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Ideas for the Home

You are here: Home / Recipe Ideas / Great American Barbecue: All You Need for A Perfect BBQ

By Carrie Ypma on August 20, 2014 68 Comments

Great American Barbecue: All You Need for A Perfect BBQ

Recipe Ideas

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Welcome to the Great American Barbecue, a virtual potluck where we have everything you need from drinks to dessert for the perfect backyard party or picnic.

The summer grilling season may be winding down, but there’s still room for you to host one more backyard bash for your family and friends. Today, we’re helping you throw the Great American Barbecue, where we’ve thought of everything you need from drinks to dessert for the perfect BBQ. 

The Great American Barbecue - Everything You Need from Drinks to Dessert for the Perfect BBQ

The Great American Barbecue is a virtual potluck hosted by 13 fabulous bloggers to bring you wonderful picnic recipes and ideas. We’ve taken all the work out of planning the Great American Barbecue for you and your friends including drinks, appetizers, meats to grill, side dishes and desserts. Each blogger brought a different recipe or idea as their “dish to pass”. We even included an easy DIY utensil caddy and a fun outdoor activity for the kids. 

Refreshing Drinks to Welcome Your Guests

Whether your guests arrive from across town, out of town or from the house next door, the first thing a good host always does is offer them a cool, refreshing beverage.

Make Ahead Lemon Berry Slush - One Krieger Chick
Make Ahead Frozen Lemon Berry Slush {adult and kid versions}

Brought to you by:

Ariean from One Krieger Chick

Ariean from One Krieger Chick

Get more great ideas like this when you follow her on:
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Fresh Fruit Ice Cubes - Oh My! Creative

Fresh Fruit Ice Cubes

Brought to you by:

Susan from Oh My! Creative

Susan from Oh My! Creative

Get more great ideas like this when you follow her on:
Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram

Get the Party Started with Appetizers

With a beverage in hand, your guests will need something to munch on while the main dish is cooking on the grill.

Bruschetta with Whipped Feta and Grilled Crostini - This Silly Girl's Life

Bruschetta with Whipped Feta and Grilled Crostini

Brought to you by:

Dana from This Silly Girl's Life

Dana from This Silly Girl’s Life

Get more great ideas like this when you follow her on:
Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram

Rosemary Parmesan Focaccia - The Grant Life

Rosemary Parmesan Focaccia

Brought to you by:

Kelley from The Grant Life

Kelley from The Grant Life

Get more great ideas like this when you follow her on:
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The Main Event – Fresh from the Grill

What would a barbecue be if you didn’t have meat to throw on the grill? For the Great American Barbecue, we’ve got two fabulous options for you!

Fall Off the Bone BBQ Ribs - Handmade in the Heartland

Fall Off the Bone BBQ Ribs

Brought to you by:

Angela from Handmade in the Heartland

Angela from Handmade in the Heartland

Get more great ideas like this when you follow her on:
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Chipotle Lime Chicken Skewers with Avocado Ranch - Color Me Meg

Chipotle Lime Chicken Skewers with Avocado Ranch

Brought to you by:

Meg from Color Me Meg

Meg from Color Me Meg

Get more great ideas like this when you follow her on:
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Perfect Potluck Side Dishes

A barbecue always needs a few great side dishes to accompany the main meal. We’ve got pasta, potatoes and a green salad all ready for the making!

Easy Macaroni Salad: Classic Summer Potluck Recipe - Kenarry.com

Easy Macaroni Salad

Bought to you by:

Carrie from Ideas for the Home by Kenarry®

Carrie from Ideas for the Home by Kenarry®

Get more great ideas like this when you follow us on:
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Best Strawberry Spinach Salad from Play. Party. Pin.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Brought to you by:

Britni from Play. Party. Pin.

Britni from Play. Party. Plan.

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Grilled Twice Baked Potatoes from The Best Blog Recipes

Grilled Twice Baked Potatoes

Brought to you by:

Shauna from The Best Blog Recipes

Shauna from The Best Blog Recipes

Get more great ideas like this when you follow her on:
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Delicious Crowd-Pleasing Desserts

How many of you head straight for the dessert table when you get to a barbecue? With desserts like these, it’s easy to see why.

Oreo White Chocolate Chip Cookies from Belle of the Kitchen

Oreo White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Brought to you by:

Ashlyn from Belle of the Kitchen

Ashlyn from Belle of the Kitchen

Get more great ideas like this when you follow her on:
Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram

Strawberry Lemonade Bars from Made to Be a Momma

Strawberry Lemonade Bars

Brought to you by:

Katie from Made to Be a Momma

Katie from Made to Be a Momma

Get more great ideas like this when you follow her on:
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Serving Your Guests in Style

Once you’ve got the food prepared and set up along your buffet, you’ll need to make the silverware easily accessible for your guests. Here’s an easy way to do that with something you already have on hand!

