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16 Dishes to guarantee the best barbecue ever

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Planning a barbecue? From drinks to desserts, sliders to sides, we have you covered. Here are all the recipes you need to have the best BBQ ever.

Photo credit: Kevin Kozicki/Image Source/Getty Images

Drinks

It’s just not a barbecue without a refreshing summer cocktail in hand. Cool off with a pitcher of fresh and fruity sangria or skinny watermelon martinis. Stock the bar with plenty of nonalcoholic beverages, too, like a selection of flavored sparkling water, lemonade and iced tea.

1

Sangria

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2

Skinny watermelon martini

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Appetizers

While the grill is heating up, serve two or three light yet satisfying appetizers. Go with the usual chips and dips or indulge your inner foodie and get creative. Caprese kabobs, ceviche tostada bites and single servings of gazpacho soup are all proven crowd-pleasers.

3

Caprese kabobs

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4

Ceviche tostada bites

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5

Gazpacho

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Salads

Summer salads are a great way to show off fresh, local produce. Hit the farmers market and grab a juicy watermelon, crunchy cukes and a few pints of juicy red strawberries. Add greens, herbs, nuts and cheese, and you’re ready to throw together two of our favorite go-to salads.

6

Watermelon and cucumber salad with feta and mint

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7

Strawberry spinach salad

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Main dishes

Now for the main event. Whether you’re using the grill or the slow cooker, you’ll want to choose fresh, organic antibiotic-free meat. Juicy burgers and barbecue chicken sliders are sure to be a hit, so make plenty. Treat vegetarians to a new take on the classic veggie burger — this recipe features quinoa, the protein-packed superfood.

8

Giant barbecue bacon burger

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9

Citrus barbecue chicken sliders

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10

Quinoa veggie burgers

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Side dishes

What good is that heavy-duty paper plate if it’s not loaded down with all the fixings? You can’t go wrong with these three barbecue classics: corn on the cob, baked beans and cornbread.

11

Grilled corn on the cob

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12

Honey barbecue baked beans with applewood-smoked bacon

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13

Asparagus and goat cheese spoon bread

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Desserts

While the grill’s still hot, put it to work and cook up these simple grilled desserts. You may not have thought about grilling brownies, pineapple or pound cake, but the results are surprisingly delicious.

14

Brownies on the grill

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15

Grilled pineapple

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16

Grilled pound cake trifle

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More BBQ recipes and tips

Healthy diet tips for summer BBQ season
Gluten-free grilling
Grilled bruschetta chicken kabobs

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