20 Summer BBQ Recipes Everyone Will Beg For

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BBQ Pork Tenderloin

Glazed pork tenderloin sliced on a cutting board.
BBQ Pork Tenderloin. Photo credit: Baking Beauty.

This lean cut soaks up a sweet-smoky rub, then gets kissed by flame (or oven heat) until the center stays blush-pink and juicy. A quick lacquer of barbecue sauce at the end caramelizes into a glossy crust you’ll want to pick off with your fingers. It’s weeknight-simple yet dinner-party impressive. Leftovers make the best sandwiches you’ll eat all summer.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Pork Tenderloin

BBQ Burgers

Stacked burger with bacon, avocado, and sauce dripping.
BBQ Burgers. Photo credit: Baking Beauty.

These big, beefy patties stay ultra-juicy thanks to a secret splash of BBQ sauce mixed right into the meat. They’re grilled hard for a smoky char, then piled with crispy bacon, creamy avocado, and a two-ingredient “can’t tell ya” sauce that rivals any drive-through. One bite and picnic burgers will never be the same. Bring napkins—lots of them.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Burgers

BBQ Chicken Pizza

Pizza topped with BBQ chicken and red onions.
BBQ Chicken Pizza. Photo credit: Baking Beauty.

Swap tomato sauce for tangy BBQ, add piles of smoky shredded chicken, then blanket the whole pie in melty mozzarella. A sprinkle of red onion and cilantro cuts the richness and gives you that pizzeria-fresh pop. The homemade crust is practically foolproof—which means weeknight pizza night just leveled up. Extra pie slices vanish before they cool.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Pizza

Blueberry BBQ Ribs

Rack of ribs glazed with deep-purple blueberry sauce.
Blueberry BBQ Ribs. Photo credit: Baking Beauty.

Fresh blueberries simmer with brown sugar and chipotle to create a sauce that’s equal parts sweet jam and smoky barbecue. Slathered over slow-cooked ribs, it bakes into a jewel-toned glaze that’s sticky in the very best way. The fruitiness brightens the rich pork, so each bite feels decadent but never heavy. Expect recipe requests at first chew.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry BBQ Ribs

Grilled Pork Steak

Charred pork steak sliced on a platter.
Grilled Pork Steak. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Cut from the pork shoulder, these steaks are marbled enough to stay juicy yet thin enough to cook quickly. A bold dry rub builds a bark, while two-zone grilling locks in moisture and creates a caramelized crust. You’ll wonder why pork chops ever got the limelight. Serve with extra sauce and a cold drink for maximum backyard happiness.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Steak

Pineapple BBQ Chicken Foil Packs

Opened foil packet with chicken, pineapple, and peppers.
Pineapple BBQ Chicken Foil Packs. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Dinner and cleanup all in one packet! Juicy chicken chunks mingle with sweet pineapple, peppers, and onions, steaming in their own tangy BBQ sauce. Toss the sealed packets on the grill or campfire and forget them until the aroma tells you they’re ready. Tear open and eat straight from the foil—no dishes, maximum flavor.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple BBQ Chicken Foil Packs

BBQ Chicken Nachos

Sheet pan loaded with BBQ chicken nachos.
BBQ Chicken Nachos. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Crispy tortilla chips become a canvas for saucy pulled chicken, melty cheese, and pops of red onion and cilantro. A quick broil fuses everything into one irresistible, stretchy layer. They’re the ultimate party starter—but honestly, this tray often becomes dinner. Serve with extra jalapeños if you like a little kick.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Nachos

Pork Belly Burnt Ends

Sticky glazed cubes of pork belly burnt ends.
Pork Belly Burnt Ends. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

Imagine bacon taken to its ultimate form: bite-size cubes of pork belly, slow-smoked until buttery tender, then tossed in brown-sugar BBQ glaze that candy-coats every edge. They’re sweet, smoky, and so rich you only need a few—though you’ll definitely eat more. Serve with toothpicks and watch them disappear faster than you can say “pitmaster.”
Get the Recipe: Pork Belly Burnt Ends

BBQ Smoked Sausage Bites

Sausage coins glazed with barbecue sauce on a platter.
BBQ Smoked Sausage Bites. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

Start with smoky sausage links, slice into coins, then simmer in a tangy-sweet sauce until the edges caramelize. The result is a two-bite appetizer that’s equal parts meaty, saucy, and finger-licking fun. Perfect for game day spreads or impromptu backyard hangs. No forks needed—just toothpicks and plenty of napkins.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Smoked Sausage Bites

Grilled Chicken Leg Quarters – Crispy BBQ Glazed

Charred, saucy chicken leg quarters on a platter.
Grilled Chicken Leg Quarters – Crispy BBQ Glazed. Photo credit: Blackberry Babe.

A quick spice rub penetrates these budget-friendly leg quarters, while two-step grilling renders the skin shatteringly crisp. The final brush of honey BBQ sauce caramelizes into a sticky shell that keeps every bite juicy. They’re messy in the most delightful way—serve with plenty of wet wipes and big smiles.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Leg Quarters

Easy BBQ Pork Meatballs

Skillet of glazed pork meatballs.
Easy BBQ Pork Meatballs. Photo credit: Blackberry Babe.