Upcycled Utensil Caddy from View from the Fridge

Upcycled Utensil Caddy (As of March 2019, this website is no longer available.) 

Brought to you by:

Katie from View from the Fridge

Katie from View from the Fridge

A Fun Activity for the Kids

No detail has been spared as we planned the perfect barbecue for you. We even have a fun game for the kids that’s easy to make!

Tin Can Toss Game from Crafts by Courtney

DIY Kids Tin Can Toss Game

Brought to you by:

Courtney from Crafts by Courtney

Courtney from Crafts by Courtney

Get more great ideas like this when you follow her on:
Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

While you’re here, be sure to check out these other summer barbecue recipes on Ideas for the Home by Kenarry® – 

  • Bacon Salt: Perfect for Summer Grilling and Gift Giving
  • Meatloaf Burger: A Recipe for the Best Grilled Hamburger
  • Barbecued Teriyaki Chicken Marinade: Easy Grilling Idea
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Recipe Ideas

About Carrie Ypma

Carrie is the chief writer, crafter and creator here at Ideas for the Home by Kenarry®. She's an optimist by nature and enjoys sharing recipes, trying new craft ideas, planning for parties and events as well as organizing and decorating. She and her husband, Kent live in Michigan. She also loves to hide away in a castle under the stairs reading to her two young boys and help guests plan vacations at Sunshine Villa at Glenbrook Resort, their short term vacation rental home in Orlando near Walt Disney World.

Whether you’re cooking, crafting or creating for your family, follow Carrie on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get inspiring ideas for your home. For home organization tips and ideas, check out her other website, Clutter Keeper or follow her on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

In this ultimate guide, you'll learn how to make a burlap wreath with ribbon for your home. The FREE eBook includes easy step-by-step instructions plus inspiring craft and decor ideas to make wreaths for fall, Christmas, Easter and other holidays.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cheryl Rogers says

    August 20, 2014 at 8:50 am

    I make a killer coleslaw! I love to make it for the family!

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      August 20, 2014 at 12:00 pm

      Ooooh! I bet your whole family looks forward to your coleslaw when you come to the summer potluck, Cheryl.

      Reply
  2. Cathy French says

    August 20, 2014 at 11:24 am

    The best dish to bring to a bbq is my famous califlower salad. The best thing to make on the grill is pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon and brushed with maple syrup.

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      August 20, 2014 at 11:57 am

      Cauliflower salad sounds delicious, Cathy! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
  3. lesley says

    August 20, 2014 at 12:19 pm

    i just like simple things like potato salad and coleslaw

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      August 20, 2014 at 8:43 pm

      They are tried and true, aren’t they, Lesley? I think it’s almost expected you’d find those two at a barbecue or summer picnic.

      Reply
  4. Stacey Roberson says

    August 20, 2014 at 12:22 pm

    I make these spicy chicken tortilla roll-ups, which are stuffed with spicy shredded chicken, diced tomatoes, cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese and scallions. They are amazing!

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      August 20, 2014 at 8:42 pm

      Your chicken tortilla roll-ups DO sound amazing, Stacey! I bet they’re a big hit with your friends!

      Reply
  5. jamie says

    August 20, 2014 at 7:22 pm

    I love Potato and Macronie salad and BBQ chicken!!

    Thanks for the give-away!! Hope I win!!

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      August 20, 2014 at 8:42 pm

      Potato and macaroni salad are some of our favorites too, Jamie! Did you see we brought an Easy Macaroni Salad as our “dish to pass” for the barbecue?

      Reply
  6. James Robb says

    August 21, 2014 at 2:36 pm

    Cesar Salad

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      August 23, 2014 at 4:23 pm

      Great choice, James!

      Reply
  7. Raina DelRio says

    August 22, 2014 at 2:50 pm

    My favorite dish to bring to a barbecue is baked beans.

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      August 23, 2014 at 4:22 pm

      Oooh! I like baked beans too, Raina – especially when they have nice crispy bacon on top.

      Reply
  8. abedabun dawn says

    August 22, 2014 at 9:47 pm

    My favorite food is grilled corn on the cob!

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      August 23, 2014 at 4:21 pm

      That sounds delicious. I don’t think I’ve ever tried it on a grill, only boiled!

