Best-ever barbecue recipes too good to miss
Get grilling!
When the sun is shining (and even if it's not), there's nothing quite like firing up the barbecue for incredible outdoor cooking and eating. These are our most delicious barbecue recipes, from simple starters and mouth-watering mains to delectable desserts. Alongside juicy burgers, tender ribs and finger-licking chicken, there are some great new barbecue sides and plenty of inspiration for meatless grilling.
Click or scroll through our gallery to discover brilliant barbecue recipes anyone can make – and everyone will love.
Jamaican pepper shrimp
Cooking large prawns on the barbecue adds a wonderful smokiness you don't get from cooking on the hob. Prawns take just a few minutes on each side – and if you have a fish grill, that makes them easier to flip. Once cooked, they are drenched in a fiery butter and laced with Scotch bonnet chillies (which are super hot, so adjust according to taste), garlic, spring onions and thyme. Serve with crusty bread to dunk in the juices.
Grilled avocado salad with tahini dressing
Grilling avocados is a good trick if they are a little underripe. Here the avocado is combined with grilled baby carrots and broccoli as well as roasted tomatoes cooked on a barbecue plate or heavy baking sheet. Add some cooked wild rice, lemon, basil and mint, and serve with a creamy tahini dressing on the side.
Get the recipe for grilled avocado salad with tahini dressing here
Barbecued lime and chilli prawns
Here's a great way to serve big, juicy tiger prawns. First marinate them for 30 minutes in a punchy mixture of lime, chilli, garlic, fish sauce and olive oil. Thread them onto skewers, then grill over direct heat for a few minutes until pink and cooked through, brushing with melted butter. Serve with lime wedges and sweet chilli sauce to dip.
Scallops with chipotle butter
If you're lucky enough to source fat, juicy, diver-caught scallops, try cooking them in their shells on the grill for added smokiness. Add a dollop of chipotle butter while they're cooking for an extra kick and to dip bread into. Mix softened butter with chipotle, fresh coriander, crushed garlic and salt. It's all ready in 15 minutes.
BBQ prawns with chilli, ginger and coriander
The key to these succulent BBQ prawns is the vibrantly green, wonderfully aromatic butter. Blitz unsalted butter, garlic, ginger, coriander and seasoning in a food processor. Smother the butter generously over your prawns, then grill them on the barbecue for a couple of minutes on each side. Add more butter and serve at once.
Get the recipe for BBQ prawns with chilli, ginger and coriander here
Cheddar and corn smash burgers
A smash burger is exactly that – balls of patty mixture smashed onto a cast-iron grill plate (or heavy baking sheet) to create lots of crunchy edges. Irresistible! Make beef balls, put them on the plate, flatten with a spatula, cook one side, flip, then top it with a sweetcorn, shallot and chilli mixture and slices of cheese. Build up the burger with some crisp bacon, not forgetting to scrape up all the crunchy bits from the pan.
Chicken legs with Alabama sauce
Alabama sauce is a punchy mayo-based condiment flavoured with horseradish, black pepper and chilli. Use half the sauce to baste the chicken legs and the rest to serve alongside the crispy crouton, garlic, rosemary and tomato salad. Make sure to cook the chicken legs over indirect heat – otherwise, you'll end up with chicken cooked on the outside and raw in the middle. Your bird'll also need a big barbecue pan, such as a cast-iron grill plate.
Four-spice pork kebabs
Chunks of pork are marinated in cloves, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, nutmeg, soy and honey – overnight if you can. Thread these onto skewers with pieces of red pepper, tomato and onion, and you're ready to cook. You do need to soak the skewers in water first to prevent them from burning. The combination of the spices and the sweet, sticky glaze will make these a real favourite. Serve with rice or in flatbreads.
Barbecued cumin lamb chops
Middle East spices pair perfectly with the char of the grill. In this recipe, lamb chops are marinated for at least two hours in yogurt, cumin, onion, oil and lemon. Then they're dredged in a sweet, spicy cumin rub before being cooked over direct heat. You want them to be crisp and charred on the outside, while still pink and tender in the middle. They're served with an anchovy and lemon butter, which is sharp and savoury.
