Menu Inspo: Summer BBQs + Backyard Hangs
The keys to a perfect BBQ? Great company and a menu that actually makes people excited to eat.
Whether you’re hosting or just showing up with a side dish, these recipes bring the flavour. From grilled mains to fresh, crunchy sides, these are the ones I keep coming back to all summer long. Just click the recipe name and it’ll take you to the original blog post with full ingredients, instructions, and photos.
This Grilled Zucchini & Burrata is light, smoky, and seriously versatile. Charred zucchini strips get topped with creamy burrata, fresh basil, lemon zest + juice, a drizzle of olive oil, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick. It’s bright, balanced, and comes together in minutes. It’ll perfect alongside whatever main you’ve got planned.
This Charred Scallion Chimichurri Chicken is a flavour-packed upgrade to your usual grilled chicken. Juicy chicken thighs get a quick marinade before hitting the grill, then they’re topped with a punchy chimichurri that gets extra depth from finely chopped grilled scallions. It’s smoky, herby, zesty and literally made for summer dinners outside.
The base of your salad doesn’t have to be lettuce! This Broccoli Crunch Salad is always a hit. Finely chopped raw broccoli gets tossed with cucumber, red onion, crispy bacon, and shaved parm, then finished with a warm, tangy bacon vinaigrette made with a little bit of the bacon drippings (trust the process). Only bring this to a BBQ if you’re okay with it stealing the show.
No BBQ is complete without a pasta salad, and I love how vibrant and flavourful this Green Goddess Pasta Salad is. It’s got tender pasta (pick a fun shape like radiatore!), crisp veggies, creamy avocado, and a punchy, creamy green goddess dressing packed with herbs. It comes together easily and holds up well, making it perfect for prepping ahead or bringing along as a guest.
If you try out one of these recipes, or whip up the whole menu, please tag me (@britacooks) so that I can see how you recreate it! I love seeing you make these recipes your own. Happy BBQ season! xx
Hi I’m Brita!
The recipes you’ll find here are designed to be approachable, yet elevated, and a whole lot of fun to make.
Learn more about me here!
