The Best Store-Bought BBQ Shortcuts That Actually Taste Good

You don't have to make everything from scratch.

Sure, homemade barbecue sauce is fantastic. Fresh potato salad is amazing. Hand-cut fries are impressive.

But if you're juggling a grill, entertaining guests, chasing kids, refilling drinks, and trying not to turn your burgers into hockey pucks, shortcuts aren't cheating—they're survival.
The trick isn't avoiding convenience foods.

It's knowing which shortcuts actually taste like you put in the effort.

​After plenty of backyard cookouts (and more than a few culinary experiments that should never be repeated), these are the store-bought BBQ shortcuts that are absolutely worth keeping around.

1. A Great BBQ Rub Beats a Complicated Spice Cabinet

​There's nothing wrong with making your own rub.
But unless you're competing for a championship belt, a quality BBQ seasoning saves time and delivers consistent results.

Look for blends with:

• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic
• Onion
• Paprika
• Brown sugar (when appropriate)
• Chili powder

Avoid products where salt is practically the only ingredient.

A good rub works on:

• Chicken
• Pork
• Steak
• Burgers
• Vegetables
• Potatoes

One bottle can season half your cookout.

2. Refrigerated Potato Salad Has Come a Long Way

Not all deli potato salads deserve a place on your table.
Some taste like cold wallpaper paste.
Others are surprisingly excellent.

If you're buying instead of making:

• Choose refrigerated versions instead of shelf-stable.
• Look for visible herbs.
• Add chopped green onions.
• Mix in crispy bacon.
• Sprinkle paprika over the top.

Five minutes of "doctoring up" can make it taste homemade.

3. Frozen Garlic Bread Is a Backyard Superhero

Homemade garlic bread?
Wonderful.
Frozen garlic bread?
Also wonderful.

Throw it on the grill during the last few minutes of cooking.
You get:

• Crispy edges
• Soft center
• Buttery garlic flavor
• Virtually zero effort

Most guests won't know the difference.

4. Pre-Cut Vegetables Save More Time Than You Think

Cutting vegetables isn't difficult.
It just takes time.

​Buying:

• Sliced peppers
• Mushrooms
• Broccoli florets
• Brussels sprouts
• Zucchini
• Onions

lets you toss everything with olive oil and seasoning before throwing them onto the grill.

Less prep.
More grilling.

5. Rotisserie Chicken Can Become BBQ Magic

Need extra meat?
Running behind?
Grab a rotisserie chicken.

Add:

• BBQ sauce
• Buffalo sauce
• Taco seasoning
• Homemade seasoning 

​Now you've got:

• BBQ sandwiches
• Chicken tacos
• Loaded baked potatoes
• Nachos
• BBQ pizza

Nobody has to know the grocery store did most of the work.

6. Frozen French Fries Grill Surprisingly Well

Air fryer?
Fantastic.
Oven?
Good.
Grill?
Also surprisingly good.
Use a grill basket or flat-top surface and cook until crispy.

Finish with:

• Parmesan
• Garlic seasoning
• Ranch powder
• BBQ seasoning

They become the perfect burger companion.

7. Jarred Pickles Are Better Than Homemade... Sometimes

Homemade pickles are wonderful.
But quality refrigerated pickles are hard to beat.

Keep several varieties:

• Dill
• Bread & butter
• Spicy
• Garlic
• Sweet heat 

They instantly elevate:

• Burgers
• Brats
• Sandwiches
• Charcuterie boards 

8. Good Quality Buns Make a Huge Difference

People obsess over expensive meat...
...then buy the cheapest buns available.
Don't.

​Upgrade to:

• Brioche buns
• Potato buns
• Bakery rolls
• Pretzel buns

Toast them lightly.

That one change makes every burger taste better.

9. Coleslaw Mix Saves a Ton of Chopping

Instead of shredding:

• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Purple cabbage

Buy the mix.

Add your own dressing.
Done.
You still get homemade flavor without spending fifteen minutes fighting cabbage.

10. Frozen Corn Is Better Than You Think

Fresh sweet corn is incredible.

​But frozen corn works beautifully in:

• Cowboy caviar
• Corn salad
• Succotash
• Pasta salad
• Salsa

Nobody notices once it's mixed with fresh ingredients.

11. Pre-Made Pie Crust Means More Time Outside

Want dessert?
Don't spend thirty minutes making crust.

Use refrigerated pie dough for:

• Fruit pies
• Hand pies
• Dessert pizzas
• Grilled fruit tarts

Your guests will remember the filling—not whether you made the crust.

12. Boxed Brownie Mix Is Almost Impossible to Beat

Here's an unpopular opinion.
Many boxed brownie mixes are outstanding.
Want to fool everyone?

Add:

• Espresso powder
• Chocolate chips
• Vanilla
• Extra butter
• Chopped pecans

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Instant backyard legend.

13. Bagged Salad Kits Aren't Just for Weeknights

People laugh at salad kits...
...until they're eating one.

​They include:

• Dressing
• Toppings
• Crunch
• Seasoning

Add grilled chicken or steak and suddenly you've got a complete meal.

14. Store-Bought Cookie Dough Makes Incredible Grilled Desserts

Cookie dough isn't just for the oven.

Bake it in:

• Cast iron skillets
• Foil pans
• Dutch ovens 

​Top with:

• Ice cream
• Chocolate sauce
• Caramel
• Fresh berries

Zero complaints.

15. Good BBQ Sauce Is Worth Buying

Could you make your own?
Absolutely.
Do you have to?
Not at all.

There are plenty of excellent bottled sauces available, and many backyard cooks keep a few styles on hand so everyone can find a favorite.

​For even more flavor, customize bottled sauce with ingredients like:

• Honey
• Maple syrup
• Hot sauce
• Apple cider vinegar
• Peach preserves
• Bourbon (cook thoroughly)
• Brown sugar

It takes less than five minutes and creates a sauce that tastes uniquely yours.

Bonus: Keep an "Emergency BBQ Bin"

Every grill master should have one.

Fill a plastic tote or pantry shelf with:

• Extra charcoal or propane accessories
• Aluminum foil
• Disposable pans
• Paper towels
• Seasonings
• BBQ sauce
• Cooking spray
• Toothpicks
• Corn holders
• Plastic utensils
• Zip-top bags
• Wet wipes
• Instant-read thermometer batteries

The fewer last-minute trips to the store, the more time you spend enjoying your guests.

Want to make grilling even easier? Check out our favorite grill tools—the ones that actually earn their spot by the grill instead of collecting dust in a drawer.

The Bottom Line

The best BBQ isn't judged by how many ingredients you made from scratch.

​It's judged by the smiles around the table, the laughter in the backyard, and the memories everyone takes home.

There's absolutely no shame in taking a few shortcuts if they free you up to spend more time with family and friends.
Because at the end of the day, nobody remembers whether the potato salad started in your kitchen or the grocery store.
They remember the great food, the great company, and another perfect day around the grill.

​And that's a shortcut worth taking.