23 Cookout Recipes With Comfort Plates, Dips, and Sliders

A cookout table can feel empty when the grill is only part of the meal. Pick a slider, dip, or comfort plate when you want something that works with burgers, skewers, corn, or whatever else is already outside. Set it out before people start filling plates, or keep one dish nearby for anyone circling back.

A stack of slider sandwiches filled with shredded chicken and melted cheese, topped with herbs, on a light surface. — Buffalo Chicken Sliders. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

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.

Steam curls from this Garlic Butter Steak and Potatoes Foil Packet when the sealed packet opens after 45 minutes of cooking. Cubed sirloin, baby potatoes, pearl onions, butter, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning cook together in four individual portions. The packets can go on a grill or into the oven, which helps when outdoor space is limited. Serve them straight from the foil for a substantial cookout plate with very little cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Steak and Potatoes Foil Packet

Taco Salad

Crunchy tortilla bowls give this Taco Salad a sturdy base for a 30-minute cookout meal that serves four. Seasoned ground beef, romaine, black beans, tomato, cheddar, avocado sauce, and cilantro fill each edible shell. The components can stay separate until serving, so the lettuce remains crisp and guests can adjust their toppings. Set the bowls near salsa and extra vegetables for a build-your-own lunch plate.
Get the Recipe: Taco Salad

Homemade Corn Dogs

Close-up of a bitten corn dog showing its interior with a layer of crispy fried batter and a hot dog inside. — Homemade Corn Dogs. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Golden fairground-style shells make these Homemade Corn Dogs an easy handheld option for a busy cookout table. Six hot dogs are dipped in a thick cornmeal, flour, egg, and buttermilk batter, then fried until crisp in about 30 minutes total. Wooden sticks keep plates and utensils optional, which works well when guests are moving around outside. Put out ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise in small cups for dipping.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Corn Dogs

Fried Shrimp

Craggy coating and a tender center make this Fried Shrimp sturdy enough for appetizer baskets or fuller seafood plates. One pound of shrimp is soaked with milk, garlic, paprika, and oregano, dredged in flour, and fried for a 20-minute recipe serving four. The short cook time makes it useful when the grilled dishes are still finishing. Serve with cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, coleslaw, or soft rolls for quick shrimp sandwiches.
Get the Recipe: Fried Shrimp

Charcuterie Board

Before the grill is ready, this Charcuterie Board gives eight people something substantial to snack on in only 20 minutes of assembly. Brie, blue cheese, goat cheese, prosciutto, salami, smoked loin, crostini, olives, pickles, peaches, grapes, honey, and orange jelly create plenty of combinations. Nothing requires cooking, so it keeps the kitchen clear for the hot dishes. Place it in a shaded spot and refill smaller sections as needed.
Get the Recipe: Charcuterie Board

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.

Juicy skewers make these Lamb Kebabs a compact main that cooks in 20 minutes and serves six. Ground lamb is mixed with sautéed onion, garlic, coriander, mint, and cumin, then shaped around skewers and grilled or cooked on a griddle. A spiced Greek yogurt sauce adds a cool finish beside the warm meat. Serve the kebabs with flatbreads, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and red onion for easy wraps.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Kebabs

Shrimp Toast

Close-up of open-faced sandwiches topped with avocado, shredded carrot, microgreens, and pieces of cooked salmon on whole-grain bread. — Shrimp Toast. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Layered over sturdy toast, this Shrimp Toast has more substance than a standard bite-size appetizer. Four servings come together in 25 minutes with seasoned shrimp, whole wheat bread, sautéed carrots, romaine, sprouts, Parmesan, lime, and sesame seeds. The shrimp and vegetables can be prepared first, but the toast should be assembled close to serving so it stays firm. Offer it during the first round of cookout food.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Toast

Copycat Smash Burger

Deep-browned edges define this Copycat Smash Burger, a 25-minute recipe that makes four burgers. Ground beef is pressed hard against a hot skillet, topped with cheddar, and stacked on buns with lettuce, tomato, spicy mayo, and pickles. The thin patties cook quickly while still giving the cookout a full burger option. Toast the buns in the same pan, then serve with grilled corn, fries, or a crisp salad.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Smash Burger

