I got the cooler down from the attic last weekend, and pulled the cover off the grill so I guess summer is officially, finally, here. And by summer I mean full-on grilling season.
In truth, I sometimes grill even in the dead of winter, because where I live it’s not usually all that cold. Still, grilling when it’s 50 degrees and drizzly is not the same as grilling in the glorious summer sunshine with all your nearest and dearest lounging around you in the backyard. Give me a hot grill (charcoal or gas, I really don’t care which!) and an icy cold beer, or maybe even some margaritas, chips and guacamole on a gingham-covered table, popsicles melting on the sidewalk and all the littles running through sprinklers.
I want to be outside, soaking up summer from first light until sunset, so outdoor grilled dinners are basically all I want to eat from Memorial Day straight through til Labor Day. Though I’ve rarely met a grilled dinner I didn’t love (that smoky char makes everything taste good), the recipes I’ve shared below are my absolute, hands-down favorites. From steak to chicken breast, pork, seafood, vegetable sides and even a few surprises, they’re the iconic grilling recipes of summer in my house, and there’s something for every occasion.
Fire up the grill, and enjoy!
Grilled Skirt Steak
This grilled steak recipe is one of the most popular recipes we’ve ever shared, and is one of the simplest! Go figure. A soy sauce marinade makes this quick, easy grilled skirt steak recipe a total umami bomb.
Grilled Asparagus
Just a few minutes on the grill, and asparagus becomes totally tender and perfect. It’s the summer side I make the most, hands down.
Grilled Flank Steak
For some reason, this flank steak recipe isn’t quite as popular with the internet as the skirt steak recipe is and I’d really like that to change because flank steak is just SO GOOD. Meaty and lean, it’s heaven on the grill.
Grilled Caesar Salad
Yes, grilled salad. You’ve got the grill fired up, right? Might as well toss (ha) the salad on there, too! Trust me, it’s so good.
Grilled Corn on the Cob
If you don’t feel confident in your ability to grill corn on the cob, I’ll walk you through! This recipe has all the As to all your FAQs.
Grilled Chicken Breast
Classic, never boring. A super simple marinade helps basic boneless, skinless chicken breasts stay nice and juicy on the grill.
Grilled Scallops
Grilling those delicate mollusks may sound crazy, it’s actually the perfect way to cook scallops! Quick, high heat is ideal for a food that you do not want to overcook, and a light, quick kiss of char and smoke brings these gorgeous, sweet and tender shellfish to life.
Grilled Whole Chicken
The key to perfectly juicy whole grilled chicken? Spatchocking the chicken! I know it sounds like a lot of work, but you can do it easily OR you can ask the butcher to do it for you (even easier.) This recipe is great one for when you’ve got company coming!
Grilled Sweet Potatoes
Another go-to grilling season side dish of mine, grilled sweet potatoes are super easy on the wallet, and they always seem to surprise and delight my guests. They’re great leftovers, too.
Grilled Shrimp
We grill shrimp all summer long! Light, healthy, delicious and FAST, this is one of those recipes that everyone adores.
Grilled Flatbread With Cheese
I break this grilled flatbread out when we’ve got friends coming for dinner. It’s a perfect way to start a long, lazy summer dinner party. Serve with plenty of chilled white wine.
Grilled BBQ Chicken
Every home cook needs a great, trusted barbecue chicken recipe, and this is mine! You can use my homemade sauce recipe, or use a store-bought sauce you love. Either way, it’s quick and easy and sure to be a finger-licking success.
Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Grilled pork tenderloin is the recipe I made when I’ve got serious good impressions to make. It’s not stuffy at all (grilled food rarely is!) but it still feels like an occasion when you grill a whole slab of pork, right?
Grilled Flank Steak with Five Spice
Five spice is a spice blend that has anise, cinnamon and fennel. It’s sweet and savory, and I adore how it transforms basic grilled steak into a meal that makes you wake up and take notice.
Grilled Salmon
Smokey and tender, grilled salmon is another one we make on repeat here in the Pacific Northwest. I am hoping that this year will be a great one for the salmon runs, and we’ll get to feast on the abundance well into fall.
Grilled Ribeye
Rich, marbled ribeye steaks are the stuff Father’s Day dreams are made of. Plan to make this on that special June Sunday for sure, and you just might love it so much that it goes into your regular rotation!
Grilled Sausages
Grilled sausages are one of my favorite camping meals, and why not eat them at home, too? Turns out they taste as delicious in my own backyard as they do when I’m surrounded by camp fires and pine trees.
