The Pioneer Woman's Best Recipes for a Summertime Cookout

No matter what kind of outdoor meal you're planning, look no further than these seasonal recipes to round out the meal.

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Grilled Chicken

Consider this the workhorse grilled-chicken recipe you've been waiting for. Ree's marinade of lemon juice and Dijon is bold enough to deliver impressive flavor but mild enough for the whole family.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken

Chicken Jalapeno Popper Quesadilla

Fresh jalapeno and smoky pepper jack cheese add a fiery kick to these 16-minute quesadillas.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Jalapeno Popper Quesadilla

Big Grilled Veggie Salad

Seasonal picks like zucchini, squash and bell peppers star in Ree’s top-rated salad.

Get the Recipe: Big Grilled Veggie Salad

Lemon and Berry Icebox Cake

Ree uses a combination of fresh berries and berry jams for this easy cake. Make it ahead of time and then pop in the fridge to chill out until you’re ready to serve it.

Get the Recipe: Lemon and Berry Icebox Cake

Jalapeno Pimento Cheese

Adobo sauce and jalapenos add a punch of heat to Ree’s super creamy pimento cheese.

Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Pimento Cheese

Taco Tomatoes

Skip the taco shells and stuff fresh tomatoes with all of your favorite taco fixings!

Get the Recipe: Taco Tomatoes

Gazpacho Pasta

Ree transforms gazpacho, a cold tomato-based soup, into a fresh pasta sauce that she finishes with tons of fragrant herbs.

Get the Recipe: Gazpacho Pasta

Grilled Potato Salad

Ree boils the potatoes until tender before grilling, which ultimately saves tons of time.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Potato Salad

Pinwheels 3 Ways

Take your pick between meaty, spicy or veggie pinwheels, or try all three!

Get the Recipe: Pinwheels 3 Ways

Quick and Easy Fruit Tarts

Ree uses store-bought puff pastry dough for these quick and easy fruit tarts filled with a sweet mix of berries and topped with homemade whipped cream.

Get the Recipe: Quick and Easy Fruit Tarts

Sparkling Sangria

Orange liqueur and bubbly prosecco form the base of this fruity adults-only sipper.

Get the Recipe: Sparkling Sangria

Big Bad Beef Skewers

It’s all about the spice mix here. Ree likes a combo of lemon pepper seasoning, garlic powder and fennel seeds to give the beef tons of flavor.

Get the Recipe: Big Bad Beef Skewers

Crisp in a Pinch

16 minutes is all you need for this warm fruit crisp layered with sweet berries and a cinnamon-almond topping.

Get the Recipe: Crisp in a Pinch

Spicy Pasta Salad with Smoked Gouda, Tomatoes and Basil

Ree turns up the heat on the classic pasta salad by using adobo sauce from chipotle peppers.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Pasta Salad with Smoked Gouda, Tomatoes and Basil

Caribbean Burgers with Mango Slaw

“This was DEEEElicious,” one fan told us, “It was super easy to make, took virtually no time.”

Get the Recipe: Caribbean Burgers with Mango Slaw

Million Dollar Dip

Blue cheese crumbles and crispy bacon bits add a salty, tangy bite to this dip, which Ree likes to serve with crackers and corn chips.

Get the Recipe: Million Dollar Dip

Paige's Brownie S'mores Bars

Ree adds a summer spin to store-bought brownie mix by finishing off the brownies with all of the great s’mores fixings and a salted caramel drizzle.

Get the Recipe: Paige's Brownie S'mores Bars

Spicy Baby Back Ribs

To infuse the ribs with the most flavor possible, Ree marinates them in a sweet-smoky mixture of soda, barbecue sauce and chipotle peppers. She bakes them slowly at a low temperature so the meat turns tender.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Baby Back Ribs

Kid-Friendly Pasta Salad

Good news, grownups: You don't have to be a kid to enjoy this top-rated pasta salad. The mix-ins are classic and easy to put together — a combination of crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes and creamy cheddar.

Get the Recipe: Kid-Friendly Pasta Salad

Summer Chicken Salad

Ree reinvents the everyday chicken salad by grilling the chicken and corn, and pairing them with fresh dill. Fresh blueberries promise juicy sweetness in every bite, while a feta-mayonnaise dressing delivers the creamy richness you know and love.

Get the Recipe: Summer Chicken Salad

Tomato-Basil Salad

With in-season tomatoes and basil at the ready, Ree doesn't need to do much to showcase their natural sweetness. She simply tosses them with a garlic oil and tangy balsamic to create a light, fresh salad.

Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Salad

Sliders

Once you've grilled the sliders, the toppings are up to you. Ree likes to set up a buffet with options of crispy bacon, sweet caramelized onions and crumbled Gorgonzola so everyone can help themselves.

Get the Recipe: Sliders

Corn Salad

When corn is in season, look no further than a quick-fix salad to showcase its sweet beauty. Ree's recipe combines grilled ears with a fresh tomato-bell pepper salad laced with bold jalapeno.

Get the Recipe: Corn Salad

Grilled Vegetables with Cilantro-Yogurt Dressing

Faced with a surplus of seasonal veggies? Put them on the grill until they're tender, then dress them up with a tangy yogurt dressing flavored with bright lime juice and fresh garlic.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Vegetables with Cilantro-Yogurt Dressing

Fruit Salad with Orange-Vanilla Syrup

It's all about that sweet, fragrant syrup here, which comes together quickly when you simmer orange zest and a vanilla bean in simple syrup.

Get the Recipe: Fruit Salad with Orange-Vanilla Syrup

Spicy Pasta Salad with Smoked Gouda and Basil

The key to Ree's fuss-free pasta salad is whisking adobo sauce into the mayonnaise-based dressing. This delivers a bold smoky flavor and a welcome bite of heat to her cheese-studded salad.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Pasta Salad with Smoked Gouda, Tomatoes and Basil

Oven-Roasted BBQ Chicken

No grill? No problem. Make Ree's succulent chicken thighs — blanketed in dressed-up prepared barbecued sauce — right in the oven, then take them outside to enjoy alfresco.

Get the Recipe: Oven-Roasted BBQ Chicken

Spicy Pop Pulled Pork

Five ingredients — that's all it takes to turn out fork-tender pulled pork in a bold sauce. Ree's secret ingredient? Two cans of soda, as it pairs well with smoky chipotle peppers.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Pop Pulled Pork

Greek Grilled Eggplant Steaks

There's no meat in sight when it comes to these vegetable steaks, made by cutting eggplant into thick slices and grilling them. For a next-level side dish, Ree tops them with Greek-inspired fixings like tangy feta, fresh tomatoes and cool cucumber before serving.

Get the Recipe: Greek Grilled Eggplant Steaks

Grilled Nectarine Salad

While grilled nectarines and peaches are a go-to summer dessert, Ree dresses up grilled nectarines with savory ingredients like a mustard vinaigrette and blue cheese to create a seasonal salad.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Nectarine Salad

Mango Chile Chicken

It's all about the sweet heat in Ree's bold chicken dish. She marinates the chicken breasts in a simple mixture of chile powder and lime juice, then serves them alongside a fresh kale salad featuring juicy mango and sliced jalapeno.

Get the Recipe: Mango Chile Chicken

Mediterranean Orzo Salad

Rice-shaped pasta gets the Mediterranean treatment when combined with traditional Greek salad fixings. Think fresh picks like cherry tomatoes and red onion, plus hearty chickpeas, salty Kalamata olives and crumbled feta.

Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Orzo Salad