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Every summertime potluck and outdoor party needs appetizers! This collection of BBQ appetizers has all the options you’ll need to accompany your grilled main courses.

More Collections: Finger Food Appetizers, Easy Appetizers, Cold Appetizers

A collage of easy bbq appetizers.


Appetizers are Made for BBQs!

To me, BBQs are synonymous with simplicity. No fancy menu here, just our favorite tried and true recipes. This includes delicious and simple BBQ appetizers!

From summer celebrations like Memorial Day and Fourth of July to a simple backyard BBQ, we love to grill dinner and sit around with our favorite appetizers, BBQ side dishes, and summer desserts!

Why we love these appetizers:

  • The list goes on and on! Enjoy various recipes from dips to finger food appetizers and beyond.
  • Not just tasty recipes. We’ve also included tips on how much to make to keeping food at the right temperature.
  • Try something new. We have our most popular go-to recipes, mixed in with a few new favorites. Get out of your comfort zone and try something unexpected!
A charcuterie board with crackers, cheese, veggies, and dips.

Planning Tips

  • For 10 or fewer guests offer 2-3 different types of appetizers. Add another dish for every 5-8 more people.
  • Plan a total of 3-5 appetizers per person. 
  • Chips and salsa: Plan 1 quart salsa and 1 pound of chips for every 10 people.
Dill dip on a platter surrounded by veggies.

Serving Tips

  • Keep the food at the right temperature.
    • Warm. Crock pots and chafing dishes work well, depending on access to outlets.  
    • Cold. Fill a pan with ice cubes and place the trays of food on top. If the food is being served in a bowl, then place ice cubes at the bottom of a larger bowl and nestle a smaller bowl, with the food, inside.
  • Transporting food. Have both a warm and cold cooler.
    • Warm cooler. Wrap warm food in aluminum foil. Place hot rice bags or hot water bottles in the cooler to help maintain heat. Fill extra space with towels to help insulate the food. Try not to open the lid.
    • Cold cooler. Use ice bags. The ice can then be used to cool down drinks or placed in other trays to keep food cool once they are set out. Freeze water bottles, then drink them up when they thaw!
  • Watermelon. Check out these posts on How to Choose the Best Watermelon and the Best Way to Cut a Watermelon.
  • Keep fruits from browning. When serving cut fruit or a Fruit Salad, sprinkle on Ball’s Fresh fruit powder.
    • Or, combine 1 cup of water and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or lime juice in a bowl. Let the sliced fruit soak for a few minutes before patting it dry and placing it on a tray to serve.

Best BBQ Appetizers

We’ve rounded up our classic choices and top favorites. Check out our summer appetizers for even more!

1 Deviled Eggs Recipe

Appetizer Deviled Eggs Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 53 votes
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2 How to Make a Charcuterie Board Recipe

Appetizer How to Make a Charcuterie Board Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 14 votes
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3 Fruit Dip Recipe

Dessert, Snack Fruit Dip Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 204 votes
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4 Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe

Appetizer Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 95 votes
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5 Bacon Wrapped Smokies Recipes

Appetizer Bacon Wrapped Smokies Recipes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 80 votes
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6 Veggie Tray Recipe

Appetizer Veggie Tray Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 16 votes
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7 Salsa Recipe

Appetizer Salsa Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 111 votes
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8 7 Layer Bean Dip Recipe

Appetizer 7 Layer Bean Dip Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 45 votes
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9 Spinach Dip Bites Recipe

Appetizer Spinach Dip Bites Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 204 votes
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10 Black Bean Corn Salsa

Appetizer Black Bean Corn Salsa
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 17 votes
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Easy BBQ Appetizers

Skewers of veggies or Fruit Kabobs are quick and simple (and easy vegan options). But we have even more easy appetizer recipes that are perfect for your next cookout!

11 Pigs in a Blanket Recipe

Main Course Pigs in a Blanket Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 177 votes
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12 Spinach Artichoke Cups Recipe

Appetizer Spinach Artichoke Cups Recipe
Total Time: 22 minutes
5 from 4 votes
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13 Grape Jelly Meatball Recipe

Appetizer, Main Course Grape Jelly Meatball Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 131 votes
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14 Veggie Tortilla Roll Ups Recipe

Appetizer Veggie Tortilla Roll Ups Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 8 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 30 votes
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15 Fruit Salsa Recipe

Appetizer Fruit Salsa Recipe
Total Time: 18 minutes
5 from 9 votes
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16 Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball Recipe

Appetizer Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 16 votes
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17 Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe

Appetizer Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 64 votes
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18 Hot Corn Dip

Appetizer Hot Corn Dip
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 17 votes
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19 Knorr Spinach Dip Recipe

Appetizer, Snack Knorr Spinach Dip Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 4 votes
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20 Dill Veggie Dip Recipe

Appetizer, Snack Dill Veggie Dip Recipe
Total Time: 7 minutes
5 from 49 votes
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21 Veggie Cups Appetizer

Appetizer Veggie Cups Appetizer
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 3 votes
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22 Cream Cheese Salsa Dip Recipe

Appetizer Cream Cheese Salsa Dip Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 11 votes
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23 Jalapeno Popper Dip Recipe

Appetizer Jalapeno Popper Dip Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 9 votes
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24 BLT Dip Recipe

