23 BBQ Recipes That Made National BBQ Day Worth It

National BBQ Day isn’t about going big—it’s about getting the grill right. These 23 BBQ recipes bring the heat, the char, and everything that makes cookouts worth repeating. Whether you’re stacking burgers, flipping chops, or searing shrimp, each one proves the grill earned its day. Fire it up, because these meals are the reason National BBQ Day exists.

A grilled steak with cowboy butter on a white plate. — Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken

Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken delivers exactly what BBQ Day is about: bold glaze, crisp edges, and flavor that sticks. It’s quick to prep and holds its own whether you’re cooking for two or ten. The mustard brings tang while the maple caramelizes over flame. This BBQ chicken brings everyone back to the grill.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken

Filet Mignon with Peach Mango Cilantro Sauce

Filet Mignon with Peach Mango Cilantro Sauce brings upscale flair to the backyard without overcomplicating dinner. It grills fast, slices clean, and stays juicy under that sweet-herb topping. This BBQ recipe plays up flavor contrast without skipping on fire-kissed texture. It’s the steak that makes BBQ Day feel like a full event.
Get the Recipe: Filet Mignon with Peach Mango Cilantro Sauce

Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf

Bone in pork chop topped with hollandaise sauce and shrimp, on a white plate next to green beans. — Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf loads the plate with pork and shrimp that cook fast and shine with high heat. BBQ Day loves a showy dish, and this one shows up every time with something for everyone. The meat stays juicy while the shrimp get that quick char. This combo feels like two wins stacked on one plate.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf

Citrus Glazed Pork Chops

Grilled pork chops on a plate with oranges and limes. — Citrus Glazed Pork Chops. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Citrus Glazed Pork Chops bring brightness and heat together in a quick-cooking cut that lands strong on BBQ Day. The glaze turns sticky with grill marks while the pork keeps its moisture. No extra steps, just real flavor and reliable results. This is the chop that disappears faster than the fire cools.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Glazed Pork Chops

Tri-tip with Pineapple Mango Red Pepper Salsa

Tri-tip with Pineapple Mango Salsa proves BBQ Day is better when there’s fruit with fire. The tri-tip stays tender with a quick sear while the salsa cools it down with a kick. It’s bold, colorful, and built to feed a crowd. This is the BBQ plate that looks like it took way more effort than it did.
Get the Recipe: Tri-tip with Pineapple Mango Red Pepper Salsa

Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burger

Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burgers hit the BBQ Day table with stacked layers and big flavor that doesn’t need fancy toppings. The bacon brings crunch, the beef stays juicy, and the avocado cools it down. It’s fast, filling, and built for casual grilling. This burger proves that the grill doesn’t need anything more.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burger

Grilled Basil Pesto Chicken

Plate of basil pesto chicken with grilled tomatoes and avocado slices. — Grilled Basil Pesto Chicken. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Grilled Basil Pesto Chicken keeps BBQ Day fresh with herb-forward flavor and fast-grilled results. The tomatoes blister while the pesto clings to the meat just enough. It’s easy to prep and plates up beautifully. This one feels like summer walked straight onto your plate.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Basil Pesto Chicken

Grilled Steak with Peaches and Onions

Grilled Steak with Peaches and Onions shows BBQ Day isn’t just about meat—it’s about what the grill can do to fruit too. The steak holds a crust while the peaches go soft and caramelized. This mix of sweet and savory keeps things interesting without adding work. When the fire’s going, this one earns its spot.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steak with Peaches and Onions

Grilled Shrimp Grain Bowl

Overhead shot of shrimp skewers and veggie skewers next to a bowl of dressed grains. — Grilled Shrimp Grain Bowl. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Grilled Shrimp Grain Bowl brings something lighter to BBQ Day without stepping away from flame and flavor. The shrimp char fast while the grains and greens give it balance. It’s easy to assemble, easy to serve, and still feels built for the grill. Even among meat-heavy dishes, this bowl stands tall.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Grain Bowl

Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp

Shrimp skewers on a white plate with lemon wedges. — Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp is quick to grill, full of herbs, and exactly what a BBQ Day appetizer should taste like. The lemon cuts through the smoke while the grill keeps the shrimp tender. You don’t need much more than skewers and a few minutes. These are the kind of bites that vanish before the plates are passed.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp

