Great cookout food, free-flowing pitchers of co*cktails (and mocktails), summery music , sweet desserts, and your best friends gathered 'round a campfire (or huddled into your inflatable pool). Ahhh, sounds like the perfect day.
Playing host and planning a backyard barbecue to remember is a big task, though—and the first steps are grabbing all of your cookout tools, sourcing the table settings (dollar stores seldom disappoint for inexpensive finds, but for elevated paper goods, Sophistiplate has a stand-out array), and curating an easy, but crowd-pleasing cookout food menu for adults and kids alike.
There are the tried-and-true American staples, like burgers, hot dogs, and grilled steak skewers, of course. But you can add a little flair to your menu with some special sides, like corn bread muffins (who could resist a little Southern soul food?), watermelon and cucumber salad, and unique toppings, like a sticky peach barbecue sauce. And let's not forget dessert—grilled peaches with coconut ice cream, anyone?
Whether you're just inviting over the neighbors or finally hosting a long-overdue holiday extravaganza for the Fourth of July, the following recipes are sure to please the whole crowd. And with the menu set, the shopping complete, and the prep work taken care of, you can focus your attention on your guests and, most importantly, digging in.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
1
Hot Dog Bar
For the ultimate kid-friendly meal, set up a hot dog bar. The littlest set can go for the standard squeeze of mustard, while the adults can go crazy crafting a truly indulgent dog.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
2
Hawaiian Barbecue Chicken
A sweet, sticky pineapple-infused sauce takes grilled chicken from ordinary to outstanding.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
3
Cilantro Lime and Yogurt Grilled Chicken Wings
A zesty yogurt marinade makes these chicken wings ultra tender and packed with flavor.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
4
Grilled Scallops
A simple way to elevate your summer cookout: Sub fish for the more standard fare. Scallops only take a few minutes to grill, but the finished product looks like something right out of a five-star kitchen.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
5
Balsamic Grilled Vegetables
Spice up the classic peppers and onions with some other summer favorites, like green and yellow squash, mushrooms, and sugar snap peas.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
6
Memphis-Style Barbecue Ribs
Ribs have a reputation for being hard to cook, but this tender rack requires just two simple steps: Bake them in the oven, then toss 'em on the grill once the cookout begins.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
7
Grilled Oysters
Hosting a summer cookout by the seashore? Wow guests with a special shellfish appetizer. Go heavy on the garlicky butter lime sauce—it's not to be missed.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
8
Grilled Tofu
For the vegetarians of the bunch, try your hand at grilled tofu. There's no lack of flavor, thanks to a zesty marinade made of mirin, rice, vinegar, and soy sauce.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
9
Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken Kabobs
Kabobs are a great make-ahead option for busy hosts, since you can prep everything—including any sauce—ahead of time. All you need to do is toss them on the grill, rotating every couple of minutes, until they're done.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
10
Grilled Flank Steak
To create a steakhouse-worthy meal in the comfort of your own backyard, marinate the meat before grilling to ensure its tender, juicy, and full of flavor.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
11
Chimichurri Sauce
A perfectly grilled steak doesn't need much, but a simple chimichurri sauce packed full of fresh herbs and garlic can do wonders.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
12
Southern Pimento Cheeseburger
Anyone can grill a standard cheeseburger. Make yours memorable, with a creamy Southern-inspired pimento cheese sauce and two thick slices of buttery Texas toast.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
13
Watermelon and Cucumber Salad
For a refreshing side that's perfect for a 4th of July cookout (or, really, any backyard bash!), try this unique combo of juicy watermelon, cooling cucumber, and creamy goat cheese.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
14
Black Bean Veggie Burgers
Even the best frozen veggie burgers lack depth of flavor; try this homemade version at your next cookout instead. It's packed with black beans, bell peppers, smoky spices, and salty feta cheese for a flavor-bomb you won't forget.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
15
Barbecue Shrimp Kebabs
You don't need any special equipment to host a New Orleans-style shrimp boil. Just thread the ingredients onto a skewer, and call it a day.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
16
Grilled Steak Kebabs
Don't have the budget to buy a fancy cut of beef for everyone at the cookout? You can still serve steak—your dollar will go a lot further if you serve kebabs instead of an entire cut. And these Asian-inspired beef skewers are just as tempting.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
17
Rosé Sangria
A rosé-based drink fit for a crowd that's just as beautiful as it is tasty.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
18
Peach Barbecue Sauce
Peaches give the classic cookout condiment a Southern spin that adds just a touch of sweetness you won't be able to pass up.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
19
Southern Butter Beans With Bacon
This bacon-studded Southern side pairs just as well with fried chicken and biscuits as it does with burgers and dogs.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
20
Grilled Corn With Sriracha Aioli
Sweet summer corn is even more irresistible with a drizzle of zesty sriracha aioli, a dash of chili powder, and a hint of lime.
