Three Delicious Backyard BBQ Recipes You've Got to Try

I wrote an earlier post about hosting a backyard BBQ meet-and-greet for my brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law's bridal party. In my section about food, I mentioned a few recipes that are delicious for any backyard BBQ. They're staples in my family and are usually a go-to side dish of mine when thinking about what to bring to a family cookout. The best parts: they feed a lot of people and they're cheap to make. One's savory and two are sweet (and really could be considered desserts), but you really can't go wrong in terms of flavor with these three dishes. Try them out next time you're asked to bring a side dish and enjoy!

Grandma's Macaroni Salad
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Serves 5 (I usually double this recipe for a cook out)

• 4 cups cooked elbow macaroni (2 cups or 1/2 lb. uncooked)
• 1 1/2 cup sliced celery
• 1/2 cup chopped scallion
• 5-6 sliced radishes (optional)
• half of a green pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cucumber, sliced and chopped
• 2 hard boiled eggs, sliced and chopped
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• 2 teaspoons mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon celery seeds (don't sub in celery salt)
• 1 1/2 - 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil. When boiling, add in your macaroni and cook until it is al dente. You don't want to overcook your macaroni. As the noodles sit in the dressing you're going to make, they will continue to absorb moisture and soften up. Once they're al dente, strain and let macaroni COMPLETELY cool. 

2. Chop all veggies and eggs and set aside. 

3. Mix together the mayo, vinegar, mustard, celery seeds, salt, and pepper. Set aside. (Note - this will taste pretty vinegar-y at first. Don't worry, it'll mellow out)

4. Pour dressing over cooled macaroni. Add in (almost) all veggies and mix all ingredients together. 

5. I leave a few veggies, especially cucumber and radishes, and some sliced hard boiled egg aside to garnish the top and make it look pretty. 

6. Refrigerate until ready to serve. 

Watergate Salad
Prep Time: 1 hour
Serves 8

• 2 (8 ounce) cans of crushed pineapple, undrained
• 1 box instant pistachio pudding mix
• 1 (12 oz.) container of Cool Whip, frozen (it's not going to be rock solid, but it needs to have been in the freezer before mixing)
• 1 cup marshmallows (optional)
• 2 bananas, sliced
• 1 small container blueberries

1. In a large bowl, stir crushed pineapple and pistachio pudding mix until well combined. 

2. Fold in Cool Whip. 

3. Fold in fruit. 

4. Refrigerate for one hour to combine flavors and continue to refrigerate before serving. 

Snickers Caramel Apple Salad
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Feeds 12

• 6 apples, cored and sliced (I like granny smith as my primary apple, but usually throw in a red apple or two if I've got it)
• 6 Snickers bars, cut into bite sized pieces
• 1 box instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 (12 oz.) container of Cool Whip
• 1 cup marshmallows (optional)
• 1/2 cup caramel sauce

1. Whisk together pudding mix and milk in a large bowl. Fold in the Cool Whip. 

2. Fold in chopped apples, Snickers, and marshmallows.

3. Drizzle caramel sauce over the top.

4. Refrigerate until ready to serve.