These 21 Backyard BBQ Recipes Make You Look Like a Pro—and Taste Like One Too

Nothing hits quite like a backyard BBQ—sun’s out, grill’s fired up, and everyone’s waiting for something amazing to hit their plate. If you’re trying to impress without breaking a sweat, these backyard BBQ recipes make you look like a pro without needing to be one. Think smoky mains, easy sides, and sauces that have people begging for the recipe. You’ll have folks thinking you trained with a pitmaster.

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.

Warm Up Your Winter: Southern Classics!

FREE EMAIL BONUS: Southern staples made simply & cozy

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

Grilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri

Sliced grilled steak topped with green chimichurri sauce, served alongside fresh arugula and cherry tomato salad on a white plate. — Grilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

Herbaceous and vibrant, this grilled flank steak with chimichurri is a stunning centerpiece that also makes delicious steak sandwiches the next day.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri

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

Tequila Grilled Chicken

Grilled chicken thighs on a patter with grilled pineapple. — Tequila Grilled Chicken. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Bold, zesty, and perfect for summer, this tequila grilled chicken packs a punch of flavor and works beautifully in tacos, salads, or wraps all week long.
Get the Recipe: Tequila Grilled Chicken

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

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

A close-up of a Caesar salad topped with creamy dressing, croutons, shredded Parmesan cheese, and chopped romaine lettuce on a light-colored plate. — Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

Fresh romaine and smoky grilled chicken come together for a crisp, hearty Caesar salad that holds up for days.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

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

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

Ranch Buttermilk Chicken

Grilled Ranch Chicken skewers with char marks on a textured dark surface, served beside a bowl of creamy dipping sauce and a small sprig of greenery in the corner. — Ranch Buttermilk Chicken. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This juicy ranch buttermilk chicken is infused with creamy, herbed flavor that only gets better after a day in the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Ranch Buttermilk Chicken

Taco Chicken

Grilled chicken breast slices topped with a creamy white sauce, served on a decorative plate with a fresh lime wedge on the side—perfect for those seeking healthy grilled dinners. — Taco Chicken. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

With bold taco spices and a smoky char, this chicken makes an excellent base for tacos, nachos, or burrito bowls.
Get the Recipe: Taco 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

Chipotle Mexican Grill Black Beans

Mexican black bean chili. — Chipotle Mexican Grill Black Beans. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

These smoky, protein-packed black beans are a perfect side or filling for burrito bowls and tacos throughout the week.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Mexican Grill Black Beans

Super Creamy Skillet Creamed Corn

A close-up image shows a skillet filled with creamy corn. A silver spoon holds a portion of the creamed corn, revealing kernels cooked in a luscious sauce and garnished with fresh herbs. The corn looks well-seasoned and ready to serve. — Super Creamy Skillet Creamed Corn. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Rich, buttery Creamed Corn gets a homemade makeover with just four simple ingredients and 10 minutes on the stove.
Get the Recipe: Super Creamy Skillet Creamed Corn

Smash Burgers With Special Sauce

Two Smash burgers in buns with sauce. — Smash Burgers With Special Sauce. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

There’s nothing better than a juicy hamburger with crispy edges, a SMASH Burger. All it needs is some cheese and SPECIAL SAUCE.
Get the Recipe: Smash Burgers With Special Sauce

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

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

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

Easy Overnight 7 Layer Salad

A bowl of seven layer salad next to individual servings. — Easy Overnight 7 Layer Salad – It’s a Classic. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

With its gorgeous rows of colors and bright flavors, this classic Southern seven-layer salad is the perfect make-ahead dish for bbq parties. Served in a clear glass bowl that showcases all the beautiful colors.
Get the Recipe: Easy Overnight 7 Layer Salad

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 Red Cabbage Coleslaw With Buttermilk

A bowl of creamy coleslaw with shredded purple cabbage, carrots, and herbs sits on a gray cloth napkin next to vintage silver utensils—perfect as one of your favorite dinner side dishes. — Creamy Red Cabbage Coleslaw With Buttermilk. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Looking for a mouthwatering red cabbage coleslaw recipe? Try our quick and easy Southern dish that is perfect for busy cooks. Enjoy the creamy goodness!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Red Cabbage Coleslaw With Buttermilk

Explore Recipes

MSN Slideshows