Hey, let’s fire up that grill! We have some easy grilling recipes for you that are not only for deliciously decadent dishes, but that will make some healthy meals, too. No matter which you choose, you’ll end up with a sensational smoky kick.
There is something about cooking over the grill that brings a playful and casual vibe to mealtime. From traditional favorites like burgers and baby back ribs, to unique grilled food like pizza and vegetable salad, you will find one or more delish recipes for grilled goodies to fit every occasion.
What foods can be grilled?
The lengthy list of foods that can be cooked on a grill may come as a surprise. Of course, it includes the usual suspects — like steaks, burgers, ribs and chicken — but also covers fruits like watermelon and strawberries… and even lasagna.
So a better question could be what can’t be cooked on the grill? (Ice cream is a no go, but a grilled pound cake with fruit? Delish. In fact, you might want to check out these 10 dishes you never knew you could grill for some unexpectedly amazing recipes.)
1. Grilled baby back ribs
What kind of meat can you grill? Beef, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey and fish — especially salmon, swordfish and tuna are — all fabulous on the grill. When it comes to ribs, the #1 meat is pork, which means that our recipe for grilled baby back ribs is a cook-off winner for sure. The secret to flavorful, fall-off-the-bone ribs is to use the oven and then throw ’em on the grill.
Start by seasoning the ribs by rubbing them with the flavorful blend of spices and seasonings that include brown sugar, smoky paprika, garlic powder and ancho chili powder. Next, place the ribs in a roasting pan with chicken broth and let them slow cook in the oven for 4 hours.
Now, it’s time for the fantastic finish: Place the ribs on the grill, brush them with our own delicious tart and savory cherry barbecue sauce (check out that recipe here) and keep them on the heat for just about three minutes for baby back rib perfection.
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2. Grilled sweet corn with chili lime honey butter
Grilling vegetables is a great way to get more nutrition in your diet. What vegetables can you grill? Corn is at the top of the list, but don’t stop there! Onions, Bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms and eggplant are all delicious when cooked on the grill.
Speaking of veggies, this recipe for grilled sweet corn with chili lime honey butter is the perfect side dish to steak or burgers. Grilling the corn brings out the sweetness of the kernels, while infusing a delicious smoky flavor that you don’t get with boiling or baking.
Regular butter tastes delicious on grilled corn, but it only takes a few ingredients to whip up this flavored butter. Simply mash together butter, lime juice, honey, chili powder and a dash of cayenne pepper. Brush it on the grilled corn for and taste combination that is out of this world.
3. Bobby Flay’s margarita grilled pizza
It is fun to cook unexpected food on the grill, like this yummy recipe for Bobby Flay’s margarita grilled pizza. This recipe is easy (starts with store-bought pizza dough!), is fast and full of healthy veggies.
Shape the store-bought pizza dough into a 12-inch round, brush it with oil and salt and pepper, and place it, oil side down, on the grill and cook it until its golden brown, flip it and do the same on the other side.
Remove it from the grill and get ready to add on some toppings. Add on mozzarella and tomato slices, throw it back on the grill until the cheese melts. Garnish with fresh basil and that’s it! Simple and scrumptious. Have fun experimenting by adding marinara sauce, pepperoni or different veggies — like the ever-popular onions, olives or bell peppers.
4. Char-grilled oysters
Atkins Park restaurant in Smyrna, Georgia, has some wonderful eats. Among the standouts: jambalaya and gumbo. None is more popular, however, than Chef Rusty Hamlin’s chargrilled Gulf Coast oysters — the recipe for which he graciously shares with us. Oysters, in general, are a Louisiana fave — and these oysters are Chef Rusty’s personal pick.
The name of this seafood dish may put the focus on the chargrilling, but to hear Rusty tell it, this recipe is all about the garlic. The rich, garlicky sauce he makes – called chargrilled oyster butter – is poured on to the oysters while they’re cooking, then he drizzles even more on the dish just after it’s plated.
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5. Little burgers
No round-up of easy outdoor grill recipes would be complete without this recipe for grilled slider burgers. Sliders are smaller, fun-size versions of regular burgers, but this recipe can be used to make regular-sized burgers as well.
The secret to amazing grilled burgers is the meat selection. Avoid those packages labeled “ground beef,” and instead look for ground chuck that has 15 to 20 percent fat.
In a bowl, combine the meat with salt and pepper, as well as mustard and steak sauce for flavoring and one egg to help keep their shape while grilling. Form the meat into patties, and create a divot in the middle of each burger (prevents the dreaded bubble burgers!) and grill until done. Serve immediately on slider buns and chosen condiments. Delicious!
MORE: Creamy confetti corn with bacon
6. Korean steak kabobs
This recipe for Korean steak kabobs is not only delicious, but a fun alternative to regular steak and veggies on the grill. This recipe uses flank or sirloin, marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, honey, toasted sesame oil and minced garlic, to infuse flavor and to tenderize the meat. Thread on a kebab with bell peppers and onion, grill for 5-10 minutes until done and enjoy!
MORE: Turkey meatballs with Asian-style dipping sauce
7. Grilled vegetable salad with Vidalia onion dressing
The recipe for grilled vegetable salad with Vidalia onion dressing is a fantastic way to get more veggies into your diet. When cooked on a grill, the vegetables in this recipe — including corn, Vidalia onions, zucchini, squash and bell peppers — take on a delicious and smoky flavor. Top the salad with the homemade Vidalia onion dressing for dish that makes for a wonderful light main course or side.
8. Tender and juicy grilled turkey breast
This recipe for tender and juicy grilled turkey breast makes a flavorful meal that can be enjoyed year-round. Infused with seasonings like oregano and garlic mixed into butter, this delicious turkey cooks for around 2-1/2 hours on the grill for a moist turkey that has a gorgeous smoky flavor.
MORE: Rainbow roasted vegetables
9. BBQ your very own scrumptious steak
From Ribeye to T-Bone, looking at all the different cuts of meat at the store can get confusing when looking for the perfect steak to throw on the grill. Steak 101: How to buy the right steak for more steak buying tricks and tips. In there, you will learn all kinds of juicy facts like this one: T-Bone, also known as Porterhouse, is a top choice for grilling, as is prime rib — however, top sirloin is also a delicious cut and not as spendy.
You go, grill!
So now you are all set to have fun cooking delicious meals on this grill with the help of this roundup of easy grill recipes! What are the advantages of grilling food? Many people love to grill out because it keeps the house smoke-free and from smelling like food, as well as keeps the house cool in the summer.
There are also lots of health advantages to grilling out, besides the obvious taste advantage. When grilling, the fat in the meat is cooked out (versus soaked back in the meat when cooked in a pan), so not only does it have less fat, but more nutrients, including riboflavin and thiamine. Vegetables also retain more nutrients and vitamins when grilled. One word of advice: Avoid charring meat on the grill, by cooking meat over medium heat instead of high flame. Otherwise, grilling is a fun way to get a delicious meal on the table!