Hosting a BBQ tomorrow but tired of the same old stuff

We're having a very informal bbq tomorrow with immediate family. I'm at that point of the summer where I feel like we serve the SAME things at every BBQ. It's always burgers, hot dogs, chicken, corn, and potato salad. BOOORING.

Any good ideas of other things we can serve that go over well and are easy to prep (sides and main dishes)?

Also, I'm up for dessert ideas too.

Re: Hosting a BBQ tomorrow but tired of the same old stuff

Ribs? We make these pork medallions marinated in an apple cider reduction and wrapped in bacon. My dad was actually in a cook off in the daily news with that recipe!

ETA: We've been making lemon and garlic chicken kabobs, too. Still chicken, but a little different.

Message edited 8/12/2016 1:35:49 PM.

Re: Hosting a BBQ tomorrow but tired of the same old stuff

We had people over for the 4th and didn't feel like BBQing.
Very small crowd and very informal like you said

We ordered a big hero- half Italian/half american

And a tray of fried chicken

I made some sides and bought some sides

It was easy and different


You can also do Sausage and peppers

Message edited 8/12/2016 1:41:19 PM.

Hosting a BBQ tomorrow but tired of the same old stuff

BBQ Bacon wrapped shrimp and scallop skewers

Grilled sausages with peppers and onions (can also do this on skewers for fun and easy way to eat)

Pineapple, green peppers and chicken kabobs with a sweet and sour bbq sauce (I do bottle of saucy susan and a bottle of bbq sauce mixed together)

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad goes very quickly!

Greek orzo salad

Re: Hosting a BBQ tomorrow but tired of the same old stuff

Hosting a BBQ tomorrow but tired of the same old stuff

I get different seasoning mixes from places like tastefully simple... I add them to my mac or potato salad. but probably would work well in the store made ones too...

I also made a macaroni salad and added shrirmp and cucumber and it was a big hit. and so much healthier.

Hosting a BBQ tomorrow but tired of the same old stuff

dessert= jello in little dixie cups.

watermellon.

couple half gallons of icecream and container of sprinkles.

Re: Hosting a BBQ tomorrow but tired of the same old stuff

My favorite is a whole chicken. Remove back and breast bone. Season under skin with oil and herbs. Use something heavy to push it down. So good

Re: Hosting a BBQ tomorrow but tired of the same old stuff

pulled pork
macaroni and cheese
jalapeno macaroni and cheese

Re: Hosting a BBQ tomorrow but tired of the same old stuff

Grilled peaches with a sweet mascarpone filling. It's the most requested thing we have at BBQs.

Tequila lime shrimp skewers

Fresh corn, feta, grape tomato, and black olive salad

Message edited 8/13/2016 10:41:05 AM.

Hosting a BBQ tomorrow but tired of the same old stuff

Iavarone chicken burgers w/ fresh mozzarella
Different types of Italian sausage w/peppers
Pizza on the grill

Pasta salad- so many ways to get creative with that. I know you said no potato salad but I make a cheddar bacon ranch one that everyone devours.

Quinoa salad?

Re: Hosting a BBQ tomorrow but tired of the same old stuff

Skinnytaste Portabello Mushroom "burgers". They are so delicious!

Re: Hosting a BBQ tomorrow but tired of the same old stuff

This is probably too late but maybe for next time!! ................

I am having people over today and I am making a Hawaiian themed menu and it was very easy.

Hawaiian Pulled Pork (Got the pork shoulder really cheap at BJ's and made in Crock Pot with all Hawaiian flavors and spices)

Homemade Hawaiian Coleslaw (bought the bag of pre shredded cabbage and made a quick dressing of mayo, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, and I tossed it with the slaw, minced onions, and a can of crushed (drained) pineapple)

Baked Beans

Buttered Rum Pineapple Spears (coated the fresh pineapple in cinnamon and brown sugar and then made a butter rum glaze on the stovetop. Let it soak overnight and then grilling on BBQ)

Sweet Hawaiian rolls

Fresh Homemade Lemonade

Homemade Pineapple Upside Down Cake

EVERYTHING was REALLY easy to make!!

ETA - Also made a quick stovetop mac n cheese for the kids. Elbow pasta, make a quick roux, melt in the cheese, toss with pasta. Super easy.

Message edited 8/13/2016 1:13:11 PM.

Hosting a BBQ tomorrow but tired of the same old stuff

We are BBQing today. We are doing Greek chicken, ribs, steak. I'm making a salad. I have mozzarella sticks for apps and then maybe I'll just do chips and dip!

Re: Hosting a BBQ tomorrow but tired of the same old stuff

Taco salad!

Re: Hosting a BBQ tomorrow but tired of the same old stuff

Last time we bbq..we wrapped knishes in foil
And put on bbq.. Everyone loved them!

Hosting a BBQ tomorrow but tired of the same old stuff

artichoke heart salad, not need to keep cold and tasty

3 or 5 bean salad

grilled pineapple, with reduced balsamic syrup

mini strawberry short cakes

Message edited 8/13/2016 10:05:55 PM.

Re: Hosting a BBQ tomorrow but tired of the same old stuff

Thanks everyone! We ended up doing the pineapple, green pepper, and chicken skewers that someone posted above, italian sausage and peppers with fresh soft rolls, corn, potato salad, fruit salad, and then a make-your-own sundae bar for dessert. It was a hit and such a nice change from the typical burgers and hot dogs!