21 Cookout Recipes With Mains, Starters, Sides, and Sweets

A cookout table often has people reaching for more than one kind of plate. You can pick a grilled main, add a starter or side, or go with a sweet finish if the spread already has enough savory dishes. Serve the one that fits your table with the drinks, buns, and napkins already out.

Grilled meat and vegetable skewers with zucchini, red onion, and red bell pepper, garnished with chopped herbs, served on a beige plate. — Beef Kabobs with Chimichurri Sauce. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

BBQ Wings

A platter of glazed chicken wings topped with chopped green onions and drizzled with white sauce, served with a small bowl of dipping sauce and a spoon. — BBQ Wings. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Seasoned flour and barbecue sauce make BBQ Wings a 55-minute appetizer or main with 4 servings. Chicken wings, flour, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, sea salt, black pepper, and barbecue sauce build the oven-baked coating and sticky finish. They fit a cookout menu because wings work as a starter before the grill clears or as a main tray. Serve with ranch, blue cheese, celery, carrots, coleslaw, or corn.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Wings

Garlic Butter Steak and Potatoes Foil Packet

Chunks of cooked beef and roasted potatoes served in an open aluminum foil packet, garnished with herbs. — Garlic Butter Steak and Potatoes Foil Packet. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Sirloin steak and baby potatoes make Garlic Butter Steak and Potatoes Foil Packet a 45-minute main with 4 servings. Pearl onions, melted butter, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and parsley fill each packet before grilling over medium-high heat. It fits cookout plates because the beef and potatoes cook together with easy cleanup. Serve the packets straight from the foil with salad, corn, or grilled vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Steak and Potatoes Foil Packet

Baked Salmon

Cooked salmon fillet garnished with lemon slices and herbs, with a fork flaking the fish on a plate with sauce. — Baked Salmon. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Honey and orange juice give Baked Salmon a 25-minute main with 2 servings. Salmon, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, fresh thyme, orange slices, and optional thyme sprigs build the glaze and topping before the fish bakes. It stretches the cookout title because it uses the oven, but it still gives the menu a lighter seafood main. Serve with rice, grilled vegetables, salad, or foil packet potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Baked Salmon

Coconut Shrimp

A bowl filled with golden-brown, breaded and fried shrimp, garnished with chopped herbs. — Coconut Shrimp. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Jumbo shrimp and sweetened coconut make Coconut Shrimp a 20-minute appetizer with 6 servings. All-purpose flour, curry powder, salt, pepper, egg whites, breadcrumbs, and frying oil create the crisp coating before the shrimp are fried in batches. It fits the starter part of the title because the pieces stay easy to grab beside sliders and wings. Serve warm with Asian sweet chili sauce, slaw, or cucumber salad.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Shrimp

Pulled Pork Sliders

A close-up of a pulled chicken sandwich with sesame seed bun, shredded carrots, cabbage, and creamy sauce. — Pulled Pork Sliders. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Slow-cooked pork shoulder and slider buns make Pulled Pork Sliders a 6-hour 15-minute appetizer with 16 servings. Barbecue sauce, beer, ketchup, brown sugar, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, cumin, sugar, coleslaw, and cilantro build the pork, sauce, and serving setup. They fit cookouts because the meat can stay warm while people build sandwiches. Serve with chips, pickles, potato salad, corn, or baked beans.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork Sliders

Grilled Lobster Tail

Cooked lobster tail with herbs and seasoning served on a white plate. — Grilled Lobster Tail. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Herb butter and split lobster tails make Grilled Lobster Tail a 20-minute main with 2 servings. Butter, garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, parsley, basil, salt, pepper, and lemon wedges flavor the seafood before it cooks over high heat. It fits the cookout title as a grilled seafood centerpiece that feels different from burgers and wings. Serve with grilled asparagus, corn, pasta salad, steak, or foil packet potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Lobster Tail

Lamb Kebabs

Three grilled kebabs on flatbread, topped with shredded lettuce, cherry tomatoes, red onion, chopped herbs, and a drizzle of white sauce, served with lime wedges. — Lamb Kebabs. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Ground lamb and spiced yogurt make Lamb Kebabs a 20-minute main with 6 servings. Onion, garlic, coriander, mint, cumin, salt, pepper, Greek yogurt, paprika, flatbreads, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and red onion build the skewers and serving plate. They fit the cookout theme because the kebabs grill quickly and can be served in flatbreads. Add cucumber salad, rice, hummus, or grilled vegetables to round out the plate.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Kebabs

