"Growing up, I remember almost exclusively using the grill every night for dinner. It didn’t have to be summer, if the weather was good enough, the grill was on all year long. Now that I have a family of my own, I hope to do that as well. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but something about the smoky grill taste on a burger, chicken breast, or even corn on the cob just takes the flavor up a notch. And while those classics are always a hit, I’m realizing there are so many grilled recipes that aren’t burgers or chicken to try out there.
Lately, I’ve been looking for some new recipes to try out, and keeping with the grill theme, I wanted to try some non-traditional recipes that can also be used on the grill. Burgers, chicken breasts or thighs, or bratwursts are always my go-to grill favorites, but I’ve seen people get really creative with their grilling meals—and I want to get in on that action too.
I’m not sure who said it, but I once heard that anything you can do in the oven, you can make on a grill. I’ve seen grilling recipes for fruit, pizzas, macaroni and cheese, and so much more. So, fire up the grill because I’ve rounded up 25 mouth-watering grilled recipes that aren’t burgers or chicken for you to impress your family and friends with this summer.
Grilled Appetizers & Sides
1. Grilled Lemon Garlic Zucchini
Zucchini is one of the best vegetables to grill because of its savory flavor, and this recipe’s lemon garlic marinade really punches up this side or appetizer.
2. Grilled Watermelon Pizza with Herb Pistachio Pesto, Mozzarella, and Honey
It never hurts to have an app on the sweeter side, especially when it involves a beloved summer fruit like watermelon. The homemade herb pistachio pesto adds a savory balance to these tasty ‘pizzas’, while the fresh mozzarella and honey add a soft touch.
3. Sesame Garlic Grilled Sweet Potato Fries
This healthy appetizer or side can be made in 20 minutes (yes, seriously!) and the recipe includes a yogurt curry dipping sauce for the fries. Yum!
4. Grilled Corn on the Cob
There’s just nothing like a delicious corn on the cob—but instead of making it on the stove, make it on the grill for an extra burst of flavor. This recipe includes several seasoning options including Mexican, Cajun, Italian, and sweet and spicy.
5. Grilled Parmesan Polenta Chips
This recipe warns: beware, these polenta chips are highly addicting. Plus, they’re super easy and quick to make—simply slice, grill, and serve!
6. Grilled Shishito Peppers
These deliciously smoky peppers are sure to wow any party guests. The best part? The recipe can be whipped up in just about 10 minutes.
7. Baked Potatoes on the Grill
A great side or main dish, these baked potatoes have a crispy skin, salty crust, and a perfectly fluffy inside. Load them up with your favorite toppings to make them extra yummy.
Grilled Main Dishes
8. Grilled Salmon and Shrimp Scampi
When you’re after grilled recipes that aren’t burgers or chicken, seafood becomes an inviting option. Merge your next pasta night with grilling festivities by using this seafood-inspired scampi recipe. With a light and freshly seasoned marinade and sauce, it makes for a lovely dish on any kind of evening.
9. Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Beer Bratwurst
These are far from your ordinary bratwursts. Between the gooey mac and cheese filling, the playful jalapeño popper filling, the creamy pimento cheese filling, and, of course, the bacon + brats, they definitely give life to the party—whether you’re throwing one or not!
10. Grilled Sausage, Peppers & Potatoes
A great meal to make if you’re hosting an outdoor barbecue, this platter includes five different kinds of sausage paired with baby potatoes and mini bell peppers.
11. Soup & Salad from the Grill
There’s nothing more classic than a soup and salad combo—but have you ever made them on the grill? This recipe includes a simple grilled romaine lettuce with shaved parmesan and charred lemons paired with a savory tomato soup.
12. Easy Grilled Pizza
Did you know you can make homemade pizza on the grill? With this recipe, you can make your own dough or use a store-bought option and add any toppings you’d like—but the grilled crust will ensure your pie is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
13. Steak Kebabs
This recipe is great for both at-home family dinners or serving a bigger crowd. Simply marinate the steak before grilling it alongside a variety of veggies, then assemble them on wooden skewers for easy serving and eating.
14. Pesto Grilled Cheese on the Grill
Plus up your typical grilled cheese recipe with this version that features a fresh mint pesto and provolone cheese. It’s a great vegetarian option and can be easily adjusted to be vegan or gluten-free, too.
15. Glowing Grilled Summer Detox Salad
We love a heavily topped salad as a main dish in the summer (or anytime, really!), and this one won’t disappoint with avocados, cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, grilled corn, romaine lettuce, and grilled shrimp.
16. Grilled Swordfish with Tangy Rosé Wine Mayonnaise
For seafood fans, look no further than this recipe for grilled swordfish topped with a tangy rosé wine mayo. Pair it with an easy side salad for a delicious meal.
17. Grilled Fish Tacos with Pineapple Cabbage Slaw
With 10 customizable ingredients and a prep + cook time of just 30 minutes, this fish taco recipe is a no-brainer for an al fresco dinner when the weather is warm.
18. Garlic Butter Steak and Potato Foil Packets
Have you ever made a foil packet meal? If not, this is the perfect one to start with: simply season steak and potatoes with butter, garlic, olive oil, onion, Italian seasoning, parsley, and salt and pepper and cook everything together wrapped in aluminum foil.
19. Hot Dogs with Grilled Corn Relish and Chipotle Mayo
We said grilled recipes that aren’t burgers or chicken, but did we mention hot dogs? Hot dogs are a grilling classic, but this recipe takes things up a notch with a grilled corn relish and chipotle mayo that the whole family will enjoy.
20. Grilled Teriyaki Salmon
Simply marinate this teriyaki salmon before throwing it on the grill and pairing it with a side of air-fried broccoli for an easy dinner you’ll make time and time again.
21. Charcoal Grilled Portobello Mushrooms
Though this recipe is only for grilled portobello mushrooms, they’re perfect to add to veggies, pasta, or protein to make a full meal. Trust us!
Grilled Desserts
22. Grilled Peaches with Vanilla Bean Mascarpone, Honey and Granola
This recipe takes grilled peaches to the next level by using a cloud-like mascarpone topping blended with fresh vanilla bean, as well as garnishes of honey oat granola and ripe raspberries.
23. Grilled Pound Cake with Sweetened Mascarpone & Berries
Grilling recipes aren’t just reserved for apps, sides, and mains! Whip up a delicious dessert on the grill like this one featuring pound cake topped with homemade mascarpone and fresh berries.
24. Grilled Pineapple Donut Sundaes
Your family will obsess over this dessert that combines two universally-loved items: donuts and ice cream! Grill donuts and slices of pineapple and then assemble them into an ice cream sandwich for an unforgettable treat.
25. Grilled Bananas a La Mode
Before grilling them, season fresh bananas with maple, cinnamon, and nutmeg and then top them with your favorite vanilla ice cream. Delish!
Laura Adom, Contributing Writer
Laura is a writer living in Columbus, Ohio with her two kids and husband. She is passionate about sharing the unfiltered truths of navigating the twists and turns of motherhood and womanhood. She loves belly laughs, tacos, coffee, ice cream, teen drama TV shows, and Moana (even before becoming a mom).
Katherine Ballesta-Rosen, Editorial Intern
Besides being an avid reader and writer since girlhood, Katherine decided to kick her literacy-laden background up a notch by receiving her Master’s in teaching, and went on to teach English Language Arts to high schoolers for several years. As an intern at The Everymom, Katherine writes about topics such as maternal wellness, sex and relationships, and more.
