Summer is nearly here, and with it comes loads of grilling and outdoor cooking. If you have grown a bit tired of the same old hamburgers and hot dogs, we have just the collection for you.
We have gathered 40 of the best grilling recipes that will turn your dull summer barbecue into a culinary masterpiece. Whether you prefer chicken, steak, pork, or seafood, there are some amazing ways to grill your favorite foods and give them a wonderful new flavor.
There are even recipes for grilling vegetables that are sure to get even the pickiest eaters sampling them.
You are sure to find many recipes that suit your fancy, so even if you are grilling the same types of foods, you can make them extra-special in a new and exciting way. Best of all, these recipes are just as easy as those boring old hot dogs and hamburgers, but much more delicious. Fire up that grill and get ready for the tastiest summer ever!
Jump to:
- 1. Grilled Malibu Chicken
- 2. Campfire Banana Splits
- 3. Grilled Chipotle-Rubbed Steaks with Lime Butter
- 4. Grilled Three Cheese Potatoes
- 5. Chili Rubbed Pork Chops with Pineapple Salsa
- 6. Cedar Plank Salmon
- 7. Italian Grilled Chicken
- 8. Barbecued Lime Shrimp and Corn
- 9. Ranch Burgers
- 10. Mojito Chicken
- 11. Honey Garlic Grilled Pork Chops
- 12. Grilled Chicken Kabobs
- 13. Grilled Pizza
- 14. Mixed Grill Kabobs
- 15. Grilled Zucchini
- 16. Grilled Peaches
- 17. Lemon Herb Grilled Shrimp
- 18. Steak and Hasselback Potatoes
- 19. Pineapple and Honey BBQ Ribs
- 20. Grilled Corn and Black Bean Salsa
- 21. Grilled Caesar Chicken
- 22. Grilled Vegetable Kabobs
- 23. Grilled Corn on the Cob
- 24. Grilled Stuffed Peppers
- 25. Grilled Pot Roast
- 26. Grilled Rosemary Lamb Chops
- 27. Grilled Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs
- 28. Tuscan Style Grilled Tuna
- 29. Grilled King Crab Legs
- 30. Grilled Eggplant with Feta
- 31. Grilled Potato Salad
- 32. Aloha Barbecue Sliders
- 33. Turkey Burgers
- 34. Pork Chop Apple Bean Packets
- 35. Grilled Mahi-Mahi with Asparagus
- 36. Glazed Ham and Pineapple Kabobs
- 37. Grilled Bruschetta Chicken
- 38. Grilled Bread with Pesto
- 39. Grilled Eggplant Burgers
- 40. Grilled Sweet Potatoes
1. Grilled Malibu Chicken
Spice up that boring chicken with a great Malibu chicken recipe. The recipe calls for yummy ingredients like ham, Swiss cheese, pineapple, and other delicious additives. It’s a really easy recipe and one that is sure to be a huge hit at your outdoor cookout parties. The preparation takes a little over an hour, but you only have to grill it for about 15 minutes, depending on the temperature of your grill. It’s a quick recipe with regard to the cooking time, so it’s perfect for weekday evenings when you just don’t have that much time to cook.
2. Campfire Banana Splits
Not everything that you cook on the grill has meat involved. You can also do desserts, and these banana splits are perfect for any cookout. They are really easy to make and oh so delicious. To make them, you just have to slice the banana peel, add chocolate chips and mini marshmallows, and then grill. You get a delicious grilled banana complete with a chocolate and marshmallow topping. You can also add shredded coconut or other ingredients if you want.
3. Grilled Chipotle-Rubbed Steaks with Lime Butter
You can really impress your friends and family with your grilling talents when you create these delicious steaks that include lime butter and a great chipotle flavor. They take less than half an hour to make from start to finish and have a wonderful zesty flavor thanks to the lime butter. You could use this recipe with chicken if you prefer that to steak, but the red meat really does bring out the flavor of the limes and is perfect for the chipotle flavor.
