Satisfy any appetite, rain or shine, with our mouthwatering array of barbecue delights. Dive into our sizzling selection, featuring juicy burgers, tantalising skewers and knockout veggie dishes, complemented by a variety of sides and refreshing drinks to wash it all down.
For more inspiration, check out our most popular barbecue recipes, our top family barbecue recipes and best vegan barbecue recipes.
Our top picks can be scaled down for smaller servings or see our barbecue for two recipes for more ideas.
Plus, find even more recipes, reviews and cookery tips in our barbecue hub.
Meet Barney
Barney Desmazery is our Skills and Shows Editor and the longest-serving member of GoodFood. One of the techniques Barney covers in his role is open-fire cooking and barbecues. Read on for his advice on getting the most out of your grill.
Barney’s top tips for barbecue success:
- Add flavour with flames: Gas barbecues are quick and convenient, but if you want proper depth of flavour, you’ll never beat cooking over charcoal or wood. As your protein cooks, the fat and juices drip onto the coals, creating a flavoured smoke that rises back up and infuses the food.
- Smoke signals: Don’t chuck out woody herb offcuts, they’re barbecue gold. If you’re trimming robust herbs like bay, rosemary, thyme or sage, save the clippings and toss them onto the coals for a quick blast of fragrant, aromatic smoke.
- Marinade magic: Marinades aren’t just about adding flavour, they also tenderise meat, lock in moisture and help create a golden, caramelised crust.
- In the zone: Barbecues don’t have to be all-or-nothing heat. Arrange your coals smartly and you can control the temperature like a pro. A single layer gives you classic all-over heat, making it ideal for burgers and skewers. Pile them up on one side for the slope, which gives you searing heat at one end and gentler cooking at the other.
Looking for more ways to level up your summer cooking? Discover all of Barney’s barbecue secrets by reading his 7 tips for getting the most out of your BBQ.
1. Barbecue beef burger
Beef burgers like these barbecue burgers are essential to any summer barbecue. Make a classic burger patty with beef mince, shallot, horseradish sauce, herbs and garlic. Barbecue until cooked through then serve in buns with lettuce, tomato slices and relish or any other accompaniments of your choice.
See our beef burger recipes for more inspiration.
2. Chicken souvlaki
This Greek-inspired chicken souvlaki is loaded with herbs and spices like oregano, mint, cumin, coriander and paprika. Marinade the chicken for up to 48 hours then skewer and cook on a hot grill. Make a batch of soft pita wraps and a cooling tzatziki dip. Serve with chopped tomato, lettuce and red onion.
Find more chicken kebab recipes to try at home.
3. Mustard & brown-sugar-glazed pork ribs
Fire up the barbecue for these meltingly tender, irresistible ribs coated in a punchy, sticky glaze. If rain stops play, you can also make them in the oven.
For more ideas, see our barbecue ribs recipes.
4. Barbecued bavette steak & tomato salad
Make this barbecue bavette steak and drape over a simple tomato, red onion and feta salad. It makes a lovely lunch or light supper in summertime and comes together in as little as 35 minutes.
See more steak salad recipes for inspiration.
5. Korean chilli, sesame & honey chicken
Try this top-rated Korean chilli, sesame & honey chicken, full of bold flavours. The sweet and spicy glaze is loaded with gochujang, a Korean paste made from red chillies and fermented soybeans. Skewer chicken thighs, coat in the glaze and then grill until cooked through.
Uncover more barbecue chicken recipes.
6. BBQ halloumi & corn salad
Grill halloumi and sweetcorn cobs with paprika on a barbecue for a summery salad that’s good as a main or side dish. Our recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes and only takes three easy steps to put together.
Discover more BBQ halloumi recipes which include burgers, skewers and kebabs.
7. Miso mushroom & halloumi burgers
Elevate mushrooms with miso butter to enhance their umami flavour, then stack them with halloumi for a satisfying veggie burger at your next barbecue. Rainy day? No problem. See our recipe tip to recreate this recipe indoors.
Discover more vegetarian barbecue recipes.
