31 cookout food ideas
It’s the time of year when cookouts are just starting to sound good. We’ve got some easy and delicious food ideas for your next cookout. So fire up the grill and get cooking!
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Inexpensive Cookout Ideas
1. Tomato Melon Panzanella
Panzanella is a fantastic summer salad that uses stale bread and fresh seasonal produce. This Tomato Melon Panzanella recipe is very simple, and you can easily tailor it to your taste preferences.
2. Grilled Potatoes
This summer, these Grilled Potatoes are the perfect side dish for all your meaty entrees. They’re seasoned with fresh parsley and rosemary and ready in less than 30 minutes.
3. Grilled Supreme Hot Dogs
Try these creative ways to serve up some grilled hot dogs. These combinations will please and excite a wide range of taste buds.
Whether you’re looking to switch things up at your next cookout or try something new, these recipes are sure to please. Get this Grilled Supreme Hot Dogs recipe here.
4. Spicy Grilled Chicken Wings
Credit: GREG DUPREE; FOOD STYLING: RISHON HANNERS; PROP STYLING: CLAIRE SPOLLE
Chicken wings are a classic game day food, and these grilled wings are extra delicious thanks to the gochujang and ginger in the marinade.
The honey in the marinade gives the wings a nice caramelized flavor, and the grated ginger adds a spicy kick. These Spicy Grilled Chicken Wings are perfect for any party!
5. Garlic Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Garlic Grilled Shrimp Skewers are a fantastic and healthy dish to cook on the grill. Shrimp are a low-calorie, high-protein food that you can cook in minutes.
They are also very flavorful, thanks to the garlic and seasonings. These skewers make a great appetizer or main course.
6. Marinated Grilled Skirt Steak
The Marinated Grilled Skirt Steak is a delicious and easy meal to make. The steak can be marinated in various spices, such as Mexican spices, to give it a flavorful taste. The steak can be grilled quickly on a hot grill, making it a perfect meal for a cookout day.
7. Antipasto Salad
The Antipasto Salad is a great dish to make for a quick and easy cookout day.
The salad is made with simple, easy-to-find ingredients, and you can put it together in just a few minutes.
The salad is also healthy and paleo-friendly, making it a perfect choice for those following a paleo diet.
8. Crispy Cauliflower Po’Boy Sandwich
A delicious and unique party dish that everyone will love is this Crispy Cauliflower Po’Boy Sandwich.
It is loaded with Creole-spiced crispy cauliflower and a creamy remoulade sauce, making it a mouth-watering meal. This sandwich is perfect for any occasion!
9. Grilled Veggie Skewers with Chimichurri Sauce
Grilled Veggie Skewers with Chimichurri Sauce is an easy and healthy way to get your family to eat their vegetables.
The skewers can include any vegetables you like, but some good options are zucchini, yellow squash, red onion wedges, bell peppers, cherry tomato, and mushrooms.
The skewers cook in minutes, and the possibilities are endless. Adding some homemade remoulade sauce to dip your veggies in will take these over the top.
10. Sonora Style Macaroni Salad
Sonora Style Macaroni Salad is an excellent dish to bring to cookouts. It’s easy to make and is delicious.
You can even prepare it ahead of time, so it’s perfect for busy people. The pasta salad goes well with the other food usually served at cookouts, ideal for hot days.
11. Grilled Pineapple
When it comes to Grilled Pineapple, there’s nothing better than the combination of sweet and savory.
This dish is perfect for cookouts and get-togethers with friends and family, and it’s so easy to make that anyone can do it!
12. Grilled Romaine Lettuce With Parmesan Cheese
Grilled Romaine Lettuce With Parmesan Cheese is one of our favorites for side dishes. It’s easy to make, and the combination of olive oil and balsamic vinegar takes it to a whole new level. Plus, it goes well with pretty much anything.
We like to keep this recipe in our back pocket for special occasions, but it would be just as good as a regular weeknight dish.
The best part is that it’s so easy to customize – you can add whatever herbs and seasonings you like. Give it a try!
13. Juicy Grilled Pork Chops
Juicy Grilled Pork Chops are a perfect dish to cook for your next get-together. They are easy to make, and everyone will love them. The pork chops are juicy and flavorful, and they will taste great grilled.
14. Grilled Zucchini and Ricotta Flatbread
Credit: Alex Lau
Grilled Zucchini and Ricotta Flatbread is a great summer dish that is simple to make.
The grilled zucchini gives the flatbread a nice smoky flavor, and the ricotta and mozzarella cheeses add creamy and cheesy goodness.
The garlic and olive oil add a delicious taste and richness to the dish.
15. Quinoa Burger
Quinoa Burger is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional burgers. It’s made with quinoa, black beans, and spices, and it’s an excellent option for a cookout or party.
16. Grilled Chicken Breast
Grilled Chicken Breast dish is a fan favorite at cookouts. It’s healthy, delicious, and easy to prepare. Plus, it’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a main dish or a side dish, the grilled chicken breast is a great choice.
So, what are you waiting for? Get your grill fired up and start cooking some chicken!
