Get Your Grill On: 20 Easy Grilling Recipes For Beginners

Grilling season is here! If you’ve been itching to take your BBQ skills to the next level, try one of these 20 easy recipes for beginners.

Takeaway
1. Get started with grilling by trying out these easy and delicious grilling recipes for beginners.
2. Maintaining your grill in top shape is just as important as cooking on it. Follow expert tips on grill maintenance to keep your grill running smoothly.
3. Elevate your grill game with the right grilling tools and equipment. Check out our guide to learn what you need and what you don’t.
4. Grilling can be a social activity. Build a support system by joining a community and getting involved with cookouts and BBQs.
5. Don’t be intimidated by grilling. With the right tips and techniques, you can grill like a pro and impress your guests.

Grilled Cola Lime Chicken

To make this recipe, you’ll need:

• 2 cups cola (I use diet.)
• 1 lime, juiced.
• ¼ cup olive oil.
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano.

Preheat your grill to medium high heat and lightly oil the grates with a paper towel soaked in oil. Then place the chicken breasts on the grill and close it up for about 6-8 minutes or until cooked through, flipping once halfway through. 

Once done, remove from the heat and tent with foil for 5 minutes before serving so that all of that juicy goodness stays inside! Serve over grilled vegetables or rice for an easy summer dinner!

Hosting a tailgate party? Elevate your grilling game with these 15 grilling recipes that are sure to impress your guests

Grilled BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

For this recipe, you’ll need:

• Boneless pork shoulder (about 2 pounds)
• 1 cup BBQ sauce of your choice
• Buns, coleslaw and pickles for serving
• If you have time to plan ahead, marinate the pork in the BBQ sauce for at least two hours before grilling. If not, just toss it with some oil and salt—the meat will still taste great! Replace high-calorie mayonnaise in coleslaw with vinegar and sugar instead.

Heat up your grill or smoker until very hot (with an internal temperature of 400ºF), then cook the pork until it reaches 160°F internal temperature—about 3 hours if smoked over indirect heat or 2 1/2 hours if grilled directly over high heat on a covered grill or smoker set around 350°F). 

Remove from heat once done and let rest for 15 minutes before pulling apart with tongs into shreds; alternatively use forks to pull apart when beef is still warm but not hot as this makes it easier to separate all layers of muscle tissue without tearing them apart too much which would cause loss of juices resulting less flavorful meat product .

Ready to take your grilling skills to the next level? Check out our ultimate grilling guide for step-by-step instructions and expert tips on how to grill like a pro.

Grilled Honey Garlic Shrimp

Prepare the shrimp. In a small bowl, combine the honey, garlic, soy sauce and vinegar. Pour over the shrimp in a resealable plastic bag and refrigerate for 1 hour to marinate.

Prepare the sauce. Combine all of the ingredients in a container with a lid and shake vigorously until combined. Alternatively, you could blend them together in a blender or food processor until smooth but you’d need to stop periodically to scrape down any ingredients that were stuck on top of your blades.

Grill your shrimp: Preheat an outdoor grill or indoor cast iron grill pan over medium high heat; oil grate if desired before cooking.

When ready to cook remove from fridge about 10 minutes before grilling so that they come to room temperature.

Add shrimp onto hot grill pan; cook for about 2 minutes per side or until cooked through (they will turn opaque).

Recipe Name	Description
Grilled Honey Garlic Shrimp Skewers	These shrimp skewers are marinated in a delicious honey garlic sauce and grilled to perfection.
Grilled Honey Garlic Shrimp Foil Packets	A quick and easy meal, these foil packets are filled with fresh shrimp, garlic, honey, and veggies. Perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Honey Garlic Grilled Shrimp	This simple recipe uses a marinade of honey, garlic, soy sauce, and lime juice for a delicious and flavorful dish.
Grilled Honey Garlic Shrimp and Pineapple Skewers	The combination of sweet pineapple and savory shrimp marinated in honey garlic sauce creates a delicious and unique dish that’s perfect for a summer BBQ.
Grilled Honey Garlic Shrimp Tacos	These shrimp tacos are filled with grilled honey garlic shrimp, avocado, cabbage slaw and a spicy cream sauce. A perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors.

Serve warm with dipping sauce on each plate or serve over angel hair pasta as pictured above!

Grilled Italian Chicken Wings

Grilled Italian Chicken Wings

Prep time: 15 minutes (not including marinating time)

Cook time: 20 minutes

Serves 6 as an appetizer, or 3-4 as a main dish. You can easily double or triple this recipe for larger gatherings!

• 2 lbs chicken wings, about 16 to 18 whole wings (I prefer the drumettes and flats separate)
• 1 cup olive oil infused with garlic, basil and parsley (or use leftover marinade here)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced fine with a pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves (1 tablespoon fresh chopped basil will also work here)
• Optional: A few sprigs of fresh parsley or thyme leaves

Looking to grill like a top chef? Our guide on expert advice for the best BBQ ever offers valuable insights and tips to help you take your grilling to the next level.

