51 Cookout Menu Ideas To Try That Will Change Your Summer
We've got you more than covered this grilling season.
Come summer, the hottest place to eat in town is, of course, right next to the grill. If you're new to hosting a killer cookout, no need to fret. Whether you're a beginner or an expert level BBQ-er, we've got all the tips and tricks on how to make this your summer of cooking out. As the head grill master in charge, we highly suggest you get to grilling up any (or all) 51 of these ultimate cookout menu recipe ideas (like delicious ribs, burgers, hot dogs, and even more) all summer long. Get those tongs ready!
Burgers and dogs or grilled chicken and steak are classic, but don't stop there: Our favorite no-fail grilling recipes that are sure to impress your guests? Foil packs and grill skewers. They're a no-brainer, and not just because they require little prep or cleanup. Our tried-and-true favorites? You can never go wrong with our corn & tomato gnocchi foil packets, our chipotle tofu & pineapple skewers, our surf 'n' turf foil packs, or our grilled chicken kebabs.
Sometimes side dishes at summer BBQs completely steal the spotlight from the usual suspects at our cookouts. Regular potato salad and pasta salad are great, but it's the twists on them that'll really have people coming back for more. Try our antipasto potato salad, our Hawaiian macaroni salad, our tzatziki potato salad, or our Greek orzo salad, and see what we mean. And don't forget about lighter fruit-and-veggie-filled fare too. Our watermelon feta salad, our chili oil smashed cucumber salad, our classic coleslaw, and our fruit salad will keep your guests feeling cool no matter how hot it is outside.
Speaking of, don't forget to round out your cookout with one of our easy frozen desserts; they've got guaranteed cool factor (in more ways than one!).
Classic Coleslaw
A classic, staple side dish to rely on, coleslaw is a MUST when it comes to summer BBQs, potlucks, and picnics. Everyone needs a go-to recipe, and we happen to think that ours is the one you should reach for.
Get the Classic Coleslaw recipe.
Carne Asada
Translating to "grilled meat," carne asada marinates flank or skirt steak in a flavorful, citrus-spiked mixture for several hours—or up to overnight—before grilling. The result is a juicy, beef-forward piece of meat with plenty of the smoky, signature char.
Get the Carne Asada recipe.
Antipasto Potato Salad
Potato salad is about as classic a summer side as it gets, and we love experimenting with different flavor combinations. If you’re looking to lighten up your usual potato salad, look no further—this version is bursting with all the flavors of your favorite antipasto.
Get the Antipasto Potato Salad recipe.
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Hawaiian macaroni salad is a creamy, tangy, iconic comfort food that is practically synonymous with the state. It’s very simple to prepare—you might already have all the ingredients on hand!—making it the perfect easy side to bring to any cookout.
Get the Hawaiian Macaroni Salad recipe.
Baked Beans
Baked beans are sweet, tangy, savory, and the best part, surprisingly easy to make. Not to mention, they’re a one-pot wonder! Put them on your hot dogs, pair them alongside your cornbread, or enjoy them all on their own.
Get the Baked Beans recipe.
Grilled Beer Brats
These beer brats are inspired by the Italian-American classic combination of sausage, peppers, and onions. Though usually made on the stove, we love this grilled version for easy cleanup and a simple process. Don't have the right skillet? Make your dogs in a foil pack, à la our sausage & peppers foil packs.
Get the Grilled Beer Brats recipe.
Grilled Chicken Kebabs
Don't let your cookout be plagued by dry, boring chicken breasts. Instead, skewer up chicken thighs, which are a lot more forgiving. They taste best alongside bok choy and scallions, then glazed with a hoisin BBQ sauce.
Get the Grilled Chicken Kebabs recipe.
Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs
We know that sometimes, the grill just isn’t an option. Maybe you're traveling to your cookout, maybe the grill master's hogging the grates, maybe your grill is of the tiny variety...No matter the situation, you can still make amazingly tender, delicious ribs with this foolproof recipe. Sweet, salty, savory, tender... these ribs are like meat candy.
Get the Oven Baked Ribs recipe.
