25 summer BBQ recipes we’re making forever

Get your grill on!

Summer BBQs are all about those recipes you make once and immediately know you’ll be making forever. They’re the recipes people ask for by name, the ones you start planning the menu around. This roundup is packed with exactly those kinds of keepers—from Grilled Spicy Citrus Ribs and Juicy Lucy Burgers to Ranch Potato Salad, Grilled Feta-Stuffed Peppers, and Kool-Aid Pie. These mains, sides, and sweets are big on flavor, built for sharing, and guaranteed to earn a permanent spot in your summer cookout lineup.

01 of 25

Grilled Feta-Stuffed Peppers

Get Recipe: Grilled Feta-Stuffed Peppers

“You can choose to grill and fill the peppers ahead of time and serve them cold, or grill and fill the peppers once guests arrive. Either way, you’ll have a cheesy appetizer or side dish with char-grilled flavor in no time.” —Molly Allen, Recipe Developer

02 of 25

Grilled Pork Skewers

Get Recipe: Grilled Pork Skewers

“Grilled pork skewers will be the star of your next cookout. The char-grilled, bite-sized pieces of pork are cooked to perfection. They emerge from the grill, glimmering with a bright red sheen from the ketchup marinade. The edges are crispy, and the pork is tender and succulent with sweet-savory-spicy notes.” —Elizabeth Ann Quirino, Recipe Developer

03 of 25

Ranch Potato Salad

Get Recipe: Ranch Potato Salad

“I developed this recipe to be a crowd-pleaser (and me-pleaser), using one of the most beloved flavors—ranch—and a hefty dose of pickles plus their brine for a little puckery pizzazz. Plenty of crunchy bacon provides a savory saltiness, a handful of celery adds crunch, and dill brings its fresh, summery aroma to the party.” —Megan Scott, former Senior Editor

04 of 25

Grilled Balsamic-Marinated Flank Steak

Get Recipe: Grilled Balsamic-Marinated Flank Steak

“Using balsamic vinegar in a marinade for grilled flank steak is a genius move. In just one ingredient, the vinegar imparts tons of complex flavor to the meat while also tenderizing this lean cut with its acid.” —Afton Cyrus, Senior Editor

05 of 25

Pickle Slaw

Get Recipe: Pickle Slaw

“In addition to using pickle juice in place of the traditional vinegar for this slaw, we also add about a half-cup of chopped pickles. It’s like coleslaw and pickle relish all in one!” —Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

06 of 25

Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elotes)

Get Recipe: Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elotes)

“When we are far away from the lively celebrations of his hometown, my husband and I can relive the fun by grilling corn and making our own version of Mexican street corn in just a few minutes. The charred kernels and the tangy sauce really make this different from your everyday corn on the cob.” —Megan Keno, Recipe Developer

07 of 25

Easy Stovetop Baked Beans

Get Recipe: Easy Stovetop Baked Beans

“That’s what makes this stovetop recipe using canned beans so appealing. It tastes like they were made completely from scratch, but they are ready in forty minutes or less with very little hands-on time.” —Sally Vargas, Recipe Developer

08 of 25

Kool-Aid Pie

Get Recipe: Kool-Aid Pie

“Kool-Aid pie is a classic with Southern grandmas for two reasons: It’s delicious and so easy! It comes together with just a store-bought graham cracker crust, sweetened condensed milk, whipped topping, and whatever flavor of Kool-Aid you have on hand. It takes about five minutes to make and is ready after four hours in the fridge.” —Jessica Furniss, Recipe Developer

09 of 25

Grilled Veggie Skewers

Get Recipe: Grilled Veggie Skewers

“There are plenty of ways to vary these vegetable skewers, so explore the possibilities. For example, swap in another sturdy cheese for the mozzarella, such as feta or halloumi. Instead of fresh basil, garnish with cilantro, chives, or your favorite blend of herbs (or drizzle the skewers with pesto). Swap vinegars in the marinade or add a bit of heat with crushed red pepper or minced jalapeños.” —Sara Haas, Recipe Developer

10 of 25

Sweet and Salty Grilled Watermelon

Get Recipe: Sweet and Salty Grilled Watermelon

“In this recipe, we’ve taken it a tiny step further. After grilling, we sprinkle each slice with a spice rub made of sugar, salt, smoked paprika, and cayenne and then finish it off with a squeeze of lime. It’s like adding a spicy tajin rim to a watermelon margarita—our go-to summer beverage. Sweet and spicy grilled watermelon is delicious on its own and makes the perfect appetizer, side dish, or dessert for your next summer BBQ.” —Julie & Amy Luxemberg, Recipe Developers

11 of 25

Juicy Lucy Burger

Get Recipe: Juicy Lucy Burger

“The traditional cheeseburger was upended forever sometime in the 1950s when a Minneapolis bar placed cheese inside the burger. By all appearances, it seems like a normal hamburger on the outside, but a single bite gives way to a stream of gooey melted American cheese. Mind you, this is not a modest amount of cheese—this is a molten cheese center.” —Mike Lang, Recipe Developer

12 of 25

Grilled Spicy Citrus Ribs With Bourbon Glaze

Get Recipe: Grilled Spicy Citrus Ribs With Bourbon Glaze

“As any Southerner will tell you, the proper way to cook ribs is to barbecue them ‘low and slow’ in a smoker built for that purpose. But not everyone has a smoker, and not all of us have the time or patience to watch over cooking ribs for several hours. The following is a recipe for spareribs that have been soaked in a spicy citrus brine and then grilled over indirect heat for about an hour.” —Elise Bauer, Founder

