Home Nutrition 50+ Best Recipes For Summer Holidays and BBQs

50+ Best Recipes For Summer Holidays and BBQs

Summer food is where it’s at, don’t you agree? I love the fresh flavors of summer!

Whether you’re firing up the grill, heading to a potluck, or just soaking up the sun in your own backyard, this roundup of tried-and-true summer recipes has everything you need for the months ahead.

From fresh salads and juicy burgers (those jalapeño cheddar turkey burgers are SOMETHING ELSE) to refreshing desserts and icy drinks (make sure to scroll all the way to see the sweets and drinks!), these are the recipes that make summer holidays and BBQs extra delicious. Plus, it’s so much fun to share really good food with others!

1

Grilled chicken breast on wood platter with sliced chicken breasts.Grilled chicken breast on wood platter with sliced chicken breasts.

Lemon Garlic Grilled Chicken

This has been my go-to grilled chicken for over 15 years! Easy, DELICIOUS, and so versatile (goes with just about anything!).

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2

Grilled hawaiian chicken on plate with grilled pineapple and rice.Grilled hawaiian chicken on plate with grilled pineapple and rice.

Grilled Hawaiian Chicken

This is absolutely tremendous served with cilantro lime rice and fresh pineapple. YUM!

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3

jalapeno cheddar turkey burger with guacamole, tomato, and lettuce on white platejalapeno cheddar turkey burger with guacamole, tomato, and lettuce on white plate

Jalapeno Cheddar Turkey Burgers

One of my most favorite recipes on my site! We make these all the time and pile on guac, tomatoes, and lettuce.

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4

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Grilled Honey and Ginger Marinated Flank Steak

This is such a great marinade for flank steak – but it also works well for any other type of steak, too!

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5

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Tender Grilled Pork Chops

The comment section of this recipe is FILLED with people exclaiming they’ve never had pork chops as delicious as these. They really are amazing!

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6

Grilled chicken breast slices with sauce, rice and fresh limes on gray plate.Grilled chicken breast slices with sauce, rice and fresh limes on gray plate.

Grilled Lime Coconut Chicken with Coconut Rice

The flavors in this grilled chicken are so, so good! It’s another one we love to serve with cilantro lime rice (or garlic butter rice or coconut rice!).

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7

Several chicken, pineapple and pepper skewers on metal sticks on white platter.Several chicken, pineapple and pepper skewers on metal sticks on white platter.

BBQ Chicken Pineapple Skewers

These skewers are stunning and so flavorful. The grilled pineapple is next level good.

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8

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Grilled Greek Chicken Kebabs with Simple Tzatziki Sauce

A Greek-style chicken skewer recipe, which is also next level if you serve it with tzatziki sauce. WOW!

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9

Teriyaki turkey burgers with grilled pineapple, lettuce, and soft bun.Teriyaki turkey burgers with grilled pineapple, lettuce, and soft bun.

Teriyaki Turkey Burgers with Grilled Pineapple

I have a thing for grilled pineapple if you can’t tell, and it is other-worldly delish on these teriyaki burgers.

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10

Grilled chicken breasts topped with pico de gallo on a white plate with a bowl of chopped bacon and a half of a lime in the background.Grilled chicken breasts topped with pico de gallo on a white plate with a bowl of chopped bacon and a half of a lime in the background.

Monterey Chicken with Pico de Gallo {Chili’s Copycat}

Many in my family have been requesting this chicken for their birthday dinner, it’s that good! Use thin-cut chicken breasts – they work the best.

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11

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Grilled Teriyaki Chicken

So simple and so easy, this is some of the best grilled chicken ever. The flavors are so good! You can skip the rice and pineapple and throw this chicken into a BBQ lineup with lots of different sides.

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12

fork taking piece of rosemary ranch chicken on white plate with rosemary and potatoesfork taking piece of rosemary ranch chicken on white plate with rosemary and potatoes

Rosemary Ranch Chicken

People go crazy for this grilled chicken! The ranch and rosemary flavors are incredible, and it can be marinated a day ahead of time.

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Classic Grilled Burgers

Can’t go wrong with just a good old-fashioned grilled hamburger! This recipe isn’t rocket science, but it does make the best grilled burgers ever.

