70 Best BBQ Recipes for a Whole Summer of Cookouts
We've got you covered, from weeknight dinner to tailgating parties.
By 
When spring finally squishes away and summer's heat arrives, we celebrate by spending as much time outside as possible. This year, we're aiming for an #OvenFreeSummer by grilling as much as we can. If you're new to grilling or feeling a little rusty, check out some essential grilling tips, and then pick some recipes off this list! There are plenty of vegetable dishes and summer salads to enjoy, too, and lots of summer drinks and easy summer desserts as well.
Salt-and-Pepper BBQ Ribs
Real Talk: You don't need a lot of crazy flavors to make high-quality ribs taste delicious.
Jalapeño–Sour Cream Cornbread
This sweet-spicy cornbread is perfect for mopping up bbq sauce!
Toasted Seed Coleslaw
This crunchy side dish gets a big burst of flavor from a bevy of toasted seeds.
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.
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!
Cucumber Salad
Problem: You want something green on the table, but lettuce wilts so quickly at a BBQ. Solution: This lime-mint salad, which holds up and tastes refreshingly good with all manner of proteins.
Grilled Mushroom Panzanella with Tomato Vinaigrette
This grilled bread and mushroom salad is practically a meal by itself!
Salmon in Foil with Vegetables
These neat little packets can be baked, but they're perfect for the barbecue: There's no mess, and they can be made individually, so picky eaters only get what they want!
Rancharita Cocktail
Every party needs a drink! You can make a big pitcher of this easy-to-scale cocktail, or serve them one at a time from a shaker.
Orzo Pasta Salad
Do yourself a favor and put this veggie-packed pasta salad on the menu — then watch as it's the first to disappear.
Bibb Salad with Pickled Onion, Fennel, and Plums
Drizzled in green goddess dressing, this summery salad is perfect for picnics and cookouts.
Grilled Apples with Prosciutto and Honey
Even a bbq can use h'ors d'oeuvres! You can whip these up while the grill is heating, then plate them and set out to serve while you cook the main course(s).
Get the recipe for Grilled Apples with Prosciutto and Honey.
The Best Creamy Potato Salad
Bring this classic to the bbq and you'll be taking home an empty bowl.
Chris is the Senior Food & Garden Editor at Country Living, where he covers all things edible or growable. He has two kids and lives in Birmingham, AL.
Is Publix Open On The 4th Of July?
65 Fourth Of July Classic Recipes
60 Fourth Of July Party Appetizers
37 Festive 4th Of July Drinks
