The Ultimate Summer BBQ Recipes

It’s *already* almost July and we’re just getting started with all of the amazing summer BBQ recipes. What better time to try out a new grilling recipe, use summer produce in a seasonal salad, or finally try that delicious, nostalgic dessert?

I put together over 50 incredible, healthy summer BBQ recipes for you that are perfect for a backyard cookout, park picnic and for just enjoying in your own backyard. There are plenty of easy grilling recipes great for first-timers using the grill (be sure to check out my guide for grilling chicken and pizza!) and tons of gluten free, vegan and vegetarian options.

These summer recipes are broken down into appetizers & sides, salads, main dishes, cocktails and desserts, so pick one from each category and put together a delicious menu!

GF = Gluten Free

V = Vegan

VT = Vegetarian

If you make any of these healthier summer BBQ recipes, be sure to leave a comment below and let me know how you liked it! You can also tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram so that I can see your creations.

FREE Ultimate Guide to Grilling

Get our FREE, printable e-book with all of the tips, tricks and tutorials you’ll need to gain confidence behind the grill this summer (and all year round!)

You’ll learn:

• Exactly how to operate your gas grill + get all of our recommended grilling tools
• How to grill amazing proteins to use in your fav recipes
• The best way to grill any types of veggie (found in the blog post you’re currently reading!)
• And even how to make desserts on the grill

What are you waiting for? Grab your e-book above and enjoy a full summer of delicious grilling!

