48 grilling recipes for your backyard barbecues

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Grill hot honey BBQ ribs, Mexican street corn with Chef Matt Abdoo April 27, 202204:19 On the first day we get a hot day here on the East Coast, you can find me outside — tongs in one hand, a glass of some cold beverage in the other. Grilling […]

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Grill hot honey BBQ ribs, Mexican street corn with Chef Matt Abdoo

April 27, 202204:19

On the first day we get a hot day here on the East Coast, you can find me outside — tongs in one hand, a glass of some cold beverage in the other. Grilling is my summer ritual. I am entranced by the open flame and the wonder it breathes into my dinner menus from May to August.

For those who live in seasonal climates, the unparalleled flavors of grilled, smoky meat, seafood and vegetables are a signature of summer months. The way food shines with new light, cast from the fiery vessel on which it sears, is a thing to be cherished. To me, grilling feels like the most natural, primal way of cooking: being out in the fresh air, feeling the direct heat on my skin as the produce and protein come to their ideal serving temperatures. Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Father's Day, July Fourth, Labor Day — all the summer holidays — deserve an ample spread of grilled goodies.

I don't feel the need to justify my adoration for grills and smokers, just to help fellow grillers indulge in the many recipes that will help make grilling season an unforgettable one. Whether you're looking for some new recipes, need marinade inspiration for the classics or want to try some dishes you've never grilled before (hello, oysters and pasta salad), this roundup has a simple purpose: to heat up your relationship to your grill.

Grilled meats

Korean Marinated Short Ribs (Galbi)

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

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Korean Marinated Short Ribs (Galbi)

Jet Tila

This is the classic Korean barbecue recipe. Most restaurants serve it bone-in. They take the 3-bone piece and slice it "flanken"-style and you end up with a thin, 1/2-inch slice.

Martha Stewart's Chicken with Green Chile Dressing

Zach Pagano / TODAY

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Martha Stewart's Chicken with Green Chile Dressing

Martha Stewart

This grilled chicken recipe from Martha Stewart is simple to prepare, cook and serve. The herbaceous and full-flavored dressing really brightens up the dish.

Sunny Anderson's Glazed Grilled Pork Chops

Mike Smith / TODAY

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Sunny Anderson's Glazed Grilled Pork Chops

Sunny Anderson

Grill up these perfect pork chops with just four easy-to-find ingredients for a sweet and savory dish that will be the star of your cookout.

Grilled Chicken Gyros with Fresh Tzatziki Sauce

TODAY

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Grilled Chicken Gyros with Fresh Tzatziki Sauce

Kevin Curry

This simple and incredibly flavorful recipe for homemade chicken gyros comes together in less than 30 minutes. The beauty of Kevin Curry's take on this iconic Greek dish is that it draws on ingredients that, when combined, create the most juicy, bright and refreshing notes.

Bludso's Barbecue Brisket

Eric Wolfinger

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Bludso's Barbecue Brisket

Kevin Bludso

"This is where I got my start — watching my granny be up all night cooking brisket when I was a little boy," said pitmaster Kevin Bludso. "You'd see this big tough piece of meat, then you'd go to sleep and the next day everybody was talking about how good it was. Brisket was her favorite meat, and I felt like I got to be a part of it."

The Pig Beach Burger

Ken Goodman

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The Pig Beach Burger

Matt Abdoo

Don't let the long list of ingredients fool you: This burger is easy to put together. The multiple layers of flavors in the meaty burger start by making homemade barbecue seasoning and a tangy sauce made from a burger lover's favorites, then gets topped with cheese and zesty pickles. It's a comfort meal tailor-made for summertime and grilling season.

Bobby Flay's Grilled Chicken with Pantry Barbecue Sauce

Bobby Flay

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Bobby Flay's Grilled Chicken with Pantry Barbecue Sauce

Bobby Flay

According to Bobby Flay, you can create a delicious, multi-purpose barbecue sauce with ingredients you most likely already have on hand.

5-Ingredient Inside-Out Bacon Cheeseburgers

Grace Parisi

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5-Ingredient Inside-Out Bacon Cheeseburgers

Grace Parisi

Tired of the same old burger? Stuff it with your favorite cheese and smoky bacon for an over-the-top inside-out bacon cheeseburger.

Grilled Tri-Tip Steak with Chimichurri Sauce

Ken Goodman

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Grilled Tri-Tip Steak with Chimichurri Sauce

Matt Abdoo

The bright, zippy flavors in chimichurri taste the best when balanced by the natural smokiness that comes from grilling proteins over a flame. So when looking for healthy spring and summer recipes, look no further.

