It’s National BBQ Week which means it’s the perfect time to gather your friends and family and host a lovely dinner party in your back garden. The perfect barbecue requires the correct preparation, the right ingredients, and some creativity. Below we have listed some delicious barbecue recipes to try to impress your loved ones this National BBQ Week.
The first and most important step in planning your barbecue is preparing what food you are going to serve. It’s important to take into account all of your guests taste preferences and allergy requirements. Aiming for a balanced menu with a variety of meats, sides and vegetarian options is a great way to ensure everyone is happy. Some ideas are:
Meats: Burgers, Hot Dogs, Sausages, Chicken
Vegetarian Options: Veggie Sausages, Grilled Halloumi, Vegetarian Burgers, Grilled Vegetables
Sides: Coleslaw, Potato Sald, Pesto Pasta, Salads, Corn on the cob
For some inspiration, why not try this delicious Grilled BBQ Chicken Recipe.
For the Chicken:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
For the BBQ Sauce:
240 ml ketchup
60 ml apple cider vinegar
60 grams brown sugar
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken:
Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and rub it in to coat evenly. This will help prevent sticking to the grill.
2. Make the BBQ Sauce:
In a medium saucepan, combine all the barbecue sauce ingredients.
Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool slightly.
3. Preheat the BBQ Grill:
Preheat your barbecue grill to medium-high heat.
4. Grill the Chicken:
Place the chicken breasts on the grill. Close the lid and cook for about 5-7 minutes per side.
In the last few minutes of grilling, brush the chicken with a generous amount of BBQ sauce. Flip and brush the other side. Let the sauce caramelize slightly but be careful not to burn it.
5. Serve:
Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes.
Serve with extra BBQ sauce on the side, for a delicious twist you could also serve the chicken with some grilled pineapple to offer a refreshing sweetness.
If you have any vegetarian guests attending your barbecue this year, why not try out these quick and easy Grilled Vegetable and Halloumi Skewers that’ll be sure to leave a good impression.
Ingredients
For the Skewers:
1 large courgette, sliced into rounds
1 red pepper, cut into chunks
1 yellow pepper, cut into chunks
1 red onion, cut into chunks
250 grams cherry tomatoes
225 grams halloumi cheese, cut into cubes
60 ml olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
15 ml lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
Wooden or metal skewers
For the Yogurt Dipping Sauce:
240 ml Greek yoghurt
1 cucumber, grated and excess water squeezed out
1 clove garlic, minced
15 ml lemon juice
15 ml olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Prepare the Vegetables and Halloumi:
If you are using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
Add the courgette, peppers, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and halloumi cubes to the bowl. Toss to coat the vegetables and halloumi evenly with the marinade.
2. Assemble the Skewers:
Thread the marinated vegetables and halloumi cubes onto the skewers, alternating the ingredients for a colourful presentation.
Preheat the barbecue to medium-high heat.
3. Grill the Skewers:
Place the skewers on the preheated barbecue.
Grill for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and lightly charred and the halloumi is golden brown.
4. Prepare the Yogurt Dipping Sauce:
In a medium bowl, combine the Greek yoghurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.
5. Serve:
Remove the skewers from the barbecue and let them cool slightly.
Serve the skewers with the yoghurt dipping sauce on the side.
To accompany your main dishes, you will need an array of sides for your guests to enjoy. This delicious Garlic Corn on the Cob is a wonderful addition to any barbecue.
Ingredients
For the Corn:
6 corn on the cobs
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
For the Garlic Butter:
100 grams unsalted butter, softened
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Prepare the Corn:
Preheat the barbecue to medium-high heat.
Brush each corn on the cob with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
2. Grill the Corn:
Place the corn on the barbecue grates.
Grill the corn for about 10-15 minutes, turning every few minutes, until all sides are charred and the kernels are tender.
3. Make the Garlic Butter:
In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, chopped chives, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until well combined.
4. Serve:
Remove the corn from the barbecue and place it on a serving platter.
While the corn is still hot, brush each ear generously with the garlic butter.
Sprinkle additional parsley or chives on top for garnish if desired.
Serve immediately.
Tips:
Tin foil Wrap: You can also wrap the corn in tin foil before placing it on the barbecue for a different cooking method that locks in moisture.
Cheese Option: Sprinkle grated Parmesan or crumbled feta cheese over the corn after applying the garlic butter for added flavour.
Enjoy your delicious grilled corn on the cob with garlic butter as a perfect barbecue side dish!
Lastly, to finish off your barbecue you need to have a dessert. These delicious Fruit Skewers are the perfect sweet, and refreshing way to finish off your barbecue on a hot summer day.
Ingredients
For the Fruit Skewers
2 peaches, pitted and cut into chunks
1 cup strawberries, cut into chunks
1 pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into chunks
2 bananas, peeled and sliced into rounds
Wooden or metal skewers
For the Honey-Lime Glaze:
60 ml honey
Zest and juice of 1 lime
1 tablespoon melted butter or coconut oil
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For Serving:
Greek yogurt or vanilla ice cream
Instructions
1. Preheat the Grill:
Preheat your barbecue to medium heat.
2. Prepare the Fruit Skewers:
Thread the fruit onto skewers, alternating between different types of fruit.
3. Make the Honey-Lime Glaze:
In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, lime zest, lime juice, melted butter or coconut oil, and ground cinnamon (if using) until well combined.
4. Grill the Fruit Skewers:
Place the fruit skewers on the preheated barbecue.
Grill for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the fruit is tender and caramelized.
5. Glaze the Fruit:
Brush the grilled fruit skewers with the honey-lime glaze, coating them evenly.
6. Serve:
Serve the grilled fruit skewers immediately with a dollop of Greek yogurt or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Tips:
Marinate: For extra flavour, you can marinate the fruit in the honey-lime glaze for 15-30 minutes before grilling.
There is no better way to celebrate National BBQ week than by hosting a cozy gathering in your back garden with friends and family. The recipes we’ve shared are not only delicious but are also perfect for creating memorable moments with your loved ones. Whether you host barbecues every year or you are getting ready to try it out for the first time, these dishes will be sure to impress – lets celebrate good food, great company, and the start of an incredible summer season.