It’s hard to beat the pleasure of grilling your dinner over an open fire—and when the forecast is in the upper 80’s (or higher), it’s also a no-brainer for low-effort meals. Turn our kitchen into a fiery pit of doom just to roast some vegetables? We’d rather not. From classic vegetable appetizers and mains that go beyond steak to dessert (hello, strawberry shortcake), there’s really nothing the grill can’t handle. Whether you’re team charcoal, team gas or team indoor, here are the 70 best grilling recipes to make this summer and beyond.
The 70 Best Grilling Recipes to Cook and Eat All Summer
•
Published Jul 11, 2022
1. Grilled Jerk Chicken Cutlets With Mango Salsa
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why I Love It: high protein, <500 calories, dairy free, gluten free
Consider this your gateway to going all in on the swicy (ahem, sweet and spicy) trend: The cinnamon and spicy cayenne flavors in the jerk seasoning pair magically with juicy, zesty mango.
2. Grilled Watermelon Steaks
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why I Love It: vegetarian, gluten free, <500 calories
Proof that grilling isn’t always about steaks and chops. If you like the way grilled pineapple gets caramelized and super-sweet, you’ll love this twist.
3. Grilled Lemon-herb Chicken And Avocado Salad
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 35 minutes
- Why I Love It: dairy free, gluten free, make ahead
All the tastiest salads are heavy on the toppings. Grill a few chicken breasts at the beginning of the week if you want to meal prep.
4. Grilled Peach And Halloumi Salad With Lemon-pesto Dressing
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: vegetarian, ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
Something magical happens when you grill halloumi cheese: It gets melty and caramelized but still holds its shape, so you can add it to salads for an unexpected protein source.
5. Tomato Salad With Grilled Halloumi And Herbs
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why I Love It: ready in <15 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian, gluten free
See? With some fresh-picked tomatoes and charred halloumi, you’re on your way to a stunning side (or main).
6. Caprese Salad With Grilled Zucchini
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: ready in <30 minutes, vegetarian, <10 ingredients, <500 calories
There’s plenty of zucchini to go around, so why not add it to a crowd-pleasing classic?
7. Crispy Grilled Chicken
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, no sugar
PB&J, chicken and grilling—some combinations just work. This dish stays juicy—and gets its flavor—from a mayo-based rub.
8. Pasta Florentine With Grilled Chicken
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, high protein, gluten free
The hint of smokiness from the grilled chicken takes this creamy pasta to the next level.
9. Grilled Caprese Skewers With Halloumi And Sourdough
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
Homer Simpson might’ve said, “you don’t win friends with salad,” but when it’s on a skewer and includes both bread and cheese, we beg to differ.
10. Grilled Pesto Chicken Couscous Bowls
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein, low sugar
Even store-bought pesto has a way of spicing things up.
11. Summer Skillet Gnocchi With Grilled Corn And Burrata
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why I Love It: one pan, special occasion–worthy, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
Try this one-pan wonder with a glass of white wine in the backyard. (Psst: It’s ready in under an hour.)
12. Jackfruit Tacos With Grilled Pineapple
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why I Love It: vegetarian, high protein
We can’t believe it’s not meat! Seriously, barbecued jackfruit bears an uncanny resemblance to pulled pork.
13. Grilled Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: ready in <30 minutes, low sugar, low carb, <500 calories
You could swap the chicken for pork if you wanted. The toppings, though, are non-negotiable.
14. Grilled Watermelon-feta Skewers
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
Come summertime, we’re sneaking watermelon into as many meals as possible.
15. Grilled Cauliflower Steaks With Avocado-cilantro Sauce
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why I Love It: vegetarian, special occasion–worthy
You get major bonus points if you use a gorgeous purple variety of cauliflower, but any color will taste equally delicious with that sauce.
16. Vegan Sriracha ‘meatballs’ With Noodles And Grilled Vegetables
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why I Love It: vegan, gluten free, high protein
Sad vegan veggie bowl, we hardly knew ye. You can actually make these tofu-and-chia-seed-based “meatballs” up to two weeks in advance, making this a great pick for meal prepping.
