While Labor Day signals the impending end of summer, there’s still some time left to grill—and to make the most of it, we’ve collected our most popular BBQ recipes for you.
You’ve got the grill. You’ve got the gadgets. You’ve even studied grilling tips from a pitmaster and researched the best meat delivery services so you’re free-range, grass-fed, kosher victims are set to arrive at the door any minute. Guestlist? Check. Fire extinguisher? Double check. What else is there?
Oh right….recipes!
From sauce-slathered short ribs to miraculously moist grilled chicken, homemade seasonings, and even a few seafood surprises, we’ve gathered Chowhound’s 13 most popular and clicked-on BBQ recipes from the past year to give you a head start on your summer cookin’. Bust out the charcoal and lighter fluid cuz it’s gonna be a hot one!
And for even more, check out the recipes and cooking tips our Chowhound community is buzzin’ about for BBQ season.
1. Easy BBQ Baby Back Pork Ribs
Chowhound
This popular ribs recipe is easy, technically speaking, but does require some prep and planning. A lot of it can be done ahead of time if you have the luxury, and finished on the grill when guests start to arrive. Serve with some crisp summer slaw and baked potatoes. Get our Easy BBQ Baby Back Pork Ribs recipe.
2. Easy Fish Tacos
Chowhound
For something, a little unexpected try grilled fish tacos at the next summer BBQ gathering you host. Marinate the white fish—something semi-firm like snapper, cod, or mahi-mahi—and serve with pickled onions, lime wedges, and sliced avocado. Get our Easy Fish Tacos recipe.
Related Reading: 9 Interesting Sides for Summer Grilling and BBQ
3. Montreal Steak Seasoning
Chowhound
This is a classic beef seasoning that you can buy in the store but it’s much more fun to say you made your own, right? You can always package it up and give it out to BBQ guests for a fun take-home. Get our Montreal Steak Seasoning recipe.
4. Grilled Country-Style Pork Ribs
Chowhound
Fun fact about Country Style Pork Ribs: They’re not actually ribs but rather a boneless cut from the loin. Let a rub sit on the meat overnight for best results and then grill until a nice crust appears. Get our Grilled Country-style Pork Ribs recipe.
5. Cajun Seasoning
Chowhound
Have a bunch of this Cajun seasoning on hand all summer and you’ll never have a boring piece of grilled chicken or burger again. Don’t go crazy on the heat as you can always kick it up with a little extra pepper or cayenne to order. Get our Cajun Seasoning recipe.
Related Reading: Grilling Innovations to Bring Your 4th of July BBQ Into the Future
6. Argentine Chimichurri Sauce
Chowhound
So you don’t technically make this one on the grill either but sometimes a good sauce to slather onto meats after they come off the coals (or gas) can make the difference between a good and great backyard BBQ. Get our Argentine Chimichurri Sauce recipe.
Franklin Barbecue: A Meat-Smoking Manifesto, $19.50 on Amazon Required reading for any pitmasters in training. Buy Now 7. Smoked Barbecue Baby Back Ribs
Chowhound
This recipe requires some special equipment. If you don’t have a smoker, like our favorite below, then you can always turn your grill into a smoker rather easily. Smoking anything imparts a deep, sometimes all-consuming flavor, that balances nicely with the sweetness of BBQ sauce. Get our Smoked Barbecue Baby Back Ribs recipe.
*Special equipment alert: If you don’t have a smoker and have to hack it, you’ll need a charcoal grill to turn into a smoker. You will also need long heatproof tongs, matches or a lighter, newspaper, 1 disposable aluminum 9-by-5-inch loaf pan, 1 disposable aluminum 8-inch square pan, a baking sheet, 2 oven mitts, 2 buckets of water (one to soak the wood chips and the other to refill the aluminum loaf pan), and an oven thermometer.
Cuisinart Vertical Charcoal Smoker Affordable and not terribly difficult to move around. Buy Now 8. Juicy Lucy Burger (a.k.a. Jucy Lucy)
Chowhound
As you’ll read there is some serious drama as to what midwest bar this juicy burger originated in. We’re just glad it’s part of our summer arsenal. Worcestershire sauce is one of summer grilling’s best-kept secrets and the umami flavor is key in this grilled burger recipe. Get our Juicy Lucy Burger recipe.
9. Smoky-Sweet BBQ Beef Short Ribs
Chowhound
These fabulous BBQ short ribs technically get their start in the oven but are finished on the grill. Short ribs prove less intimidating than a full-size rack of ribs, but make sure you follow the cooking times and temps as closely as possible for best results. Get our Smoky-Sweet BBQ Beef Short Ribs recipe.
Read More: The Best BBQ Rubs You Can Buy
10. Grilled Chicken Breasts with Balsamic Rosemary Marinade
Chowhound
You can’t go wrong with grilled chicken at a summer BBQ but give it a formidable injection of flavor as in this very popular balsamic and rosemary marinade. Get our Grilled Chicken Breasts with Balsamic Rosemary Marinade recipe.
11. Grilled Paella
Chowhound’s Grilled Paella
Paella is to Spain as BBQ ribs are to the U.S. The perfect dish to serve a large group, and eat outside in the sunshine with a cold beverage in hand. Use any type of seafood you’d like but remember some hold up to grilling better than others. Get our Grilled Paella recipe.
12. Carne Asada
Chowhound
There is a ton you can do with a good carne asada. Tacos or fajitas (obviously), top a salad, or pile it high on some good ciabatta for a sliced steak sandwich. Feel free to crank up the heat if you’ve got Scoville junkies in tow. Get our Carne Asada recipe.
Read more: The Best Keto BBQ Sauce You Can Buy | Keto BBQ Recipes for a Satisfying Low-Carb Summer
13. Maple Mustard Grilled Salmon
Chowhound
Salmon and summer grillin’ go together like PB&J. A nice firm fish that holds its form, this maple, and mustard marinated fish dish will be a hit with BBQ guests, and is an easy/exciting alternative for those trying to avoid red meat or pork. Get our Maple Mustard Grilled Salmon recipe.
Read More: Everything You Need to Know About Grilling & BBQ
Related Video: What to Grill Before Summer Ends #FoodNews #RecipeRound-Ups
