14 Sizzling Grill Recipes to Make Your Summer BBQ Unforgettable

Summer BBQs bring people together with tasty food and fun vibes. Grilling adds bold flavors to every bite.

This post shares 14 grill recipes that make your summer BBQ stand out. Each recipe includes a short about, full ingredients list, and clear step-by-step instructions.

Fire up the grill and try these dishes. Your guests will love the variety and taste. Let’s get cooking!

1. Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken

About: Grilled lemon herb chicken offers juicy meat with zesty flavors. Fresh herbs and lemon juice soak into every bite. This dish cooks fast and pairs well with salads or grilled veggies. It’s a light, tasty option for summer BBQs that everyone enjoys.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 2 lemons (juiced)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Mix lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Add chicken breasts to the mixture. Coat them well.
3. Let chicken sit in the marinade for 30 minutes.
4. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
5. Place chicken on the grill. Cook for 6-8 minutes per side.
6. Check chicken reaches 165°F inside.
7. Remove chicken from grill. Let it rest for 5 minutes.
8. Serve hot with your favorite sides.

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2. Smoky BBQ Ribs

About: Smoky BBQ ribs deliver tender meat with a sticky, sweet glaze. Slow grilling makes them fall-off-the-bone good. The smoky flavor comes from a simple spice rub and sauce. These ribs steal the show at any summer BBQ.

Ingredients:

• 2 racks pork ribs
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup BBQ sauce

Instructions:

1. Mix brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Rub mixture over both sides of ribs.
3. Preheat grill to low heat (about 250°F).
4. Place ribs on grill, bone side down.
5. Cook ribs for 3-4 hours with the lid closed.
6. Brush BBQ sauce on ribs during the last 30 minutes.
7. Check ribs are tender and pull apart easily.
8. Remove ribs from grill. Slice and serve hot.

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3. Grilled Pineapple Salsa Shrimp Skewers

About: Grilled pineapple salsa shrimp skewers mix sweet and spicy flavors. Juicy shrimp pair with charred pineapple for a fresh twist. This dish cooks fast and looks colorful on the plate. It’s a fun, light BBQ pick that wows guests.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound shrimp (peeled, deveined)
• 1 cup pineapple chunks
• 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
• 1/4 cup cilantro (chopped)
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Mix lime juice, olive oil, chili powder, and salt in a bowl.
2. Add shrimp to the mixture. Toss to coat.
3. Thread shrimp, pineapple, and bell pepper onto skewers.
4. Preheat grill to medium heat.
5. Place skewers on grill. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side.
6. Check shrimp turn pink and opaque.
7. Remove skewers from grill. Sprinkle cilantro on top.
8. Serve warm with extra lime wedges.

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4. Classic Grilled Burgers

About: Classic grilled burgers offer juicy beef with a smoky char. Simple seasonings keep the flavor bold and familiar. Add your favorite toppings for a crowd-pleasing bite. These burgers make any BBQ feel like a summer party.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds ground beef
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 4 burger buns
• 4 slices cheddar cheese (optional)
• Lettuce, tomato, onion (for topping)

Instructions:

1. Mix ground beef, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a bowl.
2. Shape mixture into 4 patties.
3. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
4. Place patties on grill. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side.
5. Add cheese slices during the last minute if using.
6. Check patties reach 160°F inside.
7. Remove patties from grill. Place on buns.
8. Add lettuce, tomato, and onion. Serve hot.

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5. Grilled Veggie Platter

About: Grilled veggie platters bring bright colors and smoky taste to the table. Zucchini, peppers, and mushrooms soak up simple seasonings. This dish works as a side or main for veggie lovers. It’s healthy and easy for summer BBQs.

Ingredients:

• 2 zucchinis (sliced)
• 2 bell peppers (sliced)
• 8 mushrooms (halved)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

Instructions:

1. Mix olive oil, salt, pepper, and oregano in a bowl.
2. Add zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms. Toss to coat.
3. Preheat grill to medium heat.
4. Place veggies on grill grates or a grill basket.
5. Cook veggies for 4-6 minutes, turning once.
6. Check veggies are tender with grill marks.
7. Remove veggies from grill. Arrange on a platter.
8. Serve warm as a side or main dish.

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6. Spicy Grilled Corn on the Cob

About: Spicy grilled corn on the cob adds a kick to your BBQ. Chili powder and butter coat sweet corn with bold flavor. It’s a quick, fun side that pairs with any grilled meat. Guests will grab seconds of this tasty treat.

Ingredients:

• 4 corn cobs (husked)
• 2 tablespoons butter (melted)
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)

Instructions:

1. Mix melted butter, chili powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Brush mixture over corn cobs.
3. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
4. Place corn on grill. Cook for 10-12 minutes, turning often.
5. Check corn gets golden with light char marks.
6. Remove corn from grill. Sprinkle parsley on top.
7. Serve hot as a spicy side dish.

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7. Honey Garlic Grilled Pork Chops

About: Honey garlic grilled pork chops blend sweet and savory tastes. The glaze keeps the meat juicy and flavorful. This dish cooks fast and impresses with its sticky finish. It’s a BBQ hit for pork fans.

