No one’s leaving hungry or clean, with this set of 31 summer recipes. These meals are made to be dragged across picnic tables, served with whatever utensils are still in the drawer, and eaten with enthusiasm that might alarm the neighbors. They’re fast, loud, and meant for sharing with people who don’t ask what’s in the sauce.
Grilled Smoked Pulled Pork
This is the dish people circle back for when they think no one’s watching. Grilled Smoked Pulled Pork isn’t fancy, but it clears out faster than the rest. No one’s checking their phone when this hits the picnic table—they’re looking for a second helping. Messy plates and loud compliments come with it. If it doesn’t last long, it did its job.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Smoked Pulled Pork
Mini Hummingbird Cakes
These little cakes disappear faster than you can say “second round.” Mini Hummingbird Cakes bring a sweet finish that somehow keeps the energy going at any outdoor gathering. They’re not fancy but get everyone’s attention when they show up. Expect plates to be licked clean and quiet sighs of satisfaction. Perfect for those who never say no to a small, sweet bite.
Get the Recipe: Mini Hummingbird Cakes
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!Texas-Style Carne Asada
This isn’t just meat—it’s a full table experience, minus the need for silverware. Texas-Style Carne Asada shows up with bold flavor and no patience for small talk. It’s made to be grabbed, shared, and eaten before it cools down. This dish brings out stories, spilled drinks, and a little bit of chaos. Which is exactly what summer’s for.
Get the Recipe: Texas-Style Carne Asada
Grilled Fruit Skewers with Cherry Dip
The main course may get the fire, but these stick around just as long. Grilled Fruit Skewers with Cherry Dip are the kind of thing that disappears while everyone’s still pretending they’re not full. They’re a break from all the meat without feeling like an afterthought. Even the skeptics end up reaching for seconds. Just hope someone remembers to save a few for later.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Fruit Skewers with Cherry Dip
Sizzling Thai Pork & Green Beans on Blackstone Griddle
That sizzle alone gets people moving, but it’s the flavor that keeps them around. Sizzling Thai Pork & Green Beans on Blackstone Griddle brings enough kick and familiarity to please a crowd that’s ready to eat. It’s one of those dishes you don’t see coming but then wonder how you lived without. Plates get cleared fast, and the table gets louder.
Get the Recipe: Sizzling Thai Pork & Green Beans on Blackstone Griddle
Grilled Mediterranean Lamb Chops
A cookout gets a lot quieter when these hit the table, mostly because people are too busy trying not to drop them while eating. Grilled Mediterranean Lamb Chops bring just enough flavor to hold their own against a crowded plate. These are the kind of chops you don’t need to explain—just set them out and step back. No one’s worried about formal plating or side dish pairings here. If the cooler’s still cold, these disappear fast.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Mediterranean Lamb Chops
Best Rub for Beef
Everyone’s got an opinion until they try this one, and then it’s just nods and full mouths. Best Rub for Beef doesn’t need a dramatic backstory or a secret handshake—it just works. It’s bold, reliable, and the kind of thing that earns a spot in your summer lineup without much debate. This is for the beef that doesn’t get left behind or picked at. Plates stay full until they’re suddenly not.
Get the Recipe: Best Rub for Beef
Reverse Seared Smoked Steaks with Smoked Garlic Butter
These aren’t the steaks that get thrown on as an afterthought—they’re the reason people show up early. Reverse Seared Smoked Steaks with Smoked Garlic Butter bring enough boldness to make everyone pause mid-conversation. They’ve got the kind of rich flavor that doesn’t need a second try to win anyone over. A few slices in and folks are already asking whose idea it was. The grill gets all the credit, but it’s this recipe that seals it.
Get the Recipe: Reverse Seared Smoked Steaks with Smoked Garlic Butter
Grilled Cauliflower Steaks
Nobody’s missing the meat when these hit the grill. Grilled Cauliflower Steaks show up with enough flavor to surprise anyone who was just expecting a side dish. They get forked off the platter faster than you’d think and work with whatever else is already on the table. This is one of those rare dishes that quiets both the skeptics and the regulars. Not flashy, just gone by the second round.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Cauliflower Steaks
Grilled Lemon-Herb Chicken
These are the pieces everyone hopes end up on their plate. Grilled Lemon-Herb Chicken has enough flavor to hold its own in the middle of any outdoor feast. No need to cut corners or dress it up—it’s built for quick bites and big appetites. Works for the folks who show up late too. Nothing left but bones by the end.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Lemon-Herb Chicken
Mini Biscoff Cheesecake
When desserts are involved, these mini cheesecakes steal the show quietly but confidently. Mini Biscoff Cheesecake makes sure no one leaves the table without at least one helping. They fit perfectly in one hand and pack enough flavor to keep people chatting for a while. These are the kind of desserts that get passed around like a secret.
Get the Recipe: Mini Biscoff Cheesecake
Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter
Backyard meals get a little quieter when these show up hot off the grill. Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter don’t wait for sides or small talk—they’re the main event. It’s the kind of dish that clears the table faster than the cooler empties. Even the paper plates get a little sturdier when they are served. By the end, someone’s always asking for the “butter thing.”
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter
Redneck Eggrolls
These roll up a big portion of flavor with zero fuss and zero pretense. Redneck Eggrolls aren’t worried about neatness or cutlery—they’re made for grabbing and going back for more. They handle the chaos of outdoor meals and disappear faster than most snacks. The crowd always asks for more, and no one’s disappointed.
