Bank Holiday BBQ Menu: Starters, Mains, Sides and Desserts

The August Bank Holiday is one of the easiest excuses to gather people around a grill, but the menu can become complicated surprisingly quickly. Too many mains create leftovers, too few sides make the table feel sparse, and dishes that all need attention at the same time leave the host stuck beside the barbecue instead of enjoying the afternoon.

A good bank holiday BBQ menu solves that by giving every dish a job. One starter should keep people happy while the grill heats up. The mains should cover meat and meat-free guests without creating five separate cooking plans. Sides should be make-ahead friendly, and dessert should be simple enough to serve after a long afternoon outside.

For the 2026 summer bank holiday in England and Wales, which falls on Monday 31 August, this menu is designed around relaxed late-summer entertaining. It works for a garden barbecue, a family lunch or an informal gathering where people arrive at slightly different times.

Quick Answer: What Should Be on a Bank Holiday BBQ Menu?

For a balanced Bank Holiday BBQ, plan one easy starter, two or three mains, three sides and one or two simple desserts. A practical menu for eight people is flatbreads with dips to start, beef burgers, sticky chicken thighs and halloumi-vegetable skewers for the grill, followed by potato salad, crunchy slaw and corn on the cob. Finish with berry Eton mess cups or grilled peaches with ice cream. The key is to prepare most of the cold food before guests arrive so only the hot mains need active cooking.

Bank Holiday BBQ Menu at a Glance

For a wider seasonal plan, see FEAST Online’s August Bank Holiday Food Ideas: Easy BBQ and Picnic Recipes. It covers BBQ and picnic options, while this page stays focused on building a complete barbecue menu from starter to dessert.

Easy Starters for a Bank Holiday BBQ Menu That Do Not Compete With the Grill

The best BBQ starter is something people can eat immediately without creating another cooking job. Avoid elaborate skewers or anything that uses valuable grill space before the mains. A dip-and-flatbread board is more useful because it can sit on the table while late arrivals filter in.

Warm Flatbreads With Hummus and Whipped Feta

Warm a few flatbreads for a minute or two, slice them into strips and serve them with bowls of hummus and whipped feta. Add cucumber sticks, cherry tomatoes, olives and radishes so the starter feels generous without becoming heavy. For a vegan table, swap the feta dip for baba ganoush or a second hummus flavour.

Keep the portions deliberately modest. A starter at a barbecue should take the edge off hunger, not replace the burgers and skewers that follow. If you are feeding children, add a bowl of plain crisps and sliced fruit rather than creating a separate starter.

Bank Holiday BBQ Menu Mains: Build Around Three Reliable Choices

Three mains are usually enough for a mixed group: one familiar option, one more flavourful meat option and one proper vegetarian choice. This gives guests variety without turning the barbecue into a restaurant menu.

1. Cheeseburgers With a Topping Board

Burgers work because guests can build their own plates. Put sliced cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, ketchup, mustard and burger sauce on the table so the cooking stays simple. Toast the cut side of the buns briefly if the grill has room, but do not hold up service to do it.

For a stronger menu, treat burgers as one choice rather than the only main. That prevents the entire spread from feeling like a basic cookout and makes the vegetarian option easier to position as part of the same meal.

2. Sticky Lemon-Paprika Chicken Thighs

Chicken thighs are useful for a busy barbecue because they stay juicier than very lean cuts and can be marinated ahead. A simple mix of lemon, garlic, smoked paprika, oil and a little honey gives them colour and a sweet-smoky finish. Cook until fully done before serving and avoid reusing any marinade that has been in contact with raw chicken unless it has been safely cooked.

3. Halloumi and Vegetable Skewers

Thread halloumi with peppers, courgette and red onion, then brush lightly with oil and lemon. Keep these skewers visually distinct from meat skewers and use separate utensils where needed. For vegan guests, replace halloumi with firm tofu or serve thick aubergine steaks brushed with a punchy herb dressing.

