While there's no reason grilling can't be a year-round activity, there's just something about summer—balmy air, extended daylight, backyard BBQs—that has us reaching for the tongs and charcoal (or propane, depending on your grilling style) more often than usual. Whether you’re making a meal for the family or entertaining a large group of guests, grilling is a fun and easy way to prepare flavorful, healthy fare in the great outdoors. As an added bonus, the crumbs stay outside and there's no kitchen clean up! If you’re searching for something beyond the same old burgers and brats, consider grabbing some of these ideas and get grilling! 1. Paleo Tri Tip Steak Marinade: Served with red wine vinegar and sautéed red onions, this four-ingredient dish is bright, flavorful and delicious. Image courtesy of Tastes Lovely 2. Grilled Honey Lime Shrimp: This fresh-and-flavorful dish only requires about 10 minutes of hands-on prep work and 10 minutes on the grill. Image courtesy of The Seasoned Mom 3. Chimichurri Chicken Skewers: A delicious and healthy 30-minute chicken kebab recipe that's gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free and sugar-free. Image courtesy of Tastes Lovely 4. Grilled Corn Salsa: This Trader Joe’s copycat recipe is made with diced red peppers, onions and jalapeños. Perfect with chips or over chicken. Image courtesy of One Dish Kitchen 5. Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms on the Grill: These cheesy stuffed mushrooms make a light vegetarian meal or a hearty side dish. 6. Grilled Lamb Shoulder Chop with Strawberry Mint Truffle Sauce: Capitalizing on the flavors of early summer, strawberries and mint make for a bright, fresh accompaniment to a grilled lamb shoulder chop. Image courtesy of Foraged Dish 7. Black Bean Burgers: They don’t fall apart, taste awesome and can even be made vegan. What could be more BBQ perfect? Image courtesy of Hurry the Food Up 8. Simple Grilled Salmon: If you’ve never considered grilling salmon, this recipe will change your mind. Fresh dill and lemon shine through in this light, quick-and-easy dinner. 9. Grilled Pound Cake With Limoncello Bananas: Topped with mascarpone cream, this easy dessert recipe is made almost completely on the grill. Image courtesy of One Dish Kitchen 10. Lime-Grilled Chicken With Cuban Salsa: Looking for a lot of flavor? This lime-grilled chicken is bursting with fresh, tropical ingredients that are sure to please your taste buds. 11. Grilled Pesto & Ricotta-Stuffed Chicken Breasts: This delicious chicken recipe requires just four ingredients and takes no more than 25 minutes to make. 12. Skinny BBQ Bacon Chicken Burgers: These juicy, secretly healthy burgers are the epitome of summer. Lots of lean protein, juicy bacon bits and sweet BBQ sauce. Image courtesy of Amy's Healthy Baking 13. Easy Carne Asada: Thanks to a simple Latin American-inspired steak marinade, the charred meat is perfect for salads, tacos, burritos and quesadillas. Image courtesy of The Seasoned Mom 14. Zesty Honey Sriracha Grilled Chicken Wings: The sweet taste of the honey and oranges complement the intense, spicy heat of the sriracha. Image courtesy of Zagleft 15. 5-Ingredient Grilled Rosemary Chicken Breast: Grilling doesn’t get much easier than this chicken, which cooks up in just 15 minutes. Serve with a green salad, summer fruit and whole-grain bread to round out the meal. 16. Greek Lamb Burgers: There's tons of flavor inside the burger, thanks to mix-ins like feta cheese, sun dried tomatoes and Kalamata olives. Feel free to swap ground turkey, chicken or beef for the ground lamb. Image courtesy of Fannetastic Food 17. Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers: Chock full of fresh vegetables and lean protein, these chicken skewers are delicious and fun to eat. Image courtesy of Amanda's Cookin' 18. Southwestern Grilled Pork Tenderloin: Tired of the same old beef and chicken? Get outside and grill the "other white meat" for a barbecue. 19. Perfect Paleo Burger Recipe: Homemade Worcestershire sauce is the secret to these flavorful, juicy burgers. Image courtesy of Tastes Lovely 20. Teriyaki Grilled Chicken: The thick, sweet-and-savory glaze yields a beautifully charred piece of meat that’s tender and juicy on the inside. Summer cookout perfection! Image courtesy of The Seasoned Mom 21. Moroccan Beef Kabobs: Stacked with fresh vegetables and rubbed with ras al hanout (a Moroccan spice blend), these kabobs are served with yogurt sauce as a cool summer dip. Image courtesy of Foraged Dish 22. Grilled Buffalo Shrimp: Served over grilled Romaine lettuce and topped with blue cheese crumbles, it's ready in minutes and perfect for grilling season. Image courtesy of One Dish Kitchen 23. Grilled Garlic Citrus Flank Steak: There is room for red meat in a healthy lifestyle. The key is choosing lean cuts and healthful cooking methods. 24. Grilled Watermelon Pineapple Skewers: Looking to avoid all of those fattening, sugar-filled desserts you find at potlucks? These grilled fruit skewers are a delicious, healthy alternative. Image courtesy of Amanda's Cookin' 25. Grilled BBQ Chicken Flatbread: Craving pizza, but want something a bit more portion-controlled? This flatbread is the ticket! Feel free to pile on extra veggies of your choice. What are your favorite foods to prepare on the grill? |
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