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Home » Recipe Collections

21 Backyard BBQ Recipes You’ll Regret Not Making Sooner

Published: May 3, 2025 by Shruthi · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Backyard BBQ recipes should never be boring, and these are the kind you’ll wish you found way sooner. They’re big on flavor, easy to pull off, and great for any cookout. Whether you’re feeding a few friends or a full crew, these are the kinds of dishes that get talked about long after the grill cools down. No overthinking, no weird ingredients—just straight-up good food that works every single time.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Grilled-Hot-Honey-Chicken.jpg

Grilled Hot Honey Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter

Sliced flank steak with chili butter.
Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Flank steak cooks fast and gets a big flavor boost from chili butter. This is one you’ll wish you had on your BBQ lineup way earlier.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter

Easy Chipotle Grilled Chicken

Easy Chipotle Grilled Chicken. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Chipotle grilled chicken needs barely any prep and works in all kinds of meals. It’s the kind of thing that should’ve been in your summer routine already.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chipotle Grilled Chicken

Sausage and Peppers

Sausage and peppers sandwiches on a white platter.
Sausage and Peppers. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Grilled sausage and peppers are fast, easy, and work with just about anything on the table. If you’re grilling, you’ll regret not throwing these on.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Peppers

Grilled Hot Honey Chicken

Grilled Hot Honey Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Hot honey chicken mixes sweet and heat in under an hour on the grill. A fast, bold option that’s hard to forget once it hits the plate.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hot Honey Chicken

Grilled Wings with Buffalo Sauce

Close-up image of grilled wings with buffalo sauce on a plate.
Grilled Wings with Buffalo Sauce. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Buffalo wings come off the grill with crisp edges and bold heat. You’ll wonder why these weren’t part of your BBQ spread sooner.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Wings with Buffalo Sauce

Ninja Woodfire Grilled Pork Tomahawk Chops

Ninja Grilled Tomahawk Pork Chops on a white plate.
Ninja Woodfire Grilled Pork Tomahawk Chops. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

These tomahawk pork chops bring big flavor with barely any effort. If you’ve skipped them before, now’s the time to fix that.
Get the Recipe: Ninja Woodfire Grilled Pork Tomahawk Chops

Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

Asian chicken skewers on top of rice.
Teriyaki Chicken Skewers. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

Chicken skewers with quick teriyaki sauce are juicy, fast, and easy to make. A solid pick that deserves a spot in every backyard cookout.
Get the Recipe: Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

Pollo Asado

Pollo Asado. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Pollo Asado stays juicy and flavorful, even if plans move inside. It’s the kind of BBQ recipe that earns a repeat spot for how reliable it is.
Get the Recipe: Pollo Asado

BBQ Chicken Legs

Slow cooker bbq chicken legs in the crock pot after cooking.
BBQ Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These BBQ chicken legs come together in the slow cooker with almost no work. Great for when you want that BBQ vibe without firing up the grill.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Legs

Grilled Chile Lime Chicken

Sliced Tajín Grilled Chicken sits on a white plate surrounded by Tajín seasoning, a sliced lime, a white linen, and a small glass of beer.
Grilled Chile Lime Chicken. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Chile lime chicken hits hard with simple ingredients and cooks fast. This one’s a smart move for busy days when the grill still needs to shine.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chile Lime Chicken

BBQ Walnut Chickpea Veggie Burgers

BBQ Walnut Chickpea Veggie Burgers. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Chickpea walnut burgers stay firm and bring strong flavor without the meat. You’ll be glad you had these on hand when cooking for a mixed crowd.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Walnut Chickpea Veggie Burgers

Ninja Woodfire Grilled Greek Chicken

Grilled Greek Chicken on a white plate with lemon slices.
Ninja Woodfire Grilled Greek Chicken. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Greek grilled chicken is full of herbs and cooks fast without much thought. It’s perfect for last-minute BBQs that still need to land strong.
Get the Recipe: Ninja Woodfire Grilled Greek Chicken

Teriyaki Chicken on the Blackstone Griddle

Teriyaki Chicken with asparagus on a white plate with a fork.
Teriyaki Chicken on the Blackstone Griddle. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Teriyaki chicken thighs need just two ingredients and less than 20 minutes. They’re a no-brainer when you want a shortcut that still works.
Get the Recipe: Teriyaki Chicken on the Blackstone Griddle

Grilled Gorgonzola Buffalo Burgers in a Pretzel Bun

Grilled Gorgonzola Buffalo Burgers in a Pretzel Bun. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Gorgonzola buffalo burgers bring a strong bite and hold up perfectly on soft buns. Once you try these, they’ll be hard to leave off the grill.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Gorgonzola Buffalo Burgers in a Pretzel Bun

Smoked Blackened Salmon Sliders

Smoked Blackened Salmon Sliders. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Salmon sliders with wasabi mayo and pickled onions pack bold flavor in a small bite. They’re quick to make and great for easygoing BBQs.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Blackened Salmon Sliders

Grilled Beef Finger Meat

Grilled Beef Finger Meat on a wooden cutting board.
Grilled Beef Finger Meat. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Beef finger meat sears in minutes and locks in flavor without the hassle. It’s a go-to when you need something fast that doesn’t fall short.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Beef Finger Meat

Grilled Garlic Lime Chicken with Cilantro Crema

Grilled chicken with cilantro crema on a white plate surrounded by limes, cilantro, and a glass of beer.
Grilled Garlic Lime Chicken with Cilantro Crema. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Chicken with cilantro crema is quick to prep and cools things off with a creamy sauce. It’s a simple, strong pick when you want something easy but not boring.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Garlic Lime Chicken with Cilantro Crema

Lamb Kofta Kebabs

Lamb kofta kebabs on a wooden board with  fresh herbs and vegetables.
Lamb Kofta Kebabs. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Lamb kofta kebabs grill fast and bring rich spice without dragging out the cook time. They’re a great switch-up when you want something bold but manageable.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Kofta Kebabs

Tasty BBQ Smoked Meatloaf with Glaze

Tasty BBQ Smoked Meatloaf with Glaze. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Smoked meatloaf stays firm on the grill and comes packed with deep flavor. This is one of those recipes that shows why BBQ doesn’t have to mean burgers.
Get the Recipe: Tasty BBQ Smoked Meatloaf with Glaze

Orange Jalapeno Flat Iron Steak

Marinated grilled meat, sliced and on a platter.
Orange Jalapeno Flat Iron Steak. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Flat iron steak gets marinated in a sweet-spicy orange jalapeño mix that sticks. Great for when you want something hearty that still cooks fast.
Get the Recipe: Orange Jalapeno Flat Iron Steak

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Skewers of vegetables and shrimp on a grill.
Grilled Shrimp Skewers. Photo credit: Low Carb - No Carb.

Shrimp skewers grill in minutes and carry strong flavor with barely any prep. A quick win that keeps things moving without cutting corners.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Skewers

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Hi, I'm Shruthi! I am the owner and blogger at Parallel Plates. I love everything about food, and I hope that you can find the best recipe inspiration, trends, hacks, and more here.

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