Dinner hits different when it’s cooked outside, with smoke in the air and no dishwasher in sight. These 31 outdoor recipes were made for that exact setup—flame-friendly, napkin-optional, and just messy enough to feel like a good time. There’s no need for a kitchen when a campfire, grill, or even a hot rock will do. Just don’t expect these recipes to stay clean or quiet.
Grilled Elote Corn Ribs
Corn ribs fit the outdoor vibe perfectly with a texture that’s both crispy and soft. Grilled Elote Corn Ribs work as a snack or a side and don’t need plates or cutlery to be enjoyed. They’re easy to grab and go, making them a great addition to any fire-side meal. Expect some friendly competition over who gets the last one.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Elote Corn Ribs
Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe
When you want a meal that feels like it belongs outdoors but isn’t trying too hard, this fits the bill. Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe is forgiving about where it lands and who’s eating it. It’s satisfying without fuss and doesn’t mind being served on a paper plate or straight from the pan. Good for anyone who appreciates a no-drama dinner.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe
The Backyard Table
Get it NOW and level up your outdoor dining! The Backyard Table - Recipes for Summer Cookouts features 34 of Chef Jenn's BEST recipes for outdoor eating and entertaining.
You'll get ad-free recipes like:
- Grilled Corn Guacamole
- Grilled French Onion Burgers
- Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
- Blueberry Grunt
- and so many more!
Every recipe is created, tested and loved by Chef Jenn and her family - there's no AI here!
Get it now, at a special introductory price of $7.99. That's over 50 pages of foodie love at your fingertips!
Buy Now!Grilled Chicken Wings with Buffalo Sauce
Wings and fire are a natural pairing, especially when the sauce packs a punch. Grilled Chicken Wings with Buffalo Sauce are made for outdoor eating with hands and a few napkins nearby. They bring energy to any gathering and tend to disappear fast. Great for anyone who likes their meals casual but with a little kick.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Wings with Buffalo Sauce
Bacon-Wrapped Burgers
If you want to impress without trying too hard, these burgers show up with their own crispy jacket. Bacon-Wrapped Burgers don’t ask for plates or cutlery—they’re designed for hands and hungry folks. They bring the kind of satisfying mess that belongs outside at the end of the day. Watch how fast they disappear once they hit the grill.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Burgers
Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp
Shrimp on the grill might seem fancy, but Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp is all about easy outdoor eating with flavor that doesn’t ask for much. It fits any setting, from a campsite to a backyard, and is quick enough for last-minute plans. Great for folks who want something a little lighter but still satisfying after a day outside.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp
Chicken Fried Rice
Some meals just know how to fill you up without making a big deal out of it. That’s what Chicken Fried Rice does—it shows up ready to feed a crowd with no fuss. It’s easy to grab seconds without anyone batting an eye. Works great whether you’re sitting on a log or hanging around a picnic table. Just don’t expect leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Rice
Grilled French Onion Pork Burgers
French onion meets pork in a burger that’s ready to take on whatever the grill throws at it. Grilled French Onion Pork Burgers don’t care about fancy sides or presentation—they want to be eaten fast and without utensils. Perfect for anyone who thinks outdoor meals should come with a little bit of comfort and a lot of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Grilled French Onion Pork Burgers
Cottage Cheese Toast with Bacon & Poached Egg
This one feels surprisingly at home by the fire despite its civilized look. Cottage Cheese Toast with Bacon & Poached Egg stands up to smoky air and dirt like a champ. It’s got a mix of textures that make it interesting without overthinking it. Perfect when you want a simple breakfast that doesn’t require fancy gear or patience. Bonus: paper plates work just fine here.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Toast with Bacon & Poached Egg
Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri
This one fits perfectly into the smoke and last light of the day vibe. Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri make any outdoor meal feel a little more serious, but without getting fancy. They’re just right when you want to show up with something hearty but not complicated. Best served with a cold drink and good company.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri
Corned Beef Fritters
Crispy and loud, these fritters don’t pretend to be anything delicate, which makes them perfect for outdoors. Corned Beef Fritters show up ready to disappear before anyone even grabs a fork. They’re the kind of dish that turns any gathering into a casual food fest. Bring more than you think because they vanish fast. Just don’t expect polite conversation while they’re being eaten.
Get the Recipe: Corned Beef Fritters
Grilled Greek Chicken
This chicken recipe fits right into any outdoor setting without needing a lot of attention. Grilled Greek Chicken is about straightforward flavor and easy eating. It’s the kind of dish that gets better as the sun goes down and the smoke lingers. Great for anyone who likes their outdoor meals without fuss or formality.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Greek Chicken
Texas Corn Succotash
Simple, smoky, and with a little kick, this succotash belongs in the campfire lineup. Texas Corn Succotash is the kind of side that’s better than anything you’d expect on a paper plate. It’s made for sharing and not pretending you need a fork to enjoy it. Perfect for people who like their outdoor food easy and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Texas Corn Succotash
Grilled Tomahawk Steak
No quiet dinners here—this steak demands attention with size and presence. Grilled Tomahawk Steak fits right in where the fire is big and the chairs are worn. It’s a bold move that rewards anyone willing to hang out by the flames and wait. Expect crowds, long stories, and maybe a little friendly competition over the last bite.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Tomahawk Steak
Chicken Al Pastor Quesadillas
These quesadillas bring a little heat and a lot of satisfaction to outdoor meals. Chicken Al Pastor Quesadillas work perfectly when you want something that’s handheld and doesn’t require plates. They’re easy to eat standing up or sitting on whatever you found nearby. Expect everyone to ask for seconds and nobody to complain about the mess.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Al Pastor Quesadillas
Montreal Smoked Meat Hash
This hash is the kind of thing that feels like it was made for the end of a long day spent outside. Montreal Smoked Meat Hash works as breakfast, lunch, or dinner and doesn’t judge if you go back for thirds. It’s a bit messy and a lot satisfying, which fits the outdoor vibe perfectly. Just expect everyone to ask for the recipe.
Get the Recipe: Montreal Smoked Meat Hash
Grilled Steak Skewers with Mojo Rojo
Food on sticks just makes sense outside. Grilled Steak Skewers with Mojo Rojo handle smoke and flame with ease and go straight from the fire to your hand. They disappear fast because sharing isn’t really part of the plan. Perfect for feeding a crowd without worrying about utensils or tables. They’re proof some meals work best without plates.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steak Skewers with Mojo Rojo
Brisket Fried Rice
When leftovers show up with a little extra fire, you get this version of fried rice that’s hard to beat. Brisket Fried Rice knows how to feed a group without needing a lot of fuss. There’s usually silence as it’s eaten, which says more than any compliment. It’s the kind of dish you want to make twice, just to make sure you’re not imagining things.
Get the Recipe: Brisket Fried Rice
Grilled Sausage & Peppers
You can’t go wrong with grilled sausage and peppers when the fire is roaring. Grilled Sausage & Peppers makes for a meal that’s easy to throw together and even easier to eat. It doesn’t care about cutlery or sides—it’s all about quick, satisfying flavor that fits the outdoor vibe perfectly. Just watch how fast it disappears.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Sausage & Peppers
Homestyle Hamburger Stew
This stew is a no-nonsense way to turn simple ingredients into a full meal that fits right into outdoor cooking. Homestyle Hamburger Stew is the kind of dish that sticks around to warm you up after a long day. It’s filling without fuss and the kind of comfort food that makes you forget you’re outside. Perfect for cooler evenings.
Get the Recipe: Homestyle Hamburger Stew
Grilled Pork Chops with Pineapple Salsa
Sometimes, the simplest thing on the grill gets the loudest applause. Grilled Pork Chops with Pineapple Salsa make it clear that outdoor meals don’t have to be complicated to be satisfying. It’s a balance that works well when the day starts to wind down and the smoke is still in the air. Be ready for some serious finger licking.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Chops with Pineapple Salsa
Queso Blanco Rotel Dip
No outdoor gathering is complete without a dip that disappears too fast. Queso Blanco Rotel Dip fits right in whether you have chips, veggies, or just hands ready to dig in. It’s easy, crowd-pleasing, and doesn’t ask for much except a spot near the fire. Perfect for keeping conversations going while people reach for more.
