15 Easy Grilled Recipes for Perfect BBQs

Does the sizzle of the grill and the smoky aroma of summer evenings have you craving delicious grilled food?

Look no further! This collection of easy grilled recipe ideas is perfect for anyone who wants to take their grilling game to the next level – without the hassle.

We’ve got something for everyone, from classic crowd-pleasers to exciting new flavor combinations. So, fire up the grill, grab your favorite ingredients, and get ready to create unforgettable meals that are sure to impress!

1. Grilled Chicken Kabobs with Lemon Herb Marinade

These kabobs are a grilling staple for a reason! Tender chicken chunks are marinated in a simple lemon herb mixture, then threaded onto skewers with colorful vegetables for a satisfying and healthy meal.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, cut into chunks
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
• 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into chunks
• 1 red onion, cut into chunks
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 lemons, juiced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
2. Add chicken and veggies to the marinade, and let sit for at least 15 minutes.
3. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
4. Thread the marinated chicken and veggies onto skewers.
5. Grill kabobs for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked through.

Side: Grilled corn on the cob

Drink: Lemonade or a crisp white wine

2. Grilled Burgers with Chipotle Mayo

Take your burgers to the next level with a smoky chipotle mayo. Ground beef is seasoned and grilled to juicy perfection, then topped with the creamy, flavorful mayo for a delicious twist on a classic.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 4 burger buns
• 4 slices cheddar cheese
• Lettuce, tomato, onion for topping
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
• 1 tbsp lime juice

Instructions:

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. Season ground beef with salt and pepper, then form into four patties.
3. Grill burgers for about 4-5 minutes per side, adding cheese slices in the last minute.
4. In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, chipotle peppers, and lime juice.
5. Toast buns on the grill for a minute.
6. Assemble burgers with chipotle mayo, lettuce, tomato, and onion.

Side: Sweet potato fries

Drink: Iced tea or a cold beer

3. Grilled Salmon with Teriyaki Glaze

Salmon is a fantastic fish for grilling as it cooks quickly and stays moist. A sweet and savory teriyaki glaze brushed on during the last few minutes of cooking adds a delicious caramelized crust.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp grated ginger

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, brown sugar, water, honey, garlic, and ginger to make the glaze.
2. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
3. Brush salmon fillets with the teriyaki glaze.
4. Grill salmon for 6-8 minutes per side, brushing with more glaze as it cooks.

Serve with:

• Side: Steamed rice and grilled vegetables
• Drink: Green tea or sake

4. Grilled Veggie Fajitas

Grilling veggies is a great way to add smoky flavor and a healthy twist to fajitas. Bell peppers, onions, and zucchini are grilled until tender-crisp, then served on warm tortillas with your favorite fajita toppings.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 bell peppers, sliced
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1 yellow squash, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. Toss sliced vegetables with olive oil, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Grill vegetables for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally.
4. Serve grilled veggies with warm tortillas and your favorite fajita toppings.

Side: Refried beans and guacamole

Drink: Margarita or a cold beer

5. Grilled Shrimp with Garlic Butter

This recipe is simplicity at its finest. Jumbo shrimp are grilled quickly, then bathed in a garlicky, buttery sauce for a quick and impressive appetizer or main course.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Skewers

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Add shrimp to the mixture and let marinate for 10 minutes.
3. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
4. Thread shrimp onto skewers.
5. Grill shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through.

Side: Grilled vegetables or a fresh salad

Drink: White wine or a light beer

6. Grilled Brats with Beer and Onions

Brats are a classic grilling option, and this recipe adds a twist by simmering them in beer with onions before grilling. The beer adds a subtle flavor and helps keep the brats juicy.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 bratwursts
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 bottles of beer
• 2 tbsp butter
• 4 brat buns
• Mustard for serving

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, combine beer, sliced onions, and butter. Bring to a simmer.
2. Add brats and simmer for about 10 minutes.
3. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
4. Grill brats for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally.
5. Serve brats on buns with onions and mustard.

Side: Sauerkraut or potato salad

Drink: Beer or a soft drink

7. Grilled Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken

This recipe takes a classic salad and gives it a smoky twist. Chicken breasts are grilled and sliced, then added to romaine lettuce with grilled Caesar salad dressing for a hearty and flavorful meal.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts
• 2 heads romaine lettuce, halved
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup Caesar dressing
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Croutons
• 1 lemon, juiced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. Brush chicken breasts and romaine halves with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
3. Grill chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until cooked through.
4. Grill romaine for 2-3 minutes per side until slightly charred.
5. Slice chicken and serve on top of grilled romaine, drizzled with Caesar dressing, Parmesan cheese, and croutons.