Loaded Taco Pizza

A close-up of a loaded flatbread pizza topped with avocado slices, diced tomatoes, onion, cilantro, seasoned meat, black beans, and a drizzle of creamy sauce. — Loaded Taco Pizza. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Taco-seasoned layers give this Loaded Taco Pizza a golden base and enough toppings to serve six in 30 minutes. Ground beef, refried beans, salsa, Mexican-blend cheese, and olives cover the par-baked dough before it returns to the oven. Tomatoes, cilantro, sour cream, avocado, and red onion can go on after baking. Cut it into small squares for snacking or larger slices for anyone building a fuller plate.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Taco Pizza

Grilled Shrimp Kabobs

A white plate holds grilled shrimp and vegetable skewers with mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes, garnished with chopped herbs. — Grilled Shrimp Kabobs. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Colorful skewers give these Grilled Shrimp Kabobs a mix of seafood and vegetables in every serving. The 53-minute total includes a 30-minute rest in a honey, garlic, olive oil, and paprika marinade, followed by 6 to 8 minutes on the grill. Shrimp, red and green peppers, red onion, and portobello mushrooms make four servings. Put them beside rice, salad, or grilled bread for a lighter main plate.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Kabobs

Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Close-up of cooked beef chunks garnished with chopped herbs on a plate with a spoon nearby. — Garlic Butter Steak Bites. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Small, browned pieces make these Garlic Butter Steak Bites easy to portion across appetizer plates or a larger cookout meal. One pound of sirloin is seasoned with paprika and garlic powder, seared in batches, then tossed with butter and six cloves of garlic. The 30-minute recipe serves six and stays contained in one skillet. Set out toothpicks for casual snacking, or serve the steak with fries, potatoes, or crusty bread.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Coconut Shrimp

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

Sweet coconut coating and a crisp crust make this Coconut Shrimp easy to pass around before the larger plates arrive. The 20-minute recipe serves six with jumbo shrimp coated in curry-seasoned flour, egg whites, sweetened coconut, and breadcrumbs before frying. The tails provide a natural handle, while the crunchy coating holds up well on a platter. Serve warm with sweet chili sauce and keep the dipping bowl beside the tray.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Shrimp

Beef Tacos

Built for passing around, these Beef Tacos make four servings in 30 minutes and work well with a toppings station. Ground beef simmers with tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, and water before going into eight corn tortillas. Lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, and red onion can remain in separate bowls for quick assembly. Guests can make a small snack or a full plate beside grilled vegetables and corn.
Get the Recipe: Beef Tacos

Charred Grilled Vegetables

A platter of grilled vegetables including zucchini, mushrooms, asparagus, bell peppers, and red onions, garnished with chopped herbs. — Charred Grilled Vegetables. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Smoky grill marks give these Charred Grilled Vegetables enough character to stand beside steak, seafood, or burgers. Zucchini, red onion, bell peppers, asparagus, and portobello mushrooms cook in 35 minutes and provide six servings. Balsamic vinegar, oregano, parsley, olive oil, salt, and pepper finish the platter after grilling. Serve the vegetables warm or at room temperature, making them useful when the cookout stretches across the afternoon.
Get the Recipe: Charred Grilled Vegetables

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Close-up of a baked spinach and artichoke dip in a dark dish, showing a golden brown, bubbly cheese topping with a portion scooped out, revealing the creamy interior. — Spinach Artichoke Dip. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Bubbling cheese across the top makes this Spinach Artichoke Dip a rich scoop for the center of the snack table. Cream cheese, mayonnaise, Parmesan, artichoke hearts, spinach, and mozzarella bake together in 35 minutes and serve six. The dip can be mixed ahead and baked when the first guests arrive. Surround the dish with tortilla chips, pita chips, crackers, red pepper slices, or toasted baguette pieces.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Artichoke Dip

