Fire up those backyard grills because it’s time to transform your outdoor cooking game! Nothing beats the sizzle of a perfectly seasoned steak or the smoky aroma of grilled vegetables wafting through the summer air.
These 22 show-stopping grill recipes will elevate your BBQ status from weekend warrior to culinary superstar faster than you can say ‘medium rare.’
1. Bourbon-Infused Cedar Plank Salmon
Ever wondered why restaurant salmon tastes so heavenly? The secret lies in cedar planks! Soak your plank for an hour, brush salmon with bourbon-maple glaze, then grill indirectly for 15 minutes.
The wood imparts smoky notes while protecting the delicate fish from direct flames.
Share your plank-grilling adventures in the comments!
2. Truffle Butter Ribeye With Charred Shallots
Holy cow! This isn’t your average steak night dinner. Let your thick-cut ribeye reach room temperature before seasoning generously with salt and cracked pepper. Grill to your desired doneness, then top with a melting medallion of black truffle butter while it rests.
The charred shallots add a sweet counterpoint that’ll make your taste buds dance!
3. Smoke-Kissed Watermelon & Feta Salad
Though watermelon seems an unlikely grilling candidate, this technique creates culinary magic! Briefly grill thick watermelon slices until grill marks appear, then chill them.
Arrange with crumbled feta, mint leaves, and a drizzle of balsamic reduction. The smoky-sweet-salty combination will blow your mind and have friends begging for your secret. Try it at your next cookout!
4. Miso-Glazed Grilled Eggplant
What if I told you eggplant could taste better than steak? This Japanese-inspired dish will convert even the most dedicated carnivores!
Score eggplant halves in a diamond pattern, brush with sesame oil, and grill cut-side down until soft. Slather with sweet-savory miso glaze and return to the grill briefly. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and green onions for an umami bomb that’ll redefine vegetable grilling!
5. Chimichurri-Drenched Grilled Skirt Steak
If Argentina had a national treasure, this vibrant dish would be it! Marinate skirt steak in lime, garlic, and cumin for maximum flavor penetration. Grill hot and fast—just 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare perfection.
The real star is the fresh chimichurri: parsley, cilantro, garlic, red pepper flakes, and olive oil blitzed together. Drench your sliced steak in this herbaceous sauce and prepare for applause!
6. Grilled Peach & Burrata Crostini
Where have grilled peaches been all your life? These sweet-savory bites will elevate any outdoor gathering from ordinary to extraordinary!
Brush halved peaches with honey, grill cut-side down until caramelized. Toast baguette slices on the grill, then top with creamy burrata, grilled peach, prosciutto, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
The contrast between warm fruit and cool cheese creates pure magic!
7. Tandoori-Spiced Grilled Cauliflower Steaks
Cauliflower transforms into something magnificent with this technique. Cut thick cauliflower planks from the center of the head, keeping the core intact.
Grill over medium heat until tender with charred edges after brushing with a yogurt-based tandoori marinade made with turmeric, cayenne, and garam masala. Add lemon wedges and cilantro as garnish. Even the most ardent veggie doubters will be won over by this show-stopper—tag me in your creations!
8. Citrus-Brined Spatchcock Chicken
Hence the name “spatchcock”—this butterfly technique ensures even cooking and crispy skin all over! Brine your chicken overnight in citrus juice, salt, and aromatics. Remove backbone, flatten, and grill skin-side up with a brick wrapped in foil on top.
Flip halfway through cooking until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The result? Juicy meat, crackling skin, and guests who’ll swear you’ve been hiding professional chef credentials!
9. Chargrilled Octopus With Smoked Paprika Oil
Bonjour, seafood adventurers! Cooking octopus might seem intimidating, but this foolproof method delivers restaurant-quality results every time.
Simmer octopus with wine corks (yes, really!) for tenderizing, then marinate in olive oil, lemon, and garlic. Grill quickly over high heat until charred at the edges.
Drizzle with smoked paprika oil for a Spanish twist that’ll transport your taste buds straight to Barcelona!
10. Coffee-Rubbed Bison Burgers
Though bison meat contains less fat than beef, these burgers remain incredibly juicy thanks to a secret technique! Mix ground bison with grated frozen butter before forming patties. The magic happens when you coat them with a coffee-brown sugar-chili rub that caramelizes beautifully on the grill.
Top with blue cheese and caramelized onions for maximum impact. Would your guests ever guess coffee is the secret ingredient? Let the flavor mystery begin!
11. Grilled Artichokes With Lemon Aioli
Jeepers! Artichokes become transcendent when kissed by flames. Steam them first until tender, then halve and remove the fuzzy choke.
Apply some olive oil, grill the leaf cut-side down until it is blackened, then turn it over and broil the leaf side for a little time. Serve the smokey taste with homemade lemon aioli for dipping. At your next cookout, they will go quicker than any meat dish, so don’t be shocked!
