19 Grill Recipes For Year-Round Cookouts (or Cook-Ins)

Grilling can bring out some of the best flavors of meats, fruits, and veggies, and there are thousands of different grilling recipes to choose from to suit any occasion. Whether you’re gearing up for the summertime grilling season or planning an early fall al fresco dinner party, here are some easy grilling recipes you can make at home.

1. 1. Grilled artichokes: The outer leaves and fuzzy choke (the unfurled bit that sits just above the heart) of grilled baby artichokes are tender enough to be eaten; slice them in half lengthwise, brush with butter or olive oil and grill them until soft.
2. 2. Grilled asparagus: Grilled asparagus is a versatile side dish that can pair with a number of entrées. Coat your asparagus stalks with a high-heat oil and place directly on the grill in a single layer with tongs.
3. 3. Grilled baby leeks: Leeks are an edible vegetable that is closely related to onions, garlic, scallions, chives, shallots, and Chinese onions. They taste like a mild version of an onion, with the same base flavor but far less intensity. To make grilled leeks, baste them in some olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and lay them next to each other on the grill. Press the leeks with a heat-safe plate for at least two minutes on both sides.
4. 4. Grilled broccolini: Broccolini, also known as “baby broccoli,” is a delicate hybrid developed by a seed company in Japan between conventional broccoli and gai lan, a Chinese broccoli varietal. While regular broccoli has thick stalks and tightly packed crowns, broccolini feature slimmer, sweeter stalks, with looser florets, a few soft leaves, and bright yellow flowers. Though this side dish requires a close eye to cook perfectly, all broccolini needs to be is some olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Simply season or marinate your broccolini in a baking dish, then throw it on your grill until it has reached your desired doneness.
5. 5. Grilled chicken breast: Grilled chicken breasts can be a quick and flavorful go-to for any time of the year. Let the chicken breasts marinate in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, pepper, and fresh herbs overnight. Throw them on the grill, using tongs to flip the meat evenly until each piece is cooked through. If you don’t feel like marinating, simply season the chicken with Cajun or chipotle spices before grilling. Serve with a side of caramelized onions and rosemary sweet potatoes or a classic potato salad.
6. 6. Grilled garlic naan: Garlic naan is a popular variation of Indian naan bread, a leavened flatbread, commonly served at Indian restaurants or celebrations. Plain yogurt gives the dough a pillowy, stretchy crumb, and cooking it over high heat gives naan bread its signature glossy, blistered surface, which is finished by brushing with ghee or butter. You can easily make this popular Indian side dish on your home grill. Serve grilled garlic naan as a snack, or as an accouterment to curries or soups.
7. 7. Grilled Japanese eggplant: Japanese eggplant is a long and slender cultivar of eggplant with delicate dark purple skin and a mild, sweet flavor. Grilling Japanese eggplants adds a layer of charred complexity to their mild sweetness. Paired with a sweet and savory glaze or drizzled with a bright herb sauce, it’s a foolproof seasonal staple.
8. 8. Grilled Japanese mackerel: In Japanese cooking, saba shioyaki is salt-grilled mackerel seasoned with sake. In Japan, saba shioyaki is traditionally grilled, but you can also make it in the oven, stovetop, or toaster oven for a quick weeknight dinner.
9. 9. Grilled lamb chops: Cooking lamb chops on your grill cooks them quickly and lends a smoky taste to the meat. Soak your lamb chops overnight in the fridge in a marinade of your choice. Once your lamb has marinated, preheat your grill and baste it with some olive oil. Place your lamb chops directly on the grill over medium-high heat, first searing on both sides for two minutes, then turning down the heat and cooking for an additional five to ten minutes. Serve with green beans or a piece of corn on the cob.
10. 10. Grilled Mediterranean shrimp: For a simple and flavorful weeknight dinner, this grilled Mediterranean shrimp comes together in minutes. You can pair your grilled shrimp with Italian polenta, Southern grits, couscous, Greek salad, grilled zucchini, and cherry tomato kebabs, warm pita bread and hummus, tzatziki sauce, or feta cheese marinated in olive oil and herbs.
11. 11. Mexican street corn: Mexican street corn consists of grilled corn on the cob slathered with sour cream or mayonnaise, then topped with cotija cheese, cilantro, lime juice, and ancho chili powder. Toss on the grill inside the husk until the kernels turn golden brown.
12. 12. Grilled peaches: You can grill peaches and other stone fruits the same way you would vegetables or meats. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat the cut side of each piece of fruit with olive oil. Place the fruit cut-side down onto the grill grates, or pan. Let cook, undisturbed, for 4 minutes. Gently flip the pieces and cook for an additional 3 minutes, until the skins are lightly charred and the fruit is tender and warmed through. Remove, and serve with a scoop of ice cream and a pinch of flaky sea salt.
13. 13. Grilled Portobello mushrooms: Portobello mushrooms–which are the full-grown version of cremini mushrooms–are some of the most savory of the fungi–especially when cooked. Grilled portobellos are an easy meat substitute because of their earthy flavor and umami, and the basic ingredients are fairly easy to find in grocery stores and markets in the United States. The firm texture of portobello mushroom caps helps them to hold up when grilled, all while being supple enough to take on the taste of any marinade. You can enjoy these as an appetizer or a vegetarian main dish.
14. 14. Grilled snapper: Red snapper is a saltwater fish found off the southeastern coast of the United States that has red skin and flaky white flesh that tastes mildly sweet. You can serve grilled snapper with your preferred sides, or as fish tacos with shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, and a drizzle of sour cream.
15. 15. Grilled steak: A perfectly grilled steak can take a bit of practice to master, but developing this skill is well worth the effort. Simply rub the steak with a mixture of salt and pepper and cook it to the doneness of your liking. Serve the steak with steak sauce, chimichurri, or herb butter for a decadent combination.
16. 16. Grilled steak tacos: Tacos are a traditional Mexican dish featuring a wide variety of ingredients served in a handheld, open-faced flour or corn tortilla. Carne Asada tacos using grilled steak is an easy recipe that makes perfect use of your grill. Carne asada meat is most often the ranchera, or flap steak, though you can also use flank steak or skirt steak. It is marinated and grilled over charcoal, then chopped and cooked further on a flattop or stovetop grill pan before it’s served in a flour tortilla. Serve these up with some corn salad, homemade salsa verde, or guacamole.
17. 17. Grilled Tandoori chicken: Tandoori chicken is chicken that has been marinated in yogurt and spices. While it’s traditionally roasted whole on skewers in a tandoor oven (a cylindrical clay oven heated with wood or charcoal, primarily used in the Northern regions of the Indian subcontinent), it can easily be made on a grill. Make a marinade for your Tandoori chicken thighs by mixing Greek yogurt, smoked paprika, cumin, ginger, and garlic. Let the meat marinate for a few hours, then toss on the grill and cook thoroughly for about 25 minutes.
18. 18. Grilled tofu: Grilled tofu is a dish consisting of marinated tofu cooked on a hot griddle, grill pan, or grill until crispy and charred on the outside and tender on the inside. You can serve grilled tofu as a side dish or vegan entrée along with grilled veggies to reinforce that charred, smoky flavor.
19. 19. Grilled zucchini salad: Zucchini—also known as a courgette or marrow—is a summer squash with smooth green or yellow skin. Grilled zucchini salad is a light and versatile dish for summer grilling, especially when paired with your favorite burger recipes or spicy chicken wings. Mix olive oil and spices with fresh arugula or julienned bell peppers, feta cheese, and garlic. Top with your choice of vinaigrette or lemon juice.

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