Creative Summer Recipes for Your Next Backyard Barbecue

July 4th may have come and gone, but summer fun is far from over! And the best way to keep up that summer spirit is to host a backyard barbecue. So, gather your friends, family, and loved ones and check out these fun and easy summer recipes for your next backyard summer cookout.

Summer Cookout Recipes

1. The Best Barbecue Sauce Recipe

What’s a backyard barbecue without a yummy barbeque sauce? Transform your summer dishes with the rich and smoky flavors of this savory recipe!

Makes 2 cups

• ¾ c tomato paste
• ½ c apple cider vinegar
• ½ c molasses
• ½ c brown sugar
• 2 T Worcestershire sauce
• 1-2 T chipotle adobo sauce
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until bubbling. Remove from heat.

2. The Best Barbecue Chicken Recipe

Whether you use a charcoal grill or a gas one, this BBQ chicken recipe will have your guests anxiously awaiting your next event’s menu.

Serves 4-6

• 1 whole chicken
• Salt
• Pepper
• Vegetable oil
• Apple cider vinegar
• 1 ½ c The Best Barbecue Sauce

Clean the chicken and dry thoroughly with paper towels. Pull skin away from the chicken and rub oil or butter inside the skin. Cover the outside of the chicken in oil and salt generously.

For a charcoal grill, arrange the coals in a ring around the sides of the grill. Lightly oil the grates. Put chicken directly in the middle of the grill. For a gas grill, put on indirect heat at about 350 to 400 degrees. Cover and leave for about 30 minutes.

Open the grill and spritz chicken with apple cider vinegar. Cover and leave for about 30 more minutes before checking the temperature. When internal temperature reaches about 145 degrees, baste the chicken with 1 c barbecue sauce. Continue to grill until internal temp reaches 165 degrees. Remove from the grill and brush with the remaining barbecue sauce. Let rest for 20 minutes before carving and serving.

3. Fantastic Barbecue Shrimp Skewers

Who doesn’t love a good skewer? Slap this delicious recipe on the grill, and watch as your guests swarm to fill their plates!

Serves 4-6

• 2 lb fresh shrimp
• ½ c barbecue sauce
• 2 T olive oil
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• Bamboo skewers

Soak bamboo skewers in water for about 10 minutes. Peel, devein, and rinse shrimp. Toss lightly with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Skewer shrimps with two skewers to prevent them from spinning when turning on the grill, leaving space between each shrimp.

Place on a medium-high heat grill and brush generously with barbecue sauce. When shrimps start turning white (about 2-3 minutes), flip to the other side and brush with more sauce. Remove from heat when shrimps are cooked through. If desired, brush once more with barbecue sauce before serving.

4. Grilled Summer Squash

If you’re looking for a quick and easy side dish, you’ve found it! Grilled summer squash is a simple dish packed with big flavor. Enjoy!

Serves 4-6

• 2 c sourdough bread, torn into pieces
• ½ tsp oregano
• ½ tsp marjoram
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp coarse salt
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• 1 T olive oil + more for grilling
• 3 zucchini
• 3 yellow squash
• 1 small white onion

For breadcrumbs: Combine herbs, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Toss bread with olive oil and herb mixture. Place on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 5-10 minutes (keeping a close eye, so it doesn’t burn). When golden brown and toasty, remove from the oven and pulse a few times in a food processor until crumbly (but not a fine powder). Return to oven for a few more minutes if they need extra toasting. Set aside.

Slice zucchini and yellow squash into strips lengthwise. Brush lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cut onion into thick rings and brush lightly with olive oil. Grill all three over medium-high heat until soft and slightly charred, turning over halfway through—this will only take a few minutes on each side. Remove from the grill to a platter, breaking up the onion rings. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and serve.

5. Simple Herbed Potato Salad

Another simple side dish that won’t disappoint — herbed potato salad! Amp up your summer grill-out with this creamy and delicious potato salad recipe.

Serves 4-6

• 1 lb golden potatoes
• 1 lb red potatoes
• ¾ c white onion, chopped
• ¾ c celery, chopped
• 2 T fresh chives, chopped
• 2 T fresh dill, chopped
• 1 T fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 c mayonnaise
• ¼ c apple cider vinegar
• 1 T Dijon
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp salt

Boil potatoes until fork tender. Drain and cool. Chop roughly into small chunks and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, vinegar, Dijon, salt, and pepper. Add more of any ingredient to taste. Add cooled and diced potatoes, onion, and celery and stir to coat. Add herbs and stir. Chill until ready to serve.

6. Delicious Grilled Creamed Corn

Are you looking for a tasty spin on grilled corn on the cob? Introduce this dish at your next backyard barbeque, and everyone will be lining up to get the recipe.

