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Summer Cookout Recipes
I have two favorite times of the year, Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day and Summer! And one of the things that I look forward to the most is spending time outside with my family and friends. One of the best things to do outside with your family + friends is to eat!
Enter the summer cookout. This might be grilling out over the BBQ, a potluck, a pool party, a picnic, or any number of other options. We all have our old standby’s, but why not shake it up a bit?
Most of the delicious recipes below are simply a new twist on an old favorite, so it shouldn’t take too much arm-twisting to try any of them. Enjoy!
MAIN PROTEIN
Whether you’re a meat eater, a pescatarian, or a vegetarian, you should be able to find the perfect main course for your summer cookout below.
1 | BBQ Beer Can Chicken via Food Meanderings
I love beer + I love BBQ sauce [as long as I’m not preggo. When I am, the smell seriously offends me!] Apparently this style of roasting chicken has been around for a while, but I’ve never tried it before. And I’m clearly missing out! The recipe for this gets my mouth watering immediately. Bonus: apparently it’s even Weight Watchers friendly!
2 | Turkey Burger with Greek Yogurt Topping via Natalie’s Happy Health
We are a ground turkey family. We use ground turkey for everything since I reduced 99.9% of pork + beef from my diet. In fact, I have my own amah-zing turkey burger recipe that I will share with you one day. But for now, this is a scrumptious option and incorporates much of what makes my burger recipe so yummy! It’s also a pretty healthy option for your next summer cookout.
3 | Dry Rub Sweet Barbecue Pork Tenderloin via Small Town Woman
As I just mentioned, I don’t really eat pork or beef anymore. But I used to and I do know what I’m missing. I just saw this photo and knew that this was one I had to mention to you guys. Doesn’t it just look so flavorful, juicy and tender? I so want a bite! Plus it really goes a long way as a dish to share.
4 | Grilled Garlic Butter Shrimp Skewers via The Soccer Mom Blog
Shrimp is another favorite at our house. It’s so light & flavorful…perfect for any summer cookout! And this recipe really fits that bill. These are simple and gluten-free. You could easily modify the recipe for Whole30 by using ghee instead of butter! Love.
5 | Slow Cooked on the Grill Ribs via Who Needs A Cape?
Only 4 ingredients needed to make this crowd pleaser! These honestly could not be any easier! And what’s a summer cookout without ribs? Plus they look delish!
6 | QUINOA BLACK BEAN VEGGIE BURGERS via Peas and Crayons
You know I have to include a vegetarian option here for all my veggie friends! This is a killer recipe because she includes both gluten-free and vegan preparations too! And there is so much goodness wrapped up in these delicious looking burgers! Quinoa – yum! Black beans – yum! Plus ALL the spices – so yum! Enjoy!
SALADS
A fun selection of tasty salads with lots of veggies and other fresh ingredients for your summer cookout.
1 | 5-Ingredient Tomato & Cucumber Summer Salad via Frugal Nesting
This one is my recipe…well, technically it’s my Mom’s recipe. And it may go even further back than that. But it was a summer cookout favorite at our house when I was a kid. It’s so very simple, but light, fresh, and delicious! I hope you enjoy!
2 | MAKE-AHEAD QUINOA PARTY SALAD via Project Meal Plan
This one is a yummy option for any summer cookout. It is light + fresh and jam-packed with healthy veggies + quinoa. Plus there is a ‘how-to- video included. Woot!
3 | BROCCOLI SALAD WITH GRAPES AND BACON via Taste and See
I grew up on midwest “salads”, which rarely included lettuce! And broccoli salads were very popular. This one reminds me a lot of one that we ate regularly in the summer. But the bacon is a fun addition to this fresh summer salad! And Holly provides some interesting information on why you should always blanch your broccoli!
4 | THAI-STYLE SHREDDED BRUSSELS SPROUTS SALAD via Evolving Table
This salad is so colorful and packed with healthy bits! It’s also vegan and paleo friendly! This looks so delish, I want a bite right now! Yum!
5 | JALAPEÑO CILANTRO CORN SALAD via Taste and See
Do not even attempt to make this with frozen or canned corn. It has to be cut fresh off the cob! There are so many flavor elements here that everyone will be asking you where you got this recipe! And it really is so very bright and pretty…like Holly says: “sunshine in a bowl”! A perfect addition to your next summer cookout!