Sheet Pan Nachos

Close-up of nachos topped with melted cheese, black beans, ground meat, guacamole, salsa, sour cream, and fresh cilantro. — Sheet Pan Nachos. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Tortilla chips and seasoned beef make Sheet Pan Nachos a 20-minute appetizer or snack with 8 servings. Lean ground beef, Mexican seasoning, black beans, cheddar, avocados, lime, red onion, jalapeño, sour cream, salsa, and cilantro fill the pan after a short bake. They fit cookout starters because one tray can feed people while the mains finish. Serve immediately so the chips stay crisp under the toppings.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Nachos

Crispy Chicken Thighs

A plate of breaded and fried chicken cutlets served with lemon wedges, a bowl of dipping sauce, and greens in the background. — Crispy Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Parmesan breadcrumbs give Crispy Chicken Thighs a 35-minute main with 4 servings. Chicken thigh fillets, beaten eggs, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and vegetable oil build the fried coating. They fit cookout plates as a hot chicken option when the menu needs something crunchy outside the grill. Serve with slaw, potato salad, dipping sauce, fries, or grilled corn.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Chicken Thighs

Grilled Steak Pinwheels

Close-up of sliced stuffed beef roulade with visible layers of meat, cheese, and spinach on a wooden board. A glass of beer is blurred in the background. — Grilled Steak Pinwheels. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Flank steak rolled with cheese and spinach makes Grilled Steak Pinwheels a 35-minute main with 4 servings. Butterflied flank steak, Emmental cheese, fresh spinach, olive oil, salt, and pepper keep the filling short before the roll is sliced and grilled. They fit the cookout menu because the pinwheels bring steak to the table in smaller portions. Serve with chimichurri, grilled peppers, asparagus, or corn.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steak Pinwheels

Grilled Pork Chops

A grilled pork chop garnished with chopped parsley is served on a plate. — Grilled Pork Chops. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

A soy-Dijon marinade makes Grilled Pork Chops a 25-minute dinner with 4 servings after marinating. Olive oil, low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar or honey, Dijon mustard, garlic, black pepper, and bone-in pork chops build the flavor before grilling. They fit the mains section because pork chops give the cookout a straightforward grilled plate. Serve with potato salad, grilled pineapple, corn, asparagus, or rice.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Chops

Sheet Pan Fajitas

Three soft tacos filled with seasoned chicken, diced avocado, chopped tomatoes, crumbled cheese, and fresh cilantro on a white plate. — Sheet Pan Fajitas. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Chicken thigh tenders and bell peppers make Sheet Pan Fajitas a 35-minute dinner with 4 servings. Yellow, red, and green bell peppers, red onion, olive oil, Mexican seasoning, tortillas, avocado, fresh cheese, pico de gallo, lime, and cilantro fill the pan and serving setup. They fit a cookout-style spread because people can build their own tortillas. Serve with nachos, corn, beans, or salad.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Fajitas

Charred Grilled Chicken Kabobs

Grilled chicken skewers with red bell peppers, green bell peppers, and onions are served on a white plate, garnished with chopped herbs. — Charred Grilled Chicken Kabobs. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Chicken breast, peppers, onions, and mushrooms make Charred Grilled Chicken Kabobs a 30-minute main with 4 servings. Garlic, olive oil, honey, paprika, salt, and pepper coat the chicken and vegetables before everything threads onto skewers. They fit the cookout title because skewers are easy to serve from the grill and carry across plates. Serve with rice, tzatziki, grilled flatbread, pasta salad, or cucumber salad.
Get the Recipe: Charred Grilled Chicken Kabobs

Cowboy Sliders

A close-up of sliders filled with cooked ground beef, melted cheese, bacon, and sliced jalapeños on a white surface, with some jalapeño slices scattered nearby. — Cowboy Sliders. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Ground beef, bacon, and pepper Jack make Cowboy Sliders a 35-minute appetizer or main with 4 servings. Jalapeño, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, garlic powder, brioche mini buns, BBQ sauce, onion, crispy fried onions, butter, garlic, parsley, red pepper flakes, and lemon build the tray. They fit cookout plates because sliders are easy to pass around and can sit beside larger grilled mains. Serve with chips, pickles, slaw, or corn.
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Sliders

