Grill and chill: 17 mouthwatering recipes for unforgettable BBQs

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Get ready to savor the taste of summer with our handpicked assortment of cookout recipes. Whether you’re hosting a backyard bash or a casual gathering, these crowd-pleasing dishes will have your guests coming back for seconds.

Grilled salmon with zucchini noodles and lime.
Spicy Grilled Salmon. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Beef Kabobs

Fire up the grill and prepare mouthwatering beef kabobs for your cookout, featuring tender chunks of marinated beef, interspersed with succulent tomatoes, green peppers, and onions—a delectable and protein-packed option that will satisfy every meat lover at the gathering.
Get the Recipe: Beef Kabobs

Recipe for Grape Salad

Add a touch of sweetness to your cookout with a grape salad featuring juicy grapes, cream cheese, sour cream, and vanilla pudding—a sweet side dish that complements grilled vegetables and meat.
Get the Recipe: Recipe for Grape Salad

Mexican Macaroni Salad

Mexican Macaroni Salad in a bowl.
Mexican Macaroni Salad. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Spice up your cookout with a flavorful twist by making Mexican macaroni salad, combining elbow pasta with vibrant bell peppers, olives, black beans, and a zesty taco dressing—a refreshing and colorful side dish that will impress your guests.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Macaroni Salad

Fresh Squeezed Lemonade Recipe

Beat the summer heat at your cookout by preparing a refreshing batch of fresh squeezed lemonade, combining the tangy juice of ripe lemons, sweetness from the sugar, and a handful of ice cubes—a classic and thirst-quenching beverage that is sure to keep your guests cool and hydrated.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Squeezed Lemonade Recipe

Spicy Grilled Salmon

Get ready to spice up your cookout with this fiery grilled salmon! The zesty marinade, packed with a punch of flavors, perfectly complements the tender fish. It’s a great cookout recipe as it adds a vibrant twist to the menu and satisfies seafood lovers with its tantalizing heat.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Grilled Salmon

No Bake Brownies

Close up side view of three no bake brownies on white plate.
No bake brownies. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Keep your cookout cool and hassle-free with no bake brownies, combining crushed graham crackers, marshmallows, melted chocolate, and evaporated milk, chilled until firm—a delightful and fudgy treat that requires no oven time.
Get the Recipe: No Bake Brownies

Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Feta

Experience the taste of the Mediterranean with the Mediterranean White Bean Salad. The creamy white beans, juicy tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese come together to create a refreshing summer salad that is both satisfying and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Feta

Grilled Corn On The Cob

Are you grilling this weekend? Throw some freshly picked corn on the cob in the husks on the grill.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn On The Cob

Peach Popsicles

Peaches and cream popsicles on a blue plate sit with whole peaches surrounding them on a white background.

These creamy Peach Popsicles are the sweetest way to beat the heat this summer! You’ll love this delicious fruity recipe.
Get the Recipe: Peach Popsicles

Strawberry Yogurt Parfaits

This simple yet elegant dessert is perfect for any outdoor sitting. The best part is that it’s made with wholesome ingredients and no added sugar. So enjoy this guilt-free goodness while relishing the refreshing breeze of nature.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Yogurt Parfaits

Barbecue Sauce

Elevate your cookout experience with homemade barbecue sauce, crafted with a perfect blend of spices—a flavor-packed condiment that adds a delicious kick to your grilled meats.
Get the Recipe: Barbecue Sauce

Montana Mule

Copper mugs filled with refreshing Montana mules.
Montana mule. Photo credit: Sage Alpha Gal.

The Montana mule, featuring the quintessential flavor of Montana thanks to huckleberry vodka and fresh huckleberries, is a refreshing twist on a classic Moscow mule.
Get the Recipe: Montana Mule

Classic Banana Pudding

Treat your guests to a classic Southern dessert at the cookout by layering slices of ripe bananas, creamy banana pudding, and fluffy whipped cream between a bed of vanilla wafers—a luscious banana pudding that is sure to be the star of your summer gathering.
Get the Recipe: Classic Banana Pudding

Chipotle Turkey Burgers with Cilantro-Lime Crema

Spice up your grill with these flavorful turkey burgers. Infused with chipotle chilies in adobo sauce, cilantro, scallions, and lime, these burgers offer a global twist to your 4th of July cookout, pleasing both spice enthusiasts and burger lovers alike.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Turkey Burgers with Cilantro-Lime Crema

Easy 3-Ingredient Onion Dip

Easy 3-Ingredient Onion Dip with vegetable sticks
Easy 3-Ingredient Onion Dip. Photo credit: Easy Homemade Life.

Whip up this effortless onion dip with just three simple ingredients. Creamy, savory, and packed with flavor, it’s the perfect companion for your cookout spread.
Get the Recipe: Easy 3-Ingredient Onion Dip

Beer Boiled Brats

Bratwurst is a summer classic, and it’s even better when you make beer boiled brats. They are incredibly juicy and so flavorful. It’s a grilling win every time.
Get the Recipe: Beer Boiled Brats

Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad

Bowl of creamy dill cucumber onion salad in a bowl with spoons.
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad is made with sour cream and mayo and is crisp, light, refreshing, and can be made and served in only 30 minutes. It’s a perfect family dinner side dish when you need to quickly get dinner on the table.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad

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