10+ Grilling Recipes to Make Your Next BBQ Unforgettable

Grilling recipes can really shake up your meals.

If you love cooking outside or just want to mix up your flavors, grilling lets you make all sorts of dishes that fit your mood.

Grilling gives you easy ways to whip up delicious meals for a crowd or just a quick dinner.

You can toss veggies, meats, or even pizzas on the grill and get those smoky, rich flavors that just taste like summer.

1) 5-Minute Grilled Chicken Cutlets with Rosemary and Lemon

You can make grilled chicken cutlets in no time with rosemary, garlic, and lemon.

This one’s perfect if you want a fresh, light meal but don’t want to stand over the grill all night.

The marinade uses lemon juice and olive oil, so the chicken turns out bright and savory.

Start by mixing garlic, chopped rosemary, lemon juice, and olive oil.

Coat your chicken cutlets and let them soak up the flavors.

Grill the cutlets over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, flipping once.

You’ll get juicy chicken that’s cooked through but still tender.

Fresh herbs and lemon make this dish pop.

Serve it with a salad or whatever side you like for a meal that feels a little special.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 8 cutlets
• 3 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary
• 3 medium cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 2 lemons)
• 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix garlic, rosemary, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Coat the chicken cutlets with the marinade. Let sit for a few minutes if you like.
3. Preheat grill to medium-high (about 400°F / 200°C). Oil the grate.
4. Grill cutlets for 2-3 minutes per side until cooked through.
5. Remove from grill and let rest briefly before serving.

2) Carne Asada with Fresh Cilantro and Lime

Carne asada is all about grilled steak bursting with flavor.

You marinate the meat in lime juice, cilantro, garlic, and a few spices.

The marinade tenderizes the steak and gives it a fresh, zesty kick.

Toss the steak on a hot grill for a few minutes per side.

Aim for a good char outside, juicy inside.

Let it rest before slicing so the juices stay put.

Serve with warm tortillas, salsa, or maybe some grilled corn.

It’s a classic Mexican favorite you can pull off any time you want.

Ingredients

• 1 pound flank or skirt steak
• ¼ cup fresh lime juice
• ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix lime juice, cilantro, garlic, cumin, salt, pepper, and olive oil in a bowl.
2. Add steak and marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
3. Preheat grill to high heat (about 450°F / 230°C).
4. Grill steak 3-4 minutes per side until charred and cooked to preferred doneness.
5. Let steak rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.

3) Hawaiian Chicken Skewers with Pineapple

Hawaiian chicken skewers with pineapple are a bright, colorful choice for grilling.

Sweet pineapple and savory chicken just work together, and if you want extra crunch, add bell peppers or onions.

The marinade usually has soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and pineapple juice.

That keeps the chicken tender and adds a sweet, tangy vibe.

Grill the skewers over medium heat until the chicken’s cooked through and a little caramelized.

These are easy to make and great for family dinners or summer parties.

Try basting them while they grill for a sticky, tasty glaze.

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts, cut into chunks
• Fresh pineapple chunks
• Bell peppers (optional)
• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar
• Garlic
• Pineapple juice
• Olive oil
• Rice vinegar

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, pineapple juice, olive oil, and rice vinegar to make marinade.
2. Marinate chicken chunks for at least 30 minutes.
3. Thread chicken, pineapple, and peppers onto skewers.
4. Preheat grill to medium heat (about 375°F/190°C).
5. Grill skewers 10-12 minutes, turning and basting occasionally.
6. Cook until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internally.
7. Serve hot and enjoy your Hawaiian chicken skewers with pineapple.

For more details, check out the Hawaiian Chicken Skewers recipe.

4) Grilled Stuffed Bell Peppers

Grilled stuffed bell peppers are a simple way to enjoy a summer meal.

Fill them with ground beef, rice, veggies, and cheese—whatever you’re in the mood for.

The peppers get smoky on the grill while the filling gets all melty inside.

Cut the tops off the peppers and scoop out the seeds.

Grill them cut side down first for some char.

Then, stuff them and grill again until everything’s tender.

You can make these vegetarian, too—just use grains and more veggies.

Ingredients:

• Bell peppers (any color)
• Ground beef or your choice of protein
• Cooked rice or couscous
• Chopped vegetables (tomatoes, onions, etc.)
• Cheese (mozzarella or cheddar)
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat grill to medium-high (about 400°F / 200°C).
2. Cut tops off peppers and remove seeds.
3. Brush peppers with olive oil and place cut side down on the grill for 5-10 minutes.
4. Mix meat, rice, veggies, cheese, salt, and pepper.
5. Fill peppers with mixture.
6. Grill peppers upright with lid closed for 15-20 minutes until tender.

5) Honey Lime Grilled Corn on the Cob

Honey lime grilled corn is sweet, tangy, and just a little smoky.

The honey brings out the corn’s natural sweetness, and lime gives it a fresh kick.

If you want a little spice, toss in some chili powder or chipotle.

Brush the corn with the honey lime butter while it grills so it stays juicy.

You can grill the corn with or without husks.

Husk-on gives you steamy corn, while husked gets more char.

Either way, it’s a killer side dish for BBQs or summer dinners.

