Top 20 family barbecue recipes

1. Pizza salad flatbreads

Pack classic pizza flavours into a salad and use it as a flatbread topping. Quick and easy to make, this dish is bursting with bold flavour and satisfying texture, plus it's high in fibre too.

Discover more flatbread recipes.

2. Lemon & yogurt chicken flatbreads

Flatbreads make an easy, satisfying family barbecue meal and kids will love assembling their own. Coat the chicken in a mouthwatering marinade of oregano, lemon, garlic and cinnamon for an hour before cooking. Serve with a cooling dollop of yogurt and fresh Greek salad for a taste of the Med.

3. Crispy sweet potatoes with chickpeas & tahini yogurt

Every barbecue needs a hearty veggie main, and these barbecued jackets are a fantastic option. The creamy tahini and chickpea filling with crunchy pomegranate seeds is the perfect complement to the sweet potato. Pair it with our herby couscous with citrus and pomegranate dressing.

4. Swedish meatball burgers

Kids will love these Swedish meatball burgers, made from beef or pork mince and just a few simple seasonings. They're quick and easy to make too, so you can get the whole family involved in shaping the patties. Serve with a batch of freshly baked soft burger buns for a special homemade treat.

Find more perfect patties in our collection of BBQ burger recipes.

5. Epic summer sharing salad

Need a throw-together salad the whole family will love? We've gone all out with this epic summer salad, showcasing a colourful array of fruit and veg. With juicy heirloom tomatoes, crunchy radishes, creamy avocados and salty feta, every mouthful brings a different combination of flavours. Finish the salad with a zingy herb and citrus dressing and enjoy it on its own or alongside our sticky jerk lamb kebabs.

Discover more barbecue sides recipes and fresh summer salads.

6. Pineapple & pork skewers

Pair juicy pineapple with sticky pork cubes, onions and peppers on skewers and cook them over the barbecue for a delicious chargrilled flavour. You’ll need eight small or four large skewers for these. Metal skewers with twists along the length are ideal, as they stop the ingredients sliding about. If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them first.

7. Mackerel & new potato salad

Enjoy this vibrant potato salad as a fresh barbecue side. Smoked mackerel is a thrifty ingredient and also rich in omega-3, making this a nutritious option, and it's gluten-free too.

Find more potato salad recipes to accompany your barbecue.

8. Charred aubergines with white beans & salsa verde

Aubergines are one of the meatiest vegetables out there and char beautifully on the barbecue. Serve these charred aubergines with herby cannellini beans and salsa verde as a hearty veggie main or side. Shop-bought salsa verde works well, but it's worth making this fresh homemade version if you have time.

Get more marvellous meat-free ideas from our selection of vegetarian barbecue recipes.

9. Soy & butter salmon parcels

Incorporate Asian flavours into an aromatic barbecued salmon dish for a light and refreshing main. Wrapping the fish in foil with butter, honey and soy allows the flavours to marinate beautifully.

We've got plenty more barbecue salmon recipes to try.

10. Pick & mix pesto pasta salad bar

A pasta salad bar is an easy way to let guests choose exactly what they like. Simply serve a bowl of pasta tossed with pesto alongside a selection of veggies and toppings. You can prepare the pasta up to two days in advance too, making it a great option for a barbecue.

11. Chicken souvlaki

The marinated chicken in this Greek-style dish delivers plenty of flavour and is deliciously tender. For a meat-free alternative, try our grilled & filled flatbreads.

Take a look at more juicy chicken kebab recipes.

12. BBQ s'mores

Looking for an easy dessert the kids will love? Our barbecue s'mores are the perfect choice, needing just three ingredients for a delicious twist on a campfire classic. Simply sandwich marshmallows, chocolate and rich tea biscuits, wrap in foil and cook on the barbecue for a gooey, delightful treat.

Discover more s'mores recipes.

13. Vegan kebabs

Looking for some juicy plant-based skewers? These easy vegan kebabs feature a mouthwatering medley of fruit and veg, cooked over the coals for a deliciously crispy, charred finish. Serve with a citrussy avocado dressing and rocket salad.

Check out more vibrant vegan barbecue recipes.

14. Slow-cooked BBQ-spiced pulled pork

This six-ingredient pulled pork is great whatever the weather as it can be cooked in a slow cooker or on the barbecue. This recipe serves up to six people, but if you’re catering to a smaller crowd, any leftovers can be frozen.

Discover more barbecue pork recipes, from sausages to pulled pork.

15. Molten cheese-stuffed burgers

These indulgent burgers have a melting mozzarella and cheddar centre. Take them to the next level with a homemade herby burger sauce.

16. Barbecued banoffee splits

Finish on a sweet note with our barbecued banoffee splits, perfect with a dollop of vanilla ice cream and a handful of chopped pecans. This quick and easy dessert is a delicious way to use up ripe bananas.

Check out more indulgent BBQ dessert recipes, from toasted marshmallows to fruit skewers.

17. Spiced halloumi & pineapple burgers

When it comes to veggie options, these fully loaded halloumi & pineapple burgers are hard to beat. Chipotle-spiced halloumi is lightly charred on the barbecue along with fresh pineapple slices, then both are layered inside burger buns with a zingy lime slaw. As well as packing a flavour punch, these mouthwatering meat-free burgers deliver an incredible four of your 5-a-day.

Browse more BBQ halloumi recipes.

18. Next level BBQ chicken

Our expert slow-cooked recipe uses a marinade which keeps the chicken succulent, while also doubling up as the base for a sticky barbecue sauce. The result is perfectly cooked chicken that falls off the bone, with a delicate balance of sweet, salty and spicy flavours.

19. Barbecued sesame sweet potatoes

These glazed sweet potato wedges are the ultimate side for summer. Coated in a gorgeously sticky marinade of ginger, soy and garlic, they are full of flavour, and a scattering of sesame seeds and peanuts adds satisfying crunch. Leave out the chillies if you want to tone down the heat for youngsters. They're also delicious dipped in barbecue sauce for more sweet smokiness.

20. BBQ peas with pistachio dukkah & preserved lemon & mint yogurt

Celebrate homegrown peas with this delightful summertime dish. The peas gain a smoky flavour from the barbecue, perfectly complemented by the crunchy dukkah and a refreshing, zingy dip.

If you're looking to upgrade your BBQ kit, here are some of our tried, tested and top-rated favourites that would come in handy for alfresco cooking.

Make sure your barbecue goes without a hitch...

The best family barbecue desserts
Best ever barbecue recipes
The best vegan barbecue recipes
The best healthy barbecue recipes
The best vegetarian barbecue recipes
Barbecue drinks recipes
More family barbecue recipes

What's your favourite family barbecue recipe? Let us know in the comments below...