Craveable Dips & Salsas

*These are all gluten-free

Avocado Peach Salsa V

Spicy Green Feta Sauce

Fresh Mango Salsa Recipe V

Fresh & Healthy 7-Layer Dip VT

Hot Honey & Basil Pepperoni Pizza Dip

Garlic White Bean Basil Hummus V

How to Make Super Creamy Hummus (+5 different flavor variations!) V

Tony’s Ridiculously Easy Homemade Salsa V, GF

The Best Guacamole You’ll Ever Eat V

Cilantro Pistachio Pesto Hummus V

Whipped Feta Yogurt Dip with Hot Honey, Basil & Toasted Almonds

Sweet and Spicy Curry Hummus V

Avocado Strawberry Mango Salsa V

Creamy Jalapeño Spinach Artichoke Dip VT

Spicy Green Cashew Dip V

Roasted Sweet Potato Hummus V

Easy + Cheesy Southwest Bean Dip

Roasted Beet Hummus V

Vegetarian Three Cheese White Bean Buffalo Dip VT

Roasted Garlic Hummus V

Unique Appetizers

Strawberry Balsamic Bruschetta VT

Pizza Puff Pastry Tarts VT

Tortilla Chip-Crusted Baked Jalapeño Poppers VT, GF

Grilled Crostini with Roasted Cherries, Goat Cheese & Basil VT

Roasted Strawberry, Basil, and Goat Cheese Crostini VT

10-Minute Smoked Salmon Pinwheels

Buffalo Chicken Meatballs with Bleu Cheese Yogurt Dip

Jalapeño-Goat Cheese Grilled Stuffed Mini Peppers VT, GF

Smoked Salmon Crostini

Greek Salad Pinwheels VT

Easy Sides

Tony’s Melt-In-Your-Mouth Grilled Brussels Sprouts V, GF

Sesame Garlic Grilled Sweet Potato Fries with Yogurt Curry Dip VT, GF

Best Healthy Coleslaw Ever (no mayo!) V, GF

Homemade Slow Cooker Baked Beans GF

Vegan Potato Salad with Herbed Tahini Sauce V, GF

Spicy Maple Dijon Grilled Brussels Sprouts V, GF

Cauliflower Tots VT, GF

Garlic Fingerling Potatoes (roasted or grilled!) V, GF

Gluten Free Cornbread Muffins VT, GF

Fresh Fruit & Veggie Salads

Peach Brussels Sprouts Crunch Salad with Creamy Tahini Poppy Seed Dressing V, GF

Avocado Peach Tomato Salad with Dilly Tahini Dressing V, GF

Herby Olive Italian Orzo Salad V

Grilled Corn Salad with Avocado, Goat Cheese & Hot Honey Vinaigrette VT, GF

Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad

Honey Lime Basil Peach Fruit Salad VT, GF

Summer Strawberry Spinach Salad with Avocado VT, GF

Grilled Carrot Arugula Salad with Fig, Goat Cheese & Avocado VT, GF

Roasted Sweet Potato Black Bean Salad with Pineapple Corn Salsa V, GF

Vegan Curried Broccoli Chickpea Salad V, GF

Dad’s Dilly Greek Yogurt Cucumber Salad VT, GF

Summer Peach Spinach Salad with Avocado, Toasted Almonds + Goat Cheese VT, GF

Cashew Crunch Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad V, GF

The Easiest Chopped Greek Chickpea Salad VT, GF

Healthy Summer Broccoli Salad V, GF

Gaby’s Chicken Taco Salad GF

California Roasted Sweet Potato Kale Salad V, GF

Italian Chopped Brussels Sprouts Salad GF

Vegan Caesar Salad V, GF

Spicy Ranch Chopped Chicken Cabbage Salad GF

The Best Quinoa & Pasta Salad

*Use your favorite gluten-free pasta shape to keep any of these gluten-free!

Damn Good BLT Pasta Salad with Creamy Jalapeño Cashew Dressing

Copycat Portillo’s Chopped Salad

Vegan Caesar Pasta Salad V

Curried Chickpea Couscous Salad V

Kale, Edamame & Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette V

Avocado & Tomato Chickpea Pasta Salad with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette VT

Grilled Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Roasted Veggie, Chickpea & Pesto Quinoa Salad V

Vibrant Curry Cashew Chickpea Quinoa Salad V

Street Corn Pasta Salad with Cilantro Pesto + Goat Cheese VT

Famous Crunchy Cashew Thai Quinoa Salad V

Peach, Tomato & Corn Arugula Pasta Salad VT

Fiesta Mango Black Bean Quinoa Salad V

Avocado Blueberry Quinoa Salad VT

Sandwiches, Burgers & Tacos

Grilled Tahini Chicken Caesar Sandwiches GF

Chipotle Lime Salmon Tacos with Corn Avocado Peach Salsa & Cilantro Yogurt Sauce GF

Herby Chicken Meatball Pitas with Jalapeño Tzatziki

How to Grill Amazing Burgers (plus recipes!)

Jalapeño Curry Turkey Burgers GF

Blackened Salmon Tacos with Forbidden Rice & Mango Guacamole GF

Incredible Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Sandwiches GF

Ultimate Vegan Black Bean Burgers with Creamy Tahini Garlic Sauce V, GF

Sheet Pan Roasted Veggie Tacos (with yummy sauce options!) V, GF

Chipotle Chicken Tostadas with Pineapple Salsa GF

Amazing Easy Turkey Tacos (with a slow cooker option!) GF

Vegan Sweet Potato Burgers V, GF

Seriously Good Sweet Potato Cheddar BBQ Chicken Burgers GF

Moroccan-Spiced Turkey Burgers with Creamy Feta Sauce GF

Crazy Good Street Corn Chicken Tacos GF

Buffalo Zucchini Chicken Burgers GF

Grilled Proteins

Baked or Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken (with the best honey mustard marinade!) GF

Grilled Sesame Chicken GF

Sazon Grilled Chicken Thighs GF

How to Spatchcock a Chicken GF

How to Grill Chicken Breast that’s Perfectly Juicy GF

Sticky, Sweet & Spicy Grilled Ginger Chicken GF

Honey Lemon Garlic Salmon GF

How to Grill Delicious Tofu (2 different ways!)

Grilled Jalapeño Cilantro Chicken GF

How to Grill Perfect Salmon (plus recipes!)

