Even though the weather is crazy right now, grilling season is just around the corner. If you need some inspiration then check out my list of the 51 best grill recipes that I have found on the internet.
I have included 10 for fish and seafood, 16 vegetarian and vegan grill recipes and 25 tasty ideas for grilling meat.
If you are budget conscious when grilling then here are a bunch of low-cost grilling ideas.
Grill Recipes for Fish and Seafood
Many of the following recipes are low in calories and macro-friendly. Try them if you are looking for something healthy!
1. Grilled Branzino
Surprisingly fast and easy, grilling whole fish is the best way to save time. This simple recipe takes only 30 minutes (including prep work!) and the crispy skin on the branzino is heavenly.
2. Grilled Lobster Tails
I’m always amazed at how little time it takes to make amazing seafood entrees. If you can’t get fresh lobster then make sure to thaw the tails completely before cooking.
3. Shrimp with Grilled Citrus and Leek Relish
You have to cook the shrimps for only 2-3 minutes per side. Any more and you risk overcooking them. This dish is a great macro-friendly dinner alternative, as it has only 288 calories per serving
4. Fish Tacos with Avocado Sauce
If you have taco Tuesdays regularly, then why not try fish instead of the usual meat for once? Takes only 35 minutes total to make this grill recipe, all you need is some mild, white fish.
5. Cajun Shrimp Foil Packets
If you dig southern-style food then you are going to love this recipe. Prep time is only 10 minutes and the best part is that there is no mess after cooking!
6. Spicy Grilled Calamari Salad
Quick and easy, most Americans only ever try the breaded version of calamari. Whenever I am in Greece or Croatia I make sure to eat locally caught, prepared fresh on the grill. Can’t even compare to the frozen stuff.
7. Planked Salmon with Maple Mustard
Ok, so you’ll need a cedar plank for this recipe, not something most people have at home. Still worth it though. First time I had it I was blown away by how much extra flavor it adds.
8. Grilled Potato and Salmon Packs
Wrap small packs of salmon into heavy-duty foil, cook for 15 minutes, done. The best part? Your kids can help with prep work!
9. Grilled Clams
I have never thought about grilling clams before I saw this recipe, but it is the easiest thing you can cook. Try to buy littleneck or mahogany clams for the best results. Done in 3-5 minutes!
10. Moroccan Grilled Shrimp Skewers
With only 390 calories for each serving, this recipe is very macro-friendly. This could be your next go-to shrimp recipe because it is so easy to make and healthy at the same time.
Vegetarian and Vegan Grill Recipes
Grilling is not only for meat lovers! The next 16 grill recipes are either vegetarian or fully vegan. I’m sure that you can find something interesting even if you do eat meat.
11. Rainbow Veggie Skewers
Do you like rainbows? This incredibly colorful vegan skewers recipe is great as a side dish on hot summer days. Don’t forget to soak wooden skewers before grilling!
12. Baked BBQ Tofu
This is how you should prepare tofu if you hate it. At least according to the author. Invest in a good tofu press otherwise, your dinner may end up bland and watery
13. Clean Carrots
Clean as in clean eating. You’ll have to peel or wash the carrots as well, obviously. This macro-friendly recipe is great as a side dish and 100% vegan.
14. Black Bean Quinoa Burger
Everyone searches for the holy grail of veggie burgers. I think you should embrace quinoa for what it is instead of trying to replicate the taste of beef. This recipe is great and very macro-friendly if you replace the buns with lettuce leaves.
15. Tomato Bruschetta
Spring is tomato season! Get creative with this easy bruschetta recipe. Try to find rustic bread and make sure to grill the slices instead of using the oven.
16. Grilled Corn on the Cob
You can either pair these with hamburgers or smoked pork, or you can eat them as a stand-alone dish. Grilled corn tastes wonderful, especially if you add some salt and butter just before eating.
17. Grilled Eggplant
One of the easiest grill recipes on the planet. All you need is eggplant and some basic spices like salt and pepper. This is perfect for a side dish, but some of my friends prefer to eat this as a main course. It’s that good.
18. Grilled Brussels Sprouts with Garlic Butter
Brussels sprouts are the last thing on my shopping list, and I’ll never ever love them. But prepared right it’s a night and day difference from the usual bland, bitter-tasting vegetable that we know.
19. Grilled Garlic Asparagus
100% Vegan and really tasty! Try to cook this when asparagus is in season, as it is called “the most expensive vegetable” for a reason. Cook on medium to low heat otherwise the outside might burn.
20. Avocado Chile Tartines
A fancy way of saying Avocado toast, if you are craving the most “millennialish” food then check out this recipe. So quick and easy you won’t want to buy it from a café or fast food joint ever again.
