15 bbq dinners for feeding a hungry crowd outdoors

Photo of author

| Published:

Feeding people outdoors gets harder when the grill is full, the sides are late, and everyone is already hungry. These 15 BBQ dinners cover grilled mains, oven-backed backups, slow cooker options, pressure cooker pulled pork, and handheld plates that work well for a crowd. The list includes chicken, pork, beef, ribs, hot dogs, beans, and sliders, so the spread can handle different appetites without one single main dish doing all the work. Use it when the goal is a filling outdoor dinner with options that can move from platter to plate without much fuss.

Three pulled pork sliders with coleslaw on a white plate, topped with a sprig of parsley.
BBQ Chicken Sliders with Homemade Slaw. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Whole Baked BBQ Chicken

Roasted chicken with a crispy, golden-brown skin on a white plate, served with a side of greens in a black bowl.
Whole Baked BBQ Chicken. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

With a 2-hour 10-minute total time and five servings, Whole Baked BBQ Chicken works when the outdoor table needs a larger centerpiece. The recipe uses a 5-pound whole chicken, BBQ sauce, chicken broth, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and butter. Roasting the whole bird gives you slices for plates, sandwiches, or salad. Serve it with corn, coleslaw, and baked beans when the crowd needs a full BBQ dinner.
Get the Recipe: Whole Baked BBQ Chicken

Grilled Pork Chops

A grilled pork chop garnished with chopped parsley is served on a plate.
Grilled Pork Chops. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Ready in 25 minutes and serving four, Grilled Pork Chops bring a fast grill option to an outdoor dinner spread. The marinade uses olive oil, low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar or honey, Dijon mustard, garlic, and black pepper. Bone-in chops hold up well on the grates, which makes them useful when the grill is already running. Add potato salad, grilled vegetables, or rolls to stretch the meal.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Chops

BBQ Drumsticks

Juicy, crispy glazed chicken drumsticks with herbs and dipping sauce.
BBQ Drumsticks. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Using 10 to 12 chicken drumsticks, BBQ Drumsticks give the table a hands-on dinner that does not need a carving board. The recipe takes 55 minutes and uses olive oil, barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, and parsley. Baking first and glazing near the end keeps the process clear while still giving that BBQ finish. Serve them with beans, slaw, or grilled corn for an outdoor plate.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Drumsticks

Beef Kabobs with Chimichurri Sauce

Grilled meat and vegetable skewers with zucchini, red onion, and red bell pepper, garnished with chopped herbs, served on a beige plate.
Beef Kabobs with Chimichurri Sauce. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Cooked on skewers and ready in 35 minutes, Beef Kabobs with Chimichurri Sauce make portioning easier when people are eating outside. The recipe uses beef sirloin, red bell pepper, zucchini, red onion, olive oil, curry powder, parsley, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, and garlic. Kabobs help divide the meat and vegetables without extra serving tools. Serve them over rice or with flatbread for a fuller BBQ dinner.
Get the Recipe: Beef Kabobs with Chimichurri Sauce

BBQ Chicken Stuffed Potatoes

A baked potato topped with shredded barbecue chicken, sour cream, and chopped herbs on a white plate.
BBQ Chicken Stuffed Potatoes. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Loaded into four russet potatoes, BBQ Chicken Stuffed Baked Potatoes turn cooked chicken into a filling outdoor dinner option. The recipe takes 1 hour and 5 minutes with shredded chicken, BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese, sour cream, olive oil, and cilantro. Each potato works like its own serving, which helps when people are moving between the grill and the table. Set out extra sauce, cheese, and slaw for topping.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Stuffed Potatoes

Grilled Tri Tip

Sliced medium-rare steak arranged on a wooden board, topped with a green herb sauce.
Grilled Tri Tip. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Marinated with herbs and garlic, Grilled Tri Tip gives a BBQ dinner spread a sliced beef option in 40 minutes. The recipe serves four and uses a 2-pound tri-tip, parsley, cilantro, garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, red pepper flakes, oregano, salt, and black pepper. The chimichurri doubles as a marinade and a sauce, keeping the steps efficient. Serve thin slices with rolls, salad, or grilled vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Tri Tip

BBQ Wings

A platter of glazed chicken wings topped with chopped green onions and drizzled with white sauce, served with a small bowl of dipping sauce and a spoon.
BBQ Wings. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Coated in seasoned flour and finished with sauce, BBQ Wings serve four in 55 minutes. The recipe uses 2.5 pounds of chicken wings, flour, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, salt, pepper, and barbecue sauce. Oven baking makes batches easier to manage when grill space is already full. Pile them on a platter with celery, fries, or coleslaw for a casual outdoor dinner.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Wings