Side: Garlic bread

Drink: Sparkling water or a light white wine

8. Grilled Pineapple with Cinnamon Butter

Grilled pineapple is a delicious and unexpected dessert. Slices of pineapple are grilled until they develop a caramelized crust, then topped with a decadent cinnamon butter for a warm and satisfying treat.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 pineapple, cored and sliced
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp brown sugar

Instructions:

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. In a small bowl, mix melted butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar.
3. Brush pineapple slices with cinnamon butter.
4. Grill pineapple for 3-4 minutes per side until caramelized.

Side: Vanilla ice cream

Drink: Iced tea or a dessert wine

9. Grilled Pizza with Pesto and Mozzarella

Pizza on the grill? Absolutely! This recipe uses store-bought pizza dough, topped with pesto, mozzarella cheese, and your favorite toppings, then grilled to crispy perfection.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 pizza dough
• 1/2 cup pesto
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup sliced olives
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil leaves

Instructions:

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. Roll out pizza dough to desired thickness.
3. Grill dough for 2-3 minutes per side until slightly charred.
4. Spread pesto over the grilled dough, and top with mozzarella, tomatoes, and olives.
5. Grill for another 5 minutes until cheese is melted.
6. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves.

Side: Mixed green salad

Drink: Red wine or sparkling water

10. Grilled Peaches with Honey Glaze

Similar to grilled pineapple, peaches take on a new dimension when grilled. Halved peaches are grilled until softened, then brushed with a sweet honey glaze for a delightful summer dessert.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 peaches, halved and pitted
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. Brush peach halves with honey and sprinkle with cinnamon.
3. Grill peaches for 3-4 minutes per side until tender and caramelized.

Side: Vanilla ice cream or Greek yogurt

Drink: Prosecco or a sweet iced tea

11. Grilled Corn on the Cob with Chili Lime Butter

Corn on the cob is a quintessential summer side dish. This recipe elevates it by grilling the cobs in their husks, then slathering them with a creamy chili lime butter for a burst of flavor.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 ears of corn, husked
• 1/4 cup softened butter
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 lime, juiced
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. In a small bowl, mix softened butter, chili powder, lime juice, and salt.
3. Brush corn with chili lime butter.
4. Grill corn for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until tender and charred in spots.

Side: Grilled meats or vegetables

Drink: Margaritas or a cold beer

12. Grilled Watermelon with Feta and Mint

This refreshing and unexpected dish is perfect for a hot summer day. Slices of watermelon are grilled until slightly caramelized, then topped with crumbled feta cheese and fresh mint for a sweet and savory combination.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 small watermelon, cut into wedges
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
• Olive oil for brushing

Instructions:

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. Brush watermelon wedges with a little olive oil.
3. Grill watermelon for 2-3 minutes per side until grill marks appear.
4. Remove from grill and sprinkle with feta cheese and mint leaves.

Side: Grilled chicken or fish

Drink: Sparkling water or a light white wine

13. Grilled Portobello Mushrooms with Goat Cheese and Herbs

Portobello mushrooms are a great meatless option for grilling. Large mushrooms are marinated, grilled, and then filled with creamy goat cheese and fresh herbs for a vegetarian delight.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 large Portobello mushrooms
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 oz goat cheese
• Fresh herbs (such as thyme or parsley), chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Brush mushrooms with the olive oil mixture.
4. Grill mushrooms for 4-5 minutes per side until tender.
5. Top each mushroom with goat cheese and sprinkle with fresh herbs.

Side: Mixed green salad or quinoa

Drink: Red wine or a refreshing lemonade

14. Grilled Halloumi with Lemon and Oregano

Halloumi cheese is a grilling superstar because it doesn’t melt! Slices of halloumi are grilled until golden brown and slightly crispy, then drizzled with lemon juice and sprinkled with oregano for a tangy and flavorful appetizer.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 8 oz halloumi cheese, sliced
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. In a small bowl, mix lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, and black pepper.
3. Brush halloumi slices with the lemon mixture.
4. Grill halloumi for 2-3 minutes per side until grill marks appear.

Side: Pita bread and hummus

Drink: White wine or a light beer

15. Grilled Asparagus with Parmesan Cheese

Asparagus is a simple yet elegant side dish that’s perfect for grilling. The spears cook quickly and take on a smoky flavor, then a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese adds a salty and savory finish.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. Toss asparagus with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Grill asparagus for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally.
4. Remove from grill and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

Side: Grilled meats or fish

Drink: Chardonnay or a sparkling water

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