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There’s nothing quite like celebrating the Easter bank holiday al fresco, is there? Along with welcoming spring, it’s the season when barbecues make their long-awaited return.
This list of dishes we’ve put together is sure to be loved by the whole family, especially if you fancy something a bit more tempting than chocolate bunnies. We’ve also included some party themes to get the kids and adults even more excited!
Ready to fire up your BBQ?
Easter BBQ Ideas
Let the kids have their egg hunt while you sort out the ultimate Easter feast with these spring-ready BBQ ideas:
Smoked rack of lamb with balsamic glaze
Lamb is a traditional Easter dish, but you can spice it up a bit by smoking it and glazing it with balsamic. A BBQ smoker is perfect for getting that smoky flavour, which pairs really well with the tangy sweetness of the glaze. This recipe from Napoleon, for one, gives a tasty twist on the classic rack of lamb—it’s worth giving a try!
Tips: You can also use a charcoal BBQ as an alternative. Also, go for a wood that complements the lamb, like hickory or oak. It brings a subtle charred taste without overpowering the meat.
Double-baked potatoes on a plank
Grilled potatoes are always a win, and twice-baking them on a plank takes the flavour you won’t forget. It might sound a bit dramatic for a potato, but once you try it, you’ll see why it’s worth the fuss.
This dish is made by placing mashed potatoes on a wooden plank and grilling them. Trust us, it’s better than anything straight off the stove—all thanks to the plank that wraps them with a deep, smoky aroma. You can even use sweet potatoes and stuff them with shredded cheddar cheese. This will surely melt in a pizza oven, baking it to perfection.
This recipe from Weber has most of the work done in advance, so you can kick back and enjoy more time with family and friends.
Spring lamb skewers
We just love lamb for an Easter BBQ, so we had to add another dish idea—this time on sticks! These spring lamb skewers make a lovely light supper and are pretty healthy, too, especially with the crunch of fresh veggies tossed in a pickled dressing.
If you’ve got a gas BBQ, this is simple to cook. Preheat it, pop the skewers on, and let the lamb cook through. The veggies will char up nicely and add extra flavour. It’s a simple, tasty way to enjoy lamb without the hassle of a roast.
Follow this recipe from goodFood to get started.
Hot smoked salmon
This dish is a great alternative to lamb or ham. You could use a whole salmon filet, which looks much more presentable when plated. Adjust the brine to suit your taste; for instance, add herbs and peppercorns if you want more flavour. Feel free to follow this recipe from Smoked BBQ to get that perfect tender, flaky texture.
Another thing we like about this recipe is that you can prep it ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to a week. And the flavours just get better the longer it sits!
Butter-infused rotisserie turkey
Turkey isn’t just for Thanksgiving or the Harvest Festival, and you don’t have to wait until Christmas to roast one, either. It’s a feast staple that’ll fit right into your Easter BBQ, too! The crispy skin on the outside and tender meat on the inside make this the perfect dish for an outdoor dinner this spring.
A gas grill with a rotisserie attachment is your best bet. If you don’t have one, you can still get a similar result with a charcoal BBQ. Set the charcoal on one side, put the turkey on the other (away from the coals), and close the lid. Turn the turkey now and then to cook it evenly, and it’ll come out just as well as on a rotisserie.
Get the full recipe from Napoleon.
Grilled corn on the cob
Yet another quintessential barbecue menu this Easter is corn on the cob. The charring from the grill helps bring out the sweetness of the corn, and this makes a brilliant side dish for vegans and non-vegans alike. But here’s the thing—you don’t need a grill to enjoy this sweet, salty, lightly charred, and caramelised treat. A fire pit works just as well!
Wrap your corn in foil; leave the husks on if you like. Place the wrapped corn directly on the hot coals or a grate over the fire pit. Turn them regularly until they’re cooked through and nicely charred. About 5 minutes per side should do the trick. Even a compact fire pit like this Outdoor Fireplace with a Mesh Lid, Grill, & Poker will work perfectly for this.
If you’re feeling adventurous, skip the foil and put the corn straight on the coals. Just keep an eye on it and turn it on regularly to prevent burning. Once the kernels are tender and slightly charred, it’s ready. Brush on some butter, sprinkle with seasoning, and tuck in!
For more tips, read our guide: How to BBQ Corn on the Cob?
Bunny-shaped burgers
Of course, we couldn’t skip the classic burgers with tender, juicy grilled patties. But here’s how to make them extra special: give them an Easter twist by shaping them like bunnies. It’s a fun idea, especially if you want to impress the kids.
You can use cookie cutters to shape the patties into bunnies before grilling, or get creative and shape them by hand. Just make sure they’re not too thin so they hold up on the grill. Serve them with all the usual burger trimmings, or let the kids decorate their own bunny burgers—it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Easter BBQ Party Setups
Once you’ve sorted your menu, take the time to think about a theme or setup for the day. It doesn’t need to be anything over the top; just a few Easter or spring touches can work wonders. You can keep it simple with ideas like:
Pastel picnic tables
We love this kind of setup because it’s simple yet charming, and you don’t need much to make it work. All you need are pastel tablecloths for your picnic table bench (even a folding table will do). Soft yellow, light blue, blush pink, or mint green are great options. Pair them with napkins and plates in similar tones to tie everything together.
For the centrepiece, go with fresh spring flowers like daffodils, tulips, or daisies. Arrange them in mason jars, little vases, or an old teapot.
Egg hunt corners
This idea is perfect if you have kids around! Find a quiet corner where you can hide a few eggs, and maybe add some colourful baskets for them to collect. You don’t need to go overboard—just a couple of decorated signs or flags pointing the way will do.
Fill the eggs with treats, whether chocolate or little toys, and hide them behind bushes or under garden furniture. If you fancy it, throw in a “golden egg”, with a special prize for whoever finds it. It will keep the kids entertained while the BBQ is on the go.
Bunting and balloons
Pastel-coloured bunting is a great choice to match with your picnic tables. Drape it over fences, across trees, or even across your BBQ area. Then, throw in a few Easter-themed balloons to drive home the theme. Bunny-shaped or egg-shaped balloons are a fun touch. You can tie them to chairs, let them float about, or hang them up.
Nothing too fancy, but they make your garden look great and get everyone in the Easter mood. If you’re after more decoration ideas, check out these ‘Creative Easter Garden Ideas for a Festive Outdoor Space’.
There you go! We hope these Easter BBQ dishes, party setups, and themes have sparked some ideas for your spring outdoor cookout. Feel free to tweak these suggestions and make them your own to make them memorable.
What do you think ?