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Home » Recipes » 60 Backyard BBQ Recipes for Summer Parties

60 Backyard BBQ Recipes for Summer Parties

Published June 22, 2021. Last updated May 23, 2024 by Judy Purcell 2 Comments

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pinterest collage for recipe round up

We’ve got you covered with more than 60 summer barbecue recipe ideas in this roundup for grilled main dishes, vegetable sides, buns and bread for sandwiches or burgers, desserts, and refreshing drinks for any size gathering.

Every one of these recipes makes cleaning the yard and lighting the grill for summer BBQ parties so worth it! You will love the variety of beef, pork, chicken, fish, lamb, and vegetable recipes with all the grilling tips and tricks you’ll need to impress your guests.

Skip right to what you’re looking for …

  • Grilled Meats and Main Dishes
  • Vegetables and Side Dishes
  • Dips & Condiments
  • Rolls, Bread, and Buns
  • Grilled and Frozen Dessert Ideas
  • Summery Drinks and Cocktails

Grilled Meats and Main Dishes

Grilled Tri-Tip Steak with Smoked Chile Steak Rub

Tri-tip steak grilled medium-rare with deep savory flavor with a hint of smoky spice.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Sliced grilled steak with carrots and potatoes

Grilled Baby Back Ribs with Smoked Chile Dry Rub

Baby back pork ribs seasoned with dry rub, grilled for smoky flavor, and finished low and slow in the oven for juicy tenderness.
SEE THIS RECIPE
grilled ribs with barbecue sauce

BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

Pulled chicken with homemade barbecue sauce served on whole grain buns. An easy make ahead dish for parties.

Grilled Tri-Tip Roast

Tri-tip roast marinated or dry rubbed and grilled over charcoal or propane to medium-rare and juicy.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Sliced grilled tri-tip on a white platter with grilled young leeks

Grilled Chile-Lime Skirt Steak Tacos

Grilled chile-lime marinated skirt steak with a medium heat spice ideal for stuffing tacos.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Skirt Steak Tacos served with pico and rainbow slaw.

Grilled Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwiches

Grilled pulled pork so tender and smoky, you won’t believe it came from a grill instead of a smoker.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Grilled pulled pork that tastes close to classic barbecue. Get smoky flavor from a gas or charcoal grill.

BBQ Pulled Pork Stuffed Jalapenos

BBQ Pulled Pork Stuffed Jalapenos are a great party appetizer or snack!
SEE THIS RECIPE
Jalapenos stuffed with BBQ pulled pork and topped with cheese for an amazingly easy and delicious appetizer.

Grilled Herb-Buttermilk Chicken with Tomato-Basil Butter

A simple marinade of buttermilk and herbs makes chicken tender and delicious when grilled. The tomato-basil butter is a superb finishing touch.
SEE THIS RECIPE

Grilled Chili Lime Chicken (Gluten-Free, Paleo, Allergy-Free)

You’ll want this spicy and zesty recipe on the grill asap! Grilled Chili Lime Chicken that’s a delicious healthy entree for your next bqq or cookout! It’s gluten-free, paleo, and allergy-free; perfect for pleasing the crowd and awakening the taste buds!
SEE THIS RECIPE

Sweet & Spicy Honey Sriracha Grilled Chicken Thighs

This Honey Sriracha Grilled Chicken Thighs Recipe is tangy with a little heat and perfect for a quick weeknight barbecue.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Sweet & Spicy Honey Sriracha Grilled Chicken Thighs

Grilled Romaine Hearts Chicken Caesar Salad Board

Take your chicken Caesar salad to the next level with grilled romaine hearts and seasoned grilled chicken, drizzled in quick and easy, creamy Caesar dressing.
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Grilled Romaine Hearts Chicken Caesar Salad Board

Grilled Salmon with Tomato-Basil Butter Sauce

Grilled tomatoes and fresh basil create a compound butter for an easy sauce over tender grilled salmon.
SEE THIS RECIPE
!0 BEST summer grilling recipes. Grilled Wild Salmon served with Tomato-Basil Butter Sauce, made from compound butter and white wine.

Five Spice Grilled Shrimp with Sweet and Sour Sauce

These five spice grilled shrimp are marinated in soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, chili paste and brown sugar then tossed on the grill for a touch of smoke.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Five Spice Grilled Shrimp with Sweet and Sour Sauce

Grilled Thai Chili Sesame Shrimp

A sweetly tangy Thai chili sauce with just enough spice to grab some attention clings to tender, smoky grilled shrimp for a meal that comes together in under 30 minutes from scratch.
SEE THIS RECIPE

Murg Malai Tikka Recipe (Indian Chicken Skewers)

Murg Malai Tikka Recipe: Tender chicken pieces marinated in a yogurt-herb mix along with Indian spices and grilled to perfection. Literally ‘Melts in your Mouth’ in every bite. Also called ‘Murgh Malai Tikka’
SEE THIS RECIPE
Murg Malai Tikka Recipe (Indian Chicken Skewers)

Roasted Green Chile Burgers with Grilled Sweet Onions and Salsa Mayo

Smoky chilies and cheese mixed right in the burger for a flavor explosion in every single bite.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Green chile burger with salsa may and grilled onions on a whole wheat bun served on a white plate.

