You’ll Want Seconds of These 29 Backyard Favorites

These backyard favorites are the kind of dishes people reach for twice—no questions asked. They're big on flavor, easy to love, and always the first to disappear at any get-together. Whether you're cooking out with family or hosting friends, these are the crowd-pleasers that hit the mark every time. Nothing fancy, just solid, great food that keeps people coming back for more.

Grilled asparagus on foil-lined baking sheet with lemon slice.

Grilled Asparagus. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Raw Carrot Salad

Raw carrot salad takes 10 minutes and adds fresh crunch to any meal. It’s a quick, colorful dish you’ll want seconds of every time.
Get the Recipe: Raw Carrot Salad

Din Tai Fung Green Beans

Overhead view of green beans placed on a paper towel on a platter. — Din Tai Fung Green Beans. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Smothered garlic green beans use just four ingredients for bold flavor. When green beans are fresh, this is a fast, tasty choice.
Get the Recipe: Din Tai Fung Green Beans

Spinach Avocado Salad

A mix of avocado, spinach, radish, and cotija keeps this salad light but full of interest. It’s one you’ll want on the summer table.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Avocado Salad

Green Beans and Potatoes

An image of green beans in a serving bowl with a spoon resting on it. — Green Beans and Potatoes. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Green beans and potatoes cook in under 30 minutes with simple seasoning. This no-fuss dish makes veggies part of the main meal.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans and Potatoes

Mexican Corn Salad

This quick Mexican corn salad pairs easily with mains and hits bold notes. Fresh corn never tasted so good or disappeared so fast.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Corn Salad

Grilled Asparagus

Grilled asparagus takes five ingredients and little time to make. It’s an easy crowd-pleaser that shows up at every summer cookout.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Asparagus

Mango Avocado Salad

An overhead image of avocado salad in a serving bowl. — Mango Avocado Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Mango, avocado, and vinaigrette come together fast and refresh hot days. This salad is one you’ll want seconds of on warm afternoons.
Get the Recipe: Mango Avocado Salad

Pesto Tortellini Salad

A close up view of cooked tortellini pasta salad in a white bowl. — Pesto Tortellini Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Tortellini pasta salad has fewer than 10 ingredients and takes 20 minutes. It’s a simple, quick dish that fits well in summer dinners.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tortellini Salad

Stir Fry Green Beans with Coconut

A top-down view of stir-fried green beans with coconut on a white plate, accompanied by a white napkin and fork. — Stir Fry Green Beans with Coconut. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Green beans stir-fried with coconut and Indian spices come together in under 30 minutes. When beans are fresh, this is a fast weeknight pick.
Get the Recipe: Stir Fry Green Beans with Coconut

No Mayo Coleslaw

Fresh slaw with creamy peanut dressing adds crunch to any meal. It comes together quickly and disappears just as fast at summer meals.
Get the Recipe: No Mayo Coleslaw

Classic American Potato Salad

Potato salad with boiled eggs and creamy dressing tastes better after chilling. Making it ahead means you’ll be ready for any cookout.
Get the Recipe: Classic American Potato Salad

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 cooks fast and bursts with fresh flavor. It’s a go-to for simple grilling that always gets second helpings.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chile Lime Chicken

Grilled Gorgonzola Buffalo Burgers in a Pretzel Bun

Bold and cheesy burgers stack on soft buns made for repeat cookouts. They add something different while still feeling like summer grilling.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Gorgonzola Buffalo Burgers in a Pretzel Bun

Radicchio Endive Chicken Salad

Radicchio and endive chicken salad with honey mustard feels light but filling. It’s a fresh option you’ll want as the season heats up.
Get the Recipe: Radicchio Endive Chicken Salad

Sausage and Peppers

Grilled sausage and peppers cook quickly and pair well with many dishes. This no-stress choice fits perfectly into casual summer meals.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Peppers

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 with bold flavors and little prep. They’re an easy way to get dinner done fast and impress guests.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Skewers

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.

Grilled chicken packs flavor without slowing kitchen time. It’s a strong pick when you want fast, bold meals on busy summer nights.
Get the Recipe: Ninja Woodfire Grilled Greek Chicken

15 Minute Honey Garlic Chicken

A plate of Chinese honey chicken over rice with chopsticks. — 15 Minute Honey Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Honey garlic chicken takes 15 minutes and works with any cut. This quick recipe makes summer dinners easier to get on the table.
Get the Recipe: 15 Minute Honey Garlic Chicken

Tomato Mozzarella Baked Chicken

Italian baked chicken with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil is a no-fuss meal. It fits well with fresh ingredients and relaxed summer cooking.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Mozzarella Baked Chicken

Eggplant Tomato Stacks

Eggplant tomato stacks are bright, grilled, and easy to make. This colorful side or main will be one you’ll come back to again.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Tomato Stacks

Best Roasted Potato Salad

Roasted potato salad with herbs and pistachios adds texture and crunch. It’s an easy way to make a side feel more put together.
Get the Recipe: Best Roasted Potato Salad

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.

Grilled chicken with cilantro crema is easy to prep for casual summer nights. It works naturally with outdoor cooking and relaxed meals.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Garlic Lime Chicken with Cilantro Crema

Greek Shrimp Orzo Salad

A shallow white bowl with orzo, shrimp, sliced cucumbers, and feta cheese. — Greek Shrimp Orzo Salad. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

Shrimp, feta, cucumber, and herbs tossed with orzo make a quick, cool meal. This one is perfect for lunches made ahead without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Greek Shrimp Orzo Salad

Grilled Steak Kabobs

Steak kabobs combine beef and grilled veggies in one easy dish. They fit well whether it’s a weeknight dinner or weekend cookout.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steak Kabobs

Mexican Macaroni Salad

Mexican macaroni salad mixes veggies, taco seasoning, and pasta in one bowl. It keeps things interesting without adding work to your day.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Macaroni Salad

Grilled Hawaiian Chicken

Grilled Hawaiian chicken with ham, pineapple, and smoked cheese has a sweet glaze. It’s a fun way to change up your usual grilling routine.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hawaiian Chicken

Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp

These shrimp cook in minutes with lemon and herb flavor. You’ll want seconds of this fresh, fast meal that matches summer’s pace.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp

Easy Chipotle Grilled Chicken

Chipotle chicken is juicy, fast, and simple to grill. It keeps meals flexible without losing any flavor along the way.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chipotle Grilled Chicken

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.

Tomahawk pork chops look impressive but take little effort to make. This bold dish fits right into summer cookouts with minimal work.
Get the Recipe: Ninja Woodfire Grilled Pork Tomahawk Chops