Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Outdoor living

What you should be cooking in your outdoor kitchen this October

Stacey Nguyen
By

Now that the weather is cooling down, it’s time to fire up the grill in your outdoor kitchen one last time before it gets too cold for outside gatherings. Luckily, there’s no shortage of delicious recipes that take advantage of fresh autumn harvests. In addition to the herbs that you planted in the late summer, you can also whip up meals with all the gourds, leafy veggies, and fruits that you might have in your garden right now. From an herb-stuffed fish as your main dish to sweet grilled apples and pears as dessert, we’ve rounded up the most delicious autumn recipes to try in your outdoor kitchen this October.

Fresh salad

Fresh salad with kale, spinach, and arugula

Veggies such as kale, spinach, and arugula do well for early autumn harvests, and they‘re also excellent salad bases. For some autumnal flair, chop up and roast root veggies such as sweet potatoes or beets. Pop in the protein of your choice—chicken breast and tofu are easy go-to’s that you can heat up quickly on your grill. To use even more of your garden goods, add herbs such as tarragon and rosemary to enhance the dressing or vinaigrette for your fresh salad.

Barbecued carrots

Barbecued food doesn’t only have to be summer fare. A great autumnal recipe for your outdoor kitchen is barbecued carrots with some toasted pecans. After coating your carrots in oil and grilling them for around 20 minutes, toss them in a dressing with vinegar, soy sauce, fresh herbs, garlic, and ginger. Add in toasted pecans or the nuts of your choice for extra texture and flavor. Obviously, carrots aren’t the only veggies that you can grill—you can try cooking broccoli, corn, and more! Grilled veggies make for easy and delicious side dishes that will surely win over your guests.

Related

Grilled fish with lemon and herbs

Fish with lemon and herbs is one of the most laidback recipes you can prepare for your autumn soirées. It’s uncomplicated, but still filling and flavorful. All you need to do is stuff the fish of your choice with lemon, garlic, and herbs. Then, drizzle oil on your fish and leave it on the grill for six minutes or so on each side. Fresh herbs that work perfectly for this dish include parsley, thyme, and dill—whatever is handy in your herb garden!

Pizza spinach

Pizza with fresh toppings

After forming your pizza dough and adding the works—cheese, mushrooms, sauces, and meats—add herbs to your pie before you pop it in your outdoor pizza oven. Some late summer herbs that should be ready to go by October include basil, rosemary, and parsley, and you can use them fresh or dried. You can also add garden veggies such as sliced zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes for some extra texture on your pizza. For a fun activity to pass the time, invite your guests to custom build their very own pizzas!

Grilled apples and pears

After whipping up dishes with your garden herbs and veggies, remember to save room for dessert. Grilling might be associated with savory food, but that doesn’t mean you can’t toss your apples and pears onto the grill. Soak your fruits in a solution of lemon juice and cold water to help them maintain their texture and flavor. When your fruits are ready to go, drizzle some melted butter on them and cook on medium heat until they soften and you see grill marks. When it comes to toppings, the possibilities are endless. There’s always the classic cinnamon and brown sugar for a warm, fall-appropriate treat. That said, ice cream, bourbon, and caramel sauce are also strong contenders—get inventive with your creations!

By the time autumn rolls around, you’ll have a cornucopia of herbs, veggies, and fruits to enjoy. With that in mind, make the most of your outdoor kitchen and fall harvest before it gets too cold to eat outside! From grilled veggies and fruits to pizzas topped with fresh herbs, there are plenty of autumn recipes to try in your outdoor kitchen. After some easy grilling, sit back, relax, and enjoy your autumn harvest with a nice mulled wine or spiced cider to get in the fall spirit.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Good, better, best: The perfect gas grill for your outdoor kitchen
Scott Harris
By Scott Harris
December 26, 2021
best outdoor gas grill woman grilling outside

Grills these days do a lot more than cook Independence Day hot dogs. Viewed as a more flavorful and healthful alternative to some other, more conventional cooking methods, grilling is the centerpiece of many a culinary adventure, from the everyday to the downright fancy.

Does any of that sound appealing? You may be ready to make a long-term investment in a heavy-duty gas grill. A solid gas grill is easy and economical to use, stands up to wear and tear over time, is fairly simple to use and maintain, and can provide the kind of flexibility and functionality you need in an everyday cooking space.

Read more
Use these 7 tips to build an outdoor kitchen on a budget
Rebecca Wolken
By Rebecca Wolken
October 18, 2021
outdoor eating space

Outdoor kitchens are quickly becoming one of the most coveted features in a home. Not only have the last few years taught us to love the space we're in, but it's encouraged us to spend more time in our outdoor living spaces. An outdoor kitchen is an excellent way to enjoy the fresh air while hosting a party or just cooking dinner for the family.

Unfortunately, outdoor kitchens can be an intimidating project to take on. Once you consider all the features like cooking station, countertops, plumbing, electric, seating, and more, you can see how it can be an expensive addition to a home. However, it's important to remember that an outdoor kitchen can be as complex or as simple as you want it to be. Here are our tips for staying on budget while creating the perfect outdoor kitchen for you and your family.
Planning for success
The most essential part of any project is planning. Without a clear plan, it's likely that your project will go off the rails, over budget, and might never be finished. We recommend taking the time to assess your current space and create a wish list. This might mean going onto Pinterest or Houzz to find some inspiration photos or pulling from your own imagination to create the perfect space for you. Either way, make a plan, write it down, and set a game plan.

Read more
How to choose the best outdoor sink for your entertaining area
Stacey Nguyen
By Stacey Nguyen
October 10, 2021
Outdoor sink

Setting up an outdoor kitchen can be quite an undertaking, but it's well worth your time, energy, and money if you want to prepare food for your guests outside. Naturally, an outdoor kitchen and an outdoor sink go hand-in-hand. The process of selecting and installing an outdoor sink, however, can be a confusing one. Deciding on the material alone can put you down a rabbit hole, so what are the main factors to consider when setting up a sink for your outdoor kitchen? Keep reading to find out!

Benefits of having an outdoor sink
Before we get into the details, let’s consider the general benefits of having an outdoor sink. Though you could always dash indoors to access your bathroom or kitchen sink, keeping one outside can be very convenient. If you prepare meals during a barbecue or cookout, an outdoor sink makes it easy to wash food and dishes outside instead of lugging things in and out of the house. If you have a double-basin sink, you can even chill your drinks on one side. Even when you're not hosting guests, having an outside sink during the warm-weather season can be helpful. You can use it to clean your harvests before bringing them into the house, for example. You can also use an outdoor sink to water your potted plants and wash your hands and other materials while working on outdoor or garage projects.
What to consider when you install an outdoor sink
Components
Some sinks at big-box and hardware stores come with everything—faucets, fittings, the whole shebang! However, you may want to source your own components for easy customization and the best prices possible. There are three essential components for an outdoor sink: the basin, faucet, and plumbing.

Read more