Running out of things to serve is the fastest way to kill the fun. That’ll never happen again with these 39 summer BBQ favorites. You’ll find grilled chicken, fresh veggie sides, baked beans, homemade sauces, and even dessert bars. There’s truly something here for every palate and mood. They’re not only perfect for summer, they’re easy to make too. They serve fast but disappear even faster, so make sure to make more.
Miso Glazed Salmon. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Lemon-Marinated Kefir Chicken
This grilled chicken turns out juicy and full of flavor thanks to a simple kefir and lemon soak. The marinade keeps it tender and adds just the right tang. It’s an easy choice when you want something that cooks fast but still tastes like you put in effort. A solid pick when you need a main that stands out without trying too hard.
Get the Recipe: Lemon-Marinated Kefir Chicken
Lemon Kale Salad
The lemon dressing softens the kale and gives it a bold flavor, while the cheese adds something rich. It’s not your usual salad, and that’s why it works so well next to grilled meats. It comes together fast and brings something sharp and fresh to the table. Great when you want a green side that actually gets eaten.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Kale Salad
Vegan Couscous Salad
Fluffy couscous mixed with veggies and herbs makes a side that looks good and tastes better. It stays fresh and doesn’t get soggy, even after sitting out. You can make it ahead and serve it cold without any fuss. A smart pick when you want something quick that still feels like a full dish.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Couscous Salad
Kefta Kebabs
These kebabs are packed with flavor and grill up fast, which makes them perfect for when you’re tired of the usual stuff. The seasoning hits just right, and they hold together without falling apart. You don’t need a bun or sides to enjoy them. Great when you need something bold that’s not the same old thing.
Get the Recipe: Kefta Kebabs
Hearts of Palm Salad
Hearts of palm add a little crunch and a lot of flavor to this simple mix. Tossed with tomatoes, cucumbers, and a light dressing, this salad takes no time at all. It looks different from the usual sides and gives the table some color. Handy when you want something fresh that breaks up all the heavy stuff.
Get the Recipe: Hearts of Palm Salad
Decadent Chocolate Caramel Bars
These dessert bars start with a soft cookie base and end with layers of chocolate and caramel that hold their shape. They cut clean and stack easily, which makes them good for serving a group. You don’t need forks or plates. A solid choice when dessert has to work without slowing anyone down.
Get the Recipe: Decadent Chocolate Caramel Bars
Miso Glazed Salmon
This salmon gets its deep flavor from a miso glaze that hits sweet and salty at the same time. It grills quickly and doesn’t fall apart, so it’s easy to serve. You get bold flavor with barely any prep. Just the thing when you want a main that tastes like more than the work you put in.
Get the Recipe: Miso Glazed Salmon
Blueberry Peach Crisp
This crumble is warm in the middle and crisp on top, with sweet fruit that holds up well after baking. It’s easy to throw together and doesn’t need a scoop of anything to taste good. You can bake it ahead and serve it as-is. A smart pick when you want dessert that feeds a bunch without a mess.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Peach Crisp
Slow Roasted Italian Tomatoes
Slow-roasting brings out the sweet side of these tomatoes, and the texture gets soft without turning mushy. Spoon them over grilled meat or pile them on bread. They go with almost anything. Great when you need a make-ahead side with bold flavor.
Get the Recipe: Slow Roasted Italian Tomatoes
Homemade BBQ Sauce
Stir up this BBQ sauce with things you probably already have in the kitchen. It’s smoky, tangy, and just sweet enough and works on just about anything off the grill. You control the flavor and skip the store-bought stuff. A go-to when you want every dish to taste like more than just meat.
Get the Recipe: Homemade BBQ Sauce
Asian Marinated Steak
A mix of soy, garlic, and ginger soaks into this steak and gives it a deep flavor that sticks after grilling. It cooks fast and slices clean, so it’s easy to serve to a group. You don’t need a lot of extras with it. This one’s a strong main when you want something big without any extra work.
