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Celebrate the season with the best Gluten Free Summer Recipes at your next barbecue. These mouthwatering appetizers, grilled main dishes, sides, desserts, and more will make every cookout delicious, even for those that can’t have wheat or gluten!
Gluten Free Summer Recipes for a BBQ
Whether summer is just starting or you are hanging on to those last few warm days and nights, you know you are getting together with friends and family, and firing up the grill. As long as you avoid the buns and macaroni salad, you’d think navigating a cookout would be easy for us gluten free folks. But there are some pitfalls to watch out for. Here are my top three tips when attending a barbecue this summer.
Tips to Avoid Being Glutened at a Barbecue
- Be careful with dips – double-dipping takes on a new meaning when you have to avoid gluten. Make and label your own snack platter so you can enjoy veggies, chips, and dips.
- Always ask – some brands of burgers and hot dogs contain fillers with gluten, and people often marinate them in soy sauce or beer. So be sure you know what’s going on the grill.
- BYO means more than just drinks – yes, you might want to bring some wine or hard cider since you can’t have beer. But if you have any gluten free side dishes you just can’t live without at a barbecue, bring your own so you know it’s safe.
The other solution is just to host your own summer parties where you can control the menu.
What do you serve at a BBQ party?
You want your summer appetizers and cocktails cool and as easy to make as they are to eat. Gluten free side dishes like potato salad and coleslaw are perfect because it’s easy to make a big batch to feed a big gathering of friends or family. And salads are amazing because of all the fresh produce at the farmers’ market this time of the year. When it comes to gluten free summer dinner recipes, it’s all about the grill. Grilled chicken, burgers, or steaks on the grill become staples.
Of course, we can’t forget the sweet stuff. No-bake desserts satisfy the sweet tooth while keeping you and your kitchen cool. Cookies, bars, and brownies feed a crowd. Plus, like seasonal vegetables, fresh summer fruit takes fruity desserts to new levels of deliciousness.
And yes, there are easy ways to make all of these summer dishes gluten free!
60+ Gluten Free Summer Recipes for a Barbecue
Here are so many of your favorite summer barbecue recipes, all naturally gluten free or easily made without gluten. You can definitely enjoy a full cookout spread this summer when you get together with family and friends.
Gluten Free Picnic Appetizers and Cocktails
Grab some veggies and corn tortilla chips for the dips to add to your other snacks and gluten free appetizers for your summer parties are a breeze. Then mix up some refreshing cocktails to enjoy with your hors oeuvres.
The classic snack gets a lighter, protein-packed makeover with no mayo.
Kids of all ages will love to dig into this fun veggie platter.
This cool and creamy kicked-up dip packs tons of flavor.
Easy and fresh, and you can even spoon it on top of your barbecue chicken or even burgers.
The all-time favorite dip gets a lighter makeover that's just as creamy and delicious.
An easy appetizer that is a fun way to eat your salad.
A classic made easy and healthy with only three ingredients.
Sneaky greens in this cheesy, creamy hummus-like dip.
A classic gets spiced up even more.
Add sweet and sassy flavors to the classic cocktail, with bursts of lemon, grapefruit, and lime.
A summer drink that blends the classic gin cocktail with everyone’s favorite white wine punch.
A crisp and refreshing combination of two favorite drinks into one tropical cocktail.
Gluten Free Grilled Main Dishes
Pick up a package of your favorite brand of gluten free buns or make your own hamburger buns for your favorite burhgers and dogs. And you can't go wrong with the deliciousness of perfectly cooked beef or chicken on the grill. As long as you don't use beer or soy sauce or other gluten-containing ingredients in your marinades, sauces, or rubs, then you are good to go.
Tender and juicy bites of chicken are marinated with garlic, lemon juice, herbs and more, then stacked up on a skewer and grilled.
Creamy blue cheese and perfectly spicy seasoned meat make these a drool-worthy dinner option.
Stuffed with caramelized onions and topped with cheese for an epic burger.
Add some Indian flair to your barbecue with these tasty drumsticks.
Travel to the Mediterranean without leaving your backyard.
Your basic dogs will never taste the same when you've added this flavor-packed trifecta.
The perfect amount of caramelization for a sweet and smoky crust and a perfectly tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
So simple and versatile, this easy yogurt-based marinade can be made with any herbs you have on hand.
