Cooking outdoors like a pro: the best tips & recipes

What is cooking outside without a good aperitif, let's be honest? It is really the beginning of everything, right: a few summer snacks on the table, a refreshing drink in hand, and enjoying a nice chat while the barbecue or outdoor kitchen heats up. This is how summer truly begins. Cooking outside is not just about food, but about atmosphere, being together, and enjoying the moment. An aperitif moment outside? That’s pure summer pleasure.

What is a summer table without fresh artisanal bread and good butter? Such a simple thing, but oh so delicious. A crispy crust to mop up those summer sauces, a thick spread of quality butter with a sprinkle of fleur de sel on top… that’s pure enjoyment. Bread and butter are the foundation of every successful summer table – whether you’re planning a barbecue or just enjoying a meal outside. And let’s be honest: there’s always someone who takes an extra piece, just because it’s too good.

The magic of a good aperitif snack should not be underestimated. It doesn't have to be heavy, just something light, cozy, and super delicious. Such a summer aperitif snack is perfect to start the evening while the rest is still gently cooking on the fire. Enjoying aperitifs outside with fresh, easy snacks: that's the ultimate summer vibe.

Cooking & eating outside without side dishes? That's really a no-go! You just need something to place alongside that grilled goodness: think of a fresh potato salad, grilled summer vegetables, a spicy coleslaw, or a creamy pasta salad. Those are the side dishes that everyone keeps serving themselves, and you keep thinking: “Why don’t I make that more often?” Easy side dishes complete every barbecue or summer table – and admit it: sometimes they even secretly steal the show.

Whether you're going for a perfectly cooked piece of meat, love experimenting with fish on the grill, or prefer a flavorful vegetarian barbecue dish, cooking outdoors is for everyone. It's all about variety on the grill, choosing what you feel like, and enjoying together around the fire. Outdoor cooking doesn't have to be fancy at all. With simple barbecue recipes, well-prepared and served with love, you can go a long way. It can be that simple and that delicious.

A good piece of meat or grilled vegetables deserves a sauce that matches the story. Whether it's something creamy, something spicy, or just something nice and fresh, sauces bring everything together. They complete your barbecue dish and ensure that an extra piece of bread is definitely grabbed to clean up the rest. Homemade sauces, prepared with love: you can taste that. And that makes the difference at the table.

After all that savory, something sweet should follow, right? Something light, something fresh, something you can perfectly serve outdoors. Think of a fruity summer tart with a good scoop of ice cream, or a surprising dessert on the grill. Such a summer dessert brings everyone back together around the table. Add one last coffee, just sit back and enjoy until the very last bite. Because even outdoor dining ends in style, with something delicious and lots of appetite.

Barbecuing starts with the right vibe. Music on, a cheerful crowd around you that can take a hit, children happily running around, and of course someone who has already opened a bottle of fresh rosé. Hendrik even brought his own playlist: “Karkassen Smooth”. Delightful. The perfect barbecue starts with atmosphere: create a summer setting where everyone feels at home. That’s already half the work – and the secret ingredient of every successful barbecue with friends.

Honestly? For me, the apéro can easily be the highlight of the evening. Small plates filled with goodies, a nice assortment of fine meats, homemade dips, some grilled veggies… Just throw everything on the table and share it. An apéritif moment outside, in all tranquility. Let the fire warm up at its leisure, let people settle at the summer table. No pressure, no rules. Just let it happen, that’s the real barbecue magic.

As Hendrik said: it doesn’t always have to be fancy. Sometimes a simple sausage, a good hot dog, or even a portion of stew on the barbecue is just what you need. And believe me: a perfectly cooked marrow bone or a piece of juicy Secret Iberico can make you instantly happy. Barbecue classics, simple but delicious. Got a craving?

Grilled vegetables, fresh summer salads, homemade potato salad or a cold lentil salad with mint… Side dishes complete your barbecue. Make sure to have 3 to 4 easy side dishes and let people help out, that creates atmosphere and less work for you. And honestly? What’s more enjoyable than everyone around the table cutting a tomato or shaking vinaigrette together? Hendrik and I went all-in with grilled vegetables, a fresh fennel salad, and a delicious feta dip. Cooking outside becomes even more fun when you do it together.

We all want to score at a BBQ, but if you want to do too much at once, it will fall apart. Believe me, I’ve been there too. Too many types of meat, five different marinades… chaos. So: choose a few good things, put love into it, and keep it simple. This way you have less stress, more flavor, and most importantly: more time to really enjoy. That’s a successful barbecue.

The classic among barbecue tips, but oh so important: cook your meat on embers, not on flames. Let your charcoal or coconut briquettes get nice and red-hot before you start. Also, pay attention to the distance between the grill and the fire, and move fattier meat to the side to avoid flames or burning. By the way, coconut briquettes are great in terms of heat and sustainability, but light them in time, as they need a bit of patience. This way you get that perfectly cooked piece of meat, without stress or a firestorm.

Chicken on the barbecue? Good preparation is key. Hendrik has a top tip: butterfly the chicken or cook it in broth beforehand. This way you ensure it’s beautifully cooked and juicy, and you get that irresistible crispy skin. Because honestly: there’s little worse than raw chicken on your plate during a cozy BBQ. With good preparation, grilling chicken becomes a hit.

Not sure what you want to prepare for your barbecue? Visit a good butcher, that's your best BBQ companion. Ask what is at its best at the moment, discover new cuts, or let yourself be surprised by something less classic. A piece of Boston butt or a nice flank steak is not expensive, but is full of flavor. Your butcher not only helps you choose but often gives you golden tips for preparation. This way you can make every barbecue something special.

Got good quality meat for your barbecue? Then you really don't need to pour pots of marinade over that piece of meat. Marinades are great for less tender cuts, but a nice ribeye or a fine secret cut? You just have to respect that. A bit of salt, a bit of pepper, maybe a little mustard, and that's it. Simple, pure, and this way the flavor of the meat really shines through.

Ending a barbecue with something sweet? Always a good idea. Think of grilled bananas with melted chocolate, warm peaches straight off the grill with a scoop of ice cream, and maybe even a splash of rum. That fire is still burning, so use it! Barbecue desserts are the surprise of the evening, and believe me, people will be talking about it for weeks.