      Reply
      • abedabun dawn says

        August 23, 2014 at 6:57 pm

        Ahhhh! You have got to try it! Pull the shucks back, remove the silk, rub butter over the entire corn, season with your favorite seasoning (I like salt, pepper and paprika), pull the shucks back over the corn, tie the shucks closed if needed (most of the time this is not necessary). Place on the grill first. It should be done by the time everything else is done. Google grilling corn on the cob, Im sure there are plenty of recipes out there.

        Reply
        • Carrie says

          August 25, 2014 at 12:46 pm

          Thanks for sharing the instructions for how to do it. We’ve been loving all the fresh corn from my Dad’s garden this week. We’ll have to try it grilled one of these days. It sounds delicious.

          Reply
  9. Benny Sequeira says

    August 24, 2014 at 8:35 am

    My favorite is grilled spicy chicken.

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      August 25, 2014 at 12:45 pm

      Hi Benny! Great to hear from you! Grilled spicy chicken sounds great. Do you just do chicken breasts or other chicken parts too?

      Reply
      • Benny Sequeira says

        August 26, 2014 at 3:41 am

        I do drumsticks or chicken breasts.

        Reply
  10. Natasha S says

    August 24, 2014 at 8:39 am

    Grilled hotdogs with mustard and ketchup.

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      August 25, 2014 at 12:45 pm

      My two boys would totally pick this as their favorite summer barbecue dish too, Natasha!

      Reply
  11. A Gupta says

    August 24, 2014 at 8:40 am

    I love grilled kebabs.

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      August 25, 2014 at 12:44 pm

      You know, I love kebabs too, but I never think to make them. Great idea!

      Reply
  12. Vickie says

    August 24, 2014 at 8:08 pm

    so many things come to mind..but, I get asked to bring my scratch over 100 year old family recipe of southern baked beans and potato salad the most.

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      August 25, 2014 at 12:44 pm

      You can trace back your family’s recipe for southern baked beans over 100 years? Wow! What a special tradition, Vickie!

      Reply
      • Vickie says

        August 25, 2014 at 1:31 pm

        Thanks..all my old timey recipes are that old! My granny was born in 1910. She taught me to cook..she didn’t have my mom until in her 40’s..therefore, I got to know and love her..and all her 11 brothers and sisters all great Georgia/Florida cooks. 🙂

        Reply
        • Vickie says

          August 25, 2014 at 1:33 pm

          I do feel blessed! 🙂

          Reply
        • Carrie says

          August 26, 2014 at 3:32 pm

          What a neat legacy, Vickie! I have a few family recipes that have been passed down to me too – but how special you got to learn the recipes right from her. 🙂

          Reply
  13. BETH DUNLAVY HOPPE says

    August 25, 2014 at 1:09 pm

    I love to bring some yummy coleslaw and watermelon

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      August 26, 2014 at 3:32 pm

      What great classics for a summer potluck, Beth! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
  14. Amy says

    August 28, 2014 at 11:27 am

    I love bringing a fancy desert because that way it doesn’t stay at my house!

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      August 29, 2014 at 8:57 am

      Great idea, Amy! Then you get to enjoy the dessert without having to worry about consuming the leftovers. Perfect!

      Reply
  15. kim thorne says

    August 31, 2014 at 12:35 pm

    hamburgers

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      August 31, 2014 at 2:15 pm

      We just grilled hamburgers last night, Kim! Great choice.

      Reply
  16. carol easterday says

    August 31, 2014 at 7:00 pm

    I always bring the desserts and a side dish

    Reply
  17. Gina B says

    September 1, 2014 at 2:19 pm

    Quinoa salad!

    Reply
  18. Ronald G says

    September 2, 2014 at 10:09 am

    Has to be ribs..what can compare?

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      September 2, 2014 at 2:38 pm

      True, Richard! Very true. Did you see the great recipe for Fall Off the Bone BBQ Ribs from Handmade in the Heartland that’s part of this Great American Barbecue?

      Reply
  19. Janis Gibel says

    September 2, 2014 at 10:16 am

    Spinach-artichoke dip and Kings Hawaiian bread.

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      September 2, 2014 at 2:37 pm

      Yum! Love spinach artichoke dip, Janis!

      Reply
  20. tammigirl says

    September 2, 2014 at 12:55 pm

    I bring the cake pops, the cobbler and the rolls.

    I always hope it will be my mother who brings the potato salad. 🙂

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      September 2, 2014 at 2:37 pm

      You bring cake pops! Wow. I always think they look amazing. Are they difficult to make?

      Reply
      • tammigirl says

        September 2, 2014 at 2:39 pm

        They are not difficult to make as much as they are very labor intensive. You definitely need to plan a block of a few hours (after your cake is completely cooled) to work on them.

