The Ultimate Summer BBQ Recipes

It’s *already* almost July, and we’re just getting started with all of the amazing summer BBQ recipes. What better time to try out a new grilling recipe, use summer produce in a seasonal salad, or finally try that delicious, nostalgic dessert?

I put together over 50 incredible recipes for you that are perfect for the Fourth of July, a backyard cookout, or a park picnic. There are plenty of easy grilling recipes great for first-timers using the grill (be sure to check out my guide for grilling chicken and pizza!) and tons of gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options.

These summer recipes are broken down into appetizers & sides, salads, main dishes, cocktails, and desserts, so pick one from each category and put together a delicious menu!

GF = Gluten Free

V = Vegan

VT = Vegetarian

If you make any of these healthier summer BBQ recipes, be sure to leave a comment below and let me know how you liked it! You can also tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram so that I can see your creations.

Don’t forget our easy grilling tutorials

FREE Ultimate Guide to Grilling

Get our FREE, printable e-book with all of the tips, tricks and tutorials you’ll need to gain confidence behind the grill this summer (and all year round!)

Craveable Dips & Salsas

*These are all gluten-free

Just a Really Good 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 Ridiculously Easy Homemade Salsa V

Fresh & Healthy 7-Layer Dip VT

Garlic White Bean Basil Hummus V

Unique Appetizers

Pizza Puff Pastry Tarts VT

Peach Crostini with Whipped Cottage Cheese, Basil & Hot Honey VT

Strawberry Balsamic Bruschetta VT

Parmesan Tomato Zucchini Tart VT

Roasted Strawberry, Basil, and Goat Cheese Crostini VT

Fresh Fruit & Veggie Salads

Peach Brussels Sprouts Crunch Salad with Creamy Tahini Poppy Seed Dressing V, GF

Healthy Coleslaw (no mayo!) V, GF

Summer Strawberry Spinach Salad with Avocado VT, GF

Avocado Peach Tomato Salad with Dilly Tahini Dressing V, GF

Grilled Corn Salad with Avocado, Goat Cheese & Hot Honey Vinaigrette VT, GF

Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad

Summer Peach Spinach Salad with Avocado, Toasted Almonds + Goat Cheese VT, GF

The Easiest Chopped Greek Chickpea Salad VT, GF

Spicy Ranch Chopped Chicken Cabbage Salad GF

The Best Quinoa & Pasta Salad

*Use your favorite gluten-free pasta shape to keep any of these gluten-free!

Damn Good BLT Pasta Salad with Creamy Jalapeño Cashew Dressing

Herby Olive Italian Orzo Salad V

Copycat 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 Dishes

Grilled Tahini Chicken Caesar Sandwiches GF

Smashed Buffalo Chicken Tacos with Herby Ranch Slaw GF

The Georgia Peach Pizza VT

Slow Cooker Gochujang Chicken Sandwiches GF

Chipotle Lime Salmon Tacos with Corn Avocado Peach Salsa & Cilantro Yogurt Sauce GF

Jalapeño Curry Turkey Burgers GF

Incredible Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Sandwiches GF

Seriously Good Sweet Potato Cheddar BBQ Chicken Burgers GF

Moroccan-Spiced Turkey Burgers with Creamy Feta Sauce GF

Crazy Good Street Corn Chicken Tacos GF

Buffalo Zucchini Chicken Burgers 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 Jalapeño Watermelon Margaritas

Bars, Brownies & Cookies

Sweet and Salty Chocolate Tahini Rice Krispie Treats GF

Scoopable Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies GF

Ooey-Gooey Tahini S’mores Bars GF

Salted Tahini Caramel Millionaire Bars V, GF

Soft Lime Sugar Cookies GF

Grain Free Tahini Brownies (the best brownies I’ve ever eaten!) GF

Healthier Flourless Monster Cookies GF

Grain Free Chocolate Chunk Skillet Cookie V, GF

Vegan Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Caramel Bars V, GF

Not Your Mama’s Magic Cookies

Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies with Toffee & Crushed Pretzels

Blow Ya Mind Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies V, GF

Healthy Peanut Butter Twix Bars V, GF

Tahini Monster Cookie Bars GF

S’mores Peanut Butter Cookie Skillet (or bars!) GF

Fudgy Almond Butter Blondies GF

Healthy Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats V, GF

Fruit Desserts

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 Crisp with Almond Oatmeal Crumble V, GF

Strawberry Crumble Bars V, GF

Grilled Peaches (+6 different topping ideas!) V, GF

Strawberry Crisp with Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Crumble V, GF

Cherry Pie Bars with Oatmeal Crumble V, GF

If you make any of these healthier summer BBQ recipes, be sure to leave a comment below and let me know how you liked it! You can also tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram so that I can see your creations.