Once the warm weather strikes, it’s almost an unwritten law that people spend as much time outside as possible, right? At least, that’s our understanding of it. Lathered up with SPF we take to our yards and the pool and there’s really not a lot that could tempt us to move, once we’ve set up. Because of this, we like to be equipped with awesome recipes that we can enjoy outside, all summer long.
Below, we’ve rounded up 16 of our favorite dishes to eat in the backyard with friends and family, and we’re pretty sure you’ll love them just as much as we do…you’ll be dreaming of outdoor grilling all winter-long, once you’ve tried them!
Secret Ingredient Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Pulled pork is one of our favorites, especially in the summer time! And with so many different recipes and barbecue sauces out there, it’s nice to have a recipe on hand that’s easy! Check it out here.
Honey Baked BBQ Wings w/ Jack Daniel’s
When it comes to wings, some like them hot… and some like them with Jack Daniel’s and honey. Ultra-spicy wings have their place at summer BBQs, but so do these sweet ones. And with a pinch of cayenne pepper, they still deliver a little kick. Check it out here.
BBQ Chicken with Homemade Sauce
this summer classic is made so much better with that addition of our special homemade sauce! Nothing beats BBQ chicken when sun’s out and grill is on. Check it out here.
Classic Creamy Cole Slaw
Of all the different dishes, there’s one that is absolutely essential, the linchpin if you will, for our backyard shindigs, and that is cole slaw. While there are tons of different varieties and spins on this classic, we’ve shared our favorite with you below. Hope you love it as much as we do! Check it out here.
Lightened-Up Lemon Cheesecake Bars
The trick to these delicious bars is to use reduced-fat cream cheese and plain Greek yogurt. We also used coconut oil instead of butter in the graham cracker crust, and only added one-third cup of sugar to the cheesecake filling…now that’s something we can feel good about! If you want something a little lighter that still packs a huge flavor punch, these bars are for you! Check it out here.
Oven-Baked BBQ Pork Spare Ribs
Barbecued anything can be a very polarizing topic and we’d just like to start by saying that everyone has their own preference for differently-prepared barbecued meat, and that’s okay! This dish in particular is for anyone who likes fall-off-the-bone ribs with great flavor and without the hassle of working over a hot grill — sounds good, right? If you have a hankering for juicy ribs, but don’t want to go outside and deal with the grill, go ahead and try making them in the oven. You’ll see you don’t have to compromise on taste or tenderness! Check it out here.
Texas-Style Barbecue Sauce
There are not only many recipes for barbecue sauce out there, but also many different styles from Texas, to Kansas City, to the Carolinas, and even some that defy regional categorization. Today we’re going to share a wonderful Texas style barbecue sauce. Check it out here.
Rosemary Lemon Chicken
We wanted to enjoy a simple, grilled chicken for dinner, ad were looking for a great recipe, and some interesting ideas to turn the chicken into something special. After a little searching, we found our answer in rosemary and lemon. Check it out here.
Honey-Marinated Chicken Kebabs
Pick whatever veggies you like or even what you’ve got on hand and make skewers that’ll pair perfectly with other summer dishes like watermelon, pasta salad, and even corn on the cob. Just be careful if you use metal skewers they heat up fast on the grill! Check it out here.
Pesto Eggplant Burgers
These burgers are absolutely delicious and like nothing else you’ve ever tasted! The texture and thickness of eggplant makes it a natural base for our burgers, and Halloumi, a salty, Cypriot cheese, matches the eggplant and seasoning wonderfully. If the weather’s nice you can make these outside, on the grill, but don’t let cooler temperatures stop you; you can also cook this right on the stovetop with the same, amazing results! We’re getting hungry just thinking about them! Check it out here.
No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake
You know what we love? Delicious no-bake desserts that we can make all summer long without overheating our kitchens and giving ourselves heat stroke. Seriously, baking anything when it’s hot out is a recipe for disaster, but it’s always sad when we get a hankering for something and then have to curb that craving because it’s too much of a hassle to make…which brings us to today’s recipe: no-bake strawberry cheesecake!! Check it out here.
Homemade Pickles
There’s nothing better than cracking open a fresh jar of pickles. Cold and refreshing, any store-bought pickles will do in a pinch, but did you know these bad boys are super easy to make at home? It’s true, by making your own, you can add all the flavors you want, then you can let the pickles pickle until they’re just the way you like them. Check it out here.
Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce
With mustard as the base, naturally, we built on that by adding apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, honey and maple syrup, then kicked things up a notch by also throwing some chipotle peppers in there. You need to try this stuff – you’ll be hooked! Check it out here.
Steak and Vegetable Kebabs
Kebabs are a delicious and fun way to get the whole family to eat their meat and veggies! These skewers are a breeze to put together especially if you delegate the skewering to your younger (but not too young) helpers and they taste amazing too! Also, it’s no problem if you feel like skipping the marinade, the steak will taste just as tender and juicy with a drizzle of olive oil and a liberally dosage of salt and pepper. The kids will have fun putting the meal together and you’ll have fun getting dinner taken care of and underway! Check it out here.
Deviled Egg Potato Salad
Whether it’s that creamy center or the sprinkle of paprika, I don’t know. I just know that people seriously love them and I felt like that creaminess, that little bit of tang, that dusting of paprika all absolutely could work wonders in a potato salad. So here’s Deviled Egg Potato Salad! It’s creamy, it’s flavorful, it’s a true crowd-pleaser. Check it out here.
Texas Caviar Pasta Salad
If caviar is not your thing, never fear. Texas Caviar is a far more casual affair and has nothing to do with fish eggs. Usually made up of black-eyed-peas, a few other goodies, a vinaigrette-style dressing, and served as a dip, it’s zesty and truly delicious. And it just so happens when you fold it into a creamy pasta salad, even more deliciousness ensues. Check it out here.