July is *already* approaching. We are just beginning to do amazing things. summer barbecue recipes. What better time to try a new grill recipe, use summer produce in seasonal salads, and indulge in delicious, nostalgic desserts?
I’ve put together over 50 amazing recipes that are perfect for Fourth of July celebrations, backyard cookouts, and park picnics. There are lots of easy grilling recipes that are great for those new to grilling (be sure to check out my guides on grilling chicken and pizza!). And there are tons of gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options.
These summer recipes are categorized into appetizers, sides, salads, main dishes, cocktails, and desserts, so pick one from each category and assemble a delicious meal!
GF = Gluten Free
V = Vegan
VT = vegetarian
If you’ve made any of these healthier summer BBQ recipes, please leave a comment below and let me know how you liked them! You can also tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram so I can see your creations.
Don’t forget our easy baking tutorial
The Ultimate Guide to Free Baking
our Free, printable eBook We’ve got all the tips, tricks, and tutorials you need to feel confident behind the grill this summer (and all year long!).
Craving Dips & Salsa
*All are gluten-free products
Really delicious corn salsa V
Whipped Feta Bruschetta Dip VT
Avocado Peach Salsa V
Fresh Mango Salsa Recipe V
Spicy Roasted Red Pepper Feta Dip VT
Tony’s Super Easy Homemade Salsa V
Fresh & Healthy 7 Layer Deep VT
Garlic White Bean Basil Hummus V
Unique appetizers
Pizza Puff Pastry Tart VT
Peach Crostini with Whipped Cottage Cheese, Basil and Hot Honey VT
Strawberry Balsamic Bruschetta VT
Parmesan Tomato Zucchini Tart VT
Roasted Strawberries, Basil and Goat Cheese Crostini VT
Fresh fruit and vegetable salad
Peach Brussels Sprouts Crunch Salad with Creamy Tahini Poppy Seed Dressing V, GF
Healthy Coleslaw (No Mayonnaise!) V, GF
Summer Strawberry Spinach Salad with Avocado VT, GF
Avocado Peach Tomato Salad with Dilly Tahini Dressing V, GF
Roasted Corn Salad with Avocado, Goat Cheese, and Hot Honey Vinaigrette VT, GF
Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad
Summer Peach Spinach Salad with Avocado, Roasted Almonds + Goat Cheese VT, GF
Easiest Chopped Greek Chickpea Salad VT, GF
Spicy Ranch Chopped Chicken Cabbage Salad GF
Best Quinoa & Pasta Salad
*To keep this gluten-free pasta, use your favorite gluten-free pasta shape!
Absolutely Delicious BLT Pasta Salad with Creamy Jalapeño Cashew Dressing
Herby Olive Italian Orzo Salad V
Imitation Portillo’s Chopped Salad
Scoop It Up Kale Couscous Salad VT
Herby Chickpea and Feta Pasta Salad VT
Grilled Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Street Corn Pasta Salad with Cilantro Pesto + Goat Cheese VT
Peach, Tomato, Corn Arugula Pasta Salad VT
creative main dish
Grilled Tahini Chicken Caesar Sandwich GF
Smashed Buffalo Chicken Tacos with Herby Ranch Slaw GF
Georgia Peach Pizza VT
Slow Cooker Chili Pepper Kin Sandwich GF
Chipotle Lime Salmon Tacos with Corn Avocado Peach Salsa & Cilantro Yogurt Sauce GF
Jalapeno Curry Türkiye Burger GF
Amazing Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Sandwich GF
Really good sweet potato cheddar bbq chicken burger GF
Moroccan Turkey Burger with Creamy Feta Sauce GF
Crazy Good Street Corn Chicken Taco GF
Buffalo Zucchini Chicken Burger GF
festive cocktails
Frozen Cherry Margarita
Spiked Tropical Green Juice (aka Green Margarita)
Watermelon Frosé
Frozen Strawberry Margarita
Spiked Cherry Limeade
Coconut Lime Margarita
Frozen Mango Margarita
Skinny Jalapeno Watermelon Margarita
Bars, Brownies and Cookies
Sweet and Salty Chocolate Tahini Rice Krispie Treat GF
Scoopable Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies GF
Ooey-Gooey Tahini S’mores Bar GF
Salted Tahini Caramel Millionaire Bar V, GF
Soft Lime Sugar Cookies GF
Grain Free Tahini Brownie (Best brownie I’ve ever had!) GF
Healthier Flourless Monster Cookies GF
Grain Free Chocolate Chunk Skillet Cookies V, G.F.
Vegan Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Caramel Bar V, GF
Not Mom’s Magic Cookies
Chocolate dipped peanut butter cookies with toffee and crushed pretzels
Blow Ya Mind Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies V, G.F.
Healthy Peanut Butter Twix Bars V, GF
Tahini Monster Cookie Bar GF
S’mores Peanut Butter Cookie Skillet (or Bar!) GF
Fuzzy Almond Butter Blondies GF
Healthy Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats V, GF
fruit dessert
Mixed Berry Cobbler with Lemon-Pistachio Biscuits GF
Gluten Free Peach Crisp with Salted Coconut Milk Caramel V, GF
Rainbow Fruit Skewers V, GF
Fresh Cherry Crisps with Almond Oatmeal Crumble V, GF
Strawberry Crumble Bar V, GF
Grilled Peaches (+6 Topping Ideas!) V, GF
Strawberry Crisp with Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Crumble V, GF
Cherry Pie Bars with Oatmeal Crumble V, GF
If you’ve made any of these healthier summer BBQ recipes, please leave a comment below and let me know how you liked them! You can also tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram so I can see your creations.
