50+ Summer Recipes Perfect for Grilling
50+ Summer Recipes Perfect for Grilling
All of these entrees, sides, salads, drinks and desserts are some of our favorite summer recipes! Fire up the grill and grab some fresh seasonal produce for these delicious and refreshing dishes.
More Favorites: Summer Salads, Summer Drinks, Summer Desserts, Summer Dinner Ideas, Summer Slow Cooker Recipes
There is no time like summer!
When the weather warms up, the pools are open, and the summer holidays roll around, we find ourselves wanting to enjoy our meals outside! Especially when we have gatherings or dinners with family or friends, we love to light up the grill and make a variety of grilled dishes.
Not to mention all the fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season for summer! I love to make side dishes, salads and desserts, including all vegetables and berries that are fully ripe and delicious in the summer.
I’ve rounded up our favorite summer recipes. These recipes include lots of fresh produce, dishes that use the grill, and cool desserts and drinks. Before we get into the list, I have a few more tips for making and serving summer recipes.
Summer Cooking Tips
Here are a few things to keep in mind when cooking in the heat of summer…
- Grill meat, fruits and vegetables. I love the char and the unique grilled flavor.
- Use your crock pot! You can still get delicious entrees and side dishes without spending time in an oven-hot kitchen.
- Summer produce is in full swing. Watermelon, sweet corn, tomatoes, berries, zucchini are our favorites. Purchasing seasonal produce is not only cost-effective but ensures the freshest and most delicious produce.
- Take it outside: eat on the patio, go out for a picnic, go to the lake or the beach.
- Lighting: String lights and use a tiki flashlight if you are dining outdoors at night
- Keep food cool outside: put the table in the shade, don’t take everything out at once, put the plate on ice, and cover the food.
- See the individual recipe posts for more tips and tricks for cooking these summer recipes.
summer main course
summer main course
Hot dogs, burgers and pork, omg! There are so many delicious summer dishes to choose from. Here is a list of our favorites. Best of all, you don’t have to turn on the oven to heat up the kitchen. Be sure to check out our full list of summer dinner ideas.
Main Dish Easy Steak Marinade Recipe
This is our favorite steak marinade! It only takes four ingredients and makes our steak taste so good! Everyone always asks for this easy steak marinade recipe because it’s just so good! !
Total time: 5 minutes
Check out this recipe for Main Dish Chicken Marinade Recipe
This easy chicken marinade is the best way to marinate chicken breasts before grilling or cooking. It makes the meat juicy, soft and very tasty!
Total time: 4 hours 20 minutes
Check out this recipe for Entree Ranch Burger Recipe
These ranch burgers are the best homemade burgers! ! This easy burger recipe is served with the most delicious secret sauce and goes perfectly with ranch burgers!
Total time: 20 minutes
Check out this recipe for Entree Sweet Pork Barbacoa Recipe
Sweet Pork Bar​​rbacoa is the best slow cooker pork recipe you’ll ever try. Better than Cafe Rio – you better make a double batch!
Total time: 6 hours 5 minutes
Check out this recipe for Main Dish BBQ Pork Chops Recipe
These grilled pork chops are easy, delicious, and slathered with homemade BBQ sauce. They’re the perfect easy meal for pork tenderloin lovers.
Total time: 45 minutes
Check out this recipe for Main Dish Huli Huli Chicken Recipe
This Grilled Chicken Huli Huli is the juiciest and tastiest Hawaiian chicken you’ll ever try! Great on its own or with rice or noodles! !
Total time: 21 minutes
Check out this recipe for Main Dish Crock Pot Brisket Recipe
Juicy and delicious meat that’s easy to make in the slow cooker! This crock pot brisket is so tender it just crumbles.
Total time: 8 hours 5 minutes
Check out this recipe for Main Course Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sandwich Recipe
This Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sandwich with juicy grilled pineapple, red onion and crisp lettuce is perfect for summer entertaining!
Total time: 25 minutes
Check out this recipe for Main Course Chicken Sovlaki Recipe
Chicken Souvlaki is a delicious kebab with Greek flavors. Delicious with marinated chicken, onions and peppers.
Total time: 41 minutes
Check out this recipe for Entree Dr. Pepper Ribs Recipe
Ribs cooked with Dr. Pepper, grilled to perfection, and coated with BBQ sauce. These Dr Pepper Ribs are delicious falling off the bone!
Total time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Check out this recipe for Main Dish Kalua Pork Recipe
This Slow Cooker Kaluua Pork is a Hawaiian favorite and can be easily made in a slow cooker with just a few ingredients. Eat it on its own, or in a taco or slider.
Total time: 9 hours 5 minutes
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summer side
summer side
Trying a side dish is as exciting as eating a main dish. Try to provide a variety of options, including hot and cold, vegetables and fruits for a balanced meal.
Side Dish Fruit Kebabs Recipe
Colorful Fruit Kebabs are the perfect appetizer or side dish for any occasion! Load up on your favorite fruit and grab a snack.
Total time: 20 minutes
Check out this recipe for side dish how to cook corn on the cob
Cooking corn on the cob is a piece of cake! You’ll love this juicy corn cobs on the side of any summer meal.
Total time: 15 minutes
Check out this recipe for Side Dish Roasted Tomatoes recipe
Juicy roasted tomatoes are the most delicious and easiest appetizer or side dish. Roasting them (with a little olive oil, basil, and parmesan) brings out every deliciousness!
Total time: 22 minutes
Check out this recipe for Appetizing Baked Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Recipe
This recipe was inspired by one of our favorite Disneyland foods – Bengali BBQ Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Skewers! These kebabs only require 4 ingredients and grill in less than 10 minutes!
