The smoky flavors from cooking over wood chips complement spicy heat very, very well — as this harissa-marinated chicken recipe demonstrates. (The Chicago Tribune) For the Harissa Grilled Chicken recipe, click here.
2. Grilled Corn With Chile Butter
Grilling corn is one of summer’s simplest and sweetest pleasures. Take that everyday charred corn to the next level by slathering it in a compound chile butter spiced with paprika, cumin and cayenne, plus a healthy dash of pomegranate molasses. (Eberly Film Labs for The Daily Meal; Shannon Kinsella/food styling) For the Grilled Corn With Chile Butter recipe, click here.
5. Grilled, Dilled Lemon Chicken With Honey and Dijon
Lemon, white wine vinegar, honey, mustard, dill and basil take your everyday chicken breasts or thighs from dull and dry to straight-up delectable. Serve with simply seasoned broccoli and cauliflower for a healthy warm-weather meal. (Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune) For the Grilled, Dilled Lemon Chicken With Honey and Dijon recipe, click here.
6. Herb-rubbed Baby Back Ribs
No need for barbecue sauce with this baby back rib recipe. Instead, it uses a super herbaceous rub packed with thyme, oregano, rosemary, red pepper flakes and a touch of lavender. (Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune; Shannon Kinsella/food styling) For the Herb-rubbed Baby Back Ribs recipe, click here.
7. Beer-cooked Bratwurst With Sweet Onions and Homemade Condiments
Boiling your brats in beer before grilling infuses them with tons of summertime flavor, but this recipe flips that technique on its head. In case you were wondering, this isn’t your average grilling recipe; it also pairs with a homemade sauerkraut and mustard. (Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune; Shannon Kinsella/food styling) For the Beer-cooked Bratwurst With Sweet Onions and Homemade Condiments recipe, click here.
Flank steak is a seriously underrated cut of meat. This recipe marinates the beef in a bold blend of chipotles in adobo and red wine vinegar. Eat warm in fajitas or serve cold the next day over a bed of arugula. (Bill Hogan/Chicago Tribune) For the Grilled Marinated Flank Steak recipe, click here.
Sometimes, simply seasoned chicken really hits the spot. This Mediterranean-inspired bird is marinated in a combination of olive oil, oregano, garlic and lemon. For the biggest flavor, use fresh herbs. (Courtesy of Perdue) For the Easy Mediterranean Spatchcocked Chicken recipe, click here.
15. Lamb Kebabs
If you find yourself ordering delivery from your local Mediterranean place each week, it’s time to learn how to make some takeout staples yourself. Consider, for instance, this grilled lamb kebab recipe, which is cleverly skewered on cinnamon sticks for an extra dose of aromatics. (Michael Tercha/Chicago Tribune) For the Lamb Kebabs recipe, click here.
The secret to adding tons of dimension to your burger without buying 100 different ingredients is to use shortcuts like barbecue sauce or A1 steak sauce, like this recipe does. If you can’t find the Bold & Spicy A1, classic steak sauce and a few dashes of a hot sauce like Tabasco will do the trick. (wundervisuals/E+/Getty Images) For the Bold and Spicy Burgers recipe, click here.
18. Red Chili Glazed Eggplant
Grilled vegetarian food has a reputation for being bland and boring, but this glazed eggplant proves otherwise — it’s doused in a fiery gochujang-based sauce. (Michael Tercha/Chicago Tribune) For the Red Chili Glazed Eggplant recipe, click here.
Grilled tuna marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, ginger, garlic and jalapeno is deeply flavorful and full of vitamin D. Serve over rice or on a bed of napa cabbage with mandarin oranges, almonds, shredded carrots, scallions and chow mein noodles. (Courtesy of Catherine Pappas/Living the Gourmet) For the Soy Grilled Tuna Steaks recipe, click here.
A recipe worthy of a holiday table or an evening when you’re sick of beef and pork, this grilled leg of lamb has a classic marinade made of Dijon mustard, red wine and plenty of herbs. (Michael Tercha/Chicago Tribune) For the Marinated Grilled Leg of Lamb recipe, click here.
28. Grilled Summer Vegetables
Use popular garden vegetables such as eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes and onion to grill up a healthy side for any barbecue. Don’t worry about your veggies falling through the grill grates — this clever recipe uses a cast iron skillet on top of your grill. (Courtesy of Catherine Pappas/Living the Gourmet) For the Grilled Summer Vegetables recipe, click here.
29. Grilled Tuna Burgers
If you prefer seafood to beef, then these grilled tuna burgers are going to be your weeknight go-to. Make sure to buy high-quality tuna, as this fish is best served rare. (OksanaKiian / iStock / Getty Images Plus) For the Grilled Tuna Burgers recipe, click here.
There’s lots of freshness packed into this Thai-inspired marinade for pork ribs, courtesy of lemongrass and ginger. If you’re not a pork fan, this marinade also translates well to chicken thighs. (Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune; Shannon Kinsella/food styling) For the Thai-style Grilled Pork Country Ribs recipe, click here.
Sweet apricot preserves and salty soy sauce provide balance in this super flavorful glaze that’s perfect for gameday-ready grilled chicken wing recipe. (Courtesy of the National Chicken Council) For the Apricot Glazed Grilled Chicken Wings recipe, click here.
34. Grilled Steak and Potato Salad
Steak and potatoes are a timeless combination any time of the year but for a summery spin on this duo, cook everything on the grill and serve over lettuce with homemade ranch dressing. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune) For the Grilled Steak and Potato Salad recipe, click here
36. Grilled Butterflied Pork Tenderloin With Hoisin-Mint Sauce
Pork tenderloin is a great weeknight protein when you’re tired of chicken and beef. The unique combination of hoisin sauce plus fresh mint from your summer garden adds a new dimension to this tender piece of meat. (E. Jason Wambsgans /Chicago Tribune; Shannon Kinsella/food styling) For the Grilled Butterflied Pork Tenderloin With Hoisin-Mint Sauce recipe, click here.
As much as we love a big steak or a heaping plate of BBQ ribs, it can be hard to eat heavy food in the dog days of summer. Enter: this simple Italian recipe for grilled artichoke salad. After charring your artichoke hearts, add them to a bed of arugula alongside cherry tomatoes, prosciutto, Parmesan and a lemon vinaigrette. (Amy Beth Bennett/Sun Sentinel) For the Grilled Artichokes With Citronette Dressing recipe, click here.
39. Curry Lime Chicken Thighs With Tomato and Lima Bean Sauce
Make sure to get some fresh vegetables when making this grilled chicken noodle salad. In addition to crunchy peas and carrots, the Thai inspiration is also apparent in the bean thread noodles and the dressing made with sweet chili sauce and fish sauce. (Courtesy of the National Chicken Council) For the Thai Grilled Chicken Noodle Salad recipe, click here.
42. Lemon Garlic Grilled Portobellos With Burrata and Tomatoes
You don’t have to find a chicken wing joint to enjoy new, creative flavors. Add grilled and puréed plums to a mixture of hoisin sauce, vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, scallions and pepper for a different kind of wing sauce. (Courtesy of the National Chicken Council) For the Chicken Wings With Grilled Ginger Plum Coulis recipe, click here.
49. Smoky Grilled Pork Chops With Broccoli and Lemon-Garlic Relish
Pork chops are a weeknight staple, but skip the oven on those hot summer evenings and cook them on the grill. A lemon-garlic relish and steamed broccoli lighten this dish up, so you don’t feel too heavy during those long nights. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune; Shannon Kinsella/food styling) For the Smoky Grilled Pork Chops With Broccoli and Lemon-Garlic Relish recipe, click here.