5 BBQ mince recipes which aren't burgers

I have spent the last few days feeling terribly British, because all we can do is talk about the weather... and it has been hot! And anyone actually turning an oven on inside their house at the moment must be mad! This is BBQ weather, not just because BBQs are delicious, but also because it keeps any heat generating appliances out of our already stuffy kitchens.

Sure, steaks are often considered the pinnacle of BBQ food, but that can get quite expensive during a prolonged heatwave. And burgers are delicious and made from much more affordable mince, but by now we want something a bit different.

Here are five easy, family-friendly BBQ ideas which prove that mince deserves a place on your BBQ this summer.

1. Beef koftas

These are one of the easiest BBQ dinners you can make.

Mix beef mince with grated onion, garlic, parsley, cumin and a little paprika, shape onto skewers and cook over a medium heat until browned and cooked through.

Serve with flatbreads, salad, yoghurt and a squeeze of lemon.

Quick, flavourful and ideal for feeding a crowd.

2. BBQ Beef Tacos

A cast iron pan on a BBQ is a wonderful thing. If you don't have one, now is the time to treat yourself (we have a Weber one and use it all the time).

Cook beef mince with onions, garlic, smoked paprika and a pinch of cumin, then serve in taco shells, lettuce, salsa, guac and grated cheese.

Put it all in the middle of the table and let everyone build their own.

3. Meatball Skewers

These are always a hit with both children and adults.

Mix beef mince with garlic, herbs and seasoning, roll into meatballs and thread onto skewers with your favourite vegetables.

Cook until golden and slightly charred on the outside, then serve with a simple tomato sauce or tuck into warm pittas with salad.

4. Stuffed Peppers

BBQ food doesn't always have to be heavy.

Cut peppers in half and scoop out any seeds. Fill them with a mixture of cooked beef mince, onions, herbs and top with a little cheese.

Place them on the BBQ with the lid down and cook until the peppers soften and the filling is bubbling.

Serve with potato wedges and a salad.

5. Loaded BBQ Nachos

If you've never tried nachos on the BBQ, you are missing out.

Cook seasoned beef mince in a cast iron pan, add tortilla chips, salsa, jalapeños (or whatever toppings you fancy) and a generous sprinkling of cheese.

Move away from the direct heat, pop the lid down and leave for a couple of minutes until everything is melted and bubbling.

Serve with soured cream, salsa, guac and a salad.

Great for sharing, and dangerously easy to keep picking at.

Don't overlook mince on the BBQ this summer

Steak and burgers get all the attention at this time of year, but mince is one of the hardest-working things in our freezer.

Whether you're trying to persuade the kids out of the paddling pool for their dinner on a Tuesday, or feeding a crowd at the weekend, a few packs of mince can be transformed into all sorts of dishes for eating al fresco.

If you'd like to stock up, our grass-fed, native-breed beef mince is available in individual packs, or in larger mince boxes and subscriptions, with local delivery around Oundle and nationwide delivery across mainland UK.