Family Reunion Ideas for Meal Planning

Tips for Meal Planning and Prepping

Before we get started on the family reunion recipes here are some helpful tips to get you started:

• Divide up the meals/responsibilities – There are endless ways to divvy up meals and responsibilities. Many times, if you are at a reunion with multiple families, the most convenient way to divide things up is to have each family take a day (or a meal). That family should be in charge of not only the meal but also clean-up for that meal. Make expectations clear as soon as possible so there is no confusion. Also, let each other know what you are making for your meals so there are no repeats. Feel free to share how your family shares meal responsibilities at reunions (no really, I would like to know)!
• Know what will be available to you – How much kitchen space will you be working with? Are dishes provided? What about pots/pans/and cooking utensils? Is there a dishwasher? Is there enough cupboard/pantry space for everyone’s stuff? Will they be large enough for the amount of food you are wanting to cook? These are all things you will want to know before you get there. Try to get a detailed run-down of what will be available to you before you even book your accommodations. Many rental places will even provide a detailed inventory if you ask!
• Prepare meat (or even entire meals) ahead of time – As I mentioned earlier, when preparing food for a large group, you will want to prepare as much as you can ahead of time. Ground beef, shredded beef, and shredded chicken (or even pork) are SUPER easy to do ahead of time. You can get these things all pre-prepared days (or weeks) ahead of time and freeze them until your reunion starts.
• Keep refrigerated ingredients at a minimum – By this I mean don’t plan meals that will require a lot of ingredients to be refrigerated until the day of your meal. If you are sharing one large cabin with the entire family, chances are there won’t be a whole lot of refrigerator space. Be mindful of what others in the family will be preparing and have an idea of how much fridge space everyone will need. The less you can refrigerate the better.
• Buy in bulk – This one is kind of obvious but I’m not talking “bulk” according to normal grocery store standards. Try to find a restaurant supply or food service store that has those BIG ol’ cans of stuff (Chili, Nacho Cheese.. etc..). The place we have here in Boise is called “Cash & Carry” and they are a dream come true for planning meals for large groups. If you don’t have a restaurant supply store near you, Costco or Sam’s Club will probably have what you need, too.
• Consider food allergies – Don’t make things awkward come mealtime for a family member with food allergies. Be prepared! Call the person ahead of time to let them know what you are making and ask them how they would like to be accommodated. It isn’t that hard to accommodate allergies nowadays. I guarantee your thoughtfulness will be appreciated!
• Cut down on dishes any way you can – I know this isn’t the most “environmentally friendly” advice but cleaning 50 people’s dishes at a reunion when you are wanting to spend time with family is never fun. Opt for paper or plastic goods and have trash bags readily available to encourage everyone to throw their stuff away when they are done. To cut down on excess, bring plastic cups and have everyone write their name on their cup and have them re-use that same cup all week. That way you aren’t unnecessarily using up hundreds of cups and wondering whose cup is whose. You can also cut down on dishes by preparing as much as you can ahead of time.

Recipes for Family Reunions

Now that you have read all of my Family Reunion Meal Planning Tips, here are some recipes that are perfect for reunions or large groups. I have included tips with most of the recipes on how to make it for a crowd of 20 adults– you can use that as a baseline to decide how to alter the recipes to your group size.

Breakfast Recipes

These breakfast recipes are perfect for family reunions. Depending on which recipe you would like to do, you can prepare your breakfast days ahead of time, the night before, or whip it up quickly the morning of. To help all of these breakfasts go further, include fruit and/or toast (or some kind of carb) in addition to the meal below.

Omelettes in a Bag

These make a great meal for many people because it’s so easy to customize each individual omelette, and clean up is a breeze! You can also prep the ingredients ahead of time and let everyone pick and choose what they want!

Strawberries and Cream French Toast

This overnight French toast is prepared the night before and cooked the morning of, giving you more time in the morning to prep and cook other things. It’s absolutely delicious, and so much easier than your average French toast. Instead of dipping each piece of toast, you make the mixture, pour it over the bread, let it soak, and bake! So easy!

Breakfast Freezer Sandwiches

Make 24 at once, these sandwiches are the ultimate hack to make breakfast for a large group. These are great to grab and go! Egg, cheese, sausage, and English muffins are filling and tasty.

Peaches and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

Enjoy this fun twist on the classic cinnamon roll. Peaches and cream make this so irresistible. You can also make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate for up to one day to make the morning easier for yourself.

California Breakfast Casserole

Lunch Recipes

Wraps and large sandwiches that you can prepare and slice are the way to go for family reunion lunches. Making individual sandwiches take WAY too long and require too many people in the kitchen. You want something quick that your hungry family members can grab and go so you can get on with your family reunion activities.

Ham and Pineapple Wraps

Wraps are quick and easy to make. These are so fun and a little different because they have pineapple in the cream cheese spread, it works! The sweetness also pairs perfectly with the savory ham and fresh veggies.

Turkey Over Italy Sandwich

This elevated Italian turkey sandwich has turkey, provolone, pesto mayo, and is served on focaccia bread.

Fresh Tomato Basil Pasta

Minimal ingredients make this refreshing and flavorful salad. You’ll love every bite! Tomatoes, fresh basil, mozzarella cheese, and pasta make up this fresh dish.

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Chicken salad is a simple recipe, but when you do it right, it’s amazing. This recipe is simple and amazing. Chicken, grapes, celery, cashews, mayo, perfection.

Chicken Caesar Wraps

Dinner Recipes

The family reunion meal that seems to give everyone the most anxiety is DINNER. After a long day of activities and fun, there is a lot of pressure to make a delicious dinner that everyone will love! Here are our favorite dinner ideas for a large group.