Pancetta-Gruyere Burger with Grilled Vidalia Onions

Prize winning burger mixed with pancetta and Gruyere cheese topped with grilled onions.
SEE THIS RECIPE

Grilled Lamb Loin Chops

Lamb loin chops grilled until medium-rare and served with Bearnaise sauce.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Grilled lamb chop on a white plate with asparagus

Grilled Buttermilk-Cilantro Skirt Steak Tacos

A mildly seasoned, kid-friendly, flavorful skirt steak to please the non-spicy crowd.
SEE THIS RECIPE

Keto Grilled Pizza

Keto pizza on the grill is a summertime classic grill recipe. Show off your farmer’s market produce haul with this crispy, chewy keto pizza.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Keto Grilled Pizza

Vegetables and Side Dishes

Crunchy Fennel-Apple Slaw

A bright, slightly apple-sweet slaw with earthy notes of celery and fennel.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Fennel apple slaw in white bowl

Beans, Bacon, and Chipotle

Bacon and chipotle highlight this bean side dish with a smoky kick.
SEE THIS RECIPE

Baked Beans

SEE THIS RECIPE
Fresh Homemade BBQ Baked Beans on a checked tablecloth

Mediterranean Bow Tie Pasta Salad

Tender pasta and fresh vegetables tossed with homemade Italian dressing for a classic summertime picnic or barbecue side dish salad.
SEE THIS RECIPE
bow tie pasta salad

Classic Coleslaw with Celery Seed Dressing

This delicious Classic Coleslaw with a creamy, tangy celery seed dressing is the perfect side with any BBQ or Picnic.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Coleslaw in a bowl on a wood table

Grilled Broccoli with Lemon & Parmesan

Broccoli tossed with olive oil, salt, and pepper, grilled it to smoky, savory perfection, and finished with a squeeze of lemon and a layer of freshly grated parmesan cheese.
SEE THIS RECIPE
grilled broccoli browning

Grilled Asparagus with Cotija Cheese

A grilled vegetable recipe highlighting fresh asparagus dressed with olive oil, simple seasoning, and garnished with savory cotija cheese.
SEE THIS RECIPE
grilled asparagus served with cotija cheese

Grilled Cabbage with Classic Caesar Dressing

Grilled cabbage wedges replace Romaine lettuce with classic Caesar dressing and crushed croutons.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Grilled Cabbage with classic Caesar Dressing and Crushed Croutons is an impressive new side dish from the grill.

Portabella Mushrooms with Blue Cheese & Vegetable Stuffing

Meaty tasting portabellas stuffed with sauteed zucchini, red pepper, onion, celery, garlic, and savory blue cheese pair nicely with grilled or roasted meats of any kind.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Delicious side dish or vegetarian meal.Easy to make ahead and bake or grill just before serving.

Grilled Vegetable Medley

These grilled veggies have so much flavor and make a great side dish with grilled meats or fish.
SEE THIS RECIPE
A grilled vegetable recipe to optimize the flavor and texture of each vegetable included. Easy, delicious side dish for any meal.

Grilled Vegetable Marinade With Lemon And Thyme

This Grilled Vegetable Marinade with lemon and thyme is the perfect marinade and basting sauce for summer! It’s also Paleo, Keto, low-carb and Whole30 compliant!
SEE THIS RECIPE
Grilled Vegetable Marinade With Lemon And Thyme

Grilled Corn on the Cob

Juicy tender corn on the cob from the grill, because we leave the husks on!
SEE THIS RECIPE

Grilled Beets & Asparagus with Fried Goat Cheese

An easy and flavor packed side dish made with Grilled Beets, Asparagus and Fried Goat Cheese. Serve this side with steak or your favorite main.
SEE THIS RECIPE
grilled beets and asparagus with a pad of fried goat cheese in a white dish

Grilled Sweet Onions

Sweet and savory onion grilled for earthy, smoky flavor.
SEE THIS RECIPE
grilled onions on a tin tray

Watermelon-Blueberry Salad

Feta cheese brings a balance of salt to the sweet watermelon and blueberries with a pop of cooling mint.
SEE THIS RECIPE
watermelon salad

Spinach-Strawberry Salad

A fresh Spinach Strawberry Salad with Maple Candied Walnuts is one of the easiest ways to invite the spring season inside.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Spinach salad with sliced strawberries and walnuts in a white bowl with a napkin and fork.

