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Make your summer sizzle with these BBQ menu ideas. Choose dishes and sides that everyone will love, and you'll soon be known as the BBQ host with the most!

BBQ Menu Planning: Impress Friends With Crowd-Pleasing Feast | HelloFresh

BBQ menu planning made easy: Crowd-pleasing combos without stress

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When the sun is shining, there's no better way to entertain than with a barbecue. Before you reach for a sad pack of soggy hot dogs and uninspiring burgers, take the time to think about your menu. With a bit of creativity and imagination, your BBQ will be the talk of the town—and no, you don't need to be a Michelin-starred chef to achieve great results.

## How to choose the perfect barbecue menu for your next party

Twenty years ago, you may have been happy with a burger and a sausage at a barbecue—but expectations are higher nowadays. When you look at a [BBQ recipe collection](https://www.hellofresh.com.au/recipes/bbq-recipes), it's easy to feel overwhelmed. If you're not sure where to start, here are some essential components of any barbecue menu:

* **Proteins**. In a barbecue, variety is key, so make sure to offer a few different options. For instance, you might serve steak, ribs, chicken drumsticks and burgers in one barbecue.    
* **Vegetarian options**. These are a must if you have veggie guests! Vegetarians deserve protein, as well as side dishes. Try veggie burgers or skewers. Firm-textured halloumi cheese is an excellent choice for vegetarians, although not suitable for vegans.    
* **Salads**. With all that hearty meat, you need some freshness. A potato salad dressed lightly with mayonnaise is a BBQ classic, along with a fresh green salad.    
* **Grilled veg**. Skewers of Mediterranean vegetables are so tasty if you cook them on the barbecue. You can also try corn on the cob, wrapped tightly in foil and barbecued until tender.    
* **Carbs**. This category includes potato salad, pasta salad and bread. You'll want buns if you're serving hot dogs or burgers. Garlic bread is another great choice for a barbecue—and it can be cooked and wrapped in foil directly on the grill.

**Top tip**: For a simple BBQ dessert, try grilling skewers of firm-textured fruit, like pineapple, strawberries, bananas and peaches. Just don't cook them on the same part of the barbecue where you grilled the meat, as you don't want your fruit to taste like steak!

### Chicken BBQ ideas

Chicken legs and thighs generally work better than breasts on a barbecue, as they're meatier, tastier and harder to overcook. Wings are another good choice, but they can be messy to eat! Cook legs and thighs with the skin on, coated with sticky barbecue sauce. These [BBQ pulled chicken and black bean nachos](https://www.hellofresh.com.au/recipes/pub-loaded-bbq-pulled-chicken-and-black-bean-nachos-67f83676cade9b9f0acdc242) will bring a bit of Mexican sunshine to your barbecue.

### Beef BBQ ideas

Beef is often the star of the barbecue. Steaks are extremely popular—just make sure you give them time to rest after cooking, as they need a few minutes to settle and relax for the best texture. For a special touch, order beef mince in your next [meal kit delivery](https://www.hellofresh.com.au/meal-kits) and use it to make burgers from scratch.

You can also try experimenting with different spices or herbs added to the mince for unique flavours. Dried oregano and basil will give your burgers an Italian twist, while ground cumin and coriander add a spicy Middle Eastern flair.

## BBQ ideas from around the world

Take inspiration from other cultures, particularly those where the barbecue is sacred! In Argentina, steak is usually served with chimichurri, a vibrant dressing of fresh herbs and garlic whisked together in an olive oil vinaigrette. 

Use an Indian-style dressing to liven up chicken kebabs, marinating chunks of chicken in a mixture of yoghurt and tandoori paste for a couple of hours before grilling them. These [Tex-Mex BBQ chicken quesadillas recipes](https://www.hellofresh.com.au/recipes/tex-mex-bbq-chicken-and-bean-quesadillas-5cdb9406851595001659728f) are a fabulous way to introduce Mexican flavours to your next BBQ party.

## BBQ menu ideas to please fussy eaters

Remember that some people prefer classic dishes. Even if you're inspired to serve up a gourmet barbecue with flavours from far-flung destinations, some of your guests may want to stick with what they know. Classic doesn't have to mean boring, though. Use top-quality beef for these [Brazilian beef skewers](https://www.hellofresh.com.au/recipes/brazilian-beef-skewers-5795ae60f31cf1d17c8b4568), then serve with some interesting chutneys and dips for guests to choose from.

If you have vegetarian or vegan guests, always cook their food separately. Don't grill veggies in the same spot that you just cooked sausages, and use a fresh set of tongs to handle any vegetarian-friendly food.

## BBQ menu planning FAQs

### What should be included in a BBQ menu?

A good barbecue menu should include a variety of proteins, such as chicken, beef or pork, along with refreshing veggies and salads. If you have vegetarian or vegan guests, you'll also need to include some protein options that are suitable for them to eat. Cook veggie options separately from meat to avoid contamination.

### What is considered BBQ food?

Generally, BBQ food is anything that can be cooked on a barbecue or served with barbecued proteins. Remember, BBQ food is more than just meat. Skewers of grilled veggies or corn on the cob grilled in aluminium foil are good examples of barbecue side dishes.

### What do Australians typically serve at a BBQ?

A classic Aussie BBQ often includes sausages (or snags), steaks, marinated chicken and seafood, like prawns or fish fillets. Popular sides include potato salad, pasta salad, green salads and grilled veggies, such as corn on the cob or capsicum skewers.

### What is the most common BBQ food?

Burgers and hot dogs are among the most common barbecue foods. They're popular because they're quick and easy to cook, and they're generally considered to be crowd-pleasers.

### What are classic BBQ foods?

As well as any kind of grilled meat, classic BBQ foods include side dishes like green salads, coleslaw and potato salad.

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