There are so many dishes for cookouts that we love, and so we thought we’d bring a bunch of them together to share with you. Because it’s that time of year when we’re looking to cook foods that are quick to put together, easy to assemble, and don’t require much extra TLC, right? It’s hot, we’re on the go and we’re gathering with friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and anyone who happens to drop by. You want food that is going to please a lot of people, and stay safe in the process!
Meal Prep Friendly Antipasto Salad
This is such a fun pasta salad to make for an afternoon sitting around on a patio with grilled food. It’s all the favorite ingredients in an antipasto, paired with orzo. Feel free to use rice or quinoa instead.
Vinegar Coleslaw (No Mayo!)
Cole slaw can be made with just about any veggie that shreds well, and this one is pretty classic with carrots, cabbage, and red onion. The dressing is tangy, with apple cider vinegar, a little sugar, and caraway seeds. It also won’t get funny if it’s outside, because there’s no mayo! This is one of those mainstay dishes for cookouts!
Chicken Waldorf Salad with Quinoa—and No Mayo
Ok, are you sensing a mini-trend here? We try to avoid mayonnaise when we need to be outside with food for a little while. Never fear! It’s a chicken salad without mayo, which means it’s a dish that travels well. We like it a little chilled but you can certainly serve it at room temperature, too.
Our Favorite Smoky, Saucy Baked Beans
Brown sugar, barbecue sauce, paprika, bacon, salt, and oh, we could go on! Just make these beans. They’re an amazing balance of smoky and sweet.
Veggie Pesto Pasta with Chickpeas
Pesto is a mainstay, as soon as it starts to get warm. This salad tastes great whether you eat it cold, warm, or at room temperature. If you don’t have chickpeas, feel free to use white beans; they’ll work just as well.
Meal Prep Turkey Burger
Yes, this is a meal prep recipe we love, but you can prep a meal for everyone at once! Make this at your next barbecue and set out a plate with all the toppings you can imagine.
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Have you ever done this before? Grilled corn? It becomes smoky and sweet and like a whole new veggie. Cook it in the husk or without it–this recipe offers two ways to transform those little kernels. We love corn on the cob; it’s a classic dish for cookouts!
No-Bake Cheesecake Jars
There’s no skipping dessert, right? These beauties are a no-bake situation, which means you don’t have to turn on the oven to make them. You can also use any berry you have; make them throughout the summer and change it up based on what’s in season.
Easy Chocolate Ice Cream Bars
How much fun is this? These require fewer than five ingredients and can be customized to your liking (use a different flavor of ice cream, for example). You don’t need an ice cream maker; just a whisk or a hand mixer. It’s quick and so homespun, it’s hard to refuse.
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