65 Easy Grilling Ideas

It's almost that time of year when I call it quits in the kitchen and shift to outside cooking as much as possible!! ESPECIALLY as I have a new grilling book launching next week with 100 brand new recipes to use your grill / smoker etc! But in the interim, we're talking Grilled White Pizza, Chicken Burgers, Baby Back Ribs, and so much more. So one thing is for certain... we need PLENTY of grilling ideas to get us through this summer. So, without further ado.... let's talk easy grilling ideas for ANY DAY OF THE WEEK!

 

GRILLED CHICKEN RECIPES

Yogurt Marinated Chicken Skewers - Now I know we’ve all heard of marinating chicken in yogurt… but these go so far beyond that!! The marinade is packed with crushed red pepper flakes, sweet paprika, red wine vinegar, tomato paste, garlic and lemon juice. It’s one of my favorite easy weeknight grilling ideas.

Spiced Grilled Chicken - Grilled chicken, but serve it up with grilled avocado, grilled onion, grilled scallions and fresh lime juice and it’s a whole new story!

Grilled Korean Skewers - I’ve cracked the code on chicken skewers for this summer and you’re going to want to get on board! Don’t skimp on the scallions and lime juice as garnish, they give it even more flavor and balance out the subtle heat from the samba!

Chicken Shish Kabobs - My Dad's Chicken Shish Kabobs recipe that is seriously one for the record books! YOU WILL LOVE!

Moroccan Chicken Skewers - These Moroccan Chicken Skewers are marinated in a yogurt mixture filled to the brim with turmeric, crushed red peppers, tomato paste, tons of garlic and lemon among other things, so the grilled chicken is incredibly moist and retains that great color from the turmeric plus tons of flavor. 

Chicken Skewers with Cilantro Mint Sauce - Chicken breast marinated in a greek yogurt mixture, then grilled until just slightly charred on the outside. Dunk it in the cilantro mint sauce and/or tzatziki! The more dips the better! 

Chipotle Chicken Lettuce Wraps - If you're looking for grilling ideas that are easy and delicious these chipotle chicken lettuce wraps are it.

Chicken Kefta Wraps - If you're looking for grilling ideas to feed a crowd try these Chicken Kefta Wraps. The chicken mixture is made with ground chicken, zucchini, tons of herbs and a little tahini to give it some extra pizzaz. Then that gets wrapped up on a piece of Naan with some Fattoush Salad and a sumac vinaigrette for good measure. It’s perfection if you ask me.

GRILLED CHICKEN SALADS & BOWLS

Grilled Chicken Panzanella - Grilling ideas would not be complete without a grilled salad. This Grilled Chicken Panzanella is of those main course salads that you'll want to enjoy all summer long! 

Grilled Chicken with Avocado and Tomato Salad - This grilled chicken dinner party meal is beyond. Marinated grilled chicken combined with a dreamy avocado tomato and corn salad is the most perfect summer bite.

Summer Power Salad with Grilled Chicken - This Grilled Chicken Salad is loaded with bacon, blueberries, market lettuce and a lemon vinaigrette!

Chicken Fajita Cobb - Main Course Salads are EVERYTHING. Imagine your fav chicken fajitas from your local Mexican restaurant but served over a bed of greens with one of the famous WGC dressings! You'll love it. 

Pesto Farmers Market Salad with Grilled Chicken - A loaded farmers market salad with all sorts of fresh produce, bacon, some grilled chicken, and the most delish pesto vinaigrette is one of my favorite salad grilling ideas.

DIY Chipotle Burrito Bowl - My version of a DIY Chipotle Burrito Bowl. These are the perfect meal for a busy weeknight, and you can always count on them being a crowdpleaser. The chicken in this recipe, is bananas. And the secret to how it’s so flavorful is the marinade.

GRILLED STEAK

Grilled Skirt Steak with Tomato Salad - Someone recently asked me for my most favorite steak recipe of all times. And this Grilled Skirt Steak with Tomato Salad was my OG. I used to make this for my clients when I was a private chef on a weekly basis. It was frequently the star of the show for their Sunday night dinner parties and I’ve been making it ever since. 

Grilled Flank Steak with Salsa Verde - This Grilled Flank Steak is marinated in a red wine or balsamic vinaigrette and then slapped on the grill. The salsa verde get whirled up in a food processor and then slathered on top before it’s time to eat.

Steak Tacos with Corn Salsa - These Steak Tacos with Corn Salsa bring me back to my days in Arizona when we'd hop over the border for some incredible street tacos on the weekend.

