BBQ recipes
BBQ recipes for proper outdoor cooking
Simple, flavour-first recipes for charcoal grills, gas BBQs, pellet cookers and electric outdoor grills. Start with the latest ideas below, then choose the style of cook that fits your setup.
This recipe hub is for practical outdoor cooks: food you can make on a normal UK patio without needing restaurant kit. The recipes cover quick midweek grilling, low-and-slow ideas, family sides and a few sweet finishes for when the coals are still hot.
Best place to startChicken skewers, sausage swirls, halloumi, burgers and grilled veg.
Match the grillUse direct heat for quick food and indirect heat for ribs, joints and thicker cuts.
Keep it usefulEvery recipe should give you a clear setup, sensible timings and a serving idea.
Choose what to cook
Find the right BBQ recipe for your setup
Different BBQs suit different recipes. Gas and electric grills are useful for fast, repeatable cooks. Charcoal is better when smoke and high heat matter. Pellet cookers make longer, steadier recipes easier because they hold temperature with less attention.
Quick grilling
Skewers, burgers and sausages
Use a hot cooking zone, keep the lid moving only when needed, and aim for good browning before sauces go on.
Longer cooks
Ribs, brisket and bigger cuts
Set up indirect heat, keep the temperature steady, and give the meat time to rest before slicing or serving.
Sides and sweets
Veg, potatoes and desserts
Use the leftover heat for corn, jacket potatoes, fruit skewers and simple cast-iron desserts.
Latest recipes
Fresh BBQ recipe ideas
Browse the newest recipes from The Outdoor Kitchen Guide. This section updates automatically when new posts are added to the Recipe category.
Yorkshire Pudding Wraps with BBQ Brisket
Cider-Marinated Pork & Apple Kebabs
Grilled Strawberries & Cream Skewers
Skillet S’mores Brownies on the Grill
Charred Courgette & Feta Salad with Mint
British Breakfast BBQ: Sausages, Bacon & Eggs on the Grill
Smoky Veg & Halloumi Burger with Beetroot Relish
Mary-Berry-Inspired Lamb Burgers with Mint Relish
British Pork Ribs with Brown Sauce BBQ Glaze
Halloumi & Sweet Pepper Skewers with Lemon Oil
Charred Mackerel Fillets with Herb Butter
BBQ Jerk Chicken Thighs with Pineapple Salsa
Cooking notes
Small habits that make BBQ recipes easier
Preheat properlyGive the grill time to stabilise before food goes on, especially for cast iron, pizza stones and thicker meat.
Use two heat zonesEven on a smaller BBQ, keep one cooler area available so you can move food away from flare-ups.
Finish with sauceSweet glazes and sticky marinades can burn quickly, so add them near the end rather than at the start.
BBQ recipe FAQ
Common BBQ cooking questions
Can I cook these recipes on a gas BBQ?
Yes. Most quick grilling recipes work well on gas because the heat is easy to control. For smoky recipes, add a smoker box or wood chips if your BBQ supports them.
Which recipes are best for beginners?
Start with sausages, chicken drumsticks, burgers, halloumi skewers, corn on the cob and jacket potatoes. They teach heat control without needing specialist equipment.
Do I need a lid on the BBQ?
A lid helps with thicker food, indirect cooking and recipes where you want oven-like heat. Thin skewers and quick-sear food can be cooked without relying on the lid as much.