12 Must-Try BBQ Menu Ideas for Your Next Party

Appetisers and snacks set the tone for your BBQ party, whetting the appetite and setting the mood. If you’re seeking BBQ menu ideas for a crowd, these delicious starters will be great additions to your spread: 

Start by whisking together 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of soy milk, and 2 flax eggs (made by mixing 2 tablespoons of flaxseed meal with 6 tablespoons of water) to create a smooth batter. Preheat your muffin tin in a 220°C oven with a bit of oil in each cup. 

Once hot, pour the batter into the muffin tin and bake for about 15-20 minutes until puffed and golden. For the filling, mix finely chopped roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and onions with a dash of balsamic vinegar. 

Fill each pudding with the vegetable mixture and top with a sprig of fresh thyme. Yorkshire Pudding Canapés, a delightful twist on a classic dish, are a great addition to vegan BBQ menu ideas.

Pro Tip: Ensure your muffin tin and oil are piping hot before pouring in the batter. This helps the puddings rise and form the classic Yorkshire Pudding shape. Also, refrain from opening the oven door while baking, as it may cause them to fall.

Start by baking small russet potatoes until tender, then slice them in half and hollow out the potato, leaving a thin layer behind. Drizzle olive oil over the skins and season with salt and pepper, and bake again until crispy. 

Fill each skin with a mixture of shredded cheddar cheese, cooked bacon bits, and green onions, then bake until the cheese is melted and forms bubbles. These Cheesy Stuffed Potato Skins are a crowd-pleaser and a staple in American BBQ menu ideas.

Pro Tip: To ensure the skins are extra crispy, bake them twice. First, bake the halved potatoes at a high temperature to crisp up the skins, and then after adding the filling, bake them again. This double-baking method gives them an irresistible crunch.

First, marinate the peeled and deveined shrimp in olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, and chopped parsley for about 30 minutes. Put the shrimp on skewers and grill over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes. per side, until they are pink and opaque. Garlic-grilled shrimp is a quick and tasty addition to any BBQ, fitting perfectly into simple BBQ menu ideas. 

Pro Tip: Make sure the wooden skewers are submerged in water for at least 30 minutes before you use them. This keeps the skewers from getting burned on the grill and ensures your shrimp cooks evenly without sticking.

Main dishes are the heart of any BBQ, bringing people together around the grill. For your backyard BBQ, these tasty BBQ menu ideas will impress your guests and create the perfect outdoor gathering: 

Let chicken pieces sit in a mixture of yoghurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, and spices like cumin, coriander, and garam masala for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight. Cook the chicken on medium-high grill heat for about 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally, until fully done and slightly charred. This Tandoori Chicken, with its rich aroma and flavour, fits perfectly into Pakistani BBQ menu ideas for a crowd.

Pro Tip: For the most authentic flavour, use bone-in chicken pieces and make shallow cuts in the meat before marinating. This makes the marinade penetrate deeper, resulting in juicier and more flavourful chicken. Additionally, basting the chicken with melted butter or oil during grilling helps keep it moist.

Start by pressing extra-firm tofu to remove excess moisture, then slice it into thick steaks. Allow the tofu to sit in a marinade of soy sauce, garlic, BBQ sauce, and a bit of liquid smoke for at least an hour. 

Grill the tofu steaks over medium heat for 5-7 minutes per side, brushing with extra BBQ sauce as they cook. BBQ Tofu Steaks are a fantastic addition to all American BBQ menu ideas, offering a hearty and flavourful plant-based option that everyone can enjoy.

Pro Tip: For best results, freeze the tofu before marinating. Freezing changes the tofu’s texture, making it firmer and more absorbent, which helps it soak up more marinade and hold together better on the grill.

Highlights

Start by boiling fresh artichoke hearts until tender, then marinate them in olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and fresh herbs for at least an hour. Grill the marinated hearts over medium heat for approximately 5 minutes on each side, until they are lightly charred and smoky. Grilled Artichoke Hearts bring a touch of elegance to any party, fitting perfectly into upscale BBQ menu ideas.

Pro Tip: When boiling the artichoke hearts, add a few slices of lemon to the water. The acidity helps preserve their colour and adds a subtle tang that complements the marinade.

Highlights

Side dishes are essential to any BBQ, enhancing the flavours and variety of your spread. If you’re looking for BBQ party menu ideas, these sides will perfectly round out your feast:

Start by soaking whole ears of corn in their husks for about 30 minutes to prevent burning. Bring your grill to medium-high heat, then cook the corn, turning occasionally, for 15-20 minutes until the kernels are tender and slightly charred. Peel back the husks and brush the corn with melted butter, salt, and pepper. Grilled Corn on the Cob is one of the classic vegetarian sides, perfect for all-American BBQ party menu ideas.