Grilled Flank Steak with Poblano Pico - If you're looking for grilling ideas that are perfect for a quick weeknight meal or weekend treat try this perfectly seasoned Grilled Flank Steak with a fun Poblano Pico topping!!

Grilled Ribeyes with Compound Herb Butter - Inspired by my time in Italy, this grilled ribeye steak with herb compound butter screams summer!

Calabrian Chili Steak Pizza - Steak meets Pizza with a Calabrian Chili Dressing. GAME OVER GUYS. File this one under your MUST TRY grilling ideas.

Tri-Tip Tacos - Traditionally, tri-tip is barbecued over cherry oak chips and briquettes, but a gas grill will do the trick – easier in my opinion. Then it’s sliced or diced and served alongside salsa and guacamole so you can DIY your own Tri-Tip Tacos. 

Santa Maria Tri Tip - One of my favorite grilling ideas to feed a crowd is with a giant platter of tri-tip. It doesn’t take much to prep and it’s always delicious.

GRILLED STEAK SALADS & BOWLS

Guacamole Steak Salad - Steak grilled to perfection. Tossed with everything you’d need to make a traditional guacamole, avocados, tomatoes, red onions, you name it. And then served on a bed of baby romaine lettuce or butter lettuce to make it a knife and fork kinda salad.

Loaded Steak Salad Bowl with Green Goddess Dressing - This Loaded Steak Salad Bowl with Yogurt Green Goddess is SUMMER PERFECTION and one of my favorite grilling ideas. The green goddess dressing is bright and green and flavorful and tangy and perfect on top of a loaded steak salad.

Loaded Grilled Steak Salad - This Loaded Grilled Steak Salad has all the things, tons of market greens, plenty of ripe heirloom tomatoes, peaches or nectarines, avocado, scallions, corn AND my cilantro vinaigrette to tie it all together. You'll be obsessed!

Steak Caprese - A spin on a traditional Caprese Salad…. but this time with Steak! This all in one meal is the perfect main/side/salad of summer. 

Rice Noodle Salad with Steak - If you're looking for grilling ideas for any weeknight when you need dinner on the table in a flash try this recipe. Between the subtle heat from the dressing, those addictive cucumbers, the perfect marinated and cooked steak and the noodles… this rice noodle salad with steak is perfection.

Flank Steak Burrito Bowls - You'll love these steak burrito bowls. I've simplified them a bit so we can all make them at home for a fraction of the cost and have TONS of leftovers to pack for lunches all week long.

GRILLED FISH & SHRIMP

Grilled Salmon Skewers - If you need any salmon grilling ideas, look no further. These perfectly grilled salmon skewers are served with the most amazing basil vinaigrette! 

Grilled Shrimp with Cilantro Pesto - Lets talk about shrimp grilling ideas. This recipe is skewered shrimp drenched in lemon juice, olive oil, some cilantro sauce, and served up with some grilled bread. You'll never make shrimp any other way.

Fish Taco Bowls - These Fish Taco Bowls are one of my go-to grilling ideas in the summer. Take all your fav parts of a fish taco, plus jasmine rice and turn them into the best meal!  

Grilled Fish Cauliflower Rice Bowl - Mahi Mahi cooked until perfectly flaky served over some Cauliflower rice with salsa verde, and then a quick pineapple salsa on top to make it even more flavorful and tropical.

Grilled Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos - These Grilled Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos are epic but the Avocado Tomatillo Salsa on top is what makes them shine.

Grilled Scallops with Avocado Corn Salad - Summer grilling ideas aren't complete without these grilled scallops with this citrus-y avocado corn salad is the PERFECT summer dinner on the grill! 

BURGERS + HOT DOGS + RIBS

50/50 Mushroom Beef Burger - Summer grilling ideas obviously have to include a burger, but not just any burger. Get ready for a healthy spin on a burger!! It's made with 50% ground beef and 50% finely chopped mushrooms and it's truly the juiciest perfect burger of all times. 

Cheddar Jalapeno Chicken Burgers with Guacamole - If you're stuck in a burger rut this juicy chicken burger is the answer. It's not only stuffed with shredded cheddar cheese, cilantro and jalapeños, but it’s enhanced even more with the addition of guac, sour cream, and some pico. It's incredible.

Guacamole Turkey Burger - Juicy turkey burgers topped with freshly made pico de gallo, pepper jack cheese and a healthy dose of guacamole are one of my favorite grilling ideas! What’s not to love! Seriously you need these in your regular grilling rotation this summer – they are absolutely not to be missed!