Oven Baked Ribs

Grilled ribs garnished with herbs and served with a side of sauce and onions.
Oven Baked Ribs. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Baked low and slow for 3 hours and 10 minutes, Oven Baked Ribs bring a planned-ahead BBQ main to the table. The recipe serves four with baby back pork ribs, cumin, smoked paprika, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and garlic powder. Foil-covered baking keeps the method simple while the sauce finishes the ribs. Serve them with cornbread, beans, and pickles outdoors.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Ribs

Juicy Grilled Hot Dogs

Four hot dogs in buns topped with crispy fried onions are arranged on parchment paper in a basket.
Juicy Grilled Hot Dogs. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Ready in 16 minutes and serving six, Juicy Grilled Hot Dogs are the fast backup every outdoor BBQ needs. The recipe keeps it simple with hot dogs, buns, ketchup, mustard, and fried onions. Short grill time makes them useful when kids, late guests, or extra appetites show up. Put out toppings, chips, beans, and slaw so everyone can build a quick plate without slowing the grill.
Get the Recipe: Juicy Grilled Hot Dogs

Hawaiian Baked Beans

A plate of Hawaiian baked beans garnished with a pineapple slice and chopped herbs.
Hawaiian Baked Beans. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Serving 10 from one baking dish, Hawaiian Baked Beans help round out a BBQ dinner when the mains need support. The recipe takes 1 hour and 35 minutes with pork and beans, cooked bacon, red onion, green bell pepper, brown sugar, smoked paprika, liquid smoke, BBQ sauce, and crushed pineapple. The big serving count fits outdoor meals well. Pair it with ribs, chicken, hot dogs, or pulled pork.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Baked Beans

Slow Cooker Ribs

A close-up of a barbecued pork rib with a glossy layer of barbecue sauce on a white plate.
Slow Cooker Ribs. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

With 4 hours and 20 minutes of mostly slow cooking, Slow Cooker Ribs free up grill space while still bringing BBQ sauce to the table. The recipe serves four with pork baby back ribs, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and barbecue sauce. A short oven finish adds caramelized edges before serving. Slice them into portions for an outdoor dinner with beans and slaw.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Ribs

Grilled Steak Pinwheels

Close-up of sliced stuffed beef roulade with visible layers of meat, cheese, and spinach on a wooden board. A glass of beer is blurred in the background.
Grilled Steak Pinwheels. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Rolled and grilled in 35 minutes, Grilled Steak Pinwheels make steak easier to serve to a hungry outdoor crowd. The recipe uses butterflied flank steak, Emmental cheese, fresh spinach, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Slicing the roll into pinwheels gives built-in portions without needing large steaks for every plate. Serve them with grilled vegetables, potatoes, or salad for a BBQ dinner that stays organized.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steak Pinwheels

Smoky Bacon Pig Shots

Close-up of bacon-wrapped scallops secured with toothpicks, seasoned with spices, and cooked until golden and crispy.
Smoky Bacon Pig Shots. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Ready in 15 minutes and serving six, Smoky Bacon Pig Shots work as a hearty BBQ bite before the main plates come off the grill. The recipe uses bacon slices, cream cheese, BBQ spice mix, cheddar cheese, smoked sausage, and minced onion. The small cup shape makes them easy to pass around outdoors. Add them to a spread with ribs, hot dogs, or sliders when the crowd arrives hungry.
Get the Recipe: Smoky Bacon Pig Shots

Instant Pot Pulled Pork

A close-up of a pulled pork sandwich on a soft bun, filled with shredded, saucy pork.
Instant Pot Pulled Pork. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Made in the pressure cooker in 1 hour and 30 minutes, Instant Pot Pulled Pork gives you shredded pork without managing a smoker all day. The recipe serves six with pork shoulder steaks, olive oil, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chicken broth, and BBQ sauce. The meat can go into buns, bowls, or loaded potatoes. Serve it with slaw and pickles outdoors.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pulled Pork

BBQ Chicken Sliders with Homemade Slaw

Three pulled pork sliders with coleslaw on a white plate, topped with a sprig of parsley.
BBQ Chicken Sliders with Homemade Slaw. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Baked as a tray of six servings, BBQ Chicken Sliders with Homemade Slaw are built for easy hand-held eating outside. The recipe takes 30 minutes with 12-count rolls, shredded cooked chicken, BBQ sauce, green cabbage, purple cabbage, carrots, sour cream, lemon juice, mayonnaise, paprika, and butter. The slaw adds crunch right inside the sandwich. Serve them with chips, beans, or potato wedges for a crowd-friendly dinner.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Sliders with Homemade Slaw

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.