39 Recipes to Bring to the Last Cookout of the Season

Summer’s wrapping up, and that means it’s time to pull out the best recipes to bring to the last cookout of the season. Whether you’re team burger, side dish fanatic, or dessert-first kind of person, there’s something here that’ll steal the show. These dishes are crowd-pleasers, easy to make, and totally worthy of a proper send-off to sunny weekends. Let’s go out with a bang—plate in hand.

Grilled Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

A white platter full of grilled chicken drumsticks and thighs. — Grilled Chicken Drumsticks Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Chicken Drumsticks on Grill are cooked over indirect heat for the most tender and juicy drumsticks or thighs.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

Southern Corn Pudding

A baked corn pudding with a serving spoon removing a portion. — Southern Corn Pudding. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

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This creamy and sweet corn pudding is comfort food at its finest and a must-have for your summer potluck recipes.
Get the Recipe: Southern Corn Pudding

Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette

A platter of green bean and potato salad. — Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Full of fresh summer flavors, this cold green bean salad recipe adds in tender new potatoes for a refreshing take on a classic summer meal.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans And New Potato Salad with Honey Vinaigrette

Seafood Pasta Salad

Seafood Pasta Salad is always such a hit at any summer cookout. It’s a perfect combination of creamy, crunchy, onion-y & sweet from the imitation crab.
Get the Recipe: Seafood Pasta Salad

Avocado Corn Salad

A bowl of colorful corn salad with diced avocado, red onion, red bell pepper, cilantro, and fresh corn kernels. — Avocado Corn Salad. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

This fresh corn and avocado salad recipe is perfect for summer. A delightful lime dressing adds zip and the avocado a lovely creaminess.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Corn Salad

Greek Wedge Salad Recipe

This Greek Wedge Salad Recipe creates a fresh easy to make wedge salad that is drizzled with flavorful homemade greek dressing.
Get the Recipe: Greek Wedge Salad Recipe

Easy Italian Pasta Salad

Pasta salad with ham, tomatoes, and olives — Easy Italian Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Semi Homemade Kitchen.

Our easy Italian Pasta Salad features a quick blend of rotini, salami, veggies, and mozzarella. The perfect side dish for gatherings and summer potluck food.
Get the Recipe: Easy Italian Pasta Salad

Grilled Pork Kabobs With Fresh Peaches

Pork removed from a skewer on a platter. — Grilled Pork Kabobs With Fresh Peaches. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Tender pieces of pork are paired with juicy chunks of peaches for a fresh summertime take on classic Pork Kabobs.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Kabobs With Fresh Peaches

Grilled Bbq Pork Tenderloin

A pork tenderloin sliced and covered in bbq sauce. — Grilled Bbq Pork Tenderloin. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This simple Grilled BBQ Pork Tenderloin recipe is super simple to make without sacrificing flavor or spending hours over a hot grill!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Bbq Pork Tenderloin

Creamy Macaroni Salad With Cheese

Creamy macaroni salad with a wooden spoon. — Creamy Macaroni Salad With Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

A Southern-style macaroni salad made with a creamy mayo, sour cream and dijon mustard dressing. Mix with cheddar cheese to finish, and served chilled.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Macaroni Salad With Cheese

Southern Baked Beans With Hamburger Meat

A spoon full of baked beans with hamburger. — Southern Baked Beans With Hamburger Meat. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

These easy baked beans with ground beef are a perfect side dish for cookouts. Smoky with a sticky sweet sauce, they’re a classic.
Get the Recipe: Southern Baked Beans With Hamburger Meat

Tomato Salad With Peaches

Fresh Peach and Tomato Salad can’t be beat when summer produce is at its best. Try combining fresh peaches with juicy tomatoes, then sprinkle with salty feta for a light and refreshing summer salad
Get the Recipe: Tomato Salad With Peaches

Spicy Fruit Salad With Star Anise

A bowl of spicy fruit salad with wooden spoon. — Spicy Fruit Salad With Star Anise. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

You can never go wrong with a bowl of fresh fruit. Spicy Fruit Salad adds just a hint of spice and seasoning to improve even the best fruit at the market.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Fruit Salad With Star Anise

Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad

A side dish of pesto pasta next to fresh parsley. — Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

This bright and herbaceous pasta salad is one of the best unique cookout recipes for hot summer days.
Get the Recipe: Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad

Mexican Cornbread

Loaded with cheese, jalapeños, and corn, this hearty Mexican cornbread brings bold flavor to any spread.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Cornbread

