40+ Easy Grilling Recipes for Summer

5/21/19

Easy grilling recipes bring the best flavors to your dinner table. In the summer, there’s nothing better than food cooked over an open flame.

Most of the time we think about grilled steak or chicken or burgers, but you can also grill fruit and veggies. And most of the time, grilled food is gluten free! When you are tired of the same old burgers and hot dogs, you’ll love making some of the best grilling ideas for summer in this tasty collection.

One of the best things about summer is cooking dinner on the grill. Of course, one reason I think it’s the best is it means I do less of the actual cooking. When the grill is involved, The Hubby does not like me to intrude on his territory.

So I stick to the side dishes and salad and he is in charge of the flames. I do feel the need to occasionally butt in though. While he makes a mean steak and has perfected grilling zucchini, I do like to get a little more creative sometimes.

If you are also getting tired of your go-to grilling recipes, I’ve got an amazing collection of ideas for you to try, from chicken and steak to burgers and kabobs, even everything from fruits and veggies to pizza and dessert.

What is good for grilling?

• Chicken – oftentimes the go-to is grilled chicken breasts. Thighs and legs also have a lot of flavor and are even juicier.
• Beef – you can’t go wrong with a good steak like NY strip, ribeye, or filet mignon. But don’t forget about cutting up your meat for kabobs.
• Pork – you might think about ribs first, but pork tenderloin and pork chops are also great on the grill.
• Hamburgers and Hot Dogs – ah, the classic burgers and dogs. But you can make more than beef burgers. There are plenty of recipes for chicken, turkey, seafood, and veggie burgers.

What can I grill besides meat?

You can also grill vegetables as a side dish, or to pile on sandwiches and salads. Pizza can actually be made on the grill. Grilled fruit makes a great dessert, and there are also plenty of other grilled dessert recipes as well.

Is grilled food gluten free?

The meats, fruits, and veggies you cook on the grill are gluten free. You’ll have to watch if you buy pre-made marinades or seasoning mixes, as those may contain gluten. Be sure to read the ingredients. And if you are making a marinade that uses soy sauce or beer, you’ll need to replace it with tamari or hard cider.

Of course, if you want a bun for your hamburgers and hot dogs, you’ll need gluten free ones.

Traditional pizza and dessert recipes may not be gluten free. You can look for specific recipes, or try substituting the flour with Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 All Purpose Gluten  Free Blend. I find that it works well in many recipes.

Easy Grilled Chicken Recipes

• Tandoori Chicken Legs

Baked or Grilled Tandoori Chicken Legs

A simple marinade filled with exotic flavors brings mild but flavorful Indian-inspired flair to your picnic with Baked or Grilled Tandoori Chicken Legs.

Check out this recipe

• Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Breasts

Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken Breasts

Soaking tchicken breasts in a Greek yogurt marinade before grilling keeps them moist and juicy, while infusing them with a ton of fresh flavor.

Check out this recipe

• Orange Saffron Grilled Chicken Drumsticks

Baked or Grilled Orange Saffron Chicken Legs

An easy marinade recipe infuses exotic citrus flavors into juicy drumsticks you can cook on the grill or bake in the oven.

Check out this recipe

• Grilled Chicken and Berry Salad with Goat Cheese, Pecans and Blueberry Balsamic Vinaigrette

Grilled Chicken Berry Salad with Goat Cheese, Pecans, and Blueberry Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette

Check out this recipe

• BBQ Grilled Chicken Sausage Salad

Sweet and Smoky BBQ Chicken Sausage Grilled Summer Salad

Set up a salad bar filled with toppings from the grill including for easy summer entertaining!

Check out this recipe

• Maple Dijon Cheesy Chicken Foil Packets

Cheesy Maple Dijon Chicken Foil Packets with Veggies

Chicken foil packets that you can cook on the grill or in the oven filled with veggies and a creamy, tangy sauce and melted cheddar cheese make dinner easy to prepare and even easier to clean up.

Check out this recipe

• Lemon Chicken Foil Packets

Lemon Chicken Foil Packets with Parmesan Green Beans and Potatoes

Check out this recipe

• Sweet Maple Barbecue Chicken from A Dash of Sanity
• Cilantro Lime Chicken from Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
• Grilled Cola Chicken from Let’s Dish Recipes
• Homemade Sweet Chili Grilled Chicken from The Recipe Rebel
• Grilled Pesto Chicken and Tomato Kabobs from Wishes and Dishes
• Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad from Yummy Healthy Easy
• Spicy Za’atar Grilled Chicken from Cooking and Beer
• Best Chicken Marinade from Mom on Timeout

Pork and Steak on the Grill

• Caprese Grilled Filet Mignon

Caprese Grilled Filet Mignon

Add summer flair to grilled steak by topping those filets with the classic salad of tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil.

