26 Cookout Recipes That Will Easily Feed a Crowd

Food-lovers know that one of the best parts of summer is the opportunity to cook outside. Summer barbecues mean sticky ribs, charred burgers and crisp and refreshing side dishes. Backyard cookouts are better with friends, so we love these big-batch recipes that are meant to feed a crowd. Each one serves 6 or more ― and can easily be doubled or tripled if you’re hosting a bigger gathering. They’re simple, delicious and perfect for family-style feasting. Wondering where to start? No barbecue would be complete without a tray of burgers. These beef sliders are perfect for a party because you can prepare the meat in advance, making entertaining easier.

No matter what you’re serving, every barbecue needs a vegetable, and this is one of the simplest recipes we know of. Lemony salt adds a bright, citrus flavor.

Barbecue chicken is a summer staple. Make sure to brine it before placing on the grill for extra flavor and super-moist meat.

This recipe takes its inspiration from the elote (grilled Mexican street corn). Creamy corn gets topped with crunchy chips for a decadent summer side dish.

Treat your guests to these decadent crab cake sandwiches, piled high with fresh crab meat and served on warm buttery brioche buns. There’s no need to form or fry individual patties in this streamlined recipe – simply spread the crab cake mixture onto the rolls and bake them until the crab develops a golden-brown crust and the brioche toasts to a light crunch. To make things even easier, the sauce that coats the crab does double duty as a tangy spread for the sandwich.

These barbecue ribs are a fantastic way to feed a crowd because they can be prepared early and served family-style.

Homemade lemon curd is the perfect accompaniment to fresh berries and whipped cream. This cool dessert is ideal for hot summer days, because it’s refreshing and easy to whip up.

This classic pasta salad is packed with summer vegetables. It’s a super versatile recipe, so feel free to swap out whatever fresh produce you like best.

In this recipe, flank steak gets rolled with fresh herbs, peanuts and Thai red curry paste. Serve in slices alongside salad or rice noodles.

This 3-bean salad is a super affordable side dish that boasts bold flavors and feeds up to eight people.

Oysters are a summer essential, and grilling them with lemon dill butter adds smoky, rich flavor to the already-fresh appetizer.

In this recipe, chicken thighs get marinated in an herb purée then cooked on the grill. Serve alongside yogurt sauce with scallion purée.

Want the flavor of s’mores without the hassle of lighting a bonfire? These peanut butter and chocolate treats get baked in the oven then sliced into bars for a convenient, crowd-pleasing dessert.

Who said potato salad had to be boring? This spin on the traditional recipe features sweet potatoes, chives and orange zest.

Alabama white barbecue sauce is sweet, creamy, spicy and rich, so it’s delicious on grilled chicken thighs. This simple recipe is a fun way to reinvent traditional barbecue chicken.

Cornbread is a must-have at any barbecue. This savory side is made even more hearty with the addition of jalapeño and cheddar.

For a simple, delicious side dish that requires minimal ingredients, try this easy baked bean recipe.

Nothing says backyard barbecue like a platter of s’mores. This recipe makes the notoriously messy dish much more convenient, and the larger serving size means it’s the perfect dessert for a summer party.

Clambakes are a fun, messy, and hands-on way to enjoy a summer meal with friends and family. This recipe features kielbasa, corn, fennel, clams and shrimp, all cooked on the grill.

Glazed ham is normally reserved for the holidays, but it doesn’t have to be! Searing this ham on the grill takes a winter-centric recipe and instantly makes it feel summery.

Grilling romaine hearts is an easy way to add smoky flavor to your salad. This one is punched up with bacon and blue cheese vinaigrette.

This incredibly simple recipe takes just 15 minutes to prepare. Simply combine the chickpeas, onions, peppers, celery and rosemary, then dress with olive oil and vinegar.

Making grilled pizza is a fun and interactive way to get your guests involved in the cooking process. Keep it simple with sauce and cheese or get creative with different toppings like kale, mushrooms or figs.

Looking for an easy dessert that can be ready in under a half hour? Grilled pineapple with Nutella is your answer — the juicy fruit takes on a smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with the rich hazelnut spread.

Apricot jam adds a sweet flavor and sticky texture to this chicken thigh recipe.