Our best barbecue recipes: meat, burgers, veggies and sides
Get grilling with these sizzling barbecue recipes, from mouthwatering meat and brilliant burgers to flavoursome seafood and incredible vegetarian dishes.
Burgers
The undisputed king of any barbecue, a burger is always a winner. Stick to the classics and serve perfect cheeseburgers, crispy chicken burgers or a Golden Arches-inspired beef burger. Veggie and vegan options include meaty mushrooms or an inventive vegan take on 'bacon'. If you're after a recipe that'll surprise, try the smash burgers – they're easy to make, with crispy patties, sweetcorn, chilli, and cheese.
Spinach, tomato and mushroom burger
Vegan burger with plant-based mayo and 'bacon'
Cheddar, corn and chilli smash burger
Foolproof BBQ/Quadrille
Meat
Pork kebabs, spicy beef skewers or myriad takes on grilled chicken – all of these recipes are guaranteed winners. If you're looking to serve something with wow-factor, try the spatchcocked chicken. Not only does it look impressive, but this grilling technique also leaves the meat succulent and flavoursome, and the skin crispy and golden brown.
Chicken legs with Alabama white sauce
Spatchcocked chicken with green beans
Food52 Any Night Grilling/Ten Speed Press
READ MORE: The world's best chefs reveal their barbecue secrets
Fish
Save some space on your grill for fish as it tastes incredible when barbecued. Try meaty, oily fish, like tuna and salmon, that can stand up to smoky barbecue flavours. Shellfish will also taste great and takes no time to cook, either shell-on or cleaned and skewered.
Barbecued lime and chilli tiger prawns
Grilled tuna steak with vegetable vinaigrette
Salmon, courgette and lemon kebabs
Foolproof BBQ/Quadrille
Vegetarian
There are plenty of veggie choices that pack a big punch too. For a real showstopper, grill a whole cauliflower or broccoli and serve with lip-smacking sauces. Falafel sandwiches are a winning choice – everyone can get stuck in and add their favourite condiments – while the tandoori veg kebabs are great on their own or as a side.
Grilled broccoli with makhani sauce
Roasted cauliflower shawarma with pomegranate and tahina
Chetna's Healthy Indian Vegetarian/Mitchell Beazley
Sides
The ultimate barbecue wouldn’t be complete without some delicious side dishes. Barbecue favourite corn on the cob gets a Mexican-style upgrade with our recipe while much-loved potato wedges will benefit from a spicy tomato sauce twist. Try serving unbeatable classics like potato salad and coleslaw alongside flavour-packed dishes like grilled lettuce and barbecued okra.
Mexican-style barbecued corn on the cob
Potato wedges with spicy tomato sauce
Grilled lettuce with buttermilk dressing
Super Natural Simple/Hardie Grant
READ MORE: The best barbecue side dish recipes
Drinks and desserts
The barbecue isn't just for savoury foods. Fire up the grill for pineapple and it'll get beautifully caramelised, perfect served with an indulgent caramel sauce or coconut ice cream. Freshen up with a zingy tropical salad, cool down with paletas (Mexican-style ice lollies) and don't forget about refreshing drinks too.
Griddled pineapple with salted caramel
Rachel Ama's Vegan Eats/Ebury Press
READ MORE: Brilliant barbecue tips from around the world
Leftovers
Cooking more than you can eat seems to be the inevitable outcome of all barbecues, but there's no need to throw away any food. Turn leftover chicken into flavoursome fajitas, corn on the cob into chowder, use up leftover fish in tacos and save skewers for rice bowls. Got some of that roasted broccoli hanging around as well? Chop it into a savoury quiche with Gorgonzola, perfect for lunch the next day.
Broccoli and Gorgonzola quiche
Vietnamese Food Any Day/Ten Speed Press
Lead image: KucherAV/Shutterstock
Comments
Be the first to comment
Do you want to comment on this article? You need to be signed in for this feature