Total time: 20 minutes
Check out this recipe for side dish how to cut watermelon
Is there anything better than a ripe, juicy watermelon? Learn how to cube watermelon efficiently and easily with our tips!
Check out this recipe for Main Dish, Side Dish Squash Casserole Recipe
Hot and cheesy pumpkin casserole is the best holiday side dish! You’ll love this creamy vegetable casserole with a crunchy buttery filling.
Total time: 35 minutes
Check out this recipe for Appetizers, Zucchini Snacks Recipe
Cheesy Zucchini Baby Potatoes are a fun twist on Potato Baby Potatoes and are filled with my favorite veggies. They are very easy and quick to make.
Total time: 25 minutes
Check out this recipe for Side Dish Zucchini Fries Recipe
These Roasted Zucchini Sticks are crusted and baked with panko, Parmesan, oregano and basil. Zucchini fries are healthy and delicious!
Total time: 30 minutes
Check out this recipe for Side Dish Homemade Baked Beans
This Homemade Baked Beans recipe is a must-have for all of our BBQ places. This is such a simple and easy recipe that requires only five ingredients to cook in a crock pot.
Total time: 4 hours 5 minutes
Check out this recipe for Side Dish Roasted Asparagus
Roasted asparagus is the best side dish in almost any dinner recipe! Sprinkle with salt, pepper and a little parmesan cheese – this recipe is amazing!
Total time: 8 minutes
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summer salad
summer salad
Both sweet and savory salads have a place on my table. Salads are great because they’re usually quick to make, can be made ahead of time, and provide a cool balance to a warm grilled entree. Be sure to check out our full list of summer salad recipes!
Salad Corn Salad Recipe
This Summer Corn Salad is a light and tasty salad filled with corn, tomatoes, feta, basil, and cucumbers. It’s super easy and quick and perfect for parties and barbecues.
Total time: 7 minutes
Check out this recipe for Dessert Snickers Apple Salad Recipe
Delicious Apple Snickers Salad that’s delicious and easy to make! Layers of apples, snickers and caramel in a creamy topping made from a cool whip, milk and vanilla pudding mix.
Total time: 5 minutes
Check out this recipe for Dessert Strawberry Jelly Pretzel Salad Recipe
Strawberry Jelly Pretzel Salad is the ultimate sweet and salty combination. This classic treat is always flattering! !
Total time: 4 hours 20 minutes
Check out this recipe for Salad Broccoli Salad Recipe
This Sunshine Broccoli Salad is an easy, delicious, hearty broccoli salad with bacon, cranberries, sunflower seeds, and a delicious homemade mayo vinaigrette dressing that’s perfect for barbecues and parties.
Total time: 10 minutes
Check out this recipe for Salad Potato Salad Recipe
Our all-time favorite potato salad – it’s easy, delicious, and filled with potatoes, eggs, and olives! It’s the perfect addition to any barbecue or picnic, and it’s creamy and delicious and will wow anyone who has tried it.
Total time: 55 minutes
Check out this recipe for Salad, Side Macaroni Salad Recipe
An easy creamy pasta salad with pasta, peas and ham. It’s perfect for parties, family meals and potlucks!
Total time: 18 minutes
Check out this recipe for Salad Dumplings Salad Recipe
Super delicious and easy tortellini salad with tortellini, salad, ranch, tomatoes and bacon bits – perfect for summer!
Total time: 20 minutes
Check out this recipe for dessert cheesecake fruit salad recipe
This cheesecake fruit salad is the perfect combination of creamy, light and fresh! Fresh berries are added to the cream cheese pudding mix – it’s the perfect side, or crepe filling!
Total time: 7 minutes
Check out this recipe for side dish coleslaw recipe
This quick and easy coleslaw is the perfect side dish for any picnic or barbecue. This classic coleslaw recipe can be put together in minutes and easily customized to your favorite spices and flavors.
Total time: 10 minutes
Check out this recipe for Salad Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Recipe
A delicious and easy cauliflower salad with a creamy crunchy texture! Packed with veggies, onions, bacon, sunflower seeds and cheese, this salad is sure to be a hit at any barbecue or gathering.
Check out this recipe for a side dish fruit salad recipe
Fresh fruit salad, the perfect side dish to any meal! Colorful, healthy, delicious and full of your favorite fruits!
Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes
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summer drinks
summer drinks
Summer drinks are so much fun!
We have a DIY beverage station that is perfect for bottled water and soda cans. For homemade drinks, I like to use a drink dispenser or a regular juice can. Adding a lemon wedge and a paper umbrella to a drinking glass is a fun and easy way to beautify any glass. Check out our full list of summer drink recipes for more inspiration.
Drink Pink Punch Recipe
Favorite party drink of all time – this pink drink recipe (aka Baby Shower Punch) takes a minute to make and is made with 3 ingredients including – Pink Lemonade Dry Mix, Sprite and Pineapple Juice!
Total time: 3 minutes
Check out this recipe for Sonic Ocean Water Recipe
Replica Sonic Ocean Water – Simple and refreshing to make! It’s perfect for parties or hot summer days!
Total time: 5 minutes
Check out this recipe for drinking watermelon juice recipe
Delicious and refreshing watermelon juice – summer favorite drink! Made with watermelon and strawberries!
Total time: 8 minutes
Check out this recipe for Drink Orange Julius Recipe
Refreshing and simple Mimic Orange Julius takes a minute to make and tastes just like the real thing. This is a favorite family treat!
Total time: 2…