Get the Recipe: Asian Marinated Steak
Tomato Quinoa Salad
This quinoa salad keeps its shape and flavor even after sitting for a while. Tomatoes and a fast dressing give it just enough punch to stand out. It’s light but filling, which makes it perfect next to heavier mains. A smart choice when you need a side that doesn’t go soggy.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Quinoa Salad
Lime Marinated Grilled Chicken
Lime gives this grilled chicken a sharp kick that cuts through everything else on the plate. It stays juicy and doesn’t need sauce, which makes it fast and easy. The flavor’s bold without being too much. A solid pick when you want something quick that still holds its own.
Get the Recipe: Lime Marinated Grilled Chicken
Shredded BBQ Chicken
This BBQ chicken cooks low and slow until it’s soft enough to shred and pile on a bun. It’s full of flavor and feeds a group without needing the grill. Just set it and forget it. Great when you need a main that handles itself and still tastes like a hit.
Get the Recipe: Shredded BBQ Chicken
Homemade Smoky Baked Beans
These baked beans are thick, smoky, and a little sweet, with just the right bite. They go well with anything off the grill and don’t need much to shine. This version skips the hard stuff but still brings big flavor. Good to have around when you want a side that always gets cleaned out.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Smoky Baked Beans
Oven Roasted Potatoes with Spinach and Garlic
These roasted potatoes come out crisp on the outside and soft in the middle with just the right bite. Garlic and spinach add a little flavor without making things too heavy. They’re easy to prep and bake while the grill does its thing. A reliable side that fits right in with whatever else you’re cooking.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Potatoes with Spinach and Garlic
Frosted Banana Bars
Use ripe bananas to bake these soft bars topped with smooth frosting that sets just right. They cut clean and hold up outside without turning into a mess. You can make a full pan of food fast and serve a crowd with no problem. Great when you want something sweet that still feels easy.
Get the Recipe: Frosted Banana Bars
Miso Glazed Chicken
Brush chicken with a sticky miso glaze for a sweet, salty bite that grills up in minutes. The flavor stays strong without needing a sauce or extra topping. It’s bold without going overboard. A good choice when the grill’s full but you still want something that hits hard.
Get the Recipe: Miso Glazed Chicken
Spinach Caprese Salad
Spinach, tomatoes, mozzarella, and bits of prosciutto come together in this fast salad that feels like more than just greens. A splash of oil or dressing is all it needs. It looks good on the table and tastes even better. Works well when you want something quick that still feels put together.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Caprese Salad
Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad
Chopped tomatoes and cucumbers mix with oil, vinegar, and herbs for a salad that stays crisp and full of flavor. It holds up next to grilled meats and doesn’t wilt. No cooking needed, just a quick toss and it’s ready. Good to keep on the table when you need a cold side that keeps its shape.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad
Ratatouille with an Italian Flair
Layer slices of zucchini, squash, and tomato for a dish that bakes until soft and rich with flavor. It holds together whether warm or cold, so serving is easy. The colors pop without any extra work. Perfect when you want a veggie dish that feels complete without being fussy.
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille with an Italian Flair
Grilled Chicken Foil Packets
Wrap chicken, rice, veggies, and cheese in foil for a full meal that cooks all at once. It comes out juicy and hot with no cleanup. The flavors mix together while it steams in the packet. Handy when you want something filling that doesn’t need a pile of pans.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Foil Packets
Chocolate Chip Oat Bars
These bars land between a soft cookie and a chewy brownie, packed with chocolate in every bite. They slice up clean and don’t fall apart. You can carry a stack and pass them around with no trouble. Ideal when dessert needs to move fast and still taste great.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Oat Bars
7 Layer Bars
Chocolate, coconut, and other layers bake into one bar that’s packed with flavor and holds up well. No toppings or extras needed. You get a sweet bite that feels like more than the work it took. A go-to when dessert needs to be easy but still get noticed.
