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Get ready for some epic grilling adventures this summer with 101 of the best grill recipes all in one place. From bbq meat to veggies and even dessert, we’ve got you covered with over 100 of the best grill recipes and bbq dinner ideas.
We grill at least once a week here in Southern California, and even more in the summer. Along the way I’ve learned a lot of tips and tricks for what to grill, how to grill and what tools to keep on hand. I’ll share those tips below, then we’ll get into the meat of it, literally, with tons of easy grilling recipes.
Best Grill Recipes for Summer
My favorite thing about having a backyard grill is that I can put pretty much anything on it, from meats to veggies and even fruits! I’ve even put garlic bread on the grill and it came out so hot and crispy with a little bit of smoky char.
Everyone has their favorite grilling recipes – these are mine.
Top 10 Things to Grill:
Steak
Pork tenderloin
Chicken thighs
Shrimp
Zucchini
Mushrooms
Salmon
Chicken breast
Shish-kabobs
Corn on the cob
Must Have Tools for Grilling
A quick Google search and you’ll find hundreds of grilling tools and gadgets that claim to be the best, but how do you really know? I’ve compiled a list of my own must-haves for every backyard grill-master.
Gas Grill – I am a diehard Weber loyalist and I’ve got a recommendation for both large and small grills. This small grill is ideal for 2-4 people, it’s portable and easy to clean. This full size gas grill is a beast and it’s got plenty of space to cook for a crowd.
Grilling Basket – This Grill Basket is great for all kinds of smaller cut veggies, shrimp, scallops and more delicate fish.
Grill Mat – A Grill Mat is great for keeping marinated foods or sauces from burning.
Gloves – If you have a larger grill and short arms (like me) you want to keep a pair of Grilling Gloves handy to keep from burning your hands when flipping burgers and chicken.
Utensils – At least have a good pair of long tons on hand for flipping.
Top Grilling Tips and Tools
Always preheat your grill. Just like your oven, your barbecue needs time to come to a safe cooking temperature. The grates get nice and hot and that is what gives you that beautiful sear and char marks we all love to see. This step will also help loosen any stuck on food and helps to keep your food from sticking in the first place.
Keep the lid closed while cooking. Heat escapes when the lid is open and you’ll be amazed at just how fast that temperature drops. Keeping the grill lid down also helps to prevent flare-ups.
Monitor the time and temperature. I always keep a timer handy (usually my phone) and a digital meat thermometer so I can keep a close eye on my food and make sure not to overcook it.
London Broil is a cut of beef that's marinated then and grilled over a high heat. This tender, juicy steak is a budget friendly yet classy weeknight meal.
Hamburger Sliders are the perfect mini sized party food. These juicy little grilled burgers are so flavorful and easy and great for summertime picnics.
These delicious Grilled Korean Short Ribs are so tender and full of flavor! Marinated in a tangy Kalbi style marinade for hours, this juicy short rib recipe is sure to become an instant favorite!
Steak Fajitas are good, but Grilled Steak Fajitas are better! Tender flank steak makes a great fajita protein with charred peppers and onions- this is an easy dinner that's perfect for a summer get-together.
Grilled Rosemary Balsamic Flat Iron Steak is a real show stopper. Topped with a balsamic, red wine, rosemary and garlic reduction, it will have your guests raving!
Mini seasoned meatloaves sandwiched in between crisp white onion slices are what makes up these delicious onion bombs. They’re a savory, flavorful dinner option that can be grilled, baked, and even cooked over a warm campfire.
Beef Tenderloin Recipe: This easy recipe causes our guests to come running when they hear what's on the grill. Using an incredible "rub," this beef tenderloin will be the hero of your table!
Foil Packet Grilled Sausage & Peppers – A satisfying grilled dinner that is perfect for feeding a crowd at a backyard barbecue and easy enough for a weeknight dinner.
Grilling season is in full swing and these St. Louis Grilled Ribs is one recipe that you need in your barbecue repertoire! These succulent, fall of the bone ribs are always a hit.
Our BBQ Baby Back Ribs on the Grill will change your grilling game forever! This is the juiciest, most delicious pork rib recipe, that’s fall-off-the-bone tender with barbecue sauce and a homemade dry rub.
These Grilled Hawaiian Pork Chops are an easy recipe for a quick weeknight dinner. This mouthwatering sweet and savory dish is the perfect summer meal!
These Cast Iron Grilled Lamb Chops are juicy, tender and so flavorful!!! I never thought I could get restaurant quality lamb chops at home. Serve them with tzatziki, Greek salad or any Mediterranean side dishes.
These easy, mouthwatering Sriracha Mayo Marinated Grilled Lamb Chops are one of my favorite recipes for summer entertaining! They look and sound impressive, but they take less than 20 minutes of total work aside from the marinating time.
This Citrus Grilled Chicken is marinated in a delicious combo of orange, lemon, lime and garlic. Throw it on the grill or sear it in a cast iron and finish in the oven. It’s perfect for a weeknight meal and it’s especially good in wraps and salads.
Having a great grilled chicken marinade in your back pocket is essential for summer grilling. This delicious marinade packs a flavor punch without being overpowering, and it's great with any kind of chicken!
Simple to make yet full of flavor, BBQ Ranch Grilled Chicken Breast is one of our favorite summer grilling recipes. No marinating and ready in 30 minutes.
Garlic Lime Chicken Kabobs are perfect for grilling season! Chicken and veggies drizzled with a tangy, creamy garlic lime dressing are the perfect dinner.
These Chicken Fajitas are so quick and easy to make, with a delicious mix of seasonings. With a flavorful chicken fajita marinade and grilled vegetables, this chicken fajita recipe is a favorite easy meal!