21. Grilled Shishito Peppers
This trendy appetizer is usually served in restaurants, but don’t worry, it takes less than 20 minutes to prepare. Warning, this is not your typical veggie mix, the peppers are really hot!
22. Spicy Grilled Watermelon with Honey Yogurt
This recipe featured creme fraiche originally, but the author changed it up with honey yogurt for even better results! I have heard about grilling watermelon but never tried it myself so far. I will definitely give this one a shot, weather permitting!
23. Grilled Potatoes with Rosemary
Potatoes are not the first thing when you think about grilled vegetables. Nonetheless, the recipe is very creative, and really tasty according to the comments!
24. Grits on the Grill
The author of this grilling recipe got his inspiration from “The Barbecue Bible” and I think it is a great idea. Finally, something to soak up that grilling goodness that isn’t a slice of bread. Looks good too!
25. Grilled Asparagus and Ricotta Pizza
Pillowy crust and creamy ricotta on top. Make sure to buy fresh asparagus, canned won’t work with this recipe. You can make this in an oven, but grilling the dough will impart a wonderful smokey flavor that you’ll love.
26. Harissa Marinated Tofu Skewers
Perfect for vegans, a nice and crusty piece of grilled tofu on a crunchy bed of vegetables is a wonderfully filling, yet light meal for dinner. Try to cut the tofu into 1/2 inch slices and grill for 3-4 minutes each side.
Best Grill Recipes for Meat
I can’t blame you if you skipped over the previous part. If you are after juicy, tasty grilled meat with just a hint of smoke then keep reading!
27. Chimichurri Chicken
Don’t be afraid if you have never spatchcocked a whole chicken. If you have a nice pair of kitchen scissors then you can do it in around 2 minutes. Makes roasting and grilling the whole bird much easier.
28. Homemade Lamburgers
See what I did there? You’ll need around 1 pound of minced lamb meat for 4 lamb hamburgers. Prep the tzatziki the day before for the best results!
29. Korean Short-Ribs
This recipe is best prepared on a charcoal grill, but the gas or a broiler will also do in a pinch. Make sure to marinate the meat for at least 3 hours.
30. Ladds Grilled Tenderloin
Not a standard weeknight meal due to its price tag. If you can get your hands on beef tenderloin and don’t want to cut it into filet mignon then try to grill it whole. Make sure to use a meat thermometer!
31. Easy Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Even though the prep time is only 10 minutes, you have to marinate the chicken breast slices for at least 2 hours before cooking. Make sure to plan ahead!
32. Worcestershire-Glazed Burgers
A nice twist to the usual beef patties. Try this recipe if you are looking for something new, but still want to eat a hamburger. I also like the fact that there is no neverending story on the website. Just the recipe, plain and simple.
33. Balsamic Grilled Chicken
One of the favorite recipes of the clean-eating couple Liz and Tyler, this recipe is gluten-free, paleo, and perfect for grilling on a hot summer evening.
34. Asian Flat Iron Steak
Marinating for at least 3-4 hours yields the best results, but if you are in a hurry you can try to cook the steaks after only one hour. Use this recipe if you are a little bit scared of cooking steak since the marinade can cover up small mistakes such as overcooking.
35. Grilled Lamb Chops with Harissa Yogurt
Don’t be intimidated by lamb, this recipe is extremely easy even for beginners. Lamb is available year-round, so try to find fresh, locally raised for best results.
36. Orange Juice BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
Have you ever tried marinating meat in orange juice? Sounds way more bizarre than it actually is, the acidity of the juice helps flavors to penetrate the meat, and it will also give your sandwich a fairly interesting color. I say go for it!
These sandwiches are the perfect tailgate food to get the crowd going.
37. Grilled Chicken Caesar Wrap
Adding smoky flavor to (usually) bland chicken breasts? Yes please! Try this recipe if you want to eat clean but can’t stand the taste anymore. Wraps are also perfect for meal prep since you can cook the chicken in advance!
38. Homemade Grilled Pizza
You’ll need a grill with a lid and preferably a pizza stone for best results, otherwise, you should try a pan pizza in a cast iron. Make a double batch of dough and keep it in the freezer so you’ll always have some available.
39. Grilled Steak and Pineapple Skewers
I’m sure most of you eat fruit only as a stand-alone snack. But I remember that one of my favorite childhood dishes was pork tenderloin with applesauce. So why not try this recipe? Grilled pineapples go really well with steak!
