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Home » Recipes » Party Food » Best Cookout Recipes

May 14, 2019

Best Cookout Recipes

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We’ve got a fabulous collection of cookout recipes including salads, sides, beverages, desserts and of course lots of grilled steak, chicken, pork, and seafood dishes, too!

Collage of the Best Cookout Recipes
Last Updated: 23 June 2020

The best part of summer – aside from the fabulous weather – is spending time with family and friends. One of the best ways I know of to do that is with a good old-fashion backyard barbecue. Today I’ve got loads of amazing cookout recipes to share with you. Plus, the #SummerGrilling giveaway hasn’t ended yet, so be sure to scroll down an enter for your chance to win our amazing prize pack!

How to Plan a Cookout

Here are some of my top tips for planning a cookout:

  • Put on some fun upbeat music and make sure you have plenty of seating areas. You’ll want to make sure you have some shaded areas for people to sit.
  • I prefer using plastic silverware and paper plates for a cookout. It just makes things easier!
  • Be sure to place a trash can and recycling bin where they are easily accessible for your guests also.
  • Clean out the fridge a day or two beforehand so you have plenty of room for all your dishes.

Best Cookout Recipes

What kind of food do you have at a cookout?

The type of food really depends on your guests and their preferences. Generally speaking, you want to offer the following types of items:

  • Main Dishes
  • Snacks, Sides and Salads
  • Beverages
  • Desserts

For a family gathering with lots of kids, be sure you have kid-friendly food like these Chili Cheese Hot Dogs from Doodlecraft, burgers and fresh fruit. I like to offer two main dishes for larger gatherings.

For instance, I might make grilled chicken and kielbasa. Then, I cut the chicken breasts in half, and the kielbasa into smaller pieces. This way everyone can try a little bit.

Let guests bring a side dish or dessert to share. If you’re going for a certain theme, you can share that. Otherwise, if someone offers, let them run with it! This makes for a little less work for you!

For adults, be sure to offer a variety of of both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. Juice boxes are great for the kids. However, a dispenser for lemonade and water is a great idea, too.

Best Chicken, Beef, Pork and Seafood Main Dishes – Easy Cookout Recipes

Tender Petite Sirloin Steaks with Cowboy Steak Rub is an impressive recipe and perfect for a smaller gathering.

For an awesome batch of ribs, check this recipe from Deb at Bowl Me Over for How to Cook Ribs on the Grill.

Amy from House of Nash has a fabulous Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs recipe that is super easy and full of great flavors like garlic, cilantro, lime, and cumin.

  • Maple Garlic Grilled Pork Tenderloin – Cheese Curd in Paradise
  • Shrimp and Sausage Kabobs – The Mandatory Mooch
  • Grilled Pesto Chicken – Everyday Eileen
  • Teriyaki Chicken Skewers – Bowl Me Over for Juggling Act Mama 
  • Easy Grilled Shrimp Skewers – Bowl Me Over
  • Grilled Garlic Salmon – Lazy Budget Chef
  • Pineapple Bourbon Glazed Pork Chops – Juggling Act Mama
Grilled Sirloin Steak Tips
Grilled Sirloin Steak Tips is a flavorful Summer dinner option that even your kids will love.
Get the Recipe >>>
Chicken Kabobs
Easily acquired pantry staples combine to create a delicious depth of flavor in this recipe where I show you how to grill chicken kabobs.
Get the Recipe >>>
Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken
This Lemon Pepper Chicken has a tangy lemon flavor that pairs beautifully with pepper and garlic to deliver just the right amount of punch.  Pair this recipe with a simple side salad for the perfect summer meal!
Get the Recipe >>>
Photo of Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken on a white plate garnished with rosemary and grilled lemons.

Cookout Recipes for Simple Side Dishes

Cornbread Salad is a great dish for vegetable lovers! It’s got tons of peppers, onions, tomatoes, grilled corn and black beans. To make this a vegetarian dish, just skip the bacon.

