If you’re tired of boring burgers and same-old same-old sausages, it might be time to rethink your grill game by offering your hungry guests more than the usual suspects! From mouthwatering meat and stunning seafood to sensational sides and decadent desserts, a great BBQ is all about variety, creativity, and a little bit of culinary flair. Whether you’re firing up your garden grill for something quick, or hosting a full-on friends and family feast, you’ve got options beyond bangers, burgers and dry chicken! So what should you be throwing on the barbecue? Let’s turn up the flavour dial to maximum!
Making It Yours
No two barbecues are ever the same, and that’s part of the fun! Some of your guests will be keen to try bold, unexpected flavours fresh off the grill, while others are perfectly happy sticking to tried-and-tested favourites. Then there are the young ones, who often prefer simpler, familiar options. It’s this variety that’s an essential ingredient in any successful BBQ spread. And this is the real key to a banging barbie, balance. You want a mix of classic staples, adventurous dishes, and inclusive alternatives that everyone can enjoy. With a little planning, you can go from serviceable cookout to spectacular spread where there’s something for everyone.
Bring on the Beef
Few things capture the spirit of a barbecue quite like sizzling beef cooking over white hot coals, with everything from quick searing to long, slow cooking.
Steaks
A thick, medium-rare steak (or however your guests like it!) with that unmistakable charred crust is a beautiful thing! Cuts such as ribeye, sirloin and T-bone work brilliantly on the barbie (take them out of the fridge shortly before grilling) and finish them with little more than a simple seasoning.
Burgers
Let’s be honest, it’s not a barbecue without a burger, and a well-made burger is hard to beat. Beef mince with a 20% fat content helps the burger stay juicy while getting those crispy edges; cook thoroughly until steaming hot throughout, with no pink meat in the centre and clear juices. Once ready to go, you can use all the usual toppings for an all-time classic cookout munch.
Skewers
Cubes of beef threaded onto skewers (and chunky veg like peppers, mushrooms or courgettes) cook quickly and pick up plenty of smoky flavour. Koftes, which you can make yourself or get from the butcher and cook in the same way, bring a touch of Mediterranean magic to proceedings! Remember, if you’re cooking koftes or other minced-meat kebabs, cook them all the way through to the centre and check they’re piping hot before serving.
Short Ribs & Brisket
If you’ve got the time, short ribs are a great option, and best cooked slowly and surely over a good, long time. The same goes for brisket which is a tough cut when it goes in, but done right, it becomes a tender, juicy true BBQ classic! Michelin maestro Tom Kerridge’s sticky BBQ short ribs with potato salad are a must-try!
Perfect Pork
Pork is a barbecue favourite for good reason - it’s super-tasty and it works beautifully with smoke, spice, and slow cooking.
Pork Chops
Thick-cut chops that caramelise on the outside and stay juicy on the inside were born for the BBQ. Bone-in cuts tend to retain more flavour, and a simple glaze or marinade can bring out that natural sweetness without overpowering it.
Sausages
Is it even a BBQ without bangers? From classic pork to Cumberland and all sorts of seasoned varieties, they benefit from steady, even cooking to achieve that seriously satisfying snap.
Pork Belly
Crispy pork belly is one of life’s true pleasures and the key is to cook it slowly to render the fat while a quick final blast over the coals gives it that incredible caramelised finish.
Ribs
Ribs and barbecue are a match made in heaven! Is there anything better than tender meat and a sticky, finger-licking coating? Cooked low and slow, they absorb all that smoky flavour before being finished with a glaze that clings to every bite.
BBQ’d Lamb is Baa-rilliant
Lamb brings a distinctive flavour to the barbecue, and stands up well to bold seasonings, aromatic herbs, and a good hit of smoke.
Lamb Chops
Lamb chops are perfect for high-heat grilling as they’re tender and quick to cook. They develop a beautifully charred exterior while staying juicy inside, and go well with simple seasonings such as garlic and rosemary. Try our grilled lamb chops with rosemary salt and tapenade aioli.
Leg & Shoulder of Lamb
A butterflied leg of lamb is great if you've got a crowd in. It cooks evenly over the grill and absorbs marinades with ease. If you cook it over indirect heat, it gives you slice after slice of succulent meat.
A shoulder of lamb is best suited to slower cooking and given enough time becomes incredibly tender. The result is soft, pull-apart meat with a deep, smoky flavour that works especially well in wraps.
Lamb Kebabs
Cubed lamb threaded onto skewers is a versatile addition to your grilling repertoire. Marinate the lamb beforehand and barbecue your kebabs until safely cooked through, while keeping the meat tender.
Lamb Kofte
Minced lamb shaped onto skewers can be a little bit fiddly, but the end result is worth the effort! The rich meat mixed with spices and herbs cooks relatively quickly but, as with other koftes or minced-meat kebabs, ensure they’re cooked all the way through before serving. Once ready, they’re perfect for serving with flatbreads, fresh salads, and great with tenderstem broccoli and a yoghurt dip.
Champion Chicken
Chicken is one of the most versatile options on the barbecue. It’s a lighter alternative to red meat and great for taking on marinades, spices, and smoky flavours.
Chicken Breasts
Really lean and easy to cook, the chicken breasts should be cooked over a steady medium heat to stop them drying out.
Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs have a higher fat content than breasts so they’re a little more forgiving on the barbecue and have a richer flavour. They stay juicy even over higher heat, so they’re ideal for flavour-packed marinades and slightly longer cooking times. Cook over controlled medium or indirect heat before finishing over direct heat for that classic flamed finish. Check they’re cooked all the way through before serving. Our BBQ chicken thighs with sweetcorn and tarragon are definitely worth trying!
