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From tasty chicken burgers to perfectly grilled salmon, this collection of summer grilling recipes promises to bring extra flavor to your table while creating a more laid-back, enjoyable atmosphere for family dinners.
Nothing beats that enticing chargrill smell that wafts throughout the neighborhood on summer evenings. Grilled foods—from juicy turkey burgers to sides like grilled asparagus—just seem to create a better dinner experience during the warmer months. Not only with flavor, but with a more relaxed and enjoyable setting for family dinners.
With that, I’ve compiled a list of 30 summer grilling recipes for dinner that you and your family can enjoy out on the patio this year! There’s a beautiful variety here, and I think you’re going to love this list.
What’s Good to Grill in the Summer?
The short answer: everything! Our first thoughts are, of course, burgers, hot dogs, and steaks. But you can get incredibly creative on the grill, cooking everything from pork tenderloin to potatoes! Yes, you read that right. Po-ta-toes!
How to Prepare Your Grill for the Summer
- Give your grill a good cleaning.
- Inspect and replace any parts that need it.
- Season your grill.
Grilled Meat Recipes
Chicken, beef, and pork seem like the go-to options when firing up the grill, and these tasty recipes show us why.
Best Turkey Burger Recipe
KT’s most popular recipe! These flavorful, juicy patties make for the ultimate turkey burger—perfect for quick weeknight meals and easy to freeze for later. They’re a great addition to your summer menu and are sure to impress family and friends with just how delicious turkey burgers can be!
Strawberry Spinach Salad With Steak
If you’re in the mood for a satisfying dinner salad, this Strawberry Spinach Salad with Steak hits all the right notes. Packed with protein and fiber, it’s both filling and light, combining sweet strawberries, salty feta, and crunchy toasted walnuts!
Grilled Pineapple Chicken Kabobs With Teriyaki Sauce
Craving a meal that captures the taste of summer? These grilled pineapple chicken kabobs with teriyaki sauce deliver the perfect mix of sweet, savory, and tropical flavors. They’re quick to prepare, full of vibrant taste, and kid-friendly—making them a go-to for easy summer dinners.
Best Chicken Burger Recipe
If you’ve tried and loved my turkey burger recipe, you’ll love this chicken burger recipe. It’s packed with flavor and incredibly juicy! It’s simple to make, easy to customize, and guaranteed to make you rethink what a chicken burger can be.
Grilled Moroccan Chicken Skewers
These boldly seasoned Moroccan chicken skewers are a standout summer dish that come together in under 30 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights. It’s an easy way to add some vibrant flavor and spice to your usual chicken routine!
Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Chimichurri
A smoky-sweet dry rub gives this grilled pork tenderloin a beautiful, flavorful crust right off the grill. Slice it up and serve with a vibrant chimichurri sauce, and brace yourself to be bombarded by compliments and recipe requests.
30-Minute Juicy & Tender Grilled Chicken Wings
Ideal for summer gatherings, game day, or laid-back dinners at home, this grilled chicken wings recipe is one you’ll find yourself making again and again!
Perfect Grilled Pork Chops
These grilled pork chops are a true standout—tender, flavorful, and every bit as impressive as a steak. They’ve earned rave reviews time and again, with many calling them the best pork chops they’ve ever had. Totally a must-try!
Grilled Marinated Chicken Drumsticks With Za’atar
These marinated chicken drumsticks are garlicky, smoky, and loaded with bold za’atar flavor—definitely not your basic chicken dinner. Grill them up and serve as-is, or finish with a tangy lemon yogurt drizzle for extra flair.
Sesame Ginger Steak Skewers with Peanut Sauce
These steak skewers are a fun, flavorful option for warm spring or summer nights. Marinated in Thai chili sauce, ginger, and sesame oil, the beef is grilled to perfection with just the right char. And don’t skimp on the sauce—it’s what takes them over the top!
Greek Steak Salads with Herb and Garlic Vinaigrette
These fresh and healthy Greek Steak Salads, topped with a vibrant herb and garlic vinaigrette, make the perfect standalone summer meal—light, flavorful, and satisfying.