40. Grilled Chicken Sausages with Veggies
Skip the bread and grill some vegetables as a side dish for these delicious chicken sausages. You can save a lot of calories and I promise that you’ll feel much better, especially if you are cooking this for dinner.
41. Chicken Naan Burgers
Naans taste great and I love their texture. This dish is similar to a gyro but instead of using a pita and stuffing it, the author uses two naan bread as hamburger buns. You can also fold one in half to cut down on carbs and calories.
42. Southwest Chicken Foil Packets
I’m sure foil packets were not invented in the southwest, so maybe it’s the passion fruit marinade? Anyway, these foil recipes are great because you can easily meal prep them in advance.
43. Portobello Beef Burgers
I saw a recipe once where the meat in a hamburger was replaced by a single, large mushroom cap. I couldn’t find it so here is an even tastier alternative, and this one doesn’t even skip the meat. Wonderful!
44. Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple Salsa
See, I told you. Fruit and pork are great together. This time the recipe calls for pineapples instead of apples, but the end result is fantastic. Use pork tenderloin if you are sick of eating chicken breast but want to keep the calories down.
45. Bacon Burgers on Brioche Buns
It’s a standard bacon burger, but instead of the usual bun, the author calls for brioche buns. Not sure why you’d need a recipe for this, but just in case I have included it. I love burgers after all.
46. Grilled Chicken Caprese with Avocado
You have to buy fresh basil (or grow your own) for this recipe as dried has a different flavor profile. Combine with baby tomatoes and grilled chicken and you have yourself an extra tasty dinner with low calories.
47. Mexican Cheeseburgers
Grilling Season means burgers! If you want to try something different then this grilling recipe is meant for you. Make sure to use mild salsa if you don’t like your food too hot.
48. Smoked Jalapeno Poppers
Step aside, oven-made jalapenos, there is a new kid on the block. You’ll need a smoker for this recipe, but the end results are so much better! Keep in mind that cooking this dish is somewhat time intensive as prep time is 30 minutes. Keto friendly!
49. Smoked Pulled Pork
I know, smoking is not grilling, and you’ll need a smoker or a good smoker/grill combo for this. But no list of outdoor grill recipes is complete without a good, old-fashioned simple pulled pork recipe. Pork butt is the most recommended cut for beginners as it is very forgiving, and all you need is a rub and some time. If you overcook it? Use it for tacos or chili! And while you are at it, you might want to try to make homemade tenderloin jerky. It is wonderful if prepared in the smoker!
Related: How Much Pulled Pork Per Person?
50. Smoked Pork Ribs
So you tried pork butt and are ready for the next challenge? Time for ribs! If you want to smoke them St. Louis style then you’ll need at least 5 hours, otherwise, you can cook up a serving of baby back ribs in only 3. Both types will be super tender, and juicy! This recipe is featured on our “Ultimate Guide For Rib Lovers!”
51. Beer Simmered Brats and Potatoes
Make your brats with homemade german style onions, or buy ready-made Sauerkraut as a side dish if you want an authentic experience. I’ll let you in on a secret though: Old-school cooks in Nuremberg boil their bratwurst in water before cooking them on the grill. This makes them resistant to splitting!
Frequently Asked Questions about Grill Recipes
Let’s start with a short FAQ section while you are preheating your grill.
What can you cook on an indoor grill?
Anything that you can think of and nearly all recipes below are perfect for cooking on an indoor grill! There are only minuscule differences between cooking on charcoal, gas, or electric grills. They work in a similar fashion, the only missing element is smoke.
Indoor grills tend to be electric and mostly smoke-free, so keep in mind that your food will taste somewhat different without that smoky flavor. A simple workaround to this would be to use liquid smoke or spices like smoked paprika
What is the best grill on the market?
Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. If you live in an apartment or a house with a strict HOA then you might be banned from using charcoal grills. In that case, you might want to use an electric indoor grill.
If you can buy a charcoal or gas grill, then you should check out our article about grills from Weber, Traeger or Char-Broil.
Is grilling meat bad for you?
Most processed meats, like hot dogs, sausages, ham, and co. are known to increase the risk of cancer and heart disease if prepared on a high heat source like a grill. Before you start to panic though I recommend you read this article.
Moderation is key. It probably won’t hurt if you have a hotdog every now and then just don’t make it a daily thing. Try to stick to unprocessed cuts of meat, preferably organic, and you should be fine.
If you want to be real fancy because you are worried about heart health, then you might actually want to try to cook Wagyu beef on your grill.
Why is that? The fats in Wagyu steaks are full of omega-3 fatty acids which are known to reduce the risks of cardiac issues. Eat grilled meat to get healthy? Sign me up!
Enjoy your meal!