Skip to Content

The 100 Best Grilling Recipes For Summer

Can you grill it? Yes, you can!

By and
grilled steak salad with avocado, blue cheese, cherry tomatoes and red onions
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

Here at Delish, our BBQ bucket lists get longer and longer each summer. If you've ever thought, "Can you grill it?" we're here to tell you, yes, you absolutely can. Since we wouldn't want you to have any grilling FOMO, we’ve rounded up a few of the classics, like burgers, hot dogs, and other grilled meats, as well as some of the most over-the-top, outrageous, and creative recipes for your outdoor grilling pleasure. Consider these 100 recipes the ultimate grill-spiration this summer!

Don’t have a grill yet? Don’t fret, it’s not too late. You’ve got options, and we’ve got opinions. The classic, of course, is the outdoor grill. We’ve researched both charcoal, electric, and gas grills for you, and have rounded up our top 9. Don’t have an outdoor space? Try an indoor grill—we’ve highlighted 11 of our faves, plus our best tips for successful indoor grilling. If even that seems like too much, snag a grill pan for your stovetop—you’ll still be able to make most, if not all, of these recipes (just don’t forget to turn on your kitchen fan when you do!).

Now, for the recipes! They range from full meals (thank you foil packs!) to perfectly grilled vegetables and sides; grilled chicken and grilled seafood, with every other kind of meat in between; and lots of vegetarian and vegan options too. For an appetizer or a meal, try one of our kebab options on skewers, like our tomato gnocchi kebabs, grilled chicken kebabs, or buffalo cauliflower kebabs (and while you’re at it, check out our top picks for the best skewers to grill with).

Feeling beef-y? You could do grilled ribs, grilled steak salad, or even learn how to grill steak. Want grilled fish? We got that too. Try a show-stopping full red snapper or our jerk shrimp & pineapple bowls, or for something more low-key, go with grilled mahi mahi tacos, or even our grilled fish sandwich. Looking for something meatless? Try our Thai-inspired cauliflower “steaks” or our eggplant steak frites with chimichurri. They’re so flavorful, even omnivores will want a bite.

For even more summertime recipes, check out our favorite summer sides, our best summer salads, and our top summer desserts too!

1

Grilled Zucchini With Ricotta & Walnuts

skewered and grilled zucchini planks topped with herby whipped ricotta and crunchy toasted walnuts
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Instead of leaving the zucchini in their traditional slices, we threaded them onto skewers to lessen the amount of direct contact the zucchini had with the grill and create contrasting textures. The ribboning also creates plenty of nooks and crannies for the creamy ricotta and walnuts to settle.

Get the Grilled Zucchini With Ricotta & Walnuts recipe.

2

Grilled Steak Salad

grilled steak salad with avocado, blue cheese, cherry tomatoes and red onions
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

This salad is simple enough for a weeknight but worthy of planning a get-together around. You’ll grill ribeye steak (and red onions), then combine it with cherry tomatoes, blue cheese, basil, and a drizzle of tangy balsamic dressing, turning it into the kind of impressive-but-secretly-easy dish you’ll be making all the time.

Get the Grilled Steak Salad recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3

Grilled Fish Sandwich With Slaw & Tzatziki

grilled fish sandwich with slaw and tzatziki on a multigrain bun
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

This fish sandwich has everything going on, and it comes together in a flash. Cod is called for in this recipe, but any firm white fish that can stand up to a grill will be suitable. The marinade is made with ginger, garlic, paprika, and turmeric, the latter lending the fish a beautiful golden hue when cooked.

Get the Grilled Fish Sandwich With Slaw & Tzatziki recipe.

4

Grilled Romaine Caesar Wedge

grilled romaine lettuce wedge topped with caesar dressing and croutons on a white platter
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Grilling romaine for this wedge salad gives them just a slight char that goes perfectly with Caesar dressing. Swap for your favorite green goddess dressing or ranch dressing if you want to switch things up.

Get the Grilled Romaine Caesar Wedge recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5

Grilled Chicken Salad

salad topped with sliced grilled chicken, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, olives, and feta
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

In our book, a grilled chicken salad is the pinnacle of an easy, healthy lunch. It provides the perfect balance of protein and veggies, filling you up without slowing you down for the rest of the day. We stuffed this salad to the gills with some of our go-to toppings.

Get the Grilled Chicken Salad recipe.

6

Grilled Beer Brats

grilled bratwurst braised with beer in a pan with caramelized onions and bell peppers
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI

It takes almost zero cooking skills to get perfectly charred brats topped with flavor-packed caramelized onions and peppers. First, the brats get burnished on the grill, then they finish off in a simmering beer bath alongside the veg. Use whatever beer you like to drink, but not IPAs (India Pale Ales), which are brewed to be hoppy (i.e. bitter).

Get the Grilled Beer Brats recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

Grilled Stuffed Peppers

grilled bell peppers stuffed with meat and cheese
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

Why grill your stuffed peppers? Because it’s summer and we want to be outside! Don’t stay indoors and turn on the hot oven. Instead, step outside to the grill and take advantage of the great weather and the nice smoky charred flavor grilling brings to this classic comfort dish.

Get the Grilled Stuffed Peppers recipe.

8

Honey Lime Grilled Corn

honey lime grilled corn
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Nothing says summertime like the smell of corn on the grill. It also happens to be the easiest side you’ll make all season. After getting some char on a hot grill, juicy ears of corn get brushed with an irresistible honey-lime butter that you can also slather on grilled sweet potatoes, cornbread, or even grilled skirt steak.

