not contain any sugar it’s the optimal low-glycemic sweet summer drink.

The alternative DIY BBQ: sorted

As I write this it’s the middle of summer… and raining! That’s why the second the sun comes out, we’re all getting the barbecue out and marinating, grilling and cooking EVERYTHING outside! I guess that’s just part of the fun of living in the UK.

Al fresco with aplomb

One of my favourite things about summer is long, mild evenings sitting outdoors with food, friends and wine. A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to spend the weekend amongst the finest company in one of the most beautiful spots in the world, eating some insanely good food.

How to make cold brew coffee

Cold brew coffee versus iced coffee: what’s the difference?

Campsite cooking – Jamie style

As a family, we’ve always eaten well on camping trips, just as long as we have excellent eggs, brilliant bacon, and super sausages.

10 tips for a proper picnic

I have a reputation among my friends as being “the prepared one” when it comes to eating outside. Perhaps it's just the nature of my job as a food stylist, but I’ve always had bits and bobs for all culinary occasions, and this is one of the secret to throwing a really great picnic.

Peach & rosemary campfire cake

Do you know what is always missing from a night cooking around the campfire? Cake. No decent afternoon tea on the lawn or picnic finishes without a sweet spongy treat, so why should a campfire dinner be any different?

Cooking at a festival (whatever your diet)

One of the nicest things about the English summertime is our festivals; we have such a variety that there is something to suit everyone’s taste. This summer I’ve already been to Glastonbury in Somerset and Green Man in Wales, and Jamie’s Big Feastival will round of the season nicely. I love the community of a festival – everyone is there to have a lovely time, which makes for a great atmosphere. From watching an amazing live band or dancing in a little random tent, to sitting around your camp with your friends and a cup of tea, there are so many wonderful experiences to be had.

Wood-fired autumn food

Although party season is still a couple of months away, simple, filling, hot autumn food such as baked potatoes or burgers are perfect shared outside as the evenings close in.

John Quilter’s lamb sliders

If normal burgers are too big for your outdoor party and finger food is not quite substantial enough, there is a delicious scaled-down version to keep all your guests happy. Sliders are great for outdoors because they’re one-handed wonders that leave your other hand free for a chai latte.

Bonfire Night: Polish potato pancakes

In a recent feature, I shared a recipe for my favourite Polish comfort food,

Perfect summer picnic recipes

To get you inspired, we’ve picked out a bunch of brilliant picnic food and drink combos that will cater to all tastes and help you make the most of the summer.

How to make the ultimate chicken marinade

Marinades are a great way to pack meat, fish and veggies with flavour and achieve delicious, tender results, whether you’re quick cooking chicken kebabs or slow roasting a leg of lamb. Just make sure you leave your ingredients marinating for at least the time stated to really allow the flavours to soak in – it’ll make all the difference.

How to make the ultimate pork marinade

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How to cook fish in a foil bag

Homemade foil bags are perfect for throwing on the barbecue on a warm summer's day, or if the weather’s not up to the job, they work just as well in the oven. This recipe embraces lemon, fennel, olives and white wine to create a delicious sauce – simply fashion a parcel out of tin foil, pack the ingredients inside and let the flavours work their magic.

Our ultimate burger round-up

From old-school classics to veggie showstoppers, we’re bringing together the best bun-based recipes to enjoy this summer – and beyond!

How to cook fish on the BBQ

First up, never place your fish over a searing high heat. Barbecued fish needs to be cooked on a medium-hot part of the grill so that you don’t risk burning the skin before the middle is cooked.

5 unusual ideas for the barbecue

There’s not much you can’t cook on a barbecue when you know how. The key is controlling your heat. White hot coals are good for ‘direct’ cooking; whereas spreading the coals around the bowl and closing the lid gives you a similar effect to using a conventional oven.

Recipes for a summer’s night in