25 BBQ Recipes That Ruled National BBQ Day

Grills were fired up, and plates were cleared fast—and these 25 BBQ recipes are the reason why. They brought the heat, the flavor, and the kind of crowd appeal that defines National BBQ Day. Each one proves that bold grilling and smart flavor pairings don’t need complicated prep to win the day. It earned its spot on this list if it made the grill feel like the main event.

A rectangular white plate with four Sweet & Spicy Grilled Harissa-Honey Chicken Skewers garnished with chopped herbs. — Sweet & Spicy Grilled Harissa-Honey Chicken Skewers. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Grilled Steak with Peaches and Onions

Grilled steak with peaches and onions brings a mix of seared meat and caramelized fruit straight off the fire. It’s a great fit for BBQ Day thanks to its fast prep, bold flavors, and smart use of summer produce. The grill deepens the sweetness while locking in the steak’s juices. It’s a steak dinner that plays like a greatest hit from the BBQ playlist.
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 lands on BBQ Day with charred shrimp, crisp greens, and citrusy bite. While it’s a little lighter, it still makes sense for a grill-focused gathering with fresh texture and a smoky backbone. It comes together fast and feeds a crowd without feeling heavy. This bowl holds its own even when meatier mains are on the table.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Grain Bowl

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 keeps things vibrant with charred tomatoes and creamy avocado, all brought together by summer’s favorite herb. It’s an easy win for BBQ Day, balancing speed with layers of grilled flavor. The tomatoes pop against the fire and the pesto clings to the meat just right. It’s like summer piled onto your plate and kissed by the flames.
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 show up fast, stack high, and pack all the flavor you want on BBQ Day. Juicy beef, smoky bacon, and creamy avocado come together without overcomplication. It’s a quick-grill favorite that feels bigger than it looks. Burgers like this are why cookouts keep happening.
Get the Recipe: 25-Minute Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burger

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 land on BBQ Day with quick-cooking power and a tangy glaze that caramelizes over the fire. The flavor sticks, the chop stays juicy, and the prep is minimal. It’s the kind of meal that fills plates and disappears fast. When pork is this bright, the grill takes the credit.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Glazed Pork Chops

Tri-tip with Pineapple Mango Red Pepper Salsa

Tri-tip with pineapple mango salsa shows off what BBQ Day is about: meat with char and fruit with bite. The steak cooks hot and fast, while the salsa chills everything out. It hits bold, stays fresh, and looks great on the plate. When BBQ flavor needs a little brightness, this combo delivers.
Get the Recipe: Tri-tip with Pineapple Mango Red Pepper Salsa

Filet Mignon with Peach Mango Cilantro Sauce

Filet mignon with peach mango sauce is built for BBQ Day bragging rights. The steak sears perfectly while the fruit-herb topping adds contrast that still feels grounded in the grill. It’s surprisingly low-effort for how impressive it ends up tasting. This is the kind of meal that gets photographed before it’s eaten.
Get the Recipe: Filet Mignon with Peach Mango Cilantro Sauce

Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken

Grilled maple mustard chicken keeps BBQ Day grounded with sweet char and no-fuss prep. The sauce clings to the meat and finishes with crispy edges that come straight from high heat. It works across gas, charcoal, or wood and holds up to any side you throw next to it. Every bite reminds you why BBQ chicken doesn’t go out of style.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken

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 land and sea together without stretching the cook time. The shrimp go on quick while the pork chop holds strong heat and flavor. BBQ Day doesn’t get more versatile than this kind of duo. It’s the plate that quietly takes over the table.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

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

Grilled shrimp skewers are a no-frills BBQ Day essential that make high heat work fast. The shrimp turn golden, stay juicy, and never take more than a few minutes. They hold seasoning well and disappear even faster than they cook. People don’t wait for plates when skewers like these hit the grill.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Skewers

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 leans into BBQ Day with grilled pineapple, teriyaki glaze, and just the right amount of char. It’s the kind of chicken that bridges sweet and savory while holding its shape over high heat. The cheese melts over the top without a fuss. Backyard grilling starts to feel like a luau with this on the menu.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hawaiian Chicken

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 are what BBQ Day legends are made of—high-heat sear and buttery finish that doesn’t need explaining. Garlic, herbs, and drippings mix right on the plate. They’re easy to prep and loud on flavor. One pass of the butter and the grill takes all the credit.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter

