89 Best BBQ Recipes for a Whole Summer of Cookouts
We've got you covered, from weeknight dinner to tailgating parties.
Summer means we're spending as much time outside as possible! And that means tons of grilling and cooking outdoors.
If you're new to grilling or feeling a little rusty, check out some essential grilling tips, and scroll through this list of our favorite grilling and BBQ recipes!
In addition to plenty of burgers, ribs, and steaks, we've got everything from veggie sides and summer salads to summer drinks and easy summer desserts.
Green Chile Pimento Cheese Burgers
This decadent summer burger is the ultimate cookout treat! Mild hatch chiles and creamy pimento cheese combine to make a flavorful burger that's just about as rich and delicious as you can get.
Elotes (Mexican Street Corn)
Elotes, a general Central American term for corn, is also the word we use for Mexican style street corn — a highly flavorful grilled corn that's been covered in mayo, sour cream, spices, lime juice, and cheese.
Salt-and-Pepper BBQ Ribs
Real talk: You don't need a lot of crazy flavors to make high-quality ribs taste delicious.
The Casa Wedge Salad
A wedge salad is a quick and easy side for any bbq! This Tex-Mex inspired version is full of flavor thanks to Mexican Cotija cheese and creamy avocado dressing!
Campfire-Grilled Pineapple Upside Down Cake
This five-ingredient grilled pineapple upside-down cake couldn't be any easier! The secret is to get an already-prepared poundcake. Grilled pineapples and an easy-to-make glaze come together quickly — and then whole deal gets well caramelized, either over hot coals or on the grill.
Get the recipe for Campfire-Grilled Pineapple Upside Down Cake.
Smashed Potatoes with Paprika and Cumin
With all the flaky goodness of baked potatoes, all the crunchy deliciousness of fried, and a combo of spices that we sometimes dream about at night, this is a side dish that is sure to have guests and family alike asking for seconds.
Jalapeño–Sour Cream Cornbread
This sweet-spicy cornbread is perfect for mopping up bbq sauce!
Campfire Pear Crumbles
Grilled desserts certainly don't stop with marshmallows. If you're looking for something a little more fruit-forward, consider making a pear crumble. Cover it with foil and cook it on the grill at your next BBQ. The sweet, crunchy crisp makes a tasty meal-ender.
Toasted Seed Coleslaw
This crunchy bbq side dish gets a big burst of flavor from a bevy of toasted seeds.
Cherry Syrup and Rum Soda
If you've got a bag of fresh cherries that you aren't sure what to do with, consider using them to make some cherry syrup, and treat yourself to flavored seltzers, sodas, and cocktails this summer. They're the perfect addition to any bbq!
Four Great Grilling Sauces
Whether you're grilling steak, chicken, or pork, the meat tastes good cooked over a fire. But these sauces will make it even better. From Alabama's signature white barbecue sauce to a green steak sauce that can't be beat, it's worth keeping one (or more) of these in your fridge.
Get the recipe for Chimichurri Sauce.
Get the recipe for Meyer Lemon Relish.
Smoky Grilled Dry-Rub Pork Chops with Peach Relish
This may be, hands down, the best pork chop we've ever had.
Sausage Pinwheels with Marinated Peppers and Grilled Broccolini
These impressive sausages are a breeze to grill, and easily feed a crowd.
Get the recipe for Sausage Pinwheels with Marinated Peppers and Grilled Broccolini.
Kebabs, 4 Ways
Kebabs really are a genius cooking method. As everything is cut into bite-sized pieces and cooked together, you ensure it's cooked evenly, and everyone gets what they want.
Get the recipe for Chicken and Sweet Potato Kebabs.
Get the recipe for Teriyaki Beef-and-Mushroom Kebabs.
Slow Cooker Baked Beans
This hearty hands-off barbecue side dish practically makes itself.
Cast-Iron Caramel, Marshmallow, and Salted Almond Brownies
Crispy-brownie-edge lovers, please come to the front of the line! Equally at home on a grill or cooked over campfire coals, this cast-iron brownie, packed with marshmallow, caramel, and salted almond gets all kinds of crispy on the edges, but stays gooey and delicious on the inside.
Get the recipe for Cast-Iron Caramel, Marshmallow, and Salted Almond Brownies.
Spatchcock Chicken with Piri Piri Sauce
This spicy bird is a surefire centerpiece at any summer barbecue. Spatchcocking, which gives it that flat look, helps it to cook evenly. And the sauce is fiery!
Grilled Corn, Three Ways
Summer hasn't fully happened until you've had at least one ear of grilled corn. We love it as-is, or with a little butter. But these toppings make it even better.
Get the recipe for Grilled Corn with Red Pepper Jelly Glaze
Get the recipe for Grilled Corn with Mexican "Street Style" Topping
Get the recipe for Grilled Corn with Pesto and Basil Schmear.
Ritzy Ranch Mac ’n’ Cheese
A couple simple additions — crackers and a packet of powdered ranch — makes this staple barbecue side dish crazy good.
All-Purpose Strawberry-Cabernet Barbecue Sauce
This unbelievably tasty sauce blends the tart sweetness of fresh berries with the rich depth of red wine. And it comes together in 20 minutes! Slather it over everything!
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