Summer Grilling Recipes (2024)

Summertime is here! Whether you're BBQ'ing for Memorial Day, Labor Day, the 4th of July or just having a cookout for friends, you'll find the BEST summer grilling recipes right here! Dozens of great ideas perfect for your backyard cookout!

Whether you prefer a gas or charcoal grill or even an open fire use this best grilling recipes to kick off grilling season with a bang!

Drippy, sticky sweet saucy sauces

Summer bbqs aren't complete without these favorite grilling recipes! Drippy, sticky-sweet sauces for dunking and drizzling.

A great sauce will make the meal! If you're looking to step up grilling game, here are some of my favorite recipes!

• Huli Huli BBQ Sauce - this sauce will quickly become a summer favorite. it's delicious on chicken, pork or shrimp - enjoy!
• Homemade Plum BBQ Sauce - made right on the grill so it has a nice smoky flavor, this is terrific on vegetables, pork chops, chicken or seafood! The perfect combination of sweet and spicy!
• I rarely grill chicken now without making a bit batch of Alabama White BBQ Sauce for dunking and saucing! It's an easy way to up the flavors!
• Carolina BBQ Sauce - Slightly sweet and finger licking good!
• Huli Huli BBQ Sauce - a sweet, sticky glaze that is great on chicken, pork and shrimp!
• Your meal won't be complete without this Homemade BBQ Sauce, it's thick, rich and smoky-sweet!
• Kansas City BBQ Sauce Recipe - Sweet molasses and tomato based, this sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy!

Eat your {Grilled!} Veggies!

There's something about the grill that makes even vegetables taste better. Visit your local farmers’ market. It's a great way to find fresh vegetables. And remember a little char is a good thing! It really adds a nice smokey flavor.

Here are great recipes that will have even your pickiest eaters gobble their veggies!

• Seasoned and individually served Vegetable Foil Packets are so good and clean up is a breeze! Filled with zucchini, yellow squash, red onion & corn - these are super yummy! A sprinkle of fresh herbs is a great addition! This is my favorite way to enjoy grilled veggies.
• Grilled Asparagus - so easy to make and only minutes on the grill!
• Bacon makes everything better! This Grilled Asparagus with Bacon is easy to make and delish!
• Grilled Zucchini - so simple a brush of olive oil and some seasoning. Just that little bit of char when grilled over high heat makes all the difference!
• Using a grill pan makes veggies so much more simple to make! These grilled vegetables are so easy and so good!
• Mexican Street Corn Recipe - freshly squeezed lime juice, topped with chili lime salt, cilantro and a sprinkle of cotija cheese.

Summer salads

These easy grilling ideas are perfect side dishes for summertime.

• This yummy Pork Tenderloin Salad is a quick weeknight dinner and still light and fresh!
• Grilled Sweet Corn Salad - the perfect summer side dish for you meal, crunchy and fresh there won't be leftovers!
• Grilled romaine and chicken are tossed with your favorite Cobb Salad ingredients for this amazing salad that eats like a meal!
• This Creamy Grilled Potato Salad is made on the grill and it's amazing! No need to heat up the house, you'll love this salad!
• Grilled Eggplant and Ricotta Salad - one look at this salad and your mouth will be watering!

Pasta and potato salads

No cook out is complete without a great side salad to share! Here are some of our favorites on Bowl Me Over!

• Bow Tie Pasta Salad - this amazing salad is perfect for your BBQ because there's no mayo dressing. It's a must have!
• Mom's Deviled Egg Potato Salad - the BEST I've had, we make this for every gathering!
• A great make-ahead entry this Southern Style Ham Pasta Salad Recipeis filled with salty ham, cheeseandbright, crunchy vegetables!
• The Thai Crunch Salad is crunchy, hearty and delicious! Great with chicken or pork, it's another mayo-free salad recipe, yum!
• BLT pasta salad recipe is like your favorite sandwich, but in salad form. With tender pasta coated in creamy coleslaw dressing and mixed together with juicy tomatoes, crispy bacon, lettuce, and crunchy shallots! What's not to love?
• A Mexican Fruit Salad is a refreshing twist to a heavy pasta salad. Topped with chili and a squeeze of fresh lime it's delicious!

Equipment

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• We use a Weber Grill really similar to this and just love it! A grill cover is always a good idea (though I confess we often forget to put it back on!)
• You'll definitely need a good grill brush to clean the grates.
• A nice set of grill utensils is a must! This set has the basics and is very affordable.

Grilled Hamburger Recipes

Classic Burgers

If you're looking for a big beefy burger, look no further! Check out these best grill recipes for your next cookout!

• Smash Burgers are always a hit! Tender beef with melty cheese? What can be better for Memorial Day?!!!
• Grill up the Ultimate Steakhouse Burgers for dinner tonight with this easy recipe.
• We love everything about the cheesy, onion deliciousness of this French Onion Burger!
• Stuffed Burgers - so juicy and stuffed with cheese, what's not to love?
• Perfectly seasoned juicy homemade burgers, this Classic Burger Recipe will have everyone asking for seconds!

Oh no, is it raining? No problem! You can still enjoy a great burger indoors.

