30 Best Grilling Recipes to Fire Up Over the Summer
BBQ season is officially here.
Some of the best summer memories are made around the flaming hot grill. There’s the unmistakable smell of something sizzling over the fire, the laughter drifting across the backyard, and the joyful anticipation of the delicious food ahead.
Whether you're working with a charcoal setup, a gas grill, or even a portable grill while camping, these are the best grilling recipes to keep in your back pocket all season long. They're packed with smoky, flame-kissed flavor and make cleanup a breeze—which is exactly why Ree Drummond loves grilling for easy summer dinners. "We do the cooking outside and keep the fixings cool and crisp," she says. Sounds like a pretty good plan!
Here, you'll find a compilation of grilling recipes, each of which will inspire you to clean the grill and get to work. There are dozens of summer recipes for meat lovers, of course, like Ladd Drummond's legendary grilled tenderloin, hot dogs, and burgers, plus a super impressive cowboy steak topped with zesty ranch butter that is pure decadence. You'll also find plenty of grilled chicken recipes, BBQ recipes, and seafood mains like lemony shrimp skewers or grilled salmon for those craving lighter fare during the heat of the season. And because we can’t forget about dessert, this best-of list even has some summer desserts, like grilled peaches and doughnut hole kebabs, that’ll change the way you think about grilling overall. Here's to a summer of good, grilled eats!
Grilled Chicken with Alabama White Sauce
Alabama white sauce is a game-changer! Made with mayonnaise, lemon juice, and vinegar, it adds bold flavor while keeping grilled chicken juicy and tender.
Big Grilled Veggie Salad
Ree loves this vibrant grilled vegetable salad! It’s packed with seasonal veggies that are lightly charred and tossed with lemon, feta cheese, and fresh herbs.
Get Ree’s Big Grilled Veggie Salad recipe.
Cedar Plank Salmon
Grilling salmon on a cedar plank is an easy way to add smoky flavor while keeping the fish perfectly moist and flaky. Just add a sweet-and-savory Dijon glaze.
Get Ree’s Cedar Plank Salmon recipe.
Balsamic Pork Chops
Move aside beef! Juicy pork chops are marinated in a sweet, tangy, and savory vinaigrette before taking their turn on the grill. Bonus: the marinade doubles as dressing for a fresh peach and arugula side salad.
Get Ree’s Balsamic Pork Chops recipe.
Kansas City BBQ Ribs
The real star of this recipe is the homemade sauce, a sweet, tangy blend of ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Brush it on generously, save extra for dipping!
Get Ree’s Kansas City BBQ Ribs recipe.
Spicy Queso Burgers
These burgers bring the heat. Each juicy patty is smothered in a spicy queso that's good enough to eat with a spoon. Topped with pickled jalapeños for a little extra kick, they're the opposite of boring!
Get Ree's Spicy Queso Burgers recipe.
Grilled Chicken Wings
There's no deep fryer in sight, but these wings still come out with crispy skin and lots of flavor. Grill them until golden, then toss in your favorite sauce or keep it simple with just salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon.
Get the Grilled Chicken Wings recipe.
Grilled Tomatoes
Here's a summer side dish that requires almost zero effort. Toss some tomatoes on the grill until they start to blister and char, then finish with olive oil and a pinch of flaky salt. The flavor gets deeper and sweeter in just a few minutes.
Get Ree's Grilled Tomatoes recipe.
Hanger Steak
Hanger steak is rich, flavorful, and quick to grill. It doesn't need much—just a little salt and heat. Slice it thin across the grain and let it be the star of the plate.
Get Ree's Hanger Steak recipe.
Beer Can Chicken
It looks a little silly on the grill, but this recipe delivers every time. The can helps steam the chicken from the inside while the skin crisps up beautifully. It's hands-off, foolproof, and the meat practically falls off the bone.
Get the Beer Can Chicken recipe.
Grilled BBQ Chicken Nachos
Nachos on the grill? Absolutely! Grab your cast-iron skillet, add a layer of tortilla chips, and plenty of cheese. Then top with the saucy BBQ chicken and a quick blast of heat until everything's melted and bubbling.
Get Ree's Grilled BBQ Chicken Nachos recipe.
Pork Burgers
This recipe gives you a nice change from the usual beef served at barbecues. These burgers are juicy with a hint of sweetness from the pork. Add slaw, pickles, or a swipe of mustard and call it dinner.
Get the Pork Burgers recipe.
Beer Brats
Sausages, onions, and beer—what's not to love? This classic bratwurst recipe is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser, especially in the summertime.
Get the Beer Brats recipe.
Teriyaki Meatball-Broccoli Kebab
Meatballs on the grill are a fun twist on tradition! Thread them onto skewers with broccoli, peppers, and onions for a complete dinner that cooks up fast.
Chile-Lime Steak Salad
Whether you grill it outside or indoors, this steak turns out tender and full of zesty flavor. Serve over crisp greens with a spicy-sweet dressing for a complete meal that'll impress anyone.
Get Ree's Chile-Lime Steak Salad recipe.
Honey Mustard Chicken
This honey mustard marinade is full of tangy-sweet flavor that caramelizes beautifully on the grill. After you grill the chicken, be sure to serve it with extra honey-mustard sauce for dipping.
Get the Honey Mustard Chicken recipe.
Grilled Okra
Grilling okra gives it a smoky depth that might just convert the skeptics! Use skewers or flip with tongs until it's charred and tender.
Get the Grilled Okra recipe.
Soy-Ginger Beef Kebabs
The marinade is what makes these kebabs taste so divine. Soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, and ginger infuse the beef with tons of flavor before it hits the grill.
Get Ree's Soy-Ginger Beef Kebabs recipe.
Grilled Pizza
Forget about turning on the oven in the summer heat—grilling pizza is easier than you think. Shape store-bought dough on foil, slide it onto the grill, and add your favorite toppings for a fun weeknight dinner.
Get the Grilled Pizza recipe.
Beef Kebabs
A simple marinade made of kitchen staples does wonders to these beef and veggie kebabs. Filled with juicy beef and a medley of crunchy veggies, it's an all-in-one meal the whole family will love!
Get the Beef Kebabs recipe.
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
Cauliflower Soup
Easy Foil Packet Recipes for a Grill or Campfire
The Pioneer Woman’s Favorite Sandwich
