20 Grilling Recipes For Any Occasion – From Weeknight Dinners To Party Time!

Grilling recipes are the best! They’re quick, easy and full of flavor. Plus, you can make them for any occasion from weeknight dinners to party time! Let’s start with some summer favorites like grilled shrimp skewers and hot dog skewers. 

Want something more exotic? Try making bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers or chicken guacamole burgers! 

Don’t want to grill outside? No problem you can still cook up delicious meals with these indoor grilling recipes!

Easy Grilling Recipes for a Crowd
Takeaways
Grilling doesn’t have to be limited to just burgers and hot dogs – there are a wide variety of recipes that can be made on the grill.
Different grilling techniques, such as direct and indirect heat, can be used to cook different types of food.
Marinating meats before grilling can enhance their flavor and tenderness.
Grilled fruits and veggies are a great way to add flavor and nutrition to any meal.
It’s important to properly clean and maintain your grill to ensure optimal performance and safety.

Grilled Shrimp and Mango Skewers

On a large plate or tray, place the shrimp and mango. Drizzle with lime juice and olive oil. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and cayenne to taste.

Thread the skewers onto 2 wooden skewers (if you don’t have any wooden ones, you can use metal ones) alternating shrimp heads with mango chunks in between them. Grill over high heat until opaque throughout, about 3 minutes per side or until blackened at edges. Serve immediately with Mango Salsa!

You can also serve this dish as an appetizer by removing from skewers (not necessary but makes for easier eating) onto small plates or bowls; top each serving with some of the salsa on top of each skewer then garnish with additional mint leaves if desired!

If you’re looking to add more flavor and variety to your grilled appetizers, then check out our ultimate guide to mouthwatering starters for some delicious recipe ideas.

Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Butter Sauce

This recipe is a great one to try when you’re having friends over for a weekend barbecue. It’s simple, but it also has an impressive flavor that will win over even the pickiest eaters.

To start, we’re going to make our lemon butter sauce which is essentially just melted butter mixed with lemon juice and zest   then lightly sauté the asparagus on both sides in olive oil before putting them on the grill. 

Once they’ve had some time on the grill, we can add more of our lemon butter sauce and serve them immediately so they don’t get soggy or mushy! 

If this sounds like something that would be good at your own parties (or whenever you’re feeling like eating grilled asparagus), just follow these steps:

Hot Dog Skewers

Hot dogs are easy to skewer, and they can be as simple or as fancy as you like.

Whether you prefer your hot dogs grilled on the grill or pan-seared, this is a perfect party food. Hot dogs are also perfect for kids’ parties and other get-togethers where there will be lots of little ones around! 

When cooking hot dogs on the grill, use an oiled rack or grate so that they don’t stick to it. You can also opt for boiled hot dogs—just make sure that they’re cooked through before adding them to your skewers!

One of my favorite ways to add some variety and flair is with different toppings: sauerkraut makes these taste like bratwursts; relish adds some sweetness; shredded cheese gives each bite just a little extra punch…

Elevate your grilling game with these delicious side dish recipes. Check out our guide on the 15 grilled side dishes that will make your BBQ the best on the block

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers

  • Cut the jalapeños in half, lengthwise.
  • Remove seeds and membrane with a paring knife or spoon.
  • Spoon desired filling mixture into each jalapeño half; sprinkle with cheese if desired.

Wrap each stuffed jalapeño half in one strip of bacon (we use 3 strips per popper). Secure the ends of the bacon tightly by using toothpicks, if needed. 

Place on baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes until bacon is crispy, turning once halfway through cooking time to ensure even browning.

  • Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
  • Melt cheese on top as desired!

Chicken Guacamole Burger

  • 1lb ground chicken breast
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1-2 pinches of salt and pepper

In a medium bowl combine the ground chicken, egg and seasonings. Form into 4 patties (1/4 pound each for small burgers). 

Grill over medium heat for about 3-4 minutes per side or until well done. Top with guacamole and serve on a bun or lettuce wrap with your favorite toppings! 

You can also add it to tacos or burritos! This is a great recipe that takes only 10 minutes to make so you can get dinner on the table fast!

Grilling like a pro takes more than just a grill and meat. Check out our guide to grilling equipment to learn about the must-have tools for grilling success

Flank Steak with Pitas, Tzatziki and Tomatoes

Flank steak is a great meat for grilling, and this recipe is a simple way to enjoy it. Marinate the flank steak for at least an hour before cooking the longer you can wait, the better. The marinade will keep your meat juicy as it cooks, so don’t skip out on that part!

Tzatziki (pronounced: tah-tzah-key) is very easy to make from scratch using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream or mayonnaise. You can serve this dish with pita bread or flatbreads like naan or lavash bread. 

Pita pockets are also a nice option; they’re thinner than other types of bread so they won’t fall apart when holding your fillings in one hand while eating with the other!

Tomatoes are obviously not native to Greece but they’re used in many dishes there anyway because they grow well in their climate—plus they’re delicious! 

They add color and flavor when added directly during cooking time but here we’ll go ahead and add them after everything else has been done so their juices can blend into our tzatziki sauce before serving up these tasty little sandwiches 🙂

Blackened Salmon

A cast-iron skillet is the best way to cook salmon. Season the fish on both sides with salt and pepper, then put it in the pan. 