Get the Honey Lime Grilled Corn recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9

Grilled Plum & Pancetta Panzanella Salad

grilled plums tossed with crispy pancetta, tangy goat cheese, fresh cherry tomatoes, and grilled sourdough bread, then drizzled with a maple dijon dressing
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Plums are by far the most underrated stone fruit, and we think it’s time they get the attention and treatment they truly deserve. Since plums are their best at the height of summer, it’s only right to toss them on the grill and add some smokey char to their naturally sweet-tart flavor.

Get the Grilled Plum & Pancetta Panzanella Salad recipe.

10

Grilled Zucchini Carbonara

grilled zucchini carbonara
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Grilling aficionados and vegetarian recipe seekers, we're vibing with you. Carbonara can be the best of these two, and we have a feeling you might keep this recipe on your weekly summer dinner rotation. Grilled zucchini carbonara is a combination of cheesy, lemony egg yolk-enriched sauce, al dente spaghetti, and charred zucchini bits that melt into the dish.

Get the Grilled Zucchini Carbonara recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11

Hawaiian Chicken Skewers

chicken, pineapple, and peppers on a skewer basted with teriyaki
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Whether we’re looking for a creative BBQ main, an easy weeknight dinner or party side, grilled skewers are one of our go-to’s all season long. While we have plenty of favorite protein + veggie combinations, these Hawaiian chicken skewers just might be one of our favorites. With sweet pineapple, chicken, red bell peppers, and onion all basted in a sweet teriyaki-style sauce, these skewers are the ultimate summer dinner.

Get the Hawaiian Chicken Skewers recipe.

12

Campfire Hot Dog Skewers

grilled skewers with sliced hot dogs, pineapple, red bell peppers basted with a bbq sauce
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Skip the chicken skewers or basic hot dogs in a bun—if you're looking for the most creative grilled recipe or a way to get even the kids excited, then turn to these hot dog skewers. In this recipe, we layer cut-up hot dogs, bell peppers, pineapple, and onions on skewers before basting with BBQ sauce and grilling until charred.

Get the Campfire Hot Dog Skewers recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13

Grilled Teriyaki Cauliflower Steaks

grilled teriyaki cauliflower steaks on a platter with more teriyaki sauce and scallions
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Looking for a vegetarian centerpiece for your summer grill-out? Make these teriyaki cauliflower steaks. Slathered in a brown sugar and soy glaze and showered with scallions and toasted sesame seeds, these saucy cauliflower steaks might just upstage the ribs.

Get the Grilled Teriyaki Cauliflower Steaks recipe.

14

Grilled Tomato Feta Pizzettes

grilled tomato feta pizzettes with scallions and mozzaraella
PHOTO: JOEY DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKZINE GORE

The undying love for tomato and feta continues, and we can’t get enough. These little pizzettes are excellent for a lazy summer backyard hangout. The combination of crunchy grilled pizza dough, garlic, and olive oil with charred sweet tomatoes and briny salty feta is a simple pleasure, while the scallions get a nice char right before they're covered with gooey cheese. In short, it’s time to start up the grill.

Get the Grilled Tomato Feta Pizzettes recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
15

Steak Kebab Bowls

steak kebabs with peppers on top of orzo with a spinach cucumber salad
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Nothing screams summer quite like rainbow veggie kebabs dotted with cubes of marinated steak, charred to perfection over the grill. We complete this dish by resting the kebabs over a bed of crunchy spinach and cucumber salad tossed in a garlicky tahini dressing, plus a pile of herby orzo, which is toasted until golden before being gently simmered in savory chicken stock. More tahini dressing is drizzled over the whole bowl, tying everything together in a vibrant array of colors, flavors, textures, and temperatures.

Get the Steak Kebab Bowls recipe.

16

Mexican Street Corn (Elote)

grilled corn topped with a creamy mixture, cotija cheese, chili powder, cilantro and lime
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

If you think mayo is the worst and are worried this recipe won't be for you, think again. Elote will have you reconsidering your stance; or, at the very least, make one incredible exception. The mayo becomes more like a creamy sauce, absorbing the flavor of the chili powder, cotija cheese, and lime juice.

Get the Elote: Mexican Street Corn recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
17

Grilled Shrimp Piccata Skewers

juicy, charred shrimp, bright lemon zest, briny capers, and white wine butter sauce
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

These grilled shrimp piccata skewers are the perfect combination of juicy, charred shrimp, bright lemon zest, briny capers, and white wine butter sauce that will make your friends beg you for the recipe. Since it only takes 45 minutes from start to finish, it’s ideal for everything from a backyard bash to a quick weeknight dinner.

Get the Grilled Shrimp Piccata Skewers recipe.

18

Tex Mex Chicken Fajita Foil Packets

tex mex chicken fajita foil packets
ANDREW BUI

It's time to embrace the simplest summer meal there is: foil packets. They have the simplicity of a one-pot meal, but all the ingredients are wrapped up in aluminum foil, which makes for extra-simple cleanup. The prep is quick too, since everything cooks inside the foil.

Get the Tex Mex Chicken Fajita Foil Packets recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19

Chipotle Tofu & Pineapple Skewers

chipotle tofu pineapple skewers
Andrew bui

Tofu is so much more than a meat substitute—it’s a protein source that stands on its own, and is the perfect base to soak up tasty sauces, like this chipotle and guajillo chile marinade inspired by the popular Mexican street food, tacos al pastor.

Get the Chipotle Tofu & Pineapple Skewers recipe.

20

Grilled Portobello Tacos

grilled portobello tacos topped with cabbage slaw, avocado, and queso fresco
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Mushroom lovers alert: Summer taco nights just got upgraded. Featuring portobello mushrooms marinated in taco spices and grilled to perfection, these vegetarian tacos will delight meat-lovers and vegans alike.

Get the Grilled Portobello Tacos recipe.

Watch Next 
preview for Vertical Videos Delish
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below