Grilled Beef Finger Meat

Grilled Beef Finger Meat gets straight to the point on BBQ Day: heat, salt, and hands-on flavor. It’s fast on the grill and stays juicy with just a rest and a slice. There’s no need for marinades or fancy sauces. This is the beef that speaks grill louder than anything else.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Beef Finger Meat

Ninja Woodfire Grilled T-Bone Steaks

A grilled t-bone steak on a black platter. — Ninja Woodfire Grilled T-Bone Steaks. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Ninja Woodfire Grilled T-Bone Steaks go from grill to plate with zero fluff and full BBQ presence. The cut sears hard, holds flavor, and doesn’t need more than seasoning and heat. It looks bold and tastes bigger than it needs to. This steak doesn’t wait—it leads the table.
Get the Recipe: Ninja Woodfire Grilled T-Bone Steaks

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Shrimp skewers on a plate with lemon wedges. — Grilled Shrimp Skewers. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Grilled Shrimp Skewers cook fast, stay juicy, and always belong at any BBQ Day bash. You don’t need much more than skewers and seasoning to make them work. They hit the heat and get golden in minutes. When these show up, everything else waits.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Harissa-Honey Chicken Skewers

Sweet & Spicy Grilled Harissa-Honey Chicken Skewers drop heat and caramelized glaze onto skewers that cook fast and serve faster. They bring bold flavor and just enough crunch to keep things interesting. Great for mains or sides, they stretch across the grill with ease. These are the skewers people ask about before they even bite.
Get the Recipe: Harissa-Honey Chicken Skewers

Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings

A plate of chicken wings on a white plate with a slice of mango. — Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings go sticky, sweet, and hot in just enough time to make you forget you had other options. The wings crisp over flame while the glaze locks into every bite. It’s the kind of heat that stays long after BBQ Day wraps. These are wings you grab first and clean last.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings

Grilled Pork Chops with Pineapple Salsa

Grilled Pork Chops with Pineapple Salsa bring that sweet-meets-sizzle combo that fits right into any BBQ Day spread. The salsa cools the pork while adding color and crunch. Everything goes on the grill, and nothing gets left behind. This is BBQ simplicity with just enough flash.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Chops with Pineapple Salsa

Grilled Greek Lemon Chicken Kabobs

Grilled Greek Lemon Chicken Kabobs hold bright flavor in every bite without needing more than lemon, herbs, and fire. The skewers keep them cookout-ready and easy to share. They grill fast, plate faster, and keep things light but flavorful. This is the chicken skewer that never comes home as leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Greek Lemon Chicken Kabobs

Grilled Hawaiian Chicken

Grilled chicken breasts stuffed with ham, pineapple and Jarlsberg cheese garnished with green onion. — Grilled Hawaiian Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Grilled Hawaiian Chicken brings pineapple, teriyaki, and just enough grill char to turn BBQ Day into something festive. The glaze sticks while the fruit caramelizes and the meat stays juicy. It’s a crowd favorite with just a few steps. If you’re looking for a vibe, this one brings it with the flames.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hawaiian Chicken

Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts

Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts show up crispy, tender, and cooked through with just enough char to prove they belong on the grill. The bacon seals in the moisture while building bite. They slice clean and stack easily for sharing. This one wins every time it hits the grates.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts

Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri

Sliced Grilled Hanger Steak with Chimichurri on a white plate. — Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri hit BBQ Day with bold herbs and beef that’s ready in minutes. The steak takes on the heat while the chimichurri keeps things fresh. It’s fast, flavorful, and low on effort. This steak proves that simple and smart can share the same plate.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri

Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebabs

Chicken skewers on skewers with lemon wedges. — Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebabs. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebabs pack spice and flame into one easy shape that holds on the grill and pops on the plate. The meat stays moist while the outside picks up char. You don’t need sauce or sides—just skewers and heat. These kebabs are why grill days never get old.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebabs

Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter

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

Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter hits the grill fast and finishes with flavor that sticks around. The chile butter melts over the top, cutting through with just enough kick. It’s great for slicing and stacking on sandwiches or plates. This steak makes BBQ Day feel a little louder—in the best way.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter

Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter

Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter sear up hot and finish buttery, leaving the grill marks right where they belong. The butter melts into the beef and pulls herbs and garlic right into every slice. There’s no extra garnish needed when the flavor runs this deep. This steak takes BBQ Day to the next level.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter