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Whip up this tropical party menu, slide on your sunglasses, and pretend like you’re on vacation. Starting with Pineapple Salsa, spiked with a Blue Hawaiian cocktail, and ending with Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, this easy party menu is almost too cool.
Cue up a beachy music playlist, slip on a floppy hat and flip-flops, and say “ahh…” This tropical party menu will practically make you feel like your toes are in the sand!
Featuring fresh fruit salsa, crunchy shrimp, a blended rum cocktail, a creative pasta salad, and my favorite retro dessert, this island-inspired party plan oh-so maika’i loa (Hawaiian for “good”). Any time your next vacation feels a bit too far away, invite your pals over or assign out dishes potluck-style for a sunny soiree featuring these tropical recipes.
Table of Contents
Coconut Shrimp
Love the fried shrimp appetizer or entrée from your local seafood restaurant? This deep-fried treat is a copycat recipe of that exact creation. No need to fear if you don’t have access to a fancy fish counter near you; this easy shrimp recipe is designed to be made with thawed frozen shrimp.
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Coconut Shrimp
More island-inspired seafood recipes
Fish and Seafood Recipes
Ahi Tuna with Ponzu Sauce
Fish and Seafood Recipes
Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Fish and Seafood Recipes
Grilled Fish Tacos with Spicy Slaw
Fish and Seafood Recipes
How to Make Ceviche
Pineapple Salsa
Few of the classic fruit salsa recipes you’ll find online or by the jar at the supermarket include the most common fruit for salsa-ing: tomatoes. (Yes, it’s technically a fruit, not a vegetable!) My easy Pineapple Salsa features the tropical fruit, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and so much more. The zesty blend works beautifully as a snack or a condiment.
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Pineapple Salsa
Serve this fruit snack alongside…
Appetizer Recipes
Homemade Tortilla Chips
Appetizer Recipes
Black Bean Salsa
Chipotle Copycat Recipes
Chipotle Guacamole (Copycat)
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Hawaiian Plate Lunch is a concept that gives a nod to the Japanese bento box; a mix of crowd-pleasing, affordable food offered in separate compartments. Plate lunches were first sold in the late 1800s, feeding immigrant workers in sugar cane and pineapple fields. Along with a meat entrée and white rice, you’ll often find creamy, vegetable-loaded Hawaiian Macaroni Salad as an option. I can’t resist ordering it any time I see it, which is why I knew I had to recreate the unique pasta salad recipe at home.
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Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
More sides with a hint of tropical flair
Side Dish Recipes
Citrus Salad
30 Minute Meals
Hawaiian Fried Rice
Salad Recipes
Fruit Salad
Salad Recipes
Rainbow Thai Salad with Mango
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Admittedly more of a retro dessert idea of the mainland than a tropical dessert recipe, this pineapple dessert is a hit at every gathering I’ve ever served it. In 1925, Dole held a pineapple recipe contest, and “Mrs. Robert Davis” from Norfolk, Virginia won with this showy yet simple cake recipe. What I love almost as much as the caramelized pineapple topping? The hands-on time: a mere 10 minutes.
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Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Bonus tropical fruit dessert ideas
Cake Recipes
Hawaiian Wedding Cake
Pie and Tart Recipes
Fresh Fruit Tart
Cake Recipes
Pig Pickin Cake
Cake Recipes
Hummingbird Cake
Blue Hawaiian
Fruity, tropical, and no-sweat to make, this Blue Hawaiian cocktail is my go-to drink recipe for any adult summer party (or any party I want to feel a bit more sunny). This frozen drink recipe comes together in your blender for easy party prep. And the gorgeous blue hue, courtesy of Blue Curaçao, offers dreamy “ocean views.”
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Blue Hawaiian
More cocktails to try
Cocktail Recipes
Mai Tai
Cocktail Recipes
Sea Breeze Cocktail
Cocktail Recipes
Piña Colada
Cocktail Recipes
Pirate Punch
Spirit-free tropical drinks
Drink Recipes
Fruit Punch
Breakfast Recipes
Mango Smoothie
Breakfast Recipes
Caribbean Passion Smoothie (Jamba Juice Copycat)
Breakfast Recipes
Spinach Smoothie
Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.
You have the most amazing recipes never stop cooking you have a great gift!!! My family owned a restaurant for years, so I love that you always have recipes that I haven’t tried and so many great tips!! Thank You Megan
Hi Denise, thank you so much! You’re very kind! – Meggan
Your recipes are wonderful. Thank you for sending them they give me great ideas. Keep doing great. Thank you
Hi Linda, thank you so much! I’m glad you love them! – Meggan