12. Plank-Grilled Brie With Bourbon-Soaked Cherries
How utterly indulgent! This showstopping appetizer takes cheese to heavenly heights. Place a wheel of brie on a soaked cedar plank and grill indirectly until soft but not melting. Meanwhile, simmer pitted cherries with bourbon, brown sugar, and cinnamon until syrupy.
Pour the warm cherry mixture over the brie just before serving with grilled baguette slices.
Your guests will be snapping Instagram photos faster than the cheese disappears!
13. Jerk-Spiced Grilled Pineapple Pork Tenderloin
Whoa Nelly! This Caribbean-inspired dish brings serious flavor heat! Marinate pork tenderloin in homemade jerk paste (scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, thyme, ginger) overnight. Grill alongside fresh pineapple rings until pork reaches 145°F internal temperature.
The sweet caramelized pineapple perfectly balances the spicy meat. Slice and serve with grilled scallions and lime wedges for a tropical feast that’ll transport your backyard to Jamaica!
14. Lemongrass Grilled Prawns With Coconut Rice
Ah, the tropical flavors that transport you straight to Southeast Asia! Marinate jumbo prawns in lemongrass, lime, garlic, and fish sauce for 30 minutes. Thread onto soaked lemongrass stalks (nature’s skewers!) and grill until just opaque. The stalks impart incredible aromatic flavor while creating an impressive presentation. Serve atop coconut rice with fresh herbs and chili for a dish that screams “five-star resort”!
15. Ember-Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Miso Butter
However crazy it sounds, cooking directly in the coals creates unbelievable flavor! Wrap sweet potatoes in heavy-duty foil and nestle them in the embers for 45 minutes. The skins blacken while the flesh inside becomes incredibly sweet and smoky.
Split open and top with miso-honey butter that melts gloriously into every crevice.
Finish with scallions and sesame seeds for a side dish that’ll upstage any main course!
16. Za’atar Grilled Lamb Chops With Whipped Feta
Bam! These Middle Eastern-inspired lamb chops deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort. Coat thick-cut chops with olive oil and za’atar spice blend (thyme, sesame, sumac).
For medium-rare, grill for about 3 minutes on each side. The ideal balance is produced by the chilling whipped feta, which is combined with lemon, garlic, and cream. Add mint and pomegranate seeds as garnish for a vibrant display that tastes as amazing as it looks!
17. Smoked Salt-Crusted Whole Fish
Nothing impresses dinner guests like a whole grilled fish.
After cleaning a sea bass or snapper, score it and fill its cavity with herbs and slices of lemon. To completely coat the fish, make a paste with smoked salt, egg white, and herbs. Indirectly grill the meat until it flakes easily. For a dramatic presentation, crack open the salt crust at the table; the salt adds a faint smokiness while sealing in moisture.
Get your cameras ready for this incredible moment!
18. Rosemary-Skewered Lamb Kebabs
These aren’t your average kebabs. Strip sturdy rosemary branches of lower leaves, keeping the tops intact, then sharpen the bare end into a skewer. Thread marinated lamb cubes (garlic, lemon, olive oil) onto these aromatic skewers and grill to medium-rare perfection.
The rosemary branches release essential oils directly into the meat. The result? Herbaceous flavor infusion that store-bought skewers could never achieve!
19. Smoke-Infused Grilled Old Fashioned Cocktail
What?! Yes, you can grill cocktails! Place sugar cubes on foil, soak with bitters, and set on grill until caramelized. Smoke orange peels by charring briefly. Combine the smoked components with bourbon in a shaker with ice. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube and garnish with the charred orange peel. This next-level mixology trick will earn you legendary status among friends.
Cheers to grilling innovation!
20. Ember-Blistered Shishito Peppers With Yuzu Salt
Bazinga! These Japanese peppers are the perfect one-bite appetizer with a gambling element—about one in ten packs serious heat! Toss whole shishitos in sesame oil.
Place directly on hot coals or grill until blistered and slightly charred. Immediately sprinkle it with yuzu-infused sea salt while still hot. The smoky-citrusy-salty combination creates an addictive snack that’ll disappear in seconds. Who’ll get the spicy one? Keep your camera ready!
21. Hickory-Smoked Chocolate Lava Cakes
Gasp! Dessert on the grill? Absolutely!
Pour the prepared chocolate lava cake batter into ramekins that have been greased. With hickory chips for smoke, preheat the grill to indirect heat. After placing the ramekins on the cold side of the grill, cover them for approximately fifteen minutes, or until they are just set with molten cores. The smoke gives the chocolate a remarkable depth of flavor. For a stunning finish that will leave guests in awe, serve with vanilla ice cream and grilled strawberries!
22. Prosecco-Poached Grilled Pears With Mascarpone
Oh my stars! This elegant dessert proves grilling isn’t just for savory dishes.
Simmer halved pears in prosecco with vanilla bean and star anise until tender. Grill briefly to caramelize and add smoky notes. Serve warm with mascarpone whipped with honey and a drizzle of reduced poaching liquid. The contrast between smoky fruit, cool cream, and sweet syrup creates a dessert worthy of any Michelin restaurant.
Share your creations with #GrillMaster!