Corn & Tomato Gnocchi Foil Packets
The foil packets trap in steam from the wine and juices from the tomato and corn as everything grills, which in turn cooks the gnocchi to perfectly tender while infusing the pasta with all the flavors of the dish. Bonus: Some of the meal browns a bit on the bottom right before it finishes cooking, adding extra flavor.
Brown Sugar BBQ Chicken
Pulled chicken in the slow-cooker = SO EASY. This version includes brown sugar, a little Italian dressing, and bourbon for some smokiness. (Feeding kids? You can totally skip the booze.) Dress up the sandwiches with homemade coleslaw for the greatest zero-effort cookout dinner.
Get the Brown Sugar BBQ Chicken recipe.
Broccoli Slaw
Nothing says summertime like a good cruciferous slaw, and this tangy, crunchy one will make you the star of your next summer cookout. It’s got the classic slaw veggies—shredded cabbage and carrots—with the addition of raw broccoli, toasted walnuts, and sweet Craisins tossed in a maple and lemon dressing.
Get the Broccoli Slaw recipe.
Loaded Campfire Nachos
Thanks to a handful of canned goods, these loaded nachos come together almost instantly, over a fire or grill!
Get the Loaded Campfire Nachos recipe.
Beer Can Burgers
No, there isn't any beer in these burgers, but using a can to create a crater in the bacon-wrapped patties means all the room to stuff with your favorite toppings. Cheese, caramelized red onions, extra pickles?! The sky is the limit.
Get the Beer Can Burgers recipe.
Garlic Bread
All you need is a handful of staple ingredients and less than 30 minutes to create this herby, garlicky side that completes practically any summer meal. Our top tips for homemade garlic bread? Keep it simple, and use plenty of garlic—4 cloves for each loaf.
Get the Garlic Bread recipe.
Spicy Coconut Grilled Chicken
Get these spicy coconut chicken thighs on the grill ASAP, you won’t regret it. They're insanely tender thanks to a tasty duo of coconut milk and tenderizing pineapple juice in the marinade. We bet you'll revisit this simple recipe again and again this summer (so why not start now?).
Get the Spicy Coconut Grilled Chicken recipe.
Deviled Eggs
While deviled eggs are fairly simple to make, there are a few ways you can go wrong when making this staple party appetizer. If you’re looking for a foolproof method to hard boiling and filling yours, this recipe should be your new go-to.
Get the Deviled Eggs recipe.
Tzatziki Potato Salad
For fans of potato salad, there is endless possibility for different kinds of flavorings and mix-ins. One of our faves? This tzatziki potato salad, which is perfect for summer. This salad is very dill forward, nicely lemony, and bright with yogurt, crunchy cucumber—both fresh and pickled—and creamy boiled baby reds.
Get the Tzatziki Potato Salad recipe.
Sonoran Hot Dog
Our take on this Mexican-inspired hot dog is based off of versions made in Arizona where it's a standard—warm pinto beans, fresh jalapeño salsa, onion, tomato, mustard, and mayo. The split-top bun is essential to the look, but the hot dogs can be prepared on regular buns; you can simply split the tops yourself and load 'em up!
Get the Sonoran Hot Dog recipe.
Smoked Corn On The Cob
This flavorful and innovative way to grill corn on the cob doesn't require a smoker. Instead, you'll infuse the corn with wood smoke using a clever foil packet of wood chips and a grill.
Get the Smoked Corn On The Cob recipe.
Tomato Gnocchi Kebabs
Sure gnocchi is amazing served in a bowl with a sauce, but have you ever had nicely browned gnocchi taken straight off the grill? The gnocchi paired with blistered grilled tomatoes and tender red onion make for the perfect cookout main or side dish.
Get the Tomato Gnocchi Kebabs recipe.
Mackenzie Filson is a food writer and contributing digital food producer at Delish. Her favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate-pine. If wine was an astrological sign she'd be a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. She's never met a bag of Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos she didn't eat in one sitting.
Camille Lowder is the digital food producer at Delish, otherwise known as our resident queen of recipe galleries. Previously, she attended the Natural Gourmet Institute for culinary school and worked at/managed a number of New York restaurants. She loves anything vegan, foods masquerading as other foods (hello, cauliflower), and a well-used Oxford comma.
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