Grilled Chicken Thighs

Grilled meat ribs garnished with chopped herbs and garlic, served on a white platter with fresh parsley in the background. — Grilled Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Chimichurri-style marinade gives Grilled Chicken Thighs a 1-hour 10-minute total time with 4 servings. Skinless boneless chicken thighs, parsley, cilantro, garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, red pepper flakes, oregano, salt, and black pepper build both the marinade and sauce. They fit the grilled main section because the thighs cook over gas or charcoal. Serve with rice, corn, potato salad, or grilled vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Thighs

Sheet Pan Beef Enchilada Nachos

A platter of nachos topped with ground meat, melted cheese, sliced jalapeños, cherry tomatoes, black beans, red onions, cilantro, and dollops of sour cream. Lime wedges are on the side. — Sheet Pan Beef Enchilada Nachos. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Ground beef and red enchilada sauce make Sheet Pan Beef Enchilada Nachos a 35-minute appetizer with 8 servings. Corn tortilla chips, green chiles, black beans, red onion, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, Mexican-style cheese, sour cream, cilantro, tomatoes, jalapeño, and lime fill the tray. They fit cookout starters because the pan is shareable and filling. Serve hot before burgers, steak, chicken, or grilled seafood.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Beef Enchilada Nachos

Cajun Chicken Wings

Close-up of baked chicken wings coated in seasoning, garnished with chopped herbs, and resting on a parchment-lined baking sheet. — Cajun Chicken Wings. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Cajun seasoning and melted butter make Cajun Chicken Wings a 50-minute appetizer or main with 4 servings. Chicken wings, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, optional cayenne, and parsley build the oven-baked coating. They fit the cookout lineup because wings bring heat and crunch to the starter table or main platter. Serve with ranch, celery, grilled corn, nachos, or potato salad.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Chicken Wings

Blackened Shrimp Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing

A bowl of mixed salad with grilled shrimp, avocado, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, feta cheese, and a creamy dressing. — Blackened Shrimp Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Cajun-spiced shrimp and avocado dressing make Blackened Shrimp Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing a 1-hour salad with 4 servings. Jumbo shrimp, brown sugar, romaine, cherry tomatoes, feta, pineapple, cilantro, avocado, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper fill the bowl. It fits the side and lighter-plate part of the title when the cookout needs something fresh besides meat-heavy trays. Serve as a main salad or shared side.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Shrimp Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing

Tomahawk Steak

Close-up of cooked beef slices on a wooden board, with a fork holding one piece. The meat appears juicy with a seasoned crust. — Tomahawk Steak. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

A 2-pound bone-in ribeye makes Tomahawk Steak a 35-minute main with 2 servings. Sea salt, black pepper, olive oil, and herb butter keep the ingredient list short while the steak sears in cast iron and finishes in the oven. It stretches the cookout title because it is not grill-based, but it still works as a steak centerpiece. Serve with foil packet potatoes, salad, grilled pineapple, or shrimp.
Get the Recipe: Tomahawk Steak

Caramelized Grilled Pineapple

Close-up of grilled pineapple rings topped with coarse salt and drizzled with syrup. — Caramelized Grilled Pineapple. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Brown sugar and rum make Caramelized Grilled Pineapple a 20-minute dessert or side with 4 servings. Fresh pineapple rings, dark rum, flaky sea salt, and mint leaves create a sweet grilled finish after the fruit cooks over medium-high heat. It fits the sweets part of the title as the main dessert-style option in the lineup. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, pork chops, chicken skewers, or steak.
Get the Recipe: Caramelized Grilled Pineapple

Beef Kabobs with Chimichurri Sauce

Sirloin and chimichurri make Beef Kabobs with Chimichurri Sauce a 35-minute main with 4 servings. Beef sirloin, red bell pepper, zucchini, red onion, olive oil, curry powder, parsley, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper build the skewers and sauce. They fit the cookout title because kabobs bring meat and vegetables off the grill together. Serve with corn, rice, flatbread, salad, or grilled potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Beef Kabobs with Chimichurri Sauce