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• 1/4 cup honey
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, olive oil, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Add pork chops to the mixture. Coat them well.
3. Let pork chops sit in the marinade for 20 minutes.
4. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
5. Place pork chops on grill. Cook for 5-7 minutes per side.
6. Check pork chops reach 145°F inside.
7. Remove pork chops from grill. Let them rest for 5 minutes.
8. Serve hot with extra glaze if desired.

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8. Grilled Teriyaki Salmon

About: Grilled teriyaki salmon brings rich flavor with a sweet glaze. The fish stays tender and flaky on the grill. This dish offers a healthy, tasty option for seafood lovers. It’s a quick BBQ star that shines.

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 garlic clove (minced)
• 1 teaspoon ginger (grated)

Instructions:

1. Mix soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in a bowl.
2. Add salmon fillets to the mixture. Coat them well.
3. Let salmon sit in the marinade for 15 minutes.
4. Preheat grill to medium heat.
5. Place salmon on grill, skin side down. Cook for 4-6 minutes per side.
6. Check salmon flakes easily with a fork.
7. Remove salmon from grill. Serve hot.

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9. BBQ Chicken Wings

About: BBQ chicken wings pack smoky flavor with a crispy bite. The sauce sticks to every wing for a messy, fun eat. These wings cook fast and keep guests coming back. They’re a summer BBQ must-have.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds chicken wings
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 cup BBQ sauce

Instructions:

1. Mix olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika in a bowl.
2. Add chicken wings to the mixture. Toss to coat.
3. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
4. Place wings on grill. Cook for 8-10 minutes per side.
5. Brush BBQ sauce on wings during the last 5 minutes.
6. Check wings reach 165°F inside.
7. Remove wings from grill. Serve hot with extra sauce.

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10. Grilled Steak with Chimichurri

About: Grilled steak with chimichurri delivers bold beef and fresh herbs. The sauce adds a tangy kick to juicy steak. This dish cooks fast and feels fancy for BBQs. It’s a meat lover’s dream.

Ingredients:

• 2 ribeye steaks
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup parsley (chopped)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions:

1. Rub steaks with salt and pepper.
2. Mix parsley, olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a bowl for chimichurri.
3. Preheat grill to high heat.
4. Place steaks on grill. Cook for 4-6 minutes per side for medium-rare.
5. Check steaks reach 135°F inside for medium-rare.
6. Remove steaks from grill. Let them rest for 5 minutes.
7. Slice steaks. Top with chimichurri. Serve hot.

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11. Grilled Peach Dessert

About: Grilled peach dessert turns fruit into a sweet BBQ treat. Caramelized peaches pair with a hint of cinnamon. This dish finishes your meal with warm, juicy flavor. It’s a simple, fresh summer hit.

Ingredients:

• 4 peaches (halved, pitted)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon butter (melted)
• Vanilla ice cream (optional)

Instructions:

1. Mix honey, cinnamon, and melted butter in a bowl.
2. Brush mixture over peach halves.
3. Preheat grill to medium heat.
4. Place peaches on grill, cut side down. Cook for 4-5 minutes.
5. Flip peaches. Cook for 2-3 minutes more.
6. Check peaches are soft with grill marks.
7. Remove peaches from grill. Serve warm.
8. Add ice cream on top if desired.

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12. Cajun Grilled Catfish

About: Cajun grilled catfish brings spicy flair to tender fish. The seasoning adds a punch without overpowering. This dish cooks fast and offers a Southern twist for BBQs. It’s a seafood pick that delivers.

Ingredients:

• 4 catfish fillets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 lemon (cut into wedges)

Instructions:

1. Rub catfish fillets with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
2. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
3. Place fillets on grill. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side.
4. Check fish flakes easily with a fork.
5. Remove fillets from grill. Squeeze lemon juice on top.
6. Serve hot with extra lemon wedges.

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13. Grilled Portobello Mushrooms

About: Grilled portobello mushrooms offer a meaty bite for veggie fans. Balsamic vinegar adds tangy depth to the flavor. This dish works as a main or side at BBQs. It’s hearty and easy to love.

Ingredients:

• 4 portobello mushrooms
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Mix balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Brush mixture over mushrooms.
3. Preheat grill to medium heat.
4. Place mushrooms on grill, gill side down. Cook for 5-7 minutes.
5. Flip mushrooms. Cook for 4-5 minutes more.
6. Check mushrooms are tender.
7. Remove mushrooms from grill. Serve warm.

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14. Sweet Potato Grill Packs

About: Sweet potato grill packs mix smoky and sweet in foil. Spices enhance the natural flavor of the potatoes. This dish cooks hands-free and cleans up fast. It’s a cozy BBQ side everyone enjoys.

Ingredients:

• 2 sweet potatoes (cubed)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary (chopped)

Instructions:

1. Mix olive oil, paprika, salt, pepper, and rosemary in a bowl.
2. Add sweet potato cubes to the mixture. Toss to coat.
3. Lay out 2 large pieces of foil.
4. Divide sweet potatoes between foil pieces. Fold into packets.
5. Preheat grill to medium heat.
6. Place packets on grill. Cook for 20-25 minutes.
7. Check sweet potatoes are soft with a fork.
8. Remove packets from grill. Open and serve hot.