For more ideas for the grill itself, FEAST Online’s BBQ Food Ideas UK: 6 Easy Recipes for a Summer Barbecue adds straightforward recipes that can be mixed into this Bank Holiday menu.

Bank Holiday BBQ Menu Side Dishes to Make Before Guests Arrive

Sides are where a Bank Holiday BBQ can either become calm or chaotic. Choose dishes that improve while resting, stay appealing at room temperature for a sensible period, and do not require last-minute frying or oven space.

Mustardy Potato Salad

Use small waxy potatoes, boil until tender, then dress while still slightly warm so they absorb more flavour. A mixture of mayonnaise, a little wholegrain mustard, spring onion and chopped herbs gives the salad enough sharpness to stand up to burgers and grilled chicken.

For another light side that works well with grilled food, explore FEAST Online’s summer courgette recipe ideas. Grilled courgettes or fritters can add variety without making the menu heavier.

Apple and Cabbage Slaw

Finely shredded cabbage, carrot and crisp apple make a lighter slaw than a heavy mayonnaise-only version. Add a dressing with yoghurt or mayonnaise, lemon juice, a little mustard and black pepper. The apple adds sweetness and crunch, while the acidity helps cut through grilled meat and cheese.

Charred Corn With Herb Butter

Corn on the cob is an efficient side because it can move onto the grill after the first batch of mains comes off. Mix softened butter with parsley, lemon zest and black pepper in advance. For a dairy-free version, use olive oil with herbs and a squeeze of lime.

Optional Fourth Side: Tomato, Cucumber and Herb Salad

If the weather is hot, a simple tomato and cucumber salad adds freshness without much work. Dress it just before serving so the vegetables do not release too much liquid. This is especially useful when the rest of the table includes creamy potato salad, cheese and rich sauces.

How Much Food Should You Plan Per Person for a Bank Holiday BBQ Menu?

There is no single perfect quantity because appetites, ages and the length of the gathering vary. A better approach is to plan a modest choice of mains and make the sides generous. The table below is a practical planning guide, not a strict rule.

If your guests include several children, reduce the total number of adult-sized mains and keep some plain burger buns, sausages or corn available. If the barbecue is replacing both lunch and dinner, increase the sides and desserts before adding too many extra proteins; leftovers from prepared salads and bread are usually easier to use than a large quantity of cooked meat.

Simple Desserts for a Summer Bank Holiday BBQ Menu

Dessert should feel like a reward, not a second cooking shift. The easiest options either use ingredients that can be prepared in advance or make use of the cooling barbecue once the savoury food is finished.

Berry Eton Mess Cups

Layer crushed meringue, softly whipped cream and mixed berries in small glasses or bowls. Keep the components separate until close to serving so the meringue keeps some texture. For a lighter option, use a mix of yoghurt and cream; for a dairy-free version, use a suitable plant-based alternative.

Grilled Peaches With Vanilla Ice Cream

Halve ripe peaches, remove the stones and place the cut side on a clean section of the grill until lightly marked and warmed through. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a little honey or maple syrup. This is a useful last course because it does not need a separate pan and feels more distinctive than opening a packet of biscuits.

Vegetarian and Vegan Options for a Bank Holiday BBQ Menu

Do not rely on a single vegetarian burger hidden at the back of the freezer. A stronger menu gives meat-free food the same attention as everything else. Halloumi and vegetable skewers can sit beside the main dishes rather than being labelled as a substitute. For vegan guests, add aubergine steaks, tofu skewers or plant-based burgers and make at least two sides dairy-free by default.

It also helps to keep one dip, the slaw and the tomato-cucumber salad vegan, then serve cheese and creamy dressings separately. This creates more choice without doubling the workload.

Drinks: Keep the Choice Simple

For a family Bank Holiday BBQ, chilled water, lemonade, sparkling water and one alcohol-free option cover more people than an oversized drinks list. Put cold drinks in tubs or coolers away from the cooking area so guests can help themselves without crowding the grill.

