Country Living editors select each product featured. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?
90 Summer-Perfect Grilling Recipes for Any Outdoor Gathering
From weeknight dinners to full-on cookouts, these grilling ideas will inspire!
Summer means it's time to dust off the grill! Whether you're inviting a crowd to hang out in the backyard, celebrating a holiday or special occasion, or just trying to get something new and interesting on the table for dinner, we've got plenty of grilling recipes for you to whip up all summer long. Giving food that touch of flame and smoke is an easy way to impart a ton of flavor and give your meals that little something extra.
And you can grill far more than just burgers and chicken! Everything from fruit to seafood to desserts. Did you know there are even some cheeses can be grilled?
If you've refreshed your backyard and outdoor spaces for warm weather season, you should spend some time out there, enjoying it, too! So put on a few tunes, crack open a cold can of something tasty, fire up the grill, and make some of these delicious recipes that can either be grilled, or go great with all your favorite outdoor food. Cheers!
More Tips to Help You Get the Most Out of Grilling
Grilled Pork Chops with Whole Pickled Peaches
You can quick-pickle a couple whole peaches a day or two (or more) before, then use them to top these tasty dry-rubbed chops. The flavor combo is absolutely unbeatable.
Get the recipe for Grilled Pork Chops with Whole Pickled Peaches.
Peach-and-Bacon Pizza
Pizza on a grill? You betcha! You can use a pizza stone, a grill pan, or get yourself an outdoor oven just for pizza, but trust us that outdoor cooking your pizza makes it taste much better.
This bacon, peach, and pickled onion white pie has a flavor combo that's like a slice of pure summer.
Grilled Corn-and-Chipotle Salsa
Tomato salsas are fine and all, but when fresh corn is in season this sweet, smoky pico is about all we want on our tortilla chips! Chipotles in adobo give it a healthy bit of kick. Whenever you're grilling corn on the cob, make a couple extra ears, and use it for this salsa!
Grilled Watermelon and Halloumi Kebabs
If you're not familiar with it, halloumi is a fresh cheese that, instead of melting, will sear on a grill. Paired with watermelon it makes a salty-sweet combo perfect as a side dish or starter on your plate.
Glazed Shrimp-and-Fig Skewers
Here's another sweet-savory kebab that will seriously impress family or guests. The balsamic honey glaze goes well both with tender shrimp and fresh figs.
Grilled Orange Old-Fashioned
If you're already grilling dinner, why not grill up a drink to go with it? Muddle a smoky orange into your old-fashioned, and get to sipping!
Campfire-Toasted Rice Krispies Treats
Here's a dessert that evokes two great simple after-dinner treats: the s'more and the Rice Krispies treat! Kids'll love toasting them, and everyone will love how they taste!
Grilled Apples with Prosciutto and Honey
You can pop these on and off the grill in about 5 minutes, then set them out for folks to munch on while you get the main course cooking.
Get the recipe for Grilled Apples with Prosciutto and Honey.
Elotes (Mexican Street Corn)
Elotes, a general Central American term for corn, is also the word we use for Mexican style street corn — a highly flavorful grilled corn that's been covered in mayo, sour cream, spices, lime juice, and cheese.
Salt-and-Pepper BBQ Ribs
Real talk: You don't need a lot of crazy flavors to make high-quality ribs taste delicious.
Whipped Ricotta and Grilled Bread
Because sometimes you need to indulge in fancy grilled cheese and toasty, grilled bread.
Smoky Grilled Dry-Rub Pork Chops with Peach Relish
This may be, hands down, the best pork chop we've ever had.
Cucumber Salad
Problem: You want something green on the table, but lettuce wilts so quickly at a BBQ. Solution: This lime-mint salad, which holds up and tastes refreshingly good with all manner of proteins.
Smashed Potatoes with Paprika and Cumin
With all the flaky goodness of baked potatoes, all the crunchy deliciousness of fried, and a combo of spices that we sometimes dream about at night, this is a side dish that is sure to have guests and family alike asking for seconds.
Orzo Pasta Salad
Do yourself a favor and put this veggie-packed pasta salad on the menu — then watch as it's the first to disappear.
Jalapeño–Sour Cream Cornbread
This sweet-spicy cornbread is perfect for mopping up barbecue sauce!
Green Chile Pimento Cheese Burgers
This decadent summer burger is the ultimate cookout treat! Mild hatch chiles and creamy pimento cheese combine to make a flavorful burger that's just about as rich and delicious as you can get.
The Casa Wedge Salad
A wedge salad is a quick and easy side for any bbq! This Tex-Mex inspired version is full of flavor thanks to Mexican Cotija cheese and creamy avocado dressing!
Campfire-Grilled Pineapple Upside Down Cake
This five-ingredient grilled pineapple upside-down cake couldn't be any easier! The secret is to get an already-prepared poundcake. Grilled pineapples and an easy-to-make glaze come together quickly — and then whole deal gets well caramelized, either over hot coals or on the grill.
Get the recipe for Campfire-Grilled Pineapple Upside Down Cake.
Campfire Pear Crumbles
Grilled desserts certainly don't stop with marshmallows. If you're looking for something a little more fruit-forward, consider making a pear crumble. Cover it with foil and cook it on the grill at your next BBQ. The sweet, crunchy crisp makes a tasty meal-ender.
Easy Summer Crafts for DIY Lovers
The Most Effective Indoor Mosquito Traps
50 Best Labor Day Recipes
79 Picnic Recipes That Are Easy to Make and Take
