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The 70 Best Grilling Recipes to Cook and Eat All Summer

These ideas are straight fire

grilling recipes: crispy grilled chicken and corn on a platter
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

It’s hard to beat grilling your dinner over an open fire—and when the forecast is in the upper 80s or higher, it’s a no-brainer for low-effort meals. (Turn my kitchen into a fiery pit of doom just to roast some vegetables? I’d rather not.)

From classic appetizers (like grilled corn salsa) to meaty mains (hi, grilled flank steak with lemon-herb sauce) to dessert (ooh, strawberry shortcake skewers), there’s really nothing your grill can’t handle. Whether you’re team charcoal, team gas or team indoor, here are the 70 best grilling recipes to make this summer and beyond. They’re equal parts simple, seasonal and crowd-pleasing.

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1. Grilled Watermelon Steaks

  • Time Commitment: 35 minutes
  • Why I Love It: vegetarian, gluten free, <500 calories
  • Serves: 4

Proof that grilling isn’t always about steaks and chops. If you like the way grilled pineapple gets caramelized and super sweet, you’ll love this twist. Throw some Tajín on there too for a punch of acidity.

2. Tomato Salad with Grilled Halloumi and Herbs

  • Time Commitment: 10 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian, gluten free
  • Serves: 4

With some fresh-picked tomatoes and charred halloumi, you’re on your way to a stunning starter (or main). Fresh basil is in the mix, so consider this tangy, photogenic dish a riff on a classic caprese salad.

3. Caprese Salad with Grilled Zucchini

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, <10 ingredients, <500 calories
  • Serves: 4

There’s plenty of zucchini to go around, so why not add it to a crowd-pleasing classic? It's seared on hot grates just for a few minutes, which imparts the smoky char you crave without taking away from the veggie's crispness.

4. Grilled Caprese Skewers with Halloumi and Sourdough

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
  • Serves: 4 to 6

Homer Simpson might’ve said, “you don’t win friends with salad,” but when it’s on a skewer and includes both bread and cheese, I beg to differ. The skewers are brushed with garlic-infused olive oil, which you'll want to make double of for dipping.

5. Grilled Watermelon-Feta Skewers

  • Time Commitment: 35 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
  • Serves: 4

Come summertime, I'm sneaking watermelon into as many meals as possible. Here, it's sweetness is complemented by tangy feta cheese, vegetal basil and zingy balsamic vinegar. Peaches and prosciutto would be great additions, too.

6. Shrimp Boil Skewers with Corn, Sausage and Potatoes

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly, gluten free
  • Serves: 6

These are best eaten on a newspaper-lined picnic table with a mile-high stack of napkins and cold beer. The key to the grilling recipe's bold flavor is the homemade spicy Cajun butter, which is generously slathered on every component of the skewers.

7. Cheater’s Prosciutto Hawaiian Pizza

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: beginner-friendly <10 ingredients, special occasion–worthy
  • Serves: 6

Sure, you could argue that this unconventional pizza is deeply dated. But swap the ham for prosciutto, give the pineapple a little char and you're in business. (The arugula on top makes it look downright classy, if you ask me.)

8. Grilled Cheese Crostini

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 8 to 10

It just so happens that my favorite carb and the grill get along swimmingly. I like these bites with balsamic-soaked strawberries, but you can try them with honey, nuts or another fruit, too, like cantaloupe, nectarines or blackberries.

9. Mini Lobster Rolls

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes
  • Serves: 8

Combining my three favorite things in life: lobster, butter and fresh herbs. "Miniature buns mean the perfect ratio of claw meat to toasted buttery bread, not to mention the presentation to end all adorable presentations," former PureWow food editor Heath Goldman explains.

10. Grilled Flatbread Pizza with Artichoke, Ricotta and Lemon

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
  • Serves: 4

Use store-bought flatbread, for the crispest thin-crust pizza you’ll ever taste—no kneading necessary. It'll char just right on the grill (which beats preheating your oven on a hot summer night by a mile).

11. Grilled Avocado and Gem Salad with Herb Yogurt Dressing

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes
  • Why I Love It: vegetarian, gluten free, <30 minutes
  • Serves: 4

I bet you never thought to grill avocados before. It gives them a hint of smokiness to spice up the entire salad. As for the dressing, it's decidedly springy with the addition of chives, thyme and dill. Make room on your Easter and Mother's Day menus for this one.