The Juiciest Bone In Grilled Pork Chops

A grilled pork chop next to a sweet potato on a plate. — The Juiciest Bone In Grilled Pork Chops. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Perfect, juicy grilled pork chops in less than 20 minutes! You never need to have dry pork chops again! (Easy recipe!)
Get the Recipe: The Juiciest Bone In Grilled Pork Chops

Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs

A plate of grilled chicken thighs, inspired by classic chicken thighs recipes and coated in a dark barbecue sauce, is garnished with chopped herbs and sits on a white table next to a spoon and a blue polka-dot cloth. — Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

The proven method for grilling BBQ chicken thighs. No burning, no mess, just perfectly cooked juicy BBQ chicken thighs
Get the Recipe: Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs

Bbq Pork Chops With Peach Barbecue Sauce

BBQ pork chops with peach sauce on a plate. — Bbq Pork Chops With Peach Barbecue Sauce. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This naturally sweet barbecue sauce can be made with fresh or frozen peaches and it adds a ton of flavor to tender grilled pork chops.
Get the Recipe: Bbq Pork Chops With Peach Barbecue Sauce

Blueberry Salad With Tequila Dressing

Blueberry Salad with mangos and kiwi in a martini glass. — Blueberry Salad With Tequila Dressing. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Blueberries, mango and kiwi marinated in a slightly sweet tequila lime syrup may be the tastiest fruit summer salad you’ll find. Easy and so refreshing, a must for any summertime meal.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Salad With Tequila Dressing

Spicy Peach Coleslaw Without Mayonnaise

A bowl of peach coleslaw without mayo in a bowl with wooden spoons. — Spicy Peach Coleslaw Without Mayonnaise. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Spicy Peach Coleslaw without Mayonnaise is a classic summer salad with peach dressing that delivers a fresh variation you’re going to love.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Peach Coleslaw Without Mayonnaise

Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes

oven roasted potatoes in a baking dish. — Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

Golden brown and perfectly seasoned, these roasted potatoes are a must for anyone looking for easy BBQ side dish ideas.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes

Tex-Mex Squash Casserole

A serving of cheesy casserole topped with sour cream and chopped green onions sits on a dark plate next to a fork. The dish, ideal for Cinco de Mayo recipes, features melted cheddar cheese and visible slices of jalapeño. — Tex-Mex Squash Casserole. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

Bring a little spice to your table with this cheesy squash casserole that puts a Tex-Mex twist on a Southern favorite.
Get the Recipe: Tex-Mex Squash Casserole

Candied Yams with a Caramel Glaze

Sweet potatoes cooking in a skillet. — Add canned sweet potatoes to the brown sugar mixture and simmer.

Sticky-sweet and irresistibly rich, these candied yams will win over everyone at your summer cookout.
Get the Recipe: Candied Yams with a Caramel Glaze

Southern Hot Water Cornbread

A rack of hot water cornbread with butter and honey. — Southern Hot Water Cornbread. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

Old-school Southern charm meets crispy edges in this quick-fried cornbread, ideal for a soulful side.
Get the Recipe: Southern Hot Water Cornbread

Classic Southern Squash Casserole

A scoop of a squash casserole. — Classic Southern Squash Casserole. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

This creamy squash casserole is the nostalgic bake your family didn’t know they needed at the BBQ.
Get the Recipe: Classic Southern Squash Casserole

Grilled Pork Tenderloin With Pineapple Salsa

A platter of pork tenderloin with pineapple salsa. — Grilled Pork Tenderloin With Pineapple Salsa. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

A juicy pineapple pork tenderloin that is first marinated and then cooked on the grill for an easy dinner in less than 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Tenderloin With Pineapple Salsa

Grilled Jerk Chicken Recipe

A close-up of a grilled chicken breast topped with cooked, diced onions and peppers on a white plate, perfect inspiration for flavorful chicken thighs recipes. — Grilled Jerk Chicken Recipe. Photo credit: Pip and Ebby.