Get the Recipe: 7 Layer Bars
Raspberry Jam Bars
These raspberry jam bars have a soft crumb and a fruity center that holds its shape. They’re easy to slice, serve, and carry without falling apart. They work warm or chilled. A smart dessert to bring when you want something sweet that travels without a mess.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Jam Bars
Grilled Fruit Kebabs with Brown Sugar Caramel
Grilled fruit skewers take just minutes but come out looking like more. A quick brown sugar sauce adds extra sweetness. They’re light and easy to serve with no extra cleanup. Great when you want something fun that doesn’t feel like every other dessert.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Fruit Kebabs with Brown Sugar Caramel
Lemon Marinated Chicken Kebabs
Marinate chicken in lemon for a fresh, sharp flavor that sticks once it hits the grill. The meat stays juicy and works with almost anything else on the plate. You can prep it early and cook it fast. A solid option when you need something that won’t slow you down.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Marinated Chicken Kebabs
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Thin-sliced Brussels sprouts tossed in a sharp dressing bring crunch without needing extras. It’s fast to make and doesn’t get soggy. The flavor is bold enough to hold up next to grilled meats. A good way to add something green that still feels like it belongs.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Traditional Peach Kuchen
This peach kuchen is soft and sweet with just enough fruit in every slice. It’s easy to mix up and bake without a lot of steps. The taste hits somewhere between a cake and a pie. A nice change when you want dessert to feel homemade and not store-bought.
Get the Recipe: Traditional Peach Kuchen
Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Grilled bok choy gets crisp at the edges and soaks up just enough from the marinade to stand out. It cooks fast and brings more to the table than you’d expect from a green side. No extras needed. A quick win when you want veggies that taste like more than an afterthought.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Chipotle Burger with Jalapeño Mayo
Chipotle seasoning and jalapeño mayo give these burgers a smoky kick and just enough heat to keep things interesting. They come out juicy and bold without needing much on top. The flavors do all the work. A solid pick when you want burgers that stand out but still cook fast.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Burger with Jalapeño Mayo
Chipotle Grilled Corn on the Cob
Chipotle butter melts over grilled corn and adds a smoky touch that plays well with the natural sweetness. It’s simple to make and turns a basic side into something worth talking about. The spice doesn’t overpower, but gives each bite a little edge. A smart twist on a classic that always gets eaten.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Grilled Corn on the Cob
BBQ Vinaigrette Dressing
This smoky vinaigrette comes together in minutes and adds bold flavor to salads, grilled veggies, or meat. You only need a few ingredients and a jar to shake it all up. It keeps well and works on just about everything. A quick fix when you want to bring more flavor without more dishes.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Vinaigrette Dressing
Cucumber Salad
Sliced cucumbers, herbs, and a fast dressing make this salad crisp, light, and full of clean flavor. It stays fresh and doesn’t go soggy, even after sitting for a while. You don’t need much to pull it together. A good pick when you want something cool that balances out the heavier mains.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Salad
Grilled S’mores Pizza
This dessert pizza starts with soft dough and ends with melted chocolate, toasted marshmallows, and crushed graham crackers. It cuts into easy slices and doesn’t need plates or forks. You can make it fast and serve it straight from the pan. A fun choice when you want dessert that gets people talking.
Get the Recipe: Grilled S’mores Pizza
Blueberry Crumb Bars
These blueberry crumb bars have a soft, buttery base and a sweet layer of fruit with a golden topping. They hold their shape, pack well, and don’t need any extras. The mix of texture and flavor works every time. A handy dessert to make ahead when you want something fruity and easy to share.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Crumb Bars
Avocado Tomato Salad
Creamy avocado, juicy tomato, and crisp lettuce come together in a salad that’s fast to toss and never boring. It’s fresh but still has enough flavor to hold up next to grilled meat. You don’t need a long list of ingredients to make it work. A strong choice when the table needs a cool, no-fuss side.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tomato Salad
Twix Copycat Bars
Buttery shortbread topped with caramel and smooth chocolate makes a rich bar that’s easy to slice and even easier to carry. It tastes like a candy bar but holds together better in the heat. No extra tools needed to serve it. A solid go-to when dessert needs to be sweet and simple.
Get the Recipe: Twix Copycat Bars
Harvest Quinoa Salad
Roasted squash mixed with quinoa, cheese, and dried fruit brings color, texture, and flavor to the table. It holds up well, even after sitting out, and fills you up without feeling heavy. The mix feels different without being tricky to make. A smart way to round out the grill-heavy lineup.
Get the Recipe: Harvest Quinoa Salad