Summer is the perfect time to fire up the grill and enjoy some delicious barbecue. Whether you’re a seasoned pitmaster or just getting started, homemade BBQ recipes can elevate your outdoor cooking game. From classic ribs and juicy burgers to inventive side dishes and desserts, this guide offers 45 mouthwatering BBQ ideas to inspire your next cookout.
1. Classic BBQ Ribs
Ingredients:
- Pork ribs
- BBQ sauce
- Brown sugar
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Prepare Ribs: Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs and pat dry.
- Season: Rub ribs with a mixture of brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Cook: Preheat the grill to medium heat. Cook ribs for 2-3 hours, basting with BBQ sauce and turning occasionally.
2. Juicy BBQ Chicken
Ingredients:
- Chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks, or breasts)
- BBQ rub
- BBQ sauce
Instructions:
- Season: Coat chicken with BBQ rub and let marinate for at least an hour.
- Grill: Cook over medium heat for 30-40 minutes, turning occasionally and basting with BBQ sauce.
3. Beef Brisket
Ingredients:
- Beef brisket
- BBQ rub
- BBQ sauce
Instructions:
- Season: Apply BBQ rub generously to the brisket.
- Smoke: Smoke the brisket at 225°F (107°C) for 6-8 hours, or until tender. Baste with BBQ sauce in the last hour of cooking.
4. Spicy BBQ Pulled Pork
Ingredients:
- Pork shoulder
- BBQ rub
- BBQ sauce
- Apple cider vinegar
Instructions:
- Season: Rub pork shoulder with BBQ rub and refrigerate overnight.
- Cook: Slow cook in a smoker or slow cooker for 8-10 hours until tender. Shred and mix with BBQ sauce and apple cider vinegar.
5. Grilled Veggie Skewers
Ingredients:
- Bell peppers
- Zucchini
- Cherry tomatoes
- Red onions
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Prepare Veggies: Cut vegetables into chunks and thread onto skewers.
- Season: Brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Grill: Cook over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally.
6. BBQ Shrimp
Ingredients:
- Shrimp, peeled and deveined
- BBQ sauce
- Lemon juice
- Garlic powder
Instructions:
- Marinate: Toss shrimp in BBQ sauce, lemon juice, and garlic powder. Marinate for 30 minutes.
- Grill: Cook on skewers over medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side.
7. Corn on the Cob with Herb Butter
Ingredients:
- Corn on the cob
- Butter
- Fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro, or chives)
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Prepare Corn: Husk corn and remove silk.
- Grill: Cook on the grill for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally.
- Serve: Brush with herb butter and season with salt and pepper.
8. BBQ Baked Beans
Ingredients:
- Canned baked beans
- BBQ sauce
- Bacon
- Onion
Instructions:
- Cook Bacon: Fry bacon until crispy, then crumble.
- Mix: Combine baked beans, BBQ sauce, crumbled bacon, and sautéed onions.
- Bake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes.
9. BBQ Pork Tacos
Ingredients:
- Pulled pork
- Corn tortillas
- Coleslaw
- Lime wedges
Instructions:
- Assemble Tacos: Warm tortillas and fill with pulled pork and coleslaw.
- Serve: Garnish with lime wedges.
10. Classic BBQ Burger
Ingredients:
- Ground beef
- BBQ sauce
- Burger buns
- Lettuce, tomato, and pickles
Instructions:
- Form Patties: Shape ground beef into patties and season with salt and pepper.
- Grill: Cook on medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side, adding BBQ sauce in the last minute of cooking.
- Assemble: Place burgers on buns and top with lettuce, tomato, and pickles.
11. Grilled Pineapple with Cinnamon Sugar
Ingredients:
- Pineapple rings
- Cinnamon sugar
Instructions:
- Grill: Cook pineapple rings on medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side.
- Serve: Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
12. BBQ Chicken Pizza
Ingredients:
- Pizza dough
- BBQ sauce
- Cooked chicken, shredded
- Red onion
- Mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
- Prepare Pizza: Spread BBQ sauce on dough, then top with chicken, red onion, and cheese.
- Bake: Bake according to dough instructions or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
13. BBQ Meatballs
Ingredients:
- Ground beef or pork
- BBQ sauce
- Breadcrumbs
- Egg
Instructions:
- Mix Meatballs: Combine ground meat with breadcrumbs and egg. Form into meatballs.
- Cook: Bake or grill meatballs, then toss in BBQ sauce.
