Asking For Myself: What Makes A Good Cookout Menu?

As the day of the cookout approached, those "what's on the menu" texts started to flood my inbox. I left them unread. The menu had changed a dozen times already. And I still wasn't ready to commit until I was sure those plates would could together like a puzzle.

The perfect summer cookout menu does exist. Although it will vary with emerging trends and evolving palates over time, we've got a good guide for what an elevated menu can be.  

My biggest challenge was settling the entree-to-side ratio. For some, a cookout is a carnal affair where grilled meat is all that matters. Many of us have been craving those smoky flavors since the end of last grilling season, so I get it. But as someone who prefers cooking in the kitchen instead of over the hot, laborious flame of the grill, it was important to me to find a balance between the dishes I would concoct vs. the ones my grill master (husband) would do. What we came up with was a complimentary menu that allowed sides from the kitchen to shine just as much as the meats from the grill (Chicken, beef & pork).

So, how did I narrow down the sides? As excited as I was to experiment with new menu items, I knew I had to have at least one black cookout staple on the table. The 5 Cheese Mac & Cheese was a no-brainer to fill this slot. Kids love it, and adults love it. And no matter how much you make, there will never be any leftovers, leaving you with one less pan to worry about during cleanup. Next, I wanted to make sure that I had a delicious fruit option available as an easy way to keep people hydrated on a hot summer's day. I went with a refreshing Watermelon, Cherry, & Strawberry Fruit Salad. Again, the kids couldn't get enough, and the adults started making mixed cocktails with it - a win is a win. 

I love a good smoky salad, so I went with a dish that involved a quick char from the grill for a vegetable side. The Charred Corn & Pepper Dip was a great option because it could be enjoyed alone or with tortilla chips for an added crunch. It's hard to come by a good crunch at a cookout, so I think having this "nacho" option was a great way to elevate a simple side.

Aside from bratwurst links, chicken & apple sausage, and hot dogs, the other grilled meat entrees consisted of Grilled Margarita Chicken Wings, and Mango Habanero BBQ Meatball Sliders. Since both were a bit outside of the norm, not your average grilled chicken and burgers, a tiny bit of prep happened in the kitchen before handing them off to the grill. The chicken sat overnight in a sweet yet creamy margarita marinade, and the meatballs were first oven baked and then finished off on the grill with the special BBQ sauce and mozzarella cheese.

The perfect summer cookout menu does exist. Although it will vary with emerging trends and evolving palates over time, we've got a good guide for what an elevated menu can be.  

Summer Cookout Menu Guide: 

1 pasta dish (mac & cheese, cold pasta salad, etc.)

1 fruit dish (fruit salad, grilled peaches w/ crumble, etc.)

1 grilled vegetable dish (ex: kababs, corn salad, etc.)

1 Chicken Entree (wings, quarters, spatchcock, etc.)

1 Beef Entree (ribs, burgers/sliders, etc.)

1 Prepackaged Meat Option (Hot Dogs, Hot Links, Bratwurst, etc.)