Backyard BBQ Menus

Set Up a Comfortable Space
Creating a cozy, welcoming environment is key for a successful backyard BBQ. Arrange seating with outdoor chairs, picnic blankets, and patio cushions to accommodate everyone. Provide shade with umbrellas or outdoor canopies.

If you're hosting in the evening, hand small outdoor string lights or lanterns for a warm, festive atmosphere.

If you have children attending, prepare activities to keep them engaged while the adults mingle.

Include a mix of classic hits, country favorites, and feel-good summer songs. If kids are present, throw in some family-friendly tunes to keep everyone happy

Prep the Grill and Cook Like a Pro  
A well-prepared grill ensures perfectly cooked food. Clean the grates beforehand, check your propane or charcoal supply, and set up a designated grilling station. For best results, preheat the grill 15-20 minutes before cooking. Marinate meats ahead of time to enhance flavors, and keep a meat thermometer handy to ensure proper doneness.

Plan for Cleanup
To make your BBQ cleanup less stressful, finish cooking and cleaning the indoor kitchen before your guests arrive.  Set-up trash and labeled recycling bins in convenient areas of the backyard to make it easy for guests to clean up after themselves.

Keep wipes, napkins and damp and dry towels nearby for quick clean up.  Consider using eco-friendly disposable plates, utensils and cups. 

Backyard BBQ Menus

Something Tangy, Smokey and Sweet
Pickled shrimp are a tangy and surprising Southern classic. BBQ ribs and sausages are a smokey favorite.  Finish off with a sweet and light berry cake.
 

Easy Fruit and Cheese Platter
Put bite-sized pieces of Gouda, Cheddar and American cheese on a wooden board or non-breakable platter.  Arrange watermelon cubes, nectarine slices and grapes along with smoked almonds and pecans. See more easy appetizer ideas

ATK's Pickled Shrimp
Serve with crispy crackers and guacamole or as a topper for Fresh Corn and Tomato Salad or Green Bean Pasta Salad

Sweet and Sour Barbecued Ribs

Grilled Smoked Sausage and Italian Sausage
Serve with steak rolls and sauces and relishes

Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges

Berries and Cream Icebox Cake

Glad to Be Backyard BBQ Menu
An easy to prepare flavor explosion! The side dishes enhance the flavor of the easy delicious pork. 

Spicy Grilled Pork Chops
Serve with Roasted Garlic Thyme Bread

Grilled Asparagus with Green Onions and Fried Eggs
Fried eggs optional

Black Bean Salad with Roasted Red Peppers and Feta Cheese

Coconut-Grilled Pineapple
Serve with Vanilla or Pistachio Ice Cream 

Elegant Backyard BBQ Menu
Here is a huge BBQ menu with a variety of good tastes

Pitcher(s) of Martinis

Prosciutto Wrapped Melon with Honey Vinaigrette

Nuts and Olives

Assorted Bread Basket with Orange Butter
Cut recipe in half or quarters

Mixed Greens Salad with Herbs

Grilled New York Strip Steak with Brandied Mushrooms

Grilled Fish and Pepper Kabobs

Roasted Red Potatoes

Lemon-Garlic Grilled Vegetables

Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream Pie

Burger Bash 

Prepare out of the ordinary fixins' like roasted or pickled jalapeno peppers, caramelized pepper and onions and roasted or grilled tomatoes.  

Serve with an assortment of Kaiser rolls, croissants, onion or olive bread or foccaccia. Add grilled vegetables, fresh salad, fruit salad, pasta salad and chips.  

Just Right Juicy Sliders

Danish Turkey Burger

Nutty Veggie Burgers

Salmon Burgers

Best Potato Salad

So Fresh Backyard BBQ Menu

Grilled Honey Ham

Shrimp Salad Rolls
or
Hot as Hell Shrimp
Serve on toasted rolls with lettuce and remoulade

Colorful Pasta Salad Recipe

Watermelon Strawberry Lemonade

Lime Sorbet

Sugar Cookies

Lazy Day Grillin' for a Crowd
This backyard BBQ menu is designed for a larger crowd...when everyone decides to drop by! Don't sweat it, this one is easy

Crispy breads, cheeses, chips and dips

Grilled Orange Chicken Breast
Double recipe to serve 24

Shrimp Salad

Tossed Salad
Add blue cheese for extra zip

Purchased Dessert

Classic BBQ Flavors

Not so traditional tradition. All the flavors needed for the perfect backyard BBQ menu, with a little change of pace. Serve with fruit punch or fruit teas

Raw Vegetables on Ice with Herb Dipping Sauce

Danish Turkey Burgers
Serve with BBQ sauce, sliced pickled jalapenos, sliced red onion, arugula leaves

Chili Barbecued Chicken

Creole Potato Salad

Avocado and Tomato Slices

Fudge Brownies and Orange Sherbet

Simple Savory

Glazed Turkey Steaks

Twice Baked Potatoes

Grilled Asparagus with Lemon and Cheese

Easy Tiramisu

Backyard BBQ Brunch
Just add a salad of tomatoes and avocado to complete this meal

Garlic Ketchup Grilled Chicken

Juicy Sliders
with Creamy Horseradish Mayo

Pasta with Shrimp, Tomatoes and Basil

Peach Cobbler

Luau Party
Savory tropical flavor and colors. Start off this feast with pineapple punch or other tropical drinks

Honey-Lime Grilled Shrimp

Baked Sweet Potatoes

Buttery Grilled Bananas and Pineapple

Spiced Coconut Cake

Pistachio Ice Cream or Orange Sherbet

Easy and Savory
Serve with this outdoor meal with lemonade, fruit punch or fruit teas

Spicy Tomato Bruschetta

Grilled Round Steak with Beer BBQ Sauce

Savory Sweet Island Chicken

Lemon Garlic Grilled Vegetable Salad
Serve on a bed of salad greens with olive oil and white wine vinegar

Elegant Champagne Menu
Any excuse to serve champagne. This simple elegant menu would compliment grilled meats and other seafood. For non-champagne lovers serve sparkling cider and mineral water

Seasoned Roasted Pecans

Spicy Tomato Bruschetta

Grilled Salmon Salad with Roasted Red Potatoes
and Creamy Dijon Dressing

Grilled Melon

Strawberry Shortcake

Sweet and Savory
Enjoy these tropical flavors with iced tea. Add a green salad for even more refreshment

Easy Jerk Chicken

Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges

Watermelon Salad with Feta and Lime