4. Grilled Three Cheese Potatoes
Imagine cooking delicious potatoes and having them ready as soon as you take your steaks off the grill. The great thing about grilling is that you can cook all of your food in the same place. These three cheese potatoes are not only easy to make, but they are also absolutely divine, and they take very little time to prepare. They do need to cook on the grill for about half an hour or so, until they are done. They combine the yummy taste of potatoes with cheese, bacon, and flavorings for the perfect side dish for all of your grilled meats.
5. Chili Rubbed Pork Chops with Pineapple Salsa
These pork chops are not only tasty, but they are also beautiful when prepared properly. The pineapple salsa gives them a wonderful color, and the tang of the pineapple is perfect with the chili rub. It only takes about 15 minutes to prepare the recipe and then another 20 to grill. If you are tired of chicken and steaks and you want something delicious and easy to make, chili-rubbed chops with pineapple are a great choice. These would be great with slaw or just about any other side you want to prepare.
6. Cedar Plank Salmon
For salmon that’s tender, juicy, and full of flavor, cooking it on a cedar plank is hard to beat. This method is much easier than it sounds and takes about 20 minutes from start to finish. Using an untreated cedar plank adds a subtle smoky flavor while keeping the salmon moist as it grills. It’s a simple, healthy recipe that’s perfect for summer cookouts—and even people who don’t usually love fish often enjoy salmon cooked this way.
7. Italian Grilled Chicken
For a different chicken recipe, this Italian grilled chicken is perfect. It combines the health benefits of chicken along with Italian dressing to make a very easy and very delicious meal. You marinate the chicken in Italian dressing for at least 4 hours. If you know that you are going to be grilling, you can let this sit in the refrigerator overnight, which makes it a bit more convenient and really gives the chicken a nice taste. Then, simply fire up the grill and cook the chicken until it’s done.
8. Barbecued Lime Shrimp and Corn
With the right ingredients, you can have a wonderful meal in about 10 minutes. This barbecued shrimp and corn recipe is really easy to make. You simply assemble the ingredients, wrap them in tin foil, and then grill until they’re all done. You can do these in individual servings and then use the tin foil to serve them, which helps reduce your cleanup time. The shrimp and corn are mixed with lime juice, honey, and a few other ingredients that make them taste delicious, and this is a fast and easy recipe.
9. Ranch Burgers
If you do find that you have a taste for burgers but you want to avoid the same old boring ones that you normally whip up on the grill, make them Ranch Burgers instead. The gist is to simply mix dried ranch dressing mix along with a few other ingredients into your hamburger meat before you pat out those patties and add them to the grill. This gives the burgers a wonderfully different flavor and takes no longer than traditional burgers to cook. Try these the next time you want a burger, and you may never go back to plain grilled burgers again.
10. Mojito Chicken
Spice up your normal grilled chicken with this recipe that incorporates all the signature ingredients of the mojito cocktail. The recipe uses ingredients like lime juice, mint, and rum to really give your chicken a great Caribbean taste. This is a good recipe for themed cookouts this summer. You can serve it with fried plantains, black beans, and the cocktail that inspires the dish, a mojito. Of course, you don’t have to serve it with cocktails. It tastes great with whatever you choose as a side and is sure to be a huge hit at your summer parties.
11. Honey Garlic Grilled Pork Chops
Not only are these Honey Garlic Chops delicious, but they are also much healthier than many alternatives. You only need four ingredients and about 20 minutes to make them, so they are perfect for busy weeknights when you really need something quick, but you want something tasty. Honey, garlic cloves, and soy sauce make the perfect glaze for pork, and these are great served with just about anything you want to pair them with. There are only 200 calories in each one, too, so they are great for those of you needing a low-calorie dish.
12. Grilled Chicken Kabobs
Who doesn’t just adore shish kabobs on the grill? These chicken kabobs are really easy to make and take very little prep time. They only take about 20 minutes from start to finish, and they are easy to customize. If you don’t really like onions or tomatoes, for instance, you can add vegetables that you do like, and they cook about the same. Serve these over rice or just have them by themselves. They have the meat and veggies that you need for a fully rounded meal.
