What is Your Go-To BBQ Recipe?

With Memorial Day and the unofficial start of summer upon us, it is officially BBQ season. While gathering with friends and family is the best part of any BBQ, having a go-to dish to take lets arriving with something delicious in-hand be much easier. Ranging from simple barbecue chicken to a spattering of desserts - we serve up our favorites below - and a dose of honesty. It is A-OK if cooking isn't your thing - maybe baking is, maybe assembling some store bought goodies works and maybe you're grateful to be married to a chef - all are awesome options.

Emilee, Book Aficionados from @The BookClubCart

Image via 40aprons.com

BBQ chicken in a slow cooker ALL day! Hear me out… I promise it is a winner! It is SO EASY and can feed a large group. Throw the following in a slow cooker: chicken breast, your favorite BBQ sauce, and a block of cream cheese. It comes out SO tasty and creamy! Serve on toa

sted pretzel buns topped with melted cheese. Even BETTER with a homemade coleslaw, sweet potato fries and chopped pickles!

Busy moms KNOW the slow cooker can be your best friend on busy nights and I PROMISE this one does NOT dissapoint. I came upon this recipe years ago when I was looking for an easy weeknight meal. Now it is a staple in our house. My kids love this deconstructed. My husband and I love adding the coleslaw onto the sandwich.

To make this healthier, you can ditch the cream cheese and pretzel buns and make this a bowl. In the bowl you can combine BBQ chicken, homemade coleslaw, chopped sweet potatoes, and pickles. Happy Memorial Day!

Kim, Home Connoisseur from @Reverie.and.Root & Founder of Spilling Goodness

My ultimate favorite dish to bring to a summer BBQ is an enormous trifle. Angel food cake, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries all layered with an ooey, gooey custard mix that makes it both decadent and delicious. I make it in a punch bowl that sits on a little stand and never fails, every last morsel is usually gobbled up. Plus, the colors of the berries are festive and it looks really pretty on a gingham tablecloth. I've been gluten free for almost a year now, so I'm on the lookout for a gluten free angel food cake or cake mix. I usually just buy the cake made, but it would be worth making if I can enjoy it as well. If I don't find a gluten free options, I'll simply reserve some of the berries and custard mix, sans cake to make sure my tummy doesn't freak out - that's just not worth it to me.

Here is the recipe that I've held on to for years: ANGEL FOOD BERRY TRIFLE

PS - This also a great option for the 4th of July. I've made it in small clear plastic cups with sprinkles on top and taken it to a potluck style fireworks spread. Kids can each have their own little cup of it and it is easier to manage in a park than a giant glass punch bowl turned trifle dish.

Jen, Bespoke Travel Designer from @GlobalonDemandTravel

One of the unexpected blessings of being in my 40's is how much more grounded I feel in who I am. I’ve come to understand not just what I can do, but what I want to do — and just as importantly, what I’m happy to let go of. That’s where having a partner who complements me makes all the difference.

The beauty of a strong partnership isn’t just in shared values, but in shared strengths — or better yet, in the balance of opposite ones. The things I’m not great at? He’s a natural. The things he’s passionate about and wants to dive deep into? I say, “Go for it.”

One of those passions is cooking.

When my husband decides to make a meal, it’s never halfway. He researches recipes, tracks down the

freshest ingredients, buys enough to feed the entire neighborhood, and works in the kitchen and on the grill until everything is exactly how he imagined it. It’s thoughtful, creative, and done with care — and I’m always grateful to be on the receiving end.

I may not have a favorite recipe to make, but I absolutely have a favorite dish to eat: Korean barbecue short ribs. Rich, savory, and just a little sweet — the kind of meal that makes you pause and truly enjoy every bite. But, my favorite kind of cook out is a crab feast!

Rebecca, Woman's Leadership Coach from @PleasantlyAggressive

I hate to admit how stressed I can get about what I bring to a BBQ, potluck, or party. I love to cook, and I’m also busy, so the first step is to decide if I’m going to go the homemade route or just swing by Jewel. Rice Krispies Treats are a great compromise. They’re easy and fast to make, they are homemade, and I’ve never seen a leftover treat at the end of a party. I especially love that I can stock up on these ingredients for those last-minute get-togethers. I make sure mine are extra.

First, find the recipe on the Rice Krispies Box. Now, reduce the amount of Rice Krispies by one cup, add an extra handful (or two) of big marshmallows for melting. Once you mix the melted butter, melted marshmallows, and cereal together, mix in two handfuls of mini-marshmallows. They won’t melt, they just add to the sweet chewiness. Then lightly press them into a buttered 8x8 pan instead of a 9x13 pan, and you’ll get that mile-high effect. Last, pour on the festive sprinkles. Just measure with your heart.

Ashley, Millennial Mom Nutrition Coach from @AshleyBreaksTheCycle

Let’s be honest, I hate to cook. But baking? That’s my jam. Cookies are basically my love language (along with acts of service), and my go-to for any holiday, BBQ, birthday, or random Tuesday are my Everyday Damn Day Chocolate Chip Cookies.

These are not healthified. They’re buttery, rich, chewy, and absolutely worth every bite. Want the recipe? DM me — but here’s the scoop (pun intended):

The dough calls for lots of butter and brown sugar — like, don’t hold back. The trick is to make the dough 2–3 days ahead and let it chill in the fridge. It makes scooping into perfect little balls so much easier.

And here’s the magic: as soon as they come out of the oven, slam the cookie sheet on the counter. It knocks the air out so you get crispy edges and gooey centers. Melt-in-your-mouth perfection.

These cookies are a hit from toddlers to grandparents — seriously, you won’t have leftovers.

Bake them, bring them, and don’t expect to bring any home.

Ali, Book Aficionados from @The BookClubCart

Tomato Burrata salad is my go to for every BBQ! An easy side dish or appetizer that requires little preparation. Our family loves it because it is so light and fresh too!

Heirloom tomatoes are the best to use, the variety of colors add vibrancy too! Slice the tomato into thin slices and layout around a dish. Next slice a red onion into very thin slices and sprinkle over the tomatoes. Chop up basil and sprinkle over everything. You can sprinkle with your favorite seasoning or drizzle balsamic glaze over the tomatoes, onions, and basil. Lastly, place the Burrata in the center of the dish. You can serve on its own or serve with a baguette. My family loves to cute up a baguette and toast it up in the oven for added crunch! Enjoy!

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