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50+ Easy Grilling Recipes for Summer

Brianne Izzo
By Brianne Izzo

Ready to fire up the grill? These easy and flavorful grilling recipes go way beyond basic burgers and hot dogs. From chicken and steak to seafood, veggies, and even fruit, there’s something for everyone, especially since it’s all gluten free. Whether you’re hosting a backyard cookout or just making dinner on the deck, you’ll find ideas to help you bring big flavor to the table without a lot of fuss.

A collage of sliced flat iron steak, a grilled shrimp salad, a turkey burger, and more grilled dishes.
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What’s Good For Grilling

Let’s be real – you can cook pretty much anything on the grill. That open flame gives the bit of char and subtly smoky flavor that makes grilled food so irresistible. And when you add marinades, rubs, sauces, and condiments, you can create flavor profiles that everyone loves. That’s why so many favorites are a blank slate when grilling..

  • Hamburgers and hot dogs. Sure, you can make basic burgers and dogs, but you can also get creative with them by adding sauce and toppings.
  • Other meats. Chicken, steaks, and pork are always great just slathered with barbecue sauce. But try soaking them in a marinade or making kabobs.
  • Fish and shellfish. Certainly, seafood is an option when considering grilling recipes. Shrimp slid onto skewers, whole lobsters or just the tails, and any kind of fish you can imagine can be grilled too. Cooking fish in foil packets is a great option to keep it moist and prevent it from breaking up and falling through the grates.
  • Summer produce. You can also grill vegetables as a side dish, or as something tasty to pile them on sandwiches and salads. Grilled fruit makes a great dessert, but also complements many savory dishes.

Is grilled food gluten free?

The meats, fruits, and veggies you cook on the grill are generally 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 roll for your hamburgers and hot dogs, you’ll need gluten free buns. And do remember to refresh your memory on reading food labels for things like sausage, and any pre-made burgers to avoid gluten-containing ingredients. And also review my article Are Hot Dogs Gluten Free?

Best Grilling Recipes

One of the best things about summer is cooking dinner on the grill. If you are also getting tired of your go-to grilling recipes, here is an amazing collection of ideas for you to try, from chicken and steak to burgers and kabobs, and even everything from seafood to fruits and veggies.

Easy Grilled Chicken Recipes

The go-to is often grilled chicken breasts when it comes to grilling chicken. And marinades make them versatile and keep them moist. But don’t forget about thighs and legs. They also have a lot of flavor and are even juicier.

Close-up of grilled chicken legs

Tandoori Chicken Legs

Bring Indian-inspired flavors to your backyard barbecue. Just soak your drumsticks in a simple marinade made with coconut milk and a blend of savory spices before you toss them on the grill to end up with juicy and mouthwatering chicken that will disappear as soon as you set it on the table.
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Grilled chicken dinner on a plate with cooked potato slices

Grilled Lemon Herb Yogurt Marinated Chicken Breasts

Juicy and flavorful from a simple and versatile Greek yogurt marinade with only a handful of basic ingredients. Just toss the yogurt marinated chicken on the grill and you can enjoy it with your favorite sides or use it to make salads, wraps, rice bowls, and more!
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Grilled Chicken Berry Salad with Blueberry Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette with a fork resting in front of the bowl.

Grilled Chicken Salad with Blueberry Balsamic Vinaigrette

The sweet and tangy salad dressing does double duty as a marinade. Then slice the chicken and serve it over greens with berries, pecans, and goat cheese for a winning summer meal.
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Chicken kabobs on a plate alongside greek salad.

Easy Greek Chicken Souvlaki

Tender and juicy bites of chicken are marinated with garlic, lemon juice, herbs, and more, then stacked up on a skewer and grilled! It is a simple summer delight.
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Cheesy Chicken Foil Packets

A tasty family-friendly dinner recipe that is easy to prepare and even easier to clean up. Filled with veggies and topped with a tangy sauce and plenty of cheese, these meal packets will become a summer staple.
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A jar of caesar dressing with a spoon in it and bowls of chicken caesar salad.