13. Grilled Pizza
Yes! You can grill a pizza, and it will taste delicious! Imagine having your pizza and being able to cook it entirely on the grill. This is a great recipe that makes pizza dough that will actually cook on your grill. You just have to choose the toppings that you want to add. If you want to cook outside but you really have a hankering for pizza, you can have both. It takes about 5 minutes for the dough to cook and the toppings to heat (think really melty cheese), and then you’re all set for your pizza dinner.
14. Mixed Grill Kabobs
Kabobs are great because you can mix and match ingredients to suit everyone’s tastes. This mixed grill kabobs recipe features juicy chicken and beef paired with colorful vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms, all coated in a sweet and savory teriyaki-balsamic marinade. After marinating for maximum flavor, the kabobs grill up quickly, making them perfect for summer cookouts and casual outdoor dinners. With a little planning ahead, this recipe is easy to make and incredibly satisfying.
15. Grilled Zucchini
Grilled zucchini is a delicious side to add to any or all of your grilled meats. It is also a side that is really easy to make and one that people will love – even those who don’t normally eat their veggies. You have to marinade the zucchini for about 20 minutes, and then the grilling time is really fast. This particular recipe uses lemon zest to give the zucchini a really tangy taste, which would go perfectly with any steak or chicken that you are also grilling up.
16. Grilled Peaches
Desserts on the grill are a fun way to enjoy something sweet while staying outdoors. With this grilled peaches recipe, you can get smoky, juicy fruit straight from the grill and top it with vanilla ice cream and toasted walnuts for a simple, delicious treat. It only takes a few minutes to grill the peaches, making it perfect for a warm summer evening when you want dessert without heating up the kitchen.
17. Lemon Herb Grilled Shrimp
If seafood is more your style when it comes to grilling, you will love this lemon herb shrimp recipe. The lemon and herbs are perfect pairings with the shrimp, and you can serve this with any number of sides, from rice to veggies. It takes about 20 minutes to prepare and then another 10 to grill, but it comes out so deliciously that it will instantly become a favorite. When you just can’t stand steaks or burgers any longer, shrimp is a great choice, and this is an easy recipe that you can cook on an indoor or outdoor grill.
18. Steak and Hasselback Potatoes
What could be better than getting your meat and potatoes done at the same time? This succulent steak and hasselback potatoes recipe gives you both dishes in the same amount of time, so everything is ready together. Add a small salad, and you have the makings of a wonderful dinner. The steak marinade includes pineapple juice and vinegar for a great sweet and sour taste, and the potatoes, garlic, olive oil, and butter, which are perfect complements to the steak.
19. Pineapple and Honey BBQ Ribs
Ribs are certainly a favorite summertime food, and this easy grilling recipe is sure to make them one of your top picks for cookouts. The sweet and spicy ribs have a Caribbean taste due to the honey, pineapple, and lime juice. It takes a couple of hours to grill them to perfection, but they are certainly worth the wait. If you are looking for a great rib recipe and you want something that is sure to be a hit with your friends and family, this is it. It’s an easy recipe to put together and goes with any number of potential sides.
20. Grilled Corn and Black Bean Salsa
Really spice up those cookouts with a tangy and delicious grilled corn and black bean salsa. With corn, chile, black beans, and a few other key ingredients, this salsa is perfect for serving over your grilled steaks or chicken. Just grill it up and then add it to plain meats to spice them up a bit, or you could even serve it with tortillas if you wanted. It is a really easy recipe that calls for corn on the cob, although you can use frozen corn if you wish.
21. Grilled Caesar Chicken
If you are planning to have a salad, add some grilled chicken to it in style with this Caesar Chicken recipe. It takes about an hour from start to finish and is the perfect topping for salads, or you could do a few kabobs and then serve salad with them. You can even toast your croutons on the grill to really make your salad taste delicious. If you want a healthier alternative to grilled hot dogs and hamburgers, this is a very tasty one.
22. Grilled Vegetable Kabobs
You don’t necessarily have to have meat on your kabobs. In fact, vegetable kabobs are the perfect side for your favorite grilled steak or chicken recipes. You can use okra, mushrooms, eggplant, cherry tomatoes, onion, and any number of other vegetables. Just add them to your kabob skewers and grill them until they’re done. Note that some vegetables take a bit longer to cook thoroughly than others, so you may have to choose your veggies wisely if you are planning to mix them all up a bit.