        Reply
        • Carrie says

          September 2, 2014 at 2:40 pm

          Hmmm… with two little guys at home, extra time isn’t available these days, but I really ought to give it a try when they’re a little older. Thanks for sharing, Tammi!

          Reply
  21. Destiny says

    September 2, 2014 at 2:48 pm

    My favorite activity to bring is of course cards! Love to play a game of cards.

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      September 2, 2014 at 4:30 pm

      So fun, Destiny! Do you have a favorite card game you like to play? My family always seems to play euchre when we’re together.

      Reply
      • Destiny says

        September 2, 2014 at 6:12 pm

        Well, UNO is our all time favorite card game to play. Like that’s our go to card game, and I like to think I’m the best at the game. Lol, but when it comes to a regular deck of cards we like to play games like speed and slam. I’m not too good when it comes to more advanced games when playing cards. But we also do board games such as monopoly, life, clue, last chance, etc etc. Basically pretty much anything that’s fun and entertaining for everyone we’ll play it.

        Reply
        • Carrie says

          September 2, 2014 at 8:11 pm

          I bet your family gatherings are a blast, Destiny! We love UNO too. Thanks for sharing.

          Reply
  22. Marta A Bilingual Baby blog says

    September 2, 2014 at 3:07 pm

    I usually bring some wine and a cake. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      September 2, 2014 at 4:30 pm

      I like the way you think, Marta – wine AND dessert! Perfect!

      Reply
  23. Shannon F says

    September 2, 2014 at 7:08 pm

    I love bringing Mini Strawberry Shortcakes!

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      September 2, 2014 at 8:10 pm

      How fun, Shannon! Are they easy to transport?

      Reply
      • Shannon F says

        September 2, 2014 at 11:14 pm

        I usually bring the separate ingredients: whipped topping, strawberry (already sugared) and shortcake, and let everyone put them together themselves so they are fresh! They’re always a pretty big hit!

        Reply
        • Carrie says

          September 3, 2014 at 9:22 am

          Ahhh… so that’s the secret! GREAT idea to bring it all separately and then assemble on site.

          Reply
  24. Piroska says

    September 2, 2014 at 7:42 pm

    I make a wicked German Potato Salad!

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      September 2, 2014 at 8:10 pm

      Isn’t it great to have a specialty? I’m bringing my easy macaroni salad to a neighborhood pig roast this weekend.

      Reply
  25. Heather B says

    September 2, 2014 at 7:57 pm

    I usually bring the desserts. For a BBQ, I would probably make a Death by Chocolate Poke Cake.

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      September 2, 2014 at 8:09 pm

      Death by Chocolate Poke Cake! That sounds amazing, Heather B.

      Reply
  26. Spectre (@Spectreoutreach) says

    September 2, 2014 at 9:22 pm

    that would be all out water gun battle activity!

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      September 3, 2014 at 9:23 am

      Oh boy! I bet you have quite the fun at your backyard barbecues. Everyone better bring dry clothes along with their dish to pass!

      Reply
  27. Angela Cash says

    September 2, 2014 at 10:11 pm

    My favorite dish to bring to a backyard BBQ is a tropical fruit salad with citrus-mint vinaigrette. Light & refreshing!

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      September 3, 2014 at 9:22 am

      That sounds so summer-y, Angela! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
  28. Karen Marie Kedzuch says

    September 3, 2014 at 12:22 am

    Carrie,
    We have an awesome corn hole game my son made. So I would think that would be fun for many ages. How are you? I love the concept of this giveaway and blog post. Let me know when you are doing it again. I would love to bring something to the party.
    Have a Creative Day,
    Karen Marie
    Dragonfly & Lily Pads

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      September 3, 2014 at 9:21 am

      Hi Karen, I’m so glad you came by for the barbecue. I don’t have any immediate plans to organize another one, but we recently started accepting guest posts on Ideas for the Home by Kenarry®. If you’ve got a great “dish to pass” with big bright pictures you’d like to share with our readers, we’d love to have you. Thanks, Carrie

      Reply
  29. Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says

    September 7, 2014 at 9:51 pm

    Love this! I would be happy to go to a bbq with all these yummy foods! This is such an awesome roundup! We usually bring ribs or an appetizer.

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      September 8, 2014 at 7:45 pm

      You usually bring ribs? Remind me to invite you next time we host a barbecue! 😉 Thanks for stopping by, Michelle. It’s great to see you over here at Kenarry.

      Reply

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Carrie Ypma from Ideas for the Home by Kenarry®Hello, I'm Carrie! Welcome to Ideas for the Home by Kenarry® where we want to help you create a home you love. We're glad you're here! Read more...

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