A BBQ is a great opportunity to enjoy delicious grilled foods and spend time with friends and family outdoors. With so many tasty options, it can be hard to decide what to eat at a BBQ. Here is a guide to help choose BBQ fare and side dishes.
Meats
Grilled meats are a BBQ staple. Choose your favorites from classic options:
Hamburgers
Burgers are a classic BBQ food. Opt for juicy beef patties seasoned with salt, pepper, and your choice of other spices. Serve with burger buns or rolls and all the favorite toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, cheese, ketchup, mustard, or mayo.
Burgers pair well with potato salad, pasta salad, baked beans, or chips.
Hot Dogs
Hot dogs are quintessential BBQ food. Boil or grill franks and serve on buns with desired toppings like relish, onions, sauerkraut, chili, cheese, ketchup, mustard, or mayo.
Pair hot dogs with chips, pasta salad, or baked beans.
Steak
Steak is a popular BBQ choice. Grilled ribeye, New York strip, filet mignon, or sirloin are all flavorful options. Season steaks simply with salt and pepper or spice it up with dry rubs.
Serve steaks with sides like potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad.
Chicken
Chicken lends itself well to grilling. Savor the smoky flavor of chicken breasts, legs, wings, or thighs cooked over an open flame. Use chicken on skewers, bone in, or boneless.
Try pairing grilled chicken with pasta salad, coleslaw, roasted vegetables, or corn on the cob.
Ribs
BBQ ribs are finger-licking good. Pork spare ribs and baby back ribs become fall-off-the-bone tender when slow cooked over indirect heat. Coat ribs in your favorite barbecue sauce or dry rub.
Enjoy ribs with cornbread, coleslaw, beans, mac and cheese, or cornbread.
Sausages
Sausages including hot dogs, bratwurst, Italian sausage, chorizo, kielbasa, and more are great on the grill. Boil first before grilling for the best texture.
Pair grilled sausages with sauerkraut, potato salad, pasta salad, or roasted vegetables.
Kebabs
Kebabs allow you to skewer and grill meat, vegetables, and fruit. Assemble kebabs using beef, chicken, shrimp, peppers, onions, mushrooms, pineapple, and anything else that sounds good. Brush with a glaze or marinade while cooking.
Serve kebabs with rice, couscous, roasted veggies, or a fresh salad.
Pork Chops
Bone-in or boneless pork chops are delicious on the grill. Season them with herbs, spices, or a dry rub before cooking. Add barbecue sauce during the last few minutes of grilling.
Serve pork chops with baked beans, coleslaw, roasted potatoes, or a spinach salad.
Lamb Chops
For a change of pace, try grilling lamb rib or loin chops. Let them marinate in olive oil, garlic, and rosemary before hitting the grill. Lamb pairs well with mint jelly or chutney.
Enjoy lamb chops with roasted root vegetables, couscous, or a Greek salad.
Seafood
The grill adds wonderful flavor to fish and shellfish. Grill seafood until just opaque throughout. Options include:
Shrimp
Shrimp cook quickly on the grill. Peel, devein, and season them with Old Bay, paprika, lemon, or other spices. Brush with olive oil or butter while cooking.
Serve grilled shrimp skewers over salad, rice, or pasta. Provide lemon wedges for squeezing over the top.
Salmon
Salmon fillets hold up well on the grill. Rub fillets with brown sugar, citrus, and herbs or a teriyaki marinade before cooking.
Pair salmon with rice pilaf, couscous, or quinoa salad.
Scallops
Sea scallops taste amazing with a quick turn on the grill. To keep them from sticking, wrap scallops in bacon before grilling.
Enjoy grilled scallops with couscous, roasted vegetables, or a wild rice medley.
Swordfish
The dense texture of swordfish allows it to grill up nicely. Sprinkle steaks with Cajun seasoning before cooking. Top with salsa, mango chutney, or a drizzle of lemon juice.
Serve swordfish with grilled vegetables like zucchini and eggplant or over a bed of spinach.