23. Grilled Corn on the Cob
Grilled corn on the cob is sure to be a favorite among grillers. This is a very easy way to enjoy fresh corn and one that has a delicious taste. The best thing is that you cook the corn directly in its own husk. You simply clean away the silks and then replace the husk, adding in your salt, pepper, and butter as you want. They will need to stay on the grill for about 20 minutes or so, depending on the temperature. Grilled corn is the perfect side dish for any grilled meat and can be cooked while the meat is cooking, so everything is done at the same time.
24. Grilled Stuffed Peppers
If you love stuffed peppers, you are going to really love them on the grill. This recipe takes the deliciousness of stuffed peppers and the convenience of grilling to give you the perfect dish. It takes a few minutes for the prep on this one, and then the peppers have to cook on the grill for about 45 minutes, but they are certainly going to be worth the extra time. These would be perfect for any outdoor event and especially great for those times when hamburgers and hot dogs just won’t do it for you.
25. Grilled Pot Roast
That Sunday dinner pot roast gets a whole new look and taste when you cook it on the grill. This is a really easy recipe considering there is a pot roast involved, and while it takes a few hours to cook slowly, the results are perfectly tender and flavorful. The recipe still calls for potatoes, carrots, and onions just like a traditional roast, but the real magic comes from cooking it in a savory broth with herbs while it simmers on the grill. If you are planning a dinner and want something a bit traditional but still enjoy the flavors of outdoor cooking, this is the perfect pot roast to serve.
26. Grilled Rosemary Lamb Chops
The marinade for these grilled rosemary lamb chops is what makes them so flavorful. A mixture of fresh rosemary, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice gives them a delicious taste. Let the chops sit in the marinade for at least half an hour, or overnight for even more flavor. When you’re ready to grill, it only takes about 10 minutes on medium-high heat, depending on how well done you like them. This is a quick and easy recipe that’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something grilled but don’t have time for lengthy recipes.
27. Grilled Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs
Okay, so you really want those hot dogs, but you want something a bit different at the same time. These hot dogs are wrapped with bacon and stuffed with cheese and sauerkraut. You only have to grill them for a couple of minutes, and they are a great change of pace from traditionally plain hot dogs. Of course, if you don’t like sauerkraut, you can just leave that out or maybe substitute onions or something else. The bacon helps to really seal in the juices and make them taste absolutely divine.
28. Tuscan Style Grilled Tuna
After letting your tuna sit for about 10 minutes with a delicious Tuscan-style rub, it takes only about 10 minutes or so to grill them. If you love tuna and you want a grill recipe that is as healthy as it is tasty, this is a good one. You can serve grilled tuna with grilled vegetables, mushrooms, or rice and have a really healthy meal that takes very little time to create.
29. Grilled King Crab Legs
Delicious king crab legs in a barbecue dipping sauce are perfect for any cookout. This is a really fast and easy recipe that takes only a few minutes once your grill is heated to the right temperature. The dipping sauce makes the crab legs really delicious, and you can serve them alone or have them with your grilled fish or steak. You have to be careful when grilling crab legs, not to break them, though, because doing so could cause them to dry out and lose their flavor.
30. Grilled Eggplant with Feta
These grilled eggplant rolls with feta and olives are perfect as a main dish or as an appetizer. It only takes about five minutes total to cook them on the grill, and they have a wonderful mixture of flavors. They are also very healthy and are perfect as a side with grilled steak or chicken. You grill the eggplant first and then roll it up around the feta and olive mixture, which takes very little time and is sure to become a hit at your grilling dinner parties.
31. Grilled Potato Salad
Yes, you can make potato salad on the grill, and it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. This grilled version gives the potatoes a smoky, charred flavor while keeping the salad light and fresh with lemon, herbs, and a touch of mayo. The potatoes are boiled first, then finished on the grill, and tossed with green onions, dill, and capers for extra flavor. It’s perfect alongside steak, chicken, or seafood and is easy to scale up for larger gatherings.
