5 of My Favorite Recipes for a Summer Cookout

Make any (or all) of these 5 favorite recipes of mine for the easiest and best cookout ever.

Summer (and July 4th) call for cookouts, and I want to share 5 of my favorite recipes. Most of these recipes can be prepped and made ahead of time. After all, who wants to spend time standing over a grill (or stove) when you can be at lake (or beach) with food mostly done?

A Yummy Crowd Pleasing Appetizer

It doesn’t get any easier or more delicious than this Black Bean, Corn & Feta dip. You can make this a day or two ahead and keep it in the fridge. Place it on a table with corn chips and folks will stay happy until meal time.

BBQ Butt Faves (One Oven~One Big Green Egg)

If you have a smoker and like that kind of thing, you might want to try one of my most popular recipes. My friend Deb (you can read about her in this post) has a husband who can throw DOWN on the Egg. If this is up your alley, his recipe is Bobby’s Boston Butt on the Big Green Egg. It is FAB!!!

If you don’t have a smoker and want an easier version, try my Boston Butt which cooks all day (or overnight) in an oven. It is FAB and so easy! And pour Alabama white sauce on it (or anything for that matter), and you won’t miss the smoke!!

BBQ Slaw for Sandwiches

Where I grew up, we always had to have a basic vinegar slaw to put on our BBQ pork sandwiches. Years ago, I shared this vinegar slaw for BBQ recipe, and it is one of the best. I use purple cabbage along with the green to make it colorful, but it still tastes like the traditional green version in most BBQ joints. It is easy, make ahead, and lasts for weeks in the fridge.  Pile it on top of your pork sandwiches; it is delish! 

Baked Beans, Potato Salad (or both)

If you like traditional BBQ sides, you may enjoy my Southern potato salad recipe. If you love baked beans, these Beale Street Baked Beans are DELICIOUS!!! The recipe came from a Junior League of Memphis cookbook, and it is outstanding. The beans can also be served with corn chips as a hearty appetizer.

Blackberry Cobbler 

This beautiful and indescribably delicious Skillet Blackberry Cobbler it one of my top 3 fave desserts of all time. It tastes like a made from scratch recipe but uses frozen berries, refrigerated crust, and a few pantry staples. Trust me on this one; it is to die for. Ice cream (vanilla bean~homemade or store bought) is a MUST:-) Honorable mention goes to this Best Southern Style Fresh Peach Cobbler that is to die for (and can be prepped up to a day ahead).

I hope one (or all) of these family fave recipes might make YOUR summer cookout easy and delicious. If you make any of these recipes, please let me hear how they turn out — I try to reply quickly to everyone who posts.

And please visit our Family Savvy storefront to see all my amazon faves and must-haves for you, your home and your loved ones.

As always, thanks so much for stopping by. Wishing you a joyful, blessed, and savvy day!!!