Invite the tribe over for an inpromptu BBQ with these quick and easy recipes sure to please a crowd. Here’s a collection of our favorite cookout recipes that you can whip up in no time.
Best Meat to Grill for a Crowd: Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
This is my go to meat for a cookout since it’s inexpensive, everyone (including kids) love it, doesn’t require buns or condiments, no bones so easy to eat, and easy to make in bulk. Give it a try!
Best Gourmet Burgers: Mayo Burgers
Keto friendly and juicy, this simple burger recipe hack is always a crowd pleaser and has guests asking “what the heck did you put in those burgers???” EVEN when it’s moose burger! Grill on medium heat, flipping carefully only once.
Best Inexpensive Crowd Pleasing Veggie Side: Coleslaw
Coleslaw is a classic side that goes with just about anything. The longer you marinate it, the better it tastes, so go ahead, make it the night before. Cabbage is usually a more affordable vegetable, so making this dish in bulk is a great thrifty choice.
Best Side Dish If You Only Make One: Pasta Salad
Another favorite in my tribe is pasta salad! The pasta fills the salad out and satisifies. It’s both a starch and a veggie, so you could just make one giant pasta salad and skip all other sides. I load it up with whatever ripe veggies I have on hand, toss with either homemade dressing or store-bought dressing. There’s never leftovers.
Best Side Dish They’ll Remember and Crave: Broccoli Salad
Have you tried this one yet? It’s a big hit everytime I make it. Make sure you marinate it for at least half hour and serve chilled.
Best Potato Salad Method: Classic Potato Salad
Potato salad is another cookout staple. Ours features a shortcut and just the right amount of sweet relish to balance the potatoes. Don’t buy it – make it yourself, and make enough to feed a crowd!
Best Mac Salad: Quick, Easy, Awesome and Affordable!
I always get raving reviews on this mac salad! It’s just the right amount of tanginess, crunch, mix of flavors and goes perfect with anything bbq or cookout. You have to give this one a try!
Best BBQ Cookie: Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cookies are a great idea because they are easy to grab and go. These zucchini chocolate chip cookies are something else though! The zucchini makes them soft and tender, you just HAVE to try them. It’s a step up from your tradditional chocolate chip cookie.
Best Quick Smoker Option: 30 Minute Smoked Salmon
Do you have a smoker? Throw some salmon in the smoker and delight your guests with perfectly cooked salmon. This recipe is a family secret, we do know our salmon up here in Alaska.
Best Beverage: Fresh Squeezed Lemonade
So let’s talk beverages! Your guests will feel like they are on vacation with a fresh squeezed lemonade glass served up in ice and garnished. So much better than a powdered mix drink, and much more ecofriendly than buying bottled or canned drinks.
Best Fancy Dessert: Easy Strawberry Shortcakes
This recipe is getting lots of love because finally – strawberry shortcake is easy to make! You’ll love this biscuit hack – no dealing with cold butter. Make the biscuits ahead, and dish out quickly to treat your guests.
Best Easy to Make Pie: Cherry Cream Cheese Pie
Yum! With just four ingredients, you can whip out this dessert! It’s just the right amount of sweet cherries to cream cheese for a perfect finish to a great BBQ.
Have you made any of these recipes? What did you think?
What are your favorite cookout recipes? We’d love to hear!
Ana White
I'm a work from home, homeschooling mom - simple, healthy meals are essential. Here's the collection or recipes I perfected over many years, that are simplified, affordable, use basic ingredients (most from Costco), and are quick to prepare. Dinner is achievable!
Recipes Just tested and perfected
Parmesan Mayo Roasted Cauliflower (Keto)
Soft Keto Chocolate Chip Cookies
Keto Friendly Crepes
Kale Salad
Authentic Eggrolls
Buttercream Frosting for Sugar Cookies
Perfect Sugar Cookie Dough
Caesar Salad
Roasted Asparagus
Brussel Sprouts (Air Fryer)
17 Responses
hi
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Thank you so much!
NancyReply
Oh my goodness, I can’ wait to try ALL of these. They look so easy and yummy!! Could it be because I’m tired and hungry? 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Ever since discovering how amazing (and easy!) boneless chicken thighs on the grill can be, I literally make them at least once a week all summer long… and also into fall, and during the spring. Any time company is over, everyone LOVES some teriyaki or BBQ chicken. I usually marinate for 24 hours, and they’re ready to go when I get home.
Two thumbs up, 100% recommend for sure
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Your recipes look fantastic – easy, flavorful and great for a crowd
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I am very impressed by what you can do.
I thought it was only woodworking.
I hope to learn more from you.Reply
Try some sunflower seeds in your cole slaw…that’s my fave.
I use my pastry blender tool to quickly cut up the eggs and potatoes in the potato salad. But I still think skinning the potatoes is tedious!
Tabbouleh with bulghur wheat is a delicious make ahead salad. I use whatever veg I have on hand.
Substitute rice for pasta in the pasta salad and use mayo.
I also have a fave make ahead ice cream dessert…
Love looking at your building patterns….Reply