Ground pork, breadcrumbs, and pantry spices roll into tender meatballs that bake instead of fry. A dunk in tangy barbecue sauce gives them shine and that finger-lick finish. Serve them on toothpicks for parties or pile over mashed potatoes for a comfort-food dinner. Either way, they’re gone in a flash.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Pork Meatballs

Juicy Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs

Glazed chicken thighs on the grill grate.
Juicy Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Game Day Eats.

Bone-in thighs get a quick dry brine for crispy skin, then slow grill over indirect heat until the meat is butter-soft. A final swipe of BBQ sauce bubbles into lacquered perfection. The result: smoky, saucy chicken that rivals any competition-pit flavor with half the effort. Keep extras—they reheat like a dream.
Get the Recipe: Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs

Smoked Shotgun Shells

Bacon-wrapped stuffed pasta tubes glazed on smoker.
Smoked Shotgun Shells. Photo credit: Game Day Eats.

Jumbo manicotti shells are stuffed with a creamy sausage-beef mixture, wrapped in bacon, then smoked until the pasta softens and the bacon crisps. A brush of sauce makes them glossy “shells” packed with smoky, cheesy goodness. They look wild but are shockingly easy—and guaranteed to be the talk of any BBQ spread.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Shotgun Shells

Smoked Whole Chicken (Garlic Herb or BBQ)

Whole smoked chicken with crispy brown skin.
Smoked Whole Chicken. Photo credit: Foodie and Wine.

A dry brine ensures the skin crisps while gentle smoke infuses every nook with flavor. Choose a garlic-herb rub for Sunday dinner vibes or slather in BBQ for tailgate flare—the method stays foolproof either way. The meat stays so moist you can carve it tableside with applause. Leftovers make killer sandwiches.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Whole Chicken

BBQ Shrimp & Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner

Sheet pan with shrimp, sausage, and veggies in sauce.
BBQ Shrimp & Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: The Creative Bite.

Toss plump shrimp, smoky sausage coins, and colorful veggies in BBQ seasoning, then roast everything on one pan. Fifteen minutes later you’ve got caramelized edges, juicy shrimp, and a mess-free kitchen. Serve straight from the pan with crusty bread to soak up the spicy-sweet drippings. Weeknight dinner solved.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Shrimp & Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner

Grilled BBQ Short Ribs

BBQ short ribs with pineapple salsa on plate.
Grilled BBQ Short Ribs. Photo credit: Running To The Kitchen.

Beefy English-cut short ribs get a smoky dry rub and low-and-slow grill time until the meat practically melts. A glossy sauce layer caramelizes right before serving, while fresh pineapple salsa brightens each rich bite. It’s backyard BBQ meets tropical vacation on a plate. Grab extra napkins and dig in.
Get the Recipe: Grilled BBQ Short Ribs

Blueberry Balsamic BBQ Turkey Legs

Turkey legs glazed with blueberry balsamic sauce.
Blueberry Balsamic BBQ Turkey Legs. Photo credit: Running To The Kitchen.

Channel your inner theme-park foodie with these oversized turkey legs glazed in a tangy blueberry-balsamic sauce. The fruit adds subtle sweetness while vinegar cuts through the rich dark meat. Grilled until the skin blisters, each bite is smoky, juicy, and wildly fun to eat. Fair warning: you’ll need both hands.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry BBQ Turkey Legs

BBQ Pulled Pork Pizza

Pizza topped with pulled pork and red onions.
BBQ Pulled Pork Pizza. Photo credit: Stetted.

Got leftover pulled pork? Spread it over chewy crust with a smear of smoky sauce, a rain of cheese, and thin onion slices for zip. Ten minutes in a hot oven and you’ve got the ultimate mash-up of barbecue joint and pizzeria. It might just outshine Friday night take-out.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Pulled Pork Pizza

Honey BBQ Wings

Honey-glazed BBQ wings piled high.
Honey BBQ Wings. Photo credit: The Kitchen Magpie.

These wings bake until skin turns crackly, then bathe in a sticky honey-BBQ glaze that clings to every nook. Sweet meets smoky, and a quick broil caramelizes the sauce for finger-licking perfection. They’re the appetizer that makes game-day guests forget about the score. Serve with ranch or nothing at all—they’re that good.
Get the Recipe: Honey BBQ Wings

Smithfield BBQ Ribs Recipe

Rack of shiny BBQ ribs ready to slice.
Smithfield BBQ Ribs. Photo credit: Walking On Sunshine Recipes.

A foolproof two-step method—slow oven bake then quick grill finish—guarantees ribs so tender the bones slide right out. A final mop of barbecue sauce bubbles into sweet, smoky bliss. They’re backyard-barbecue classic and perfect for rib newcomers seeking sure success. Once you master them, rib night becomes a regular thing.
Get the Recipe: Smithfield BBQ Ribs

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