17. Shrimp Boil Skewers With Corn, Sausage And Potatoes
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy, kid-friendly, gluten free
These are best eaten on a newspaper-lined picnic table with lots of melted butter (and napkins).
18. Grilled Vegetable And Goat Cheese Tacos
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: vegetarian, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
Who said veggie tacos were boring? Toss everything on the grill and dinner will practically make itself.
19. Rainbow Vegetable Skewers
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why I Love It: vegetarian, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
This is hands down the prettiest way to eat your vegetables. Plus, since all of the veggies are the same on each skewer, they’ll cook more evenly.
20. Cheater’s Prosciutto Hawaiian Pizza
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, special occasion–worthy
Swap the ham for prosciutto, give the pineapple a little char and now we’re in business.
21. Rodney Scott’s Honey-butter Fish
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why I Love It: high protein, <500 calories, special occasion–worthy
The sweet honey butter is just the thing to pair with that spicy, smoky barbecue rub.
22. Strawberry Shortcake Skewers With Whipped Cream
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why I Love It: kid-friendly, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
If the coals are already hot, you might as well make dessert right next to your dinner.
23. Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers With Tzatziki Sauce
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: gluten free, high protein, low carb
They’re not exactly the same as a vacation to Mykonos…but they’re close.
24. Steak Skewers With Chimichurri Sauce
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why I Love It: low sugar, high protein, gluten free, dairy free
Don’t sleep on this spicy, herbaceous chimichurri: It adds much-needed balance to all that meat.
25. Sriracha Shrimp Skewers With Collard-peach Salad
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why I Love It: dairy free, gluten free, high protein, <500 calories
A quick tip when you’re cooking with skewers: If you’re using wooden ones, be sure to soak them in water for about 30 minutes before grilling so they don’t catch fire. And if you’re using metal skewers, wear a heat-safe mitt to protect your fingers.
26. Smoky Barbecued Corn
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, ready in <30 minutes
Nothing against butter and salt, but this elote-inspired topping is *chef’s kiss*
27. Pomegranate-maple Glazed Lamb Chops
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy, beginner-friendly, high protein, low carb
Are you like a restaurant chef or something? Don’t tell your guests that these chops are as easy to cook as grilled chicken. (Seriously.)
28. Sweet-and-sour Pork Skewers With Pineapple
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy, kid-friendly, high protein
They’re a little bit retro and a whole lotta delicious, which is more than you can say for most pork tenderloin recipes.
29. Charred Cauliflower With Crunchy Garlic Chile Oil
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: ready in <30 minutes, low carb, low sugar
Make extra chile oil and put it on everything in your kitchen.
30. Grilled Scallops
- Time Commitment: 36 minutes
- Why I Love It: dairy free, special occasion–worthy, gluten free, dairy free
Scallops take almost no time to cook, yet they feel fancy enough for company. And we love them for that.
31. Zesty Chargrilled Broccolini
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why I Love It: ready in <15 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegan
It’s like roasted broccoli’s cool, laid-back cousin from the west coast.
32. Grilled Chili Honey Lime Chicken And Sweet Potatoes With Avocado Salsa
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: ready in <30 minutes, <500 calories, gluten free, dairy free
Sweet and spicy chicken and creamy avocado? We have a crush on this bowl.
33. Grilled Artichokes With Lemon Basil Vinaigrette
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, Mediterranean diet–friendly, vegetarian
If you only know artichokes as an ingredient in a creamy dip, you need to try this elegant side dish.
34. Grilled Avocado And Gem Salad With Herb Yogurt Dressing
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: vegetarian, gluten free, ready in <30 minutes
We bet you never thought to grill avocados before. It gives them a hint of smokiness to spice up the entire salad.
35. Grilled Pork Banh Mì Sandwiches
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: ready in <30 minutes, special occasion–worthy
If a burger and a banh mì had a really tasty baby, this sandwich would be it.
