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 summer BBQ 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.
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Craveable Dips & Salsas
*These are all gluten-free
Whipped Feta Bruschetta Dip VT
Garlic & Herb Whipped Cottage Cheese Dip VT
Spicy Roasted Red Pepper Feta Dip VT
Fresh & Healthy 7-Layer Dip VT
Garlic White Bean Basil Hummus V
Whipped Feta Yogurt Dip with Hot Honey, Basil & Toasted Almonds VT
Unique Appetizers
Peach Crostini with Whipped Cottage Cheese, Basil & Hot Honey
Lemon Parmesan Chicken Wings with Herby Yogurt Ranch
Strawberry Balsamic Bruschetta VT
Grilled Mini Sweet Peppers with Goat Cheese + Jalapeño Cilantro Pistachio Pesto VT
Roasted Strawberry, Basil, and Goat Cheese Crostini VT
Easy Sides
Tony’s Melt-In-Your-Mouth Grilled Brussels Sprouts V, GF
Best Healthy Coleslaw Ever (no mayo!) V, GF
Homemade Slow Cooker Baked Beans GF
Spicy Maple Dijon Grilled Brussels Sprouts V, GF
Garlic Fingerling Potatoes (roasted or grilled!) V, GF
Gluten Free Cornbread Muffins VT, GF
Fresh Fruit & Veggie Salads
Peach Brussels Sprouts Crunch Salad with Creamy Tahini Poppy Seed Dressing V, GF
Avocado Peach Tomato Salad with Dilly Tahini Dressing V, GF
Herby Olive Italian Orzo Salad V
Grilled Corn Salad with Avocado, Goat Cheese & Hot Honey Vinaigrette VT, GF
Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad
Honey Lime Basil Peach Fruit Salad VT, GF
Summer Strawberry Spinach Salad with Avocado VT, GF
Vegan Curried Broccoli Chickpea Salad V, GF
Summer Peach Spinach Salad with Avocado, Toasted Almonds + Goat Cheese VT, GF
Cashew Crunch Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad V, GF
The Easiest Chopped Greek Chickpea Salad VT, GF
Vegan Caesar Salad V, 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 Chickpea and Feta Pasta Salad VT
Copycat Portillo’s Chopped Salad
Scoop It Up Kale Couscous Salad VT
Avocado & Tomato Chickpea Pasta Salad with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette VT
Grilled Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Vibrant Curry Cashew Chickpea Quinoa Salad V
Street Corn Pasta Salad with Cilantro Pesto + Goat Cheese VT
Famous Crunchy Cashew Thai Quinoa Salad V
Peach, Tomato & Corn Arugula Pasta Salad VT
Sandwiches, Burgers & Tacos
Smashed Buffalo Chicken Tacos with Herby Ranch Slaw
Grilled Tahini Chicken Caesar Sandwiches GF
Slow Cooker Gochujang Chicken Sandwiches
Chipotle Lime Salmon Tacos with Corn Avocado Peach Salsa & Cilantro Yogurt Sauce GF
Herby Chicken Meatball Pitas with Jalapeño Tzatziki
Jalapeño Curry Turkey Burgers GF
Incredible Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Sandwiches GF
Ultimate Vegan Black Bean Burgers with Creamy Tahini Garlic Sauce V, GF
Chipotle Chicken Tostadas with Pineapple Salsa GF
Amazing Easy Turkey Tacos (with a slow cooker option!) 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
Skinny Jalapeño Watermelon Margaritas
Bars, Brownies & Chocolate
Sweet and Salty Chocolate Tahini Rice Krispie Treats
Ooey-Gooey Tahini S’mores Bars GF
Salted Tahini Caramel Millionaire Bars V, GF
Blueberry Pie Bars with Oatmeal Crumble V, GF
Healthy Peanut Butter Twix Bars V, GF
Fudgy Almond Butter Blondies GF
No Bake Chocolate Caramel Tahini Chex Bars V, GF
Healthy Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats V, GF
Grain Free Tahini Brownies (the best brownies I’ve ever eaten!) GF
Vegan Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Caramel Bars V, GF
Strawberry Crumble Bars V, GF
Crowd-Pleasing Cookies
The Best Bakery-Style Soft Peanut Butter Cookies
Salted Tahini Butterscotch Cookie Skillet GF
Healthier Flourless Monster Cookies GF
Grain Free Chocolate Chunk Skillet Cookie V, GF
Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies with Toffee & Crushed Pretzels
Blow Ya Mind Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies V, GF
Peanut Butter Cup S’mores Chocolate Cookies
Beautiful Cakes & Pies
The Best Tart Cherry Pie You’ll Ever Eat
Lemon Pistachio Cake with Lovely Lemon Frosting GF
Lemon Cream Pie with Pecan Gingersnap Crust
World’s Best Banana Cream Pie (with peanut butter cookie crust!)
Grain Free Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake GF
Lemon Blueberry Zucchini Cake with Lemon Frosting GF
Fruit Crisps, Cobblers & Treats
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
Grilled Peaches (+6 different topping ideas!) V, GF
Strawberry Crisp with Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Crumble V, GF
2-Ingredient Blueberry Nice Cream 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.
