This Backyard BBQ Graze Board is made with easy and healthy summer recipes that are allergy-friendly and ideal for all your summertime needs. Make them all for a complete meal, or pick your favorites for a simple platter perfect for snacking! Vegan options.
The Graze Board Craze!
Your Backyard BBQ Just Got More Fun and Delicious! Nothing quite says summertime like a backyard barbecue, and what’s a barbecue without easy summer recipes? Of course, you can always serve the traditional hotdogs and burgers, and potato salad, but why not switch things up a bit? Instead, impress your guests with a full spread! I promise it’s not as intimidating as it sounds. Plus, it’s an easy way to make sure you include food to fit everyone’s needs whether that means serving vegan recipes, gluten-free options, or Whole30 meals.
Plus, leftovers make for great meal prep! However, you can make your bbq charcuterie board as big or as small as possible. Choose to serve all the recipes below, or pick out a few of your favorites. No matter how you choose to serve these healthy summer recipes, your guests will be talking about them for weeks.
Check out all the recipes to find your favorites, and get ready for the best summer BBQ ever!
How to Create a Backyard BBQ Graze Board with Healthy Summer Recipes
I know creating a graze board or table can seem like a daunting task, but it can easily be broken down into simple steps! First, decide how many items you want to serve. I recommend using at least 5. Then, start with your meat or protein sources, and choose accompanying sides and toppings. After cooking, assemble your ingredients starting with the protein sources and sides. Build out the display filling in any empty spaces with condiments, crackers, and desserts.
Main Dishes
These main dishes are fun twists on classic summer BBQ recipes!
Sweet and Spicy Sriracha Meatballs – Super easy to make ahead or the day of, these meatballs are the perfect poppable appetizer. Paleo and whole 30 options!
BBQ Baked Salmon – Make this BBQ Baked Salmon ahead of time to take your BBQ to the next level this summer.
Baked Salmon with Chipotle Peach Salsa – Ready in minutes, your guests will rave over this pepper smoked salmon
Crockpot Chicken Salad Sliders – Made with gluten-free ingredients, this Chicken Salad recipe is flavorful, tangy, and protein-packed!
Shredded Chicken – The perfect protein source for all your favorite condiments, this Shredded Chicken can be made in the Crockpot, Instant Pot, on the stove, or in an air fryer.
Garlic Herb Pan Fried Cod Cakes – These cod cakes are full of healthy fats and nutrients for a healthy appetizer or easy meal. Whole 30 friendly!
Sides, Salads, & Snacks
Forget about bland pasta salads and stale chips for good with these nourishing summer snacks.
BBQ Baked Rutabaga Chips – A nourishing alternative to potato chips, these BBQ Baked Rutabaga Chips are budget-friendly, kid-friendly, paleo, and vegan!
Gluten-Free Crackers and Chips – Easy to grab from just about any grocery store and perfect for kids of all ages looking for a crunch.
Green Goddess Vegan Pasta Salad – Unlike traditional pasta salads that are bland and full of dairy, this Green Goddess Vegan Pasta Salad is allergy-friendly and loaded with flavor.
Three Herb Tomato Zucchini Salad – The perfect summer BBQ recipe, this Tomato and Zucchini Salad is made with fresh, seasonal vegetables for the perfect paleo, vegan, and Whole30-friendly addition to any meal.
Tomatoes and mozzarella – For an easy side dish that is low carb and delicious, slice up some tomatoes for a tomato and mozzarella salad!
Dips
You can’t have a BBQ charcuterie board without all the best dips. Whether you prefer to dunk, drizzle, or smother, we’ve got the perfect dip for you.
Pineapple Watermelon Salsa – Made with seasonal fruit and veggies, this Pineapple Watermelon Salsa is the perfect combination of sweet and spicy to add to chips, grilled meat, and more!
