18 Easy Cookout Food Ideas
When the weather turns nice, nothing says the weekend like a cookout! So, if you’re ready to plan a memorable weekend cookout with some ridiculously flavorful grilled dishes, we’re here to help. This list of food ideas for a cookout has you covered.
Are you ready to branch out and skip the hotdogs and hamburgers for your next cookout? Whether inviting fellow couples, families with kids, or just feeding your own family, there’s something for everyone here. With everything from meat and sides to dessert to build a menu, your guests will be raving about the food for months.
Get out the checkered tablecloths and your favorite grill master apron, and let the fun begin. Grilling has never been so tasty with these easy cookout food ideas! 😋
FAQs
The same way you plan a dinner menu! Get together a list that includes your main dish, sides, desserts, and drinks, and you are good to go. 👌
Besides a good menu, you’ll want plenty of plates, utensils, serving platters, and cups on hand. Napkins and tablecloths are also key. And if it’s summertime, you might want to light a citronella candle or keep a couple of bottles of bug spray around for your guests. I always place a trash can or two somewhere in the backyard/porch area for easy cleanup, too!
This comes down to personal preference. I plan mine for around 5 pm, so it’s not too hot outside. That time also makes it so my friends with kids can still enjoy a fairly early dinner and get home by bedtime if they need to.
Grilled Poultry for Your Cookout Food Ideas
These perfectly portioned little hens are ideal for a cookout with an upscale feel. Marinated and grilled to juicy perfection, you can serve one or half per guest, depending on individual appetites. The skin chars beautifully, and the flavor is subtly sweet, especially with grilled onions, for an elegant presentation. ✨
With a herby marinade and the smoky flavors from the grill, these ain’t your average fast-food chicken tenders! The flavor these babies deliver will please kids and adults alike. Don’t forget to serve them with fun dipping sauces, like homemade Alabama BBQ sauce or honey mustard sauce.
3. Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs
Serving a crowd on a budget? Look no further than grilled boneless chicken thighs. With a zesty marinade and quick cooking time, these juicy (affordable) cuts are perfect for quick and easy grilling. 😎
Juicier and easier to eat than their drumette counterparts, these chicken wing flats are insanely delicious. This recipe is super simple, and the key to all the flavor is in the chicken rub. Another quick and easy cookout main that is always a crowd pleaser. Don’t forget the celery and carrot sticks and a side of blue cheese.
5. Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad
Grilled salad? Yes, my friend. If you’re looking for a lighter dish, try grilled chicken and grilled romaine lettuce for a charred yet crunchy salad. Perfect with grilled bread, this is one of my favorite meals when the summertime heat hits. ☀️
Grilled Seafood Recipes
These surprisingly simple tilapia filets are one of my favorite main courses. This light fish is shockingly tasty, considering how healthy it is. It also cooks in just a few minutes, which is super convenient. Serve it with rice and grilled bok choy for an Asian feel, or make it tropical with some grilled plantains and mango salsa on the side.
Make waves at your next cookout with this succulent, smoky main that’s remarkably easy to make. It tastes amazing and looks like something you would order at a fancy restaurant, so points for a fabulous presentation, too! Keep things light with a grilled Caesar salad for a side and steaming white rice. So good! 🤤
For some next-level burgers, try these delightful salmon burgers. They’re juicy inside, with just a slight crunch on the outside. Seafood lovers will swoon! Top them with warm, melty smoked cream cheese for a heavenly finishing touch.
Beef Recipes for Your Cookout
Insanely tender and juicy with a crisp outer sear, this steak is beyond satisfying. Plus, these are some of the easiest steaks to make. If you’re nervous about it, invest in a meat thermometer, and you’ll have perfectly cooked steaks every time, guaranteed. And you should definitely top these beauties with some cowboy butter.
10. Leftover Beef Brisket Sandwiches
If you prefer spending some time grilling some spectacular sides and desserts, then beef brisket sandwiches are an ideal main course. The melt-in-your-mouth beef is delicious, and the sandwiches are easy to customize with lots of fun toppings. Serve them with smoked baked beans, and your weekend will be complete! 😄
11. Juicy Beef Brisket Burgers
What’s better than a thick and juicy hamburger fresh off the grill? A juicy beef brisket burger! One bite of these ultra-beefy patties will hook you. And remember to make homemade burger sauce to drizzle on top!
Speaking of insanely good burgers, this may be my absolute favorite cookout burger in existence. Painted with homemade BBQ sauce during their final minutes on the grill and topped with crispy grilled bacon, these burgers are nothing short of perfection.
Grilled Sides for Your Cookout
A quick marinade infuses these sweet peppers with the perfect amount of smokiness when they come off the grill. Ultra versatile, these peppers make the perfect side for poultry, beef, or seafood. You can serve them as-is or pile them atop a burger. They always add a special touch to cookout food ideas.
14. Grilled Zucchini and Squash
These summer staples taste amazing when grilled. I use a quick marinade to make those earthy, smoky, and barely sweet flavors really shine. Pair them with your favorite main course, or try them alongside grilled lamb lollipops. Eating your veggies has never tasted so good! 😆
Charred to glorious perfection with warm, savory spices, this winter squash (a.k.a. acorn squash) recipe is absolutely heavenly. These beauties are the perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors and go with just about any main course. Try them with any main on this list, or pair them with a juicy flat iron steak or this pellet-grilled spatchcock turkey.
It’s all about those crispy caramelized edges. Who knew you could transform cabbage into something so delicious with just a few simple pantry staples? Another big win is that this side is 100% versatile. Try it with some grilled pork belly, and you’ll see what I mean. 😉
Grilled carrots in a delectable browned butter sauce, anyone? Another versatile side, carrots are easy to make and economical. And let me reiterate: the brown butter sauce, which is herby, sweet, and balsamic-y, is off the charts. You will definitely be adding this to your cookout menu on the regular.
Grilled Desserts Idea for Your Cookout
Tangy, juicy, smoky pineapple coated in warm cinnamon sugar – mmm! My mouth is watering just thinking about it. No need to spend time making baked goods for dessert, just pop this pineapple on the grill. Or make it as an appetizer or chop it up and use it to top grilled fish or tacos. 🌮
