The scent of food cooking over the hot grill, everyone laughing together, full and happy after eating – that’s a great cookout. Nothing beats a BBQ with friends. Love for barbeque has no limits; in fact, 75% of barbecue owners aren’t even dissuaded by harsh weather, grilling in the winter, too.
If you want your next BBQ to be one your guests talk about all season, choose easy recipes with great flavor. It might seem daunting, but don’t fret; this article includes eight easy BBQ recipes for your next party.
These simple dishes packed full of flavor will undoubtedly be new go-to recipes. From juicy burgers to fall-off-the-bone ribs, you’ll find plenty of inspiration here with these ideas for appetizers, main courses, sides, and more.
Essential Tools and Techniques for Grilling BBQs:
The foundation for any exceptional cookout begins with having the right tools for the job and understanding essential techniques.
Since having the right gadgets makes grilling much more fun and more accessible, it’s necessary to know the must-haves for BBQ, which include long-handled tongs, silicone brushes, instant-read thermometers, grill baskets, and heavy-duty mitts.
Moreover, you should invest in high-quality grilling tools to ensure a good BBQ. Exploring traeger grills for sale which offer exceptional quality and cooking versatility can help you achieve BBQ perfection.
Here are a few tips to ensure grilling success:
Always preheat your grill thoroughly to achieve the ideal temperature for your cooking.
Understand the distinction between direct and indirect grilling heat. The direct method involves placing food directly above the heat source, which is ideal for the faster cooking of steaks, chops, kebabs, and vegetables.
For quick grilling with thinner cuts of meat, aim for a direct high heat of around 450-500F. Indirect grilling means the heat is on one side of the grill, and food is placed on the cooler side, perfect for larger roasts and bone-in cuts. Usually, go for a lower indirect heat of around 250-325F.
Always place meats and vegetables on a well-oiled, hot grill grate for the best results. Lightly brush or spray oil on the hot grates just before the food goes on to prevent sticking.
Check food frequently and rotate or move pieces around for even cooking. Use tongs instead of a fork to avoid losing juices.
BBQ Meat Classics:
Fire up the grill and get ready for these mouthwatering meat recipes perfect for your next BBQ.
Succulent Pulled Pork:
One BBQ classic is succulent pulled pork. For perfect pulled pork, start with a boneless pork shoulder roast and create a flavorful dry rub with spices and seasoning like chili powder, brown sugar, cumin, and paprika.
Let the pork absorb the rub overnight. Prep the grill for indirect heat at around 250F. Grill the pork over indirect heat for 5-6 hours until fork tender. Transfer to a pan, tent with foil, and rest for 30 minutes before “pulling” apart with two forks. Serve on buns with your preferred BBQ sauce.
BBQ Chicken:
Choose boneless, skinless chicken thighs for perfect BBQ chicken with ideal flavor and moisture. Make a zesty marinade, combining olive oil, lime juice, diced garlic, cumin, chili powder, and oregano.
Let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes up to a day. Grill over direct medium heat for about 8-12 minutes per side until cooked. Observe intently to prevent charring. For extra flavor, try grilling lemons, onions, or corn alongside.
BBQ Ribs:
No BBQ is complete without saucy and juicy ribs. Make a flavorful dry rub with brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Coat ribs generously with the rub. Grill on indirect heat of around 250F for 2-3 hours until tender, finally basting with BBQ sauce for 30 minutes.
BBQ Burgers:
Burgers are always a hit. Choose 80/20 ground chuck for the perfect blend of fat and lean. Gently form patties, and make an indentation with your thumb on top of each raw cake to prevent bulging as it cooks.
Grill over direct high heat for about 5-7 minutes per side. Add cheese and toppings when almost done.
Seafood BBQ:
The BBQ doesn’t need to be restricted to traditional meat dishes. Seafood also shines when made on a smoky grill. Try these sensational recipes:
Shrimp Skewers:
Shrimp skewers are easy and elegant. Prevent the shrimp from burning by soaking the skewers (if permeable) in water for 30 minutes before using them.
Rinse shrimp and pat dry. Make a marinade with olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, cilantro, cumin and chili powder.
Marinate shrimp for 30 minutes or longer. Thread the shrimp onto the skewers and cook directly over the medium-high heat of the grill for 2-3 minutes, flipping them frequently, until they turn pink and plump up.
Salmon and Cedar Planks:
Salmon and cedar planks are made for each other. Soak planks for 1 hour before grilling. Choose a thick, skin-on salmon fillet for the best results.
Rub the fillet with brown sugar, salt, pepper, and dried dill. Place skin-side down on a hot, oiled cedar plank on the grill. Grill on indirect heat for 10-15 minutes until the salmon is opaque and tender.
BBQ Side Dishes:
No BBQ is complete without a handful of side dishes to go along with your protein. Here are some easy, quick side dishes you can add to your cookout menu:
Vegetable kebabs:
For easy veggie kebabs, put together some cherry tomatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, button mushrooms, red onion, and pineapple chunks. Toss them up with a marinade of balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, and Italian seasoning.
Assemble them onto some skewers and grill over direct medium-high heat for 8-12 minutes, turning the skewers every now and then until veggies are charred and tender.
Coleslaw:
For perfect coleslaw, finely shred green and red cabbage and toss with shredded carrot, diced onion, and sliced scallion.
Make a zesty dressing by combining mayo, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar. Toss dressing with the cabbage mixture. Chill before serving.
Cornbread:
Whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, egg, milk, and vegetable oil. Add shredded cheddar cheese, minced jalapenos, or fresh corn kernels for extra flavor. Pour batter into a greased, preheated cast iron tray. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 400F until crispy golden brown.
Halloumi Salad:
Finish off your menu with this delicious summer berry and grilled halloumi salad. Toss freshly cleaned raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries with baby spinach, diced cucumber, and sliced avocado.
Brush halloumi cheese slices with olive oil and grill for 2-3 minutes on each side until lightly charred, then add to the salad mix. Drizzle it with a tangy lemon vinaigrette to round it all off.
A Few Final Tips:
Always employ safe grilling practices and supervise children and pets around hot grills. Invest in high-quality grilling tools and keep a fire extinguisher on hand.
Try new marinades and rubs to discover your family’s preferences. Experiment with different global spice blends for exciting new flavors.
Similarly, get creative with sauces and glazes. Sweet and savory combinations like peach BBQ sauce, maple Dijon glaze, or ginger teriyaki can add new dimensions and elevate your cookout to new heights.