TRADITIONAL SIDES
A unique selection of baked beans, potato, and macaroni salads – yum!
1| Loaded Baked Potato Salad via Sweet & Savory Meals
The name says it all – this is the potato salad version of a loaded baked potato. And who doesn’t love a loaded baked potato? This also includes pasta – even better! All the guests will adore you if you bring this dish!
2 | Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipe via Organized 31
We live in Seattle, where a lot of folks from Hawai’i relocate for work or school. So we have quite a few Hawaiian restaurants nearby. In fact, Hawaiian is one of my favorite things to order from Uber Eats! I love the rice. I love the gravy. And I adore the Hawaiian Macaroni Salad! I really can’t get enough! If you’ve never tried it, then I challenge you to make this for your next summer cookout! You’re welcome.
3 | SUMMERY LEMON GARLIC POTATOES via Dash of Jazz
So we’re all used to potato salads with a ton of mayo or Miracle Whip to make them all creamy and delish. But what if you have a guest that doesn’t like creamy things…like Wil for example [crazy, I know!]. Or perhaps you’re looking for something a bit more light + fresh. Or even paleo or Whole30 compliant [sub ghee for butter]? This potato dish will surely hit the spot!
4 | Crock Pot Dr. Pepper Baked Beans via Coffee With Us 3
Another summer cookout staple: baked beans! And this recipe just sounds delicious before you even read the details! First of all, this is a killer option for busy moms, like me, who don’t ever have time to cook. I’m usually the lame one showing up with some prepackaged chips from the supermarket. But you could actually do this in a slow cooker! And sooooo much flavor! Yay!
5 | SMOKY SALT AND VINEGAR POTATO SALAD via Taste And See
I love salt and vinegar everything. Salt and vinegar chips, salt and vinegar fries, you name it! Salt and vinegar just makes me think of summer! So this recipe really jumped out at me! Doesn’t it just look so yummy?
DRINKS
1 | SOUTHERN SWEET TEA RECIPE via Grandbaby Cakes
I didn’t even know sweet tea was a thing until I moved to Nashville for college. Then one of my roommates made it and I was hooked! Where had it been all my life? Anyway, here is an awesome recipe to make authentic Southern Sweet tea – a summer staple.
2 | Lavender Lemonade Recipe To Refresh And Reduce Stress via A Day in Candiland
Of course, we all love lemonade on a hot summer day, but the lavender twist on this classic makes it super special! Plus, if you love essential oils as much as I do, then you will love that you can use lavender EO in this recipe! Make sure to use only the best…Young Living is my go to!
3 | CHAMPAGNE FLOATS via the Bewitchin’ Kitchen
So simple, yet so awesome! Tell me this isn’t the cutest drink you’ve ever seen? Sorbet give you the sweet and champagne gives you the effervescent freshness. Together they are the perfect summer refresher!
4 | Strawberry Orange White Wine Sangria via My Food Story
I first had Sangria at a Tapas joint in Victoria, BC and it was love at first sip. This one is beautiful and sounds lovely. Give it a try!!
5 | LIME SHANDY BEER COCKTAILS via April Golightly
Clearly, I’m a sucker for pretty drinks! I base most of my cocktail decisions on the photo in the menu! And this one is no exception. I can’t wait to try this one, because the only shandy I’ve ever had is the Leinenkugel Summer Shandy [so good]. And I want to compare!
DESSERTS
1 | BBQ GRILL CUPCAKES – PERFECT FOR FATHER’S DAY OR A SUMMER PARTY via A Mom’s Impression
2 | Fluffy Angel Food Cake Delight with Fresh Berries via The Baking Chocolatess
3 | AMERICAN FLAG KABOBS via Amanda’s Kitchen
4 | Red White & Blue Jello Poke Cake Recipe via The Soccer Mom Blog
5 | AMERICAN FLAG WHITE CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE via the Baking Fairy
Cheesecake is my absolute favorite dessert. Seriously, my life goal is to grow old and become like the Golden Girls solving all of life’s woes with cheesecake! Literally, my girlfriends and I plan to retire and get a huge plantation mansion in Savannah, GA. There we will sit around in our rocking chairs on our wrap-around porch drinking spiked lemonade, gossiping and eating cheesecake. Anyhoo…this would be the perfect option for just such a gathering!
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