30 Insanely Good Appetizers That Will Slay Every Summer BBQ
As the weather warms up and we start coming back together (safely, y'all!) it's time that we bust out the grills and throw a little shindig—with a little social distancing outside. No cookout is complete without appetizers for everyone to nosh on while waiting for the steak, ribs, and juicy burgers on the grill and these 30 easy BBQ appetizer recipes will be the star of the event.
Related: 35 Recipes to Grill this Summer
I love summer cookouts and barbecues (honestly, who doesn't?), and these 30 appetizers are a perfect mix of crowd-pleasing light, medium, or heavy bites. From grilled appetizers, to those whipped up in the kitchen, dips and spreads, seafood and sliders, charcuterie boards and salads, and of course delicious nibbles on skewers!
Check out the list and get ready to cook up these delicious foods all summer long!
Easy BBQ Appetizers
Krista Marshall
KFC coleslaw has been a beloved favorite for decades, so creating a make-at-home version was a no-brainer. You will love how easy and tasty this Copycat KFC Coleslaw is for your next burger night or backyard barbecue.
Get the Recipe: Copycat KFC Coleslaw
Grandbaby Cakes
This Mango Jerk Wings recipe pairs a nuanced jerk flavor with the tropical sweetness of mangoes. You will never make wings another way again!
Get the Recipe: Mango Jerk Wings
Sweet Tea + Thyme
Crowd-pleasing coconut shrimp are crispy little bites of golden-brown deep-fried goodness with juicy jumbo shrimp inside. This recipe is super easy, quick to whip up, and served with the tangy, sweet, and savory coconut shrimp sauce that everyone loves.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Shrimp + Dipping Sauce
Baum Foods
This Easy Macaroni Salad is a classic, plant-based spin on the original. 7 ingredients make this your next go-to warm weather dish.
Get the Recipe: Easy Macaroni Salad
Bacon and Bourbon are combined to create a perfect spread for your holiday soirees.
Get the recipe: Bacon Bourbon Jam
The Hungry Hutch
Heirloom tomatoes and Persian cucumbers get tossed with thinly sliced red onion and a handful of other ingredients for a simple, delicious summer salad.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Tomato Salad
Recipes from a Pantry
If you’re scrounging around the kitchen trying to find something quick and easy for dinner, look no further – I’ve got you covered with these tasty Jerk Pork Sliders. Since Pork Tenderloin is a fairly economical cut of meat, you can easily whip up this delicious meal without blowing your budget.
Get the Recipe: Jerk Pork Sliders
Manila Spoon
Such an easy, tasty and summer salad loaded with delightful flavors from fresh peaches, mozarella, basil, tomatoes and balsamic dressing!
Get the Recipe: Peach Caprese Salad
Maple + Mango
This creamy, flavourful herb-packed sauce adds a fresh pop of flavor to any dish. Deliciously served with roasted/grilled meats or fish, potatoes or served as a dip with veggies.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Herb Sauce and Dip
Profusion Curry
Grilled shishito peppers and corn is a healthy and delicious appetizer ideal for summer picnics or as a bbq side dish.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn and Shishito Peppers
Jennifer Banz
This Super Easy Keto Cauliflower Hummus recipe is the perfect choice for a great low carb dip for those special occasions or an easy meal prep for on-the-go! Smooth, creamy and dangerously addicting makes this keto friendly alternative to hummus a must-have recipe!
Get the Recipe: Keto Cauliflower Hummus
Art from my Table
Creamy homemade avocado dressing drizzled over crisp butter lettuce, salty bacon, and sweet juicy grape tomatoes all on a skewer for the perfect party appetizer.
Get the Recipe: BLT on a Stick
Erhardts Eat
Summer is almost here, which mean grilling season is almost here! This Peach Grilled Chicken Wings recipe is sweet, a bit spicy and smokey for a delicious flavor combination.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Peach Chicken Wings
The Rising Spoon
Learn how to make a gorgeous appetizer platter that'll impress everyone and disappear quickly at your next party. This one's loaded with cured meats, cheeses, seasonal produce, and lots of sweet & savory bite-sized nibbles, so there's something for everyone.