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14

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Grilled Lemon Chicken Wraps with Spicy Garlic Sauce

I know I wax poetic about this recipe all the time, but these lemon wraps (and that sauce!!) are just too good. One of my favorite meals ever.

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15

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Balsamic Beef Kebabs

The meat on these kebabs is so tender, so juicy, and packed with so much flavor! I often add slices of red onion in between the beef pieces.

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16

slotted spoon in dish of saucy baked beansslotted spoon in dish of saucy baked beans

The Best Saucy Baked Beans

Seriously the very best baked beans in the whole world! And so, so easy to make.

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17

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Italian Pasta Salad

Classic and delicious, this Italian pasta salad is always a hit! The homemade Italian dressing is incredibly good.

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18

Serving of Greek pasta salad on white plate with fork to the side.Serving of Greek pasta salad on white plate with fork to the side.

Greek Pasta Salad

Love, love, love this colorful salad packed with so many amazing ingredients! One of my favorite things to bring to summer potlucks.

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19

Pesto pasta salad topped with pine nuts in a white bowl.Pesto pasta salad topped with pine nuts in a white bowl.

Pesto Pasta Salad with Peas and Parmesan

Pesto is one of the tastiest flavors of summer, and this pasta salad is loaded with pesto and Parmesan. So yummy! Add halved cherry tomatoes for a delicious pop of color and juiciness.

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20

Pasta salad on oval white tray with olives, tomatoes, parmesan cheese and fresh basil.Pasta salad on oval white tray with olives, tomatoes, parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

Tri-Color Pasta Salad

One of the longest standing pasta salad recipes on my site and probably the one I make the most! I love the colorful presentation, but it is the flavors that really shine in this one.

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21

White bowl filled with Mexican street corn salad, topped with cilantro and lime.White bowl filled with Mexican street corn salad, topped with cilantro and lime.

Mexican Street Corn Salad

This is such an easy summer salad to make, and people always go crazy for it! Serve it warm, room temp, or chilled. Really delicious!

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22

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Summer Corn Salad

This unassuming salad makes the best use of fresh summer corn. I love the light, fresh flavors in this one!

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23

Cowboy caviar dip in white bowl.Cowboy caviar dip in white bowl.

Easy Cowboy Caviar

Not to play favorites, but if there is an iconic salad/appetizer to serve during the warm summer months, I think it would be this cowboy caviar. It’s literally so easy (dump everything in a bowl), and absolutely tasty with tortilla chips.

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24

Veggie dip in small glass bowl surrounded by vegetables on white tray.Veggie dip in small glass bowl surrounded by vegetables on white tray.

Best Veggie Dip on the Planet

Everyone needs a go-to ranch-y, zesty veggie dip, and this is mine! It’s so good on fresh vegetables…and tasty on those thick, ridged potato chips, too.

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25

white serving bowl filled with salad ingredients for loaded fresh basil couscous green saladwhite serving bowl filled with salad ingredients for loaded fresh basil couscous green salad

Loaded Fresh Basil and Sweet Corn Couscous Green Salad

You have to make this salad. Promise me, okay? It is absolutely incredible. Definitely one of the tastiest salads I’ve ever had and an absolute must-make with summer’s fresh corn.

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26

Top down view of a white bowl filled with diced chicken, diced avocado, chunks of fresh corn, and bacon bits.Top down view of a white bowl filled with diced chicken, diced avocado, chunks of fresh corn, and bacon bits.

Avocado Chicken Salad

I love this easy salad to throw together for a simple summer dinner or lunch. And it makes a great addition to a get-together outdoor cookout. It is fantastic served with tortilla chips or baguette slices.

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Amazing Romaine Salad with Light Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

This is the green salad I turn to most when I need an easy salad offering that is a showstopper in deliciousness!

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28

A white bowl of chopped broccoli salad with shredded cheese, diced onion, bacon bits, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries coated in a light sauce.A white bowl of chopped broccoli salad with shredded cheese, diced onion, bacon bits, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries coated in a light sauce.

The Best Broccoli Salad

Moment of silence for this best-ever broccoli salad. It is INCREDIBLE. I love making it in the summer, but it also appears at a lot of holiday meals, too!

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29

Closeup of honey lime fruit salad.Closeup of honey lime fruit salad.