Appetizer BLT Dip Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
5 from 9 votes
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25 Watermelon Salsa Recipe

Appetizer Watermelon Salsa Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 7 votes
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26 Salsa Verde Recipe

Appetizer Salsa Verde Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 49 votes
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27 Peach Salsa Recipe

Appetizer Peach Salsa Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 21 votes
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28 How to Make Guacamole

Appetizer How to Make Guacamole
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 12 votes
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29 Hamburger Dip Recipe

Appetizer Hamburger Dip Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
5 from 51 votes
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30 Fruit Kabobs Recipe

Side Dish Fruit Kabobs Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
5 from 15 votes
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More Appetizers for BBQ

Slather some Baked Chicken Wings in BBQ Sauce or drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar over fresh tomatoes and basil in our Caprese Kabobs.

The list continues with even more BBQ sides to complete any meal!

31 Beanie Weenies Recipe

Appetizer Beanie Weenies Recipe
Total Time: 50 minutes
5 from 17 votes
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32 Ham and Cheese Sliders Recipe

Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish Ham and Cheese Sliders Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 96 votes
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33 Jalapeno Poppers Recipe

Appetizer Jalapeno Poppers Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 54 votes
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34 Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites Recipe

Appetizer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites Recipe
Total Time: 55 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 12 votes
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35 Chicken Kabobs

Main Course Chicken Kabobs
Total Time: 8 hours 25 minutes
5 from 7 votes
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36 Steak Kabobs

Main Course Steak Kabobs
Total Time: 8 hours 27 minutes
5 from 4 votes
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37 Boneless BBQ Wings Recipe

Appetizer, Main Course Boneless BBQ Wings Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
4.93 from 41 votes
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38 Pineapple Meatballs Recipe

Appetizer Pineapple Meatballs Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 20 votes
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39 Barbecue Chicken French Bread Recipe

Appetizer, Bread Barbecue Chicken French Bread Recipe
Total Time: 8 minutes
5 from 10 votes
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40 Parmesan Crusted Potato Skins Recipe

Appetizer Parmesan Crusted Potato Skins Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 4 minutes
5 from 11 votes
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41 Caprese Kabobs Recipe

Appetizer Caprese Kabobs Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 12 votes
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42 Fried Pickles Recipe

Appetizer Fried Pickles Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 164 votes
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43 BBQ Meatballs Recipe

Main Course BBQ Meatballs Recipe
Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
5 from 10 votes
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44 Easy Bruschetta Recipe

Appetizer Easy Bruschetta Recipe
Total Time: 14 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 28 votes
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45 Boneless Buffalo Wings Recipe

Appetizer Boneless Buffalo Wings Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour

Recipe Video

5 from 30 votes
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Can’t Go Wrong with Bacon!

Just 3 ingredients to make candied Bacon Wrapped Smokies. They are the ultimate appetizer and always the first to disappear!

These meat pops are a must for any party we throw!

Here is the recipe:

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40+ BBQ Appetizers

By: Lil’ Luna
Every summertime potluck and outdoor party needs appetizers! This collection of BBQ appetizers has all the options you'll need to accompany your grilled main courses.
Servings: 12
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 40 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 2 (12-ounce) packages Hillshire Farm Beef Lit’l Smokies
  • 1 pound bacon, cold, slices cut into thirds
  • ½-¾ cup light brown sugar

Instructions 

  • Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and set aside, then preheat the oven to 325°F.
  • Use the cold bacon to wrap around each smokie, then secure them with a toothpick.
  • Space smokies evenly on prepared baking sheet.
  • Sprinkle brown sugar over all smokies & bacon bundles.
  • Bake according to preferred bacon crispiness, or 30-40 minutes.

Notes

Make ahead of time. These smokies can be prepared through Step 4 up to 24 hours in advance. Simply cover and place in the refrigerator until ready to bake. Increase the bake time if needed to cook bacon through.
Variations: 
o Add ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more or less, to taste) to the brown sugar for a sweet-and-spicy kick.
o Baste with barbecue sauce after baking, then broil for an additional 3–4 minutes until the smokies are sticky.
o Add a small slice of pineapple or jalapeño pepper to each weenie before wrapping in bacon and sprinkling on the brown sugar.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g, Calories: 193kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 0.05g, Cholesterol: 25mg, Sodium: 255mg, Potassium: 87mg, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 14IU, Calcium: 10mg, Iron: 0.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Making this recipe? Tag us!
Share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #lilluna, so we can see what you’re creating in the kitchen!

Potluck Perfect Appetizers

These are some of our favorite appetizers to serve at our family potlucks and cookouts. You can’t go wrong no matter which recipes you choose! Be sure to check out all of our appetizer recipes.

More Collections: Appetizer Dips, Healthy Appetizers, BBQ Side Dishes



About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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4 Comments

  1. I have been looking for some good appetizers for our family 4th of July get together. We are smoking some meat and needed some goodies to go with it. There are several here that I have bookmarked and we are making. I am so looking forward to trying that tomato corn avacado salsa!!!!

  2. My husband likes your bacon wrapped recipes while I like the lighter items like the caprese kabobs or zucchini fries.

  3. Pretty much live on on your salsas & dips in the summer!! We love the caprese kabobs too. Love the grilling time of year!!