14. Grilled Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients:
- Bell peppers
- Ground beef or turkey
- Rice
- Tomato sauce
Instructions:
- Prepare Peppers: Cut tops off peppers and remove seeds.
- Stuff: Mix cooked ground meat with rice and tomato sauce. Stuff peppers with the mixture.
- Grill: Cook over medium heat for 20-25 minutes.
15. BBQ Sausages
Ingredients:
- Sausages of choice
- BBQ sauce
Instructions:
- Grill: Cook sausages over medium heat until fully cooked.
- Baste: Brush with BBQ sauce during the last few minutes of cooking.
16. BBQ Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- Cooked BBQ chicken, shredded
- Mixed greens
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumber
- BBQ vinaigrette
Instructions:
- Assemble Salad: Toss greens with tomatoes, cucumber, and BBQ chicken.
- Dress: Drizzle with BBQ vinaigrette.
17. BBQ Portobello Mushrooms
Ingredients:
- Portobello mushrooms
- BBQ sauce
Instructions:
- Marinate: Brush mushrooms with BBQ sauce and let marinate for 30 minutes.
- Grill: Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes per side.
18. BBQ Cauliflower Steaks
Ingredients:
- Cauliflower head
- BBQ sauce
Instructions:
- Prepare Cauliflower: Slice cauliflower into thick steaks.
- Grill: Brush with BBQ sauce and grill for 5-7 minutes per side.
19. BBQ Pulled Jackfruit
Ingredients:
- Canned young green jackfruit
- BBQ sauce
- Onion
Instructions:
- Prepare Jackfruit: Drain and shred jackfruit. Cook with BBQ sauce and onions until tender.
- Serve: Use as a meat substitute in sandwiches or tacos.
20. Grilled Avocados
Ingredients:
- Avocados
- Olive oil
- Lime juice
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Prepare Avocados: Halve avocados and remove the pit.
- Grill: Brush with olive oil and grill for 2-3 minutes per side.
- Season: Drizzle with lime juice and season with salt and pepper.
21. BBQ Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients:
- Sweet potatoes
- Olive oil
- BBQ seasoning
Instructions:
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Cut sweet potatoes into wedges and toss with olive oil and BBQ seasoning.
- Grill: Cook over medium heat for 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally.
22. Grilled Flatbread with BBQ Sauce
Ingredients:
- Flatbread or naan
- BBQ sauce
- Cheese
- Cooked chicken or veggies
Instructions:
- Prepare Flatbread: Spread BBQ sauce on flatbread, then top with cheese and desired toppings.
- Grill: Cook over medium heat until cheese is melted and bubbly.
23. BBQ Glazed Carrots
Ingredients:
- Carrots, peeled and cut
- BBQ sauce
Instructions:
- Grill Carrots: Toss carrots with BBQ sauce and grill for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally.
24. Grilled Zucchini Chips
Ingredients:
- Zucchini, sliced thin
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Prepare Zucchini: Brush zucchini slices with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Grill: Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes per side.
25. BBQ Quesadillas
Ingredients:
- Flour tortillas
- BBQ chicken
- Cheese
- Red onion
Instructions:
- Assemble Quesadillas: Fill tortillas with BBQ chicken, cheese, and red onion.
- Cook: Grill or cook in a skillet until cheese is melted and tortillas are crispy.
26. BBQ Chicken Sliders
Ingredients:
- Shredded BBQ chicken
- Slider buns
- Coleslaw
Instructions:
- Assemble Sliders: Place BBQ chicken on slider buns and top with coleslaw.
27. Grilled Portobello Mushroom Burgers
Ingredients:
- Portobello mushrooms
- Burger buns
- Lettuce, tomato, and condiments
Instructions:
- Marinate Mushrooms: Brush mushrooms with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Grill: Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes per side.
- Assemble: Serve on buns with lettuce, tomato, and your favorite condiments.
28. BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
Ingredients:
- Shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Bacon strips
- BBQ sauce
Instructions:
- Wrap Shrimp: Wrap each shrimp with a bacon strip and secure with a toothpick.
- Grill: Cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side, basting with BBQ sauce.
29. Grilled Eggplant Slices
Ingredients:
- Eggplant, sliced
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Prepare Eggplant: Brush eggplant slices with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Grill: Cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side.
30. BBQ Stuffed Jalapeños
Ingredients:
- Jalapeños, halved and seeded
- Cream cheese
- Shredded cheese
- BBQ seasoning
Instructions:
- Prepare Jalapeños: Stuff jalapeño halves with cream cheese and shredded cheese.
