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A group of people laughing and sharing a meal at a picnic table in a sunny outdoor setting.

May 15, 2025

15 Easy Summer Cookout Menu Ideas

By Stephanie Kriebel

This guide to an easy summer cookout menu features classics like dips, hot dogs and potato salad, as well as some special items like strawberry pretzel salad and cauliflower steak. No matter which of these summer cookout recipes you make, friends and family will love being at your backyard BBQ!

Appetizers - Pretzels and Dip for Summertime Snacking

Summer cookout food should be no fuss and crowd-friendly. Opting for appetizers you can make ahead of time are ideal for a summer cookout menu. Items that are cold should be served on ice or kept inside in the fridge until it's time to eat.

Pretzels and dip are a great idea for easy appetizers. Some of our favorites are:

A jar of creamy hummus next to a bowl of golden, crispy fries on a wooden table.

1. Roasted Garlic Mustard Dip: Pretzels and mustard are a classic combination and perfect for a summer cookout menu. This mustard dip for pretzels is jazzed up with roasted garlic. It's creamy, tangy and a touch sweet.

A dish featuring vibrant carrots and fresh greens arranged artfully on a white plate.

2. Warm Feta Dip: Summer cookout food should be light and flavorful. This dip is just that, especially when you pair it with our crunchy pretzels for dipping.

A plate featuring a bowl of hummus accompanied by an assortment of fried foods.

3. Whipped Brie Dip: Sweet and savory, this summer cookout menu idea is a great way to start the evening. Since it's perfect to serve at room temperature, it's a backyard BBQ delight.

Elevate your summer cookout menu with these fancier cookout ideas that are super simple to make, but look impressive:

Summer Cookout Menu - Crab Pretzel Nachos

4. Crab Pretzel Nachos: Our seasoned sourdough pretzel nuggets serve as the "chips" for these nachos and the Chesapeake seasoning blend gives you all the flavor you expect for a dish that features shellfish. Make the crab salad ahead of time and keep it separate from the pretzels before your summer cookout begins

A wooden cutting board displaying an assortment of fresh vegetables and a bowl of dip.

5. Hummus Platter: A hummus board is similar to a charcuterie board, but instead of using meats and cheeses, the focus is on the delicious vegan dip made from chickpeas and fresh veggies. It's a light and vegetarian-friendly option to add to your summer cookout menu.

A group of neatly wrapped ham slices arranged on a wooden cutting board, representing Italian sushi preparation.

6. Italian Sushi: Another fun twist on charcuterie boards for your summer cookout menu is Italian sushi. It's prosciutto and cheese rolled up to look like sushi. Our recipe has a crunchy pretzel surprise inside!

Main Courses - Grilling Recipes for Feeding a Crowd

Hot dogs, burgers and chicken wings are classic main course ideas for summer cookout menus. Consider mixing things up with these summer main course ideas:

A plate featuring Italian sushi with steak, corn, and tomatoes arranged artfully.

7. Chimichurri Steak: The sauce is simple to make, but will give your backyard BBQ an elevated feel. Using flank or skirt steak is a great option for feeding a crowd.

A plate filled with a colorful assortment of food items, including vegetables, grains, and protein.

7. Cauliflower Steak: If you have vegetarian friends or family, try this recipe as a main course option for one of your summer food ideas.

Summer Side Dishes - Backyard Cookout Salads and More

When it comes to planning the perfect summer holiday menu, you have to think about what will compliment what comes off the grill. Here are some summer cookout sides we love.

A clear plastic container holding three small desserts, showcasing a variety of colors and textures.

8. Strawberry Pretzel Salad: It might look like dessert, but this summer cookout side has enough spice that we think it can be served with dinner.

Deviled eggs topped with sausage and cheese, arranged on a white plate, garnished with parsley.

10. Deviled Eggs: These are a classic summer cookout side. We love topping our deviled eggs with the crunch of our seasoned sourdough pretzel nuggets.

A colorful salad featuring carrots, cucumbers, and various fresh vegetables arranged on a white plate.

11. Crouton Salad: Looking to add some freshness to your summer cookout food lineup? Salads are a great way to feed a crowd without spending a ton of cash.

Plus, here are 7 summer cookout side dish ideas that will wow your guests!

Summer Cookout Desserts - Pretzel Desserts

A sweet treat (or two) is the perfect way to complete your summer cookout menu. If you are serving ice cream, be sure to have a beverage bin filled with ice to place your ice cream containers in to prevent melting. If you're serving chocolate treats at your backyard BBQ, chill them in the fridge for 15-30 minutes before serving so guests don't get messy.

Some of our favorite summer cookout desserts are:

A slice of ice cream cake topped with a generous swirl of whipped cream.

12. Chocolate Mousse Bars: These are cool, creamy and have a crunchy crust that is the star of the show. You can serve them on a platter over ice if your summer cookout is on a super hot day.

A plate of fresh strawberries topped with fluffy whipped cream, elegantly arranged for a delightful dessert presentation.

13. Dessert Nachos: We love this for a summer cookout dessert because you don't have to bake anything and it's interactive, which is always fun for a party.

Two chocolate-covered pretzels resting on a countertop, showcasing their glossy coating and twisted shapes.

14. Ice Cream Ideas: Who doesn't love ice cream on a hot summer day? Here are our favorite pretzel ice cream ideas to serve as summer cookout desserts.

A tray filled with fluffy marshmallows alongside a bowl of red, white, and blue festive treats.

15. Smore's Dip: A July 4th must, this summer cookout dessert dip is gooey, warm and can be made on the grill.

No matter what you decide to make, we hope these summer cookout menu ideas have inspired you to host a backyard BBQ this summer! Happy entertaining.

FAQs

What to bring to a summer cookout?
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It's great to bring summer side dishes for cookouts when invited to a backyard BBQ. Be sure to check with the hosts to see what will be most helpful. If it needs to be kept cold, bring your own cooler or call ahead to be sure there will be space in the fridge for your summer side dish.

What are good side dishes for cookouts?
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Potato salad, cole slaw, strawberry pretzel salad, deviled eggs and baked beans are good side dishes for cookouts.

What is a good summer lunch menu?
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Light and refreshing food is ideal for a summer lunch menu. We like having salads, seafood and plant-based meals, like this falafel wrap for a good summer lunch.

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