23 Summer BBQ Recipes Everyone Grabbed Fast

Some BBQ recipes just had a way of disappearing before the grill cooled down. These 23 summer BBQ recipes didn’t sit around—they were grabbed fast and eaten faster. They’re the kind of dishes that hold up in the heat, serve easily, and bring people back before the tray’s even refilled. Whether cooking for a crowd or just trying to keep things simple, this list ensures nothing gets left behind.

A stack of pulled pork grilled cheese on a plate. — BBQ Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese with Caramelized Onions. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

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 brings pork and shrimp together on one grill without dragging out prep or cleanup. It cooks fast, looks impressive, and doesn’t miss when served hot off the grates. The mix of land and sea keeps the BBQ menu from feeling repetitive. This summer BBQ recipe doesn’t sit on the table long once people know what’s in it.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf

Grilled Basil Pesto Chicken with Charred Tomatoes and Avocado

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

Grilled Basil Pesto Chicken with Charred Tomatoes and Avocado delivers fresh flavor with backyard ease. The chicken grills quick while the pesto, tomatoes, and avocado make it feel complete without extra work. It’s light but still holds up next to heavier BBQ options. This is one of those summer BBQ recipes that keeps showing up for a reason.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Basil Pesto Chicken with Charred Tomatoes and Avocado

25-Minute Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burger

An up-close shot of bacon-avocado ground beef burger on a flat white surface. — 25-Minute Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burger. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burgers hit the grill fast and hold up through every flip. Crispy bacon and creamy avocado take them up a notch without slowing down the prep. They stay juicy, serve big, and land hard on any summer BBQ plate. These are the burgers people grab before they’ve even found their seat.
Get the Recipe: 25-Minute Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burger

Tri-Tip with Pineapple Mango Red Pepper Salsa

Tri-Tip with Pineapple Mango Red Pepper Salsa comes together fast but tastes like it took all day. The steak gets a hard sear while the salsa cools it with fresh contrast. It carves clean and serves with nothing else needed. This BBQ recipe knows how to bring the heat and the color in one go.
Get the Recipe: Tri-Tip with Pineapple Mango Red Pepper Salsa

Grilled Steak with Peaches and Onions

Grilled Steak with Peaches and Onions hits both sides of the summer BBQ flavor scale. The meat brings char and depth while the peaches soften and sweeten on the grill. It’s easy to plate and always leaves a few asking how it was made. This steak doesn’t need much help to be the main event.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steak with Peaches and Onions

Grilled Greek Lemon Chicken Kabobs

Grilled Greek Lemon Chicken Kabobs let the marinade do the work so the grill can move fast. The chicken cooks evenly and comes out juicy, with no extras needed on the side. They’re simple to serve and hard to mess up. These kabobs disappear from the platter before the tongs cool down.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Greek Lemon Chicken Kabobs

Ninja Woodfire Grill T-Bone Steaks

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

T-Bone Steaks on the Ninja Woodfire Grill deliver sear, size, and no-nonsense BBQ appeal. The flame leaves its mark while the bone keeps the meat tender and hot. They go from grill to plate without needing sauce or sides. These steaks make everyone stop talking when they hit the table.
Get the Recipe: Ninja Woodfire Grill T-Bone Steaks

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 slices clean and comes off the grill, dripping in flavor. The butter melts into every bite and turns simple steak into something worth repeating. It’s quick, bold, and fits right into any BBQ setup. This one disappears while the rest of the food is still cooking.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

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

Grilled Shrimp Skewers make the BBQ scene easy with short cook times and fast prep. They char quick, don’t fall apart, and serve straight from the stick. No need for extra garnish or dipping—these speak for themselves. This is the kind of BBQ recipe that never sees leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Sweet & Spicy Grilled Harissa-Honey Chicken Skewers

Harissa-Honey Chicken Skewers throw sweet and heat straight on the grill with no extra steps. The glaze clings tightly, caramelizing fast and holding flavor through every turn. These skewers bring color, contrast, and kick to any summer BBQ. They’re the kind of grab-and-go food people talk about after the plates are cleared.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Grilled 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 come out sticky, charred, and gone before the second batch finishes. The sweet heat combo hits fast and keeps going with every bite. They’re easy to make in big numbers and even easier to hand out. These wings earn their keep without needing much space on the grill.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings

Ninja Woodfire Grill Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts

Four bacon-wrapped chicken breasts on a white rectangular plate garnished with sprigs of parsley. — Ninja Woodfire Grill Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts on the Ninja Woodfire Grill hold flavor and shape without drying out. The bacon crisps while the chicken stays juicy all the way through. They slice easy, serve hot, and look like more work than they are. This is the BBQ recipe that gets quiet nods after the first bite.
Get the Recipe: Ninja Woodfire Grill Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts

Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter

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

Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter deliver big with garlic, herbs, and beef that speaks for itself. The butter melts fast and gets into every edge of the cut. These steaks go fast once they hit the board; no extra toppings needed. This is grill-first, talk-later food that earns space every time.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter

Grilled Pork Chops with Pineapple Salsa

Grilled Pork Chops with Pineapple Salsa bring a sweet, charred contrast to the summer BBQ table. The chops cook quickly and hold a sear while the salsa balances things out. They stack nicely on the plate and hold strong until the last bite. These chops make the case for putting fruit on the grill more often.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Chops with Pineapple Salsa

BBQ Green Beans

A white bowl with barbecued green beans and chuncks of ham. — BBQ Green Beans. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

BBQ Green Beans throw sweet, tangy flavor into a side that doesn’t play second fiddle. They come together fast with smoky sauce and tender texture that stands up to anything else on the plate. They reheat well and work hot or at room temperature. This is the BBQ side that disappears like a main.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Green Beans

Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper BBQ Meatballs

A white bowl filled with glazed meatballs, garnished with chopped parsley, placed on a wooden table with a soft drink can and a glass in the background. — Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper BBQ Meatballs. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

Dr. Pepper BBQ Meatballs simmer in sweetness until the sauce clings to every bite. They’re made to be grabbed with toothpicks and vanish fast off the platter. No grill needed, but they show up strong on any summer BBQ table. These meatballs are the sneak-attack favorite that always runs out.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper BBQ Meatballs

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings

Chicken wings glistening with a rich, sticky barbecue sauce arranged on a white plate accompanied with a small bowl of creamy dipping sauce. — Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings bring crisp edges and sauced skin in minutes without lighting a flame. They’re fast to prep, easy to batch, and stay juicy under the crunch. Great for last-minute additions or snack-style servings. These wings bring BBQ flavor without hogging the grill.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings

3 Ingredient Crockpot BBQ Chicken Wings

BBQ Chicken Wings cooked with a 3-ingredient crockpot recipe. — 3 Ingredient Crockpot BBQ Chicken Wings. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

3 Ingredient BBQ Chicken Wings go in the slow cooker and come out ready to steal the show. They’re coated in sauce, fall-off-the-bone soft, and perfect for a hands-on crowd. They sit well on a buffet or serve straight from the pot. This BBQ move is as low effort as it is high return.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Crockpot BBQ Chicken Wings

Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders

Open-faced sandwich with pulled pork and purple coleslaw on a toasted bun. — Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders made in the Instant Pot keep the cookout moving without long grill time. The meat stays juicy, the buns stay soft, and they’re gone before the tray even makes a whole lap. They pack small but eat big. These sliders make slow-cooked flavor fast enough for weeknight BBQs.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders

BBQ Sheet Pan Nachos

Sheet pan of nachos - topped with pulled pork, cheese, veggies, etc. — BBQ Sheet Pan Nachos. Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

BBQ Sheet Pan Nachos layer sauce, meat, and cheese across chips that hold up well under heat. They bake fast and feed a crowd without needing forks or fancy plating. They land just as hard as the mains at any summer BBQ. These are the nachos that get picked clean before the grill closes.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Sheet Pan Nachos

BBQ Bourbon Little Smokies

BBQ Bourbon Little Smokies cook low and slow until the sauce is thick and every bite hits. They don’t need much space or time to be the first thing gone. Guests grab them by the handful while waiting for the main course. These are the BBQ bites that get remembered longer than the ribs.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Bourbon Little Smokies

Ninja Woodfire Grill Smoky Wings with Jack Daniel’s BBQ Sauce

Ninja Woodfire Grill Wings with Jack Daniel's BBQ Sauce on a white plate. — Ninja Woodfire Grill Smoky Wings with Jack Daniel’s BBQ Sauce. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Smoky Wings with Jack Daniel’s BBQ Sauce bring heat, crisp, and a touch of whiskey right off the grill. They get golden fast and hold flavor all the way through. These wings are hot and leave no leftovers behind. They’re the kind that makes people hover near the grill until they’re done.
Get the Recipe: Ninja Woodfire Grill Smoky Wings with Jack Daniel’s BBQ Sauce

BBQ Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese with Caramelized Onions

BBQ Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese turns slow-cooked meat into a handheld BBQ favorite. Crispbread, melted cheese, and sweet onions elevate it to a level better than basic. It cuts clean, stacks high, and eats fast. This grilled cheese isn’t just a side—it’s the first thing gone.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese with Caramelized Onions