Get the Recipe: Redneck Eggrolls
Big Mac Tacos
This isn’t the meal you serve with napkins and manners. Big Mac Tacos show up loud and messy, and no one minds one bit. They bring all the flavor of a fast-food run without the regret. People don’t ask if they’re good—they just ask how many they can take. It’s a full-volume kind of dish.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Tacos
Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies
These cookies make a light but noticeable appearance when it’s time for dessert. Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies don’t linger; they’re gone just as quickly as they arrive. They’re the kind of treat that pairs well with anything else on the table and keeps the mood light and casual. Everyone knows the moment is sweet, even if no one talks about it.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies
Korean Galbi Ribs
These ribs show up like the guest everyone wants at the party. Korean Galbi Ribs have bold flavor and a reputation for disappearing before you even sit down. They’re messy, they’re satisfying, and they turn any gathering into something worth remembering. Expect fingers wiped on shirts and plenty of laughs.
Get the Recipe: Korean Galbi Ribs
California Eggs Benedict
This dish gets a lot of attention even when it’s just one part of a bigger meal. California Eggs Benedict manages to be both comforting and fresh enough to keep everyone interested. It’s a great way to mix things up without slowing down the pace of an outdoor meal. Plates get emptied quickly, and conversations keep rolling.
Get the Recipe: California Eggs Benedict
Grilled Lime-Garlic Chicken Breasts
There’s nothing complicated about these chicken breasts, and that’s exactly why they work so well. Grilled Lime-Garlic Chicken Breasts show up with just enough punch to hold their own against a crowded picnic table. They’re simple, reliable, and perfect for summer meals where no one wants to spend all day cooking. Expect clean plates and full bellies.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Lime-Garlic Chicken Breasts
Whipped Cream Cake
This cake shows up soft, sweet, and ready to disappear. Whipped Cream Cake is one of those desserts that gets passed around quietly but with clear enthusiasm. It’s simple but makes everyone glad they stuck around after the main meal. Plates get wiped clean with whatever napkins are handy, and no one’s worried about crumbs.
Get the Recipe: Whipped Cream Cake
Grilled Sausage & Peppers
This combo is a crowd-pleaser for a reason: it’s ready fast and finishes faster. Grilled Sausage & Peppers bring a bold presence without asking for much attention. Perfect for eating outside with friends who aren’t picky. It’s the kind of dish that’s gone by the end of the night, leaving behind only empty plates and satisfied grins.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Sausage & Peppers
Cottage Cheese Toast with Blueberries
This one looks simple but holds its own when the crowd’s ready to eat. Cottage Cheese Toast with Blueberries adds a fresh touch that fits with the season’s vibe. It’s not the star of the show, but it’s the steady presence that rounds out the meal. Perfect for folks who want something light but satisfying while hanging out.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Toast with Blueberries
Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts
This recipe turns simple chicken into a plate that gets talked about long after the meal ends. Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts deliver on flavor and satisfy the need for something hearty without making it complicated. They’re perfect for feeding a crowd where seconds are the norm, not the exception. Everyone ends up with dirty fingers and full plates.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts
Traeger Smoked Garlic
When smoked flavor is on the menu, this one’s the quiet hero in the background. Traeger Smoked Garlic adds enough punch to keep conversations going between bites. It’s simple but makes a difference, showing up on plates and in stories about that one summer cookout. It’s subtle but unforgettable in a good way.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Smoked Garlic
Cookie Butter Cake Balls
These cake balls are a party in every bite, no questions asked. Cookie Butter Cake Balls get passed around quickly and come with plenty of smiles. They’re the kind of treat that disappears before anyone can say “save me one.” Expect messy hands and happy faces around the table.
Get the Recipe: Cookie Butter Cake Balls
Grilled French Onion Pork Burgers
Burgers that bring a little extra but don’t ask for much fuss are the stars here. Grilled French Onion Pork Burgers deliver enough flavor to make everyone stop and take notice. These burgers get eaten fast, usually with a side of loud conversation and messy hands. Perfect for a laid-back summer table with no shortage of appetite.
Get the Recipe: Grilled French Onion Pork Burgers
Lemon Goldies
These cookies sneak in with just enough zing to cut through the heavier stuff. Lemon Goldies are gone before most people even realize they were there. They’re the kind of snack you don’t need a reason to eat, and that somehow fit right into any summer spread. Expect crumbs on the table and requests for more.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Goldies
Cucumber Salad with Feta
This salad shows up light and fresh without getting in the way of anything else on the table. Cucumber Salad with Feta is the kind of dish that rounds out the meal without drama. It fits with any crowd and disappears quickly. Great for balancing out the louder flavors at the cookout.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Salad with Feta
No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake Bars
These bars are a smooth finish without the hassle of full-on baking. No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake Bars get passed around with few words but plenty of smiles. They’re perfect for when you want something sweet without slowing things down. Plates empty fast, and the mood stays light.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake Bars
Pizza Pasta Salad
This salad brings a little bit of everything in one bowl and doesn’t overstay its welcome. Pizza Pasta Salad is an easy grab-and-go dish that works well in any outdoor spread. It gets eaten quickly and often prompts requests for the recipe. It’s one of those dishes that just clicks with a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pasta Salad
Blueberry Shortcake
Summer tables get sweeter when this shows up. Blueberry Shortcake doesn’t need fancy plating to get noticed—it’s all about quick bites and second helpings. It fits in with whatever else is on the menu and disappears just as fast. This one’s a favorite for a reason.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Shortcake
Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp
These shrimp bring flavor and flair without demanding much attention. Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp are made for sharing and quick bites between stories and laughter. They fit right into the mix and get eaten fast. Expect plates to empty and conversations to get louder.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp