How to serve up great BBQ ideas

Who doesn’t want to win at BBQ? When you have a few tips, you can save yourself from burned blah and watch the compliments roll in. With help from our food and drink experts, we’ll take you through great ideas on how to throw the best BBQ ever.

Ready to master some of the best flavours from around the world along the way? Yes, Chef. The BBQ is yours to command.

Section 1 – Welcome drinks

Welcome drinks to set the mood

Let’s kick off with a light, refreshing drinks ideas to get everyone going. To wow a crowd, pop open Co-op Irresistible Prosecco.

Our multi award-winning fizz is a brilliant aperitif – light, fresh and superb with canapés (more on those later). For something you can sip during mains too, pour a versatile rosé, like Co-op Irresistible Solo Pale Rosé. This great value dry rosé is a brilliant aperitif that pairs beautifully with BBQ food like grilled chicken and salad.

Don’t forget something alcohol-free. Co-op Irresistible Elderflower Presse is sophisticated enough for adults (try adding a sprig of fresh mint), but still sweet enough to be a hit with kids.

Section 2 – Nibbles

Nibbles made easy from West to East

While the BBQ’s firing up, bring on the nibbles. For ease, have a selection you can simply pop on a serving dish. And if you’re feeling creative, prep simple canapes too. They can be a doddle.

For super-simple BBQ ideas when it comes to crowd-pleasing faves, our new tapas platter delivers the flavours of Spain and The Netherlands. Think pitted green olives, juicy sun-warmed tomatoes and aged gouda cheese.

And why not open new Irresistible Chicken Shawarma Crisps, with warming spices and a kick of chilli? While our legendary hand cooked Sea Salt & Chardonnay Wine Vinegar Crisps are just the thing to accompany an aperitif.

For easy but seriously impressive canapés, take our sea salt & black pepper crackers top with rich, creamy Co-op soft cheese and add a dainty square of cucumber on top. Or pop on smoked salmon with a squeeze of lemon and grind of pepper. Or a slice of charcuterie like Co-op Spanish sliced chorizo.

Section 3 – Mains

BBQ mains with impressive global flavours

Think BBQ ideas and it’s hard not to think of burgers. Take yours from basic to brilliant, with our Irresistible Hereford Beef Rib & Smoked Brisket Burger.

Brisket is a staple of any authentic Texan BBQ party, and ours is 100% British meat. It’s lean meat delicately marbled with fat for a juicier munch! Go all-out Texan with grilled corn cobs (dot with paprika, butter and lime).

Need to impress your plant-based foodies? Try grilling GRO Plant Burgers, our tender plant-based soy protein heroes. To really impress, go Middle Eastern. Pop them in a toasted pitta with lettuce, tomatoes – or any salad veg you like – and add a dollop of hummus and dash of chilli sauce.

And to really impress, take your chicken to Thailand! Thai BBQ is incredibly popular from Bangkok to the South, where grilled meat inside coconut shells adds a subtle added flavour. It’s worth a go. Or simply pick up our Sweet Chilli Chicken Kebabs, then pair with Thai rice. That’s cooked rice with a squeeze of lime, lashings of coriander and a dash of Thai fish sauce.

Section 4 – Sides

Moreish sides to complete any BBQ menu

For great BBQ ideas for sides, let’s start with the easy but impressive Whipped Feta with Grilled Veggies, packed with Hellenic flavours and made in minutes. It’s even gluten-free.

Remember those Brisket Burgers? Pair them with Texan Potato Salad, just like the Texans. Your guests will be delighted (and probably secretly relieved) to see a twist on the classic ‘potato + mayo’ salad. This one’s incredibly fresh with pickles, aromatic dill, mint, parsley and coriander and more besides!

Or go all-out with incredible new flavours. Co-op Bombay Potato Salad brings together cooked baby potatoes, spring onion, onion and apricots in a spiced mango chutney, mayonnaise and yogurt dressing. It’s like adding a little slice of India to your BBQ party.

Section 5 – Desserts

Desserts that truly delight

By now you’ve bossed the BBQ and delighted your guests with fresh flavours based on global grill traditions. Let’s seal the BBQ food deal with perfect puds. Here’s two we think really fit the bill.

Just want to open the freezer door? No shame here, indulge in new Co-op Fairtrade Neapolitan Cones. Scrumptious chocolate, vanilla and strawberry soft serve ice cream with lashings of chocolate flavour sauce. They’re. Seriously. Good.

Or for a classic BBQ dessert, home-made Maple-Glazed Pineapple Lollies, are sweet, fruity and done in 10. Add a splash of spiced rum for a Caribbean twist.

For lots more BBQ ideas, head to our BBQ recipes or pop in store and see what’s new.