32. Aloha Barbecue Sliders
If you love sliders, then you will adore these easy-to-make Aloha Barbecue Sliders. It only takes 30 minutes to create these little burgers, and there are only 7 ingredients required. The sliders are perfect on dinner rolls, and you can add whatever you want to them, like tomato, lettuce, or onion. Serve them up with vegetables that you also cook on the grill, or they’re great with chips. These are perfect for large cookouts, especially when you are grilling other meats and a burger that’s a bit different than the norm.
33. Turkey Burgers
Sometimes you just really want a burger, but if you are watching your red meat intake, you may think you just have to do without. This is when these turkey burgers are perfect. They only take about 10 minutes to prepare and are certainly not your normal hamburger. With ingredients like bleu cheese, avocado, and sour cream, they are a wonderful change from traditional burgers, and they are much healthier because they are actually made from ground turkey.
34. Pork Chop Apple Bean Packets
Grilling is great, particularly when you can have an entire meal cooked on the grill. These pork chop packets have baked beans cooked right in the packet with them, so you don’t have to make anything else. Apples give them a wonderful flavor, and because everything is cooked in a tin foil packet, the cleanup is very quick and easy. You also get to cook the individual servings in a packet by themselves, and you can eat right out of the foil, which also speeds up the cleanup process.
35. Grilled Mahi-Mahi with Asparagus
Grilling is a wonderful way to enjoy delicious foods and watch your fat and calories at the same time. This Mahi-Mahi recipe only takes half an hour from start to finish and includes asparagus as a side and a wonderful lemon butter sauce for the fish. If you aren’t a fan of Mahi-Mahi, you could substitute salmon, tuna, or any fish that you catch for the recipe. You can also substitute the asparagus, but it goes very well with the fish and the lemon butter.
36. Glazed Ham and Pineapple Kabobs
Pineapple and ham just go together really well, and this ham and pineapple kabob recipe is the perfect change from burgers and hot dogs. It’s a really quick and easy recipe, too, and one that you can serve with any number of sides. Rice is a great side choice, or you could whip up some of your favorite sides that you normally serve with glazed ham. The pineapple cooks perfectly on the grill and gives the ham a wonderful tropical flavor.
37. Grilled Bruschetta Chicken
Mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, dried basil, and a sun-dried tomato dressing give this grilled chicken a wonderful flavor. If you love bruschetta in general, you are absolutely going to love this grilled bruschetta chicken. The recipe is simple. It has only 5 ingredients, counting the chicken, and you only have to grill for about 10 minutes or so. Serve this one with just about any side you can think of, from rice to veggies or even potato salad. It’s sure to please even the pickiest eater and is certainly a change from boring and plain grilled chicken.
38. Grilled Bread with Pesto
You need a good bread recipe for those cookouts, right? This grilled bread recipe has tomatoes, parmesan, burrata, and other ingredients to make it delicious. It only takes about 10 minutes from start to finish and is the perfect bread for all of your grilled meats. You can change the recipe up a bit if you want, and you can use a number of different crusty breads to make it. The next time you plan to grill out, don’t forget the bread.
39. Grilled Eggplant Burgers
Even if you do grill burgers, they don’t have to be traditionally boring. These eggplant burgers are great with pesto and halloumi. If you want something a bit different, not to mention healthier, than traditional burgers, then these veggie burgers are the perfect choice. They only need about 6 minutes on the grill, and you can change the recipe up a bit to add a few ingredients that you prefer, like tomatoes or onions. Skip the ground beef for your next cookout and stick with eggplant instead. It’s a nice change of taste that’s actually better for you.
40. Grilled Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes don’t necessarily have to be only for Thanksgiving. If you are looking for a yummy side for your grilled meats, sweet potatoes are a great choice. This particular recipe has a cherry sauce that is divine and gives the potatoes a bit of a sweet and tangy taste. These are great for going along with chicken or steak, or you could just serve them with your traditional burgers for a nice change of pace. Anyway you serve them, you are sure to enjoy this “not just for Thanksgiving” food on the grill.
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