Discover the ultimate summer cookout menu filled with mouthwatering recipes that are perfect for your backyard bash.
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30 Summer Recipes for a Cookout Menu
Grilling season is the best season!
And if you’re looking for some simple summer recipes to plan your backyard cookout menu, I’ve got you covered!
So fire up your grill (or smoker).
I’m sharing delicious cookout menu ideas that everyone will love.
Packed with 30 of the best cookout recipes, this post is a must-read!
Whether you’re hosting a BBQ party on Memorial Day weekend, cooking out for Father’s Day, planning a patriotic 4th of July party, throwing a potluck over Labor Day, or just grilling up an easy weeknight meal, these recipes are perfect for any gathering.
From tasty summer cocktails to sweet seasonal desserts, this round-up is your helpful guide to planning a stress-free cookout menu.
So be sure to save these recipes and then get ready to entertain your family and friends with these easy cookout ideas.
Table of Contents
- 30 Summer Recipes for a Cookout Menu
- Summer Sips to Beat the Heat
- Must-Try Appetizers for Your Grill Out Menu
- Grilled Favorites: The Best Main Dishes for Your Summer Cookout
- The Best Side Dishes for a Cookout
- S’mores and More: Irresistible Desserts for Your Summer Cookout Menu
- More Cookout Menus from Midwest Life and Style
- Your Complete Easy Summer Cookout Menu
- Did You Enjoy this Post? PIN It for Later!
Summer Sips to Beat the Heat
No summer cookout menu is complete without some drinks to get your BBQ party started.
Here is a collection of the perfect summer cocktail recipes to set the mood for a fun-filled day.
Spiked Strawberry Lemonade
There’s nothing more refreshing in the summer than an ice-cold glass of strawberry lemonade.
And if it has a little extra somethin’ in it, that makes it even better!
If you love a super simple cocktail, it doesn’t get much easier than this recipe for spiked strawberry lemonade.
All you need are 6 ingredients, and in a short 5 minutes, you have a cold glass of sweet, summer goodness for your cookout menu.
Watermelon Crush
This watermelon crush is the perfect cocktail to quench your thirst.
Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, or just enjoying an evening on the porch, this summer sip is the ultimate companion.
Double Berry Daiquiri
Beat the summer heat with a delicious frozen double berry blended daiquiri.
Made with strawberries, raspberries, and a splash of rum, it’s sure to become your new favorite drink!
Lemonade Iced Tea
Made with a mix of half lemonade and half iced tea, this classic summer drink makes a great addition to your cookout menu.
I love non-alcoholic lemonade iced tea, but if you’re looking to give yours a little extra kick, try adding a splash of bourbon or vodka for a twist on this sweet and refreshing drink.
Smoking Old Fashioned
This smoking old fashioned from Wendy at WM Design House puts a fun spin on the classic.
If you love bourbon then this is one cocktail you need to try!
Must-Try Appetizers for Your Grill Out Menu
Whether you’re planning a summer cookout menu for a crowd or hosting a small get-together, these easy appetizers are perfect additions to your BBQ cookout menu.
Creamy Herb Dip
This homemade herb veggie dip is packed with fresh herbs and comes together in minutes.
An easy and flavorful dip that’s perfect for parties, this appetizer is sure to impress!
Deviled Eggs Two Ways
When it comes to traditional cookout food, you can’t go wrong with deviled eggs.
But this isn’t grandma’s deviled egg recipe!
Made with only a handful of ingredients, these ranch-flavored and guacamole deviled eggs are both easy to make and ready in just minutes.
Creamy Fruit Dip
Skip the store-bought dip and make this easy fruit dip in under 10 minutes!
It’s light, creamy, and only requires 4 ingredients.
Pair it with your favorite fresh fruits to make a festive fruit wreath for the perfect summer cookout appetizer.
Grilled Skillet Spinach and Artichoke Dip
This grilled skillet spinach and artichoke dip is courtesy of Michele at Vintage Home Designs.
With loads of creamy, cheesy deliciousness and packed with fresh spinach and tender artichokes, this hot spinach artichoke dip makes a great appetizer to kick off your summer cookout.