Lobster Tails
Butterfly lobster tails before grilling for the best texture. Brush lobster with herbed butter while cooking for incredible flavor.
Pair grilled lobster with cornbread and coleslaw or enjoy in a seafood salad.
Vegetables
The grill brings out delicious sweetness in vegetables. Toss veggies in olive oil and seasonings before cooking. Options include:
Corn on the Cob
Corn takes on a wonderfully charred flavor when grilled in the husk. Simply peel away husks, remove silk, and grill until kernels are tender.
Serve grilled corn with butter, salt, and pepper or flavored mayonnaise.
Asparagus
Fresh asparagus spears are a treat when grilled. Toss in olive oil, salt, and pepper and grill until lightly charred.
Pair grilled asparagus with lemon wedges and enjoy as a side or in a veggie salad.
Zucchini
Slice zucchini lengthwise and brush with olive oil before hitting the grill. Season with Italian seasoning blend while cooking.
Serve grilled zucchini spears with parmesan cheese, lemon juice, or ranch dressing for dipping.
Eggplant
Eggplant steaks take well to the grill. Brush thick slices with olive oil and grill until tender. Season with basil, oregano, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
Enjoy grilled eggplant on its own, in sandwiches, or layered in veggie lasagna.
Bell Peppers
Peppers become sweeter when grilled. Toss whole peppers with oil and grill, turning occasionally, until skins are charred.
Serve grilled peppers with cheese, use to top pizza, add to kabobs, or chop into pasta salad.
Portobello Mushrooms
Meaty portobello mushrooms are perfect party fare. Remove stems and grill caps until tender. Top with Parmesan and balsamic reduction.
Pair grilled portobellos with mozzarella, roasted red peppers, and fresh basil for easy veggie sandwiches.
Onions
Onion wedges caramelize beautifully on the grill. Toss in oil, spread out on the grill, and cook until softened and browned at the edges.
Use grilled onions as a burger topping, in quesadillas, on kebabs, or mixed into potato salad.
Breads
Warm, crusty bread straight from the grill is delicious. Brush bread with olive oil or garlic butter before toasting lightly over the flames. Options:
Garlic Bread
For easy garlic bread, slice a loaf of Italian or French bread in half lengthwise. Brush the cut sides with butter or olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder and salt. Grill cut side down until golden brown.
Bruschetta
Top grilled bread slices with chopped tomato, basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and parmesan for bruschetta. Arrange on a platter to serve as an appetizer.
Crostini
For crostini, grill thin slices of baguette until lightly browned on both sides. Rub one side with a halved garlic clove. Top with ricotta, goat cheese, or burrata and garnish with herbs.
Flatbread
Try grilling store-bought naan, pizza dough, or flatbread for a crispy crust. Top with desired pizza toppings after grilling and melt the cheese.
Breadsticks
Make your own breadsticks by cutting pizza dough into thin strips. Brush with olive oil, sprinkle with parmesan, garlic, or herbs and grill briefly until browned and crispy.
Fruit
Fruit gains a lovely char when fired up on the grill. The natural sugars caramelize for a delicious flavor.
Pineapple
Pineapple rings taste amazing grilled. Brush rings with honey or brown sugar before placing on the grill.
Serve grilled pineapple rings over ice cream, on the side, or use to top tacos, pizza, or pulled pork.
Peaches
Halve and pit peaches before tossing in a bowl with brown sugar and butter. Grill cut side down until tender and juicy.
Enjoy grilled peaches as a warm dessert with ice cream or frozen yogurt.
Watermelon
Cut watermelon into wedges or thick slices and grill briefly to get grill marks. The fruit becomes intensified in flavor.
Serve grilled watermelon at a summer BBQ for a fun twist.
Bananas
Heat brings out the natural sweetness of bananas. Grill peeled bananas over indirect heat, turning to prevent burning.
Top grilled bananas with ice cream and chocolate sauce for an easy dessert or sliced bananas on pancakes.
BBQ Side Dishes
No BBQ is complete without classic side dishes. Cool the heat from spicy foods with lighter sides.