Grilled Fish & Seafood Recipes
Once you’re comfortable with how to grill fish, there’s no going back!
Chili-Seasoned Grilled Mahi Mahi Recipe
If you’re looking for a mild and simple fish to work with, this chili-seasoned grilled Mahi Mahi smeared with lime butter is the ultimate summer dish.
Healthy Salmon Burger Recipe
This healthy salmon burger recipe uses fresh salmon fillets and is packed with flavor. It’s simple to make, nourishing, and a great way to add more fish to your diet!
Grilled Swordfish Steaks with Olives and Herbs
These flaky grilled swordfish steaks are topped with a vibrant blend of olives and herbs, making them the perfect summer dinner. Plus, they’re ready in under 30 minutes!
Easy Salmon Kebabs With Chimichurri Sauce
These mouthwatering salmon kebabs are grilled to perfection with veggies and topped with a vibrant, garlicky chimichurri sauce. It’s truly the ideal dish for summer.
Grilled Salmon With Cherry Tomato Bruschetta
This recipe features flaky grilled salmon topped with a fresh cherry tomato bruschetta, creating a delicious and vibrant dinner that’s as nourishing as it is colorful.
Grilled Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos with Creamy Jalapeño Sauce
Want to jazz things up this Taco Tuesday? These grilled Mahi Mahi fish tacos are topped with a creamy jalapeño sauce and are loaded with a sweet and refreshing mango salsa.
Grilled Tuna Steak Salad with Wasabi Vinaigrette
A bed of greens is topped with grilled tuna steak, crunchy cucumber, creamy avocado, and a tangy wasabi vinaigrette, creating a light yet satisfying dinner salad.
Grilled Shrimp
This quick and easy grilled shrimp recipe is bursting with flavor and ready in just minutes! Tender, juicy shrimp soak in a simple marinade and are grilled to perfection. Whether as an appetizer, main dish, or salad topper, it’s always a hit!
Perfect 15-Minute Grilled Halibut with Peach Salsa
This is a simple yet delicious summer dish. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s a light and healthy meal that looks stunning on the plate. The sweet, ripe peaches in the savory salsa perfectly complement the charred flavor of the fresh seafood.
Grilled Vegetable Recipes
Grilling vegetables takes them to a whole new level, and you can get really creative.
Easy Grilled Asparagus Recipe With Charred Lemon
This grilled asparagus is destined to be your go-to side dish for summer. It’s flavorful, quick, and perfect for any occasion. You’ll love the warm drizzle of smoky lemon juice from the charred lemons!
Grilled Carrots
Carrots are one of the best veggies to grill—sweet, smoky, and perfectly tender. These grilled carrots make a simple and tasty summer side dish everyone will love.
20-Minute Grilled Tomatoes
Grilled tomatoes on the vine are a quick, easy, and flavorful veggie side that highlights the tomato’s natural sweetness and tender texture. Topped with parmesan, fresh basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, they’re perfect for summer BBQs or even a savory breakfast spread!
10-Minute Sweet & Savory Grilled Onions
Master perfectly grilled onions this summer with this easy, beginner-friendly recipe. With just four ingredients and 10 minutes of prep, you’ll get sweet, caramelized onions that add delicious flavor to any meal—from burgers and BBQ bowls to grilled sausages. It’s a simple go-to you’ll reach for all season long.
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Summer isn’t complete without grilled corn on the cob! Discover two simple methods—grilling with or without the husk—for perfectly sweet, juicy corn with a delicious charred finish.
Grilled Zucchini
Celebrate summer’s most abundant veggie with this easy grilled zucchini recipe! It’s a quick, healthy, and versatile side dish that makes the most of zucchini’s seasonal bounty.
Life-Changing Grilled Potatoes
Yep, you read that correctly: grilled potatoes! This recipe is a game changer. It’s easy to make and packed with flavor. The potatoes come out perfectly crispy, almost like fries, and work great with Yukon Gold, russet, or sweet potatoes. Seasoned with a few key ingredients, they make the ultimate summer side or appetizer—no stove required!