12. Grilled Corn Salsa

  • Time Commitment: 15 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, vegan, gluten free
  • Serves: 4

You’re going to need a bigger bag of tortilla chips. This salsa is light, refreshing and flexible, since you can adjust the heat by tinkering with the amount of cayenne pepper you add. (You can double down on the spice with minced jalapeño peppers, too.)

13. Grilled Oysters with Chipotle Bourbon Butter

  • Time Commitment: 15 minutes
  • Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
  • Serves: 12 oysters

I only want to attend parties where these oysters are being served. (Kidding—kind of.) The swicy chipotle-honey butter is worth making in advance and in large quantities for slathering on grilled fish, seared steak, chicken skewers and even burgers.

14. Prosciutto Goat Cheese-Stuffed Peaches with Thyme Honey

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients
  • Serves: 8

Is this not the chicest appetizer you’ve ever seen? You could also try it with plums or apricots instead of peaches. (The toppings are nonnegotiable, though.) Serve it after dinner instead of as an appetizer if you're a cheese-and-fruit dessert kind of person.

15. Grilled Shakshuka Pizza

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
  • Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, high protein
  • Serves: 4

Grill-side brunch sounds like an excellent idea to me. If you don’t want to make your own dough (I don’t), ask your favorite local pizzeria if they’ll sell you some of theirs. If not, you can find one of my favorite store-bought pizza doughs at the supermarket instead.

16. Grilled Lemon-Herb Chicken and Avocado Salad

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes
  • Why I Love It: dairy free, gluten free, make ahead
  • Serves: 4

All the tastiest salads are heavy on the toppings. Grill a few chicken breasts at the beginning of the week if you want to meal prep, and feel free to use any leftover grains or less-than-pristine produce that you need to get rid of.

17. Crispy Grilled Chicken

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, no sugar
  • Serves: 4

Peanut butter and jelly, chicken and grilling—some combinations just work. This dish stays juicy and gets all its flavor from a mayo-based marinade. It gives the poultry a shockingly crispy exterior that rivals fried chicken, despite having a fraction of the fat.

18. Pasta Florentine with Grilled Chicken

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, high protein, gluten free
  • Serves: 4

The hint of smokiness from the grilled chicken takes this creamy pasta to the next level. The creamy, cheesy sauce will even be a hit with picky eaters, despite the spinach (well, probably).

19. Summer Skillet Gnocchi with Grilled Corn and Burrata

  • Time Commitment: 50 minutes
  • Why I Love It: one pan, special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
  • Serves: 6

Try this one-pan wonder with a glass of white wine in the backyard. (Psst: It’s ready in under an hour.) You only need nine ingredients to prepare it, not including whatever finishing touches you'd like. (I'm partial to burrata and fresh basil.)

20. Jackfruit Tacos with Grilled Pineapple

  • Time Commitment: 55 minutes
  • Why I Love It: vegetarian, high protein, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4

I can’t believe it’s not meat! Seriously, barbecued jackfruit bears an uncanny resemblance to pulled pork. Warm spices, like chili powder, cumin and coriander, will scratch the itch for the real deal without the help of meat.

21. Grilled Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, low sugar, low carb, <500 calories
  • Serves: 4

Swap the chicken thighs for any quick-cooking protein you have on hand (like chicken breasts, ground pork or tofu) and adjust the cooking time accordingly. If you can't find lemongrass, add some fresh lemon zest to mimic the flavor in a pinch.

22. Vegan Sriracha ‘Meatballs’ with Noodles and Grilled Vegetables

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: vegan, gluten free, high protein
  • Serves: 4

Sad vegan veggie bowl, I hardly knew ye. You can actually make these tofu-and-chia-seed-based “meatballs” up to two weeks in advance, making this grilling recipe a great pick for meal prepping. Pass the sriracha ketchup, will ya?

23. Grilled Vegetable and Goat Cheese Tacos

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
  • Why I Love It: vegetarian, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 6

Who said veggie tacos were boring? Toss everything on the grates and dinner will practically make itself. Crown them with fresh guacamole for good measure. (Oh, and by the way, rosé is a great match for grilled vegetables.)

