Planning a cookout and want to impress your guests? Forget the usual hot dogs and try these 21 unique dishes. Each recipe is quick to make and packed with flavor, perfect for any summer gathering. From savory mains to fresh sides, these dishes will make your cookout memorable and the talk of the town.
Creamy Balsamic Chicken Skillet
This dish features tender chicken breast in a creamy balsamic sauce, taking about 30 minutes to prepare. With ingredients like balsamic vinegar, heavy cream, and garlic, it offers a rich and tangy flavor. Serve it over rice or with a side of veggies. Perfect for a quick, flavorful cookout main dish.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Balsamic Chicken Skillet
Tri-tip with Pineapple Mango Red Pepper Salsa
Juicy tri-tip is paired with a fresh salsa made of pineapple, mango, and red pepper, ready in 40 minutes. The sweet and spicy salsa complements the savory meat perfectly. Ideal for impressing guests with a unique twist on traditional BBQ. Enjoy the burst of flavors in each bite.
Get the Recipe: Tri-tip with Pineapple Mango Red Pepper Salsa
Carolina BBQ Chicken Salad
This salad combines grilled chicken with a tangy Carolina BBQ sauce, taking just 25 minutes to prepare. Tossed with fresh greens, corn, and black beans, it’s a hearty and refreshing dish. The BBQ sauce adds a sweet and tangy kick. A great way to enjoy a light yet satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Carolina BBQ Chicken Salad
Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice
This dish features succulent chicken marinated in lime and cilantro, ready in 30 minutes. Served over fluffy rice, it’s packed with zesty and fresh flavors. The cilantro and lime give it a refreshing taste, perfect for summer cookouts. It’s an easy way to bring bold flavors to the table.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice
Zucchini Noodle Salad
This salad features spiralized zucchini noodles with cherry tomatoes and mozzarella, taking about 20 minutes to make. It’s light, fresh, and full of flavor with a simple vinaigrette. Ideal for a healthy and refreshing side dish. Perfect for adding a veggie-packed option to your cookout.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Noodle Salad
Grilled Shrimp Grain Bowl
This bowl combines grilled shrimp with quinoa and fresh veggies, ready in 25 minutes. The shrimp are seasoned and grilled to perfection, adding a smoky flavor. The grain bowl is both filling and nutritious. Great for a balanced and flavorful meal at your cookout.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Grain Bowl
Grilled Rockfish Tacos
These tacos feature flaky grilled rockfish with a tangy slaw, taking about 30 minutes to prepare. The rockfish is perfectly seasoned and pairs well with the fresh slaw. Serve with a squeeze of lime for an extra burst of flavor. An excellent choice for a seafood twist at your cookout.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Rockfish Tacos
Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes
These mashed potatoes are made with brown butter and garlic, ready in 25 minutes. They’re creamy, buttery, and have a rich, nutty flavor. Perfect as a comforting side dish. They’ll be a hit at any cookout with their savory taste.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce
These fritters are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, ready in 30 minutes. Made with sweet potatoes and served with a sweet and spicy sauce, they’re a flavorful treat. The sauce adds a perfect kick. Great as a unique side or appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce
Lemon Dill Salmon and Asparagus
This dish features tender salmon and asparagus with a lemon dill seasoning, ready in 25 minutes. The lemon and dill give it a fresh and zesty flavor. It’s a light and healthy option. Perfect for a quick and elegant cookout dish.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Dill Salmon and Asparagus
Veggie Couscous Salad
This salad is packed with fresh veggies and fluffy couscous, ready in 20 minutes. It’s a light and refreshing side dish with a simple vinaigrette. Perfect for adding a healthy option to your cookout. It’s easy to make and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Couscous Salad
Summer Orzo Salad
This salad features orzo pasta with cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta, ready in 20 minutes. It’s a refreshing and light dish, perfect for summer. The feta adds a creamy texture and salty flavor. Great as a side dish for any cookout.
Get the Recipe: Summer Orzo Salad
California Steak Salad
This salad combines grilled steak with fresh greens and avocado, ready in 30 minutes. The steak is juicy and flavorful, while the avocado adds a creamy texture. Perfect for a hearty and satisfying meal. Great for adding a touch of elegance to your cookout.
Get the Recipe: California Steak Salad
Garam Masala Cedar Plank Salmon
This dish features salmon seasoned with garam masala, cooked on a cedar plank, ready in 25 minutes. The garam masala adds a warm, spicy flavor, while the cedar plank gives it a smoky taste. Perfect for a unique and flavorful main dish. Ideal for impressing guests at your cookout.
Get the Recipe: Garam Masala Cedar Plank Salmon
Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta
These shells are stuffed with a creamy mixture of spinach and ricotta, ready in 35 minutes. They’re rich, cheesy, and comforting. Perfect for a hearty and satisfying meal. Great as a main dish for a cookout.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta
Citrus Asparagus Couscous
This dish combines asparagus with couscous and a citrus vinaigrette, ready in 20 minutes. It’s light, fresh, and full of flavor. Perfect as a side dish for a summer cookout. The citrus adds a bright and tangy taste.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Asparagus Couscous
Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken
This chicken is marinated in a maple mustard sauce, ready in 30 minutes. It’s sweet, tangy, and full of flavor. Perfect for a quick and easy main dish. Great for adding a unique twist to your cookout.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken
25-Minute Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burger
This burger features ground beef with bacon and avocado, ready in 25 minutes. It’s juicy, flavorful, and packed with delicious toppings. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal. Great for a classic yet elevated cookout dish.
Get the Recipe: 25-Minute Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burger
Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf
This dish combines grilled pork chops with shrimp, ready in 30 minutes. It’s a hearty and flavorful option with a touch of seafood. Perfect for a unique and satisfying main dish. Great for impressing guests at your cookout.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf
Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce
This pork shoulder is slow-cooked with a mustard BBQ sauce, taking about 6 hours. It’s tender, juicy, and full of flavor. Perfect for a make-ahead main dish. Great for a hassle-free cookout.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce
Summer Veggie Couscous with Sauteed Tilapia
This dish features couscous with summer veggies and sauteed tilapia, ready in 30 minutes. It’s light, fresh, and full of flavor. Perfect for a healthy and balanced meal. Great for adding a seafood option to your cookout.
Get the Recipe: Summer Veggie Couscous with Sauteed Tilapia
Screaming Skillet Green Beans
These green beans are cooked in a skillet with garlic and lemon, ready in 15 minutes. They’re fresh, tangy, and full of flavor. Perfect as a quick and easy side dish. Great for adding a healthy option to your cookout.
Get the Recipe: Screaming Skillet Green Beans
Citrus Glazed Pork Chops
These pork chops are glazed with a citrus sauce, ready in 25 minutes. They’re sweet, tangy, and full of flavor. Perfect for a quick and easy main dish. Great for adding a unique twist to your cookout.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Glazed Pork Chops