Honey Chipotle Peach Salsa – Made in a matter of minutes, this Honey Chipotle Peach Salsa provides a delicious smoky flavor along with sweet, juicy peaches.
Sweet and Spicy Fresh Salsa – Full of jalapeño, grapes, and cucumbers, this Sweet and Spicy Fresh Salsa is the perfect salsa for dipping! Low fodmap friendly too!
Spicy Vegan Ranch – Not like your average Ranch, this recipe gets its zing from horseradish and can be made in less than 5 minutes! Nightshade free and whole 30 options.
Easy Chimichurri White Bean Hummus – Bursting with flavor, this simple hummus is vegan, gluten-free, and full of incredible health benefits.
Vegan Green Goddess Dressing – Simple and nutritious, there’s nothing that doesn’t pair well with this Vegan Green Goddess Dressing!
Add-Ins & Extras
Don’t forget your condiments! Add even more flavor to your summer dinner recipes with toppings and extras everyone will love.
Homemade Sriracha Sauce – Add a little heat to all your favorite meals with this Homemade Sriracha Sauce! Whole 30 options.
Gluten-Free Rolls or low carb vegan Tortillas – Don’t forget to pick up some gluten-free rolls or wraps as necessary vehicles for all this delicious food.
Condiments (cheese, pickles, sauerkraut, veggies) – Condiments are a crucial piece of any BBQ charcuterie board. Load yours up with all the classics such as cheese slices, sauerkraut, sliced veggies, and more.
Olives – Add little bowls of olives to your BBQ Graze Board to fill in any gaps!
Anti-Inflammatory Pink Pickles – Pink Pickles are great for snacking or topping grilled meats.
Herbs – Basil and Cilantro
Vegan Options
Think you can’t have all-inclusive summer BBQ recipes? Think again! These healthy summer recipes are vegan and delicious to fit all your needs.
Tempeh – Tempeh is a great nutrient-rich, plant-based source of protein that can be prepared in a wide variety of ways!
Vegan Mushroom Meatballs – Gluten-free and delicious, these Vegan Mushroom Meatballs are quick, easy, and delicious!
Greek Quinoa Tabouli Salad – Using quinoa instead of bulgur, this Greek Quinoa Tabouli Salad is the perfect healthy summer recipe
BBQ Tempeh Vegan Quinoa Salad – This BBQ Tempeh Vegan Quinoa Salad makes for a great side dish or a satisfying meal.
Freezable Vegan Veggie Burger – Grain-free and packed with flavor, this Vegan Veggie Burger can be prepped ahead of time in the oven or placed on the grill!
Green Goddess Spiralized Potato Salad – Paleo, vegan, and creamy, this Spiralized Potato Salad is a tasty side dish that’s actually good for you, too.
Chickpea Cookie Dough Dessert Hummus – This Cookie Dough Dessert Hummus tastes so much like the real thing you won’t believe it’s actually good for you!
Tropical Cashew No-Bake Snack Bars – Inspired by Hawaiian flavors, these Cashew No-Bake Snack Bars are vegan, paleo, and perfect for snacks or dessert.
Homemade Gluten-Free Graham Crackers – Made with almond flour, gluten-free oat flour/ oats, and non-dairy milk, these Gluten-Free Graham Crackers are a must-have for every occasion.
Dessert
Don’t forget to add something sweet! Instead of wasting time trying to keep ice cream from melting or serving complicated and crumbly dishes, try serving these poppable treats!
Dark Chocolate Oven-Baked Smores with homemade Marshmallows – Make these Dark Chocolate Smores in the oven for a fireless version of everyone’s favorite summer dessert and take it a step further with easy coconut homemade marshmallows.
Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Vegan Brownies – Make these Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Brownies in 1 bowl for a paleo and kid-friendly treat!