24. Rodney Scott’s Honey-Butter Fish

  • Time Commitment: 50 minutes
  • Why I Love It: high protein, <500 calories, special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 4 to 6

“Most of the time, fish is grilled or sautéed quickly over high heat,” recipe creator and award-winning pitmaster Rodney Scott writes. “But if you cook a fish on a hot barbecue grill, it doesn’t have a chance to pick up all the smoke flavor. So, I came up with this recipe to take advantage of the smoke and to also play with the yin and yang of the salty rib rub and the sweet honey butter.”

25. Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki Sauce

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: gluten free, high protein, low carb
  • Serves: 6

They’re not exactly the same as a vacation to Mykonos…but they’re close. Pair it with your favorite olives, Greek salad, toasted pita and homemade tzatziki (or store-bought—your shortcut will be safe with me).

26. Steak Skewers with Chimichurri Sauce

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: low sugar, high protein, gluten free, dairy free
  • Serves: 6

Don’t sleep on the spicy, herbaceous chimichurri: It adds much-needed balance to the rich, fatty meat. Plate this grilling recipe with white rice, a cold grain salad or roasted potatoes.

27. Sriracha Shrimp Skewers with Collard-Peach Salad

  • Time Commitment: 50 minutes
  • Why I Love It: dairy free, gluten free, high protein, <500 calories
  • Serves: 4

A quick tip when you're cooking with wooden skewers: Soak them in water for about 30 minutes before grilling so they don’t catch fire. If you're using metal skewers, wear a heat-safe mitt to protect your fingers. Here, you'll also want to massage the collards to tenderize them and break down their fibrous texture.

28. Pomegranate-Maple Glazed Lamb Chops

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why I Love It: special occasion–worthy, beginner-friendly, high protein, low carb
  • Serves: 4 to 6

Are you like, a restaurant chef or something? Don’t tell your guests that these chops are as easy to cook as grilled chicken—just let the compliments roll in. P.S.: You can find pomegranate molasses in the international aisle of most grocery stores.

29. Sweet-and-Sour Pork Skewers with Pineapple

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
  • Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly, high protein
  • Serves: 6

They’re a little bit retro and a whole lotta delicious, which is more than you can say for most pork tenderloin recipes. Finish them with sliced scallions, sesame seeds and an artful drizzle of sriracha.

30. Grilled Flank Steak with Lemon-Herb Sauce

  • Time Commitment: 2 hours
  • Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
  • Serves: 6

Just think of the marinating time as a built-in cocktail hour. (It is summer, after all.) Once it’s ready to cook, the meat will grill up in 15 minutes, max. Let it rest for another 15 before slicing it so it retains every drop of savory juice possible.

31. Salmon Burgers

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: high protein, low sugar, dairy free
  • Serves: 4

A new twist on an old classic. Now’s the time to dust off your trusty food processor and put it to work. Better yet, you can ask your grocery store's fishmonger to grind the salmon for you, or at least to cut it into cubes for easy processing on your end.

32. Grilled Sticky Honey-Sriracha Drumsticks with Slaw

  • Time Commitment: 50 minutes
  • Why I Love It: high protein, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 4

These grilled sticky honey-sriracha drumsticks are spicy and sweet in all the right ways (read: a guaranteed hit). Of course, the sauce also works with thighs and breasts, in case you’re more of a fork-and-knife type of person.

33. The Ultimate Grilled Chicken Sandwich

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, make ahead
  • Serves: 4

Once you put from-scratch frizzled onions on a sandwich, you’ll never settle for lettuce and tomato again. The dill sauce is also bright, tangy and totally over the top, thanks to buttermilk, fresh lemon and chopped herbs.

34. Honey-Lime Chicken and Veggies in Foil

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, gluten free, high protein
  • Serves: 4

This grilling recipe is super tender and juicy. But most importantly, it leaves no dirty dishes behind for the chef. Try swapping the asparagus for any similarly textured green vegetable, like green beans or broccolini.

35. Cheater's Grilled Whole Chicken and Vegetables

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour
  • Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4

I'm always on the hunt for easy ways to cook a whole bird, and it turns out grilling is one of them. Spatchcocking the bird, aka flattening it by removing the backbone, ensures that it cooks evenly and quickly. More of the chicken's skin will make contact with the grill, leading to crispy, drool-worthy results.

