Celebrate summer with these easy grill recipes! With grilling ideas for starters, sides, main dishes, and more, we've got something for everyone.
It seems like it was just yesterday when Jack and I made our first grill recipes of the summer. Where does the time go? Labor Day might mark the unofficial end of grilling season, but if you’re anything like us, you’ll still grill as much as possible for the next few weeks. It’ll stay warm for another month, right? Right?
No matter what, we’re looking forward to making a bunch of grill recipes this weekend, and I hope that you are too. In case you’re in need of some new grilling ideas, I’m sharing my best grill recipes below. They include easy ideas for starters, sides, main dishes, and desserts, and they range from classic corn on the cob to inventive grill recipes like mini stuffed peppers. Whatever you’re craving, we’ve got you covered.
Easy Appetizer Grill Recipes
Whether you’re making dinner for two or hosting a backyard cookout, these easy grilling ideas are guaranteed to get your meal off to a fun start.
Grilled Ratatouille Tartines
I love a bowl of classic ratatouille as much as the next person, but when it’s too beautiful to hole up in the kitchen, I make these grilled ratatouille tartines instead. I toss lightly charred eggplant, zucchini, peppers, and tomatoes with a zingy dressing and fresh herbs. Then, I pile them onto crusty bread with a big slather of goat cheese or hummus. Serve them as an appetizer, or enjoy them as a meal on their own.
Stuffed Mini Peppers
How cute are these little peppers?! Piled with cilantro lime rice and pineapple salsa, they’re the perfect bite-sized summer appetizer.
Grilled Watermelon
Nothing screams summer like this grilled watermelon recipe! A creamy/crunchy/tangy/spicy combo of fresh corn, avocado, feta, onions, peppers, and herbs tops smoky grilled watermelon wedges.
Vegetable Grilling Ideas
Everyone should have these grill recipes in their back pocket! Here, you’ll find classics like grilled corn and zucchini – easy, healthy grilling ideas to round out any summer dinner.
Grilled Corn on the Cob
No list of grill recipes would be complete without grilled corn! I like to serve mine with zesty cilantro lime butter and drizzles of vegan ranch.
Grilled Vegetables
When you have a myriad of summer veggies in the fridge, make these easy skewers! Toss them with Greek or Italian dressing for a stunningly simple side dish.
Grilled Eggplant
If there’s one vegetable that’s just begging to be grilled, it’s eggplant. With a little char, its flavor becomes richer and its texture gets soft and silky. Eat it plain, or top it with a fresh couscous salad for a heartier side dish.
Hands down my favorite way to cook asparagus! I love how the spears become tender and juicy, with crispy, perfectly-charred tips. Brighten them up with drizzles of lemon vinaigrette.
Grilled Zucchini
We all look for new zucchini recipes in the summertime, but every year, I come back to this simple grilled zucchini. It’s tender, flavorful, and ready in 10 minutes!
Grilled Potatoes
Hot take: French fries have nothing on grilled potatoes. They’re crispy on the outside, creamy in the middle, and filled with smoky flavor.
Salad Grill Recipes
Adding grilled veggies to a summer salad will only make it better! Have fun making your own, or get started with one of the recipes below.
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Creamy, spicy, and bright with lime juice, this Mexican street corn salad is easy to make and sure to please.
Grilled Halloumi Salad
Tip: When you eat this salad, try to get a little of everything in each bite. The combination of juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, grilled croutons, and halloumi cheese is a tough one to beat.
Farro Salad with Grilled Asparagus
Grilled lemon adds bright depth of flavor to this fresh farro salad. Substitute quinoa for the farro to make it gluten-free.
Grilled Corn Salad
Grilled corn, fresh peaches, creamy avocado, and chile lime dressing…what’s not to love?
Veggie Burgers
My family loves grilling hot dogs and burgers in the summer, so I often make a veggie alternative when we get together. In theory, the veggie option is just for me, but these veggie burgers are so hearty and flavorful that I’m never the only one who eats them. Even among my meat-loving family, they disappear in no time!
Best Veggie Burger
The name says it all. Mushrooms, walnuts, and sticky brown rice give these patties an amazing meaty texture and savory flavor. Pile them with classic fixings like ketchup, mustard, and pickles, or get creative with toppings like guacamole, chipotle sauce, and pickled red onions.
Easy Black Bean Burger
There’s no need to haul out the food processor to make these chipotle black bean burgers! They come together in one bowl in under 30 minutes, cooking time included.
Portobello Mushroom Burger
Veggie burgers don’t get simpler than this! I douse portobello mushroom caps in balsamic vinegar and tamari to highlight their umami flavor. Then, I grill them until they’re tender, juicy, and nicely charred. Pile them onto buns with your favorite fixings, and you won’t miss the meat one bit.
More Grilled Dinner Ideas
Calling all veggie lovers! Grilled dinner ideas extend way beyond grilled fish, grilled chicken, and steak. Here are a few of my favorite vegetarian grilling ideas for nights when I’m craving something besides a veggie burger.
Vegan Burrito Bowl
Move over, Chipotle! This homemade burrito bowl will knock the socks off any bowl you’d get out to eat. Pineapple salsa offers a delicious sweet contrast to the spicy grilled mushrooms and peppers. If you don’t have pineapple on hand, mango salsa or fresh tomato salsa would be great here too.
Fajita Veggies
Grilled red onion, multicolored peppers, and meaty portobellos create a fun mix of textures and flavors in this fajitas recipe. Stuff them into tortillas with guac, pico de gallo, and pickled jalapeños for a fresh, flavorful summer dinner.
Grilled Corn Tacos
I bill this as a taco recipe, but the filling here is so tasty that I’d be happy eating it as a salad, too! It’s a zesty mix of feta cheese, tomatillo salsa verde, and summer bounty like cherry tomatoes, grilled green beans, and corn.
Grill Recipes for Dessert
If you’re firing up the grill for dinner, why not keep it going for dessert?
Grilled Peaches
Grilled peaches are a classic summer dessert, and once you try them, you’ll see why. The grill gives them a lightly smoky flavor, but it makes them extra-sweet and juicy at the same time. I love to eat them with vanilla ice cream and homemade granola, but they’d also be wonderful with a dusting of brown sugar or a dollop of coconut whipped cream.
More Favorite Summer Recipes
If you love these healthy grill recipes, check out these summer recipes next:
This was SO HELPFUL! The way you relay information is very clear and concise.
thank you for all of this grill inspiration, I’m not letting go of summer any time soon nnd rhese will help!