13 of 25

Cowboy Caviar

Get Recipe: Cowboy Caviar

“Cowboy caviar is a colorful jumble of delicious things and contrasting textures. Packed with black beans and black-eyed peas, plus corn, jalapeños, and bell pepper, it’s the sort of thing you can improvise with. Sometimes I use only black-eyed peas; sometimes I finish it with chaat masala, an Indian seasoning. If I don’t have canned chipotles, I use chipotle powder.” —Sara Bir, former Senior Editor

14 of 25

Grilled S’mores Sliders

Get Recipe: Grilled S’mores Sliders

“They take minutes to make and are infinitely easier to serve than actual s’mores. They serve a small crowd, are easy to double for a big one, and are a great way to use up the residual heat on your grill after a cookout. They’re also super cute, sure to please kids and adults alike.” —Laurel Randolph, former Associate Editorial Director

15 of 25

Barbecued Chicken on the Grill

Get Recipe: Barbecued Chicken on the Grill

“Done right, it will take at least an hour, and even up to 2 hours. Remember that barbecue is slow and low, grilling is hot and fast. You can grill a chicken breast, but chicken thighs, legs, or wings are far better barbecued.” —Elise Bauer, Founder

16 of 25

Easy Corn and Tomato Salad

Get Recipe: Easy Corn and Tomato Salad

“There’s truly no ingredient that better exemplifies the taste of summer, and I’ve found new and fresh ways to enjoy my favorite starchy vegetable, including this perfect summertime salad. All summer long, I’ll be eating my sweet corn raw alongside juicy tomatoes and fresh herbs in this delicious dish that won’t wilt under the mid-August sun.” —Micah Siva, Recipe Developer

17 of 25

Grilled Carrot Dogs

Get Recipe: Grilled Carrot Dogs

“While grilled carrots are hardly new, treating them like a hot dog smothered in a sweet spicy tangy mustard paste is. Grilled carrot dogs check the box for vegetarians as well as your more health-conscious friends. They will be a surprise hit this summer.” —Mike Lang, Recipe Developer

18 of 25

Italian Pasta Salad

Get Recipe: Italian Pasta Salad

“In this salad, every bite has something interesting going on, whether it’s bouncy bocconcini, salty olives, tangy pepperoncini, fresh herbs, or a little heat. And because it’s fully make-ahead, it’s one of the most practical recipes in my summer rotation.” —Kris Osborne, Recipe Developer

19 of 25

Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

Get Recipe: Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

“You’ve probably encountered a zillion kinds of macaroni salad at barbecues and potlucks over the years. If you’re a mayo fan like me (sorry, haters), creamy pasta salads reign supreme, and Hawaiian macaroni salad might just be the best of them all.” —Afton Cyrus, Recipe Developer

20 of 25

Edamame Three-Bean Salad

Get Recipe: Edamame Three-Bean Salad

“At first, I mostly bought my three-bean salad from the deli counter at the market. But over time I discovered it’s quick and easy to make. And my quickest, easiest, and most satisfying version is this one, which substitutes edamame for the more traditional green beans. It makes for a welcome twist on a familiar favorite, one that’ll delight and impress family and friends and that’s perfect for all manner of summer gatherings.” —Jill Silverman Hough, Recipe Developer

21 of 25

Pool Dip

Get Recipe: Pool Dip

“Essentially a no-cook sour cream and onion dip, this pool dip is a major step up in flavor from mere sour cream mixed with soup mix. A little cream cheese gives it body; Worcestershire sauce adds depth. With dried onion flakes, onion powder, garlic powder, and fresh green onions, it’s extra oniony good.” —Sara Bir, former Senior Editor

22 of 25

Gochujang Chicken

Get Recipe: Gochujang Chicken

“This recipe mixes gochujang with maple syrup and apple juice to even out the heat and enhance the sweetness. Using that flavorful paste will allow you to add big flavor to your chicken without the need for a long marination time.” —Cynthia Christensen, Simply Recipes Contributor

23 of 25

Esquites-Inspired Pasta Salad

Get Recipe: Esquites-Inspired Pasta Salad

“My favorite pasta shape for pasta salad is squiggly, spirally cavatappi. It has just the right amount of nooks and crannies to cling onto your favorite dressings and sauces.” —Micah Siva, Recipe Developer

24 of 25

Hot Dogs With Spicy Kimchi Slaw

Get Recipe: Hot Dogs With Spicy Kimchi Slaw

“These Korean-style hot dogs are your basic grilled beef hot dog in a bun, but with a really special (and simple) spicy kimchi slaw and creamy sauce. The slaw features daikon radish, carrot, and kimchi -- a mix that will taste familiar if you’ve eaten a lot of Korean food like bibimbap!” —Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

25 of 25

Sicilian Potato Salad

Get Recipe: Sicilian Potato Salad

“You might not find this exact recipe in Sicily, but similar iterations are common in both Sicily and mainland Italy. Potatoes, green beans, and tomatoes are a timeless Italian pairing in the summer months. Using buttery Sicilian green olives—I love Castelveltranos—plus an herb-y oregano vinaigrette gives this salad lots of island flair.” —Sheela Prakash, Recipe Developer

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