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We grill at least once a week here in Southern California, and even more once summer hits. These are the recipes we come back to again and again, from juicy burgers and tri-tip to grilled corn, shrimp tacos, and peaches for dessert.
Fire up the grill and take your pick.
➤ Grilled Beef & Burgers
Start here for the cookout heavy hitters. Big-flavor steaks, juicy burgers, and marinated cuts that anchor the plate, from quick weeknight burgers to a tri-tip worth firing up the grill for on a weekend.
Juicy Grilled Hamburgers
Backyard burgers made with 80/20 beef and a simple thumbprint trick that keeps every patty tender, juicy, and packed with flavor off the grill.
Grilled Tri-Tip
An overnight dry rub does the heavy lifting on this lean cut. Slice it thin against the grain for tender, flavorful steak that feeds a crowd.
Grilled Steak Marinade
This savory marinade of pantry staples turns any cut into a tender, juicy steak. It works on sirloin, flank, skirt, tri-tip, and more.
Easy Carne Asada
Flank steak marinated in bright citrus and garlic, then grilled and sliced thin for tacos, burritos, or a plate with rice and beans.
Also Try: Carne Asada Street Tacos and Carne Asada Fries
Cheeseburger Sliders
Mini grilled cheeseburgers that disappear fast at any cookout. Juicy, cheesy, and easy to make in batches for a hungry crowd.
Grilled BBQ Burger
A smoky, saucy twist on the classic burger. Brushed with barbecue sauce on the grill for a sweet, sticky, crowd-pleasing bite.
Korean Short Ribs
Thin-cut short ribs soak in a tangy Kalbi-style marinade, then hit the grill for caramelized, tender ribs everyone fights over.
Grilled London Broil
A budget-friendly cut marinated and grilled over high heat until tender and juicy. Slice it thin for an easy weeknight steak dinner.
Grilled Steak Salad
Juicy grilled steak over crisp greens with a bright dressing. Hearty enough for dinner and perfect for warm summer nights.
➤ Grilled Chicken & Turkey
Grilled chicken is where we shine, so this is the deepest group. Marinades, kabobs, sandwiches, and one showstopper beer can chicken. If you are meal planning, the thighs and breasts are the easy weeknight workhorses.
Grilled Chicken Thighs
Marinated in a blend of pantry staples, these thighs grill up juicy and tender every time. An easy win for weeknights or a backyard BBQ.
Also Try: Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Thighs
Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Chicken threaded on skewers and grilled, then served with a creamy homemade peanut sauce. A fun, flavor-packed appetizer or main.
Grilled Chicken Kabobs
Marinated chicken and colorful veggies on skewers, grilled until charred and juicy. Dinner and sides come together on one stick.
Also Try: Garlic and Lime Grilled Chicken Kabobs
Grilled BBQ Chicken
Bone-in, skin-on chicken marinated then grilled low and slow. Brushed with barbecue sauce for that classic sticky-sweet summer flavor.
BBQ Ranch Chicken
No marinating needed and ready in 30 minutes. Smoky barbecue and cool ranch make this one of our easiest grilled chicken dinners.
Citrus Grilled Chicken
Marinated in orange, lemon, lime, and garlic for bright, fresh flavor. Great on its own or sliced into wraps and salads.
Also Try: Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken and Tequila Lime Chicken
Grilled Jerk Chicken
A bold Jamaican blend of warm spices, lime, and habanero grilled low and slow. Serve with coconut rice for a Caribbean-inspired plate.
Beer Can Chicken
A whole chicken grilled upright over a can for juicy, tender meat and crispy, flavorful skin. A showstopper for any cookout.
Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Fast, easy, and made for summer. Pile grilled chicken on a bun with your favorite spreads and toppings for a fresh lunch or dinner.
Grilled Chicken Wings
Crispy, smoky wings straight off the grill with plenty of char. An easy crowd-pleaser for game day, parties, or any backyard get-together.
Turkey Burgers
Juicy, well-seasoned turkey burgers that cook up in about 10 minutes. A lighter grilled option that nobody at the table will call boring.
➤ Grilled Pork & Sausage
A short but mighty group. A quick-cooking tenderloin, spicy chops, low-and-slow ribs, and an easy foil-packet dinner that basically cleans up after itself.
Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Chimichurri
Pork tenderloin marinated in lemon, garlic, and spices, grilled in about 15 minutes and topped with fresh, herby chimichurri sauce.
Cajun Grilled Pork Chops
Juicy pork chops with a spicy homemade Cajun rub. Simple, fast, and full of flavor for an easy summer dinner off the grill.
Grilled St Louis Ribs
Succulent, fall-off-the-bone ribs made for grilling season. A backyard barbecue staple worth every minute of the low-and-slow cook.
