In the Black community, a summer cookout isn’t just a meal – it’s a cultural experience. From the smoky aroma of the grill to the sound of laughter and old-school jams playing in the background, it’s all about good food and even better company! Here are our best backyard cookout recipe ideas for summer 2025 to help you bring the flavor and keep the tradition going strong.
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A cookout is a time for family, best friends, and neighbors to come together, celebrate life, and enjoy some soul food and Southern barbecue dishes straight from the grill. I’m talking ribs, fried fish, mac and cheese, and peach cobbler! Oh, and don’t forget the music, dancing, and outdoor games (card games, dominos, lawn games, etc.). It’s all the way live, basically an outdoor party.
Birthdays, family reunions, and holidays like Father’s Day, Juneteenth, 4th of July, Labor Day, or Memorial Day is the perfect time to throw a backyard cookout. Really any time is a great time to enjoy good food and good people!
So, grab a friend, put on some music, break out the fire pit, and let’s get it going.
What’s the difference between a cookout and a backyard barbecue?
The word “cookout” and “barbecue” are often used interchangeably, but there are differences between them:
- Cookout: A cookout typically refers to an outdoor event where food is cooked and served outdoors, often in a casual setting. It can involve grilling hot dogs and burgers, but it’s not limited to just grilling. Cookouts may involve a variety of cooking methods such as barbecuing, smoking, or even cooking food inside to be eaten outdoors (think mac and cheese, pasta salad, or potato salad). The term “cookout” is more inclusive.
- Barbecue: A barbecue specifically refers to a gathering where the primary method of cooking food is through grilling, typically on a barbecue grill or smoker. While a cookout can involve various cooking methods, a BBQ focuses specifically on grilling food in the backyard or outdoor space.
Black Cookout Recipes
Invited to the cookout? You don’t want to come empty handed! Here is a roundup of our favorite recipes (main course, side dishes, salads, drinks, and desserts), and easy BBQ ideas.
Main Dishes
Easy Smoked St. Louis Style Ribs Recipe (Spare Ribs)
St. Louis-style ribs are seasoned with a dry rub and cooked low and slow on the smoker until they are tender and juicy, then slathered in a homemade BBQ sauce.
How to Smoke a Brisket on a Pellet Grill (Texas Style)
This beef brisket cooked to perfection on a pellet smoker has the best bark, tender texture, and a smoky flavor!
Best Smoked Pulled Pork Recipe
This Smoked BBQ Pulled Pork recipe features tender pork shoulder cooked with cherry wood and doused in flavorful mop sauce. Pile smoked BBQ pulled pork high on sandwich buns and top with your favorite coleslaw!
Easy Grilled Barbecue Chicken Quarters Recipe
Barbecued chicken leg quarters paired with a homemade Alabama white sauce recipe is the perfect bbq chicken recipe for grilling season.
Dino Beef Ribs Recipe
Sink your teeth into these colossal, slow-smoked beef dino ribs! Tender, smoky, and fall-off-the-bone delicious, this beef plate rib recipe is a must-try for barbecue lovers.
Easy Blackstone Smash Burger Recipe
Our Blackstone smash burgers are cooked on a hot flat top griddle and have perfectly crispy, caramelized edges. These flavorful burgers are served on buttered buns with caramelized onions.
How to Grill the Best, Juicy Pork Chops (Easy Recipe!)
Learn how to grill juicy pork chops with this easy recipe. These thick cut pork chops are seasoned with a simple dry rub, grilled until extra tender.
Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends Recipe
This Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends recipe features tender, juicy pork belly, cut into cubes and seasoned to perfection. They’re smoked low and slow until infused with that irresistible smoky flavor. Then, glazed, and caramelized to create a mouthwatering combination of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors.
Rib Tips
Experience Memphis barbecue with our succulent and tender smoked rib tips! Served with white bread and pickles, it’s a simple yet delicious combination that captures the authentic flavors of this Southern dish.
Smoked Spatchcock Chicken (With Extra Crispy Skin!)
Our smoked spatchcock chicken is cooked on the pellet smoker. It has extra crispy skin and delicious flavor from the wood smoke!
Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings on the Pellet Grill
These smoked chicken wings on the pellet grill are perfect for your next game day or cookout! They're brined and smoked, and have crispy skin with smoky flavor. Be sure to also check out our smoked and fried wings recipe if you like extra crunch!
BBQ Peri Peri Chicken Recipe (Better Than Nando’s)
This Peri Peri Barbeque Chicken recipe features juicy, flavorful chicken marinated in a tangy sauce made with fresh chilies, herbs, and lemon.
Southern Fried Catfish Recipe
Our crispy and delicious Southern fried fish is made using catfish filets and our popular fish fry seasoning. It goes great with soul food spaghetti, coleslaw, hot sauce, and a slice of white bread for a good ol' Southern soul food fish fry!
Smoked Bologna
A smoked bologna recipe featuring whole bologna chub seasoned with dry rub and smothered in barbecue sauce.
Smoked Beef Short Ribs Recipe
These Smoked Short Ribs are melt-in-your-mouth tender. The flavorful crust and rich and beefy succulent taste make it the perfect primal dish!