36. Chicken Kebabs with Garlic Lemon Yogurt

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 25 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, make ahead, high protein
  • Serves: 4

Although the recipe calls for just a few ingredients, it kicks the flavor up a few dozen notches by marinating the chicken in baharat, a Middle Eastern spice blend. Don’t skip the cherry tomatoes, dipping sauce or mint—they come together while the chicken is marinating and make this recipe complete.

37. Grilled Curried Chicken Thighs

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour
  • Why I Love It: high protein, low sugar, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4

How to make your chicken stand out from the crowd? Pile on the spices. Here, it's a mix of curry paste, hot peppers and coconut milk to tame the heat. Pair this masterpiece with curry-kissed rice noodles for good measure.

38. Grilled Peach, Chicken and Ricotta Pizza

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour
  • Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4

Sweet, creamy, savory—this pizza has it all. Everything cooks on the grill, so it’s streamlined as it is, but you could use a rotisserie chicken instead to save even more time. I'd love to see this pie topped with microgreens, fresh basil or peppery arugula.


39. Lemongrass-Ginger Coconut Grilled Steak

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
  • Why I Love It: gluten free, special occasion-worthy, dairy free
  • Serves: 6 to 8

You thought all grilled steak was the same…but allow me to change your mind with this deeply flavorful, slightly sweet number. It has a "why's this so tasty?" factor that's all thanks to one secret ingredient. (Fine, I'll spill: It's fish sauce.)

40. Grilled Jerk Chicken Cutlets with Mango Salsa

  • Time Commitment: 35 minutes
  • Why I Love It: high protein, <500 calories, dairy free, gluten free
  • Serves: 4

Consider this grilling recipe your gateway to going all in on the swicy (ahem, sweet and spicy) trend. The cinnamon and spicy cayenne flavors in the jerk seasoning pair magically with juicy, succulent mango.

41. Grilled Pesto Chicken Couscous Bowls

  • Time Commitment: 55 minutes
  • Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein, low sugar
  • Serves: 4

Even store-bought pesto has a way of keeping dinner interesting, but the recipe leans on a homemade version, starring spinach and arugula. It's also nut free as is, but you could add pine nuts, almonds or walnuts to the mix if you'd like.

42. Grilled Scallops

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, gluten free, dairy free
  • Serves: 6

Scallops take almost no time to cook, yet they feel fancy enough for company, and I love them for that. Be sure to buy sea scallops (not smaller bay scallops) for this recipe, so they're large enough to hold their own on the grill.

43. Grilled Chili Honey Lime Chicken and Sweet Potatoes with Avocado Salsa

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <500 calories, gluten free, dairy free
  • Serves: 4

Sweet and spicy chicken and creamy avocado? I have a crush on this bowl. "The marinade is a simple mix of lime, honey, chili flakes, herbs and a good amount of garlic," recipe creator Tieghan Gerard explains. "You only need to marinate the chicken for fifteen minutes or so before grilling, and while that's happening you can be prepping the rest of the recipe."

44. Grilled Pork Bánh Mì Sandwiches

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 4

If a burger and a bánh mì had a really tasty baby, this sandwich would be it. The traditional baguette is replaced with a soft, pillowy brioche bun. The rest is pretty standard, like quick-pickled veggies, mayo and fresh jalapeño.

45. Cajun-Spiced Grilled Tofu

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why I Love It: vegetarian, dairy free, <10 ingredients
  • Serves: 6 pieces

Yep, you really can grill anything you want. (This would be excellent as a lettuce wrap filling.) Use tamari instead of soy sauce in the marinade if you have gluten-free eaters at the cookout.

46. Cilantro Lime and Yogurt Grilled Chicken Wings

  • Time Commitment: 6 hours and 40 minutes
  • Why I Love It: make ahead, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
  • Serves: 3

Skip the Buffalo sauce in favor of keeping things fresh with this citrus-y yogurt preparation. Marinating the wings ahead of time in vinegary pickle brine, key lime juice and yogurt ensures they’ll turn out juicy and flavorful after hitting the grill.

47. Grilled Asian-Inspired Steak Skewers

  • Time Commitment: 3 hours and 20 minutes
  • Why I Love It: high protein, diary free, crowd-pleaser
  • Serves: 6 skewers

Because dinner's always better on a stick. These skewers cook up in ten minutes—the rest of the time is just for marinating. Trust me: You'll want to bookmark this grilling recipe for your next cookout. It' a make-ahead gem that makes hosting so much easier.