Tacos in a Bag (aka Walking Tacos)

Cheap, tasty, easy clean up.. do I need to say more? Oh! No plates required! Fill your chip bag with beef and your favorite taco toppings and enjoy. Not only are these are a crowd pleaser, but they also are so fun!

Cajun Grilled Foil Packets

It doesn’t have to be hard or messy to create big, bold flavors. Wrap shrimp, corn, sausage, and potatoes in foil, throw it over the fire, and you have an outrageously delicious meal.

Mexican Shredded Beef

Make ultra flavorful Mexican shredded beef in your Crock Pot, perfect for not only burritos, tacos, and enchiladas, but also salads, quesadillas and more!

Mom’s Cheater Chili

This easy chili is a quick way to make a delicious dinner. With no soaking or boiling, and no long or all-day process, this chili comes together quickly, and equally important, with only a few simple ingredients.

Cafe Rio Salad

Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Salad is famous! Try it yourself! Easy to make at home, our version, as a matter of fact, tastes just like the restaurant. This salad is overflowing with flavor, it’s a must try! Among the sweet pork and classic cilantro lime dressing, this salad also has pico de gallo, guac, black beans, rice, lettuce, cheese, and more!

Homemade Sloppy Joes

If you’ve never had a homemade sloppy joe, it’s time. Not only is it a great quick meal, but elevated and fresh ingredients make this a far cry from the cafeteria sloppy joes from your childhood.

Meatball Stroganoff

Meatball Stroganoff is comforting and so easy to make! Tender and tasty meatballs in a creamy mushroom sauce are served over egg noodles make a simple dinner everyone will love.

Pasta Sausage Bake

Five ingredients make a quick, yummy dinner everyone loves. The flavors are simple: pasta, sausage, cheese, Alfredo and spaghetti sauce, but they come together quickly to make a warm, bubbly, comforting meal.

Crock Pot Lasagna

It’s never been easier to make your favorite dinner. Put everything in the Crock Pot and let that little machine work her magic. Your lasagna will slow cook as you go about your business, and 4 hours later you’ll have a delicious slice of lasagna!

Hawaiian Haystacks

Side Dish Recipes

For some family reunion dinners (or lunches) you may just want to cook burgers and hot dogs or something quick on the grill, which is great! Some families like doing meals like this “potluck” style– so if you are looking for a side dish, pasta salad, or something to go well with your “grill” dinner, here are some great recipes that will feed a crowd:

Please note:  For ALL of these Side Dish recipes below, if it is the ONLY side dish being served you will want to double the recipe. If there will be several sides, you will want to make the recipe as-is and it should easily feed 20 people.

Chopped Broccoli Salad

Mom’s Potato Salad

This recipe has been shared again and again, it is beloved. Tender potato, hard-boiled eggs, creamy dressing, fantastic. It’s the classic potato salad you’ve been looking for.

Pizza Pasta Salad

A fun twist on your classic pasta salad, the added pepperoni goes a long way with the traditional ingredients to give a pizza inspired flavor. Each bite offers a different taste!

Traditional Macaroni Salad

Snack Recipes

At our family reunions, we usually include a “snack” that someone will be in charge of each day. Something for the kiddos to munch on mid-day when they get “snacky”. Here are some great ideas for some easy family reunion snacks that ALL ages will love!

Creamy Corn Dip

Make a super flavorful, fun dip in just 10 minutes! Full of corn, tomatoes, cheese, ranch mix, mayo, and Greek yogurt, it’s a chip’s best friend!

Easy Fruit Dip

If you’re looking for a way to get kids (and adults) to eat their fruit, this is it! Cream cheese fruit dip is sweet and creamy with a zip of citrus that is addicting to dip strawberry after strawberry.

Microwave Rice Krispie Treats

Why work hard when you don’t have to? Take 5 minutes to make rice krispies in the microwave, save yourself the trouble of cooking them over the stove and making a huge mess. Also, these turn out perfectly every time!

5-Minute Slushies

It’s easier than you think to make your own slushie! But with the magic of salt and ziplock bags, you can enjoy any flavor of slushie that you desire.

Almond Joy Chex Mix

Dessert Recipes

Whether you are looking for family reunion desserts or desserts for a large group– we have EXACTLY what you are looking for.

Crock Pot Peach Crisp

Nothing beats fresh peaches with a buttery, crumbly topping. Unless you easily slow cook it in the Crock Pot. Drop your ingredients in the slow cooker and forget about it until the delicious smells oozing from under the lid reminds you what’s for dessert.

Patriotic Poke Cake

A poke cake is a great way to make your cake moist and flavorful. This showstopper is red, white, and blue, perfect for any patriotic celebrations! Beautiful but uncomplicated, this dessert is make with boxed cake!

Crock Pot Lava Cake

Make the most ooey, gooey, moist chocolate cake with a lava center..in your slow cooker! It’s magic! This ultra moist cake is shockingly simple to make (psst it’s a boxed cake mix)!!

Raspberry Lemon Cake

Raspberry Lemon Jell-O Poke Cake is so moist with a tangy flavor from the raspberry Jell-O, topped with luscious lemon pudding, this is a cold and refreshing treat!

Four-Layer Banana Pudding

Share YOUR Family Reunion Meal Ideas!

So there you have it! The ULTIMATE Family Reunion Meal Planning Guide. Please feel free to share your OWN suggestions on how YOU plan for YOUR family reunions. We would love to hear your ideas! Also, feel free to also write comments below if you have any questions, we, or other readers, will do our best to help you out.

Feel free to SHARE this list with friends and family. Good luck with your upcoming reunion and have FUN (without the stress of planning reunion meals)!