24 Copycat Backyard BBQ Menu Ideas
The best BBQ recipes to make your summer cookout memorably tasty!
A summertime backyard BBQ is one of the few places where you can enjoy the cozy energy of a potluck and all the best flavors of the season at the same time. These 24 Copycat Backyard BBQ Menu Ideas will help get you started on your own summer bash.
From main dishes to share, to mouthwatering BBQ sides, to that last bit of sweetly refreshing dessert you barely manage to get through at the end of the afternoon, we've got you covered! And we're not limited to just ribs and cornbread either. BBQ has a lot more variety than some people give it credit for! You're sure to find a little something for everyone, even the pickiest eaters.
One of the best things about these backyard BBQ menu ideas is that they work just as well for a small group as for a big gathering. That's a good thing, of course: who doesn't crave these hearty summer flavors once the weather gets warm? There's nothing wrong with whipping up your favorite BBQ recipes for yourself, or avoiding a trip to the grocery store by making your own delicious BBQ sauce!
We hope you're inspired to try something new and fun as well. Bog standard BBQ recipes are everywhere. Follow these backyard BBQ menu ideas and you'll be imitating the best summer recipes of restaurants all across the country. See how well your cooking stacks up and maybe start a few conversations along the way! Copycat recipes are a wonderful way to share the love this summer.
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Table of Contents
BBQ Recipes
These are the classics, the big guns. Make these out for your guests and they'll know they've come to the right backyard bbq. Just remember to switch things up sometimes. Best to keep them guessing....
Copycat Pioneer Woman Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
Both sweet and tangy, this is copycat pulled chicken recipe is guaranteed to make your mouth water.
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Maybe the classic BBQ recipe, these racks of succulent ribs are the best way to impress your guests!
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Whataburger Crispy BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich
If you've never been to Texas, you need to try this. If you have, then we don't need to convince you.
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You can bring this McDonald's cult classic to life with ease with this copycat recipe (it's even better if you ask us!)
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Copycat KFC Georgia Gold Chicken Recipe
These honey mustard chicken wings make the perfect appetizer, and your guests will be thrilled with the flavor.
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Homemade Tony Roma's BBQ Babyback Ribs
This easy rib recipe is right off the Tony Roma menu, and a great way to make falling-off-the-bone tender ribs for your next occasion.
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KFC Honey BBQ Sauce Copycat Recipe
For those that want a little extra, this BBQ sauce is enough to make us skip our next grocery run
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Copycat Tarheel BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich and Cole Slaw
The easy step-by-step video will walk you through exactly how to make this delicious North Carolina BBQ dish.
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That seems like thirsty work... maybe you could use a sip of this refreshingCopycat Chick-Fil-A Frosted Lemonade
BBQ Sides
Some like their bbq side dishes to be heavy, some prefer a more light and refreshing touch. Either way, we've got what you need. From hearty BBQ beans, to sweet and moist cornbread muffins, to a discontinued Chick-fil-A coleslaw, we've got plenty of options for you to choose from. Enjoy the flavors of your favorite restaurant sides in your own backyard!
Famous Dave's Copycat Sweet Cornbread Muffins
An easy appetizer recipe that will remind you of homestyle BBQ dinners, exactly like what "Dave" is famous for!
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One of the most coveted Texas Roadhouse restaurant recipes, these fluffy, buttery rolls are a delightful companion to any dinner.
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When they discontinued this recipe, it inevitably set a squad of copycat chefs to work on perfecting this recipe
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Diner-Style BBQ Chicken Cornbread Pie
This recipe piles all the delicious, moist, tangy tastes of BBQ chicken right on top and then heaps on a layer of melty cheese for good measure.
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El Pollo Loco BBQ Black Beans (Copycat)
A classic BBQ side that will be the perfect complement to any BBQ entree you select!
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Grilling Recipes for Your BBQ
BBQ recipes and grilled recipes go great together, and so we've shared some of our favorite quick and easy ways to get the best of both worlds. We've got fast-casual classics and the hot dog recipe that the entire Chicago area swears by (seriously, don't mention 'ketchup' and 'hot dog' in the same sentence around a Chicagoan).
If you remember going there as a child, you'll love making your own Copycat A&W Whistle Dog.
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Copycat Five Guys Burger Recipe
A great recipe for summer holidays and backyard parties. Five Guys features a medley of toppings to choose from, so get creative.
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Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs with Copycat J-Dawg Sauce
Hot dogs and bacon...it's an unexpectedly delicious backyard BBQ combination. Plus enjoy the sauce that comes as a bonus!
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The one rule of eating the Chicago-Style Hot Dog...no ketchup allowed!
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Cool off with this delicious, southern-styleSweet Georgia Iced Tea Recipe
Summer Desserts for Your BBQ
If you're already full just thinking about those entrees and sides, we won't blame you. But is any backyard BBQ menu really complete without a sweet summer dessert? Adding one certainly can't hurt! Everything here is primed to tempt your guests into trying just one more bite, from quick and easy ice cream treats to classic from-scratch apple pie.
California Pizza Kitchen Copycat Butter Cake
If you are looking for a sweet dessert to impress guests, then this California Pizza Kitchen Copycat Butter Cake is the dessert for you!
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Old-Fashioned Mississippi Mud Pie
This ice cream dessert is perfect for summer (even if the threat of melting ice cream getting all over is high)!
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Cracker Barrel Copycat Chocolate Cherry Cobbler
This cobbler recipe is perfect for serving to a large group of people at a party or dinner.
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Dutch Apple Pie Recipe From Scratch
Fresh, flakey, and covered with a delicious, crumbly topping, this recipe will go toe-to-toe with the best apple pie recipes out there.
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Copycat Cracker Barrel Campfire S’more
Cracker Barrel's campfire summer menu is a seasonal classic that you just can't get enough of.
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This is a perfect summer snack, but it tastes so good you may want to pull out this recipe later in the year too....
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Up next:
18 State Fair Food Recipes
Did you try one? Tell us your favorite summer BBQ recipes in the comments below!
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