Weeknight dinners don’t have to be the same tired rotation of whatever’s fastest and easiest. When you throw in a little char, smoke, and bold flavor, things start to feel way less routine. These bbq recipe ideas for dinner are loud, messy in the best way, and way more fun than anything involving a microwave. You don’t need a weekend or a backyard bash to throw something on the grill or channel those BBQ vibes. So go ahead—act like it’s Saturday, even if it’s just Tuesday.
Smoked Chicken Legs
These chicken legs hang out in your smoker for a few hours, soaking up serious flavor. You can change the glaze every time, so they’re never boring—even if you grill them on repeat. Great pick when you’re hunting for fresh bbq recipe ideas for dinner that don’t involve burgers.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Legs
Redrock Grilled Shrimp
These shrimp are juicy, grilled fast, and land on your plate with veggies and rice. If you’re tired of steak-heavy nights, this one keeps things light without skipping flavor.
Get the Recipe: Redrock Grilled Shrimp
Baby Back Ribs On A Kettle Grill
Don’t let the kettle fool you—these ribs come out tender enough to rival your favorite BBQ joint. If your dinner plan includes smoky meat and sticky fingers, you’re set.
Get the Recipe: Baby Back Ribs On A Kettle Grill
Grilled Italian Sausage and Onions
Charred sausage, soft onions, and a brioche bun that’s just fancy enough for weeknight grilling. This one earns extra points because it takes almost no effort.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Italian Sausage and Onions
Shredded BBQ Chicken Sliders
These sliders start with rotisserie chicken, which means you’re already winning. Toss it with BBQ sauce and slap it on buns for a meal that’s practically begging to be packed up for a patio dinner.
Get the Recipe: Shredded BBQ Chicken Sliders
BBQ Chicken Sliders
These come together in 30 minutes and bring the sweet and smoky game. That slaw on top? Crunchy magic. Toss them into your bbq recipe ideas for dinner and don’t look back.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Sliders
Grilled Venison Burger
Game meat gets the grill treatment and a little Southern kick. A smart way to switch things up when beef burgers feel too basic.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Venison Burger
Texas Roadhouse Grilled Shrimp
This copycat hits close to the real thing without needing a menu. Serve it up on skewers, keep the sides simple, and you’re golden.
Get the Recipe: Texas Roadhouse Grilled Shrimp
BBQ Chicken Sliders
These sliders come loaded with saucy chicken and zero fuss. Hawaiian rolls keep things soft and sweet, perfect for those nights when you want dinner now.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Sliders
BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders
Pulled pork + crispy onions + coleslaw = all the crunch and flavor you could want. Prepped ahead, these are your new go-to for no-stress cookout dinners.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders
BBQ Baked Pork Chops
Sauce them up, toss them in the oven, and ignore them until dinnertime. These pork chops keep things simple but still feel like a proper BBQ dinner.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Baked Pork Chops
Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pork Ribs
These ribs cook low and slow in a sticky-sweet sauce that makes rice way more exciting. Bonus: you get to top them with pineapple without judgment.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pork Ribs
BBQ Chicken Wings
Glazed and juicy, these wings are a weeknight win. They’re fast, easy, and disappear before you can grab a second batch.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Wings
Alabama White BBQ Sauce
Creamy, tangy, and built for grilled meat, this sauce does wonders for your usual BBQ chicken. Try it once and you’ll keep a jar in your fridge forever.
Get the Recipe: Alabama White BBQ Sauce
BBQ Chicken
You just need chicken, BBQ sauce, and maybe 30 minutes. Grill it, bake it—doesn’t matter. You’re getting a solid dinner either way.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken
Huli Huli Ribs
Think Hawaiian BBQ with sticky, charred ribs that fall apart in the best way. The marinade does most of the work, so you don’t have to.
Get the Recipe: Huli Huli Ribs