Best Cookout Sides
17. Sauteed Collard Greens With Bacon
Collard greens are a delicious and healthy side dish that you can enjoy at any time.
Thinly sliced collard greens sautéed with bacon, garlic, and olive oil make a perfect side dish for New Year’s Day.
The combination of flavors makes this dish irresistible. Get this Sauteed Collard Greens With Bacon recipe.
18. Grilled Avocado With Veggie Ceviche
Grilled avocado is a great way to add healthy fats to your diet. It is a naturally vegan and gluten-free dish. The grilled avocado is perfect for summer cookouts. Get this Grilled Avocado With Veggie Ceviche recipe here.
19. Jalapeño Popper Grilled Corn Salad Recipe
This Jalapeño Popper Grilled Corn Salad is a great summer dish because it’s light, flavorful, and easy to make.
The recipe calls for grilled corn, bacon, cream cheese, jalapenos, sour cream, and cheddar cheese.
It’s the perfect combination of flavors and textures, and it’s sure to please everyone at your next summer barbecue. So why not give it a try?
20. Grilled Corn On The Cob
Credit: Sonyakamoz
Grilled Corn On The Cob is a dish that needs to be tried if you have never had it before. It’s a pretty simple dish to make, but it tastes terrific.
The smoky and sweet flavors of the corn combined with cilantro, garlic, and lime make it stand out.
21. Fruit Salad With Honey-Lime Dressing
This Fruit Salad With Honey-Lime Dressing is a sweet and refreshing dish perfect for summer.
It is easy to make and is a favorite among many people. The dish is made with fresh fruit and has a delicious flavor.
22. Grilled Asparagus
There’s nothing quite like the taste of grilled vegetables. The smoky flavor brings out the natural flavors of the vegetables, and it’s a great way to cook them if you’re looking for something a little bit different.
This Grilled Asparagus recipe is an excellent example of how delicious grilled vegetables can be.
The recipe includes balsamic vinegar and Parmesan cheese, which give the asparagus a rich, delicious flavor.
23. Fresh Mango Salsa Recipe
This Fresh Mango Salsa Recipe is a winner for cookout food ideas. Not only is it easy to make, but it’s also incredibly tasty. This savory flavors will have your guests coming back for more. So why not give it a try?
What Do You Drink At A Cookout?
24. Spiked Sweet Tea
Credit: Claudia Amato/TODAY
There’s nothing like a delicious cocktail to take the edge off at a cookout. This Spiked Sweet Tea is perfect for summertime entertaining.
It’s easy to make, and everyone will love it. To make this cocktail, start by mixing vodka and sweet tea. Then, add some lemons for freshness. Serve over ice, and enjoy!
25. Lemonade
One of the most popular drinks enjoyed at cookouts during the summertime is lemonade. This drink is easy to make, refreshing, and perfect for quenching your thirst on a hot day.
26. Berry Sangria
Berry Sangria is perfect for a festive Fourth of July party! It’s made with just four ingredients, and it’s a healthy cocktail alternative.
The sparkling white wine and sweet dessert wine give it a delicious fizzy flavor, and the fresh fruit makes it irresistible.
27. Spicy Cucumber Jalapeño Margarita
Margaritas are always a favorite drink, but they can often be a bit too sweet.
Spicy Cucumber Jalapeño Margarita is the perfect solution- it’s still refreshing and flavorful, but with a little bit of a kick. It’s the ideal drink to enjoy on a hot summer day!
Cookout Dessert Ideas
28. Peach Cobbler
Peach Cobbler is one of the best summer desserts out there! It’s made with fresh peaches, sugar, and a topping that bakes like a slightly underbaked cookie dough, with crunchy sugar broiled on top.
29. No-Churn Banana Split Ice Cream
Credit: MIKE GARTEN
No-Churn Banana Split Ice Cream is a great way to enjoy the classic flavors of a banana split. The recipe is simple and doesn’t require an ice cream maker.
You’ll need some ripe bananas, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and chocolate chips or chocolate syrup.
30. Healthy Strawberry Popsicles
Making popsicles is a fun and easy way to enjoy a cold and refreshing treat in the summertime.
These Healthy Strawberry Popsicles are made with fresh strawberries and mint and are a great way to enjoy a healthy snack.
In the summer heat, children will enjoy eating these ice cream cones while playing in the backyard playground.
31. Grasshopper Bars
These Grasshopper Bars are the perfect dessert for any occasion!
They’re rich, chocolate brownies topped with a layer of mint buttercream and finished with a chocolate ganache.
The brownie, buttercream, and ganache flavors taste just like the grasshopper cocktail!
Conclusion
We hope that our shared ideas have given you a few new recipe ideas for your next cookout. Whether it’s a peach cobbler, no-churn banana split ice cream, or fruit salad with honey-lime dressing, there are plenty of delicious recipes to choose from!
And don’t forget about our favorite drinks: spiked sweet tea and margaritas! So get cooking this summer and enjoy eating outside under the stars while watching fireworks light up the sky. Happy cooking!
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