There’s plenty to love about summer, but little compares to the sweet smell of barbecued food on a sunny day. Many of us will be looking forward to filling the warmer days with good company and delicious food.
The beauty of barbecuing is that it can be as simple or as complex as you like and still taste delicious.
To offer some inspiration, we’ve put together a list of deliciously varied barbecue recipes, which we hope will stir up your appetite. From Moroccan lamb chops and succulent ribeye steaks, to honey-glazed halloumi and jackfruit burgers, here are eight tasty barbecue recipes to try during the sunny season.
1. Teriyaki glazed barbecue salmon
Salmon is one of the UK’s most popular fish to eat and is well-known for its health benefits. Salmon is high in protein, low in saturated fat, and packed with essential vitamins and antioxidants.
It’s also especially rich in omega-3 fatty acids which, among other benefits, helps to reduce risk factors for heart disease, fight inflammation, enhance eye and bone health, and reduce liver fat.
Because salmon is naturally rich in flavour and easy to cook, it’s a great option for a light but delicious barbecue dish. It’s easy to flavour to your personal taste too; for example, you could season it with garlic and herbs, a honey-soy marinade, or some chilli flakes for an extra kick.
This teriyaki glazed salmon recipe from Simply Homecooked is especially delicious. It’s quick and simple to make, and creates a juicy, flaky piece of fish that strikes a perfect balance between sweet and smoky flavours.
To make the sauce, you could whip up this teriyaki sauce from BBC Good Food, which takes around 15 minutes. Or, to save yourself some time, you could always buy a pre-made teriyaki sauce from your local supermarket.
Grilling salmon on the barbecue is easy as long as you follow a few simple rules to avoid the fish breaking apart or overcooking. It’s usually best to use skin-on salmon fillets and make sure your grill is squeaky clean before you get started. For full instructions on grilling salmon on the barbecue, check out this article from The Spruce Eats.
Aside from having the skin on, the type of salmon you go for will usually be down to personal preference. For example, wild-caught salmon tends to have a stronger, fishier flavour, but if you prefer a milder taste, farm-raised salmon might work better.
We recommend serving your barbecue salmon with a side of rice and grilled vegetables such as asparagus, onions, portobello mushrooms, and colourful peppers, which you can brown on the barbecue too for added flavour.
You can find more tips and tricks on how to barbecue salmon in the video below…
2. Lacquered ribeye steak
Many will agree that there’s something irresistible about the smell of a tasty steak cooking away on the barbecue. Ribeye steak especially is known for being extremely tender, juicy, and dripping with flavour.
Meat and barbecue enthusiasts are sure to appreciate the crunchy outer layer that this recipe from Bon Appétit produces. By using a homemade lacquer, the meat will begin to caramelise under the heat – resulting in a crispy coating not too dissimilar from dry-aged beef, and a centre that remains succulent and tender.
Though this might sound complex, it’s actually pretty easy to achieve. The lacquer itself is straightforward to prepare and is made from common ingredients like garlic, soy sauce, and vegetable oil – and the steak can be cooked in less than 20 minutes.
When it comes to the rib-eye meat itself, you might want to consider taking a trip to your local butcher, as they’ll be able to advise you on the best quality cut. Alternatively, you could order your meat from an online butcher such as Farmison & Co who have a huge range of high-quality, free-range, grass-fed beef, available to be delivered straight to your door.
For more tips and tricks on how to cook ribeye steak on the barbecue, have a watch of the video starring Michelin-star chef Tom Kerridge…
3. BBQ pulled jackfruit burger
When it comes to barbecue food, probably the last thing you’d think of using as a burger filling is a prickly green tropical fruit. But, amazingly, when slightly under-ripe, jackfruit has a texture very similar to shredded slow-cooked meats – making it the perfect vegan substitute for meaty barbecue classics, such as pulled pork.
Jackfruit is native to South India and is the largest tree fruit in the world. It’s become much more popular in recent years and is widely used as a meat substitute.
Mild in flavour, jackfruit provides the perfect base to add your favourite BBQ sauces, marinades, and toppings. Even better, it’s gluten and soya-free, a great source of fibre, contains vitamins A and C – and is rich in antioxidants. To learn more, read our article; Jackfruit – health benefits and 10 delicious recipes.
If you like the sound of a barbecue pulled jackfruit burger, check out this recipe from Olive Magazine which also includes instructions for an apple, carrot, and red cabbage slaw, and homemade BBQ sauce to add to your burger bun.
You can either buy a whole jackfruit and prepare it yourself, or buy it tinned instead. Whole jackfruit will need to be boiled for around 30-35 minutes (or until all the liquid has evaporated and the jackfruit feels tender), after which, you can begin shredding it into strands using a fork to give it that pulled meat look.
If you’re not a fan of jackfruit, there are plenty of other vegetarian and vegan burger options to try. For example, you could have a go at making this spicy barbecue falafel burger, this portabella mushroom burger, or perhaps this smoky barbecue black bean burger. Or why not read our article, 10 of the best vegan BBQ recipes, for further inspiration?
To get more tips on how to make barbecue jackfruit, you might want to have a watch of the video below…
4. Spanish style chicken and chorizo skewers
Chicken and chorizo is a popular combination in Spanish-inspired dishes, such as paella.