Grilled Beef Finger Meat

Grilled beef finger meat hits BBQ Day with speed and strong flavor, needing just salt, heat, and a short cook time. The cut chars quickly and still pulls apart easily once rested. It’s made for hands-on eating and minimal prep. This is what happens when you let the grill do all the talking.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Beef Finger Meat

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 turn ground chicken into something grill-ready in minutes. The shape holds up over heat and the spices punch through in every bite. They make sense on BBQ Day because they’re fast, full of flavor, and built for the grill. You won’t need sauce—or silverware—for these to be a hit.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebabs

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 show up big on BBQ Day with seared bacon and tender meat that cooks evenly. They bring the crowd-pleasing crisp of bacon to a solid grilled main. It’s easy to slice, serve, and stretch across plates. That bacon snap is why people grab seconds.
Get the Recipe: Ninja Woodfire Grill Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts

Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp

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

Mediterranean grilled shrimp brings lemon, herbs, and fire together in a few short minutes. They’re bright, bold, and built to stand out on BBQ Day. The char from the grill keeps the flavor grounded while the seasoning carries through. Shrimp like this go fast—especially before the sides even hit the table.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp

Grilled Greek Lemon Chicken Kabobs

Grilled Greek lemon chicken kabobs belong on BBQ Day thanks to their fast grill time and clean flavor. The skewers keep things easy to serve and eat without compromising on taste. The lemon and herbs soak into the meat and stay put even over high heat. They’re simple to prep but not something anyone forgets.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Greek Lemon Chicken Kabobs

Nordic Fire-Grilled Salmon

Overhead view of fire-grilled salmon in white plate. — Nordic Fire-Grilled Salmon. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Nordic fire-grilled salmon keeps BBQ Day straightforward with crispy skin, flaky meat, and a direct flame approach. No sauce, no fuss—just fish and fire. It’s grilled low-key but still feels impressive once plated. That crisp skin finish speaks louder than any garnish ever could.
Get the Recipe: Nordic Fire-Grilled Salmon

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 throw BBQ Day into full gear with sweet glaze and pepper heat. The grill locks in flavor and builds up crisp edges fast. These wings turn sticky and smoky at just the right time. Napkins won’t save you—just dive in.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings

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 a kick. The heat sears the meat while the butter melts into every cut, adding something extra without extra effort. It’s BBQ Day food that feeds many without slowing you down. This steak brings fire in both flavor and technique.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter

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 turn up for BBQ Day with big flavor in a short cooking time. The herb sauce is sharp, clean, and cuts through the beef without hiding it. This one plates fast and brings balance without extra work. It’s the kind of steak that makes guests ask how you did it.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri

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.

Ninja Woodfire grilled T-bone steaks earn their BBQ Day stripes with crisp edges, smoky aroma, and a no-frills prep. The cut holds heat well and doesn’t need more than salt to show off. It’s fast, bold, and makes your grill look like a pro setup. This is the kind of steak that doesn’t wait for seconds—it demands firsts.
Get the Recipe: Ninja Woodfire Grill T-Bone Steaks

Peach Salmon Skewers with Peach Jalapeño Crema

Side view of salmon skewers with more in background. — Peach Salmon Skewers with Peach Jalapeño Crema. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Peach salmon skewers bring balance to BBQ Day with grilled fruit, fire-charred fish, and a crema that brings it all together. They’re quick to prep and land big flavor with barely any time on the grill. The contrast of sweet and spice keeps every bite interesting. Plates come back clean when this kind of seafood shows up.
Get the Recipe: Peach Salmon Skewers with Peach Jalapeño Crema

Grilled Pork Chops with Pineapple Salsa

Grilled pork chops with pineapple salsa anchor BBQ Day with just enough heat and enough fruit to keep it fresh. The salsa mixes brightness and bite while the pork holds the grill lines like a pro. It’s easy to scale and built for passing around. When pork and pineapple meet the fire, the BBQ feels real.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Chops with Pineapple Salsa

Sweet & Spicy Grilled Harissa-Honey Chicken Skewers

Sweet and spicy grilled harissa-honey chicken skewers throw flavor straight onto the grill. The glaze caramelizes in minutes, leaving a bit of crunch and heat in each bite. They’re quick to build and grill, but land with a bigger impression than most mains. You’ll know they ruled BBQ Day by the speed they vanish.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Grilled Harissa-Honey Chicken Skewers