Gourmet BBQ Recipes with French Flair
These gourmet BBQ recipes bring a little French Riviera flavor to your backyard, with merguez sandwiches, colorful summer salads, vegetable side dishes and make-ahead chocolate mousse. Whether you are planning a summer cookout or bringing a dish to a Labor Day potluck, you will find plenty of ideas for a delicious French-inspired BBQ.
After years of living in the South of France, this is the kind of summer meal I love most: merguez sizzling on the grill, bowls of fresh salads to pass around, a chilled glass of rosé and time to linger at the table. Good ingredients, simply prepared, with plenty to share.
You don't need to make everything! Choose one main dish, two or three sides and a dessert you can prepare the day before. A merguez sandwich with piperade, couscous taboulé and ratatouille makes a beautiful combination, with chocolate mousse waiting in the fridge for dessert.
Below, I've gathered my favorite French BBQ recipes and menu ideas to help you put together a meal that feels special and leaves you time to enjoy your guests. Bon appétit!
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Here are my favorite French-inspired BBQ recipes that will wow your guests and make you feel like you're dining al fresco on the Côte d'Azur.
At a Glance
- What is it? 20+ Gourmet BBQ recipes with a French twist to elevate your summer cookout, Labor Day potluck or backyard BBQ
- Why you will love it? Elevated dishes that are easy to make and will impress your friends and family
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
My French BBQ Sample MEnu
| Course | Suggested selection |
|---|---|
| To start | Olive tapenade and baguette |
| Main | Merguez sandwiches with piperade |
| Sides | Couscous Taboulé and ratatouille |
| Dessert | Chocolate mousse |
| Drink | Sparkling rosemary peach cocktail |
French BBQ Mains: Simple, Sophisticated, and Full of Flavor
1. Merguez Sandwich with Piperade
This is my French take on the classic hot dog! Juicy, spicy merguez sausages are grilled to perfection and served in a toasted baguette with sweet and smoky piperade-made from sautéed peppers, tomatoes, and onions. It's the ultimate gourmet BBQ sandwich.
2. Bone-In Ribeye Steak
A thick, bone-in ribeye butter basted on the stove top and finished off in the oven is a great non-grilling option. Learn to cook a delicious restaurant-quality steak like a Chef!
3. Grilled Chicken with Provençal Vierge Sauce
Tender grilled chicken gets a fresh burst of flavor from Sauce Vierge-a Provençal mix of diced tomatoes, shallots, capers, olive oil, and lemon juice. It's light, vibrant, and perfect for summer.
Show-Stopping French Salads for Your BBQ Table
4.Taboulé Salad
Fresh parsley, mint, lemon, and couscous come together in this refreshing Mediterranean salad. It's bright, herby, and the perfect make-ahead side for warm-weather gatherings. I also wrote a Gluten-free, dairy free Tabbouleh Recipe you will love. I bring this dish to every neighborhood cookout and potluck! Everyone loves it!
5. Salade Parisienne (Fancy French Potato Salad)
This elevated potato salad with a homemade Dijon Mayonnaise is tossed with cornichons, fresh herbs, and shallots. A chic and refined twist on a BBQ staple.
6. Salade Mentonnaise
Inspired by the coastal town of Menton, this elegant salad combines fennel, orange, and marinated artichokes. It's light, flavorful, and pairs beautifully with grilled seafood or chicken.
7. Salade Tropezienne (Grilled Peach & Shrimp Salad)
Juicy grilled peaches, shrimp, creamy goat cheese, and fresh greens tossed with a rosé vinaigrette-it's a dish that screams summer and sunshine.
8. Salade Niçoise
A classic from Nice, this salad is hearty enough to be a main dish. With tuna, green beans, potatoes, eggs, and olives, it's a well-rounded option that always impresses.
French-Inspired BBQ Side Dishes
9. Smashed Mini Potatoes
Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside-these garlicky smashed potatoes are irresistible. Serve with a sprinkle of sea salt and fresh herbs for maximum flavor.
10. Roasted Fennel
Fennel becomes sweet and tender when roasted. It's a unique and elegant side that adds a touch of Provence to your BBQ spread.
11. Ratatouille
This vegetable medley of zucchini, eggplant, and peppers is a celebration of summer produce. It's a rustic side that goes with just about anything grilled.
12. Bayaldi
A more refined presentation of ratatouille, Bayaldi layers vegetables in a spiral for a visually stunning and deeply flavorful dish.
French Dessert to Bring to the BBQ
13. Chocolate Mousse
End your BBQ on a sweet note with a rich, airy chocolate mousse. It's easy to make ahead and always a crowd-pleaser.