Spiced Salmon Burgers - If you're looking for summer dinner party grilling ideas try these salmon burgers. They are topped with avocado, pickled red onions for a zip, and a harissa mayo. Throw it all on a brioche bun and invite some friends over!

Caesar Salad Hot Dogs - So we all love a Caesar Salad right? But instead of just enjoying it in salad form, what if it was all piled up within a hot dog bun. So basically a trifecta of 1: perfectly grilled hot dog with 2: shredded lettuce mixed with a touch of Caesar dressing, and lastly 3: some parmesan crisps to add a little bit of pizzaz.

Tex Mex Hot Dogs - These grilled hot dogs are loaded with my famous guacamole, charred jalapeños, and corn relish, each and every bite has all sorts of big bold delicious flavors, textures and colors.

Hatch Green Chili Ribs - One of my favorite grilling ideas to feed a crowd are ribs without a doubt, and these Hatch Green Chili Ribs are insane!

Thai Style Baby Back Ribs - These Thai Style Baby Back Ribs (with Smashed Cucumber Salad) are truly a game changer! You might never make ribs any other way ever again!!

BBQ Baby Back Ribs - Need ribs grilling ideas? These are slowly cooked for a few hours in the oven and then finished off on the grill so by the time you take a bite, the meat is FALLING OFF THE BONE. They are also doused with this homemade Dr. Pepper spiked BBQ sauce that will make you weak in the knees.

Coca-Cola Marinated Ribs - These beauties are marinated for 24 hours in Coca-Cola (my all time fav soft drink) which breaks down the meat and makes it extra tender and it leaves the ribs infused with just the right amount of sugar. To that, we’ll add some spice, cook them until tender and then douse them with a homemade BBQ sauce.

GRILLED VEGETABLES

Grilled Summer Squash with Feta - If you need some summer squash grilling ideas - make this Grilled Summer Squash with feta and the brightest most delicious vinaigrette! 

Charred Pepper Salad with Feta - This summery Charred Pepper Salad with Feta with a light vinaigrette is the perfect side dish for just about any main course!

Grilled Corn and Stone Fruit Salad - It’s the perfect combo of flavors. It’s got a little bit of Southwestern / Mexican flare with the chili powder and cotija, but a bright zip from the lemon and herbs and then pops of flavor from the corn and stone fruit. It’s truly one of the best salads for the season.

Avocado Corn Salad - A bright herby Avocado Corn Salad with plenty of lime juice and a hint of garlic! This makes for the perfect summer dish!

Grilled Summer Cobb Salad - Grilling ideas aren't complete without a grilled romaine salad. Grilled baby heads of romaine make the perfect base of this salad and then it gets topped with everything summery! Avocados, tomatoes, corn, scallions, goat cheese and a red wine vinaigrette that you’ll want to drink. Throw it all on a big platter and divide it up when it’s time to serve.

Grilled Romaine Salad - It’s the perfect summer salad! There's all sorts of grilled veggies like romaine, corn and asparagus, stone fruit, tomatoes and avocado! Slathered in my famous basil vinaigrette. What more could you want in a summer salad.

Grilled Eggplant Panzanella - This panzanella has the most epic croutons on earth that will eventually soak up the vinaigrette and all the juices from the tomatoes so they are majorly packed with flavor. And instead of just keeping things traditional, this one is loaded with grilled eggplant, tons of fresh herbs like basil, mint and scallions and tomatoes.

Basil Parmesan Grilled Corn - Take your grilled corn up a notch or 10 with this Basil Parmesan Grilled Corn!! 

Roasted Pepper and Corn Salad - When corn is coming out of your ears during the summer months and you're looking for grilling ideas other than corn on the cob try this Roasted Pepper and Corn Salad! 

Grilled Green Beans - One of my go-to grilling ideas are grilled veggies. They make such an easy summer side dish. And these Grilled Green Beans taste like candy - I kid you not - these are in fact the best green beans you'll ever make!

Grilled Broccolini - There’s really not a veggie that can’t benefit from some flavorful seasoning and some time on the grill! Grilled Broccolini is so simple toss it with some oil, give it a good char, and then douse it with some lemon to boot and voila. 

Grilled Shishito Peppers - These Grilled Shishito Peppers up the ante and are the easiest appetizer of all times.

Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette - Now, these aren’t just any grilled artichokes. They are steamed first, then brushed with some oil, and then grilled/charred to perfection and served with a lemon basil vinaigrette!