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29 Unexpected Foods You Didn't Know You Could Grill

You're about to be the star of your next BBQ.

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

We all know the joys of burgers, corn on the cob, or hot dogs straight from the grill, and the more adventurous cooks among us might even be familiar with the deliciousness of grilled fish or ribs…but what if we told you the fun doesn’t have to stop there? We rounded up this list of our most unusual grilling recipes so you don’t have to limit yourself just to the basics. Heads up: many of these work over campfires too!

We’ve got everything from weeknight dinner options like grilled stuffed peppers and grilled pizza to cookout show-stoppers like our campfire mac & cheese or our grilled octopus. There’s lots of BBQ accoutrement here too, like our grilled peaches and grilled green tomatoes, as well as some sweet treats, like our campfire strawberries and our campfire cobbler. No matter what type of grill master you are, there’s something here that’s guaranteed to up your grill game.

1

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.

2

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 weeknight classic.

Get the Grilled Stuffed Peppers recipe.

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3

Campfire Cobbler

campfire berrypeach cobbler
Emily Hlavac Green

You can cobbler over a fire—and it even browns like the real thing. Stupid-easy to prep, this bubbling fruit skillet is impossible to mess up.

Get the Campfire Cobbler recipe.

4

Grilled Pizza

grilled pizza with every slice being a different flavor combo
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI

Here's our #1 tip for success: Prep everything you are going to need before you start grilling your pizzas. The grilling part goes fast. We're talking 4 minutes tops, so have everything ready and near you so that as soon as you flip the pizza crust, you can start topping.

Get the Grilled Pizza recipe.

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5

Campfire Strawberries

strawberries with toasted marshmallow and graham crackers
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

These fruity beauties are the perfect combination of sweet grilled fruit and a campfire classic: fresh strawberries are skewered then coated in marshmallow fluff and roasted before being topped with chocolate and graham crackers. They're the perfect way to enjoy a melty s'more without ending up with sticky hands.

Get the Campfire Strawberries recipe.

6

Sausage & Peppers Foil Packs

sausage and peppers in a foil pack on the grill
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Pop these sausage and peppers on the grill for a quick meal with easy cleanup. These are great on their own, but even better in a bun or alongside pasta.

Get the Sausage & Peppers Foil Packs recipe.

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7

Grilled Potatoes

grilled potatoes on a platter with a ramekin of herby green sauce
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

The char and smoke from the grill get picked up perfectly by the potatoes to make an amazing side. Take it from us, though, and don't skip step 1. It's pretty much impossible to get potatoes tender and cooked through on the grill alone; parboiling the potatoes guarantees creamy centers and crisp, charred outsides.

Get the Grilled Potatoes recipe.

8

Grilled Brie With Wine

grilled brie with wine
Andrew bui

We love digging into a wheel of gooey oven-baked brie, but in the summer, no one wants to bother with the oven. Give this classic appetizer a summery twist by cooking it on the grill, seasoning it lightly with garlic, herbs, and wine, and serving with some lightly charred bread.

Get the Grilled Brie With Wine recipe.

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9

Tomato Gnocchi Kebabs

tomato gnocchi kebabs with red onion and salsa verde
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

Sure gnocchi is amazing served in a bowl with a sauce, but have you ever had nicely browned gnocchi taken straight off the grill? Well, we’re here to tell you that the crispy-chewy texture is something that you simply must try.

Get the Tomato Gnocchi Kebabs recipe.

10

Summer Panzanella

bestever summer panzanella
Andrew bui

Panzanella salad is one of those recipes that truly tastes like summer. It's one that you want to make in peak season—when the tomatoes are extra juicy, the squash slightly sweet, and the basil extra cheap. To give this classic dish more flavor, we grill the bread, zucchini, and onion until charred, then toss the salad together.

Get the Summer Panzanella recipe.

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11

Oreo Cookie Skillet

oreo cookie skillet
Emily Hlavac Green

This beyond-simple campfire dessert is like survival food, but make it Delish. Don't wait until the center turns golden—the rest will burn before it does! Plus, the top will continue to firm up as it cools.

Get the Oreo Cookie Skillet recipe.

12

Campfire Mac & Cheese

campfire mac and cheese
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Extra-cheesy mac & cheese is the ultimate comfort food, and that's exactly what we want when we're camping. This simple recipe makes the ultimate macaroni and cheese with a buttery Ritz cracker topping. Get that campfire or grill going!

Get the Campfire Mac & Cheese recipe.

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13

Grilled Tomato Feta Pizzettes

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

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.

14

Grilled Avocados

grilled avocados
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCE

It's no secret that avocados are the best, but have you tried grilling them? Yes, seriously, avocados get even better when quickly cooked on the grill. Grilling avocados not only gives them a charred and smoky flavor, but it makes them incredibly tender and extra creamy, perfect for pairing with... well, anything!

Get the Grilled Avocados recipe.

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15

Grilled Pineapple

grilled pineapple with lime wedges
Lindsay Maitland Hunt

When it comes to grilling flavor-packed summer sides, veggies usually get all the love. But, here at Delish, we think grilled fruit is vastly underrated. The grill really works its magic on sweet, tropical pineapple. Not only does it bring out all of the pineapple’s juices, but they’ll caramelize and char—a very good thing, trust us—over the hot grates.

Get the Grilled Pineapple recipe.

16

Loaded Campfire Nachos

loaded campfire nachos in a cast iron skillet topped with corn, chunks of avocado, radish slices, sour cream, crumbled cheese, and cilantro
EMILY HLAVAC GREEN

We apologize to many a camping trip for not thinking of this idea sooner. Thanks to a handful of canned goods, these loaded nachos come together almost instantly.

Get the Loaded Campfire Nachos recipe.

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17

Skillet Beer Cheese

skillet beer cheese with a piece of toasted bread

One of our top hall of famers, this dip will get any campfire or grilling party started. The pinch of cayenne really adds that special something to this melty, creamy beer cheese. This is best served with toasted baguette, good company, and a cold beer.

Get the Skillet Beer Cheese recipe.

18

Grilled Peaches

grilled peaches
Andrew bui

Nothing beats a ripe, sticky-sweet peach, and while you can just bite right in, cooking with peaches is killer. One of our favorite ways? Grilling them, then drizzling them with honey, olive oil, and sea salt. Looking for something more savory-sweet? Make our grilled peach salad or our peach balsamic grilled chicken instead.

Get the Grilled Peaches recipe.

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19

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.

20

Grilled Halloumi

grilled halloumi
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER PHOTOGRAPHY; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

If you’re looking for something a little different to serve at your backyard barbecue, look no further than this recipe. When grilled, halloumi will stretch like mozzarella, but won't melt all over your grill. The grill marks will give it a pleasant crunchy exterior, while the inside stays soft and tender.

Get the Grilled Halloumi recipe.

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