Ingredients

• 6 ears of corn, shucked
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3 tablespoons honey
• ½ tablespoon lime zest
• ½ tablespoon lime juice
• Optional: chili powder or chipotle for spice

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your grill to medium heat (about 350°F/175°C).
2. Mix melted butter, honey, lime zest, and lime juice in a bowl. Add chili powder if you want spice.
3. Brush the corn with the honey lime butter.
4. Place the corn on the grill. Turn every 3-4 minutes until the corn is charred and tender (about 15 minutes).
5. Brush more honey lime butter while grilling for extra flavor.
6. Serve warm and enjoy!

Check this honey lime grilled corn recipe for more ideas.

6) Buttermilk and Louisiana-Style Hot Sauce Marinated Chicken Thighs

A marinade with buttermilk and Louisiana-style hot sauce makes grilled chicken thighs juicy and full of flavor.

Buttermilk keeps the meat tender, and hot sauce gives it a spicy kick.

Let the chicken marinate for at least 4 hours, or overnight if you can wait.

Once you’re ready, grill the chicken over medium heat.

Cook until the inside hits 165°F (74°C).

That way, it’s safe and still moist.

Serve with your favorite sides for a meal that’s spicy and creamy at the same time.

Ingredients

• 6 chicken thighs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup Louisiana-style hot sauce
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix buttermilk, hot sauce, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a bowl.
2. Add chicken thighs and coat well with the marinade.
3. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
4. Preheat grill to medium heat (350°F/175°C).
5. Grill chicken thighs for 6-8 minutes per side.
6. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
7. Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

7) Grilled Beer Brats with Mustard Sauce

Start by simmering bratwurst in beer, onions, and mustard.

This step packs in flavor and keeps the brats juicy.

After simmering, toss them on a hot grill for that charred snap.

Serve beer brats on toasted buns with mustard sauce.

Add sauerkraut or relish if you like things tangy.

This recipe’s a BBQ classic, and the beer bath keeps the brats moist and flavorful.

Ingredients

• 6 bratwurst sausages
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 16 oz (475 ml) beer
• 1/4 cup whole-grain mustard
• Hot dog buns
• Sauerkraut or relish (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pan, combine beer, sliced onion, and mustard.
2. Add bratwurst and simmer over medium heat for 10-15 minutes.
3. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (350°F / 175°C to 400°F / 205°C).
4. Grill the brats, turning once, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Toast buns on the grill if desired.
6. Serve brats in buns with mustard sauce and optional sauerkraut.

8) Smoked Short Ribs with BBQ Glaze

Smoke your short ribs low and slow at 225°F (105°C).

Use wood chunks for that deep smoky flavor.

Let the ribs cook for about 2 ½ to 3 hours so the meat gets really tender.

When the ribs are almost done, brush them with BBQ sauce.

Put them under the broiler or back on the grill for a few minutes to caramelize the sauce.

Keep an eye on the meat’s temperature.

Aim for about 200°F (93°C) for the best texture.

Let the ribs rest before serving—if you can wait that long.

Ingredients

• 3-4 pounds beef short ribs
• Wood chunks for smoking
• 1 cup BBQ sauce (your choice)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your smoker or grill to 225°F (105°C).
2. Season the ribs generously with salt and pepper.
3. Place the ribs in the smoker and let them cook for about 2 ½ to 3 hours. They should get nice and tender.
4. Brush the ribs all over with your favorite BBQ sauce.
5. Pop them under the broiler or back on the grill for about 5 minutes to let that sauce get sticky and caramelized.
6. Check that the internal temp hits 200°F (93°C).
7. Let the ribs rest for 10 minutes before you slice and serve.

9) Yakitori – Japanese Grilled Chicken Skewers

Yakitori is a go-to Japanese street food. It’s all about skewered chicken—sometimes breast, sometimes thigh, sometimes liver—grilled up and brushed with a glossy, sweet-savory sauce.

Charcoal grilling gives the best flavor, but honestly, a regular grill or even your broiler does the trick. Just make sure you turn those skewers a lot so the chicken cooks evenly and gets a little caramelized on every side.

It’s quick to prep and great for parties or a fast dinner. Sometimes I’ll pair yakitori with rice, but it’s also perfect on its own with a dipping sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 10 bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
• ½ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup mirin
• ¼ cup sake
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 bunch green onions, cut into 1-inch pieces

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar in a small pot. Warm it up until the sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens just a bit.
2. Thread the chicken and green onions onto the soaked skewers, alternating them.
3. Heat your grill to medium-high (about 400°F/200°C) and oil the grate.
4. Grill the skewers, turning every couple of minutes. Brush on the sauce often. Cook for 6-8 minutes, or until the chicken’s cooked through.
5. Serve hot, with any extra sauce on the side.

10) Grilled Za’atar Chicken

Grilled za’atar chicken has this super fresh, herby vibe. The marinade’s a mix of lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and za’atar spice, which makes the chicken really juicy and flavorful.

You can use chicken thighs or breasts—whatever you’ve got. Marinate for about 30 minutes, then grill over medium-high heat until it’s cooked through.

The za’atar spice blend brings in thyme, sesame, and sumac, so you get a tangy, earthy taste without it being too much. I like it with a simple salad or some rice on the side.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs or breasts
• 2 tablespoons za’atar spice
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Grab a bowl and toss in za’atar, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

2. Throw the chicken in and make sure it gets a good coating. Marinate for about 30 minutes.

3. Fire up your grill to medium-high—aim for 375°F (190°C) if you want to be precise.

4. Grill the chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side. Make sure it’s cooked through.

5. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes. Then, dig in.

You can find more details on making grilled za’atar chicken at Simply Scratch.