It’s almost July and we’re just getting started with all of the amazing summer BBQ recipes. With Fourth of July just a few weeks away what better time to try out a new grilling recipe, use summer produce in a seasonal salad, or finally try that delicious, nostalgic dessert?
I put together over 50 incredible, healthy summer BBQ ideas for you that are perfect for a backyard cookout, park picnic and for just enjoying in your own backyard. There are plenty of easy grilling recipes great for first-timers using the grill (be sure to check out my guide for grilling chicken and pizza!) and tons of gluten free, vegan and vegetarian options.
These summer recipes are broken down into appetizers & sides, salads, main dishes, cocktails and desserts, so pick one from each category and put together a delicious menu!
GF = Gluten Free
V = Vegan
VT = Vegetarian
If you make any of these healthier summer BBQ recipes, be sure to leave a comment below and let me know how you liked it! You can also tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram so that I can see your creations.
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- How to grill amazing proteins to use in your fav recipes
- The best way to grill any types of veggie (found in the blog post you’re currently reading!)
- And even how to make desserts on the grill
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Appetizers & Sides
Grilled Crostini with Roasted Cherries, Goat Cheese & Basil VT
Fresh Mango Salsa Recipe V, GF
Jalapeño-Goat Cheese Grilled Stuffed Mini Peppers VT, GF
Roasted Strawberry, Basil, and Goat Cheese Crostini VT
Fresh & Healthy 7-Layer Dip VT, GF
How to Make Super Creamy Hummus (+5 different flavor variations!) V, GF
Best Healthy Coleslaw Ever (no mayo!) V, GF
Tony’s Ridiculously Easy Homemade Salsa V, GF
The Best Guacamole You’ll Ever Eat V, GF
Homemade Slow Cooker Baked Beans GF
Cilantro Pistachio Pesto Hummus V, GF
Avocado Peach Salsa V, GF
Sesame Garlic Grilled Sweet Potato Fries with Yogurt Curry Dip VT, GF
Vegan Potato Salad with Herbed Tahini Sauce V, GF
Spicy Maple Dijon Grilled Brussels Sprouts V, GF
Sweet and Spicy Curry Hummus V, GF
Avocado Strawberry Mango Salsa V, GF
Peach, Goat Cheese & Basil Wonton Bites VT
Creamy Jalapeño Spinach Artichoke Dip VT
Spicy Green Cashew Dip V, GF
Tortilla Chip-Crusted Baked Jalapeño Poppers VT, GF
Cauliflower Tots VT, GF
Roasted Sweet Potato Hummus V, GF
Garlic Fingerling Potatoes (roasted or grilled!) V, GF
Easy + Cheesy Southwest Bean Dip GF
Pesto Tuna Caprese Cucumber Bites GF
Roasted Beet Hummus V, GF
Gluten Free Cornbread Muffins VT, GF
Vegetarian Plantain & Black Bean Taco Cups VT
10-Minute Smoked Salmon Pinwheels
Vegetarian Three Cheese White Bean Buffalo Dip VT, GF
Roasted Garlic Hummus V, GF
Tony’s Melt-In-Your-Mouth Grilled Brussels Sprouts V, GF
Fresh Summer Salads
Herby Olive Italian Orzo Salad VT
Avocado Blueberry Quinoa Salad VT, GF
Peach Brussels Sprouts Crunch Salad with Creamy Tahini Poppy Seed Dressing V, GF
Honey Lime Basil Peach Fruit Salad VT, GF
Peach, Tomato & Corn Arugula Pasta Salad VT, GF
Fiesta Mango Black Bean Quinoa Salad V, GF
Summer Strawberry Spinach Salad with Avocado VT, GF
Famous Crunchy Cashew Thai Quinoa Salad V, GF
Roasted Sweet Potato Black Bean Salad with Pineapple Corn Salsa V, GF
Vegan Curried Broccoli Chickpea Salad V, GF
Dad’s Dilly Greek Yogurt Cucumber Salad VT, GF
Street Corn Pasta Salad with Cilantro Pesto + Goat Cheese VT, GF
Cashew Crunch Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad V, GF
The Easiest Chopped Greek Chickpea Salad VT, GF
Healthy Summer Broccoli Salad V, GF
Kale, Edamame & Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette V, GF
Avocado & Tomato Chickpea Pasta Salad with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette VT, GF
Vibrant Curry Cashew Chickpea Quinoa Salad V, GF
Vegan Caesar Pasta Salad V, GF
California Roasted Sweet Potato Kale Salad V, GF
Italian Chopped Brussels Sprouts Salad GF
Avocado Peach Tomato Salad with Dilly Tahini Dressing V, GF
Damn Good BLT Pasta Salad with Creamy Jalapeño Cashew Dressing GF
Vegan Caesar Salad V, GF
Spicy Ranch Chopped Chicken Cabbage Salad GF
Main Dishes
Grilled Tahini Chicken Caesar Sandwiches GF
Jalapeño Curry Turkey Burgers GF
Firecracker Salmon with Peach Avocado Salsa GF
How to Grill Pizza that’s Crispy, Chewy and Ready in only 15 Minutes VT
Vegan Turmeric Pineapple Tofu Kabobs V, GF
Blackened Salmon Tacos with Forbidden Rice & Mango Guacamole GF
Incredible Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Sandwiches GF
Hot Honey Bangin’ Crunchy Cornflake Baked Chicken
Ultimate Vegan Black Bean Burgers with Creamy Tahini Garlic Sauce V, GF
Pesto Turkey Burger Sliders on Sweet Potato Buns GF
Sheet Pan Roasted Veggie Tacos (with yummy sauce options!) V, GF
How to Grill Chicken Breast that’s Perfectly Juicy GF
3-Ingredient Grilled Stuffed Poblano Peppers VT, GF
Chipotle Chicken Tostadas with Pineapple Salsa GF
Jerk Chicken with Caribbean Rice & Mango Salsa GF
Amazing Easy Turkey Tacos (with a slow cooker option!) GF
How to Grill Perfect Salmon (plus recipes!)