Grilled Chicken Thighs with Adobo Sauce

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

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Grilled Chicken Thighs with Adobo Sauce

JJ Johnson

Peruvian-style adobo sauce is such a heavenly marinade for grilled meats. This recipe features the unexpected sweetness of rice vinegar along with West African palm sugar with its rich, caramel flavor.

Bludso's Whole Grilled Chicken

Eric Wolfinger

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Bludso's Whole Grilled Chicken

Kevin Bludso

This grilling technique will get some smoke on a whole chicken and cook it way faster than a smoker. The custom poultry rub adds big, bold barbecue flavor to the bird.

Chicken Chorizo Burgers

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

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Chicken Chorizo Burgers

Alejandra Ramos

The chorizo in this burger adds so much flavor and helps keep the chicken moist when grilling.

Jerk Chicken

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

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Jerk Chicken

Kwame Onwuachi

"Jerk chicken is spicy by nature. What was once a method of preparing food surreptitiously by Jamaican Maroons has become Jamaica's greatest contribution to the culinary canon: a tapestry of flavors, aromatics and spices," says Kwame Onwuachi. To cool it down, serve it with his coconutty Braised Cabbage and Carrots.

Katie Lee's Fall-off-the-Bone Barbecue Ribs

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

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Katie Lee's Fall-off-the-Bone Barbecue Ribs

Katie Lee

"My husband Ryan taught me this technique with the foil and I'll never make ribs any other way!" says Katie Lee Beigel. "It's so easy and foolproof."

Hot Honey Baby Back Ribs

Tyler Essary / TODAY

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Hot Honey Baby Back Ribs

Matt Abdoo

This recipe is the perfect sweet heat, sticky baby back rib for anytime of year — but it tastes especially sweet at the start of summer.

Grilled Za'atar Chicken with Garlic Yogurt and Cilantro

Ryan Liebe for The New York Times

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Grilled Za'atar Chicken with Garlic Yogurt and Cilantro

Melissa Clark

This spicy, herby chicken is full of bright, zesty flavors and is very easy to make. The yogurt tenderizes the chicken as it marinates, making the meat very tender. It goes with everything — but is especially nice with pita or other flatbread bread and a big cucumber-tomato salad.

Natalie Morales' Easy Grilled Chimichurri Soy Steak

Alanna Hale / At Home with Natalie: Simple Recipes for Healthy Living from My Family's Kitchen to Yours

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Natalie Morales' Easy Grilled Chimichurri Soy Steak

Natalie Morales

This prep-ahead steak is great for entertaining. Set the meat in the marinade and prep the sauce the day before to make cooking and serving a cinch. If there are leftovers of this steak (which is unusual), it makes for great steak salads, tacos, steak and eggs or a classic steak and cheese sandwich.

Barbecue Chicken with Salsa Verde

What's Gaby Cooking: Everyday California Food

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Barbecue Chicken with Salsa Verde

Gaby Dalkin

"This is my favorite recipe my dad used to make when I was a kid," says Gaby Dalkin. "It was so special whenever he'd make a BBQ chicken and we'd fight each other over who got the legs. I've changed things up these days with the spice mixture and I always serve it with the salsa verde."

Chef D's Grilled and Glazed Baby Back Ribs

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

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Chef D's Grilled and Glazed Baby Back Ribs

Damon Stalworth

These ribs get infused with a ton of flavor from a wet rub and grilling process. Serve these tasty ribs with summery salads, seasonal grilled veggies and traditional barbecue sides like baked beans, potato salad or mac and cheese.

Grilled Caprese Chicken with Blistered Tomato, Burrata and Torn Basil

The Grill Dads

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Grilled Caprese Chicken with Blistered Tomato, Burrata and Torn Basil

Mark Anderson

This dish tastes like summer, with smoky and crispy grilled chicken, sweet tomatoes and creamy cheese. It’s an appetizer, salad and main course all in one.

Southwestern Steak Salad with Grilled Corn

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

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Southwestern Steak Salad with Grilled Corn

Mark Anderson

If you want the robust flavor of a great steak but don't want all the heavy sides that usually accompany it, this Southwestern-inspired salad invites the garden to the party for a light yet meaty dish.

Grilled seafood

Martha Stewart's Salmon Salad with Sugar Snap Peas, Eggs and Potatoes

Zach Pagano / TODAY

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Martha Stewart's Salmon Salad with Sugar Snap Peas, Eggs and Potatoes

Martha Stewart

Salmon is a wonderful fish to cook on the grill because it is less delicate than other varieties and won't fall apart. Pair the grilled fish with sweet snap peas and hearty potatoes for a healthy and satiating meal.

