20 Classic Grilling Recipes to Make All Summer Long

By Marie Viljoen
June 11, 2020
Armando Rafael

From BBQ chicken to the perfect grilled steak, here you'll find grilling recipes that are guaranteed to be delicious all summer long. Here, get our best grilling recipes for everything from fish and meat to pizza and oysters.

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Bryan Gardner

The fragrant smoke rising from a grill is one of the most evocative signs of summer and happy outdoor living. Use our collection of classic grilling recipes to expand your grilling repertoire—make the neighbors with envious as they sniff the delicious cooking cues from your grill.

Successful grilling is about preparation and good ingredients. From a luxurious splurge on an aged porterhouse to economical chicken thighs just right for an everyday meal, there is a delicious option for every budget and appetite. Grilling a whole fish is simple if you have a basket (which makes for easy flipping). Even better, a dramatic side of salmon needs no turning at all. From American classics like cheeseburgers and smoky baby back ribs to iconic jerk chicken, the flavors often enjoyed at restaurants are easy to achieve at home (and can be made even better, since you control the quality of the ingredients).

With grilling, marinades are big. Planning a day or two ahead makes a huge difference in the flavor-penetration of any marinade, such as the yogurt-based one used for the chicken and lamb skewers pictured here,  and delivers the best results during quick cooking times. For simply-seasoned steaks, remember to salt in advance to draw the juices out. That's how you achieve a perfect crust.

Grilling is also vegetable-friendly, and it's an easy way to celebrate seasonal produce. What tastes better than grilled corn, its husks pulled back and dressed with your own chile-lime salt? Is there anything quite as appetizing as grilled vegetables tossed while hot in an oregano-strong dressing? And let's not forget about other, more unexpected foods that are well-suited to cooking on the grill. If you ask us, grilled pizza and garlic bread are summertime staples, too.

Enjoy cooking these classic grilling recipes all summer and beyond.

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Perfect Grilled Steak

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For juicy meat and a great crust, choose a thicker cut such as rib eye. Because this type of steak takes longer to cook, it will have time to develop a nice sear.

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Barbecue Chicken

Armando Rafael
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An all-American classic, the secret to this succulent BBQ chicken is an hour-long dry-brining before you put it on the grill.

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Classic Burger-Joint Cheeseburger

Armando Rafael
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Sizzling, browned burgers are essential summer fare. And the best burgers are those you make at home with high quality, seasonal ingredients.

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Smoky Baby Back Ribs

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Smoky, sticky, falling-off-the-bone ribs are easier to make than you think.

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Grilled Corn with Chile-Lime Salt

Lauren Ross
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The sweetness of market-fresh corn is enhanced by a mouth-watering and homemade chile-lime salt seasoning

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Smoked Pork Shoulder

Petrina Tinslay
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Slow-roasting pork shoulder before smoking it cuts the cooking time a bit. You'll save time and still get all the smoky flavor.

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Crisp Grilled Salmon with Fennel-Olive Relish

Marcus Nilsson
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This dramatic dish is also spectacularly simple to make: When covered, the salmon cooks in under 10 minutes and requires no flipping. Charring the lemon slices brings out a bitter sweetness that is a perfect nibble with every mouthful of rich salmon.

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Hawaiian Turkey Burgers

Christopher Testani
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Mild turkey patties are seasoned with the intense flavors of ginger and soy and topped with lusciously caramelized pineapple slices hot off the grill.

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Barbecued Pork Ribs

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These pork ribs are rubbed with a blend of earthy spices and brushed with a slowly simmered sauce that has a slight kick. They come off the grill tender yet pleasingly chewy, with just the right hit of smoky goodness.

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Grilled Whole Fish with Lemon and Thyme

Paola + Murray
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Impeccably fresh fish requires nothing more than olive oil, lemon, and thyme (and a grill basket for easy turning). The result is a meal ready in under 20 minutes.

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Grilled Garlic Bread with Herb Butter

Lauren Ross
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Sometimes the sides can upstage the main event: This toasted loaf of bread doused with herby garlic butter is so good it can make a standalone meal—just add salad.

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Grilled Balsamic Flank Steak With Peppers and Onions

Petrina Tinslay
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Combining the complex sweetness of balsamic vinegar with hot mustard and salty Worcestershire sauce make a penetrating marinade for lean flank steak. Marinate this quick-cooking cut for two days for the best flavor.

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Grilled Halibut Steaks with Potatoes, Olives, and Onions

Christopher Testani
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Meaty halibut steaks and lightly charred vegetables are transferred straight from the grill to an aromatic oregano vinaigrette, drenching them with flavor.

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Backyard Jerk Chicken

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Allspice, thyme, soy, and a lightning bolt of Scotch bonnet pepper make a coating paste for authentic homemade jerk chicken. The longer you marinade the chicken pieces, the more rewarding every mouthful will be.

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Grilled Pizza with Cheesy Corn, Fresh Tomatoes, and Basil

Andrew Purcell
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Doesn't everyone love grilled pizza? Puréeing corn with parmesan is the secret to the savory sweetness of this grill-charred pizza's sauce. 

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Grilled, Marinated Chicken Thighs

Marcus Nilsson
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A cup of summer herbs combined with lemon and garlic makes these quick-cooking boneless thighs juicy and fragrant. Pop them in a burger bun, shred them for tacos, or accompany them with your favorite grilled vegetables.

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Grilled Oysters with Compound Butter

Paola + Murray
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Easy, luxurious, and party-pleasing, these grilled oysters are topped with nutty brown butter made more complex with sweet onion and lemon zest.

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Grilled Porterhouse with Brown Butter and Horseradish

Christopher Testani
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A crusty, thick-cut porterhouse is the apex of grilling. Be sure to do it right! A dressing of luscious brown butter combines with the meat's resting juices and a topping of vibrant arugula, crunchy celery, and juicy olives that will make you hum with every mouthful.

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Grilled Pork Chops with Rosemary Gremolata

Con Poulos
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Using fragrant rosemary instead of the more traditional parsley in the zesty gremolata is the secret to the success of these juicy chops. (Feel free to substitute large strawberries, apricots or peaches, for late summer's figs.)

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