Large Group Dinner Menus with Recipes, Game Plans & everything you need to Wow a Crowd
People expect a lot from dinner and these menus and recipes really deliver. In many cases a great dinner can make or break the event. These are all proven winners. They’re delicious and they are designed to be a stress-free experience for you and your team!
Many of the recipes can be made several days before and simply heated up prior to serving.
I’ve made these dinners for multiple church Youth Conference for 235 teens and leaders to 340 teens and leaders, Girl’s Camps, church Seminary classes, Graduation Party Breakfasts and neighborhood supper clubs. All the recipes were specifically chosen, not only because they play great together, but because the timing works well. They are designed to be very easy meals to prepare and serve. Most recipes can be assigned out to volunteers to make in advance, these are marked with a * below. Most of the additional items only require a simple prep. You can use the whole menu, or pick an choose. Just click on the name of a menu below to link to a page with your game plan, recipes and everything you need for a dynamite dinner!
Dynamite Dinner Menus for a Large Group
All the large group dinner recipes below were designed to be easy, make ahead, hold-well dishes. You can make them yourself, or if you’re cooking for groups of 100 or more, just follow the steps below.
It's easy! Just follow these 3 simple steps:
1. Send your volunteer a link to this page.
2. Tell them which item to make,
3. And how many batches.
That's it.
By the way, most of recipes below have family-sized recipe versions as well
- or better yet, make a big batch and freeze!
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I'm also here to help you with large group recipes from 20 to 200. So next opportunity you get to cook for a large group - Say 'Yes!' Then relax. I've got your back.
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This is a great choice for a large group dinner. The recipes were picked not only because they are Proven Winners (many times over), but also because there is minimal last minute prep. It also requires minimal or no oven space. See the Game Plan below for details. The corn can be cooked in 1 or more large coolers. The chicken can be cooked on grills, leaving only the beans in need of an oven to bake. Alternatively the beans can be baked in an oven and kept warm in a slow cooker – or heated in the slow cooker after being started on the stove top. The beans can also be cooked or heated on the grill if it’s large enough, or if you have multiple grills.
- The Texas sheet cake can be made up to 3 days in advance.
- The potato salad can, and should, be made the day before, covered and refrigerated.
- The bacon and onions for the baked beans can be cooked the day before, added to all other bean ingredients, covered and refrigerated. If you’re tight on oven capacity, once you’ve sauteed the onions and bacon, a 6 quart (192 fluid ounces) slow cooker will hold a double batch of this recipe, serving 44 – 50 people.
- The corn simply needs shucked, placed in 1 or more large coolers, covered with boiling water and left to cook for 30 minutes or up to 3 hours. The corn can be shucked the morning of the event (a perfect job for the youth in the party).
- The BBQ chicken needs no advance prep. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SUFFICIENT GRILL SPACE. Cooking too many chicken thighs on a single grill can quickly lead to a grill fire.
- The only items requiring last minute assembling are the green salad and the ambrosia.
This menu includes my ALL TIME FAVORITE large group recipe – Pulled Pork Sandwiches. I love, love, love this recipe, and you will too. Man, is it good. But don’t take my word for it. Check out the comments on the post. It is easy, with minimal hands-on time, can be made in advance – and the taste – the taste is outstanding. If you take the extra time to toast the buns (totally optional) it’s stratospheric.
- The Fruit Tray to accompany it comes together in no time and can be assembled in advance.
- The Peaches and Cream Bars, while great anytime of the year (with canned peaches), are a big summer hit with fresh.
- Another real crowd pleaser is the Black Bean & Corn Dip. Kids and adults alike really go for it, and it can be made in advance as well.
- Finally, the Mac & Cheese is a classic, gooey, cheesy proven winner.
There is nothing on this menu requiring last minute assembling, every recipe is VERY FORGIVING and if you are new to cooking for a crowd – or just want a wonderful, easy over-the-top dinner – then this menu is for you. This was one of the first large group meals I ever coordinated and I’ve turned to it time and again over the years. It never fails to deliver.
Let’s Luau! – It just doesn’t get any better.
We’ve hosted this Luau multiple times. It’s always a huge hit. I’ve assembled a collection of wonderful Luau recipes below. You can chose as many or as few as you’d like. We typically handle the meat and assign out the side dishes. All the side dishes were chosen because they are easy to make, can be made the day before or earlier in the day and hold up really well. For the main dish – if you want to go all out, roast a pig. My step by step guide shows you how. The Huli Huli Chicken is also a big hit. You can serve it with the pig, like we do – or make it the main dish if you’re not up for the whole hog (pun intended). I’ve included my Slow Cooker Kalua Pork recipe if you are planning a smaller event and would like to avoid outdoor grilling. Either way, it’s fabulous!
Pre-Prom Dinner (The kids LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one!)
Baby Greens with apple wood smoked bacon bits, strawberries, candied walnuts and homemade croutons served with Homemade Ranch dressing *
Artisan Rolls *
Sautéed Farm Fresh Green Beans and Bacon *
Twice Baked Potato Casserole *
Chicken Stroganoff
Assorted Mini Cheesecakes & Chocolate Dipped Strawberries *
Cast & Crew Dinner
I made this meal for the 150 member cast and crew of our church production of Savior of the World. The potato recipe makes batches of 50 (2 serving trays of 25 servings each). I made 3 batches (6 tray total) and multiple folks came back for seconds. They were a BIG hit!
You’ll want 80 ounces of ranch salad dressing mixed with 1/2 cup (4 ounces) Milk to serve 85 – 100. For faster serving, pour thinned dressing into 2 – 4 squeeze bottles or pour it back into the original dressing bottles.
Fabulous Feast
Buttermilk Dinner Rolls *
Baby Greens with apple wood smoked bacon bits, strawberries, candied walnuts and homemade croutons served with Homemade Ranch dressing *
Sautéed Farm Fresh Green Beans & Bacon
Lucious Potato Casserole *
Amazing Mushrooms * (fabulous!)
Garlic Butter Parmesan Carrots *
Chicken Stroganoff *
Cranberry Trifle, Candy Cane Brownie Trifle,
Salted Caramel Brownie Trifles *
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If you've been asked to cook for a large group activity, be it a Girl's Camp or a Graduation Party, say Yes! I'm here to help. From Menus to Game Plans to Recipes, I'll help you keep on schedule and turn out amazingly delicious food if you're cooking for a crowd! My recipes are tested and trusted. Let's cook!
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Would you like to throw a Luau, but not sure where to start? Want to know how to build a tiki bar and roast a pig? Here's everything you need to have a luau. How about a Christmas Feast or even a fabulous dinner for your neighborhood supper club? You've come to the right place. Let's party!