Add some South American flair and a bit of spice.
An easy marinade with exotic citrus flavors infuses juicy drumsticks that you can toss on the grill.
A simple marinade with only five ingredients adds incredible flavor.
Transform the classic Italian comfort food recipe into a juicy hamburger topped with tomato sauce and cheese you can serve on a roll or a portabello mushroom.
Gluten Free BBQ Side Dishes and Salads
Yes, you can definitely make your favorite pasta salad or macaroni salad with gluten free pasta. But there are tons of other options too. From grilled vegetables to corn on the cob to baked beans, many summer sides are already gluten free.
A semi-homemade secret makes these beans super easy and extra delicious.
A sweet and tangy twist on the picnic classic.
This creamy, delicious, and healthy summer side dish comes together in a snap, cooking the eggs and potatoes together in an electric pressure cooker.
Lightened-up with Greek yogurt, plus a bright and fresh twist with the addition of pineapple, macadamia nuts, and sharp cheddar cheese.
Simple and butter, just toss them on the grill or over a campfire.
Snickers salad gets a healthier makeover that is just as sweet and delicious.
Adding zucchini noodles to the combination of tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil is a simple way to put a new twist on this classic salad.
The traditional street corn recipe gets a South American twist with a spicy aji sauce.
You only need a couple of ingredients to dress up your basic grilled veggies.
A classic, creamy side that compliments all sorts of summer dishes.
Bursting with fresh cherry tomatoes, juicy cucumber slices, tangy feta cheese and more, with a zesty garlic lemon dressing that will have everyone reaching for seconds.
Toss zucchini noodles, tomatoes, olives, and feta in a bright and zesty lemon and oregano dressing.
So fresh and flavorful to highlight the best produce of the season.
Add a little extra zesty flavor to your fresh grilled corn.
Made with gluten free pasta and lots of colorful ingredients, this salad has a kicked-up zesty flavor.
Make your basic potato salad even better with these favorite flavors.
A sweet and savory tropical twist on the classic picnic side dish that is lightened-up with Greek yogurt.
With all the tasty additions of apples, dried cranberries, and cheddar cheese, it might even get the kids eating their veggies.
Gluten Free Desserts for Summer Parties
These easy recipes prove you don't have to be intimidated by gluten free desserts. From flourless brownies and cookies to simple parfaits, and even a few cakes to bake, there is something anyone can make and everyone will enjoy. And when in doubt, make ice cream, even if it is to serve over blueberry cobbler!
This classic dessert recipe combines soft buttermilk sweet biscuits, juicy strawberries, and homemade whipped cream into one ultra-satisfying treat.
An easy dessert made with a thick layer of creamy lemon filling on top of a zesty gluten-free shortbread crust.
You’ll fall in love with the flavors and textures of this fruity summer treat.
These easy, peanut buttery cookies will bring back childhood memories.
Rich and fudgy, these brownies are super easy and extra delicious with that perfect crackly top.
Moist vanilla cupcakes are loaded with bits and pieces of chocolate sandwich cookies and topped with a creamy Oreo frosting.
One of the most classic summertime combos.
So many options to make this as healthy or as indulgent as you wish.
Crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside, these are fully-loaded with peanut butter, oats, chocolate chips, and M&M candies.
These rich, fudgy squares with chunky walnuts, gooey marshmallows, and a thick layer of chocolate frosting are the ultimate splurge-worthy dessert.
Check out the sneaky crust in these magical bars that make a campfire unnecessary.
Simple to make, pretty to look at, and yummy to eat.
Hershey bar pudding and marshmallow meringue make this an over-the-top dessert.
With swirls of peanut butter and peanut butter cups, these are for serious chocolate and peanut butter lovers.
Anything tastes better when it is dipped in chocolate, and we all know rainbow sprinkles make everything more fun.
A simple and fun treat to dunk into some whipped cream or even cheesecake dip.
A rich and tasty twist on those fully loaded cookies.
A sweet and flavorful strawberry filling is topped with a buttery, crumbly streusel topping for a fresh and summery treat.
Creamy, dreamy, and filled with juicy peaches.
Filled with just the right amount of melty chocolate, they come together in just 15 minutes and will make your heart skip a beat.
Swirls of caramel and cheesecake plus crunchy pecans make these irresistible.