• If you're looking for a budget-friendly main dish, cook frozen hamburger patties burgers in the oven.
• Frozen Burgers in the Air Fryer is another great option.
• If you want to make your patties try Air Fryer Burgers instead!

Alternative Burger Recipes

Chicken Burgers, Turkey Burgers, Pork Hamburgers and meatless burgers prove you don't need beef to grill an amazing meal!

• Got frozen burgers? No problem! Click here for Grilling Frozen Burgers. It's an amazing recipe and the best part is you don't need to thaw those patties!
• The BEST Turkey Burger Recipe - extra juicy and tender- are simple to make and completely delicious!
• Who says a meatless meal is boring? Check out this recipe for Nut Burgers, this is one hearty meal!
• Kimchi Burgers - filled with the perfect meaty combination and topped with a spicy slaw, these burgers are AMAZING!
• Juicy on the outside with crispy golden edges, you will love this amazing Avocado Chicken Burger Recipe.
• Portobello Mushroom Burger - a hearty and delicious meatless burger!
• If you love hot dogs, then be sure to try this recipe for Beer Brats - it takes hotdogs to a whole new level!
• Do you have a guest that is vegan or vegetarian? Use this veggie burger recipe!

Beef... it's what's for dinner

Steak is always great on the grill, and there are many great ways to enjoy it! Here are a few of my favorites!

• Tender and juicy this is one of the BEST Tri Tip Recipes! It is so good, every time!
• Smoked Brisket - I love the flavors; this is one of the BEST cuts of meat!
• This delicious marinated skirt steak Carne Asada is perfect for taco night and easy to make as well!
• Easy Grilled Steak - Cook steak perfectly every time by following these step-by-step instructions!
• This teriyaki marinade is SO GOOD with filet mignon - fantastic on the grill!
• Grill some Petite Top Sirloin Steak - it's incredibly flavorful and tender, every time!
• Smoked Beef Chuck Roast results in juicy, tender, and flavorful meat. It's perfect for pulled beef or thinly sliced meat.

Ribs and Chicken Recipes

Here are great pork and chicken summer cooking ideas. Which one will you try first?

Pork Ribs

• Learn how to make tender ribs on the grills on the grill - no baking, no slow cooker or pre-cooking required! After you put them on the grill, you'll just need to keep an eye on the grill temperature - easy/peasy!
• Saucy and delicious these lip-smacking baby back ribs will be a new family favorite.
• Tantalizing Asian BBQ'd Pork Ribs - sticky and sweet, you'll be going back for seconds!
• You'll have tender, saucy ribs every time with this easy recipe!

Grilled Chicken Recipes

• Hawaiian BBQ Chicken (pictured above) is hands down my new summer favorite recipe!
• This easy Lemon Pepper Chicken recipe makes tender and juicy meat every time! And it's such a simple, flavorful marinade perfect for grilled chicken breast!
• Without a doubt the BEST Chili Lime Chicken and so easy to make, this is a meal the whole family will enjoy!
• Teriyaki Chicken - absolutely amazing, this is everyone's favorites! Top with pineapple salsa? Delish!
• What's not to love about this recipe? Grilled Chicken with Bourbon Peaches - YUM!
• Sticky Asian Grilled Chicken Thighs - coated with a sticky-sweet glaze, these will melt in your mouth!
• Did someone say bacon? Yes please! Grilled Chicken Wrapped in Bacon. I'm drooling just thinking about it!

Kabobs and Skewers for the win!

The beauty of a great seekh kebab is it takes just minutes to make and cook. Simple and flavorful, they are a quick weeknight meal!

• Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs - SO GOOD, this marinade is the BEST!
• If you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal, look no further - shrimp kabobs are done in minutes! It's the perfect way to make dinner in a snap!
• Thai Coconut Grilled Chicken Skewers - juicy, tender chicken marinated in a thick coconut sauce - YUM!
• Easy to make Steak Seekh Kebabs with only 4 ingredients!
• Grilled Shrimp Kabobs are perfect for a party - so simple and delicious!
• Easy to make with a quick marinade and zesty Cajun seasoning, these Chicken Kabobs are so good!
• Sausage and Pepper Kabobs - this extra-easy recipe only has four ingredients and it's so flavorful!

Fish and seafood

• Grilled Shrimp Tacos - this is a quick and easy meal and SO GOOD!
• Baja Fish Tacos are so flavorful and simple - just plain yummy, serve with cilantro lime rice - what an easy dinner!

Grilling equipment needed

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• charcoal grill, gas grill and/or smoker
• charcoal and chimney starter for charcoal grill
• grilling basket
• basic tool kit; spatula, tongs and fork
• basting brush
• stainless steel brush to clean the grill grates
• No outdoor grill? Get yourself a cast-iron grill pan! You can still join in the fun.

Things to know

• New to grilling? Learn how to season the grill here.
• If you're using wooden skewers, don't forget to soak them for 30-60 minutes! This will help keep them from burning while you're bbq'ing.
• Keep a spray bottle handy to extinguish flames.
• Clean the grates of the grill well before you begin cooking your meal.
• Click here to learn how to avoid common grilling mistakes. Let's make that BBQ a success!

What do you think? Did you find a great summer dinner to enjoy? There are so many genius ways to enjoy easy grill recipes!

More Grilling Recipes