Check out this recipe

• Greek Grilled Beef Skewers

Greek Beef Kabobs (aka Greek Souvlaki)

Travel to Greece without going any further than the grill in your backyard.

Check out this recipe

• Grilled Steak Salad with Mango and Avocado Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

Grilled Steak Mango Salad with Avocado Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

a hearty salad that makes a satisfying meal for even the biggest appetites. This recipe uses leftover cooked steak, but you can use any type of protein you want, or grill up a steak just for this recipe.

Check out this recipe

• Sundried Tomato, Rosemary, and Balsamic Marinated Flank Steak

Grilled Flank Steak with Balsamic Marinade

A simple marinade with only five ingredients adds incredible flavor to your grilled flank steak. Plus it is gluten free, low carb, paleo, and Whole 30 friendly.

Check out this recipe

• Steak Kabobs from Mandy’s Recipe Box
• Grilled Pork Chop from Big Bear’s Wife
• Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Salsa Rioja from Culinary Ginger
• Baby Back Ribs from Kleinworth & Co
• Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Avocado-Peach Salsa from Bread Booze Bacon

Grilled Hamburgers and Hot Dogs

• Meatball Burgers

Meatball Parmesan Burgers {with a low carb option}

Transform the classic Italian comfort food recipe into a juicy hamburger topped with tomato sauce and cheese. Serve it on a portobella mushroom "bun" to make them low carb and gluten free.

Check out this recipe

• French Onion Stuffed Burgers au Gratin

French Onion Soup au Gratin Stuffed Burgers

Epic beef burgers stuffed with caramelized onions and topped with more onions and plenty of cheese. 

Check out this recipe

• Peruvian Turkey Burgers

Peruvian Turkey Burgers with Aji Sauce

Add a little South American flair plus a bit of spice to make sure these burgers stay moist and have tons of flavor.

Check out this recipe

• Blue Cheese Bacon Buffalo Hot Dogs

Buffalo, Blue Cheese, and Bacon Hot Dogs

Add a little kick and a ton of flavor to the classic hot dog. Your barbecue will never be the same!

Check out this recipe

• Quinoa Black Bean Burgers

Mexican Black Bean & Quinoa Burgers with Homemade Guacamole are packed with fiber, protein, and tons of flavor, with a bit of spice.

Check out this recipe

• Merlot Caramelized Onion Burgers

Baby, That's a Good Merlot Onion Burger

Juicy hamburgers so moist and flavorful from the addition of sautéed onions and red wine, topped with sharp cheddar cheese and homemade Worcestershire ketchup, then piled on a soft, slightly toasted bun.

Check out this recipe

• Blue Cheese Stuffed Burgers

Worcestershire Blue Cheese Volcano Burgers

Steakhouse flavor in a burger, oozing with a gooey blue cheese center.

Check out this recipe

• Avocado Turkey Burgers from The Love Nerds
• Copycat Red Robin Whiskey River BBQ Burger from Love Baked Good Cakes
• BLT Ranch Burgers from Wine and Glue
• Spicy Black Bean Hawaiian BBQ Burgers from Domestic Superhero
• Spiral Grilled Hot Dogs from Belly Full
• Chicken Parmesan Burger from My Suburban Kitchen

Simple Grilled Vegetables and Fruit

• Grilled Asparagus with Lemon and Manchego Cheese

Grilled Asparagus with Lemon and Manchego Cheese

You only need a few simple ingredients for an easy summer vegetable side dish recipe that explodes with flavor.

Check out this recipe

• Blueberry and Grilled Peach Quinoa Parfaits

Blueberry and Grilled Peach Quinoa Parfaits

A healthy snack that is also nutritious enough for breakfast, but still sweet and satisfying for a dessert.

Check out this recipe

• Peruvian Grilled Street Corn

Peruvian-Style Grilled Street Corn

Corn on the cob slathered with fresh and spicy Aji sauce and cheese is an easy summer side dish recipe.

Check out this recipe

• Campfire Potatoes

Campfire Potatoes

Check out this recipe

• Whipped Feta and Grilled Peach Salad with Blueberry Balsamic Vinaigrette

Whipped Feta & Grilled Peach Salad with Blueberry Balsamic Vinaigrette

Late summer flavors in a sweet & savory appetizer, side, or light meal.

Check out this recipe

• Grilled Peaches and Cream from Self-Proclaimed Foodie
• Grilled Pineapple from Lemons for Lulu
• Smoky Margarita from Fake Ginger
• Grilled Apple Crisp from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Grilled Margherita Pizza from 365 Days of Baking and More