Turmeric chicken kebabs
These chicken kebabs are incredibly moreish. Strips of chicken breast fillet are marinated in yogurt, garlic, honey, lime and grated fresh turmeric, which gives an earthy, almost sweet flavour. Once the chicken has marinated, thread on to skewers. They will cook quickly, but grill them just away from direct heat so the spice doesn't burn and become bitter.
Barbecued ribs
You can't beat a big plate of ribs: sticky on the outside, meltingly tender in the middle. The barbecue sauce in this recipe is made from store cupboard ingredients and is very quick to whip up. Firstly, make a rub to marinate the meat – overnight if you can – then slow cook in the oven to achieve that fall-apart texture. Finish the ribs off on the grill, basting regularly to build up the lovely, caramelised layer. Cook over indirect heat so they don't burn.
Chicken satay with peanut sauce
This winning dish of marinated chicken served with peanut sauce is a must for the barbecue. It's straightforward to prepare, but allow time to marinate overnight. The fragrant marinade base of lemongrass, ginger, chilli, garlic and spice can be made in the food processor, and the peanut and coconut sauce with sour tamarind is all cooked in one pan. Don't cook the skewers too close to the heat or they may burn.
Hot dogs with caramelised onions and homemade ketchup
No barbecue is complete without the perfect hot dog. These irresistible hand helds combine perfectly cooked sausages, homemade ketchup and a double dose of caramelised and crispy onions. If time is tight, skip the first five steps of the recipe and go for store-bought sauce. It’s the onions that take this dog to the next level.
Get the recipe for hot dogs with caramelised onions and homemade ketchup here
Grilled tuna steak with vegetable vinaigrette
Thick tuna steaks are perfect for the grill, as their high oil content means they don't dry out like small fish fillets. Swordfish would be great here too. Over direct heat, grill the tuna for a few minutes on each side so it's still pink in the centre and retains its flavour. There's also smokiness in the vinaigrette. Barbecued fennel, red onion and radicchio are chopped small and mixed with fresh herbs, chilli, garlic, olive oil and sherry vinegar.
Beer can chicken
It may not win prizes for looks, but cooking a whole chicken on a half-full beer can gives you a tender, moist, evenly cooked bird with lovely crisp skin. The can acts as a tripod and the beer adds steam. You can season the skin with salt and pepper or add your favourite rub. Depending on the size, the chicken will be ready in around 45 minutes.
Lamb koftas
Lamb is great for grilling because it's high in fat so won't dry out and crisps up beautifully. It can also take on as much flavour and heat as you want. Don't be afraid to go big on the spicing for these lamb koftas. They're laced with cumin seeds, coriander seeds, garlic, ras el hanout (a Middle Eastern spice mix), lemon and mint sauce.
Tandoori vegetable kebabs
Add spice to a vegetable kebab with a simple and quick marinade of yogurt, tandoori masala powder, chilli and salt. The vegetables in our recipe are sweet potato, courgette and red onion, but play around with what you have to hand. The skewers are served with a yogurt and cumin dressing and a bowl of lemony bulgur wheat salad.
Jerk chicken
A Caribbean classic – spicy chicken with a big kick of chilli – that's perfect barbecue food. This recipe uses a spatchcocked chicken. To do this, cut out the backbone of the chicken with poultry shears or a knife, then put it skin side up and flatten it with your hand. The marinade, with signature flavours of chilli, allspice and ginger, is simply whizzed up in a blender. Marinate the chicken overnight if you can.
Salmon, courgette and lemon kebabs
Here's a quick and simple light meal that's ready in 20 minutes. Cubes of salmon are threaded onto skewers with ribbons of courgette and slices of lemon. Grilling fresh lemon really intensifies the flavour. The kebabs are served with a fresh herb and garlic yogurt sauce. Try it with potato salad and green leaves.
