Bank holiday recipes
Long weekend on the horizon? We’re lucky enough to have a few bank holidays in the warmer spring and summer months in the UK – and we have all the bank holiday recipes you need for leisurely feasting.
This collection is jam-packed with sharing recipe ideas and inspiration to feed a crowd, whether round the buffet table or barbecue. Many are easily halved or doubled, depending on your numbers too.
Some of our favourite bank holiday recipes include an epic gammon schnitzel sandwich, avocado and feta burgers, chicken tinga tacos and fritto misto – irresistible Italian-style battered seafood. And let’s not forget the sweet stuff – how about a watermelon and white chocolate pavlova, or showstopping gin and tonic cheesecake?
We’ve got weekend eating favourites as well, such as quiche lorraine and pasta salad. Getting the barbecue out? Why not try cooking paella on it for an outdoor cooking adventure…
Check out our brunch recipes too, and make the most of those bank holiday lie-ins.
Showing 1-16 of 91 recipes
Save recipe
Pizza recipes
Sfincione (Sicilian-style focaccia pizza)
Sfincione is a Sicilian-style focaccia pizza. The pillowy base is topped with a rich anchovy, garlic and tomato sauce, cheese and breadcrumbs
-
Medium
Save recipe
Make-ahead summer dessert recipes
Paul Ainsworth’s strawberry trifle
Top chef Paul Ainsworth shares a recipe from his debut cookbook, upgrading his dad's classic trifle with fresh peak-season strawberries.
-
Challenge
Save recipe
Teatime traybake recipes
Blackberry, brown butter and almond squares
Looking for a simple traybake? These almond and blackberry squares are so easy to make, but the brown butter adds an extra level of fancy.
-
Easy
Save recipe
Chicken wing recipes
Sticky kecap manis and lime chicken wings
These sweet-and-salty sticky chicken wings are the ideal party food – they’re simple to make and a real joy to eat. Try them on the barbecue.
-
Easy
Save recipe
Easy orzo recipes
Orzo russian salad with tuna
This russian salad uses orzo for a delicious pasta side. It also has a warm Spanish flavour with tuna, eggs, olives and roasted red peppers.
-
Easy
Save recipe
Pasta salad recipes
Pink and green prawn and pasta salad
Debora Robertson's verdant pasta salad is crammed with juicy pink prawns. Perfect for a laid-back summer dinner in the garden.
-
Easy
Save recipe
Aubergine recipes
Aubergine and courgette shawarma skewers
Ribbons of aubergine and courgette are marinated in fragrant spices, then slowly caramelised on the barbecue for naturally vegan skewers.
-
Easy
Save recipe
Steak recipes
Reuben steak skewers with sauerkraut
Inspired by the epic reuben sandwich, these spiced beef skewers are served on sauerkraut with pickles, russian dressing and bagel seasoning.
-
Easy
Save recipe
Skewer recipes
Halloumi, apricot and pistachio skewers
Halloumi is always a crowdpleaser at barbecues. Here, the cheese is threaded onto skewers with lightly charred onion and apricot halves.
-
Easy
Save recipe
Pork recipes from around the world
Chipotle pork and pineapple skewers
These Mexican pork skewers with smoky chipotle and juicy pineapple will be a huge hit at your next summer barbecue.
-
Easy
Save recipe
Skewer recipes
Tamarind chicken skewers with coriander chutney
A sticky, tangy and tart tamarind coating helps to keep these chicken skewers super juicy, with a fresh chutney for drizzling and dipping.
-
Easy
Save recipe
Prawn recipes
Canarian salted potato and prawn skewers with mojo rojo
These barbecue prawn skewers are inspired by Canarian papas arrugadas (salt-crusted potatoes served with mojo rojo, a fiery pepper dip).
-
Easy
Save recipe
Fennel recipes
Roast fennel quinoa salad with basil yogurt dressing
This fennel salad is packed with roasted summer vegetables and finished generously with a vibrant basil and lemon dressing.
-
Easy
Save recipe
Baking recipes
Cephalonia-style Greek walnut cake
Ben Tish shares his recipe for a gently-spiced walnut cake from the Greek island of Cephalonia. Try it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
-
Easy
Save recipe
Brownie recipes
Barbecued raspberry brownie pan pudding
Use your barbecue to cook this gooey brownie pudding with raspberry ripple layer. It was demolished in seconds in our test kitchen.
-
Easy
Save recipe
Banana recipes
Barbecued maple and pecan banana splits
Add flair to the retro banana split by baking on the barbecue coals as they die down. This easy pud will be a hit at your next barbecue.
-
Easy
Subscribe to our magazine
Food stories, skills and tested recipes, straight to your door... Enjoy 5 issues for just £5 with our special introductory offer.
Subscribe
Unleash your inner chef
Looking for inspiration? Receive the latest recipes with our newsletter