Chicken Caesar Salad

So fresh and satisfying, this classic is even better than a restaurant when it is homemade. Toss romaine lettuce in a creamy light Caesar dressing made with Greek yogurt and add plenty of grilled chicken.
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Juicy citrus marinated chicken drumsticks on a platter with glasses of wine in the background.

Orange Saffron Grilled Chicken Legs

With a little touch of that fancy spice, you can make a simple dish extra special. An easy marinade with exotic citrus flavors infuses juicy drumsticks that you can toss on the grill.
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opened up lemon chicken foil packet after it has been cooked next to a yellow and white napkin with a fork and a knife

Lemon Chicken Foil Packets

Wrap up marinated boneless, skinless chicken breasts with green beans and potatoes in foil packs, and toss them on the grill. You have your entire dinner in one little pouch!
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A bowl of chicken sausage salad topped with hot sauce.

Grilled Chicken Sausage Salad

The smokiness of grilled chicken sausage is the perfect balance to sweet and juicy grilled pineapple and crisp charred corn. Then with fresh veggies, creamy avocado, and sharp cheese, it’s all the best parts of the barbecue in a bowl!
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Grilled Steak and Pork Recipes

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. And don’t forget about pork. Ribs might be what first comes to mind, but pork tenderloin and pork chops are also great on the grill.

sliced grilled flat iron steak on a white serving plate with bowls of side dishes behind it

Balsamic Grilled Flat Iron Steak

This flavor-packed steak is an easy way to take your dinner on the grill to the next level. A simple five-ingredient balsamic vinegar marinade gives it a sweet and smoky crust and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
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blackened steaks with blue cheese on top on a cutting board

Black and Blue NY Strip Steaks

Creamy blue cheese and perfectly seasoned and spiced up meat make these a drool-worthy dinner option. Fire up your grill, grab a glass of wine and prepare to be transported to a 5-star restaurant!
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spoon drizzling teriyaki sauce over grilled steak skewers

Grilled Teriyaki Beef Skewers

After marinating the steak in a simple homemade gluten-free sauce, the skewers cook up in less than 10 minutes on the grill. This is a fantastic dinner to prep ahead of time for your next cookout that puts an Asian flavor spin on classic grilled steak.
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big white bowl of romaine topped with sliced grilled steak, grilled corn and asparagus, and halved tomatoes next to a stack of small white plates

Grilled Steak Salad with Corn and Asparagus

This fresh and satisfying salad has tender slices of steak atop a bed of crisp lettuce and juicy tomatoes. And for the true taste of summer, finish it off with the perfect charred flavor of lightly grilled corn and asparagus for a protein-packed and totally delicious dinner.
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Balsamic vinegar reduction is drizzled over grilled steaks topped with alternating slices of fresh mozzarella and tomatoes.

Caprese Filet Mignon Steak

Enjoy a simple and creative way to dress up some amazing grilled steaks. After cooking your steak on the grill, top it with juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and balsamic for a quick dinner!
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Slices of juicy grilled flank steak on a white serving platter.

Balsamic Marinated Flank Steak

You'll love this easy balsamic marinade made with sundried tomatoes and rosemary. Just stir together 5 ingredients, let it soak, then fire up the grill to enjoy this lean and flavorful cut of beef as the centerpiece to many family dinners.
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Avocado Ranch Steak Salad with Mango on white rectangular plates

Grilled Steak Mango Salad with Avocado Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

You can use your favorite grilled steak or even leftovers to make this amazing and hearty salad. Paired with sweet slices of mango and rich and creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing, it makes a satisfying meal for even the biggest appetites.
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More Grilled Pork and Steak Recipes:

Grilled Hamburgers and Hot Dogs Recipes

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. Just make sure to grab gluten free buns, though many of these are hearty enough to enjoy with a knife and fork.

A French onion burger on a blue plate.

French Onion Burgers

Turn your basic grilled cheeseburger into something totally epic. Inspired by the classic French Onion Soup au Gratin, stuff those caramelized onions inside a beef hamburger and pile all the gooey cheese on top.
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An Italian burger topped with cheese, tomato and lettuce on a bun.