- Grill: Cook over medium heat for 10-15 minutes.
31. BBQ Ribs with Homemade Sauce
Ingredients:
- Pork ribs
- Homemade BBQ sauce (tomato sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, spices)
Instructions:
- Prepare Ribs: Season and cook ribs as previously described.
- Make Sauce: Combine ingredients and simmer until thickened.
- Serve: Brush ribs with homemade BBQ sauce.
32. Grilled Fish Tacos
Ingredients:
- Fish fillets
- Taco seasoning
- Tortillas
- Cabbage slaw
Instructions:
- Season Fish: Rub fish with taco seasoning.
- Grill: Cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side.
- Assemble Tacos: Place grilled fish in tortillas and top with cabbage slaw.
33. BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Ingredients:
- Pulled pork
- Sandwich buns
- Pickles and coleslaw
Instructions:
- Assemble Sandwiches: Place pulled pork on buns and top with pickles and coleslaw.
34. Grilled Fruit Skewers
Ingredients:
- Pineapple chunks
- Strawberries
- Melon cubes
Instructions:
- Prepare Skewers: Thread fruit onto skewers.
- Grill: Cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side.
35. BBQ Chicken Wings
Ingredients:
- Chicken wings
- BBQ sauce
- Garlic powder
Instructions:
- Season Wings: Toss wings with garlic powder and cook over medium heat.
- Baste: Brush with BBQ sauce in the last few minutes of cooking.
36. Grilled Stuffed Tomatoes
Ingredients:
- Tomatoes, hollowed
- Cooked rice or quinoa
- Cheese
Instructions:
- Stuff Tomatoes: Fill hollowed tomatoes with rice or quinoa and top with cheese.
- Grill: Cook over medium heat for 10-15 minutes.
37. BBQ Veggie Burgers
Ingredients:
- Veggie burger patties
- BBQ sauce
- Burger buns
Instructions:
- Grill Patties: Cook veggie burger patties over medium heat.
- Assemble Burgers: Serve on buns with BBQ sauce and your favorite toppings.
38. Grilled Chicken Skewers
Ingredients:
- Chicken pieces
- Marinade (BBQ sauce, olive oil, garlic)
Instructions:
- Marinate Chicken: Marinate chicken pieces in BBQ sauce mixture.
- Grill: Cook on skewers over medium heat for 10-15 minutes.
39. BBQ Baked Potatoes
Ingredients:
- Potatoes
- Olive oil
- BBQ seasoning
Instructions:
- Prepare Potatoes: Rub potatoes with olive oil and BBQ seasoning.
- Grill: Cook over medium heat for 40-45 minutes, turning occasionally.
40. Grilled Sausage and Peppers
Ingredients:
- Sausages
- Bell peppers
- Onions
Instructions:
- Prepare Sausage: Grill sausages until cooked through.
- Grill Vegetables: Cook peppers and onions alongside sausages for 10-15 minutes.
41. BBQ Meatloaf
Ingredients:
- Ground beef
- BBQ sauce
- Breadcrumbs
- Egg
Instructions:
- Prepare Meatloaf: Mix ground beef with breadcrumbs and egg. Form into a loaf.
- Bake: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 45-60 minutes, topping with BBQ sauce in the last 10 minutes.
42. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Ingredients:
- Bread
- Cheese
- Butter
Instructions:
- Assemble Sandwiches: Place cheese between slices of bread.
- Grill: Cook over medium heat until cheese is melted and bread is toasted.
43. BBQ Tofu Skewers
Ingredients:
- Firm tofu, cubed
- BBQ sauce
- Vegetables (bell peppers, onions)
Instructions:
- Marinate Tofu: Toss tofu cubes with BBQ sauce and let marinate.
- Grill: Skewer tofu and vegetables, then grill for 10-15 minutes.
44. BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
- Cooked pasta
- BBQ chicken, shredded
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- BBQ dressing
Instructions:
- Mix Salad: Combine pasta, BBQ chicken, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
- Dress: Toss with BBQ dressing.
45. Grilled Watermelon Slices
Ingredients:
- Watermelon slices
- Mint leaves
Instructions:
- Grill: Cook watermelon slices over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh mint leaves.
Conclusion
These 45 homemade BBQ recipes and ideas are sure to elevate your grilling game and impress your guests. From classic favorites like BBQ ribs and chicken to creative sides and desserts, there’s something here for everyone. Fire up your grill, gather your ingredients, and enjoy a delicious BBQ feast!