Grilled Favorites: The Best Main Dishes for Your Summer Cookout
Hot dogs, brats, and juicy hamburgers are always crowd-pleasers at family cookouts.
But if you’re looking to expand your menu beyond the basics, here are a few other delicious cookout food ideas to consider.
Smoked Beer Can Chicken
Fire up the smoker and get ready to make the ultimate juicy and flavorful beer can smoked chicken.
The tender chicken pairs perfectly with all your favorite cookout staples, and the leftover smoked chicken is just as delicious as it is fresh off the smoker!
You can use it in recipes like BBQ Chicken Sandwiches with coleslaw, or Bowtie Chicken Caesar Salad.
Smoked Country Style Pork Ribs
Sweet, smoky, and melt-in-your-mouth good, this recipe for tender smoked country style pork ribs is simply the best.
Slathered in a sweet BBQ sauce these ribs are a smoked meat lover’s dream!
Grilled Steak and Veggie Kabobs
Made with colorful, fresh veggies and tender juicy steak, these kabobs are a meal everyone will love!
My kabobs included mushrooms, yellow and orange bell peppers, and red onions, but the beauty of steak and veggie kabobs is their versatility!
Feel free to swap in your favorite vegetables for a customized creation.
Peach Glazed Pork Loin
This peach-glazed pork tenderloin recipe is a winner for two reasons: it’s incredibly easy to make, and (my favorite part!) cleanup is a breeze thanks to the foil packet!
Because I don’t know about you, but fewer dishes are always a win in my book!
The Best Side Dishes for a Cookout
In the Midwest, summer cookouts are a way of life!
And you can pretty much bet on seeing a spread filled with all the classics like potato salad, macaroni salad, and baked beans.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
Here are some of the best summer cookout sides to include on your menu!
Doritos Taco Salad
Doritos taco salad is a tried and true Midwest classic.
Made with crisp lettuce and topped with crushed nacho cheese chips and a zesty Italian dressing, Doritos taco salad is always a favorite at any family cookout.
Bowtie Chicken Caesar Salad
Craving a summery salad?
This bowtie chicken Caesar salad combines crisp romaine lettuce with tender grilled chicken, fresh Parmesan cheese, and al dente bowtie pasta, all tossed in a creamy Caesar dressing.
This salad is a perfect addition to your warm-weather menu, ideal for summer cookouts.
Feel free to swap the chicken for grilled shrimp for a delicious seafood twist.
Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Put a spin on the traditional macaroni salad recipe with this creamy bacon ranch pasta salad.
This recipe can easily be doubled (or tripled!) and is super easy to whip up if you’re planning on hosting a cookout for a large group.
Spinach and Berry Salad
Drizzled with a creamy poppy seed dressing and loaded with three kinds of fresh berries, this summer berry spinach salad is hard to resist!
The brightly colored salad would add a fun and festive touch to a 4th of July cookout!
Creamy Broccoli Salad
Tossed with a sweet dressing and loaded with crispy bacon, raisins, and sunflower seeds, this creamy broccoli salad is always a crowd-pleaser.
A staple during the summer months, it pairs perfectly with all of your favorite grilling recipes.
And with only seven ingredients, it’s super easy to make!
Garlic and Chive Roasted Baby Potatoes
Coated in garlic butter and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese, these garlic and chive roasted baby potatoes are melt-in-your-mouth delicious!
They’re incredibly easy to make, too!
A recipe that’s both simple and delicious?
That’s a definite win-win in my book.
Cucumber Pasta Salad
With tender Penne pasta, crunchy cucumbers, and sweet dressing, this cucumber pasta salad is the perfect refreshing side dish.
It’s always a go-to for cookouts and one of my all-time favorite summer salads.
Classic Fruit Salad
This fruit salad recipe is an instant classic.
Drizzled with a creamy vanilla pudding dressing and ready in just a few minutes, it can be easily customized to include your favorite fruits.
Sweet and Smokey Grilled Sweet Potatoes
If you’re looking for some lighter fare to add to your menu, these sweet and smokey grilled sweet potatoes from Anne and AnnMarie at Simply 2 Moms are the perfect summer side dish for your backyard cookout.
Just chop your sweet potatoes, grill ’em up, and enjoy!
S’mores and More: Irresistible Desserts for Your Summer Cookout Menu
And of course, we can’t forget about dessert!
Round out your simple summer cookout menu with these irresistible sweet treats.
S’more Cookie Bars
These s’mores cookie bars taste like pure summertime heaven!
Made with graham cracker dough, marshmallow creme, and chocolate chips, these s’mores cookie bars are the perfect way to end your backyard cookout.
Caramel Apple Pie Bites
Made with a store-bought crust and a fresh apple filling these caramel apple pie bites are ready in only 30 minutes.
Top off your pie with a dollop of whipped cream or a melty scoop of vanilla ice cream, and more caramel sauce, then dig in and enjoy!
Triple Berry Crisp
There is nothing like the taste of fresh berries in the summer.
And when those berries are baked into a dessert?
Well, that’s even better!
Made with fresh blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, the sweet flavor of this triple berry crisp is pure heaven for your tastebuds.
4-Ingredient Peach Dump Cake
Indulge in the sweet flavors of summer with a simple 4-Ingredient peach dump cake.
With minimal effort, this easy-to-make dessert is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Old Fashioned Strawberry Peach Crisp
Bursting with all of the fresh fruit flavors of summer and sprinkled with a sweet crumb topping, this strawberry peach crisp is an old fashioned favorite.
Top with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, and enjoy a bowl (or two) of pure summer dessert heaven!
Summer Berry Trifle
Looking for a no-bake dessert for your summer cookout menu?
This refreshing berry trifle recipe is easy to make and ready in under 30 minutes!
You can also easily adjust this berry trifle recipe for a crowd.
While this recipe is for 4 individual berry trifles, you can layer everything into a single large serving bowl to make one big trifle.
Mini Brownie Bites
Topped with whipped cream and fresh berries, mini brownie bites are the perfect, simple dessert for your summer backyard BBQ.
These bite-sized treats are ready in less than 10 minutes, which means less time spent in the kitchen and more time spent having fun and making memories.
Smoked Dark Chocolate Brownies with Caramel and Candied Bacon
Need a quick and easy no-fuss dessert for your summer cookout menu?
Then don’t miss this recipe for smoked salted caramel dark chocolate brownies with candied bacon from Rachel at The Ponds Farmhouse.
Who says savory and sweet don’t mix?
This recipe offers the best of both worlds and since these brownies are made with a boxed mix, they’re quick and easy to whip up when you’re short on time.
More Cookout Menus from Midwest Life and Style
Looking for even more backyard cookout ideas? Here are a few of my other favorite simple summer menus that are perfect for grilling season.
Mouthwatering Burger Cookout Menu: 20 Hamburger Recipes for Your Summer BBQ
20 Easy BBQ Recipes for Father’s Day
18 Recipes for Your 4th of July Cookout
Your Complete Easy Summer Cookout Menu
As always, thanks so much for stopping by!
I hope this outdoor cookout menu inspires you to get grilling and enjoy the company of friends and family this summer.
If you are looking for some hosting ideas, don’t miss my tips for planning the perfect backyard cookout.
And…If you are catching up on blog posts you may have missed, sign up to get all of the latest recipes, DIYs, decor tips, and more sent straight to your inbox.
Xo,
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Did You Enjoy this Post? PIN It for Later!
I just found your ’30 Summer Recipes for a Cookout Menu’ and have to say—it’s exactly the kind of inspiration every summer grilling expert needs! From classic BBQ dishes to creative sides, the recipes are both diversified and realistic for a variety of dietary needs. The layout is extremely user-friendly, so it’s easy to flip through and pick out your perfect dishes. I also love how each recipe is clearly written with tips for really achieving that perfect summer flavor. I run a recipe and cooking blog, and your content really aligns with the kind of useful, accessible food ideas we share with our readers as well. Would love to collaborate or link to your site some time to help get even more people enjoying these delicious summer meals!