Lamb and chorizo burger with apricot salsa
Try a burger with a difference using minced lamb and cooking chorizo. The chorizo cuts through the richness of the lamb to add heat and spice. It's served with a lovely fresh salsa, made from apricots, mint, onion, lemon and chilli. You could also use peaches if apricots are hard to track down.
Get the recipe for lamb and chorizo burger with apricot salsa here
Barbecued salmon
Barbecuing a whole side of salmon is quick and easy. There's a simple marinade to make with soy sauce, mirin and chilli, and it cooks quickly, resulting in tender flesh and crisp skin. Once cooked, the fish is dressed with sesame oil, soy and fresh lime. A punchy chimichurri herb sauce would also balance the richness of the salmon.
Porchetta-style pork kebabs
Porchetta is the term for a large piece of boned and rolled pork stuffed with herbs and slow-cooked. This is a speedier version that emulates those fabulous herby flavours, with chunks of pork tenderloin briefly marinated and then skewered on rosemary sprigs. The result is meltingly tender meat, crisp on the outside and infused with herbs. They're served with cannellini beans and halves of chargrilled lemon.
Chinese-style ribs in beer
To achieve sticky, glazed and charred ribs, first marinate in garlic, ginger, various store cupboard ingredients such as tomato ketchup, and a Chinese beer. You can use any hoppy lager, though. The ribs are slow cooked in the oven until tender, then finished on the grill. You can even cook them in the oven a few hours in advance, then grill over direct heat when you're ready to serve.
Spatchcocked chicken with green beans
A spatchcocked chicken, with the backbone removed, gives a butterflied effect and means the bird cooks much more quickly and evenly. There's a 30-minute marinade in olive oil and thyme before grilling to infuse it with flavour. It's served with grilled green beans, spring onions and charred lemons that have a fabulously smoky citrus flavour.
Get the recipe for spatchcocked chicken with green beans here
Chicken shish kebab
Recreate the taste of the Middle East with this great recipe. Chunks of chicken thighs are marinated in buttermilk, spices, garlic, hot pepper paste, lemon and onion. It's best to leave it overnight in the fridge for maximum flavour. The chicken is threaded on skewers with vegetables before grilling. Go all out and make the accompanying condiments – garlic sauce, slaw and lemon pickle – or just use shop-bought.
Salmon burgers
If you fancy a lighter burger, this fresh and flavoursome salmon one is it. The fish is mixed with Greek yogurt, horseradish, mustard, anchovies, capers, chilli and fresh herbs. The patties need to be chilled for around an hour before cooking, then they're served with a herby yogurt sauce. Use burger buns or toasted pitta, adding salad for extra crunch.
Spiced beef skewers
Make this succulent Middle Eastern street food at home with ease. Minced beef is mixed with spices, garlic, onion, parsley and pine nuts, threaded on skewers, then grilled for around 10 minutes until charred and juicy. So good! The skewers are topped with marinated onion slices, sumac and parsley, then served on a slick of hummus with grilled flatbreads.
Soy-marinated ribs
The key to making these fragrant pork ribs tender is an initial salt brine. Then they're cooked in a sweet and sour marinade that handily doubles up as the basting sauce. The marinade is soy-based, with sugar, mirin, citrus, garlic, ginger and chilli. Finish the ribs off on the grill and baste frequently to achieve the sticky result everyone loves.
Skirt steak with chimichurri
Skirt (or hanger) steak is a cheap cut, but it's packed with flavour. It needs fast cooking over high, direct heat and should be eaten rare. Here it's served with chimichurri, an Argentinian herb sauce with chilli, garlic, olive oil, lemon and red wine vinegar. Make it a few hours ahead so the flavours have a chance to develop; store it in the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature before serving.
Classic cheeseburger
Here are a couple of useful tips to ensure the perfect cheeseburger. A minimum of 20% fat is ideal. The patties shouldn't be too neat or flat, as you want the fat to render around the burger. If the meat sticks to the grill, don't try to move it. When it's done on that side, you'll be able to flip it. Then pile high with cheese, shredded lettuce, red onion, pickles – whatever you like!