Serves 4-6

• 8 ears of corn
• 2 T butter
• 1 T flour
• 3 T cream cheese
• ¼ c queso fresco
• ¾ c heavy cream
• ½ jalapeño, diced
• 3 T chopped cilantro
• 1 tsp black pepper

Soak corn (husks on) in water for about 10 minutes, and grill over medium-high heat until kernels are tender. Let cool before shucking off the husks. Cut off kernels and set them aside.

Heat a large cast-iron or non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Add 2 T butter and flour; whisk until bubbly. Reduce heat to low. Stir in cream cheese, queso fresco, and heavy cream. When combined, add corn and jalapeño. Stir until coated, then increase heat to medium and cook until just bubbling. Remove from heat. Stir in black pepper and cilantro. Serve warm or chilled.

7. Sweet Peach Crumble

Peach crumble is an all-time fan favorite. Make sure your guests enjoy the true taste of summer with this deliciously crumbly recipe.

Serves 6-8

• 7 c peaches, sliced
• 1 T lemon juice
• 1 c almond flour
• ½ c light brown sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¾ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• 8 T butter, finely diced

Spritz peaches with lemon juice and pour into a lightly greased 9×9-inch glass or ceramic baking dish. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Sprinkle over the peaches. Bake at 375 degrees for about 30-35 minutes. Let cool. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Note: You can sub the peaches with 7 cups of any fruit of your choice! Blueberries and blackberries make a yummy combo.

8. Key Lime Summer Pie

This yummy dessert guarantees a sweet and tart flavor that you and your guests are sure to love. Bet you can’t eat just one!

Serves 4-6

• 5 egg yolks, beaten
• ½ c key lime juice
• 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
• 1 prepared graham cracker pie crust
• 1 lime, sliced into wheels
• Homemade whipped cream

Combine egg yolks, lime juice, and sweetened condensed milk. Mix thoroughly in a large mixing bowl. Pour into prepared pie crust — bake at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes. Remove and let cool, then refrigerate. Top with lime wheels and whipped cream.

9. Spicy Watermelon Margaritas

You’ll love this easy recipe for watermelon margaritas with a twist! Because isn’t everything better with a little extra spice?

• 4 oz watermelon juice
• 4 oz Blanco tequila
• 2 oz lime juice
• 2 oz jalapeño infused simple syrup
• Salt for rim
• Lime wheels to garnish

For simple syrup:

• ½ c granulated sugar
• ½ c water
• 1 jalapeño, sliced with seeds removed

Combine water and sugar in a saucepan with jalapeño (increase amount of pepper and time simmering for spicier, decrease for milder; omit for sweet watermelon marg).

Salt glass rims and fill glasses with ice. Combine watermelon juice, tequila, and lime juice in a shaker or large container with ice. Shake to combine and cool liquid. Pour into glasses and garnish with a lime wheel.

Summer BBQ Menus

We’ve got you covered for great barbecue party ideas, too! Check out the themes below, complete with refreshing cocktails and more of our best barbecue food ideas. They’re made up of even more delicious summer cookout food to complete your barbecue!

Classic Backyard Barbecue

(with a cocktail hour to keep your guests happy while the chicken grills)

• Mojitos
• Jalapeño Poppers
• Kettle Chips with Blue Cheese Dip
• The Best Barbecue Chicken Recipe
• Simple Potato Salad
• Chocolate Sheet Cake

Shrimp on the Barbie

(shrimp: one of the easiest barbecue foods for a party)

• Red Sangria
• Caprese Salad
• Fantastic Barbecue Shrimp Skewers
• Cole Slaw
• Grilled Summer Squash
• Key Lime Summer Pie

Casual Cookout

(who doesn’t love a build-your-own hot dog bar?)

• Spicy Watermelon Margaritas
• Chips & Guacamole
• Hot Dogs with All the Toppings
• Baked Beans
• Delicious Grilled Creamed Corn
• Sweet Peach Crumble with Vanilla Ice Cream

BBQ Picnic

(perfect for packing up to take to your next paint party!)

• Blueberry Lemonade
• Veggies with Green Goddess Dip & Hummus
• Veggie Skewers with Chimmichurri
• Macaroni Salad
• Chocolate Pudding with Homemade Whipped Cream

Make Summer BBQ Fun at Painting with a Twist

Food is at the core of every good backyard summer barbecue — especially with these standout barbecue recipes! But what’s a party without activities? Plan ahead to get everyone together by hosting a virtual painting event with Painting with a Twist at home! Keep the grill hot and the drinks cold while you and your guests paint brilliant summer artwork from the comfort of your own backyard.