You're chilling on the couch when the doorbell rings. Surprise, surprise—your in-laws have invited themselves over.
When guests show up without warning, there's no need to panic. You've got this covered with fail-safe recipes perfect for such occasions. In no time at all, you'll have a spread of delicious treats that will make your drop-in visitors feel welcome and well-fed.
We've curated a list of the best recipes for unexpected guests, guaranteed to wow the pickiest eaters. They'll never guess that you whipped these up at the last minute.
4 Best Recipes for Unexpected Guests
Who says you need a heads-up to host a fabulous get-together? These recipes will allow you to quickly serve delicious snacks for unexpected guests, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time entertaining.
1. Turkey and Cheese Tortilla Pinwheels
Are you wondering what to serve unexpected guests? Light, fresh, and satisfyingly tasty, this mid-day snack is quick to whip up and doesn't require fancy equipment.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 9-oz tub Buddig Original Turkey Lunch Meat
- ½ cup cream cheese
- 1 cup cheese of choice, grated
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- 4 extra-large tortilla sheets
- 1 cup carrots, finely grated
- 1 cup lettuce, shredded
DIRECTIONS:
- Mix cream cheese, cheese, black pepper, and garlic powder. Toss in carrots for extra crunch.
- Lay a tortilla sheet on a flat surface.
- Spread some of the cheese mixture evenly over the tortilla.
- Place 2 to 3 slices of turkey and some shredded lettuce on top of the cheese.
- Starting at one end of the tortilla, start rolling it up tightly.
- Cut the tortilla roll-up into bite-sized pieces.
- Repeat with the remaining tortillas and cheese mixture, then arrange the roll-ups on a plate and serve.
2. Open-Faced Ham and Cheese Sandwiches
The open-faced ham and cheese sandwich is an elevated version of the classic, offering melt-in-your-mouth goodness and a café-worthy presentation sure to impress. Extremely filling yet so effortless to put together, it's easily one of the best recipes for unexpected guests.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 9-oz tub of Buddig Original Ham Lunch Meat
- 4 slices of bread (focaccia, sourdough, whole wheat, etc.), thickly cut
- 4 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 2 tomatoes, thinly sliced
- 4 slices cheese of choice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh herbs for garnish
DIRECTIONS:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Line up the bread slices on a baking tray covered with parchment paper.
- Combine the mayonnaise and mustard. Spread this mixture onto each slice of bread, covering the surface evenly.
- Layer 2 slices of ham on each piece of bread.
- Add a slice of cheese on top of the ham.
- Top each sandwich with 2 to 3 thinly sliced tomatoes. Season with some salt and pepper.
- Bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese starts to melt.
- Top with fresh herbs (optional), and serve while warm.
3. Mini Ham and Cheese Quiches
Treat your guests' taste buds to the comforting flavors of mini ham and cheese quiches that require minimal prep time. The combination of ham and melted cheese appeals to a variety of palates, making it one of the best recipes for unexpected guests.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 cups diced Buddig Premium Smoked Ham
- 7 puff pastry sheets, thawed
- 3 cups shredded cheese of choice
- 8 large eggs
- 1 cup half-and-half
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- Chives or parsley, chopped (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Lightly grease two 12-cup muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray.
- Using a 4-inch cookie cutter, cut circles out of the puff pastry. Then, press the puff pastry circles into each cup.
- Divide the chopped ham and cheese among the pastry-lined cups.
- Mix eggs and milk in a bowl using a balloon whisk. Season the mixture with salt and pepper.
- Add filling to each cup of puff pastry. Make sure to leave some space on top so it doesn't overflow.
- Bake for about 20 minutes or until the quiches are golden brown.
- Leave them to cool for 5 minutes before taking them out of the tin.
- Add with chopped chives or parsley (optional) and serve.
4. Avocado Chicken Salad
A visual and literal treat, this option offers a touch of gourmet to your impromptu gathering. It's a literal throw-together dish that can be ready before your guests walk through the door.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 pack of Buddig Fix Quix Grilled Chicken Strips
- 2 ripe avocados, diced
- ¼ cup red onion, chopped
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 lime
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS:
- In a large bowl, mix grilled chicken strips, diced avocados, red onions, cilantro, and cherry tomatoes.
- Sprinkle lime and olive oil over the mixture, then add salt and pepper to taste.
- Gently toss until the ingredients are evenly mixed.
Tips for Hosting Last-Minute Guests
Unexpected company doesn't have to raise your stress levels. Here are some tips on managing last-minute guests with ease:
Keep It Simple
There's no need to create an elaborate menu. When deciding what to serve unexpected guests, stick to simple, tried-and-true dishes. Your guests aren't expecting Michelin-star-restaurant-level creations, and will appreciate your hospitality in serving them at the last minute.
Stock Up on Staples
Stocking your pantry with cheeses, premium deli meats, and other staples makes preparing quick snacks for unexpected guests a no-sweat affair. Remember to take inventory once a month to make sure you've got everything you might need.
Ask Guests to Be Your Sous Chefs
Feeling overwhelmed? Why not ask guests to assist you with simple tasks such as chopping cilantro? You can use it as a chance to bond before your real catch-up session.
Make Tasty, Time-Saving Treats with Buddig
Cooking for unexpected company can be stressful, especially when you have very little time. To avoid the panic of figuring out what to serve unexpected guests, be sure to bookmark this post and explore our other recipes. With dishes so easy to make, unexpected visits can become exciting opportunities to showcase your skills in the kitchen.
To make sure you're always prepared for surprise visits, keep Buddig's premium deli meats on hand. Ideal for crafting wraps, roll-ups, and more, our lunch meats are not just convenient, but also packed with flavor. Your guests will be asking for seconds!
Stock up on Buddig's lunch meats so you’re ready the next time you have to recreate these best recipes for unexpected guests. Use our store locator to find a Buddig retailer near you.