31 Backyard BBQ Party Recipes
Need a dish to bring to your next potluck party? These delicious summer recipes are perfect for sharing with friends at your next backyard BBQ.
Summer is here, it's time to fire up the grill and invite friends over! Here in the Carolinas, grill season is technically a year-round thing but summer actually starts once I bring out the patio furniture pillows and cushions and we actually eat our first meal outdoors. We love to host a very informal "Backyard is Open for Business" family party each Memorial Day weekend.
Handyman Tim will grill up an entree while my mom and I pull together side dishes and dessert. The kids play in the grass and we all just enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. It's the simplest of little traditions, but that first meal outside where the kids can eat watermelon that runs down their arms without me worrying about the mess is pure heaven.
If you enjoy patio grilling season, too, I thought you'd appreciate a list of our favorite backyard party recipes.
They're perfect for bringing to your next potluck but we just rotate through them all for our own enjoyment all summer long.
Are you hosting a bigger party with extended family and friends? Then you might want to check out these 40 easy meals for large groups before you plan your potluck menu, too.
P.S. Don't miss my essential tips for hosting the easiest backyard party ever.
Bacon Cheeseburgers
Dress up your regular grilled hamburger with an easy array of delicious toppings. Guests can mix and match their own custom creation including this fresh basil and bacon burger.
BBQ Chicken
You could grill my Alabama bbq chicken breasts or bake them in the oven. Rubbed with a dry wing seasoning and slathered in Alabama bbq sauce, they're always a hit.
BBQ Ribs
If you don't want to grill your ribs, you can bake my boneless pork ribs and serve them with a tomato based bbq sauce brushed over the top.
BBQ Pork
Summer and BBQ go hand in hand. Fill your crockpot with pulled pork and top it with this easy homemade BBQ sauce.
Serve it on buns or grilled sweet potatoes as a stuffed potato topper.
Chimichurri Steak
One part marinade, one part dressing. Fresh chimichurri sauce is the perfect topping for grilled steak kabobs this summer. Serve with fresh tomato salad.
Shrimp Boil Foil Packets
Bring the beach to your backyard! Prep these easy shrimp boil foil packets and you can pop them on the grill for just a few minutes.
Grilled Tilapia with Mojito Salsa
This yellow tomato mojito salsa is the perfect topping for a simple grilled tilapia or appetizer with a big bowl of tortilla chips. We love grilled fish with blackening seasoning on top.
Rum Glazed Pork Tenderloin
Our family's all-time favorite grill recipe, this rum glazed pork tenderloin is an essential summer dish. Drizzle some of the sauce over the cooked slices of pork and serve with fresh peaches.
Grilled Meatball Skewers
This simple grilling trick is perfect for getting all your ingredients cooked to perfection. The homemade teriyaki sauce meatballs cook up in minutes. Serve with grilled pineapple, peppers, and onions.
Cuban Mojo Chicken
Full of citrus and onions, this Cuban mojo marinade is perfect for grilled chicken or pork. Shred it and serve with corn tortillas for a backyard taco bar.
Lemon Dijon Chicken
Lemon garlic dijon marinade works best for either chicken or pork tenderloins. Serve with a packet of grilled potatoes and veggie kabobs for a simple meal.
Lemon Orzo Salad
Grill up shrimp kabobs and serve them with this easy chilled lemon orzo tomato salad with fresh feta cheese. It's an elegant but EASY side dish for entertaining.
Sweet and Spicy Peach Salsa
A fun twist on a party side dish, this sweet and spicy peach salsa is easy to make and always a hit at the party.
Pool Side Dip
This make-ahead pool side dip appetizer combines canned corn and a spiced cream cheese base for an utterly addictive party appetizer. Serve with hearty crackers.
Peach Blueberry Salsa Bites
For a more elegant backyard party, try this homemade peach and blueberry crostini. A little slather of goat cheese adds some zip to each bite.
Strawberry Bruschetta
Appetizer or dinner?? You decide. Just add a bottle of wine and set out a huge tray of homemade crostini for topping with this easy strawberry bruschetta mix.
Mango Strawberry Salsa
Looking for a sweeter appetizer? The mango strawberry salsa is perfect with cinnamon chip dunkers and is great for entertaining both adults and kids.
French Potato Salad
No mayo, no problem. This French potato salad can beat the heat and won't spoil in the sunshine.
Ranch Potato Salad
Need a classic creamy potato salad? Don't miss my yummy ranch potato salad variation.
Chunky Corn Salsa
This chunky corn salsa is the perfect taco topping or you can add it to a burger or grilled chicken sandwich for extra flavor.
Sweet Potato Chips with Cilantro Lime Dressing
Set out a huge bowl of sweet potato chips and a bowl of this cilantro lime ranch dressing for a new spin on the simple side dish.
Taco Dip
The ultimate party appetizer, this classic taco dip is a huge hit with both parents and kids. Serve with tortilla chips for dunking or a tray of celery sticks for the low-carb diners.
Grilled Peaches
Is it a side dish or a dessert? Either way, you can't go wrong with these delicious grilled peaches.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Tart
This stunning fresh strawberry dessert is shockingly easy to prepare. You can make the elements the day before and assemble just before your party for a tasty treat your guests will love.
Strawberry Lemonade Cake
Our favorite potluck cake is even better chilled straight from the fridge which makes it the perfect make-ahead dessert for your next party. The strawberry lemonade cake uses real lemonade in the mix and is so pretty.
Strawberry Poke Cake
Cool and refreshing, this fruity poke cake features Jell-o and a whipped topping and is perfectly delicious straight out of the fridge.
Strawberry Lemonade
If you've never made homemade lemonade before, this is the perfect recipe for testing out with your kids. For the adults, just add a splash of liquor for a spiked cocktail they'll love.
Lemon Torte
Cool and refreshing lemon torte can be made sugar-free or with regular sugar and is the perfect recipe to have in your rotation for guests with special dietary needs.
Cherry Slab Pie
Slab pies are always a hit at backyard parties. Slice up square portions of this easy homemade cherry slab pie featuring fresh or frozen cherries.
Cherry Crisp
Top warm cherry crisp with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and watch your dessert disappear in a flash. Easier than pie, this recipe is a staple of our summer rotations.
Ice Cream Sundae Bar
Pull out this fun sundae toppings bar and a big vat of vanilla ice cream and let your guests feel like kids again. Don't miss the 20 different sundae ideas using the list of ingredients.
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Ice Cream Sandwich Cake
With just a few easy ingredients, you can assemble this fun and festive ice cream cake for your party in just minutes.
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