For more drink inspiration, browse FEAST Online’s Drinks section for alcohol-free launches, soft drinks and seasonal serving ideas.

A Stress-Free Bank Holiday BBQ Menu Prep Timeline

The Day Before

• Marinate the chicken and prepare any sauces or dips.
• Make the potato salad and slaw.
• Mix herb butter and prepare dessert components.
• Check that vegetarian and allergy-sensitive items have separate storage where necessary.
• Chill drinks and make sure there is enough ice or fridge space.

On the Morning of the BBQ

• Assemble halloumi and vegetable skewers.
• Wash and cut salad vegetables but leave final dressing until later.
• Prepare burger toppings and cover them in the fridge.
• Set out serving bowls, tongs, napkins and rubbish/recycling bags.
• Check the weather and decide whether your indoor backup needs setting up.

About 30 Minutes Before Guests Arrive

• Set out the starter, cold drinks and serving table.
• Preheat the barbecue according to the equipment you are using.
• Keep raw ingredients chilled until they are needed.
• Bring out only the first batch of food for cooking rather than leaving everything beside the grill.

What If It Rains on the Bank Holiday?

A rainy Bank Holiday does not require a completely different menu. Keep the cold starters, salads and desserts exactly as planned, then move the hot food to an indoor grill pan or oven if necessary and safe to do so. Burgers, chicken thighs, halloumi and vegetable skewers can all be adapted without changing the shopping list.

The biggest mistake is waiting until heavy rain starts before deciding what to do. If the forecast looks uncertain, prepare the dining table indoors first and treat outdoor seating as a bonus. That way the food plan survives even if the weather does not.

Food Safety for a Bank Holiday BBQ Menu

Barbecues create extra food-safety challenges because raw and cooked food are often handled in a small outdoor space. Keep raw meat separate from ready-to-eat food, use clean utensils and plates for cooked items, and make sure meat that needs thorough cooking is fully cooked before serving. For current official guidance, check the Food Standards Agency BBQ food safety guidance.

How This Menu Differs From a BBQ Shopping List

A shopping list answers what to buy. A menu answers what to serve together, how many different dishes you actually need and what can be prepared before the event. Keeping those search intents separate helps readers and SEO: this page focuses on planning a complete Bank Holiday meal, while related FEAST Online pages can cover individual recipes, ingredients and broader seasonal food ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good Bank Holiday BBQ menu?

A balanced menu includes one easy starter, two or three mains, several make-ahead sides and a simple dessert. Burgers, chicken thighs and halloumi skewers with potato salad, slaw and corn make a flexible starting point.

What are easy BBQ foods for a family?

Burgers, sausages, chicken thighs, corn on the cob, potato salad, slaw and flatbreads are practical because they suit different ages and do not require complicated serving.

What sides go best with a BBQ?

Potato salad, crunchy slaw, corn on the cob and a fresh tomato-cucumber salad give a useful mix of creamy, crunchy and fresh textures.

What can I prepare the day before a BBQ?

Dips, marinades, potato salad, slaw, herb butter and most dessert components can be prepared ahead. Burger toppings and skewers can also be assembled before guests arrive.

How do I plan a BBQ for vegetarians?

Include at least one substantial meat-free main such as halloumi and vegetable skewers, tofu skewers, aubergine steaks or plant-based burgers, and make several sides vegetarian or vegan by default.

What dessert is easiest after a BBQ?

Eton mess cups are easy because the components can be prepared in advance. Grilled peaches are another simple option because they use the barbecue after the main cooking is finished.

Final Thoughts

The best bank holiday BBQ menu is not the one with the most food. It is the one that gives guests enough choice while letting the host spend less time cooking. Build the meal around a few reliable mains, make the sides in advance and keep dessert simple. With that structure in place, you can scale the same menu up or down without rewriting the whole plan every time the guest list changes.

For the 2026 August Bank Holiday, the strongest approach is a menu that feels summery but still works if the weather turns: shareable starters, flexible grilled mains, make-ahead sides and desserts that are just as easy to serve indoors as outside.