48. Chipotle Chicken Lettuce Wraps

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: gluten free, low carb, crowd-pleaser
  • Serves: 6

The contrast between cool lettuce and charred chicken makes it worth lighting up the grill. Use iceberg for the crispiest crunch, along with the freshest mangos you can find. (Here's a guide to knowing when the fruit is at it's ripest.)

49. Grilled Sweet Potatoes with a Dilly Dip

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes
  • Why I Love It: vegetarian, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, gluten free
  • Serves: 4

"As much as I adore soft, caramelized roasted sweet potatoes, I'm not interested in turning my entire home into a fiery hellscape for the sake of dinner," former PureWow senior food editor Katherine Gillen writes. "Instead, I propose you toss those 'taties on the grill. Add a refreshing dill-packed dip to the mix and you’ll never look back. If you don't like dill, try basil, parsley, cilantro or basically any other soft herb."


50. Grilled Peach and Halloumi Salad with Lemon-Pesto Dressing

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
  • Serves: 4

Something magical happens when you grill halloumi cheese: It gets melty and caramelized but still holds its shape, so you can add it to salads for an unexpected protein source. Paired with juicy peaches, crunchy veggies and pine nuts, this salad checks every textural box imaginable.

51. Grilled Cauliflower Steaks with Avocado-Cilantro Sauce

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why I Love It: vegetarian, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4

You get major bonus points if you use a gorgeous purple variety of cauliflower, but any color will taste equally delicious with that sauce. Recipe creator Lindsay Grimes Freedman recommends serving these steaks with salmon, or—if you're going vegetarian—offering two steaks per person.

52. Rainbow Vegetable Skewers

  • Time Commitment: 55 minutes
  • Why I Love It: vegetarian, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 6

This is hands down the prettiest way to eat your vegetables. Plus, since each veggie has its own skewer, they're guaranteed to cook more evenly without some pieces turning out raw and others burning to a crisp. The more you know.

53. Smoky Barbecued Corn

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 6

Nothing against butter and salt, but this elote-inspired topping is *chef’s kiss*. The mayo on the outside helps the corn crisp and caramelize on the grill without burning, much like it does on a grilled cheese sandwich in place of butter.

54. Charred Cauliflower with Crunchy Garlic Chile Oil

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, low carb, low sugar
  • Serves: 4

Make extra chile oil to put on everything in your kitchen. But to really streamline things, you can substitute your favorite brand of chile crisp and stick to grilling the cauliflower. Your guests won't mind, promise.

55. Zesty Chargrilled Broccolini

  • Time Commitment: 10 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegan
  • Serves: 4

It’s like roasted broccoli’s cool, laid-back cousin from the West coast. "By chargrilling it in a drizzle of avocado oil, you're getting a dose of healthy fats, while a grating of lemon zest transforms the flavor," recipe creators Megan Hallett and Nicole Jardim explain.

56. Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette

  • Time Commitment: 50 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, Mediterranean diet-friendly, vegetarian
  • Serves: 6

If you only know artichokes as an ingredient in a creamy dip, you need to try this elegant side dish. (And if you've never worked with fresh artichokes instead of jarred, it's actually easier than you'd imagine.)

57. Grilled Garlic Fingerling Potatoes

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <500 calories, <10 ingredients
  • Serves: 4

Grilling is my new favorite cooking method for taters, because they get crispy on the outside but stay creamy and pillowy on the inside. The recipe calls for the bare minimum in terms of seasoning, so feel free to add crumbled feta cheese, fresh herbs or lemon juice before serving.

58. Grilled Asparagus Caesar Salad

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly, make ahead
  • Serves: 4

Not today, boring, old lettuce. I'm stepping up my salad game. Even better, the dressing is made with Greek yogurt and olive oil instead of the traditional raw egg, so it's safe for all Caesar lovers to eat.

59. Grilled Eggplant with Chimichurri

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <500 calories, gluten free, dairy free
  • Serves: 8

Even so-called eggplant haters can't deny how gorgeous (and delectable) this dish is. The char from the grill keeps the eggplant from tasting one-note or turning soggy, even underneath all that vibrant chimichurri.