Pro Tip: For a more intense flavour,, combine softened butter with garlic, herbs, and a squeeze of lime to make a compound butter. Spread this on the corn right after grilling for a deliciously enhanced taste.

Start by marinating chicken wings in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper for at least an hour. Bring your grill to medium heat and cook the wings for 20-25 minutes, turning periodically, until they are crispy and cooked all the way through. 

During the last few minutes, brush the wings generously with your favourite BBQ sauce and continue grilling until caramelised. BBQ Chicken Wings are a must-have for any upscale BBQ menu ideas. Their rich, caramelised glaze and perfectly crisp skin make them a sophisticated choice that appeals to gourmet tastes while still being a crowd-pleaser.

Pro Tip: For perfectly crispy skin, pat the wings dry with paper towels before marinating. Getting rid of excess moisture ensures the skin crisps up better on the grill. Additionally, use indirect heat for the initial cooking to avoid flare-ups, then finish with direct heat for a nice char.

Start by slicing zucchini and yellow squash into thick rounds. Toss them in salt, olive oil, pepper, and a sprinkle of Italian herbs. Grill over medium-high heat for about 3-4 minutes per side until tender and slightly charred. Grilled Zucchini and Squash are a perfect fit for Western BBQ menu ideas, offering a healthy, flavourful side that complements grilled meats and other hearty dishes.

Pro Tip: To prevent slices from falling through the gaps in the grill grates, use a grill basket or skewers. Additionally, brushing the vegetables with a little balsamic vinegar before grilling can enhance their flavour with a touch of sweetness.

Highlights

Desserts are the sweet finale to your BBQ, adding a memorable touch to your outdoor feast. For simple BBQ menu ideas, these delightful treats will impress your guests and cap off your gathering perfectly:

To start, mix together one cup of milk, one cup of flour, half a cup of sugar, and half a cup of semolina to create a batter. Let it rest for 30 minutes. Add finely chopped pineapple to the batter and mix well. Warm oil in a pan and add small scoops of batter to form mini pancakes. 

Fry until golden brown and crisp. Dip the hot pancakes in sugar syrup flavoured with cardamom and saffron. Pineapple Malpua is a delightful fusion dessert, ideal for adding a unique touch to Pakistani BBQ menu ideas.

Pro Tip: To ensure even cooking and a crispy texture, maintain a medium heat while frying. Overheating the oil can cause the malpuas to brown too quickly on the outside while remaining undercooked inside.

Start by baking a simple sponge cake and letting it cool. Cut the cake into squares and dip each square into a chocolate icing made from cocoa powder, icing sugar, and milk. Immediately roll the chocolate-coated squares in desiccated coconut and let them set on a wire rack. 

Australian Lamingtons are a sweet addition to any BBQ menu ideas in Australia, offering a touch of Aussie tradition with their chocolate-coated sponge and coconut topping.

Pro Tip: For the best texture, freeze the cake squares for about 30 minutes before dipping them in the chocolate icing. This helps the cake hold its shape and makes the coating process easier and less messy.

Start by mixing 1 can of coconut milk with one cup of water and half a cup of sugar in a saucepan. Gradually add 5 tablespoons of cornstarch dissolved in a little water, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens. Refrigerate the batter in a square baking dish for about 2 hours, or until it solidifies. 

Cut into squares to serve. Hawaiian Haupia adds an authentic island touch to your Hawaiian BBQ menu ideas, bringing the rich flavour of coconut to your dessert spread.

Pro Tip: To achieve a smoother texture, keep stirring the mixture over low heat for 5 more minutes after it thickens. This step ensures the cornstarch is completely cooked, allowing the haupia to set without lumps.

You can host a fantastic backyard BBQ, using the BBQ menu ideas listed above. However, while cooking for a larger crowd, you might feel overwhelmed by decisions about portion sizes, catering to diverse dietary preferences. Managing preparation timings for all the dishes while handling other logistics is also a hassle. 

To avoid these pitfalls, why not hire a private chef? A private chef can design a bespoke BBQ menu that reflects your personal style, and use their professional expertise to ensure each dish is perfectly executed. You can also request the chef to engage with guests by demonstrating grilling techniques or preparing dishes in front of them, turning the meal into an interactive and educational experience.

To make your BBQ party a topic of conversation, you can check out Chef Neel S’s Desi BBQ menu or Chef Jordan A’s BBQ Paradise menu from yhangry. yhangry offers professional BBQ chefs who can tailor a party menu to your exact needs, while taking care of shopping for ingredients, bringing necessary equipment, and even cleaning up after the event.