White Chocolate Vegan Rice Crispy Treats – Give original “Rice Krispy Treat” Bars an allergy friendly upgrade. Made with freeze dried berries, coconut butter, maple syrup, and rice cereal, these these are perfect for those who have peanut, gluten, dairy, or egg allergies. Yes, it’s vegan! Because life is too short to miss out on your favorite treats, especially if you have kids living with these allergies.
Best Ever Maple Chocolate Chip Cookies – A slight twist on a traditional recipe, these Maple Chocolate Chip Cookies are a lower-sugar, gluten-free, and dairy-free dessert for all your guests.
Common Questions about Graze Boards
How do you eat from a BBQ cutting board?
The easiest way to eat from a BBQ cutting board is to just use your fingers! For easy eating, spear foods with toothpicks. Or, include small plates and silverware for your guests, and serve the summer recipes buffet-style.
What do I need for a BBQ charcuterie board?
To create a BBQ charcuterie board, feel free to get as fancy as you like. Or, keep it simple if you prefer. To start, you’ll need to gather either a board or table along with plates and platters to serve the summer bbq recipes. Then, add silverware and fill in any gaps with decorations if you like. Find more on how to make a snack board here.
What can I use for a BBQ Graze board or table?
If you’re creating a board, you don’t have to buy anything fancy! Feel free to use a chopping board, a slate board, a serving board, or a tray.
Or, if you want to create a BBQ grazing table, any table you have available will work! Whether it’s your kitchen table, a foldable table, or something else, as long as you have enough room to place your food, it’ll work.
How can I make a BBQ Graze board suitable for those with severe allergies?
To avoid severe allergic reactions, I recommend creating a special allergy-friendly section of your board or table using a different platter or a colored cutting board.
Even more food boards and platters
- Snack Board Ideas for Dinner
- 4 Healthy Charcuterie Boards for Brunch
- Air Fried Vegetables Snack Platter
- Homemade Vegan Ranch Dressing & Snack Platter
BBQ Graze Board & Easy Summer Recipes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 5–7 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
While you can add just about anything to your Summer BBQ Graze Board, here are a few of our favorite nourishing summertime dishes to get you started!
Ingredients
Main Dish
- 3 to 4 cups gluten free pasta salad (vegan)
- 2 cups no mayo chicken salad
- 20 Meatballs (vegan)
- 8 ounces BBQ Tempeh
- 6 Sausage (paleo or vegan)
- 6 – 8 ounces BBQ salmon
Dips & Salsas
- 1 cup of multiple salsas (pineapple watermelon salsa, peach salsa)
- 1/2 cup homemade dips (vegan ranch, homemade sriracha)
- 2/3 cup hummus
Snacks
- Gluten free seed crackers or veggie chips
- 1/4 cup each of other fixings of choice (cheese, pickles, sauerkraut, veggies, olives)
- 5–8 gluten-free rolls or coconut flour wraps
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup olives, tomatoes, and/or mozzarella balls
- fresh herbs
- veggies for dipping. Ex: Snap peas, celery, cucumber, mini bell peppers, etc.
Instructions
- Gather a large platter or cutting board and multiple small dishes. Add the dips and spreads to the small bowls. See notes.
- Next, gather all of the ingredients and arrange the largest items first.
- Next, nestle in the dip bowls.
- Finally, fill in the remaining space with smaller foods and cover any holes or gaps with fruit, garnishes, or any extras.
Notes
You can also use the table as your board. Simply lay a runner or tablecloth down to act as your “board” and fill as instructed above. This is meant to be fun and whimsical.
- Prep Time: 30
- Category: main dish
- Method: n/a
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: snack board, graze board, dinner board, no cook dinner, no bake, side dish, main dish, bbq, bbq snack board
What are you serving at your backyard BBQ? Let me know in the comments below!
Cheers,
LC
OMG! I love all these! Thank you so much!
★★★★★
Let me know if you try it out this summer 👍
I made the salsa and the pasta salad and they were both incredible! I am saving this post for sure.
★★★★★
Awesome! So glad that worked out Tatum!