60. Grilled Corn with Spicy Aioli

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: vegetarian, <10 ingredients, gluten free
  • Serves: 6

Eat three—you have my full support. Make the spicy aioli in advance so you have one less thing to do on the day of the cookout. You can also ask the kids' table to help you shuck the corn to lighten your load even further.

61. Summer Chipotle Chicken Cobb Salad

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
  • Why I Love It: gluten free, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4 to 6

In-season strawberries and fresh corn are hard to beat, so combining them into one dish is a no-brainer. Skip the smoky-spicy chicken to put this firmly in side dish territory, or keep the protein and serve it as a main.

62. Za’atar Grilled Eggplant and Zucchini

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why I Love It: gluten free, dairy free, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, vegetarian
  • Serves: 6 to 8

Pairing this effortless grilling recipe with a yogurt, tahini or spiced green sauce for dipping and drizzling would take it over the top. That said, a simple flourish of olive oil and a shower of flaky salt would be just as delicious (and elegant).

63. Baked Potatoes on the Grill

  • Time Commitment: 55 minutes
  • Why I Love It: dairy free, gluten free, vegan, Paleo-friendly
  • Serves: 4

Wrap your spuds in foil, toss them on the coals and ready thy toppings—easy peasy. "Coating the potato in salt is optional," recipe creator Cheryl Malik says, "but it creates a lovely, crisp and flavorful crust. I highly recommend it."

64. Grilled Lemon Garlic Zucchini

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <500 calories, <10 ingredients
  • Serves: 4

They call it “summer squash” for a reason. Put it on the grill, stat. "These zucchini rounds are first tossed in a lemon butter garlic sauce," recipe creator Chungah Rhee notes, "a sauce so good, you may want to double the sauce portion and serve some on the side with a spoon." Roger that.

65. Grilled Parmesan Asparagus

  • Time Commitment: 15 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4

I think I just found the perfect vehicle for Parmesan cheese, but I'll let you be the judge. For minimal mess and easy cleanup, wrap the asparagus in foil (just know this may reduce the char marks on your veggies, in case you're prioritizing appearance).

66. Teriyaki Cauliflower Steaks with Asian-Inspired Gremolata

  • Time Commitment: 55 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, high protein
  • Serves: 4 to 6

If there were a side dish beauty pageant, this one would take the crown. "Traditionally, a gremolata is an herb-infused topping for pasta or meat," recipe creator Heidi Larsen explains. "Lemon and herbs are standard ingredients in a gremolata. This one is sweetened up with brown sugar to complement the teriyaki flavors."

67. Strawberry Shortcake Skewers with Whipped Cream

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour
  • Why I Love It: kid-friendly, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 6

If the coals are already hot, you might as well make dessert right next to your dinner. Here, canned biscuit dough is doused in honey butter, baked and paired with fresh whipped cream and charred fruit. Bake the biscuits on the grill in a skillet so you don't have to use the oven.

68. Grilled Pineapple Split Sundae with Cherry Sauce

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why I Love It: kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy, gluten free
  • Serves: 6

This grilled pineapple sundae is not only decadent but also downright gorgeous. The homemade cherry sauce takes the dessert to the next level. Prepare it ahead of time and store it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week.

69. Grilled Angel Food Cake with Blueberry Sauce

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy, <500 calories
  • Serves: 8

It’s OK to start with a store-bought angel food cake (really). When your guests see it served with homemade whipped cream and a drizzle of fresh blueberry sauce, no one will wonder whether or not you turned on the oven, trust.


70. Grilled Peaches with Vanilla Ice Cream

  • Time Commitment: 5 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 8

When the summer fruit is at its peak, you don’t need to fuss with dessert. (A little vanilla ice cream never hurts, though.) Make it a stone fruit party with plums, nectarines and apricots to boot, and finish everything with honey and flaky salt.


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Former Senior Food Editor

  • Headed PureWow’s food vertical
  • Contributed original reporting, recipes and food styling
  • Studied English Literature at the University of Notre Dame and Culinary Arts at the Institute of Culinary Education

taryn pire

Food Editor

  • Spearheads PureWow's food vertical
  • Manages PureWow's recipe vertical and newsletter
  • Studied English and writing at Ithaca College

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