It’s National BBQ Month, and to celebrate, here are the best summer BBQ recipes for the whole family to enjoy. Whether you enjoy your meat smoked for hours, grilled outdoors, or in a roaster, nothing beats the smell and taste of a hearty summer barbecue!
The Sauce
The best summer BBQ recipes all have one thing in common – a great sauce. Skip the store made stuff, and make it from scratch. Whether you prefer your sauce mild, tangy, or sweet, these recipes from Delish are great for any chicken, pork, or beef dish.
Side Fixings
While the star of the entree will be the meat, if you’re planning a big family BBQ cookout, make sure you have some of these side fixings:
Coleslaw – coleslaw is a staple in the summer, and depending on where you live, this dish may be more tangy or sweet. Down south, this dish has more vinegar, while up north it has more mayonnaise; either way you can enjoy authentic twists on this side dish with recipes from Chowhound.
Potato Salad – potato salad is an infamous part of eating outdoors, but if you’re looking to spruce up the traditional potato salad, this recipe from MyRecipes utilizes blue cheese and bacon.
Collard Greens – these are traditionally more of a Southern dish, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them. They’re pretty easy to make, and this recipe from Taste of Home has a great way to prepare them for the family.
Cornbread – another simple side dish that is great with for a barbecue. Genius Kitchen has a simple recipe that’s easy to make.
Mac n’ Cheese – mac n’ cheese is of course a popular comfort food, and when paired with ribs, you have one tasty meal! Divas Can Cook has a great recipe about making baked macaroni and cheese with smoked cheese.
Corn on the Cob – this is an easy side dish to pair with any meat. Simply grill or boil, and add your favorite seasonings.
Baked Beans – baked beans are perfect with anything from hotdogs to burgers to chicken, Buy This Cook That has a recipe on making baked beans using a smoker.
Main Entrees
Smoked Sausage Bites
This recipe from Great Grub, Delicious Treats is simple and easy for anyone to make. Simply purchase some smoked sausage, refrigerate in the sauce of your choice, and grill when ready.
Beef Brisket
If you have the time, a beef brisket is the way to go. Be warned though, it will take hours to marinade and hours to cook. This recipe from Epicurious uses a Texas style marinade and seasoning for a whole lot of flavor.
Smoked Ribs
Ribs are a messy favorite for many, and ones that are cooked well fall right off the bone. This recipe from Chowhound utilizes baby back pork ribs and plenty of spices for flavor; just make sure to give yourself plenty of time for the marinade!
Pulled Pork
Pulled pork is another delicious BBQ recipe favorite, and whether you prefer it on a roll as a sandwich or by itself, there’s no wrong way to enjoy it. Similar to beef brisket, pull pork takes a lot of time to make. This recipe from Hey Grill, Hey utilizes both pork shoulder and butt for a great taste.
Chicken Breast
Chicken is great on the grill, it can pack a lot of flavor, and cooks quickly too! This recipe from Joyful Healthy Eats is perfect for anyone to make. Plus, if you have picky eaters in the family, chicken is a great option for your kids.
We hope you make and enjoy these summer BBQ recipes for National BBQ Month! Of course, before you fire up the grill, make sure you keep safety in mind. Check out our grill safety tips by clicking the button below, and help keep yourself and your family safe all summer long.
