Host the Best Summer Cookout

Summertime is full of fun, sunshine and opportunities to spend time with loved ones. Hosting a cookout is a fantastic way to show off your grilling skills and treat your friends and family to a great time. Share conversation and make memories together gathered around some savory grilled food and the sweetest desserts. If you are looking for ideas for a summer cookout, we’ve collected some of the best summertime recipes to make your gathering a hit.

Summer Side Dishes for a Cookout

Delicious summer foods are 57% of people’s favorite part of the season and summertime is a fantastic opportunity to impress your friends and family with your grilling skills. You may have your main course already planned, but what about the delicious side dishes? From savory to zesty, you can make your guests’ taste buds water with the recipes we’ve gathered here:

Sausage, Pineapple and Red Onion Kebabs

Everyone loves a great kebab at a cookout. These sausage, pineapple and red onion kebabs bring together the perfect combination of savory meat, sweet pineapple and spicy peppers on a stick. To make this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

One package of Premio Sweet Italian Sausage
20-ounce can of drained pineapple chunks
1 ½ teaspoon chili powder
1 ½ tablespoon dark or light brown sugar
½ teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper
½ teaspoon ground cumin
3 tablespoons olive oil
Two medium-size red or green sweet bell peppers
Two medium-size red onions

Place the Premio sausage on a plate in the freezer for 15-20 minutes until it is firm but not fully frozen. Cut the sausage into half-inch or three-quarter chunks and set them aside. Combine the chili powder, brown sugar, cumin, sea salt, pepper and olive oil in a medium-size bowl and toss the sausage in the mixture to coat it. Preheat your grill to a medium-high temperature.

Cut the onions in half and then cut each half into four separate pieces. Repeat this step for the peppers after removing the seeds. Toss the pineapple chunks, pepper chunks and onion pieces in a medium-size bowl with 1 tablespoon of olive oil until they are fully coated. Thread the sausage, pineapple, peppers and onions onto six to eight skewers and place them on the grill.

Turn the skewers every two to three minutes until they turn light brown. Check the sausage to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165 F.

Makes 6-8 servings

Sausage Dip

Chips and dip are cookout favorites. Spice up your gathering with a savory sausage dip. To make this recipe, you will need these ingredients:

1 pound of Premio Mild Italian Sausage
Two 8-ounce cream cheese blocks
Two 10-ounce cans of tomatoes with green chilies
½ teaspoon garlic powder
Pinch of salt

Saute the sausage over medium heat until it becomes dark brown, then drain the fat. Always cook sausage to a minimum temperature of 160 F. Place the sausage, cream cheese, tomatoes, salt and garlic powder in a slow cooker. Leave it to simmer on low for three to four hours or until the ingredients meld together.

Makes 6-8 servings

Cheesy BBQ Sausage Bites

Cheesy BBQ sausage bites are perfect bite-size side dishes for a summer cookout. To make these fun snacks, you will need the following:

One 16-ounce package of Premio Sweet Italian Sausage with the casings removed
¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
12 slices of bacon
1 ½ cups barbecue sauce

Mix Premio sausage with the cheddar and mozzarella cheese, then divide the mixture into 12 rolled balls. Wrap a piece of bacon around each ball and secure it with a toothpick.

Cook the sausage bites on the grill over medium-high heat until the sausage reaches an internal temperature of 160 F and the bacon is crisp and brown. Remove the bites from the grill and brush them with barbecue sauce. Allow them to sit for three minutes, then serve them immediately.

Makes 12 servings

Zesty Grilled Corn on the Cob

Corn on the cob is a classic summer cookout side. To make zesty corn on the cob, you will need:

12 ears of corn
½ stick melted butter
1 tablespoon ranch seasoning

Stir the ranch seasoning into the melted butter and spread it evenly onto each ear of corn. Cook the corn on the grill on high heat for about six to eight minutes, turning it occasionally.

Makes 12 servings

Summer Cookout Desserts

Treat your guests to some sweetness after they enjoy your delicious grilled dishes. Try the following dessert recipes to make your cookout even more fun:

Dark Chocolate Strawberry S’mores

S’mores are the perfect summertime dessert and adding strawberries makes them even sweeter. To make strawberry s’mores, you will need the following ingredients:

Graham crackers
Dark chocolate candy bars
1 cup sliced strawberries
Marshmallows

To make a strawberry s’more, cook a marshmallow over a campfire or a small portable fire pit. Place your toasted marshmallow on a graham cracker with a piece of dark chocolate and two strawberry slices. Top with another graham cracker. Repeat this process for each s’more.

Makes 6-8 servings

Fruit Pizza

Add a sweet fruit pizza to your summer cookout. To make fruit pizza, you will need:

One 16.5-ounce roll of sugar cookie dough
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
⅓ cup sugar
1 cup sliced strawberries
3 sliced kiwis
1/2 cup blueberries
1 cup raspberries

Coat a pizza pan with cooking spray. Press the cookie dough evenly onto it and bake according to the package instructions. Beat the sugar, cream cheese and vanilla together until the mix becomes fluffy. Spread the mixture on the sugar cookie and arrange the fruit on top. For some extra pizzaz, try stirring apricot preserves, orange marmalade or your favorite fruit jelly until it’s smooth and brush it over the fruit.

Refrigerate the pizza for at least one hour until it is fully chilled.

Makes 12 servings

Summer Cookout Ideas

Of course, the food is only one part of a great summer cookout! Consider these tips to give your family and guests the time of their lives:

Decorate your yard with bright and cheerful colors.
Create a fun summertime music playlist.
Provide plenty of comfortable seating for your guests.
Open your pool or set up a sprinkler for the kids.
Fill your yard with fun games such as ladder golf or cornhole boards.
Start a cozy campfire after everyone eats to keep the fun going.

Comment below with some of your favorite summertime cookout activities!