Chicken parm subs
Chicken parm subs could easily become a barbecue staple after a bite of one of these. Coat skinless chicken breasts in panko breadcrumbs and fry hard and fast in melted butter. Serve in buttered sub rolls and load with grated mozzarella, handfuls of parmesan and healthy dollops of homemade marinara sauce.
Barbecued rib eye steak
Barbecued rib eye steak is a delicious alternative to burgers and ribs. Lightly oiled and grilled directly over the heat, these steaks need just two minutes per side to get perfectly pink in the middle. Leave them to rest while you char some asparagus and serve it all with homemade teriyaki sauce.
Chicken skewers with chicken skin crumbs
The sticky glaze on these crispy chicken skewers is what makes them so special. The chicken needs to be marinated overnight and then grilled to bring out the syrupy, umami flavours of Korean BBQ. But the pièce de résistance is the chicken skin crumbs – you’ll wonder where they’ve been all your life.
Get the recipe for barbecued chicken skewers with chicken skin crumbs here
Chilli pork spare ribs
Ken Hom takes pork spare ribs up a level with this make-ahead recipe. Separate the ribs into individual ribs and deep-fry them before braising them in a spicy stock for an hour. Chill in the fridge until needed and then finish on the barbecue for only 20 minutes. Serve simply with a garnish of spring onions.
Barbecued mackerel
You just can't beat a spankingly fresh mackerel cooked over coals. They are inexpensive, quick to cook and easy to prepare. You can serve the fish simply with a squeeze of lemon or add a little chilli and soy sauce once it's cooked. If you love grilled fish and seafood, it's worth investing in a fish grill, to make cooking fast and fuss-free.
BBQ flank steak and bulgur salad
Michel Roux Jr. offers two dishes for the price of one in this straightforward recipe. For a crowd-pleasing side, finish the bulgar salad with feta and black olives and drizzle with a zesty dressing of Dijon mustard and lemon. The mustard-brushed flank steak is fried hot and fast for three minutes on each side. Any longer and you risk overcooking it.
Stuffed sweet potatoes
Cooking sweet potatoes over coals takes them to new heights. Make sure your barbecue is hot and wrap the seasoned and oiled spuds tightly in foil. You can tell when they're cooked by pressing down on them with your tongs – if they feel soft, they're ready. Then it's time to stuff the sweet, smoky flesh with cheese, sour cream, chives, cooked bacon and smoked paprika.
Texas hash
Minced beef at a barbecue is usually reserved for the burgers, but this Texas hash makes a classy alternative. Fry the same 20% fat beef over the coals and mix with onion, celery, garlic, spices, tomatoes and rice. Once cooked, finish with spoonfuls of soured cream and handfuls of Cheddar.
Korean barbecue kalbi with ssam jang sauce
Korean BBQ newbies will be blown away by these short beef ribs. Ingredients such as doenjang and gochujang may sound intimidating, but they are easy to find online and the recipe is simple to put together. The key is to marinate the ribs for as long as possible, cook it fast and serve it immediately. They’ll be snapped up in seconds.
Get the recipe for Korean barbecue kalbi with ssam jang sauce here
Spinach, tomato and mushroom burger
This isn't any old mushroom burger! Thick slices of tomato are marinated in soy, rice vinegar, sugar, onion, chilli and ginger; the mushrooms are cooked with fresh herb butter; the spinach is wilted in garlic and chilli. Then all the elements are piled high in toasted burger buns. It's amazing how you have such a taste sensation from simple ingredients.
Barbecued gnocchi and pesto skewers
Grilling just-blanched shop-bought gnocchi over coals turns them crunchy and crisp, meaning they're a great addition to a vegetable skewer. Mix the gnocchi with chunks of red and yellow pepper, then char them all on the barbecue and smother with a pesto and lemon dressing. You can make this dish your own by mixing and matching the vegetables and dressing – the tips are in the recipe.
Courgette and halloumi skewers
A side that will steal the show, these veggie skewers are a must for any barbecue. Halloumi is a great choice for cooking over coals because it caramelises and chars wonderfully on the outside but doesn't melt. The salty flavour pairs perfectly with courgettes, and threading them onto two skewers will make the kebabs more stable on the grill. Once cooked, they're finished off with a chilli and mint dressing.
