15 Easy Summer Grilling Recipes

Simple Ideas for Your Warm Weather Cookouts

Written by
Cathy Jacobs
A freelance journalist and avid home cook, Cathy Jacobs has more than 10 years of food writing experience, with a focus on curating approachable menus and recipe collections.
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Cathy Jacobs
Updated 08/10/20
Grilled peaches.

 The Spruce

Summer grilling doesn't get any easier or more delicious than this. We've rounded up our favorite recipes that make it easy for you to produce great-tasting food on the grill, including perfect burgers, tacos, seafood, vegetables, and even delicious desserts.

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  • 01 of 15

    Grilled Shrimp Tacos

    Grilled Shrimp Tacos

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    Fresh-tasting shrimp tacos cooked on the grill are one of the true pleasures of summer. You only need 30 minutes for this incredibly easy recipe that stuffs juicy, citrus-spiked grilled shrimp into flour tortillas and tops them with a spicy, garlicky aioli sauce and crumbled Mexican cheese.

  • 02 of 15

    Grilled Pineapple Chicken

    Grilled Pineapple Chicken

    AnnaIleysh / Getty Images

    Treat your family to the tropical tastes of pineapple chicken. It makes a delicious summer dinner and is simple to prepare with pounded chicken breasts marinated in pineapple juice and soy sauce. Top with fresh or grilled fruit.

  • 03 of 15

    Grilled Portobello Mushrooms With Garlic Butter

    grilled portobello mushrooms

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    It takes only 15 minutes to cook up garlicky, meaty portobello mushrooms on the grill. Load them onto slider buns for a satisfying vegetarian burger, or slice them up and add them to tacos, burritos, or serve as a side dish.

  • 04 of 15

    Grilled Skirt Steak

    How to Grill a Skirt Steak

    The Spruce

    Skirt steak is a less expensive cut of beef, making it a great choice for grilling on a budget and you can make it taste fantastic with this easy recipe. After searing it quickly on the grill, be sure to slice the steak against the grain. Serve with a side of fresh corn salad, or tuck slices into flour tortillas with grilled peppers for steak fajitas.

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  • 05 of 15

    Dill Potatoes Grilled in a Packet

    Dill Potatoes Grilled in a Packet

    ivanmareev / Getty Images

    Grilling potatoes and herbs together in a sealed foil packet is not only a clever shortcut to perfectly-cooked taters, it's a fun alternative to the usual potato salad. Use baby potatoes for this recipe, which can be served either hot or at room temperature.

  • 06 of 15

    Grilled Peaches

    Grilled Peaches

    The Spruce

    Nothing could be easier than placing halved peaches face-down on the grill for a few minutes. The resulting charred, tender fruit makes a guilt-free summer dessert that is especially delicious served with vanilla ice cream.

  • 07 of 15

    Grilled or Baked Salmon or Tuna Steaks

    Grilled salmon or tuna steak recipe

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

    Great-tasting grilled fish is easier to pull off than you might think. The secret to this delicious recipe is the ultra-tasty marinade and a quick trip on the grill. Salmon or tuna steaks work equally well for this seafood recipe.

  • 08 of 15

    Marinated Grilled Pork Chops

    Marinated grilled pork chops recipe

    The Spruce Eats / Nita West

    Marinating pork chops for several hours in a flavorful soy sauce glaze infuses the mild meat with massive flavor for the grill. Bone-in chops are best for this recipe. Serve as part of a cookout spread with classic sides like potato salad and coleslaw.

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  • 09 of 15

    Grilled Corn Salad

    grilled corn salad

    The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

    Make the most of seasonal corn by grilling the naturally sweet vegetable and turning it into a salad to remember. Zucchini and fresh tomato add to the summer bounty and a simple dressing and sprinkle of feta cheese are all that's needed to finish off this grilled corn salad.

  • 10 of 15

    Classic Grilled Burgers

    Classic Grilled Burgers

    The Spruce

    These classic, all-beef burgers cook quickly on the grill. The meat mixture includes Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and simple seasonings, for a great, savory flavor with very little effort. Dress them up with your favorite burger toppings.

  • 11 of 15

    Grilled Cauliflower Steaks With Fresh Herb Sauce

    Grilled cauliflower steaks

    The Spruce / Laurel Randolph

    If you've only ever tried steamed cauliflower, you won't believe how tasty this humble vegetable becomes when barbecued. Try it for yourself by cutting a head into steaks, rubbing with spices, and grilling until smoky and tender. Serve your cauliflower steaks with a garlic-lemon herb sauce.

  • 12 of 15

    Delicious Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs

    Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs

    The Spruce

    Grill up fabulous-tasting chicken thighs for a classic summer main dish. A homemade barbecue sauce takes this grilling experience over the top, but you can use your favorite bottled sauce in a pinch.

    Continue to 13 of 15 below.
  • 13 of 15

    Grilled Asparagus

    Grilled Asparagus

    The Spruce

    Skip steaming and use your grill to prepare asparagus this summer. Doing so highlights the green, grassy flavor of this healthy vegetable, and adds a yummy, charred, smoky taste that beautifully complements grilled meat or fish.

  • 14 of 15

    Grilled Pineapple Dessert

    Grilled Pineapple Dessert

    simarik / Getty Images

    Grilling sliced pineapple amps up the sweetness of this juicy summer fruit. Add a little brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and a shot of tequila or rum, and you've got a the makings of a knockout grown-up dessert that's ready in 10 minutes.

  • 15 of 15

    Grilled Italian Sausage Po' Boy Sandwiches

    Grilled Italian Sausage Po' Boy

    mphillips007 / Getty Images

    Grilled sausages served on fluffy buns and topped with a from-scratch remoulade sauce are the ultimate in New Orleans-style cookout fare. This tasty recipe is easy on your budget and a snap to prepare.