Sausage & Peppers Foil Packets
Sausage, peppers, and onions grilled together in easy foil packets. Great for feeding a crowd with almost no cleanup afterward.
➤ Grilled Seafood
Seafood cooks fast on the grill, which makes it perfect for warm nights. Lead with the tacos, then reach for salmon and shrimp when you want something a little lighter.
Grilled Shrimp Tacos
A quick 15-minute meal built for cookouts. Juicy marinated shrimp tucked into warm tortillas with a creamy, colorful cabbage slaw.
Grilled Fish Tacos
Flaky grilled fish, crunchy cabbage, and a tangy homemade sauce wrapped in a warm tortilla. Fresh, healthy, and ready fast.
Also Try: Salmon Tacos
Grilled Salmon Kabobs
Salmon chunks in a simple herb-and-garlic marinade, grilled on skewers until flaky and juicy. An easy, elegant seafood option.
Grilled Salmon Salad
Grilled salmon over crunchy veggies with a homemade champagne vinaigrette. Light, fresh, and easy to make for lunch or dinner.
Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
Shrimp wrapped in bacon and grilled until crisp, then brushed with barbecue sauce. An easy appetizer or dinner ready in 20 minutes.
Grilled Shrimp Pasta Salad
A summer side turned main. Turmeric-kissed grilled shrimp tossed with pasta, asparagus, tomatoes, and squash for a full plate.
➤ Grilled Veggies, Sides & Sweet
Round out the cookout here. Charred corn, potatoes, and veggies that pair with anything above, plus a couple of grilled sweets to finish. Elote is the one that always disappears first.
Elote (Mexican Street Corn)
Grilled corn slathered with mayo and loaded with chili powder, cotija, cilantro, and lime. A crowd favorite ready in about 15 minutes.
Grilled Zucchini
Zucchini marinated in lemon and olive oil, then grilled until tender. The one veggie our kids actually beg for all summer.
How to Grill Corn on the Cob
Five easy ways to perfectly tender corn, including right on the grill. Your go-to guide for nailing the ultimate summer cookout side.
Balsamic Grilled Vegetables
A colorful mix of veggies coated in a balsamic reduction and grilled until tender and charred. The ultimate summer side dish.
Also Try: Grilled Vegetables
Grilled Potatoes
Tender, smoky potatoes with charred edges straight off the grill. Your new favorite side for burgers, steaks, and everything else.
Also Try: Grilled Baked Potatoes
Grilled Avocados
Charred avocado halves filled with salsa and melted cheese. A smoky summer appetizer or side, or scoop it into guacamole.
Grilled Pizza
A simple method for grilled pizza with a crispy, charred crust, melty cheese, and all your favorite toppings. Better than delivery.
Grilled Peaches
Rustic grilled peaches topped with smoky honey butter. A simple side or dessert with a little scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Grilled Pineapple
Fresh pineapple slices brushed with a cinnamon-sugar butter and grilled until caramelized. A juicy side dish or an easy dessert ready in 15 minutes.
Blueberry Dessert Pizza
A fun cookout dessert you can prep ahead and finish in 10 minutes. Sweet blueberries on grilled crust for an easy crowd-pleaser.
Homemade BBQ Sauce
Skip the bottle and make Homemade BBQ Sauce. It comes together fast and works on burgers, chicken, ribs, and more.
Time to Grill!
However you like to cook out, there is a recipe here to fire up next. Save this one and come back all summer, and tag us @yellowblissroad when you make something so we can see what is on your grill.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead can I marinate before grilling?
Most of the marinades in this collection are happy anywhere from 30 minutes to overnight in the fridge, and a longer soak usually means more flavor. The exception is anything heavy on citrus or acid, like the carne asada or citrus grilled chicken. Keep those to a few hours, since a very long soak can start to break down the meat and turn the texture mushy.
When in doubt, marinate tougher cuts overnight and stick to a few hours for delicate proteins like fish and shrimp.
How do I keep food from sticking to the grill grates?
Two things make the biggest difference. Start with a clean, fully preheated grate, since food sticks far more to a cold or dirty grill. Then lightly oil the grates or brush a little oil right onto the food before it goes on
Gas or charcoal for these recipes?
Yes, every recipe here works on either one. Gas is the easy choice for weeknights since it heats fast and holds a steady temperature. Charcoal takes a little more effort but gives you that smoky flavor a lot of people love for a weekend cookout.
Use whatever you have. The recipes and timing stay the same, though charcoal can run hotter, so keep an eye on anything that cooks quickly.
Related Collections
A few more collections to keep the cookout going:
