The sun's out, which means it's time to fire up the barbecue and get grilling. If you're not sure what to serve at a summer barbecue or are looking for some extra menu inspiration, we're here to help with delicious recipes that will turn your celebration up a notch and have everybody coming back for seconds… or thirds.

Charred prawns on skewers with lime. Image via Gourmet Traveller.

Starters and sides

The best kind of party starter is a quick-cook appetiser you can throw on your countertop barbecue as guests arrive, and these charred prawn skewers are just the ticket. Grilled corn is a barbecue staple, and we love how Curtis Stone adds chilli butter, coriander and feta to his barbecued corn with feta for extra flavour. Matt Moran's charred broccolini and haloumi with chickpeas and harissa is perfect for serving alongside your mains and hearty enough to double as a meal for plant-based friends. Round it all out with a seasonal summer salad of grilled peach, tomato and labne with crispy flatbread.

Charred broccolini and haloumi with chickpeas and harissa. Image via Delicious.

 

The main event

Hands up if you love chicken? Neil Perry's crowd-pleasing barbecue chicken wings with spicy tomato sauce are blanched before being thrown on the barbie, making them incredibly tender. A whole barbecued fish (choose whatever looks freshest on the day) is surprisingly simple and makes for a striking visual centrepiece if you're planning a sit-down lunch—just be sure to serve it on a beautiful platter. If you're catering to vegetarians, smoky chargrilled eggplant with yoghurt sauce is a dish everyone can get behind.

Whole barbecued fish with lemon. Image via Gourmet Traveller.

Fans of Korean barbecue should give Adam Liaw's Korean sticky lamb ribs with pa muchim a go. You'll need to marinate the ribs the night before, but they are quick and easy to cook once your guests arrive. If you're planning a long, lazy day in the sun, American-style barbecue requires a few hours in your smoker, and the results are well worth the wait. This recipe for dry-rubbed, big-flavoured Kansas City pork ribs is guaranteed to impress.

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Korean sticky lamb ribs with pa muchim. Image via SBS Food.

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Something sweet

If you thought plain old trifle was the ultimate Aussie holiday dessert, we've got three words for you: barbecued mango trifle. This show-stopping sweet combines all of our favourite summer traditions. For a dessert that requires a little less prep, look no further than barbecued peaches with brown sugar glaze and ice cream. Yum.

Barbecued mango trifle. Image via Delicious.