Add 2 tablespoons of blackening seasoning to the hot pan, then cook for 3 minutes on each side. Remove from heat when you get a nice golden crust on all sides. Serve with any kind of side you choose!

New to grilling? No problem. Check out our 20 easy grilling recipes for beginners for simple yet tasty recipes that anyone can make

Creamy Coleslaw with Apples and Walnuts

1 large head of cabbage, cored and shredded

2 cups apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp salt

2-3 green apples, thinly sliced (I used honeycrisp)

1 large red onion, thinly sliced or diced (I used a Vidalia onion)

1/2 cup mayonnaise (I used Hellman’s Light Mayonnaise)

Grilled Bruschetta Chicken Pizza

  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup basil pesto
  • 1 cup cooked chicken breast, diced (about 2 small breasts)
  • 1/2 cup grape tomatoes cut in half

Grilled Eggplant Sandwich with Garlic Aioli

  • 4 large eggplants
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)

Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Brush each side of the eggplants with 2 tablespoons of oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill until charred on all sides, 10 to 12 minutes total (turning once). Remove from the grill; let cool slightly then slice into 3/4-inch slices.

Whisk together remaining olive oil plus garlic in a small bowl. Spread mayonnaise on both sides of each slice of grilled eggplant; top with sliced mozzarella cheese if desired. Place on sandwich rolls and serve immediately!

To optimize your grilling experience, it’s important to have the right equipment. Check out our guide to grilling equipment to learn which tools are essential and which ones you can skip

Grilled Garlic Lovers’ Shrimp Skewers

Garlic lovers, it’s time to rejoice. Grilling shrimp on skewers with some fragrant herbs and a little splash of lemon juice is a quick and easy way to give them a delicious flavor boost. 

Shrimp are loaded with protein and low in fat, making them an excellent source for muscle recovery after workouts or intense activities. 

Not only that, but they’re also rich in selenium, vitamin B12 and phosphorus all nutrients your body needs to stay healthy!

These skewers can be made with the grill on high or low heat so you can cook them quickly when you need an appetizer ASAP or simmer them over indirect heat for longer periods of time if you want an all-day grilling session (which we definitely recommend).

Pesto-Grilled Chicken and Veggie Kebabs

Pesto is a great way to add flavor to chicken, but it’ll work just as well with other meats and vegetables. If you’re short on time or don’t have enough grill space for a full meal of kebabs, you can use this pesto as a marinade for the meat or vegetables instead of grilling them all together.

IngredientQuantity
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts4
Zucchini, sliced into rounds2
Red onion, cut into chunks1/2 of a large
Cherry tomatoes1 cup
Mushrooms1 cup
Olive oil1/4 cup
Pesto1/2 cup
Salt and pepperTo taste

Instructions:

Cut the chicken into 1 1/2 inch pieces and coat thoroughly with the pesto mixture.

Thread the chicken and vegetables onto skewers, alternating each ingredient until all ingredients are used.

Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill the skewers for 10-15 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are slightly charred, turning occasionally.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

Slow Cooker Beer Brats with Onions and Peppers

These slow cooker beer brats are a great weeknight dinner or a fun way to add some excitement to your next party. Serve them with sauerkraut and mustard for an easy, crowd-pleasing meal that you can make ahead of time.

Ingredients:

  • 1 package (12 oz) beer bratwurst links
  • 2 medium onions, sliced into rings
  • 1 large red bell pepper, cut into strips
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Lemon-Blueberry-Coconut Smoothie Bowls

  • 2 cups frozen blueberries
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 Tbsp. lemon juice (about 2 lemons)

You’ll be able to make a lot of yummy grilling recipes!

Grilling is a great way to cook food. You can do it on a grill, or in the oven. Grilling is also a great way to cook food during the summer!

Conclusion

Hopefully, these recipes will give you some inspiration for your next barbecue. If you’re looking for more ideas, check out our other posts on grilling: 20 Grilling Recipes For Any Occasion – From Weeknight Dinners To Party Time!

Further Reading

Want to keep exploring grilling recipes? Check out these other resources:

Taste of Home: From steaks to seafood, this article provides a variety of grilling ideas for dinner that are sure to satisfy.

Serious Eats: Looking for quick grilling recipes that you can whip up in no time? Look no further than this article from Serious Eats.

Gypsy Plate: This article provides a collection of the best grilling recipes that will make your next BBQ a huge hit.

FAQs

What is the best cut of meat for grilling?

The best cuts of meat for grilling include ribeye, sirloin, and filet mignon.

How long should I preheat my grill?

You should preheat your grill for at least 10-15 minutes before adding any food to it.

How do I know when my meat is done grilling?

The best way to determine if your meat is done grilling is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of your meat should be 145°F for medium-rare, 160°F for medium, and 170°F for well-done.

Should I oil my grill grates?

Yes, you should oil your grill grates before adding food to prevent sticking.

How do I clean my grill grates?

The best way to clean your grill grates is to brush them with a grill brush while they’re still hot, then wash them with warm water and soap.