8 Backyard BBQ recipes to try this summer

After the last year, nothing’s better than getting a bunch of friends together, firing up the grill and just hanging out. There’s something magical about barbecued food — the smokiness, the charred flavor, the crispy edges and crusts. These recipes celebrate all things summer and the beauty of what you can do with some charcoal (or wood, if that’s your preference). Plus, there’s the joy of stepping back from the stove and heading outdoors to enjoy those long summer nights with a cold cocktail in one hand and your favorite tongs in the other. So, fire up your grill and get that smoke wafting through the air.

1. Grilled Oysters with Spiced Tequila Butter
Oysters are one of my favorite things to grill. Heating them makes them oh so easy to open. Make sure you have a towel to hold them as you pop the top shell off. Rock salt on the platter ensures that all of the butter and tequila stay in the shell.

2. Peach-Bourbon Sweet Tea
There’s nothing better than sweet tea on a hot day. This one can be multiplied and made by the pitcher. 

3. Grilled Pineapple Rum Shortcakes
I love to set up a shortcake station. A platter of split biscuits, a bowl of the grilled, spicy pineapple and freshly whipped rum cream is a great way to end the evening.

4. Oven-Roasted Potato Salad
Oven roasting the potatoes adds a depth of flavor to this potato salad. If you don’t want to turn on the oven, you can also roast the potatoes on the grill. Just pop the roasting pan on a hot grill and make sure to toss them frequently so they don’t stick.

5. Grilled Pork Burgers with Country Mustard and Quick Pickles
It wouldn’t be a barbecue without a burger. Coffee and brown sugar add a unique flavor to the pork. The pickles are so easy, you’ll want to double the recipe and keep a jar in your fridge.

6. Buttermilk Coleslaw
Buttermilk adds a lovely tang to traditional coleslaw. It’s a great way to use up that buttermilk in your fridge. (Pro tip: If you don’t have buttermilk, make your own by adding 1 tablespoon lemon juice to 1 cup whole milk.)

7. Grilled Salmon with Guava Barbecue Sauce and Mango Salsa
Grilling the fish adds a smokiness that pairs beautiful with the sweetness of the dark rum in the sauce. Note: you can also use a whole salmon side instead of individual fillets.

8. Grilled Panzanella
You can grill the bread as soon as you pour the charcoal out of the chimney into the grill. Don’t walk away, as the bread cooks fast. Mix everything together and let it sit while you finish the rest of the meal.