Sweet & Smoky Grilled Peppers
If you’re new to grilling peppers, this easy recipe is the perfect place to start. With just four ingredients and about 15 minutes, you’ll have smoky-sweet grilled bell peppers that add a burst of flavor and color to any summer dish—from burgers and brats to soups and grilled pizzas.
Grilled Portobello Mushrooms
These easy grilled portobello mushrooms make a perfect, simple side dish for any summer meal. Ready in just 10 minutes using a grill pan, they’re versatile enough to serve as a side, portobello mushroom steaks, or even a hearty mushroom burger!
Bacon-Wrapped Grilled Okra with Lemon Garlic Aioli
This recipe creates an unfussy, flavorful appetizer that’s perfect for everything from tailgates to holiday gatherings. Grilling cuts down on okra’s usual sliminess, while crispy bacon adds a smoky, savory touch. Serve it with a homemade lemon garlic aioli for a delicious finishing touch.
Storage, Freezing, & Reheating
- Grilled meats and veggies can be stored in the fridge in airtight containers for up to 3-4 days. Fish and seafood have a bit less of a storage window ending at about 3 days.
- Meats, fish, and veggies that have already been grilled can be frozen in freezer-friendly containers for up to 3 months. Note that veggies do tend to lose their crispness once thawed and sometimes come out a bit soggy. I don’t personally bother freezing already cooked veggies for this reason, but it can be done.
- When it comes to reheating grilled meats, you can pop them in the microwave and cook them in 25-second increments until warmed through. Same with veggies. With fish, you have to be careful as it can overcook and become tough. Cook it in 15-second increments until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
For thicker cuts of meat, it’s best to close the grill lid to maintain steady, high heat. This allows the heat to penetrate deeper which is great for cooking large steaks, chicken, or roasts more evenly, much like an oven would!
Grilling is incredibly versatile, so options will depend on preference. All meats turn out wonderfully when grilled, as do most vegetables. The important thing is to note grilling instructions, and if you’re making kabobs, thread them with meats and veggies that will cook at the same rate. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try grilled pizza or grilled fruit!
Easy, fast-cooking foods like hot dogs, hamburgers, and grilled chicken are great for beginners. They’re quick to prepare, forgiving on the grill, and don’t require much experience or time to cook well.
If you try any of these summer grilling recipes, please pop back in and let us know in the 📝 comments below!
Grilled Mahi Mahi Recipe + 29 More Summer Grilling Recipes
Ingredients
- 2 6 oz Mahi Mahi fillets
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp cumin
- 1/8 tsp onion powder
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- Sea salt and cracked black pepper, to taste
Lime Butter
- 2 TBSP butter, room temperature
- 1 lime, zested and juiced
Instructions
- Place the butter in a small bowl with the lime zest and juice. Mix it with a fork until well blended; set aside.
- Take the fillets out of the fridge, pat them dry, and let them sit out until they are about room temperature—about 15 minutes. (This helps you get a more even cook on the fillet.)
- In a small bowl, mix 1 tsp chili powder, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp cumin, 1/8 tsp onion powder, and 1/8 tsp cayenne; set aside.
- Place the fillets in a bowl, drizzle the olive oil over each fillet, and sprinkle the seasoning blend over the fillets. With your bare hands, gently toss the fillets in the oil and seasoning to evenly coat; set aside.
- Heat the grill to medium-high heat (somewhere around 400-450º F). Place the fillets on the grill (skin-side down if your fillets have skin) diagonal to the grate slats. Reduce the heat to medium, and cover the grill. Let the fish cook without disturbing it or moving it until the skin is golden brown and crisp—about 2 to 4 minutes.
- Try gently sliding a spatula beneath the fish. If it doesn’t easily release itself from the grill, don’t force it. Let it continue to cook, checking it every 30 seconds until it releases. At that point, carefully flip the fillet. (If you don’t have a proper wide fish spatula, you may want to use two spatulas for flipping.)
- Cover the grill and let the fillets cook until the centers of the fillets are opaque and register 140º F on an instant-read thermometer. (This can take between 3 to 7 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillet.)
- When ready, remove the fillets from the grill and allow them to rest for a few minutes. Then slather them with the lime butter and enjoy!