36. Cajun-spiced Grilled Tofu
- Time Commitment:
- Why I Love It: vegetarian, dairy free, <10 ingredients
Yep, you really can grill anything you want. (This would be excellent as a lettuce wrap filling.)
37. Grilled Garlic Fingerling Potatoes
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: ready in <30 minutes, <500 calories
Grilling is our new favorite cooking method for taters, because they get crispy on the outside but stay creamy and pillowy on the inside.
38. Grilled Corn Salsa
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, ready in <15 minutes, vegan, gluten free
This salsa is light, refreshing and you can adjust the heat by tinkering with the amount of cayenne pepper you add. You’re going to need a bigger bag of tortilla chips.
39. Grilled Asparagus Caesar Salad
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: ready in <30 minutes, special occasion–worthy, beginner-friendly
Not today, boring old lettuce. We’re stepping up our salad game. Plus, the dressing is made with Greek yogurt and olive oil instead of the traditional raw egg, so it’s safe for all Caesar lovers to eat.
40. Grilled Eggplant With Chimichurri
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <500 calories, gluten free, dairy free
Even so-called eggplant haters can’t deny how gorgeous (and delectable) this dish is. The char from the grill keeps the eggplant from tasting one-note or getting soggy.
41. Baked Potatoes On The Grill
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why I Love It: dairy free, gluten free, vegan, paleo,
Wrap your spuds in foil, toss them on the coals and ready thy toppings—easy peasy.
42. Grilled Oysters With Chipotle Bourbon Butter
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy, ready in <15 minutes
We only want to attend parties where these oysters are being served. (Kidding—kind of.)
43. Prosciutto Goat Cheese Stuffed Peaches With Thyme Honey
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: ready in <30 minutes, special occasion–worthy, <10 ingredients
Is this not the chicest appetizer you’ve ever seen? You could also try it with plums or apricots.
44. Grilled Shakshuka Pizza
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 5 minutes
- Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy, crowd-pleaser, high protein
Grill-side brunch sounds like an excellent idea to us. If you don’t want to make your own dough (we don’t), ask your favorite local pizza haunt if they’ll sell you some of theirs.
45. Cilantro Lime And Yogurt Grilled Chicken Wings
- Time Commitment: 6 hours, 40 minutes
- Why I Love It: make ahead, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
Skip the buffalo sauce and keep things fresh with this citrus-y yogurt preparation. Marinating the meat ahead of time ensures they’ll be juicy and flavorful after hitting the grill.
46. Grilled Peaches With Vanilla Ice Cream
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why I Love It: ready in <15 minutes, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
When the summer fruit is at its peak, you don’t need to fuss with dessert. (A little vanilla ice cream never hurt, though.)
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
47. Grilled Flank Steak With Lemon-herb Sauce
- Time Commitment: 2 hours
- Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
Just think of that marinating time as a built-in cocktail hour. (It is summer, after all.) Once it’s ready, the meat will grill up in about 15 minutes, max.
48. Grilled Cheese Crostini
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy
It just so happens that our favorite carb and the grill get along nicely. We like these bites with balsamic-soaked strawberries, but try them with honey, nuts or another fruit, too.
49. Salmon Burgers
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why I Love It: high protein, low sugar, dairy free
A new twist on an old classic. Now’s the time to dust off your trusty food processor and put it to work.
50. Grilled Sticky Honey-sriracha Drumsticks With Slaw
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why I Love It: high protein, kid-friendly
These grilled sticky honey-sriracha drumsticks are spicy and sweet in all the right ways (read: a guaranteed hit).
51. The Ultimate Grilled Chicken Sandwich
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy, high protein
Once you put frizzled onions on a sandwich, you’ll never settle for lettuce and tomato again.
52. Mini Lobster Rolls
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy, crowd-pleaser, ready in <30 minutes
Combining our three favorite things in life: lobster, butter and fresh herbs.