French Cocktails to serve at the BBQ
14. Piscine Peche
THE cocktail of St Tropez. Fresh muddled peaches and champagne make for a refreshing and inspiring sip of the summer.
15. St Germain Spritz
Super easy to make , this delicate floral cocktail made with elderflower liqueur and champagne is a crowd pleaser for an afternoon in the sun (or by the pool!).
16. Kir Royale Cocktail
A French classic - simply crème de cassis and champagne (or Rosé for a simple kir). Light, sophisticated and so enjoyable to drink on a hot day.
Tips for Hosting a French-Inspired BBQ
- Serve a chilled bottle of Provençal rosé or a crisp white wine.
- Use fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and basil liberally.
- Set the scene with linen napkins, bistro glasses, and soft string lights for a Riviera ambiance.
- Play some French jazz or Bossa Nova in the background.
With just a few thoughtful touches and the right recipes, you can create a BBQ experience that's both relaxed and refined. These gourmet French BBQ recipes are designed to impress without stress-perfect for the home cook who wants to bring a little joie de vivre to the grill.
Bon appétit et bonnes grillades!
Related Recipes on Le Chef's Wife:
- French Baguettes
- The art of setting the table à la Française
- French Summer Recipes
- Bastille Day Recipes
Some of the most popular French BBQ recipes include Merguez Sandwiches with Piperade, Bone-in Ribeye Steak, and Grilled Chicken with Provençal Vierge Sauce. These dishes are full of Mediterranean flavors and perfect for warm weather gatherings.
Great French sides for a BBQ include Salade Parisienne (a chic potato salad), Taboulé Couscous Salad, Smashed Mini Potatoes, and Ratatouille. These dishes are flavorful, seasonal, and easy to prepare ahead of time.
Yes! Many French BBQ dishes can be prepped the day before. Marinade meats overnight, prepare sauces like Sauce Vierge, and chill salads like Taboulé or Salade Niçoise to save time on the day of your event.
A chilled bottle of Provençal rosé is a classic pairing. You can also serve a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, or a light red such as Beaujolais for grilled meats and hearty salads.
Chocolate Mousse is a fantastic make-ahead dessert that's rich and satisfying but still light enough to enjoy after a BBQ. It travels well and is always a hit with guests.
20 Gourmet BBQ Recipes
Simple Tomato Burrata Salad with Basil and Orange Zest Recipe
A fresh twist on a familiar favorite - this Tomato Burrata Salad recipe with basil and orange zest is beautiful to serve and has a delicious, decadent flavor from the creamy burrata and the orange zest that will surprise and delight.
Gluten-free Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad
The best BBQ Side dish. This Gluten-free Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad is also dairy-free and travels well - it can sit out in the sun and still be delicious! A bright, herbaceous, gluten-free and dairy free twist on the Mediterranean classic Tabbouleh.
Peach Caprese Salad
Fresh Peaches take the classic caprese salad to the next level! Sweet peaches, juicy tomatoes, creamy burrata and tangy basil drizzled with olive oil. The taste of summer.
Roasted Plum, Goat Cheese & Lemon Thyme Salad Recipe
This salad is a meal in a bowl and has all the textures and tastes I crave in a perfect summer dish. A rich meatiness from the roasted plums and crunch from the toasted almonds and pine nuts. A tangy zing from the lemon thyme and lime zest. Indulgent creaminess from the fresh goat cheese and that little touch of "oh la la" from the Prosecco & honey citrus vinaigrette.
Merguez Sandwich
Merguez sandwich is the French Riviera equivalent of the American Hot Dog. You will find them at every BBQ and picnic from May to September. The spicy, juiciness of the Lamb Merguez sausage hot off the grill, the sweet smokiness of a freshly made Piperade sauce and the crunch of a toasted baguette. A perfect bite if you ask me! Truly an awesome sandwich.
Sparkling Rosemary Peach Piscine Cocktail
One sip of this Sparkling Rosemary Peach Piscine Cocktail immediately brings me back to beach days on the French Riviera. There are many variations of the now famous "Piscine", but the one that Le Chef and I prefer is best enjoyed at this time of year, when ripe peaches are in abundance and the weather is sizzling hot. The addition of rosemary gives the cocktail a certain "je ne sais quoi" that I can't get enough of.
St-Germain Spritz
This St-Germain Spritz recipe is so easy to prepare but will make you say "oh la la " with the first sip! Light, refreshing and festive, the St Germain Spritz is a great cocktail to serve at a dinner party or for happy hour. Many know this cocktail as a summer spritzer (it pairs perfectly
Kir Royale Cocktail
The Kir Royale Cocktail is chic and refreshing. My favorite cocktail, made with crème de cassis and champagne, as seen on Emily in Paris.
