To satisfy the meat lovers, You could make bbq pork in a crockpot. Google for some recipes, you usually cook overnight and then in the morning, all you have to do is shred it. Make a cabbage slaw and sauce the night before.

Slow cooker pork is a great idea! Get the tortillas and fixins'.

Fried chicken comes to mind for a "picnic". Cold is my son's favorite!

For meat eaters, vegetarians and even vegans, make an assortment of aram/lavosh/wrap sandwiches;
-Roast beef with lettuce, veggies, caper or smoked paprika mayo
-Smoked turkey with sun-dried tomatoes and arugula with sweet, hot mustard
-Capresse in a wrap
-Chicken caesar in a wrap
-Herbed cream cheese with avocado and shredded carrot, spring greens, chives
-Hummus and all your favorite veggies
-Make some "wraps" with lettuce instead of the lavosh

Cheese platter with veggies and fruit

Potato salad
Coleslaw
Macaroni salad

Platter of "grilled" veggies;
-Either broil assorted veggies or roast them - I am currently fond of red peppers, portobellos, asparagus, cherry tomatoes - you could even do a wrap sandwich and serve with goat cheese! Drizzle with a mustard vinegarette.

-Roasted herbed potatoes, serve with smoked paprika mayo

No grill necessary!

We did a bunch of make-your-own tacos one year -- you could do broiled shrimp, mixed roasted vegetables, broiled/grilled chicken or fish (or several of those) and provide various types of tortillas and salsas, plus fresh things like slaw, lettuce, tomato, avocado and cheese. I think we had a traditional tomato salsa, one with mango and pineapple, and one with watermelon and feta.

pasta and/or grain salads featuring fresh veggies are always good! I've recently made a barley salad with chopped zucchini, chopped tomatoes, radishes, green onions, balsamic and red wine vinegar, olive oil and herbs. Add crumbled feta or goat cheese if you eat dairy. You can do something similar with pasta as well - or make a pesto and mix that with cold pasta and veg - that's one of my all-time favorite summer meals!

i made a red/purple cabbage slaw with mango recently that was a big hit - no mayo either so you can leave it out for a long time.

http://theactorsdiet.wordpress.com/2010/05/09/christy-and-lynn-ocho-de-mayo/

I have to deal with a carnivorous husband so I feel your pain! My friends come over for BBQ frequently, and I do marinated veggie kabobs, grilled corn in the husk, homemade blackbean burgers with avocado, and a nice salad. For dessert I do an angel-cake with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.

For the carnivorous, my solution is chicken wings in addition to all the other tummy stuff I mentioned. I get some wing drumetts and marinate them in good BBQ sauce with a little heavy cream overnight. Just throw everything in a bowl, mix, and cover. Throw them on the grill for about 5-10 mins on each side, so easy!

Oh yes, and when I say "grill" I mean on a grill pan. works like a charm :)

I love grilling thick slices of eggplant and zucchini. Just toss them with olive oil and sea salt. Portobello mushrooms would also be good.

My favorite potato salad is this Spanish version. In fact, I'm making it tonight for a bbq lunch tomorrow at work.

Back up the meat with sides galore- potato salad, coleslaw, mac n cheese, cornbread, corn on the cob, roasted veggies (if you don't want to grill 'em), homemade ice cream... Also if they demand the grill, try a marinated portobello burger... easy and delish!

I like these ideas, but I think the reason summer grilling is popular is because you're NOT slaving away in the kitchen while the party is going on, but out drinking with your friends. And depending what you make, grilling can be low maintenance. I like the grilled corn idea: soak some ears of corn, peel back the husks and de-silk them, slather with a softened herb butter, and twist the husks back on. You can stick those on the grill as is and forget about them for a long, long time. (Or, if you're time-sensitive, you can pre-steam them in the microwave.) They smell great and feel barbecuey, but you really don't have to tend them at all.

Hi Allison,
I faced this same dilemma last year at the Fourth of July. I went Italian with the menu, and bought a plate of Italian cold cuts from a specialty provider to satisfy the carnivores. They oohed and ahhed over the prosciutto and salami.

I served insalata caprese, cold minestrone with rice, and squares of polenta which had been grilled earlier. I also served grilled vegetables at room temperature. Grissini, crostini with fresh summer tomatoes, olives and figs rounded out the menu. I served panna cotta with raspberries and blueberries for dessert (rwb theme). Drinks were Americanos and wine, beer and of course italian sodas and sparkling waters.

It is incredibly hot here in Southern Arizona in early July, so most people relish a menu that features cooler foods. My advice would be to grill in advance a few things that are good at room temperature, then allow the rest of the menu to be cold.

If nothing else, you'll be different!

Grilled peaches, grilled corn on the cob - I just peel open the cob slightly and pull/trim the majority of the silks, soak them in water a few minutes and then put the whole cob on the grill.
Invite carnivores to bring and cook their own meat.
Tabouleh
Fruit/cheese platter
tomato & mozzerella
Sangria or other pre-mixed cocktail
orzo pasta salad - cheat and use a good greek or italian dressing & olive oil, feta cheese, spring or red onion and some other veggies.

My husband and I are bringing stuffed peppers to our 4th BBQ

THANK YOU so much everyone for the helpful ideas! I need to think hard now because everything sounds fabulous. I knew you'd be the right group to ask. Thanks to The Kitchn!
-Allison

Corn! My favorite preparation is as follows:

While corn is grilling, cut limes into small wedges (8 pieces per lime) and mix equal parts salt and chili powder (or cayenne, or aleppo peppers, or whatever) in a small bowl.

Take your corn cob, dip a lime wedge into the salt/chili mixture, and rub all over the corn. Eat and enjoy. You don't even need butter for this one, it's great for vegans too. Yum!

For us omnivores, nothing beats good meat. Braised pork is a hands down winner, ribs on the grill is good as well.

Chicken is tricky and if not done right is dry and unappealing. I would avoid that if your grill skills are not very high.

You may want to try grilling salmon on cedar planks...it's easy to do, looks fancy, and is very satisfying.

One veggie alternative to meat that I've seen win over even die-hard steak lovers is grilled portabello mushrooms...continuously basted in melted butter.