Enjoy the taste of summer with these easy BBQ ideas

Grab your grilling tongs and cook up summer memories with these simple, no fuss BBQ ideas every guest can enjoy.

Grill your favourite cut of meat

You don’t have to be an expert or even a cooking enthusiast to serve mouth-watering food for BBQs this summer. Dig into our range of 100% British meats for sizzling options that you can serve with your favourite side dishes, or hot off the coals.

Whether you’re racing against the clock or strapped for ideas, our high quality meat cuts give you multiple benefits. Your tastebuds will enjoy more natural flavours, less preservatives and dishes bursting with aromatic goodness in less time.

Still don’t know where to begin? Sling on your apron and choose from our Irresistible Hereford Beef Burgers and Co-op British Quarter Pounders – food for BBQs that’s fast but nourishing. Our Irresistible Pork Sausages stay true to their name, and grilling them is just as easy as coming back for seconds.

Don’t forget that our extensive steak selection has even more easy BBQ ideas at your fingertips. Treat your loved one to something special this Father’s Day, and prepare our
Co-op Irresistible Twin Rump Steaks and Co-op Skinny Fries. Easy, high quality and delicious, you’ll never want to eat out again.

Use the finger method below on any type of steak. It will help judge if you’ve cooked it just right and avoid having to cut into the meat.

Here’s how: touch the tip of your right index finger to the tip of your right thumb. Now, press your left index finger into the palm of your hand, at the base of your right thumb. The firmness you feel, is similar to a rare steak. Depending on how done you want your steak, use the list below.

Medium rare – Press middle finger and thumb.

Medium – Press ring finger and thumb.

Well done –  Press little finger and thumb.

Remember to let your meat rest for around five minutes after cooking so that it stays juicy.

Smokey and savoury vegetarian and vegan options

Gone are the days when meat ruled the BBQ. Now there are countless vegetarian and vegan options that grace the grill and capture the flavour of summer.

Just like our meat selection, our produce gives you no-fuss and easy BBQ ideas to crown your burger buns, plates and smouldering charcoal. Working with British farmers also means that our veggie and vegan selection is bursting with local flavour.

Sink your teeth into our Gro Incredible Burger for savoury flavours that linger long after the last bite. Don’t mind a bit of prepping? Follow our straightforward vegan burger recipe and plant your patties on the grill for some flame-broiled goodness.

Get three recipes in one by whipping up our tomato houmous with crackers. Perfect as a dip or for making your choice of burger even more filling. Don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater, so to speak. Hold onto the aquafaba (chickpea water) and use the golden liquid to make silky and delicious vegan mayonnaise.

Move those side dishes into the limelight 

Salads and grilled vegetables can be meals in their own right, making them refreshing and versatile additions to summer food for BBQs.

Rustle up our grilled courgette, radicchio, olive and butter bean salad in a flash. Great for vegans, vegetarians and anyone who fancies a bit of nutrition on their plate.

If you prefer lounging in the shade to running the grill, then stay cool with uncomplicated cold options, such as our spicy Moroccan-style Cous-Cous salad. Our vitamin-rich salad options can also be shaken into a bowl and topped with a simple olive oil and lemon dressing, saving on time and boosting flavour.

For maximum taste and value, grill vegetables that are in-season. Summer produce includes colourful, British-grown fare such as beetroot, courgettes, radishes, tomatoes, aubergines and cabbage.

Eat them warm from the BBQ, or soak them like our Italian-style marinated courgettes. This way, you can munch on them as a snack or as a smoky and sweet addition to your next meal.

Look after your sweet tooth

There are more kinds of food for BBQs than the savoury kind. Did you know that your grill can also make dessert? Chuck some of our pineapple chunks onto the BBQ for sweet and tangy conversation starters. If you’re after something simple yet delicious, then nibble on our Co-op strawberries and raspberries. Treat yourself further by tucking your spoon into one of our soft and cooling ice cream options, such as our 4 Billionaire’s Cone, Irresistible Venezuelan Chocolate Ice Cream and Fruity Swirly Pops.

Give your cookbook a rest and crack on with these easy BBQ ideas, perfect for lunch and tea.