Meatball Parmesan Burgers

It’s everything you love about a meatball sub, but in a summertime burger. Just flavor up your ground beef as you would your favorite meatballs, then add tomato sauce and plenty of mozzarella cheese.
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A closeup of a Peruvian turkey burger on a bun.

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. A drizzle of fresh and spicy Peruvian Aji sauce and queso fresco gives them an unexpectedly delicious twist.
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Closeup of a Buffalo Hot Dogs in a bun on a red and white striped plate.

Buffalo Hot Dogs

Add a little kick and a ton of flavor to the classic hot dog. You’ll be Top Dog when you load those franks with homemade spicy buffalo ketchup and plenty of smoky bacon and crumbled blue cheese.
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A row of Thai Sliders on a wooden platter

Thai Style Sliders

Just a few basic, but perhaps surprising ingredients that make these mini Asian burgers a flavor-packed dinner or party appetizer. Don’t forget to add a little kick by topping them with a simple sriracha lime cream.
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More Hamburger and Hot Dog Recipes:

Grilled Seafood Recipes

Seafood is perfect for summer, especially when you cook it on the grill. Put some shrimp on the barbie, or try some fish like salmon, or shellfish like lobster. It’s light, fresh, and delicious.

Shrimp Cobb Salad with hard boiled eggs, bacon, limes, tomatoes, avocado, cotija cheese, grilled corn, and cilantro lime dressing in a white serving bowl

Southwest Shrimp Salad

It’s the perfect summer meal, and this one even has a bit of a Mexican twist with grilled corn, Cotija cheese, and a spicy Cilantro Lime Ranch Dressing. You’re going to be making this fresh, flavorful, and filling salad all season long.
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bowl of mixed greens topped with grilled shrimp, watermelon, mango, pineapple, crumbled goat cheese, pine nuts, and strawberry vinaigrette

Summer Grilled Shrimp Salad

A summery salad that is light, crisp, and refreshing, but totally satisfying. You’ll love the succulent grilled shrimp paired with fresh fruit, tangy goat cheese, and a zingy Strawberry Lime Poppyseed Vinaigrette.
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More Grilled Shrimp and Fish Recipes:

Grilled Fruit, Vegetables, and Other Sides:

You can also grill vegetables as a side dish, or to pile on sandwiches and salads. Grilled fruit makes a great dessert, or even as an addition to savory dishes.

Grilled asparagus on a plate is layered with cheese and lemon zest.

Grilled Lemon Parmesan Asparagus

Simple grilled veggies are a delicious and light summer side dish. But the addition of a sprinkle of Manchego cheese (or Parmesan) and lemon zest is a simple way to take this basic recipe to a next-level flavor experience.
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A bowl of Foil Packet Potatoes on a table with other dishes.

Campfire Potatoes

Simple and buttery tender potatoes are easy and a total crowd-pleaser. With only a few minutes of prep time and minimal cleanup, this is a side dish recipe you can enjoy any time, anywhere.
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Peach blueberry yogurt parfaits in jars on a striped napkin.

Grilled Peach Parfaits

Grill the peaches to enhance the natural sweetness with a little caramelization, and to contrast the pop of the fresh blueberries. Then layer with nutty quinoa and creamy yogurt for breakfast, snack, or even dessert.
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A wooden platter of Peruvian street corn on top of a colorful placemat and a white cloth napkin.

Peruvian-Style Grilled Street Corn

Add some South American flavor to basic grilled corn on the cob by adding fresh and spicy Aji sauce and crumbly, salty cheese. There’s a lot going on here, but it all balances perfectly – crispy, creamy, rich, and fresh, all playing off of each other.
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More Grilled Vegetables and Fruit:

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3 Comments

  1. I was scrolling through trying to figure out which recipe to even begin with and then I saw the Smoky Margaritas! (however, the link takes me to the Spicy Za’atar Grilled Chicken recipe. Can you provide me with that smoke margarita recipe? Then I’ll try the Spicy Za’atar Grilled Chicken. 😛

    Reply

      1. Absolutely no worries! I completely understand. Thanks for responding with the link. I’ll check out the recipe!

        Reply