Char-Grilled Oysters

Leon's Oyster Shop

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Char-Grilled Oysters

Leon's Oyster Shop

This flavor-packed seafood dish is an homage to New Orleans. Leon's is a classic oyster restaurant and the char-grilled oyster platter is a classic from New Orleans culinary history. Leon's version is delicious, but made simply and with care. The butter can also be made ahead of time in bulk and stored in the fridge or freezer. It's also great on fish and steak!

Grilled Foil-Packet Salmon with Snap Peas and Edamame Pesto

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

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Grilled Foil-Packet Salmon with Snap Peas and Edamame Pesto

Ryan Scott

This recipe is a perfect weekday quick and healthy meal that is also visually stunning and delicious. It can also double as your weekend entertaining dish.

Adam Richman's Grilled Littleneck Clams

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

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Adam Richman's Grilled Littleneck Clams

Adam Richman

Grilled clams in a heavily salty brine with a little lemon and cocktail sauce encapsulates the taste of summer cookouts or beachside picnics.

Grilled Miso-Glazed Salmon with Broccolini Salad

Nathan Congleton

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Grilled Miso-Glazed Salmon with Broccolini Salad

Judy Joo

This dish is so full of flavor and healthy at the same time. White miso adds delicate sweetness while upping the umami flavors of fresh salmon. The crunchy, caramelized broccolini is a perfect foil to the tender grilled fish.

Al Roker's Barbecue Grilled Shrimp

Getty Images

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Al Roker's Barbecue Grilled Shrimp

Al Roker

Al Roker uses olive oil with a high smoke point in his marinade so that the shrimp doesn't burn, keeping the shell on to ensure the smokiest flavor possible.

Al Roker's Grilled Scallops

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

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Al Roker's Grilled Scallops

Al Roker

Don't be intimidated by the delicate nature of these tender little scallops. All they need is a quick kiss on the grill. The simple preparation lets the subtle, sweet flavor of the seafood shine through.

Miso-Roasted Sea Bass with Ginger-Garlic Broccoli

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

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Miso-Roasted Sea Bass with Ginger-Garlic Broccoli

Richard Ingraham

Sea bass on its own is amazingly buttery, but the marinade takes it to another level. The crispy, gingery broccoli brings the perfect contrast in both flavor and texture.

Grilled Salmon with Tamarind Dipping Sauce and Crispy Brussels Sprouts

Eva Kolenko / The Honeysuckle Cookbook

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Grilled Salmon with Tamarind Dipping Sauce and Crispy Brussels Sprouts

Dzung Lewis

Garlicky salmon gets an upgrade with this incredible sauce made from tamarind paste, dark brown, lime and Thai chile. Fused with the smoke of the grill, it's a must-make.

Carson's Favorite Grilled Swordfish with Crispy Capers

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

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Carson's Favorite Grilled Swordfish with Crispy Capers

Siri Daly

Carson Daly loves a good surf and turf, and meaty swordfish holds up beautifully when it's grilled. It's a hearty fish, yet light and summery as well.

10-Minute Grilled Shrimp and Avocado Salad

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

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10-Minute Grilled Shrimp and Avocado Salad

MIchelle Bernstein

Michelle Bernstein adds major flavor to grilled shrimp with six ingredients you probably have in your home right now: Old Bay seasoning, garlic, chile pepper, onion, cilantro and lime juice. Topped with creamy avocado and you're got a delicious salad in under 10 minutes!

Grilled Salmon Burgers

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

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Grilled Salmon Burgers

Mark Jeffers

Salmon burgers are a fresh and flavorful alternative to the traditional beef patty. They have the same juicy qualities that regular burgers do, while adding tremendous health qualities.

Grilled veggies

Al's Grilled Vegetable Skewers

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

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Al's Grilled Vegetable Skewers

Al Roker

Sometimes these disappear even faster than the burgers, ribs or chicken at a cookout. There's just something about how juicy and flavorful each veggie gets over the flame.

Grilled Caesar Salad

Casey Barber

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Grilled Caesar Salad

Casey Barber

Looking for some new summer grilling recipes? If you're a fan of the classic Caesar salad, you will fall in love with this version that's easy enough to make on a busy weeknight and elevated enough to wow guests at a dinner party table. To make it, grill halved lemons and a head of romaine alongside thick-cut pieces of baguette. The dressing, made with a Dijon mustard base, zippy olive oil and fresh garlic, is creamy. The romaine and lemons get a deeper flavor on the grill. Topped with Parmigiano-Reggiano, it's a salad worthy of a five-star restaurant.