Honey Lime Fruit Salad

This recipe has a very strong, avid following for a reason. A few simple ingredients transform fruit salad into something really special.

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30

Layered Greek Hummus DipLayered Greek Hummus Dip

Easy 7-Layer Greek Hummus Dip

This layered hummus dip is so fun to make, serve, and eat! We love serving it with thick, crispy (or soft) pita chips.

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31

Two watermelon sticks dipped in Greek yogurt creamy watermelon dip.Two watermelon sticks dipped in Greek yogurt creamy watermelon dip.

Easy Creamy Watermelon Dip

Creamy and zesty, this dip is so good with watermelon…but it makes a fantastic dip for other fruits too, like strawberries, grapes and melons.

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32

Serving spoon scooping serving of warm bean dip topped with cheese in white square baking dish.Serving spoon scooping serving of warm bean dip topped with cheese in white square baking dish.

Hot Bean Dip

This bean dip is so, so yummy, and a delicious addition to any summer menu lineup.

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33

Spoonful of creamy bacon jalapeno popper dip.Spoonful of creamy bacon jalapeno popper dip.

Bacon Jalapeño Popper Dip

Ok, playing favorites again. This creamy, cheesy dip is so good I could cry. It’s one of my sons absolute favorite recipes from my whole site! Delicious served with bread, chips or veggies.

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34

Small white bowl with fruit salsa with baked cinnamon tortilla chips.Small white bowl with fruit salsa with baked cinnamon tortilla chips.

Fruit Salsa with Baked Cinnamon Tortilla Chips

This fresh fruit salsa is so pretty and so tasty! I love serving it with cinnamon-baked tortilla pieces. Such a fun dish to serve in the summer!

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35

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Divine One-Minute Salsa

Whip up this easy salsa in no time! It has restaurant-salsa vibes and has such great flavor.

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36

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Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Dip

Creamy sweet peanut buttery dip? I’m totally down for that! This PB cookie dough dip is really good with pretzels, graham crackers or other little cookie, crackery type dippables.

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37

Square of layered Oreo ice cream dessert on gray plate with bite taken out.Square of layered Oreo ice cream dessert on gray plate with bite taken out.

Easy Oreo Ice Cream Dessert

This brilliant dessert is crazy delicious and can be changed up a million ways with different types of ice cream and cookies!

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38

Oreo rice krispie treats side by side on white tray.Oreo rice krispie treats side by side on white tray.

Perfect Oreo Rice Krispie Treats

I love a good no-bake dessert in the summer and these Oreo rice krispie treats are so easy to make and so, so yummy!

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39

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Browned Butter Vanilla Rice Krispie Treats

This is my go-to for classic rice krispie treats. The brown butter is such an easy addition and makes all the difference. SO GOOD!

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40

butterscotch rice krispie pulled in half on white parchment paperbutterscotch rice krispie pulled in half on white parchment paper

Butterscotch Rice Krispie Treats

If you haven’t made these butterscotch rice krispie treats, you are missing out. They are next-level delicious!

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41

Lots of frosted Swig sugar cookies with sprinkles on white tray.Lots of frosted Swig sugar cookies with sprinkles on white tray.

Swig Sugar Cookies {Copycat Recipe}

These cookies are iconic for the summer and can be changed up with different colors of frosting and sprinkles depending on your mood or the holiday!

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42

Three and a half stacked lemon sugar cookies on parchment paper.Three and a half stacked lemon sugar cookies on parchment paper.

Easy Lemon Sugar Cookies

If you are looking for a fantastic lemon sugar cookie, this one is crazy popular and so, so delicious. They freeze great, too!

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43

Assembled s'mores blossom cookies with toasted marshmallows and Hershey's Kisses on cooling rack.Assembled s'mores blossom cookies with toasted marshmallows and Hershey's Kisses on cooling rack.

S’Mores Blossom Cookies

Have you made these s’mores blossom cookies? So incredibly cute and WOW, they are so, so delicious.

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44

square of peaches and cream dessert on metal spatulasquare of peaches and cream dessert on metal spatula

No-Bake Peaches and Cream Sensation

I know many of you wait for peach season just to make this dessert! It has a viral following (including myself!). One of the most incredible desserts you’ll make this summer.