Coleslaw
Creamy coleslaw pairs perfectly with smoked meats. Toss shredded cabbage and carrots with mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Allow to chill before serving.
Macaroni Salad
Macaroni salad is a BBQ staple. Toss cooked elbow macaroni with mayo, diced celery, onions, bell peppers, and seasonings. Chill to let flavors meld.
Potato Salad
Potato salad comes in many varieties. Try a classic with boiled potatoes, mayo, eggs, celery, onion, mustard, and herbs or get creative with additions. Chill before serving.
Pasta Salad
Whip up a flavorful pasta salad by tossing cooked pasta with chopped vegetables, meats or seafood, herbs, olives, cheese, and Italian dressing. Allow to marinate before serving.
Baked Beans
No BBQ is complete without a pot of savory baked beans simmered with bacon, onions, ketchup, brown sugar, and spices.
Cornbread
Bake up sweet cornbread to serve alongside BBQ dishes. Enjoy squares slathered with butter or crumbled over chili.
Watermelon Salad
Chill watermelon pieces with feta, mint, and balsamic for a refreshing salad. The sweet fruit pairs perfectly with smoky meat.
Grilled Vegetables
Arrange colorful grilled veggies like zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, and mushrooms over greens for a healthy BBQ side. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette.
BBQ Sauces and Condiments
Complete your BBQ feast with flavor-packed sauces and condiments:
- Ketchup, mustard, mayo for burgers and dogs
- Relish, onions, sauerkraut, pickles
- Salsa, guacamole, pico de gallo for Mexican fare
- Barbecue sauce – tomato-based, vinegar-based, or mustard-based
- Steak sauce like A1 or chimichurri
- Hot sauces like Tabasco, Frank’s RedHot, or Sriracha
- Honey mustard for chicken or pretzels
- Hummus, baba ghanoush, tzatziki for veggies and pitas
- Horseradish, tartar sauce, and lemon wedges for seafood
- Herb butters for basting grilled items
- Homemade aiolis and flavored mayonnaises
- Queso, guacamole, and salsa for chips and dips
- Jams, jellies, and chutneys for meats and cheeses
With so many incredible options for grilled foods, sides, and sauces, the hardest part of a BBQ is deciding what to eat first! Try out new flavors and experiment with global cuisine to make your next BBQ truly memorable. Just be sure to have plenty of napkins on hand for all those saucy, messy foods!
BBQ Planning FAQs
How much food should I make for a BBQ?
Plan for each adult guest to consume around 1 burger or hot dog, 1⁄4 pound of meat, a couple sides, and a slice of dessert. Provide extra servings of sides and dessert to be safe.
What should I grill first?
Start by grilling foods that take longer like ribs, whole chickens, pork shoulder, brisket, etc. Quick grilling items like steaks, kebobs, chops, shrimp, and vegetables can be cooked right before serving.
How can I prevent food from sticking to the grill?
Use a clean, well-oiled grill and don’t move food too soon. Allow it to properly sear before flipping. Brush or toss vegetables and kabobs in oil before grilling. Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes beforehand.
What’s the best way to light a charcoal grill?
Stack briquettes in a pyramid, douse with lighter fluid, and ignite. Once coals are lit, spread out evenly and allow to burn until covered with gray ash before cooking.
What temperature should I grill foods at?
Use high direct heat around 450-500°F for steaks, chops, kebobs, shrimp, and firm vegetables. Low, indirect heat around 300°F is good for large cuts like chicken and roasts. Medium heat around 350-450°F works well for burgers, dogs, fish, and boneless breasts.
How can I prevent flare ups on the grill?
Trim excess fat from meats, cook over indirect heat, and close the lid to suffocate flames. Have a spray bottle handy to quickly spritz flares. Avoid excessive seasoning and sugary marinades which increase flare ups.
Grilling out is such a fun way to get family and friends together in the warmer months. With so many amazing BBQ food, sauce, and side options, you’re bound to find plenty of new favorites! Fire up the grill and enjoy juicy meats, sweet veggies, and good company.