Mexican Street Corn (Elote)

Ken Goodman

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Mexican Street Corn (Elote)

Matt Abdoo

Grilled Mexican street corn is an exciting way to kick up the all-time favorite summer side! It adds so much flavor, you may never be satisfied with just butter ever again. One of the best parts about this easy grilling recipe is that, as opposed to other variations of street corn recipes that require utensils and serving platters, this one is made right on the cob.

Grilled Vegetable and Arugula Salad with Israeli Couscous

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

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Grilled Vegetable and Arugula Salad with Israeli Couscous

Curtis Stone

The couscous, vinaigrette and crostini in this flavorful salad can be made up to four hours ahead of time. That way, when it's time to grill the fresh tomatoes, asparagus, zucchini and avocado, the rest is ready to go.

Grilled Eggplant with Pomegranate Molasses

Tyler Essary / TODAY

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Grilled Eggplant with Pomegranate Molasses

Pamela Salzman

The sweet, tangy jolt of pomegranate molasses is simply divine combined with the smokiness of grilled eggplant.

Grilled Vegetable Paella

Steven Randazzo

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Grilled Vegetable Paella

Steven Raichlen

The authentic way to cook paella is over an open orange wood or grapevine fire. (The wood subtly smokes the rice, adding flavor nuances you simply can’t achieve indoors.) The good news is that the process translates easily to a grill or campfire. Here’s a plant-based paella bursting with bright Spanish flavors. The chickpeas provide the protein.

Grilled Asparagus

Samantha Okazaki / TODAY

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Grilled Asparagus

Al Roker

All you need is some olive oil, salt, pepper and lemon to make asparagus reach its full grilled glory. This verdant green is a versatile side that works with anything from steak to fish to other veggies.

Grilled Tri-Color Fingerling Potato Salad

Tyler Essary / TODAY

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Grilled Tri-Color Fingerling Potato Salad

Mark Anderson

Everybody loves potato salad at a backyard barbecue, but using tricolored potatoes and a dressing without the traditional mayo makes it a more colorful and lighter option.

Grilled Broccoli Caesar Salad

Karen Akunowicz

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Grilled Broccoli Caesar Salad

Karen Akunowicz

This non-traditional dish borrows ideas from three different countries. The Caesar salad was invented in Mexico, the migas (toasted seasoned bread) hails from Spain and the dressing has a dollop of Japanese miso in it. The result is a dish with a symphony of textures and umami.

Grilled Vegetable Pasta Salad

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

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Grilled Vegetable Pasta Salad

Matt Abdoo

"Pasta salad is one of my favorite summer side dishes," says Mat Abdoo. "When I was growing up, my mom would make a huge batch to keep it in the refrigerator and pull it out for as many dinners or lunches as possible. It gets even better as it sits in the fridge."

Barbecue Sweet Potato Wedges

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

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Barbecue Sweet Potato Wedges

Matt Abdoo

The sweet potato and all-purpose barbecue seasoning are just a match made in heaven. These fries also give a vegetarian option a very recognizable barbecue flavor.

Grilled Zucchini Lasagna

Zach Pagano/TODAY

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Grilled Zucchini Lasagna

Catherine De Orio

This recipe is lighter than traditional lasagna and is bursting with garden-fresh flavor. Even a pasta lover won't miss the noodles! This recipe has a lot of steps, but since it freezes well, you can make one or two extra to keep in the freezer for dinner another night.

Charred Corn and Halloumi Salad

Lauren Zasar

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Charred Corn and Halloumi Salad

Edouard Massih

Add a little Middle Eastern flair to this summery salad with grilled halloumi. Halloumi is the only cheese you can grill, and once you grill it, it changes its texture and flavors completely, which goes so well with the rest of the salad.

Grilled Vegetable Salad

istetiana / Getty Images

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Grilled Vegetable Salad

Jet Tila

This recipe is an easy way to get delicious vegetables onto your cookout menu (if you're already grilling meats, why not throw some veggies on there, too?). Grilling is the fastest and tastiest way to cook vegetables, according to Jet Tila.

Grilled Corn Salad with Basil

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

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Grilled Corn Salad with Basil

Alex Guarnaschelli

This is a summer grilling greatest hit. There is no way everyone won't devour this simple side. It's ideal to eat it freshly assembled and still warm, but it also tastes great chilled.

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