Avocado Buffalo Chickpea Salad Wraps V, GF
Vegan Sweet Potato Burgers V, GF
Ultimate Chili-Stuffed Sweet Potato Skins GF
Gaby’s Grilled Fish Tacos with Pineapple-Mango Salsa GF
Seriously Good Sweet Potato Cheddar BBQ Chicken Burgers GF
Sweet & Spicy BBQ Bacon Hawaiian Turkey Burgers GF
Moroccan-Spiced Turkey Burgers with Creamy Feta Sauce GF
How to Grill Delicious Tofu (2 different ways!)
Crazy Good Street Corn Chicken Tacos GF
Sazon Grilled Chicken Thighs GF
Buffalo Zucchini Chicken Burgers GF
Pesto Chicken Stuffed Zucchini Boats GF
Vegan Pasta Primavera with Creamy Garlic Cashew Sauce V, GF
Baked or Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken (with the best honey mustard marinade!) GF
Sticky, Sweet & Spicy Grilled Ginger Chicken GF
How to Grill Amazing Burgers (plus recipes!)
Cocktails
Skinny Jalapeño Watermelon Margaritas
Rebecca’s Pomegranate Margarita
Desserts
Ooey-Gooey Tahini S’mores Bars GF
Strawberry Crisp with Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Crumble V, GF
Grilled Peaches (+6 different topping ideas!) V, GF
Healthy Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats V, GF
The Best Tart Cherry Pie You’ll Ever Eat
Healthier Flourless Monster Cookies GF
World’s Best Banana Cream Pie (with peanut butter cookie crust!)
Gluten Free Peach Crisp with Salted Coconut Milk Caramel V, GF
Salted Tahini Caramel Millionaire Bars V, GF
Almond Lemon Raspberry Poppy Seed Cake GF
Spiced Zucchini Sweet Potato Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting GF
Blueberry Pie Bars with Oatmeal Crumble V, GF
The Best Zucchini Brownies You’ll Ever Eat GF
Healthy Peanut Butter Twix Bars V, GF
Brown Butter Strawberry Coffee Cake with Lovely Strawberry Icing
Fudgy Almond Butter Blondies GF
No Bake Chocolate Caramel Tahini Chex Bars V, GF
Lightened-up Vanilla Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp V, GF
Grain Free Tahini Brownies (the best brownies I’ve ever eaten!) GF
Vegan Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Caramel Bars V, GF
The Best Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies You’ll Ever Eat GF
Grain Free Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake GF
Almond Flour Strawberry Shortcake Cake with Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting GF
Lemon Blueberry Zucchini Cake with Lemon Frosting GF
Strawberry Crumble Bars V, GF
Grain Free Chocolate Chunk Skillet Cookie V, GF
Blow Ya Mind Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies V, GF
Vanilla Brown Butter Pear Baked Oatmeal V, GF
Lemon Cookies with Lovely Lemon Glaze
Healthy 4 Ingredient Reese’s Eggs V, GF
Inside Out Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cake GF
Small Batch Paleo Almond Flour Brownies with Raspberries GF
Peanut Butter Cup S’mores Chocolate Cookies
Birthday Cake Rice Krispie Treats GF
2-Ingredient Blueberry Nice Cream V, GF
Gluten Free Peach Crisp with Salted Coconut Milk Caramel V, GF
If you make any of these healthier summer BBQ recipes, be sure to leave a comment below and let me know how you liked it! You can also tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram so that I can see your creations.