Lisa at Bloghetti has an incredible Homemade Peach Salsa with jalapeno peppers, peaches, red onion, a pinch of chili powder and of course, cilantro.

This Maple Grilled Asparagus from Lazy Budget Chef is an easy cookout recipe with just three simple ingredients!

More yummy sides:

  • Cowboy Caviar – Juggling Act Mama
  • Roasted Corn and Zucchini Salad – Karen’s Kitchen Stories
  • Grilled Mexican Street Corn – House of Nash
  • Bacon Wrapped Asparagus – Bowl Me Over
  • Tropical Fruit Salsa – A Day in Candiland
  • Grilled Vegetable Kabobs – Juggling Act Mama
  • Loaded Baked Potato Slides – The Mandatory Mooch
  • Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
  • Grilled Cheesy Spinach Dip Stuffed Peppers
Grilled Asparagus
Grilling asparagus in tinfoil imparts flavor without burning and gives you perfectly tender, perfectly cooked veggies every time.
Get the Recipe >>>
Grilled Veggies
This is the best guide for how to cook vegetables on the grill and it will become a new Summer side dish at your house.
Get the Recipe >>>
Grilled Potatoes
These are the Best Grilled Potatoes you'll ever eat. They are easy to make and the best grilled summer side dish.
Get the Recipe >>>
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Grilled corn on the cob is a Summer staple of a side that packs a ton of delicious flavor into a low-calorie dish.
Get the Recipe >>>

Summertime Drinks and Cocktails

These Cherry Lime Mojitos from Cheese Curd in Paradise are made with white rum, cherry lime syrup, club soda and fresh mint and lime.

Sesame Ginger Iced Tea from Simple and Savory is a great non-alcoholic drink that is especially perfect if you’re serving dishes with Asian flavors.

This unique Bloody Mary from Terri Steffes is complete with leafy stalks of celery and a meat stick!

More tasty beverages:

  • Tropical Storm Punch – Juggling Act Mama
  • Orange Pomegranate Sangria – Karen’s Kitchen Stories
  • Skinny Mojito – Live Love Texas
  • Berry Margarita – Juggling Act Mama
  • Hibiscus Coolers – Frugal n Fit
Mermaid Drink
Blue-Green Lemon Drop Recipe will give you the perfect Mermaid Drink!
Get the Recipe >>>
Fruity Pineapple Cocktail
Fruity Pineapple Cocktail – naturally sweet and so beauitful, too!
Get the Recipe >>>

Delicious Desserts Recipes

This Raspberry Cream Cheese Dessert from Who Needs a Cape is a great make ahead dessert!

Cool refreshing Coconut Granita from For the Love of Food is

More amazing desserts:

  • Grilled Pound Cake with Fresh Berries – Blogghetti
  • Grilled Peaches with Ice Cream – House of Nash
  • Icebox Margarita Cheesecake Bars – Hezzi D’s Books and Cooks
  • Lemon Poke Cake – Life Curents
  • Pineapple Delight – Juggling Act Mama
  • Homemade Pistachio Ice Cream – Bowl Me Over
S’mores Skillet Dip
Loaded with melted chocolate and toasted marshmallows, plus a drizzle of caramel, this Smores Dip is a decadent game day treat or party dessert!
Get the Recipe >>>

We even have suggestions for fabulous grilling gift ideas, as well as the best grill recipes and 55+ grilling recipes from top bloggers to whet your appetite too!

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Filed Under: Backyard BBQ, Grilling, Party Food

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Carlee says

    May 16, 2019 at 7:05 am

    These all look so good, I am not sure which one to make first!

    Reply
    • Ang Paris says

      May 16, 2019 at 12:31 pm

      Thank you Carlee!!

      Reply
  2. Jennifer says

    May 17, 2019 at 8:45 am

    Wow, so yummy!