Vegan burgers
Your vegan friends don't need to miss out with this BBQ burger! The patty is a mix of mushrooms, kidney beans, oats, rice, herbs, balsamic vinegar, miso paste and garlic. You can even make vegan 'bacon' – with a really smart trick using baked rice paper – and whip up a plant-based mayo whizzed in the blender.
Chipotle, mushroom and black bean burgers
Smoky and spicy, these vegan burgers really pack a punch. Mushrooms, black beans and peanut butter make the base, which is spiced up with cumin, chipotle, lime and garlic. Simply whizz up the ingredients in a food processor, make into patties, then bake them in the oven and finish on the barbecue to get that smoky taste. Serve with lime wedges, chopped salted peanuts and fresh coriander.
Get the recipe for chipotle, mushroom and black bean burgers here
Mexican-style corn
Here's a riff on the Mexican street food favourite, elote. Instead of serving the cobs with the traditional cheese, Cotija, this recipe spreads them with a garlic-and-herb cream cheese. You could also crumble over feta instead. Once the corn is cooked, smother it with flavoured butter made with lime, fresh coriander, garlic and chilli before adding the cheese.
Grilled lettuce with buttermilk dressing
If the grill is ready to go, why not try this really quick side dish? Firm varieties of lettuce hold together well, so experiment with romaine, baby gem, endive or radicchio. The lettuce just takes a couple of minutes to grill, then drizzle over a buttermilk dressing with garlic, yogurt and lemon. Add toasted almonds and slices of avocado for a salad with a difference.
Get the recipe for grilled lettuce with buttermilk dressing here
Barbecued okra
If your memory of okra is as something a little slimy, think again. When cooked on the grill in a barbecue basket, it's sweet, grassy, crisp and crunchy. A seasoning mixture of sea salt, fresh herbs, onion and garlic powder, chilli, crushed fennel seeds and oil completes the dish. Serve with dips as a side or snack.
Flame-grilled spiced corn
Here's an easy recipe for barbecued corn with an Indian twist. If you buy corn still in the husk, peel it back and use it for turning the cob while it's on the grill. The corn is charred on its own, then smothered in butter. Serve with wedges of lemon and a mix of chaat masala and chilli powder – dip the lemon into the spice, then rub and squeeze over the corn. You can also use garam masala.
Barbecued potatoes with tarragon and peanuts
Cooking potatoes on the grill gives them wonderfully crisp skin while retaining their soft, fluffy centres. The stunning dressing turns this into one of the best potato salads ever. It's made with chopped peanuts, fresh tarragon, chipotle chilli flakes, fresh lemon juice and extra-virgin olive oil and would be great served with grilled mushrooms.
Get the recipe for barbecued potatoes with tarragon and peanuts here
Barbecued chocolate and walnut bananas
It’s easy to forget dessert when you’re so focused on the main event, but this banana boat recipe is so simple and delicious, it's sure to become a barbecue regular. All the prep can be done ahead of time, and the only bit of skill involves not cutting the bananas completely in half.
Get the recipe for barbecued chocolate and walnut bananas here
Grilled pineapple with salted caramel
Grilled pineapple is a summer taste sensation. Slices of pineapple are marinated in maple syrup and cinnamon, grilled, and then served with salted caramel sauce and ice cream. The recipe is completely vegan, but you could make the sauce with dairy butter and cream if it doesn't need to be plant-based. It will taste fabulous whichever way.
Get the recipe for grilled pineapple with salted caramel here
Barbecued banana bread
Yes, you really can bake banana bread over fire! You just need a pizza stone to sit the cake tin on. This simple recipe uses walnuts and rum-soaked sultanas the same way as if you were using the oven. Once the bread is baked, cut thick slices, toast over the fire, sprinkle with sugar and serve with vanilla ice cream.
Get the recipe for barbecued banana bread here
Hungry for more? Discover our ultimate collection of barbecue sides
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