The Best BBQ Ideas to Spice Up Your Next Cookout

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Grilling doesn’t have to mean the same old lineup every time. Yes, burgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and sausages are cookout staples. And sides like potato salad, pasta salad, baked beans, macaroni salad, sauces, and green salads round out most menus nicely. But if you’re looking for fresh BBQ ideas, there’s plenty of room to get creative and shake things up.

The key to a standout BBQ menu is picking a theme and building around it. Almost any protein works on the grill. Vegetables and bread grill beautifully too, and well-chosen sides can tie the whole theme together. Here are a few themed BBQ ideas to inspire your next gathering.

Bbq Style Surf-N-Turf Ideas

For a menu that feels a little more special-occasion without much extra effort, surf-and-turf is hard to beat. It pairs the richness of grilled steak with the bright, garlicky flavor of shrimp. Scaling up or down is easy depending on how many people you’re feeding.

Start with the shrimp. Whisk together melted butter, fresh lime juice, minced garlic, and a splash of your favorite hot sauce for the marinade. Toss jumbo shrimp in it and let them sit for 15-20 minutes. Thread them onto skewers and grill over medium-high heat for just 2-3 minutes per side, until they turn pink and slightly opaque. Shrimp cook fast, so keep an eye on them to avoid overdoing it.

For the turf side, beef filets are the classic choice for their tenderness. However, a well-marbled ribeye or New York strip works just as well if you want more flavor for less cost. Season simply with salt, pepper, and a little garlic powder to let the meat shine. You can also sear over high heat for a few minutes per side before moving to indirect heat to finish. Let the steaks rest for 5 minutes before slicing or serving so the juices redistribute.

To round out the plate, a mixed green salad with a simple apple cider vinaigrette adds a light, acidic contrast to the richness of the shrimp and steak. Toss in extras like thinly sliced red onion, cherry tomatoes, or crumbled feta.

Finish the meal with crispy garlic baguette, warmed over indirect heat until the crust turns golden. Brush the slices with garlic butter before grilling for extra flavor. You can also use them to mop up any leftover marinade or vinaigrette on the plate.

This menu works well for a small dinner party or a date-night cookout. It plates beautifully if you’re looking to impress without spending all day at the grill.

Hawaiian-Inspired BBQ Ideas

There’s something universally appealing about the sweet-and-salty pairing of ham and pineapple. This menu builds on that classic combination for a cookout that feels a little tropical without much fuss.

Start with the pork chops. Brining them ahead of time helps keep the meat juicy and tender once it hits the grill. A simple brine of water, salt, sugar, and a few aromatics like garlic and peppercorns does the trick. Once brined, pat the chops dry and grill them with a sweet-tart glaze made from concentrated fruit juices, like pineapple or orange juice reduced down with a touch of brown sugar and soy sauce. Brush the glaze on during the last few minutes of grilling so it caramelizes without burning. Baste again right before serving for extra shine and flavor. Bone-in chops tend to stay juicier than boneless, so they’re worth seeking out if you have the option.

Grill thick pineapple slices alongside the chops. Top the warm grilled pineapple with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of hot fudge. The contrast of warm fruit and cold ice cream is simple but always a hit. It requires almost no extra prep since the grill is already going.

To round out the meal, a nutty rice pilaf adds texture and a savory balance. Toasted almonds, cashews, or even macadamia nuts work well stirred into the rice, along with a bit of green onion for freshness.

This menu is a great option for a laid-back summer gathering, especially if you’re looking for something a little different. It’s easy enough to pull off on a weeknight or casual weekend cookout.

Italian-Style BBQ Ideas

Italian flavors bring a fresh, herb-forward twist to the grill. This menu leans on classic Italian spices and herbs to create a cohesive meal that feels both rustic and elevated.

Start with the chicken. Rub it generously with sage and thyme before grilling. Let the herbs infuse the meat as it cooks over medium heat. Once the chicken is done, top it with sun-dried tomatoes and roasted garlic. To roast the garlic, wrap a whole head in foil with a drizzle of olive oil and let it roast on the grill’s cooler side while the chicken cooks.

For a hearty side dish, combine baby Yukon Gold potatoes with fresh rosemary sprigs and a light coating of olive oil. Wrap them in a foil packet or place them in a grill basket to roast directly on the grill. The potatoes soak up the rosemary’s piney aroma as they cook. The grill’s heat gives them a slightly crisp exterior while keeping the inside tender. A sprinkle of flaky salt once they’re off the heat finishes them off nicely.

For an appetizer that’s as beautiful as it is simple, skewer cherry tomatoes and grill them lightly just until their skins begin to blister and soften. Once done, combine the warm, smoky tomatoes with fresh mozzarella and whole basil leaves for a grilled take on a classic caprese salad. A drizzle of good olive oil and a touch of balsamic glaze ties it all together, and the slight char on the tomatoes adds depth you won’t get from the traditional raw version.

Together, these dishes create a menu that feels like a trip to Italy without leaving your backyard.

Asian-Inspired BBQ Ideas

For a menu that’s light, bright, and packed with flavor, a soy-citrus glaze is one of the easiest ways to bring an Asian-inspired twist to your grill. It works on almost anything making it a versatile option whether you’re feeding meat lovers, vegetarians, or a mix of both.

To make the glaze, combine low-sodium soy sauce with a citrus-forward fruit juice, like orange or pineapple juice, and a generous amount of freshly grated ginger. A touch of garlic, a spoonful of honey or brown sugar, and a splash of rice vinegar round out the flavor with a nice balance of sweet, salty, and tangy. Before using the mixture as a marinade, set aside a portion to use later as a dipping sauce. This keeps you from cross-contaminating the sauce with raw meat and gives you a fresh, flavorful finishing touch for the table.

Marinate your protein of choice for at least 30 minutes, though a few hours (or even overnight for tougher cuts) will let the flavors really soak in. Vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and green onions also take well to the marinade and can be skewered alongside the protein or grilled separately in a grill basket. Grill everything over medium-high heat, basting occasionally with the remaining marinade (not the reserved dipping sauce) until the meat is cooked through and the vegetables have a nice char.

Once everything comes off the grill, serve it all over a bed of steamed white or jasmine rice, with the reserved dipping sauce on the side for drizzling or dunking. A sprinkle of sesame seeds and sliced green onions adds a finishing touch, and a side of quick-pickled cucumbers or a simple slaw can add a refreshing crunch to balance the richness of the glaze.

This menu is easy to customize for a crowd. Just set out a few different proteins and let everyone build their own bowl, making it a great option for casual get-togethers where dietary preferences might vary.

Let these BBQ ideas give you plenty of ways to elevate your next cookout. From perfectly seasoned meats to sides bursting with flavor, there’s something here for every palate. It’s time to fire up your grill and invite your favorite people over. Let these BBQ ideas turn your next backyard gathering into a memorable one.