Fun Main Dishes

Cheesy BBQ Chicken Stuffed Zucchini Boats GF

Pesto Chicken Stuffed Zucchini Boats GF

How to Grill Pizza that’s Crispy, Chewy and Ready in only 15 Minutes VT

Firecracker Salmon with Peach Avocado Salsa GF

Vegan Turmeric Pineapple Tofu Kabobs V, GF

Hot Honey Bangin’ Crunchy Cornflake Baked Chicken

Zucchini Mac and Cheese

3-Ingredient Grilled Stuffed Poblano Peppers VT, GF

Buffalo Mac and Cheese Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Greek Chicken Kabobs GF

Buffalo Cauliflower Mac and Cheese VT

Vegan Pasta Primavera with Creamy Garlic Cashew Sauce V, GF

Festive Cocktails

Skinny Jalapeño Watermelon Margaritas

Frozen Strawberry Margarita

Watermelon Frosé

Grapefruit Margarita

Spicy Blood Orange Margarita

Drunken Strawberries

Rebecca’s Pomegranate Margarita

Palm Springs Cocktail

Bars, Brownies & Chocolate

Ooey-Gooey Tahini S’mores Bars GF

Raspberry Bars with Oatmeal Cookie Crumble V, GF

Ooey-Gooey Tahini S’mores Bars GF

Healthy Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats V, GF

Salted Tahini Caramel Millionaire Bars V, GF

Blueberry Pie Bars with Oatmeal Crumble V, GF

The Best Zucchini Brownies You’ll Ever Eat GF

Healthy Peanut Butter Twix Bars V, GF

Tahini Monster Cookie Bars GF

Fudgy Almond Butter Blondies GF

No Bake Chocolate Caramel Tahini Chex Bars V, GF

Grain Free Tahini Brownies (the best brownies I’ve ever eaten!) GF

Vegan Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Caramel Bars V, GF

Strawberry Crumble Bars V, GF

Healthy Lemon Bars GF

Healthy 4 Ingredient Reese’s Eggs V, GF

Small Batch Paleo Almond Flour Brownies with Raspberries GF

Birthday Cake Rice Krispie Treats GF

Crowd-Pleasing Cookies

The Best Bakery-Style Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

Salted Tahini Butterscotch Cookie Skillet GF

Soft Lime Sugar Cookies GF

Salted Brownie Cookies

Healthier Flourless Monster Cookies GF

Chocolate Chunk Toasted Marshmallow Ginger Cookies

The Best Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies You’ll Ever Eat GF

Grain Free Chocolate Chunk Skillet Cookie V, GF

Not Your Mama’s Magic Cookies

Key Lime White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies

Paleo Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies GF

Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies with Toffee & Crushed Pretzels

Blow Ya Mind Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies V, GF

Peanut Butter Cup S’mores Chocolate Cookies

Beautiful Cakes & Pies

The Best Tart Cherry Pie You’ll Ever Eat

Chocolate Zucchini Cake GF

Lemon Pistachio Cake with Lovely Lemon Frosting GF

Dad’s Extraordinary Yellow Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache

World’s Best Banana Cream Pie (with peanut butter cookie crust!)

Almond Lemon Raspberry Poppy Seed Cake GF

Orange Zucchini Cake with Orange Frosting GF

Spiced Zucchini Sweet Potato Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting GF

Brown Butter Strawberry Coffee Cake with Lovely Strawberry Icing

Grain Free Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake GF

Almond Flour Strawberry Shortcake Cake with Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting GF

Lemon Blueberry Zucchini Cake with Lemon Frosting GF

Lemon Cookies with Lovely Lemon Glaze

Inside Out Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cake GF

Wonderful Fruit Desserts

Gluten Free Peach Crisp with Salted Coconut Milk Caramel V, GF

Rainbow Fruit Skewers V, GF

Grilled Peaches (+6 different topping ideas!) V, GF

Strawberry Crisp with Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Crumble V, GF

Lightened-up Vanilla Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp V, GF

2-Ingredient Blueberry Nice Cream V, GF

If you make any of these healthier summer BBQ recipes, be sure to leave a comment below and let me know how you liked it! You can also tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram so that I can see your creations.