Get the Recipe: Meat and Cheese Platter
Yum Vegan Lunch Ideas
This vegan yakitori is the perfect vegan bbq option. It's completely flavorful, covered in teriyaki.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom and Tofu Yakitori
Grandbaby Cakes
Grilled Chicken Kabobs with Apricot Glaze – store bought chicken kabobs are grilled and
jazzed up with delicious apricot preserves making the best shish kabobs ever!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Apricot Chicken Kabobs
Leanne Ray
This shrimp ceviche with avocado couldn’t be easier thanks to frozen, fully-cooked shrimp. Everything gets chopped and tossed together in a bowl with fresh citrus and cilantro. Simple ingredients are transformed into a beautiful and flavorful accompaniment for salty tortilla chips.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Ceviche with Avocado
Sweet Tea + Thyme
Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders are a fun, easy, and crazy delicious freezer-friendly dish that is a hit at get-togethers with adults and kids alike! Use your favorite cheese and type of ham in between soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls then slather on plenty of that amazing garlic butter sauce that is full of great flavor.
Get the Recipe: Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders with Garlic Butter Sauce
The Little Kitchen
I love grilled shrimp and it's perfect for the summer AND al fresco dining. This recipe is so easy…it will take you no time to prepare it!
Get the Recipe: Sriracha Lime Grilled Shrimp
The Kitchen Girl
This Loaded Black Bean Dip is the easiest party food you’ll ever make! It’s a simple 10-minute Mexican black bean dip garnished with fresh produce and Cotija cheese. It’s naturally gluten-free and vegetarian!
Get the Recipe: Loaded Black Bean Dip
Lemon Blossoms
Grilled Portobello Mushrooms bathed in a simple balsamic herb marinade, topped with fresh mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes and basil and grilled to perfection. Drizzled with a rich balsamic glaze, these Caprese-style stuffed portobello mushrooms are absolutely delicious!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Portobello Mushroom Caprese
Tastes Better from Scratch
I can’t think of a more delicious and summer appetizer than Cowboy Caviar! This simple chip dip is always a party favorite and besides being so easy to make, I especially love how fresh and healthy it is.
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Caviar
Vintage Kitchen Notes
Super flavorful, creamy and easy to make this appetizer is also known as French Onion dip. No more store-bought stuff as it comes together in 30 minutes! Eat it with potato chips, it's the best way!
Get the Recipe: French Onion Dip
I Heart Umami
This fresh and crunchy Paleo Asian Coleslaw has shredded vegetables and with a creamy toasted Japanese sesame dressing.
Get the Recipe: Paleo Asian Coleslaw
Sense & Edibility
Use hass avocados to create this creamy, versatile dip. Serve with warm corn tortilla chips.
Get the recipe: Chunky Guacamole Dip
The Healthiful Ideas
Pico de Gallo is one of the easiest dips you can make along with guacamole. I like serving it with tortilla chips as a snack or an appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Pico de Gallo
Biscuits and Burlap
Homemade pimento cheese with a smoky twist and a spicy kick is perfect for snacks and sandwiches on its own. Use it in any recipe that calls for pimento cheese as an ingredient, and take your dish up a notch or two.
Get the Recipe: Smoky Pimento Cheese
Lemon Blossoms
These Grilled Shrimp Skewers are seasoned with a simple Cajun butter resulting in the most mouthwatering, succulent and delicious grilled shrimp. An easy appetizer or dinner recipe guaranteed to become a favorite!
Get the Recipe: Cajun Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Biscuits and Burlap
These goat cheese appetizers will become a favorite recipe for a great many reasons. They’re easy to make yet impressive, universally liked, vegetarian-friendly, and beautiful.
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese Appetizers
Vintage Kitchen Notes
This grilled naan bread, filled with melting mozzarella and pesto, requires no yeast and can be grilled in a skillet or outdoors!
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Pesto Naan Bread
