Outdoor BBQ Recipes: 3 Tasty Summer Ideas

Explore these 3 diverse outdoor BBQ recipes perfect for summer gatherings.
By Taylor

Examples of Outdoor BBQ Recipes

Summer is the perfect time to fire up the grill and enjoy delicious food outdoors. Whether you’re hosting a backyard party, enjoying a family picnic, or just having a cozy evening with friends, these outdoor BBQ recipes will surely impress your guests. Here are three diverse and practical examples to try this summer!

1. Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken Skewers

Perfect for any outdoor gathering, these chicken skewers are easy to prepare and bursting with flavor. They make a great appetizer or main dish!

To make these skewers, you’ll need boneless chicken breasts, bell peppers, red onion, and a simple marinade made of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and your choice of herbs.

  1. Prep the Ingredients: Cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes. Chop the bell peppers and red onion into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
  2. Make the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of olive oil, the juice of 2 lemons, 2 minced garlic cloves, and a mix of fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary.
  3. Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken and veggies in a resealable bag, pour the marinade over them, and let them marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (up to 2 hours for more flavor).
  4. Skewer and Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Thread the chicken and vegetables onto skewers, alternating as you go. Grill for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and has nice grill marks.

These skewers are delicious served with a side of tzatziki sauce or a fresh garden salad.

Variations:

  • Substitute chicken with shrimp or firm tofu for a different protein.
  • Add your favorite spices to the marinade for an extra kick.

2. BBQ Veggie Platter with Chimichurri Sauce

This colorful grilled vegetable platter is both healthy and visually stunning, making it a great side dish or main course for vegetarians.

You’ll need a mix of your favorite veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, and corn. For the chimichurri sauce, combine fresh parsley, garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, and red pepper flakes in a blender.

  1. Prep the Veggies: Slice zucchini and bell peppers into thick strips, and keep the mushrooms whole (if they’re small) or halved.
  2. Make the Chimichurri Sauce: Blend 1 cup of fresh parsley, 2 garlic cloves, 1/4 cup of red wine vinegar, 1/2 cup of olive oil, and a pinch of red pepper flakes until smooth. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  3. Grill the Veggies: Preheat the grill to medium heat. Toss the vegetables in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place them on the grill and cook for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally until they are tender and have grill marks.
  4. Serve: Arrange the grilled veggies on a platter and drizzle with chimichurri sauce.

This dish pairs wonderfully with grilled meats or can be enjoyed on its own.

Variations:

  • Experiment with seasonal vegetables like asparagus or eggplant.
  • Use different herbs in the chimichurri, such as cilantro or mint.

3. Classic BBQ Ribs with Homemade Sauce

Nothing says summer BBQ quite like a plate of sticky, tender ribs. This classic recipe is sure to be a hit at your next get-together!

You’ll need a rack of pork ribs and ingredients for a homemade BBQ sauce, including ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and spices.

  1. Prepare the Ribs: Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs and season generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Make the BBQ Sauce: In a saucepan, combine 1 cup of ketchup, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, and spices like garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes.
  3. Cook the Ribs: Preheat the grill to low heat (around 225°F). Place the ribs on the grill bone-side down and cook for 3-4 hours, brushing with BBQ sauce every hour until they are tender and have a nice caramelized exterior.
  4. Serve: Remove the ribs from the grill, let them rest for a few minutes, then slice and serve with extra BBQ sauce on the side.

This dish pairs well with coleslaw and cornbread for a true BBQ feast.

Variations:

  • Try using different types of ribs, like beef or lamb.
  • Customize the BBQ sauce with your favorite flavors, like honey or chipotle.

Enjoy these delicious examples of outdoor BBQ recipes this summer, and get ready to impress your friends and family with your grilling skills!