Authentic Olive Tapenade
Authentic Provençal Olive Tapenade is a delicious spread of olives, garlic, capers and anchovies, that is served in the South of France.
Authentic Ratatouille Recipe
Ratatouille is a delicious & healthy side dish from Provence made of baked eggplant, zucchinis, peppers, tomatoes, garlic and onions, seasoned with fragrant Herbes de Provence. The vegetables are robust in flavor, each distinctly seasoned. Each velvety forkful melts in your mouth, offering the beauty of Provence in each bite.
Bone in Ribeye Steak Recipe
Tips for cooking a Bone-In Ribeye steak at home that tastes like it does in a fancy restaurant. This recipe is the best way to cook a steak like a Chef.
Fresh Fennel and Tomato Salad
A fresh, crunchy and satisfying summer salad with just 2 ingredients - raw fennel and tomatoes! The perfect side to serve with grilled meat or on its own as a light summer salad.
Taboulé: Couscous Salad
This Taboulé, or Cous Cous Salad is super simple to make, is full of healthy vegetables and stores very well in the fridge. The perfect side for a summer BBQ that you can continue eating all week long as a hearty and satisfying meal in a bowl.
Roasted Fennel
Roasted fennel is healthy side dish that pairs beautifully with fish or chicken. If you are interested in healthy eating this is one of my favorite ways to serve a light, satisfying dish.
French Salade Niçoise Recipe
Here is an authentic, tasty French Salade Niçoise recipe that you will love! One of my all-time favorite salads that is full of protein (eggs, tuna and possibly sardines) and with lots of good veggies butter lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, artichokes fava beans, radishes and basil. It is simple to make yet impressive to serve and is perfect for picnics or long lunches in the sun.. Serve with a fresh baked baguette and a glass of Rosé for the perfect French Riviera lunch.
Garlic Roasted Potatoes with Rosemary
These Rosemary Garlic Roasted Potatoes are incredibly tasty. Crisp and golden brown outside, light and fluffy on the inside with plenty of flavor. The best roasted potatoes you have ever tasted.
Smashed Mini Potatoes
These smashed mini potatoes with rosemary and roasted garlic are so tasty - I dare you not to eat them directly from the pan! Crispy and flavorful on the outside, pillowy deliciousness on the inside - these potatoes are the perfect side for any grilled or roasted meats.
Grilled Peach & Shrimp Salad
Do you want to learn to make a salad that looks, and tastes like it comes from a Michelin starred restaurant in the South of France? Let's do it! Here is a step by step guide to making La Salade Tropezienne - a fancy Shrimp, Peach and Goat Cheese salad with a Rosé Vinaigrette inspired by Saint-Tropez.
La Salade Mentonnaise - a delicious Fennel, Orange and Artichoke Salad with Pine Nuts
La Salade Mentonnaise is a delicious fennel, orange and artichoke salad with pine nuts and a citrus vinaigrette. Perfect with grilled fish.
La Salade Parisienne - the best French Potato Salad
La Salade Parisienne is a fancy Potato salad with a French twist. A sophisticated side dish for your Summer BBQs.
Mediterranean Branzino Filet Recipe with Vierge Sauce
Delicate Branzino with a bright vinaigrette of tomatoes, olives and basil give a Provençal twist to your dish. Super simple yet impressive! A delicious Mediterranean Diet dish.
Chicken Breasts with Provençal Vierge Sauce
These Chicken Breasts with Provençal Vierge Sauce are a delicious way to add some French flair to your menu rotation. The Vierge sauce is tangy and fresh and feels sophisticated and decadent over the grilled chicken breasts. The flavors of ripe tomatoes, fleshy olives, briny capers, rich roasted pine nuts and lemon zest complement the flavor of the chicken so well. The sauce truly transforms a classic!
Mousse au Chocolat (French Chocolate Mousse made simple)
French mousse au chocolat (Chocolate Mousse) will become your family's favorite dessert. A Rich dark chocolate flavor with a light, airy texture and a depth of flavor from the spices. This recipe takes less than a half hour to make (plus a few hours to chill) and can be made a day in advance. No one can resist an "mmmmm" when eating this Mousse!
ABOUT LE CHEF'S WIFE
Bonjour! I am Anina Belle. I translate the fancy cooking of my Michelin-star trained French Chef Husband, Le Chef, into easy to make dishes that busy people with no culinary training (like me!) can make at home. We have two young kids (8 and 6) and I work full time in addition to this blog. I strongly believe that even busy people deserve to eat well at home.
Look inside our Kitchen with this recent Washington Post Article. We were recently featured on the TODAY SHOW for our recipes of French Onion Soup Gratinée and Moelleux au Chocolat. You can watch our full segment here:
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