To be the most popular cook at the BBQ, you need recipes that turn heads and disappear fast. These 15 BBQ dishes bring the smoky, juicy, and bold flavors that make people crowd around the grill. Whether it’s perfectly grilled meat, irresistible skewers, or unexpected flavors, these recipes will make sure your food is the first to go. Fire up the grill, because once these hit the table, everyone will be asking who’s in charge of the BBQ.
Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks
These drumsticks bring bold, smoky flavors to the grill and will have people lining up for seconds. A marinade of cumin, paprika, garlic, and lime juice infuses the chicken with deep seasoning that stands out at any BBQ. Cooked until crispy on the outside and juicy inside, they’re the kind of dish that makes you the cook everyone talks about. If you want to impress at your next gathering, these drumsticks will get the job done.
Get the Recipe: Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks
Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebabs
Juicy, well-seasoned, and packed with fresh herbs, these kebabs are built to turn heads at any BBQ. The perfect char from the grill adds a smoky touch that makes them impossible to resist. They’re easy to prepare and a great way to introduce bold, crowd-pleasing flavors to the party. Once these hit the table, expect them to disappear fast.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebabs
Nordic Fire-Grilled Salmon
Fire-grilled salmon takes BBQ to the next level with its perfect balance of smoky, crispy edges and tender, flaky bites. Cooking over an open flame brings out the best in the fish, making it a guaranteed conversation starter. It’s simple to prepare but delivers a big impact, proving that BBQ isn’t just about meat. If you want to be known as the cook who brings variety to the grill, this is your recipe.
Get the Recipe: Nordic Fire-Grilled Salmon
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
These drumsticks deliver the big, bold BBQ flavor everyone expects, but with the convenience of air frying. Coated in a thick, savory sauce and crisped to perfection, they come together in just 35 minutes. They’re perfect for hosting, especially when you need a fast, reliable dish that looks and tastes like it came straight off the grill. If you want people to ask how you made them so good, this is the dish to bring.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Peach Salmon Skewers with Peach Jalapeño Crema
These salmon skewers bring a mix of sweet, smoky, and spicy flavors that will set you apart as the go-to BBQ cook. Juicy salmon pairs with fresh peaches on the grill, creating a charred, caramelized finish. The creamy jalapeño sauce adds just the right amount of heat, making each bite impossible to forget. If you want to bring something fresh and exciting to the party, this is the dish that will have everyone talking.
Get the Recipe: Peach Salmon Skewers with Peach Jalapeño Crema
Salmon Salad with Bagel
This dish brings a BBQ twist to classic smoked salmon, combining fresh ingredients with bold, smoky flavors. Crisp cucumbers, tomatoes, and dill make it a refreshing addition to the table while still packing the rich taste of BBQ. It’s easy to prepare and stands out among heavier grilled dishes, making it a great conversation piece. If you want a BBQ dish that surprises and impresses, this one will make sure of it.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Salad with Bagel
Vegetarian Kofta Kebabs
These meat-free kebabs prove that BBQ is for everyone, and they’ll have even meat lovers coming back for more. Made with plant-based ingredients and bold spices, they grill up with the same smoky flavor and juicy bite as the real thing. They’re a great way to bring variety to the table while keeping the spotlight on the grill. If you want a BBQ dish that turns heads and wins over skeptics, these kebabs will make you the cook of the night.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Kofta Kebabs
Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri
A perfectly grilled hanger steak, topped with fresh chimichurri, is the kind of BBQ dish that makes people remember your name. The rich, juicy meat pairs with the bright, herbaceous sauce to create a bold and balanced flavor. It cooks quickly, making it an easy yet impressive centerpiece for any cookout. If you want people raving about your grilling skills, this steak will seal the deal.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri
Grilled Rockfish Tacos
These tacos prove that BBQ is about more than just meat—grilled rockfish delivers smoky, fresh flavor that steals the show. Topped with crunchy slaw and sweet mango salsa, they bring just the right mix of textures and tastes. They’re light but packed with bold BBQ character, making them a standout at any gathering. If you want a dish that disappears before you even get one, these tacos are the way to go.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Rockfish Tacos
Sweet & Spicy Grilled Harissa-Honey Chicken Skewers
These skewers bring the perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and charred BBQ flavor, making them impossible to ignore. The harissa-honey marinade creates a sticky, caramelized coating that keeps people coming back for more. Quick to grill and easy to serve, they’re perfect for feeding a crowd without much effort. If you want a BBQ dish that leaves a lasting impression, these skewers will do the trick.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Grilled Harissa-Honey Chicken Skewers
Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Light, smoky, and full of flavor, these shrimp skewers prove that great BBQ doesn’t have to be heavy. The grill brings out a rich, charred taste while keeping the shrimp juicy and tender. They cook fast, making them an easy go-to when you want something impressive with minimal effort. If you want to be the cook everyone remembers, these shrimp will get you there.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Grilled Pork Chops with Pineapple Salsa
These pork chops bring the perfect mix of sweet, smoky, and savory, making them a BBQ must-have. The grill adds a deep, rich char to the chops, while the fresh pineapple salsa brightens up every bite. They cook quickly and stand out among the usual BBQ options, ensuring they won’t last long on the plate. If you want to serve up something bold and fresh, this dish will keep you in the spotlight.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Chops with Pineapple Salsa
Tri-Tip with Pineapple Mango Red Pepper Salsa
Juicy, tender tri-tip meets a fresh, tangy salsa in this BBQ dish that guarantees you’ll be the star of the grill. The steak gets a perfect sear while staying rich and flavorful on the inside. The bright salsa adds a tropical touch, making this a crowd-pleasing favorite. If you want to bring something unexpected and unforgettable, this is the BBQ dish to choose.
Get the Recipe: Tri-Tip with Pineapple Mango Red Pepper Salsa
Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter
A thick, juicy flank steak with rich, spicy chile butter is the kind of BBQ dish that gets people’s attention. The smoky grill marks and bold butter sauce create layers of flavor in every bite. It’s easy to cook and perfect for feeding a crowd, making it a great go-to for any cookout. If you want to serve up a steak that keeps people talking, this one will do it.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter
Grilled Steak with Peaches and Onions
This dish takes BBQ to another level by pairing smoky, charred steak with sweet caramelized peaches and onions. The combination of flavors brings a surprising yet perfect balance that stands out from standard BBQ dishes. A balsamic reduction ties it all together, making each bite something special. If you want to impress with a steak that’s anything but ordinary, this is the one to grill.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steak with Peaches and Onions
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