53. Honey-lime Chicken And Veggies In Foil
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: ready in <30 minutes, gluten free, high protein
So tender and juicy and best of all, no dishes. Try swapping the asparagus for any similarly textured green vegetable, like green beans or broccolini.
54. Grilled Corn With Spicy Aioli
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, gluten free
Eat three. You have our permission.
55. Cheaters Grilled Whole Chicken And Vegetables
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
We’re always on the hunt for easy ways to cook a whole bird, and it turns out grilling is on the list. Spatchcocking the bird, aka flattening it by removing the backbone, will ensure it cooks evenly and quickly.
56. Grilled Flatbread Pizza With Artichoke, Ricotta And Lemon
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
Use store-bought flatbread, for the crispest thin-crust pizza you’ll ever taste—no kneading necessary.
57. Chicken Kebabs With Garlic Lemon Yogurt
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, make ahead, high protein
Although the recipe calls for just a few ingredients, kick the flavor up a notch by marinating the chicken in baharat, a Middle Eastern spice blend.
58. Summer Chipotle Chicken Cobb Salad
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 10 minutes
- Why I Love It: gluten free, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
In-season strawberries and fresh corn are hard to beat, so of course we’re combining them into one dish.
59. Grilled Lemon Garlic Zucchini
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: ready in <30 minutes, <500 calories, <10 ingredients
They call it “summer squash” for a reason. Put it on the grill, stat.
60. Grilled Curried Chicken Thighs
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why I Love It: high protein, low sugar
How to make your chicken stand out from the crowd? Bring on the spices. Here, that’s a mix of curry paste, hot peppers and coconut milk to tame the heat.
61. Grilled Parmesan Asparagus
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: ready in <15 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
We think we just found the perfect vehicle for Parmesan cheese, but we’ll let you be the judge.
62. Grilled Asian-inspired Steak Skewers
- Time Commitment: 3 hours, 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: high protein, diary free, crowd-pleaser
Because dinner’s always better on a stick. These skewers cook up in ten minutes—the rest of the time is just for marinating.
63. Teriyaki Cauliflower Steaks With Asian Gremolata
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian
If there were a side-dish beauty pageant, this one would take the crown. (Psst: A Grill Mates marinade serves as the ultimate shortcut here.)
64. Grilled Peach, Chicken And Ricotta Pizza
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion–worthy
Sweet, creamy, savory—this pizza has it all. Everything cooks on the grill, so it’s streamlined as it is, but you could use a rotisserie chicken to save some time.
65. Chipotle Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: gluten free, low carb, crowd-pleaser
The contrast between cool lettuce and charred chicken makes it worth lighting up the grill. Use iceberg for the crispiest crunch.
66. Grilled Pineapple Split Sundae With Cherry Sauce
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why I Love It: kid-friendly, special occasion–worthy, gluten free
This grilled pineapple sundae is not only decadent but also downright gorgeous.
67. Grilled Angel Food Cake With Blueberry Sauce
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion–worthy, <500 calories
It’s OK to start with a store-bought angel food cake (really).
68. Za’atar Grilled Eggplant And Zucchini
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: gluten free, dairy free, <10 ingredients, ready in <30 minutes, vegetarian
Pairing this effortless side dish with a yogurt, tahini or spiced green sauce side would take it over the top, but a simple drizzle of olive oil and a shower of flaky salt is just as delicious.
69. Lemongrass-ginger Coconut Grilled Steak
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 10 minutes
- Why I Love It: gluten free, special occasion–worthy, dairy free
You thought all grilled steak was the same…but allow us to change your mind with this deeply flavorful, slightly sweet number. It has a “why’s this so tasty?” factor that’s all thanks to one secret ingredient. (It’s fish sauce.)
70. Grilled Sweet Potatoes With A Dilly Dip
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: vegetarian, ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, gluten free
As much as we adore soft, caramelized roasted sweet potatoes, we’re not interested in turning our entire home into a fiery hellscape for the sake of dinner. Instead, we propose you toss those ’taties on the grill.
