Be it a day at the beach, a hike in the woods, a family sporting event, or an afternoon in the park, you’re going to get hungry. Hot, summer days can often sap our appetites, which makes having healthy, delicious food choices on hand even more essential. As you head out to your next outdoor gathering, keep your energy up and your taste buds happy with these easy-to-make summer snacks.
Honey Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin Bites
Once sliced into bite-sized portions, honey bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin is easy to pack and downright delicious. When it comes to ingredients, all you’ll need is pork tenderloin, bacon, honey, and a handful of spices. Cooking is easy—just slow roast for 40–50 minutes at 325°F. Then, slice the tenderloin and skewer each bite with a toothpick to keep the bacon wrapped and your hands clean while eating. Packed with protein, these pork tenderloin bites are great summer snacks for longer excursions, from a backcountry hike to a day on the beach. Just make sure you bring enough to share.
Jalapeño Poppers
The ideal finger food is spicy, salty, and rich, and these jalapeño poppers fit the bill. This recipe goes with the baking method instead of frying, which results in a quicker prep and less fat. They cook in just 25–30 minutes, and are delicious fresh from the oven. If you’re heading out for several hours like to a sporting event, be sure to keep them chilled in a cooler until you’re ready to snack.
Steak Bruschetta with ButcherBox Complete
For those of you that like to keep it classy while out and about, this is the summer recipe you’ve been missing. All you need to do is combine a bruschetta salad with the pre-cooked ButcherBox Complete beef sirloin cap. Thaw the beef sirloin cap overnight in the fridge, sear it in a skillet for 3–4 minutes per side, finish in 350°F oven for 6–8 minutes, and slice. Pack the meat separately from the bruschetta salad, and when you’re ready to feast, serve with slices of bread or crackers. You can also serve it tumbled together as a salad for a light lunch. The versatility of this recipe makes it perfect for a picnic in the park or a backyard gathering with friends.
Honey Garlic Steak Bites
This steak bites recipe combines garlic and honey with soy sauce and sesame seeds for a juicy, salty-sweet snack. With prep and cook time totaling 20 minutes, you can whip it up right before you head outside, or prepare it the night before. If you’re saving these bites for later, just refrigerate them overnight, pack them in a cooler, and eat them chilled the next day. Due to the flavor-packed sauce it’s cooked in, you should eat these bites with toothpicks or a fork to minimize cleanup.
Pulled Pork Empanadas
When it comes to convenient, on-the-go food, nothing is better than pulled pork empanadas. These meat pies are packed with pulled pork, cheese, and a spicy-sweet aji amarillo sauce, and are a great use for leftover roasted pork shoulder. Prep them the night before and refrigerate, and you’ll have on-the-go summer snacks for any occasion.
Creamy Salmon Spread for Dipping
If you’re looking to up your dip game, this creamy salmon spread for you. It combines fresh salmon with cream cheese, horseradish, mustard, and thyme to make a rich, creamy spread that takes only 20 minutes to make and will light up your taste buds. Keep the spread in your cooler until you’re ready to eat, or eat it close to home. Serve with crackers, chips, or sliced vegetables.
