33 Best BBQ Menu Ideas for Easy Summer Get-Togethers at Home
Al Roker's New Orleans-Style Shrimp
All over the country temperatures are at their highest and Labor Day is upon us, which means backyard barbecue season only has a couple more months left! Get ready to fire up the grill for the ultimate cookout feast on September 5th with these tried-and-true (and maybe a few new) flame-kissed recipes.
What to Bring to a BBQ
Before you get overwhelmed trying to make as many dishes as you can, first plan ahead and make a single trip to your grocery store to get all the items for your BBQ menu ideas. Some must-have ingredients include store-bought chips, dips and fruit platters, homemade barbecue sauce and of course, meats and fish to grill such as pork ribs, sausage, shrimp, salmon, beef spare ribs and chicken drumsticks.
Related: How Much Potato Salad Do You Need Per Person for Your BBQ?
Best Vegetarian BBQ Food Ideas
For a vegetarian menu, seasonal vegetables, pineapple, watermelon, grilling cheeses, pound cake and bread are just the ticket.
Best BBQ Menu Desserts and Drinks
But no barbecue party is complete without summer desserts or chocolate desserts. And above all, summer temps call for a refreshing drink such as a fruit lemonade or a Brazilian limeade that you can make in the blender and requires no peeling or simple syrup.
Related: 21 Stress-Free Barbecue Recipes
Best BBQ Menu Ideas and Side Barbecue Dishes
Most of these barbecue recipes are easy to prepare—meaning they require less than 10 ingredients.
Some of our main dishes are cooked entirely on the grill, such as the Red Wine Barbecue Pork Ribs and the Grilled Chicken Legs Wrapped in Bacon. In contrast, others, such as our Char Siu, are partially cooked in the slow cooker or pressure cooker and then finished either on the grill or in the oven.
If you feel like cooking some of your mains ahead of time in the oven, such as our Brazilian Pork Ribs, go for it! It will free your grill up for cooking other meats and vegetables on the BBQ day.
The same applies to your side dishes. Make-ahead side dishes such as a hearty potato salad or homemade coleslaw are always a good call.
Related: Healthy BBQ Party Side Dishes
Try all of these 33 best BBQ menu ideas for those last summer get-togethers of the season!
Easy Barbecue Recipes and Side Dishes
Lisa Cohen
This Beef BBQ Sandwich is sure to be a hit at any part! Get the Recipe: Beef BBQ Sandwich
Related: 50 Backyard BBQ Potluck Ideas
Parade
There's nothing better than juicy, tangy, smoky barbecued chicken—especially at summer cookouts! Get the recipe: Juicy BBQ Chicken
This simple spice mix can be used on beef, chicken or seafood... you can even sprinkle it on vegetables! Rub well and allow to marinate any amount of time from 1 minute to 24 hours (for maximum flavor). Get the recipe: BBQ Dry Rub
Krista Marshall
Why not take all the flavors we love from a good summer barbecue recipe and incorporate them into a potato side dish? Get the recipe: Barbecue Roasted Potatoes
In this Creole recipe, Al Roker gives a dish traditionally done in a skillet on the stovetop a summertime spin by marinating shell-on shrimp in the rich, buttery sauce before placing it directly on the grill. Get the recipe: New Orleans-Style Shrimp
Easy and Delish
Well-seasoned Chipotle BBQ Pork Ribs, grilled to perfection, and brushed with a tangy, sweet, and spicy barbecue sauce. They are finger-licking delicious and a real summer hit! Get the Recipe: Chipotle Barbecue Pork Ribs
A Moroccan lamb marinade brings so much flavor to this BBQ boneless leg of lamb! Using butterflied lamb speeds up the grilling time, and the boneless meat is incredibly succulent and easy to carve. Cook on your barbecue or in the oven in case of rain! Get the Recipe: BBQ Boneless Leg of Lamb
Red Wine Barbecue Pork Ribs are rubbed with brown sugar and a blend of spices, then grilled until tender and basted with a red wine barbecue sauce. Get the Recipe: Red Wine Barbecue Pork Ribs
The delicious sauce doubles as a marinade, giving these shrimp skewers lots of flavor without any fuss. A great healthier option for backyard grilling! Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp and Vegetable Skewers
A buttery, toasty, and addictive gluten-free Brazilian side dish made with cassava flour that you didn’t know you needed in your life. It’s served along with barbecue. So good! Get the Recipe: Farofa
Related: 60 Easy Grilling Recipes and Ideas
Rump steak seasoned and grilled to perfection and then served with an herby chimichurri sauce. Get the Recipe: Grilled Rump Steak
Falling-off-the-bone tender and tasty Chinese Barbecue Ribs (Char Siu) made in the Crock Pot and finished by broiling in the oven. Hands down THE BEST ribs ever! Get the Recipe: Chinese Barbecue Ribs (Char Siu)