8. Chicken shawarma
Add oomph to chicken kebabs with yogurt, Indian spices and chillies. This smoky, flavour-packed tandoori shawarma can be cooked on the barbecue or in the oven. When ready to serve, bring the kebab to the table then wrap with warm naan, and serve with the other salads and lemon wedges for squeezing over.
Take a browse through more summer chicken recipes.
9. Paper bag prawns with sherry, chilli & garlic
Make cooking prawns over coals easier with this Tom Kerridge recipe by dropping them into a parcel with a dash of sherry, chilli and garlic. Be sure to serve this dish with some crusty bread to soak up all those flavourful juices!
Discover more healthy prawn recipes.
10. Coffee-rubbed lamb neck with burnt spring onion mayo
Fire up the barbecue and make this lamb dish, with a rich coffee and paprika marinade that delivers a stunning flavour. The seasonal spring onion mayo brings an extra creamy tang.
Try out more barbecue lamb recipes this summer.
11. Pulled BBQ aubergine & black bean burgers
Get the kids to help you prep the veg for these family-friendly burgers. These buns have all the comforting textures of meat but are completely vegan.
Explore our vegetarian burger recipes for more plant-based meals.
12. Charred watermelon, feta & mint salad
Barbecue the watermelon in this recipe to make a zingy summer salad. It’s a refreshing side dish with grilled meats and flatbreads.
See more watermelon recipes to try this season and our guide on how to cut watermelon.
13. Grilled fish with samphire
Enhance your barbecue offering with this grilled fish dish. Take two whole tilapia, sea bass or sea bream, and marinate them in spices for this Nigerian-inspired meal. Cook on the barbecue and serve with fried yam to impress your guests.
Throw the catch of the day on the barbecue with more of our barbecue fish recipes.
14. Vegan pulled BBQ jackfruit
Discover the art of cooking jackfruit and transform it into a delectable vegan pulled meat substitute in just 5 minutes using only ten common storecupboard staples. It’s perfect for stuffing into bread rolls and enjoying with all the barbecue trimmings.
Use jackfruit as a clever meat alternative in our easy jackfruit recipes.
15. Next-level BBQ chicken
Unlock the secrets to mastering barbecue chicken like a pro with our straightforward recipe, designed for even the most novice barbecuers to conquer. Experience chicken so tender it practically falls off the bone, while our marinade boasts a delightful harmony of sweet, salty, and spicy flavours.
Discover more of our chicken drumstick recipes and chicken wing recipes.
16. Barbecue sesame sweet potatoes
Serve these glazed sweet potatoes as a side dish at a barbecue, or turn them into a summer salad by tossing through handfuls of rocket or watercress. Craft your glaze using a blend of ginger, garlic, soy sauce and lime juice, infusing the perfect umami flavours to balance the sweetness of the potato. Top with sliced chillies and fresh spring onions, delivering an extra kick and burst of freshness to every bite.
Create a lovely spread with more of our barbecue side recipes.
17. Easy eton mess ice cream
Serve our eton mess ice cream in bowls or cones for a feeling of nostalgia. With vanilla custard, meringue and fresh strawberries, it’s a great gluten-free dessert option.
Cool down during the summer with more of our ice cream recipes.
18. Griddled pineapple with toasted honey & ginger cream
Griddle the pineapple for this dessert on the barbecue if you’re hosting outdoors. Serve with our honey and ginger cream for the perfect end to an impressive summer menu.
See more sweet and savoury pineapple recipes.
19. Easy sangria
Embrace balmy summer days with a jug of sangria. It’s a lovely sharing cocktail with red wine, Spanish brandy, sparkling water, cinnamon and chopped fruit.
For an alternative option, try our white wine sangria or check out more of our sangria recipes.
20. Pimm’s
Is it British summertime if you don’t have a glass of Pimm’s in your hand? Make up this fruity punch with lemonade, fresh mint leaves, cucumber, orange slices and strawberries.
Check out more Pimm’s recipes, from cocktails to cakes.
Enjoyed these recipes? See more inspiration…
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What’s your favourite barbecue recipe? Let us know in the comments…
