We may be in full swing of cookout season but that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank in order to bring your summer A game. Our 20 favorite cookout dishes are not only easy to make and even gentler on your budget but include all your summertime favorites from classic salads to updated grill fare, and even an icebox dessert or two.
Inexpensive ingredients, easy prep work, and all the big barbecue taste you could want make these marinated chicken kebabs a surefire winner for your next cookout.
2. Macaroni Salad
Cookout fare doesn’t get more quintessential than macaroni salad, and this can’t-fail recipe will guarantee demands for second and third helpings.
3. Slow Cooker Coca-Cola® BBQ Turkey Meatballs
These brilliant slow cooker turkey meatballs come with a great cola backstory to tell at BBQs–not that we expect them to last long!
4. Raspberry Cheesecake Icebox Cake
If it’s too hot for baking but your heart is set on a dreamy, creamy cheesecake, why not try this pitch-perfect raspberry icebox cheesecake?
5. Three-Bean Salad
This stress-free summer dish is a delicious way to keep things classic and hearty.
6. No-Bake Tiramisu
Impress your cookout guests with this deceptively easy, no-bake spin on the timeless Italian dessert.
7. Grilled Corn with Sriracha Aioli
No BBQ menu worth its salt is complete without good old fashioned corn on the cob, and these ingenious upgrades feature a mouthwatering sriracha aioli.
8. Bacon Mac And Cheese
Kids and adults alike will flock to this bacon mac and cheese dish, loaded with three kinds of cheeses and all the crispy bacon you could want.
9. All-American Potato Salad
Picnics and potato salad go together like fireworks on the 4th of July, and this all-American rendition is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
10. Grilled Squash Garlic Bread
Zucchini, squash, and ricotta take the already irresistible garlic bread to a whole new level of yum.
11. Cilantro Lime and Yogurt Grilled Chicken Wings
Healthier cookout fare has never been more finger-licking good thanks to these grilled chicken wings bathed in a yogurt, lime, and cilantro marinade.
12. Balsamic Grilled Veggies
Balsamic grilled veggies are a great way to use up your vegetable bin inventory and still come out on top of your cookout game.
13. BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado
Think of this creamy, flavorful pasta salad as a deconstructed BLT sandwich, complete with all the fixings you’d expect and more, like avocado.
14. Jalapeno Cheddar Hot Dog Buns
What’s a cookout without hot dogs? Our vote goes to these jalapeno and cheddar hot dogs served on especially soft, chewy bread buns.
15. Glazed Pork And Apple Kebabs
Call them comfort food on a skewer but these hearty pork and apple kebabs are just the right amount of sweet and savory to satisfy any palate.
16. Southern Pimento Cheese Burger
Give your standard cheeseburger a southern spin with this yummy pimento cheese burger served on authentic Texas Toast.
17. Watermelon And Cucumber Salad
This tart and refreshing salad features all our summer favorites, from juicy watermelon to crisp cucumbers, topped with a balsamic finish.
18. Pineapple Orange Trifle
This tropical trifle, layered with coconut, pineapple, and mandarin oranges, is a delicious throwback to the popular vintage dessert.
19. Black Bean And Corn Salsa
Perfect as a side dish, snack, or served with grilled meats and veggies, this superhero salsa will prove to be a future cookout must.
20. Turkey Burger With Sweet Potato Chips
A juicy turkey patty, smokey homemade mayo, and spicy apple & jalapeño slaw served with sweet potato chips makes this an all-in-one win for your next barbecue sojourn.