Grilled chicken is tasty, but it can become boring on its own after a while (especially when you’re having one barbecue after another in the summer!). But, pairing it with chorizo adds a delicious smoky kick.
The great thing about skewers is you can add whatever you like to them: red pepper, onion, halloumi, or mushrooms – anything goes!
To make these skewers vegan or vegetarian while maintaining similar flavours, consider using chicken and chorizo meat substitutes from companies like THIS, Beyond Meat, Gardein, or Vivera (to name just a few).
Vegetable-only skewers work well too. Check out these vegan kebab recipes from Vegan Food and Living for more inspiration.
A fresh summer salad or Mediterranean pasta or potato salads make great side options.
For more tips on how to make Spanish-style chicken and chorizo skewers, watch the video below.
5. Welsh lamb and feta burgers
If you’re looking to add some variety to your barbecue and try something different from regular beef burgers, why not have a go at making these delicious Welsh lamb and feta burgers?
Welsh lamb is particularly flavoursome because of the special herbs, plants, and flowers that sheep eat on the Welsh hills. It offers an extremely succulent, tender, and wonderfully sweet cut of meat. This recipe for lamb and feta burgers from Eat Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef involves just three simple steps.
Welsh lamb is known for being produced on the finest grass, using the best breeding methods, and comes with PGI status (the tag that guarantees premium quality). Plus, Welsh sheep and beef farms are considered some of the most sustainable farms in the world due to low greenhouse gas emissions.
Welsh lamb and feta burgers are easy to cook and take just 10 minutes to prepare. You’ll need fresh mint, crumbled feta cheese, black pepper, guacamole, and, of course, some Welsh lamb mince; which is available to buy at supermarkets, your local butchers, or online.
Alternatively, if you’re not a fan of feta, you could always alter the recipe slightly and top your burgers with a different cheese.
The video below shows how to make a Lamb’s Day burger using Caerphilly cheese.
6. Grilled halloumi with honey skewers
Grilled halloumi on the barbecue is a quick and simple, yet irresistible, meat-free dish that’s great for both vegetarians and meat-eaters. Unlike other types of cheese, halloumi holds well under heat.
Naturally salty, halloumi has a delicious flavour – even when simply grilled on the barbecue by itself. However, for an extra kick, you could try adding a sweet marinade, like honey, which perfectly complements the salty halloumi.
All you’ll need for this tasty grilled halloumi with honey recipe by Good To Know is some olive oil, runny honey, oregano leaves, and a lemon.
The method is pretty easy too and the cheese will only take around three minutes to cook. The only thing you’ll need to think about in advance is marinating the halloumi, as it tastes best if left overnight.
7. Bacon-wrapped barbecue prawns
There’s something about fresh shellfish that transports us to a faraway, sun-stained place by the sea. So why not bring that holiday feel into your own home or back garden?
Not only are these bacon-wrapped prawns easy to prepare and cook, but the crispiness of the bacon and mixture of flavours means they’re also delicious. Bacon wrapped barbecue prawns make for a pretty light meal option too.
It’s up to you what size prawns you use, and different sizes will work better in different contexts. If you’re thinking of making this dish as an appetizer, it might be best to use smaller, more bite-sized prawns, such as easy-peel prawns. While for a main dish, king prawns, tiger prawns, or crevettes will work best.
When it comes to the bacon, the trick is to give it a head start in the oven before you wrap it around the prawns and put it on the barbeque, as this will allow it to properly crisp up.
For the sauce, this sticky honey garlic sauce from Cafe Delites looks tasty. Or, for something more simple, you might like Jamie Oliver’s olive oil, lemon zest, and fresh herb marinade shown in the video below.
8. Moroccan lamb chops
Lamb chops are always a winner on the barbecue. They’re quick and easy to cook and have a distinctively rich, savoury flavour.
Lamb chops are a little more expensive than other cuts of meat (such as lamb shank), but if you’re looking for a reliably tasty barbecue dish that everyone will love, the price is worth it. The trick is to use lamb chops that are around one inch thick as you’ll be able to brown the sides without overcooking the meat in the middle.
To season lamb chops, you could use anything from tandoori flavours to classic garlic and rosemary to Moroccan-style mint.
For best results, it’s best to marinate the meat for several hours before cooking – or overnight if you can.
Consider serving with a bowl of this Moroccan spiced vegetable couscous from Erren’s Kitchen, which is packed full of delicious vegetables like red peppers, tomatoes, and sweetcorn. Or, for more ideas, check out this article from The Kitchn.
Final thoughts…
Nothing beats a summer barbecue shared between friends and family. So why not try some new barbecue recipes this year and bring the sweet taste of summer food into your home?
Barbecues can easily cater to any diet – and they can be healthy too. From tender, juicy steaks, and flavoursome seafood, to grilled cheese and delicious vegan burgers, we hope there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
If you’re looking for further inspiration and recipe ideas, you might like to have a read of our articles; 7 sunshine-inspired recipes ideas and 5 side dishes to go with your next barbecue.
Have you got an all-time favourite barbecue dish? What new recipes have you tried on the barbecue recently? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.