Garden – Al Fresco Dining at Home: 7 Easy BBQ Recipes That Don’t Need a Grill

There’s nothing quite like the joy of al fresco dining during the warmer months – the scent of sizzling food, the clink of glasses, the laughter of friends and family echoing across the garden. 

But what if you don’t own a grill or the unpredictable British weather plays spoilsport? 

Worry not – you can still enjoy BBQ-inspired dishes without firing up the barbie. Here are seven easy BBQ recipes that bring the flavours of summer to your plate, no grill required.

1. Oven-Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs

Juicy, sticky, and full of smoky flavour – these chicken thighs are baked to perfection in the oven. Marinate in your favourite BBQ sauce with a touch of smoked paprika, garlic, and honey, then roast until caramelised and golden. Serve with coleslaw and buttered corn for the full experience.

2. BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Sliders

For a plant-based twist on pulled pork, try jackfruit. Cook tinned young green jackfruit in a skillet with onions, garlic, and a smoky BBQ sauce. Shred with a fork and serve in soft brioche buns with crunchy slaw and pickles. Ideal for garden parties and meat-free Mondays alike.

3. Smoky BBQ Chickpea Salad

Toss roasted chickpeas in a blend of smoked paprika, cumin, and garlic powder for a crispy protein-packed topping to your summer salad. Mix with grilled halloumi (pan-fried indoors!), rocket, roasted peppers, and a drizzle of lemon tahini dressing for a bright, bold dish.

4. BBQ Cauliflower ‘Wings’

Cauliflower florets tossed in a spicy BBQ batter and baked until crisp are a real crowd-pleaser. Coat them in more sauce and pop them under the grill for a final blast of heat. Serve with a ranch dip and celery sticks for an irresistible finger food.

5. Foil Packet BBQ Veggies

No grill? No problem. Wrap chopped courgettes, peppers, mushrooms, and red onions in foil with a drizzle of oil, a splash of vinegar, and your favourite BBQ seasoning. Bake in the oven or cook over a hob-friendly griddle pan. Bonus – barely any washing up.

6. BBQ Sausage & Pepper Skillet

Use a heavy-based frying pan to sizzle your favourite sausages alongside strips of sweet red and yellow peppers, onions, and a glug of BBQ sauce. It’s like a summer kebab – no skewers required. Serve with flatbreads and yoghurt-mint dip.

7. BBQ Bean-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Roast whole sweet potatoes until tender, then split and stuff with a warm mix of BBQ baked beans, grated cheddar, and spring onions. Top with sour cream or vegan alternative for an effortless and filling BBQ-inspired dish.

Tips for an Al Fresco BBQ Vibe Without the Grill

Serve picnic-style with colourful bowls, gingham napkins, and string lights.

Infuse your drinks with fresh herbs like mint or rosemary for a garden-to-glass touch.

Add a smoky note using smoked paprika, liquid smoke, or chipotle chilli paste in your recipes.

Play some laid-back tunes to set the summer mood.

You don’t need a grill to enjoy BBQ favourites. With these simple, flavour-packed recipes, your garden can be the setting for easy, delicious, and memorable meals all summer long. So dust off your patio table, grab a chilled drink, and tuck in – rain or shine!

Is this the future of barbecuing in the UK?

(That's Food and Drink continues its Barbecue Week feature with this story from the Stone Bake Oven Company. Has the traditional barbecue had its day? Read on. And please let other readers know your opinion by commenting on the story.)

‘Out with the old BBQ and in with a wood fired oven!' Say many lifestyle magazines, and why not? With the ability to grill, roast, sear, bake and more, it seems the BBQ might be losing its charm as outdoor pizza ovens start to replace them in the market place for the ultimate al fresco dining experience. 

With the Stone Bake Oven Company proving how easy wood fired cooking can be, with online recipes, cook along videos, hints, tips and more, the fan base of pizza ovens seems to be growing.

Once seen as an expensive Italian luxury, the Stone Bake Oven Company feels it has now made these as affordable for every budget, with a range of stone bake ovens for sale, varying in size and for outdoor and indoor installation. The Stone Bake Oven Company are proving to be a one-stop-shop for ovens, wood fired accessories, advice, and stocks a range of iron cookware.

Thinking of junking the BBQ? The Stone Bake Oven Company feels this makes sense, a wood fired oven can cook a broader range of food items, act as an outdoor heater, meet the grilling demands of a BBQ and what's more, exceed them with exceptional flavours, too.

Tom Gozney is the company founder and expresses himself to be amazed at the popularity of their most affordable oven, the Primo, “it seems everyone wants one! They are taking the market by storm as they are both affordable and compact enough to fit virtually every outdoor space.”

By burning only wood, wood fired ovens are seen as a greener alternative to conventional cooking means, and appear to be a natural progression for alfresco dining in an increasingly green conscious world.

For details, recipes, ovens and accessories visit them at www.thestonebakeovencompany.co.uk.