The Last Cookout

August is summer’s swan song, but there’s still time for a few last gatherings before school starts back up and life goes into overdrive. We love a grill or an old-fashioned potato salad at a cookout, but for sheer ease seafood spreads are unbeatable. No cook times, just big flavors that bring your friends and family back for seconds. 

Build a Better Board

The foundation is simple: start with a big platter, cheese board or cutting board. Then assemble anything dippable, layer-able, or snacky—crackers, crusty bread, carrot or cucumber spears, lettuce leaves for lettuce wraps, cheeses, even cured meats if that’s your style. Then let the packets do what they do best: deliver bold flavor without fuss.

Our tuna in spring water packet works beautifully here, but tuna is just the start. Wild caught sardines in oil add savory sophistication. Alaskan pink salmon brings its own delicate flavor. Smoked oysters in oil are their own little party in a packet. The key is having enough variety that everyone finds something they love.

The Build-Your-Own Dip Station

This is where things get fun, and flavored tuna and salmon packets work best here. Set out small bowls with the components and let guests customize to their hearts’ content. These can be mixed and matched a million ways, but these flavor combos get you going.

Lemon Pepper Salmon or Lemon Garlic Tuna plus extra-virgin olive oil and fresh dill become an instant Mediterranean style dip. Put out a bowl of lemon wedges, finely mince lemon zest as an elegant garnish, or give your guests the options of other fresh herbs like parsley and cilantro.

Frank’s RedHot® Tuna or Sweet & Spicy Tuna pair with a little mayo and a touch of sesame oil for a surprisingly delicious spicy tuna roll vibe. Toasted sesame seeds or crunchy seaweed flakes make a great finishing touch.

Maple Smokehouse Salmon is already a big, delicious flavor, but we like to push it into uncharted territories with bacon bits and minced red onion for extra bite. Like they say, go big or go home.

OLD BAY® Seasoning Tuna is one of our favorite packets to use for a spin on classic tuna salad. Put out Dijon or whole grain mustard, mayo, diced celery, pickle relish, and onions to complete the full vision.

More Board Ideas to Love

Herbs of any sort are your friends, but chives scattered over dip add color and flavor. Try capers or an olive tapenade for brininess, hot sauce for anyone who wants extra heat, microgreens for extra-fancy flair. Arrange items by color so the board looks appealing and group your dips together so people find them easily. These steps aren’t required, of course, but they turn a simple spread into something that looks like you spent hours when you spent fifteen minutes.