My best ever BBQ recipes
If you’re in the UK, then you’re currently living through the longest heatwave ever…and aside from the panic of climate change, I’m enjoying the weather as best I can. And that typically involves cooking everything possible outside on the BBQ. So, if like me, you’re slightly obsessed with the BBQ but want to get a little more adventurous or simply cook more on it, here are my ultimate BBQ recipes (with a good few potatoes thrown in):
BURGERS
Chilli jam glazed halloumi burger
If you think veggie burgers are just a sad little afterthought at a BBQ, this chilli jam glazed halloumi burger is here to prove you OH SO WRONG.
When I picture a vegetarian burger, this is exactly what I’m picturing. Think thick slabs of grilled halloumi brushed with sweet and sticky chilli jam, piled into boujee brioche buns with beer-infused red onions, rocket (for health) and a blob of Dijon mayo.
It is honestly so good. You’ll have the meat eaters queuing up to grab this baby instead.
Spicy Pineapple Chutney Smash Burger
This BBQ spicy pineapple chutney smash burger is what happens when your classic burger gets a proper upgrade. You’ve got juicy smashed beef patties, gloriously melted American cheese, smoky charred pineapple straight from the BBQ and a sticky homemade pineapple chutney with a nice hit of chilli.
It’s sweet, smoky, savoury and has a little kick, but don’t panic if you’re not a spice lover. You can easily dial the heat up or down depending on your taste. I love that sweet and spicy combo, so an extra chilli or two usually finds its way into my chutney.
Satay chicken burger
These juicy sambal chicken burgers are everything I want to eat during a UK heatwave. The chicken is marinated until ridiculously tender, grilled over the BBQ until charred, then piled into a soft bun with crunchy quick pickles, loads of fresh coriander and mint AND a generous slather of spicy sambal mayo. Bet you’re not thinking about your standard beef burgers now…
These chicken-y babies are lighter than your classic beef burger but dripping in flavour. They’re honestly incredible.
BAKED POTATOES
Baked Potato with Cheats Pit Beans
If I close my eyes, I can almost picture myself sat around a campfire somewhere in America, wrapped in a blanket with a plate of smoky BBQ food in one hand and a s’more in the other. But realllly, I’m just sat in my garden in the Midlands hoping it won’t rain. A girl can dream.
What isn’t a dream though is my BBQ baked potato with cheats pit beans. We’ve got a beautifully fluffy jacket potato cooked in the BBQ embers loaded with smoky BBQ pit beans, juicy spiced pork belly and a whole load of melted mozzarella. It’s a masterpiece.
And the best part is that this recipe is a bit of a cheat. Traditional pit beans are made using burnt ends that have spent hours smoking low and slow. Mine are a much quicker version that doesn’t compromise on the flavour.
Hunters Chicken Loaded Baked Potato
I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for Hunters Chicken. Firstly, my godson is called Hunter, so naturally I love that. Secondly, it’s just one of those pub classics that everyone enjoys. Chicken, bacon, BBQ sauce and loads of melted cheese. These flavours aren’t anything wildly new or unheard of, but they’re a classic for a reason. And a potato addition makes every dish better, right?
But let me set the scene if you’re not yet convinced. A beautifully fluffy jacket potato cooked in the embers until the skin is crisp, piled high with smoky BBQ chicken, crispy bacon, plenty of mozzarella and extra BBQ sauce. Are you sold? If this doesn’t become your new summer BBQ obsession, I’ll have to break the news to Hunter, and he will not be happy.
Star Crossed Jacket Potato
This is my take on the viral Korean garlic bread, except instead of a bread roll, we’re stuffing all that cheesy and garlicky goodness into a beautifully fluffy BBQ jacket potato. Then if you think it can’t get any better, it’s drenched in a buttery garlic and parsley dressing that seeps into every single carby groove. It’s messy and a little excessively cheesy, but oh my god it’s a TRIUMPH. Pure heaven.
HOT DOGS
Jalapeno Popper Hot Dog
We’ve got charred jalapeños that have been lightly oiled and sprinkled with salt until they’re beautifully smoky. These are then paired with a cream cheese mixture that’s been mixed with chopped jalapeños, a splash of the pickling brine and a generous squeeze of hot honey. It’s wonderful.
Not layer that in a bun with a bacon wrapped sausage and you have potentially the best hot dog ever.
Classic American Hot Dog
Within a classic hot dog roll, we’ve got a wonderfully meaty and delicious beef hot dog (like your frankfurter-style one), gherkins, ketchup, American mustard and sauerkraut. It’s not overly complicated, but it is a real crowd pleaser. Plus, if you haven’t experienced sauerkraut, now is your chance.
Now, I know sauerkraut can divide a room a bit. Some people hear “fermented cabbage” and immediately back away slowly. Stay with me, bab. When it’s piled onto a hot dog with tangy mustard and sweet ketchup, it just works. It gives a lil zing.
Bahn Mi Inspired Hot Dog
This Bánh Mì-inspired hot dog, is pure sausage heaven and absolutely perfect for the summer. If you love a hot dog and you’ll use literally any excuse to fire up the BBQ (same), then you NEED this recipe in your life.
This recipe is one of those where every single bite is doing something different. You’ve got juicy sausages fresh from the BBQ, creamy pâté, sharp pickled vegetables, loads of fresh herbs and that gorgeous crusty baguette holding everything together. It’s messy, it’s packed with flavour and there’s absolutely no dignified way to eat it. Which usually means it’s going to be bloomin delicious.
POTATOES
BBQ Potato Caesar salad
I will never get bored of a proper homemade Caesar dressing. Especially when it’s doused over charred baby potatoes and crispy pancetta. OMG HEAVEN.
Oh, and don’t forget about the sprinkling of chives over the top, so that basically counts as your greenery and kinda makes it feel more like a salad, right? Let’s face it, my salads typically contain cheese and potatoes, and that’s how I like it.
So, if you love experimenting on the BBQ and like grilling more than just meats, this recipe is absolutely one you need to try.
Chorizo Smashed Baby Potatoes
Meat. Garlic. Potatoes. What more could you want? Oh, I also threw in a splash of red wine too so it’s basically the perfect dish.
If you’ve got a bag of baby potatoes and love a BBQ, this is the next recipe you need to try. Charred spuds grilled with soft, juicy chorizo, red wine, smashed garlic cloves and finished off with a generous dollop of garlic aioli. To enhance the flavour even more, I used a herb brush made up of thyme, rosemary and oregano to infuse some herby goodness and capture all that lovely chorizo fat.
Hot Maple Glazed Potato Kebabs
As much as I love a dirty burger or loaded hotdog, there’s just something a little bit special about those potato sides. If you’re not cooking potatoes skewers on a BBQ, what are you doing?
These BBQ potato skewers are smoky, crispy, buttery and coated in the most ridiculous maple chilli butter glaze. I’m a little bit obsessed.
