Your grill called, and it’s been waiting all year for you to fire it up. And honestly, there’s nothing better than the sound of your BBQ sizzling on a hot summer day. Just picture the weekend ahead looking like this: you and your friends poolside, drinks in hand, and a spread of grill-ready food to feed the masses. But what’s on the menu? We asked some culinary pros to share their favorite recipes for a backyard BBQ, and they weighed in. So, whether you’re planning a big weekend afternoon or just looking to get some grill marks on your dinner, read on to check out the best summer grilling recipes as decided by some of the coolest food bloggers around.
Table of Contents
What: Grilled Tri-Tip with Green Garlic Salsa Verde
Why: “This is a really tasty dish that’s easy to prepare and can feed a crowd. No lengthy marinating is needed, either. With just 30 minutes to spare, the flavors of the garlic, rosemary, and lemon really get into the meat” – Brandon Maztek, Kitchen Konfidence (@brandiego)
View the full recipe here.
What: Grilled Honey Lemon Wings with Whipped Feta
Why: “I find that this is how I have been cooking a lot this summer—grill meat, toss in a tasty and bright-flavored sauce, and sprinkle with some fresh herbs. Done!” – Dan Whalen, The Food in My Beard (@tfimb)
View the full recipe here.
What: Spicy Grilled Mango Skewers
Why: “I think the best part about grilling is that it’s a very social way to cook. You’re not cooped up in the kitchen, with your back towards your guests, but rather you’re outside enjoying the fun along with everyone else and cooking up something amazing. Something with a high flare factor is a winner in my book, like a nice kebab that’s been marinated. Hearing that sizzle and seeing the flames is really satisfying to me—must be those old caveman instincts!” – Derek Campanile, Dad with a Pan (@dadwithapan)
View the full recipe here.
What: Sweet, Smoky Glazed Chicken
Why: “Any time I get to spend some good quality time with the grill outdoors with a beer in my hand is a good time. The sweet-smoky result of this chicken is just the best, and it is so darn juicy. It goes fantastic accompanied with Mexican-style grilled corn, too” – Justin McChesney, Salt Pepper Skillet (@justin_mw)
View the full recipe here.
What: Grilled Chipotle Cauliflower Salad with Crispy Chickpeas
Why: “We recently made this recipe, and it’s light and satisfying—just what we’re looking for in the summer months” -Adrian Harris and Jeremy Inglett, The Food Gays (@foodgays)
View the full recipe here.
What: Pork Banh Mi Burger
Why: “This pork Banh Mi burger brings all the flavors of my favorite Vietnamese sandwich right to the backyard. Made with authentic ingredients that aren’t all that hard to get, and home-ground pork loin, this burger literally made me say ‘that’s one of the best damn burgers i’ve ever had'” – Matthew Cetta, Nomageddon (@nomageddon)
View the full recipe here.
What: BBQ Chicken-Wrapped Asparagus
Why: “Hands down, this is one of my favorite meals. It’s a super easy way to get your daily dose of veggies, and it’s easily customizable so you can really make the meal your own. Go seasonal with your farmer’s market faves or put a new spin on flavor by mixing in different spices” – Kevin Curry, Fit Men Cook (@FitMenCook)
View the full recipe here.
There you have it. 7 grill-ready recipes to sink your teeth into, as chosen by some of our favorite food bloggers around. Try one—or all!—and of course, have a good summer, gents.