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45

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Key Lime White Chocolate Cheesecake Pie

Ooooh, yum. Delicious lime flavors in a creamy cheesecake pie. This dessert is so light and fresh and yummy!

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46

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Key Lime Bars

These little key lime bars are one of the oldest recipes on my site, and I still make them after all this time! They are bite-size and so, so delicious.

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47

A slice of lemon pie with a graham cracker crust, topped with whipped cream and a bite taken out. Fresh raspberries sit beside the slice.A slice of lemon pie with a graham cracker crust, topped with whipped cream and a bite taken out. Fresh raspberries sit beside the slice.

Magnolia Lemon Pie with Graham Cracker Crust

This simple lemon pie will blow you away with how delicious it is! I love serving it with a bit of whipped cream and fresh raspberries.

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48

square of lemon white chocolate cream bar on white plate with bite taken outsquare of lemon white chocolate cream bar on white plate with bite taken out

Lemon White Chocolate Cream Bars

A fun take on lemon bars, this version is ultra-creamy with the brightest pop of lemon flavor on top. Plus, you just can’t go wrong with a buttery graham crust.

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49

Scooping out a serving of heavenly blueberries and cream angel food cake dessert.Scooping out a serving of heavenly blueberries and cream angel food cake dessert.

Heavenly Blueberries and Cream Angel Dessert

This epic creamy summer dessert is one of the most popular dessert recipes on my website and has been for years. It is PERFECT for summer months and backyard BBQs.

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50

layered angel food cake, raspberries and whipped cream in white baking dish with scoop taken outlayered angel food cake, raspberries and whipped cream in white baking dish with scoop taken out

Heavenly Raspberry Cream Angel Food Cake Dessert

Yes! A raspberry version of the famous blueberry dessert. This one is so good with the addition of lemon curd dolloped in with the raspberry filling.

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51

scooping out pink sorbet with ice cream sorbetscooping out pink sorbet with ice cream sorbet

Pink Tropical Raspberry Sorbet

How fun is this icy, creamy dessert? It is really easy to make and is delicious served in small bowls…and ultra-fun served in glasses topped off with fizzy ginger ale.

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52

homemade strawberry frozen yogurt in white cup with silver spoonhomemade strawberry frozen yogurt in white cup with silver spoon

Easy Homemade Strawberry Frozen Yogurt

You won’t believe how easy this frozen yogurt is to make with so few ingredients. It’s one of our favorite things to whip up during the summer!

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53

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Chocolate-Mint Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches

You just can’t go wrong with ice cream sandwiches, and this mint chip version is so yummy!

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54

Half eaten slice of frozen strawberry lemonade pie on white plate.Half eaten slice of frozen strawberry lemonade pie on white plate.

Frozen Strawberry Lemonade Pie

Creamy, bright, and lemony, this frozen lemonade pie is so great for warm months and can be made days ahead of time!

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55

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Homemade Lemonade

So simple and delicious! If serving this with fresh lemon slices, add them right before serving (if they are added too far in advance, it can make the lemonade bitter-tasting).

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56

Top down view of red punch in glass pitcher with sliced oranges and strawberries.Top down view of red punch in glass pitcher with sliced oranges and strawberries.

The Best Party Punch

This lovely and delish party punch is so perfect to serve for summer get-togethers and backyard BBQs. Fresh fruit optional but really pretty!

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Frozen Mint Lemonade Slush

Ah, we love this gingery, fizzy, frozen slushie. So easy and fun to make in the summer!

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58

Glass cup filled with strawberry puree and icy pineapple coconut mixture with red straw and pineapple wedge on rim of glass.Glass cup filled with strawberry puree and icy pineapple coconut mixture with red straw and pineapple wedge on rim of glass.

Lava Flow Hawaiian Tropical Drink {Non-Alcoholic}

I’ve been making this pretty, fun drink for my kids for almost 20 years! It’s a favorite in the summer and such a hit with just my family or if we have friends over.

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59

Tall glass filled with frosted lemonade with striped straws and lemon slice for garnish.Tall glass filled with frosted lemonade with striped straws and lemon slice for garnish.

Whipped Frosted Lemonade

You can have this whipped frosted lemonade ready to enjoy in just a few quick minutes. It’s a fun one to make any time of the year, but especially in the summer!

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