    Reply
  3. Robin Abrams says

    May 17, 2019 at 8:47 am

    I love to grill everything but my favorite is corn on the cob and steaks

    Reply
  4. Dianna Porter says

    May 17, 2019 at 8:48 am

    I love a good bbq – will definitely try some of the recipes!

    Reply
    • Ang Paris says

      May 17, 2019 at 11:45 am

      Enjoy Dianna!
      Thanks for stopping by 🙂

      Reply
  5. Jodi W says

    May 17, 2019 at 8:48 am

    Brats from local butcher that is the home of The gummy bear brats

    Reply
  6. Jonathon Smith says

    May 17, 2019 at 9:12 am

    These recipes look amazing can’t wait to try them.

    Reply
  7. Jacqueline Preas says

    May 17, 2019 at 9:20 am

    We love grilling steaks and veggies.

    Reply
  8. Lazy Budget Chef says

    May 17, 2019 at 9:23 am

    Our house motto is if it doesn’t move, grill it!

    Reply
  9. Dominique Walton Brooks says

    May 17, 2019 at 9:32 am

    I love to have my son or husband grill ears of corn and sausage!

    Reply
  10. Minta Boggs says

    May 17, 2019 at 9:36 am

    OMGosh! everything looks delicious! We love grilling and we love trying new recipes.

    Reply
  11. Trisha Cooper says

    May 17, 2019 at 10:13 am

    These recipes all look amazing! We will definitely be trying some soon!

    Reply
  12. Ina Fowler says

    May 17, 2019 at 11:56 am

    I wish everyone who enters the best of luck, for this would be a blessing of a win for the Memorial Day Holiday’s & Fourth Of July approaching!

    Reply
  13. Linda Szymoniak says

    May 17, 2019 at 12:09 pm

    Gee, I love to grill so many things. Chicken, pork (my mom made the best bbq pork steaks and I grill them the way she did), burgers, sausage, and even salmon. I think my favorite thing to grill is veggies, though. Corn on the cob takes amazing on the grill, as do other veggies, like onions, peppers, mushrooms, etc. I could live on grilled veggies.

    Reply
  14. Jenny Ham says

    May 17, 2019 at 12:37 pm

    The Teriyaki Chicken Skewers look amazing I am going to have to look into trying to make that. I usually keep it simple I like to grill Brats and Corn.

    Reply
  15. Sonya Allstun says

    May 17, 2019 at 1:12 pm

    Ribeye steaks is my favorite making my mouth water just thinking about it LOL

    Reply
  16. Seyma Bennett Shabbir says

    May 17, 2019 at 2:06 pm

    I love to grill chicken, steak, octopus and especially veggies. I love grilled corn, onions, grilled onions, mushrooms and zuchinni!

    Reply
  17. Lorraine Mabbett says

    May 17, 2019 at 4:58 pm

    I love to grill veggies in foil so they are steamed. I love to experiment with flavors when I grill chicken.

    And thank you so much for this opportunity to win a great selection of prizes.

    Reply
  18. Michelle Myers says

    May 17, 2019 at 5:18 pm

    Love grilling chicken, steaks, burgers, and veggies. Plan to try fruits this year!

    Reply
  19. Tracy Robertson says

    May 17, 2019 at 8:03 pm

    I love to grill burgers and chicken!

    Reply
  20. Rebecca B says

    May 17, 2019 at 8:42 pm

    We do mostly burgers since that is what the kids will eat!

    Reply
  21. brittany doerfler says

    May 17, 2019 at 9:20 pm

    I always love grilling some chicken

    Reply
  22. smfsprout says

    May 17, 2019 at 10:54 pm

    I think I might try the Cowboy Caviar.

    Reply

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Welcome! I'm Ang - the Juggling Act Mama! I love sharing quick and easy recipes, creative DIY projects, and fun family travel with you. Like many of you, I am a multi-tasking mama juggling priorities which are why here I offer solutions to tame your hectic lifestyle. Read More…

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