Arugula Watermelon Salad

This Arugula Watermelon Salad flavor combo is beyond WOW and we take it to a whole new level with browned butter toasted walnuts, blackberries, and tangy feta.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Arugula watermelon salad with blackberries and walnuts

Healthy Potato Salad Recipe with Herbs – No Mayo

A creamy, delicious potato salad that is mayonnaise free and full of fresh herbs perfect for a summer bbq.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Healthy Potato Salad Recipe with Herbs - No Mayo

Easy Old-Fashioned Cucumber Salad “Gurkensalat” (GF, V, P)

The simple, classic German side dish, “Gurkensalat”. An Easy Old-Fashioned Cucumber Salad, delicious gluten-free, vegan, paleo, & allergy-free!
SEE THIS RECIPE

Grilled Peach Salad with Crispy Prosciutto (Paleo, Whole30)

Paleo Grilled Peaches, tossed with a sweet aged balsamic vinegar first, then finish with fresh arugula and salty crisp prosciutto for that ultimate summer peach salad feast!
SEE THIS RECIPE
Grilled Peach Salad with Crispy Prosciutto (Paleo, Whole30)

Beet and Carrot Raw Slaw Salad (Vegan/Gluten-Free)

Beet Carrot Raw Slaw is a beautiful simple salad filled with light tangy flavor, deliciously crunchy texture, and gorgeous presentation. This light and healthy “side” is perfect for picnics, barbecues, and summer meals!
SEE THIS RECIPE
Beet and Carrot Raw Slaw Salad (Vegan/Gluten-Free)

Greek Pasta Salad · Seasonal Cravings

This Greek Pasta Salad will easily become your favorite summer salad. It’s full of summer’s seasonal bounty, healthy and gluten-free.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Greek Pasta Salad · Seasonal Cravings

Low Carb 7 Layer Salad

My mom’s 7 classic 7 layer salad recipe got a THM makeover! Loads of veggies, layered with turkey bacon and cheese, then topped with a sweet, creamy, tangy dressing.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Low Carb 7 Layer Salad

Chipotle Lime Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

Sweet, tangy, with a bit of smoky heat this easy Chipotle Lime Sweet Potato Salad is the perfect side for a low fat THM E meal. Perfect with grilled chicken or fish and to take along to BBQ’s.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Chipotle Lime Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

Galia Melon Salad

Sweet melon and salty cheese top a bed of salad greens with a garnish of crisp prosciutto and toasted pine nuts. 
SEE THIS RECIPE
A melon salad on a white plate with a fork picking up a single bite.

Dips & Condiments

Fresh Peach and Heirloom Tomato Salsa

This delicious twist on salsa brings a touch of sweet and savory as juicy fresh peaches and plump, flavorful heirloom tomatoes team up for the best salsa you’ll have all summer.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Chunky peach and tomato salsa in a bowl with chips

Creamy Miso-Yogurt Dipping Sauce

A uniquely savory, tangy, dip for veggie trays or dressing salads.
SEE THIS RECIPE
A carrot scooping up dip surrounded by veggies.

Guacamole

Earthy, creamy avocados mixed with tomatoes, onions, and garlic with a kiss of lime and cilantro.
SEE THIS RECIPE
guacamole and chips on a table

Easy Hummus with Canned Chickpeas and Tahini

Silky-smooth hummus with lemon and garlic topped with olive oil and paprika.
SEE THIS RECIPE
hummus in a bowl beside whole wheat tortillas

Caramelized Onion Dip

Sweet yellow onions caramelized and mixed with Greek yogurt for a healthy dip upgrade.
SEE THIS RECIPE

Chimichurri

A bright, versatile condiment for grilled meats made up of a handful of fresh herbs, olive oil base, vinegar, and a hit of chile spice.
SEE THIS RECIPE
chimichurri sauce in a white bowl

Smoky Pickled Red Onions

Delicious, crisp, slightly sweet, and smoky red onions pickled in quick brine and ready in less than 24 hours.
SEE THIS RECIPE
pickled red onions in a jar oon a table

Quick-Pickled Jalapeno Radishes

Crisp, spicy jalapenos and radishes in a quick pickle brine.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Jalapeno radishes in brine

Rolls, Bread, and Buns

Sprouted Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls

Light, soft homemade dinner rolls made with 100% sprouted whole wheat.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Sprouted Wheat Dinner Roll Recipe for healthier holiday meals. Light, soft whole wheat rolls made from sprouted white whole wheat.

Light & Fluffy Sprouted Wheat Burger Buns

These Sprouted Wheat Burger Buns have a rich flavor, soft texture and present beautifully with black and tan sesame seeds with Rave reviews from the family!
SEE THIS RECIPE
How to make delicious, healthy sprouted wheat buns.