This grilled jerk chicken recipe is one of our favorite grilling recipes of all time. We love this dinner and make it for guests often!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Jerk Chicken Recipe

Burrata With Oranges

Close-up of a vibrant spring salad with slices of fresh mozzarella, orange segments, arugula leaves, and cracked black pepper sprinkled on top. — Burrata With Oranges. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Creamy Burrata with Oranges instead of tomatoes is a great, light salad when the tomatoes are no longer fresh. A perfect salad for any cookout.
Get the Recipe: Burrata With Oranges

Cheesy Corn Casserole With Cream Cheese And Ham

A serving spoon in a corn casserole. — Cheesy Corn Casserole With Cream Cheese And Ham. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This ultra cheesy corn casserole with cream cheese and ham will be your new favorite side dish! Creamy, cheesy, and so much flavor!
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Corn Casserole With Cream Cheese And Ham

Savory Green Beans With Bacon

A bowl of Green Beans with Bacon and Onions, topped with crispy bacon pieces and caramelized onions, sits on a light cloth napkin with serving utensils. A small dish of extra bacon crumbles is nearby for added flavor. — Savory Green Beans With Bacon. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Green Beans with Bacon and Onions will transform a simple side dish into a FABULOUS one. Great for when you want to jazz up your vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Savory Green Beans With Bacon

Zucchini Pasta Salad with Balsamic Vinegar

Zucchini noodles with cherry tomatoes on a white platter with a wooden spoon — Zucchini Pasta Salad with Balsamic Vinegar. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

With cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and zoodles, it’s a twist on a classic caprese salad. Just a few ingredients and you’ll have a healthy delicious salad to add to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Pasta Salad with Balsamic Vinegar

Grilled Garlic Flank Steak

A piece of meat on a cutting board with a knife. — Grilled Garlic Flank Steak. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

Infused with garlic and flame-grilled to perfection, this flank steak is flavorful enough to replace any fancy dinner out. Top with your favorite barbecue sauce!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Garlic Flank Steak

Thai Grilled Chicken

Chicken curry with rice. — Thai Grilled Chicken. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Fragrant and spicy, this Thai grilled chicken brings an exotic twist to your outdoor spread. It’s a flavorful upgrade that’ll impress any meat lover.
Get the Recipe: Thai Grilled Chicken

Creamy Pea Salad With Cheddar Cheese

A pea salad with cheddar cheese in a serving bowl. — Creamy Pea Salad With Cheddar Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This green pea salad is a Southern favorite that comes together in one bowl. Easy to make ahead, it’s flavorful with a touch of a spicy kick.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Salad With Cheddar Cheese

Tangy Cucumber Salad With Apple Cider Vinegar

A bowl of cucumber salad with onions and two serving spoons — Tangy Cucumber Salad With Apple Cider Vinegar. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This tangy Cucumber Salad is light, refreshing, and since it has no mayo, it’s perfect for warm summer days.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Cucumber Salad With Apple Cider Vinegar

Mint Watermelon Fruit Salad With Blueberries

A bowl of watermelon fruit salad with blueberries in a bowl. — Mint Watermelon Fruit Salad With Blueberries. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This quick and easy mint watermelon fruit salad combines crisp and juicy watermelon with sweet blueberries coated in a minty simple syrup.
Get the Recipe: Mint Watermelon Fruit Salad With Blueberries

Wild Rice with Roasted Grapes

This unexpected combo of nutty wild rice and sweet roasted grapes creates a show-stopping dish that’s packed with flavor and texture.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice with Roasted Grapes

Crushed and Roasted New Potatoes

A smashed new potato being removed form a pan. — Crushed and Roasted New Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

Smash, roast, and crisp — these buttery new potatoes deliver bold flavor and satisfying crunch for your next gathering.
Get the Recipe: Crushed and Roasted New Potatoes

Super Tender Grilled Skirt Steak

Marinated skirt steak grilled and sliced on a cutting board. — Super Tender Grilled Skirt Steak. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Infused with tequila, soy sauce, and brown sugar, this skirt steak recipe yields juicy and flavorful meat every time.
Get the Recipe: Super Tender Grilled Skirt Steak

You’re Not Truly Southern Unless You Know These 18 Dessert Recipes

A collage featuring a peach cobbler in a dish with a serving spoon, strawberry frosted cake, white-iced bundt cake, strawberry-topped bars, and fresh strawberries on a white surface—proof that dessert is tempting even if you have got ground beef for dinner. — You’re Not Truly Southern Unless You Know These 18 Dessert Recipes. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Growing up around cast iron skillets and porch swings, certain sweets just had to be on the table—or it didn’t feel like home. From gooey pies to melt-in-your-mouth cakes, you’re not truly Southern unless you know these dessert recipes by heart.

Get the Recipe: You’re Not Truly Southern Unless You Know These 18 Dessert Recipes

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