A simple delicious recipe for chicken shawarma that can be grilled or baked – full of Middle Eastern flavor. Serve with homemade pita bread and tzatziki or over Israeli Salad.
This easy Grilled Chicken Pesto Sandwich recipe is made with grilled chicken, fresh mozzarella, tomato and pesto sauce. Make it for lunch or dinner in less than 20 minutes!
Spatchcock Grilled Chicken infuses a whole chicken with a zesty homemade Italian marinade before grilling it to delicious tender perfection! Only 10 minutes of hands-on prep work is needed!
This grilled harissa chicken salad is spicy, healthy and fresh! The chicken packs some heat that really pairs well with the sweet pineapple and creamy avocado.
Grilled Fish Tacos are healthy and flavorful, topped with crunchy cabbage, and our tangy homemade fish taco sauce, all stuffed in a grilled corn tortilla.
This Grilled Salmon Salad is full of crunchy veggies, grilled salmon and an easy homemade champagne vinaigrette. Easily customized for lunch or dinner!
Turn a classic summer side dish into a main course when you serve up a batch of this Grilled Shrimp Pasta Salad! Turmeric-kissed grilled shrimp are tossed in a seasonal pasta salad, complete with asparagus, fresh tomatoes, and summer squash.
This 15-minute Lemon Garlic Shrimp Foil Packet is the perfect light & easy dish. It has less than 10 ingredients and can be made on the grill or in the oven.
These grilled scallops are marinated in a blend of olive oil, lemon, garlic and herbs, then seared to golden brown perfection on the grill. A quick and easy meal option that's simple yet totally satisfying!
One of my favorite summer dinners is Hawaiian Grilled Salmon. It's super easy to throw together in a seriously flavorful marinade. You'll be going back to this recipe again and again!
Grilled Tilapia is quick and easy for a great summer dinner in a flash! This flaky white fish recipe is drizzled with a creamy piccata sauce for a decadent dinner in less than half an hour.
Grilled Zucchini, marinated in lemon juice and olive oil, is a healthy summer side dish that everyone loves! It's become a staple in our house and the only vegetable my kids actually beg for!
Velvety smooth avocados are charred and filled with salsa, then topped with melted cheese to make the perfect summer appetizer or side dish. Or, add them to your favorite guacamole recipe for a smoky dip!
These Grilled Vegetables are coated with a balsamic vinegar reduction and grilled until tender and slightly charred. This is the ultimate summer side dish!
Want a versatile recipe that goes great on burgers, steaks or a stand alone? These Garlic Butter Grilled Mushrooms are the perfect addition to your meal, and super addicting.
Try this simple method for some of the best grilled pizza you'll ever eat, with a crispy, flavorful crust , melty cheese and all your favorite toppings.
A fast and easy cabbage steak recipe with bacon and garlic! Learn how to make oven roasted cabbage steaks or grilled cabbage steaks with 10 minute prep. They are healthy, low carb, gluten-free, paleo, whole30, and totally delicious.
These delicious grilled Mediterranean vegetables are a perfect side dish! They're char-grilled to perfection and topped with herbs, olive oil, and lemon juice.
Grilled Artichokes are the perfect summer snack or appetizer! They're extremely easy to make with minimal ingredients and served alongside a creamy lemon garlic aioli sauce that you're sure to love!
These grilled mushrooms are button mushrooms threaded onto skewers then grilled to golden brown perfection and brushed with garlic butter. An easy low carb side dish option!
Grilled Eggplant is a healthy and flavorful side dish with crispy-edged that pairs well with many meals. It is super easy to prepare with just a few basic ingredients.
Cooking broccoli on the grill gives it a smoky flavor and charred edges, and this is the easiest grilled broccoli recipe! Learn how to grill broccoli perfectly — fresh, frozen, direct on the grill, or in foil.
Grilled Halloumi cheese is a firm, white, salted cheese that won't melt on the grill. With its golden brown and crispy exterior and soft, savory center, Halloumi makes a perfect vegetarian main dish or appetizer.
Grilled Baked Potatoes are creamy and fluffy inside, with delicious crispy skin on the outside and a hint of smoky flavor. The perfect side dish for all your BBQs, summer cookouts, entertaining, and more!
Grilled summer squash is lightly seasoned, perfectly tender and a simple but delicious way to enjoy all the varieties of squash, from zucchini to yellow squash.
Grilled Peaches are simple and rustic, and a perfect side dish or dessert for summer. Topped with a smoky honey butter, there's deliciousness in every bite!
Grilled Blueberry Dessert Pizza is a perfect dessert for your next cookout! Prep your ingredients ahead of time and bring everything together in just 10 minutes!
These S'mores Banana Boats are a classic campfire treat! Grilled Banana topped with gooey marshmallows, melted chocolate chips and graham cracker crumbs!
Try this BBQ dessert idea for grilled pound cake with whipped cream and grilled fruit. Swap out the cherries for whatever grilled fruit you like and enjoy baked morsels all summer long!
Grilled strawberry fruit skewers are perfect for summer. Paired with a chocolate and espresso balsamic drizzle, they are perfect as a grilled dessert or appetizer.
Smoky undertones make this Grilled Apple Crisp an unforgettable dessert! This versatile Easy Apple Crisp can be grilled or baked.
Time to Grill!
Does this huge list have your mouth salivating like it does mine? We’ve worked up an appetite gathering all of these recipes, and we’d love it if you would share and tag us on social media @yellowblissroad or #yellowblissroad.
What are some of your favorite grilling recipes? Let us know in the comments below!
Kristin Maxwell
Kristin Maxwell is the creator and main recipe developer, writer, and photographer of Yellow Bliss Road. A self-taught cook and self-appointed foodie, she specializes in easy, flavorful and approachable recipes for any home cook.