Gluten-Free Buttermilk Cornbread (with Dairy-Free option)

Gluten-free Buttermilk Cornbread that is soft, fluffy, naturally gluten-free, and a perfect side for soups, BBQ, or chili!
SEE THIS RECIPE
Gluten-Free Buttermilk Cornbread (with Dairy-Free option)

Grilled and Frozen Dessert Ideas

Grilled Fruit Platter with 2 Luscious Sauces

Put together a fun platter of sweet, caramelized grilled fruit, nuts, herbs, and 2 easy, irresistible sauces and let everyone customize their own unique desserts!
SEE THIS RECIPE
Grilled Fruit Platter with 2 Luscious Sauces

Grilled Strawberry Semifreddo with Pistachios & Balsamic

Grilling strawberries brings a deep, sweet flavor to this impressive ice cream dessert. All the creaminess of ice cream without hassle of using a machine.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Grilled Strawberry Semifreddo is creamier than ice cream and no machine is needed.

Creamy Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust

Velvety creamy lemon bars with a tangy lemon filling over a classic shortbread crust.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Lemon bars on a blue plate with powdered sugar on top

Grilled Peach & Vanilla Bean Crisp

Sweet vanilla crisp with grilled peaches.
SEE THIS RECIPE

Chocolate Peanut Butter Chunk Ice Cream

Decadent chocolate enhanced by a touch of espresso with an abundance of honey-sweetened, salt-kissed, peanut butter.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Chocolate ice cream with peanut butter chunks in a white ramekin with the ice cream scoop beside it.

Homemade Lemon Ice Cream for True Lemon Lovers

Tangy, creamy, lemony dessert perfect for the most discriminating lemon lover.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Close up of lemon ice cream in a clear bowl with lemon slice

Mango Popsicles

Frozen mango chunks, pineapple juice, and a hint of lime are blended together for flavorful mango popsicles that make the perfect healthy summer dessert.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Mango Popsicles

Strawberry Shortcake Cake

It’s a spin on strawberry shortcake, but the cake is, well, cake—not the biscuit-like disc in the classic strawberry shortcake recipe.
SEE THIS RECIPE

Key Lime Cheesecake

This silky, citrus-kissed dessert is everything you imagine a Key Lime Cheesecake should be—tangy, dulcet, velvety, and refreshing—perfect for warm summer evenings.
SEE THIS RECIPE

Summery Drinks and Cocktails

Classic Margarita Cocktail (On The Rocks)

A light, bright, somewhat boozy, slightly green, pearly-opaque drink with layers of citrus, tartness, saline, and thirst-quenching freshness.
SEE THIS RECIPE
margarita with lime and a slice of orage

Classic Lime & Mint Mojito

Tangy lime and refreshing mint team up for a sparkling rum cocktail for summer evenings.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Fresh mojitos

Ginger-Blackberry Twisted Mule Cocktail

A ginger shrub brings the ginger forward with blackberry highlights mixed with the aroma of fresh mint garnish. A pleasingly bright, tangy finish refreshes on a hot summer afternoon.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Ginger-Blackberry Cocktail in a copper mug garnished with blackberries, mint and lime.

Slushy Blended Watermelon Lemonade

Blended Watermelon Lemonade is a delicious, refreshing slushy treat with no sugar, just 4 real food ingredients. It’s the perfect summertime drink.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Slushy Blended Watermelon Lemonade

Refreshing Summer Sangria Berry Punch

This refreshing summer sangria berry punch is made with Riesling, sparkling wine, summer berries, fresh mint, triple sec, & lime. Perfect for backyard parties!
SEE THIS RECIPE
Refreshing Summer Sangria Berry Punch

Grilled Watermelon Habanero Margarita (Spicy Watermelon Margarita)

Grilled Watermelon Habanero Margarita: Sweet-Spicy and addictively Yummm margarita infused with Caribbean flavors!! This margarita is what summer days are made of, easy, breezy and absolutely MUST for your parties.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Grilled Watermelon Habanero Margarita (Spicy Watermelon Margarita)

Spicy Cilantro Jalapeño Margarita

This bright, refreshing cilantro jalapeño margarita is the perfect drink for summer. Full of fresh cilantro, the slow burn of jalapeños and tart lime juice.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Spicy Cilantro Jalapeño Margarita

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Filed Under: Grilling, Party Foods, Recipe RoundUp, Recipes Tagged With: grilled food, summer

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  1. mjskitchen says

    July 8, 2021 at 5:56 pm

    I’ll be coming back to this list all summer. You’ve put together a wonderful collection of BBQ recipes. It’s going to be hard to choose. Thanks!

    Reply
  2. John / Kitchen Riffs says

    June 23, 2021 at 8:28 am

    Whole lotta good eating in all these recipe! Love BBQ season, and you’ve got us covered. Thanks!

    Reply
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