Smoked Party Ribs Recipe
These party ribs are cooked on the smoker, low and slow, and tossed in a rich barbecue sauce! They’re perfect for your next get together, game day party, or backyard cookout.
Best Smoked Beer Can Chicken Recipe
This hickory smoked beer can chicken is a flavorful and juicy dish where a whole chicken is cooked upright on a beer can in a smoker.
Easy Smoked Beef Rib (Back Ribs) Recipe
A delicious smoked beef rib back ribs recipe featuring a simple spice blend and BBQ sauce. They are smoky and fall off-the-bone tender.
Side Dishes
Baked Beans with Hamburger Meat
Flavorful baked beans with hamburger meat is a classic barbecue side dish that's as convenient as it is delicious.
Soul Food Mac and Cheese
Indulge in this baked Southern mac and cheese featuring cheddar, Monterey jack, and mozzarella.
String Beans and Potatoes Recipe with Smoked Turkey
Fresh green beans and red potatoes are simmered on the stove top in a rich and flavorful broth with smoked turkey, onion, garlic, and seasonings.
Smoked Chicken Salad Recipe
This easy smoked chicken salad is full of flavor and perfect for lunch, dinner, or a snack. Try it on crackers, croissants, or in a sandwich.
Southern Potato Salad
A black Southern potato salad recipe with the best creamy texture and tangy flavor, featuring ingredients like dill pickle relish, mustard, hard-boiled eggs, and seasonings.
Salad Supreme Pasta Salad Recipe
Our Salad Supreme Pasta Salad recipe is made with zesty Italian dressing, tomato, bell pepper, cucumber, red onion, pepperoni, cheddar cheese, and a homemade seasoning blend.
The Best Smoked Queso Recipe (Texas Cheese Dip)
This smoked queso recipe is cooked on the pellet grill with Velveeta cheese, gouda, Rotel tomatoes, onions, and jalapeño! We also added chopped barbecue beef rib meat for added delicious smoky flavor. This easy smoked queso recipe is the ultimate party dip!
BBQ Sauces
Memphis BBQ Sauce
This Memphis BBQ sauce is tangy, slightly sweet, and packed with bold, smoky flavor. Perfect for ribs, pulled pork, and more!
Sweet & Spicy BBQ Sauce Recipe
This easy homemade barbecue sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and heat. It goes great with pork belly burnt ends, chicken sandwiches, smoked ribs, and more!
Peach Barbecue Sauce Recipe
Our Southern peach barbecue sauce is made with fresh peaches, and a base of tomato, vinegar, brown sugar, molasses, garlic, onion and various seasonings. Perfect for grilled chicken, pork, and ribs!
How to Make Alabama White Sauce (BBQ Sauce Recipe)
This Alabama white BBQ sauce recipe is a Southern favorite! It has a mayo base, and features apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and seasonings.
Drinks and Desserts
Berry Hibiscus Lemonade
Inspired by the cultural significance of the iconic “red drink” in the Black community, this refreshing twist on a classic recipe offers a delightful blend of nostalgia and freshness, making it a perfect addition to any springtime gathering.
Southern Banana Pudding Recipe with Chessman Cookies
Our simple banana pudding recipe is a classic Southern dessert made with Chessmen cookies, condensed milk, and instant pudding mix.
Peach Cobbler with Canned Peaches
Black folks peach cobbler made with canned peaches and store bought pie crust is a classic soul food dessert recipe!
Old Fashioned 7-Up Cake Recipe
An old-fashioned 7 Up cake pound cake recipe made in a Bundt pan and drizzled with lemon lime soda glaze. It's super moist, easy to make, with a subtle lemon lime flavor.
Southern Blackberry Cobbler
Delicious Southern blackberry cobbler featuring a golden brown buttery crust and made with frozen blackberries so you can enjoy it any time of year.
Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe
These nostalgic strawberry sugar cookies are sweet and chewy, with strawberry flavor and a pink hue. Simple to make using basic ingredients.
Backyard BBQ Ideas (What to Bring to a Cookout)
Ingredients
- 1 rack pork spare ribs St. Louis style
- yellow mustard for rubbing
Dry Rub for Pork Ribs
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon granulated onion
- 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
Vinegar based barbecue sauce
- 2/3 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Spritz
- 1 cup apple juice
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 Worcestershire sauce optional
- 1 teaspoon of hot sauce optional
- spray bottle
Instructions
- Get the recipe for our Smoked St. Louis Style Ribs.
Those rib tips are definitely my next contribution to the cookout. I know my family and friends will love them.
I love this roundup! I’m typically the person who brings the mac and cheese! I want to venture more into desserts. I’m bringing your peach cobbler to my next cookout!
Love this list and poor man’s burnt ends where a big hit with my family last weekend! All gone!
Saving this! Very good recipes on here. I’ve tried the brisket and the pulled pork, both are amazing. Thanks for all the great ideas.
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed the brisket and pulled pork – those are definitely two of our favorites as well! Can’t wait for you to try even more! Appreciate you stopping by and sharing the love!