Grilled Lobster Tail

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

Split shells and lightly charred meat make this Grilled Lobster Tail a smaller cookout main for two. Two lobster tails cook in 20 minutes with a butter sauce flavored by garlic, lemon, smoked paprika, parsley, and basil. Grilling the flesh side first adds color while the final sauce keeps the meat moist. Serve with lemon wedges and one or two vegetable sides when the menu needs a seafood plate with little prep.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Lobster Tail

Chicken Fried Steak

Breaded and fried steak pieces topped with creamy white gravy and chopped parsley on a white plate. — Chicken Fried Steak. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Fork-and-knife portions make this Chicken Fried Steak the most substantial plate in the cookout lineup. Four servings take 40 minutes, using thin round steak, evaporated milk, seasoned flour, paprika, garlic powder, and vegetable oil. Creamy gravy is made with pan drippings, flour, milk, salt, and pepper. Serve it with corn, potatoes, or grilled vegetables for guests who want a full meal instead of a handheld bite.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Steak

Grilled Eggplant

Thick rounds hold their shape on the grill, giving this Grilled Eggplant a firm texture and visible grill marks. Two eggplants are brushed with olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, then cooked for a 25-minute recipe serving four. The slices can work as a side, appetizer, or light main depending on the rest of the table. Finish with parsley and serve warm or slightly cooled.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Eggplant

Caprese Appetizer Bites

Image shows an overhead shot of Caprese Bites on a wooden board. — Caprese Appetizer Bites. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Toasted baguette rounds keep these Caprese Appetizer Bites crisp beneath fresh mozzarella, basil, tomato, and balsamic glaze. The 15-minute recipe makes about 20 servings, giving a larger cookout a light option between heavier plates. Cooling the bread before adding the toppings helps protect its texture. Assemble the bites shortly before serving, then arrange them in a single layer so guests can lift one without disturbing the rest.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Appetizer Bites

Big Mac Sliders

Two sloppy joe sliders with melted cheese and ground beef filling stacked on a plate, with lettuce and a bowl in the background. — Big Mac Sliders. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Pull-apart rolls make these Big Mac Sliders simple to divide among 12 people after 35 minutes of cooking. Ground beef, diced onion, cheddar, lettuce, Hawaiian rolls, and a sauce made with mayonnaise, relish, mustard, vinegar, and seasonings recreate the familiar burger profile. The connected rolls bake as one slab before slicing. Serve them with fries, onion rings, coleslaw, or chips when the cookout needs an easy handheld main.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Sliders

Taco Dip

Glass bowl with layered dip topped with guacamole, sliced jalapeños, black olives, and tomatoes. A tortilla chip is dipping into the bowl. — Taco Dip. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Chilled and layered, this Taco Dip earns a no-oven place on the cookout table. Sour cream, cream cheese, and taco seasoning form the base, while lettuce, tomatoes, jalapeños, black olives, cheddar, and guacamole cover the top. The recipe serves six and takes 15 minutes, so it can be prepared while the grill heats. Pair it with tortilla chips, sturdy vegetables, crackers, or pita chips for easy scooping.
Get the Recipe: Taco Dip

Grilled Corn on the Cob

Four grilled corn cobs topped with crumbled cheese, chopped herbs, and spices are arranged on a white plate. — Grilled Corn on the Cob. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Charred kernels and seasoned butter give this Grilled Corn on the Cob a strong place beside nearly any cookout main. Four ears cook in 25 minutes, including 15 minutes directly on the grill, then receive Tajín butter, lime juice, cilantro, and Cotija cheese. Turning the cobs regularly helps them brown on several sides. Serve them hot from a platter with extra lime wedges for steak, burgers, seafood, or vegetable plates.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn on the Cob

Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Soft Hawaiian rolls hold the spicy, cheesy filling in these Buffalo Chicken Sliders, a 35-minute recipe serving 12. Shredded chicken mixes with buffalo sauce, ranch, and honey before mozzarella and Parmesan go on top. Garlic butter brushed over the rolls helps the tops brown during baking. Keep the slab connected for transport, then slice it at serving time so the sliders stay warmer beside the dips and grilled sides.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Sliders