Get the Recipe: Queso Blanco Rotel Dip
Sweet & Spicy Grilled Harissa-Honey Chicken Skewers
These skewers bring a bit of heat and a little sweet to the fire without trying too hard. Sweet & Spicy Grilled Harissa-Honey Chicken Skewers are easy to eat and hard to share, which makes them great for gatherings. They fit right in at any outdoor meal where people want flavor without fuss. Expect them to be gone before you notice.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Grilled Harissa-Honey Chicken Skewers
Bacon Fried Corn
This dish brings a smoky, crispy punch to any outdoor meal without being complicated. Bacon Fried Corn fits right into the dirt and smoke vibe and doesn’t mind being served on whatever’s handy. It’s the kind of thing you’ll want to make again, and maybe sneak some before anyone else gets there. Perfect side or snack, no rules.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Fried Corn
Grilled T-Bone Steaks
If you want a steak that demands attention without a lot of fuss, this one’s for you. Grilled T-Bone Steaks fit perfectly by the fire with nothing but a grill and a good crowd. It’s the kind of meal that makes everyone feel like a winner, even if some don’t get the bigger piece. Perfect for a no-frills outdoor feast.
Get the Recipe: Grilled T-Bone Steaks
Honey Almond Granola
When breakfast needs to be easy and still hold up after a night outside, this granola fits the bill. Honey Almond Granola is the kind of food you grab between sips of coffee and campfire stories. It’s portable, simple, and just enough to keep you going until something more serious shows up. Doesn’t require a plate, which helps.
Get the Recipe: Honey Almond Granola
Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter
Steak gets a little extra kick without adding fuss in Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter. It’s the kind of meal that fits perfectly in a smoky outdoor setting, where flavor matters more than plating. This recipe works well when you want something straightforward but not boring. It pairs with a cold drink and good company like nothing else.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter
Grilled Strawberry Shortcake Skewers
Sweet meets fire in a way that feels just right outside. Grilled Strawberry Shortcake Skewers bring a simple, handheld dessert that’s easy to share or keep all to yourself. They’re a fun finish to any outdoor meal and don’t require forks or fancy dishes. Perfect for those last light moments when the fire is still warm.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Strawberry Shortcake Skewers
Grilled Vegetables
Sometimes the simplest things make the best side, especially when they’re done over an open flame. Grilled Vegetables don’t need much to stand out—they just do their thing alongside whatever else is on the grill. Great for filling plates and stomachs without getting in the way of the main event. They disappear faster than you expect.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Vegetables
Sweet Potato Hash with Pulled Pork
When you want something that sticks to your ribs without overcomplicating things, this hash fits the bill. Sweet Potato Hash with Pulled Pork feels right at home on a cast iron skillet or a paper plate. It’s a solid choice for mornings after late nights by the fire or anytime you need a filling meal outside. Expect a little mess and a lot of satisfaction.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Hash with Pulled Pork
Grilled Bruschetta Chicken
This chicken recipe manages to feel fresh without fuss and is perfect for outdoor gatherings. Grilled Bruschetta Chicken pairs well with smoky surroundings and casual seating. It’s easy to serve and even easier to enjoy while the sun sets. A good choice when you want a no-stress meal with just enough flavor to hold interest.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Bruschetta Chicken
Easy Skillet Lasagna
Lasagna outdoors doesn’t have to be complicated, and Easy Skillet Lasagna proves that well. It’s hearty enough to keep hunger away but doesn’t ask for extra dishes or fancy utensils. It works great when you want something comforting that can be served right from the pan. Perfect for crowd-pleasing without the fuss.
Get the Recipe: Easy Skillet Lasagna