This BBQ Peach Grilled Chicken Wings recipe is sweet, a bit spicy and smokey for a delicious flavor combination. Get the Recipe: BBQ Peach Grilled Chicken Wings
Fried Collard Greens, also known as Couve a Mineira, are thinly sliced, sautéed collard greens with garlic and sometimes bacon. They are quick to make, garlicky, tender and delish. It makes a soulful side for grilled meats. Get the Recipe: Fried Collard Greens
Grilled Pork Tenderloin is a simple, delicious and economical summer meal. It’s tender, juicy and flavorful with just the right amount of char, and I love that this meal comes together in about 20 minutes. Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Homemade Coleslaw (kale slaw) is a fresh, colorful salad made with kale, onions and coleslaw mix, tossed with a lime-garlic vinaigrette. A must for all year round, including as a side for barbecued meats and sandwiches. Get the Recipe: Homemade Coleslaw
This grilled tilapia in foil recipe couldn’t be easier! Simply layer a white fish in the fish foil packet, season with olive oil, salt, and pepper, top with veggies and GRILL! Lots of bright summer flavors and the perfect meal to eat outside. Get the Recipe: Grilled Tilapia in Foil
Marinated Chili Lime Salmon, grilled to perfection and served with a tropical Caribbean Salsa. A healthy dish that will bring the tropics to your mouth! Get the Recipe: Easy Grilled Salmon
Ever feel like having a vegetarian meal but honestly just don’t know where to start? This Balsamic Grilled Tofu feels indulgent, but is super healthy. Get the Recipe: Balsamic Grilled Tofu
5-Ingredient Breaded Deep Fried Bananas is a quick and easy dish that can be served as a side for grilled meats or as a dessert topped with ice cream. Get the Recipe: Deep-Fried Bananas
This Balsamic Grilled Chicken recipe makes the juiciest and most succulent boneless skinless chicken breasts EVER! Made with an easy balsamic chicken marinade that requires just 4 ingredients and 10 minutes of marinating time. Just fire up your grill! Get the Recipe: Balsamic Chicken Breast
These grilled chicken legs, also known as Churrasco de Frango in Brazil, are marinated in beer and herbs, wrapped in bacon, then grilled to perfection. They make one of the best BBQs you could ever have! Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Legs
This grilled surf and turf salad combines two favorites: Angus beef steak and shrimp, served on top of colorful and crunchy greens. Finish with a creamy cilantro dressing and enjoy! Get the Recipe: Surf and Turf Salad
Easy and Delish
Mildly spicy, caramelized pork ribs that you can bake in the oven until they are falling-off-the-bone tender. These are easily prepared by processing the ingredients in a blender and slathering over the ribs which are then covered and baked until tender. Get the Recipe: Brazilian Pork Ribs
These Spanish-style Garlic Pork Burgers are loaded with flavor and are topped with cheese, grilled red onions, grilled Spanish ham and saffron aioli. Get the Recipe: Garlic Pork Burgers
Grilled Corn on the Cob is topped with a mildly spicy jalapeno-lime aioli and Parmesan cheese. It makes a delicious side to pair with your favorite grilled meats. Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn on the Cob
Learn how to perfectly grill lobster tail using simple pantry ingredients. You will want to make them again and again. Get the Recipe: Grilled Lobster Tail
The best Texas Caviar recipe, also known as cowboy caviar dip, tossed with shrimp, avocado and a spicy lime vinaigrette. You may serve as an appetizer or as a side for barbecued meats. Get the Recipe: Texas Caviar Recipe
These Asian Sweet & Spicy Grilled Baby Back Ribs are going to be the star of your next cookout! Seasoned with a delicious homemade spice rub and slow-cooked on the grill, the ribs are then finished with a maple chili-garlic sauce. You’ll feel like a champion pitmaster every time you serve these! Get the Recipe: Grilled Baby Back Ribs
An easy recipe made with cubed potatoes, mayonnaise, lime juice, olives, garlic, onions and herbs. It's a great summer side dish, ideal for accompanying grilled meats! Get the Recipe: Brazilian Potato Salad
Miso-glazed portobello mushrooms and bok choy are grilled for a few minutes or until grill marks form. They make a great replacement for animal protein or to serve as a side for your favorite barbecued meats. Get the Recipe: Miso-Glazed Grilled Veggies
Grilled Turkey Legs that are easy to make and fun to eat! They are made with only 3 ingredients and have a satisfying smokey flavor. Get the Recipe: Grilled Turkey Legs
This is a Mexican favorite for home BBQs: Pork Tacos al Pastor made with pork loin steaks grilled over a direct flame using a charcoal grill and served stacked with pineapple-habanero salsa and lime wedges on the side. Delightful! Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Tacos al Pastor
Up next: 29 Healthy BBQ Party Side Dishes