Chicken Wings
A barbecue favourite, wings are perfect for crisping up over the grill before being coated in sauces or dry rubs. Because they're so small, make sure you keep an eye on them to avoid burning, and check they’re cooked through before serving. They’re especially good with blue cheese butter, and if you’re going to barbecue chicken wings, why not try Heston’s barbecue chicken wings!
Chicken Legs
Easy to handle and great for feeding a crowd, chicken legs cook best over a combination of indirect and direct heat. This allows the meat to cook through before finishing off with seriously scrumptious crispy skin. These cherry BBQ chicken drumsticks are really good!
Spatchcock Chicken
If you’re looking for a spectacular centrepiece, a flattened chicken allows it to cook more evenly over the grill and you get delicious skin and juicy meat.
Fabulous Fish and Stunning Seafood
Fish and seafood bring a lighter, fresher dimension to the barbecue, and go beautifully with smoke, citrus, and simple seasoning.
Salmon
Salmon is a firm fish that’s full of flavour and perfectly suited to the scorching hot grill. Cook it skin side down for the classic char and let the heat and smoke do the rest.
Prawns
Quick to cook and full of flavour, prawns are a barbecue favourite that benefit from a short stint over high heat. Whether skewered or placed directly on the grill, they take on a subtle char while remaining tender and juicy.
Sea Bass
Sea bass is a delicate fish but does hold up to the rigours of high heat barbecue cookery. It’s an elegant option if you’re looking for something special, and grilled either whole or in fillets, it works best with minimal handling. Tom Kerridge’s whole barbecued sea bass is a seafood showstopper.
Tuna Steaks
Tuna steaks are meaty and robust, and great for high-heat searing. Cooked quickly, they develop a charred crust while staying tender in the middle (though make sure to cook correctly so the flesh is opaque and flakes easily), and the finished texture is closer to steak than traditional fish.
Scallops
Sweet and tender, scallops cook in just a few minutes, making them perfect for a quick grill. A hot surface helps achieve a golden sear on the outside while keeping the centre soft and delicate.
Non-Meat Options
Barbecues aren’t just about meat and fish! Plant-based options are increasingly popular, and it helps to broaden the menu.
Veggie Bangers & Burgers
A well-made vegetable or plant-based burger is a great alternative to traditional beef patties. Whether bean-based, grain-led, or meat-free replicas, they tend to hold their shape on a hot grill. This spicy veggie bean burger is one of our favourites. The same approach is true for veggie sausages, which definitely don’t compromise on flavour.
Grilled Vegetables
From peppers and courgettes to asparagus and aubergines and corn on the cob, grilled vegetables take on a rich, smoky sweetness when you cook them over open flames. Lightly brush with oil and season with a twist or two of salt and pepper, they make a great addition to any spread.
Halloumi
This classic Cypriot cheese is a BBQ staple and great on its own or added to burgers for a proper taste of the Mediterranean! Lightly oiled and grilled until it’s golden and delicious, you get a crisp outer layer and a slightly chewy centre. For inspo, check out Tom Kerridge’s barbecued halloumi with chilli and honey.
Stuffed 'Shrooms
The Portobello is the undisputed champion of BBQ mushrooms, and its big, wide bowl makes it perfect for stuffing with herbs, breadcrumbs, veggies or plant-based cheeses. Cooking over hot coals allows them to soak up all that smokey flavour. We’ve also got a great Portobello mushroom burger that’s not to miss.
Sensational Sides
Like a movie or a play, no barbecue is complete without a strong supporting cast and the right sides can elevate the entire spread and balance the smoky flavours coming off the grill.
Coleslaw
Crisp, refreshing, and slightly tangy, coleslaw provides a welcome distraction from the richer barbecue dishes. Whether you go for a creamy or vinegar-based slaw, it brings crunch and brightness to the plate, and we’ve got some great all-American slaw recipes for your next cookout.
Potato Salad
A classic BBQ staple, potato salad can be tailored to suit different tastes, from rich and creamy versions to lighter, herby variations - we’ve got loads of recipes to choose from. It goes well with both meat and plant-based dishes.
Corn on the Cob
Sweet and juicy, corn on the cob is a natural fit for the barbecue. Grilled until lightly charred, it develops a deep flavour and can be finished with all sorts of options, including dill butter, Parmigiano Reggiano, or even garlic butter, fresh lime and cotija cheese!
Grilled Flatbreads
Warm, lightly charred flatbreads are perfect for serving alongside grilled meats, vegetables, or dips. Cooked quickly over the grill, they add a soft, smoky element to the spread. Try Tom Kerridge’s smoked aubergine dip and flame-grilled flatbreads to mix it up with the meat!
Decadent Desserts
A barbecue isn’t over when the grill cools down - desserts can be just as much a part of the experience, and with these, even more so!
Grilled Fruit
Naturally sweet fruits like pineapple, peaches, nectarines, plums and watermelon take on a great caramelised flavour when grilled. Serve on their own or with a drizzle of honey or syrup for a light yet satisfying end to the meal.
S'mores
A fireside classic, s’mores are simple, nostalgic, and perfect for outdoor cooking. Toasted marshmallows sandwiched with chocolate between biscuits create a warm, melty treat that’s almost impossible to resist.
Banana Boats
Whole bananas split and filled with chocolate, nuts, or marshmallows (or a combo of all three) can be wrapped in foil and grilled. As they heat through, the fillings melt into a rich, spoonable wonderfully scrumptious dessert.
If you can’t decide between these three, Tom Kerridge has recipes for all of them, here!
The Glory of the Grill
A great barbecue is a thing of culinary beauty. From bold, smoky meats and fresh seafood to vibrant sides and satisfying desserts, you just have to make sure that no-one leaves hungry!