Easy Grilled Pork Tenderloin

The main ingredient in this recipe is a pork tenderloin, which is essentially a lean cut of pork. This means it’s nutritious and low in fat, but you’ll want to make sure you don’t overcook it or else the meat will dry out.

To prepare your pork tenderloin, preheat your grill or stovetop griddle to 400°F (204°C). If using a cast iron skillet or griddle on the stovetop, coat with nonstick spray and heat for about three minutes until hot. If using an outdoor grill, preheat for 10-15 minutes before adding meat so that it gets nice and hot before cooking.

When ready to cook, add salt and pepper as desired – remember that seasoning too early will result in lost flavoring due to evaporation during cooking time! 

Next place tenderloin on hot surface/grill/stovetop depending on where exactly you’re preparing this meal from–and here’s where having some sort of thermometer comes into play: we need one so that we know when our meat has reached 145 degrees F (63 degrees C). 

This temperature will ensure complete safety while still keeping things tasty enough not be bland!

Spicy Grilled Sweet Potatoes With Avocado Crema

Sweet potatoes are a great alternative to the usual potato, and they’re even better when grilled. This recipe will show you how to make sweet potato wedges that are crispy on the outside and soft within. 

To keep them from falling through the grill grate, place them in a grill basket. The best thing about this recipe is that you can use the same ingredients to make avocado crema!

To make avocado crema:

• Mash together 1 ripe avocado, 1/2 cup coconut milk, 3 tablespoons lime juice (or lemon), 1/2 teaspoon sea salt and a pinch of cayenne pepper until smooth
• Transfer into an airtight container for storage in the fridge for up to 5 days

Take your grilled menu to the next level with these mouthwatering grilled appetizers that are sure to impress your guests.

Tropical Chicken Kabobs

If you’re new to grilling, this recipe is a great place to start. It requires minimal prep work, and the ingredients are easy to find and inexpensive.

The chicken gets marinated for at least two hours before it goes on the grill. You can use either chicken thighs or breasts for this dish both will cook up juicy and tender once cooked through.

If you have time beforehand, make sure you cut up your veggies ahead of time so that when it comes time for grilling they’re ready to go!

 Vegetables like pineapple and mango are perfect when grilled because they hold their shape well under high heat. 

Plus, they add extra sweetness and flavor to complement the savory soy sauce. And don’t forget about those delicious garlic cloves we all know how much we love garlic!

Smoky Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon

• Don’t overcook the steak. It should be cooked to medium-rare, but not so much that it’s raw in the middle.
• Don’t use a fork to turn the steaks—you’ll lose all those tasty juices.
• Don’t press down on the steaks while they’re cooking; this will only squeeze out their precious moisture and make them dry in no time.
• Do use a marinade! This will add tons of flavor and keep your meat tender and juicy for longer than usual.
• And don’t forget about smoke! If you’re using charcoal or wood chips to get your fire going, you’ll get an even tastier result from wrapping your filets with bacon first before putting them over direct heat for about 20 minutes per side (depending on thickness).

Sweet & Sticky Barbeque Kielbasa Bites

To make the BBQ Kielbasa Bites, you’ll need:

• 2 pounds of kielbasa sausage
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar

To make the sauce for the BBQ Kielbasa Bites: Combine all ingredients in skillet over medium heat. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened.

Sriracha Maple Salmon

Use fresh salmon fillets, not frozen. Allow the salmon to sit at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before grilling, or an hour if you can manage it.

Make sure your grill basket is large enough: Heat a grill over medium heat and spray with olive oil spray. Place the fish in a large grill basket (or two smaller ones) and place on the grill surface. Cover and cook until cooked through, about 7 minutes per inch of thickness (about 3 minutes per side).

Marinate: In a small bowl, whisk together sriracha, soy sauce, maple syrup and 2 tablespoons water. 

Place salmon fillets in a resealable plastic bag and pour marinade over it; seal bag tightly so all of the air is out then press out as much air as possible by pushing down on top of bag with your hands before sealing shut again. 

Refrigerate 30 minutes up to overnight.

Serve: If desired serve with rice or vegetables but they’re also delicious just by themselves!

Are you a beginner griller looking to improve your skills? Our guide on essential grilling tips offers valuable insights and tips to help you master the perfect BBQ.

Grilled Steak Salad With Lemon Vinaigrette

This recipe is perfect for the grill master who wants to step up their game in the kitchen. It combines a juicy steak and an easy dressing for a meal that will leave everyone satisfied.

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp dried oregano, crushed
• 1/2 tsp fresh basil, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)

Instructions:

Heat one tablespoon of the oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat; add lemon juice, oregano, basil (if using), salt and pepper; cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds). 

Remove from heat; let cool slightly then add remaining tablespoon of oil in a slow steady stream while whisking constantly until emulsified (about 20 seconds). Set aside while you grill your steak(s).

Lemon Rosemary Pork Chops With Honey Thyme Butter Sauce

The combination of lemon and rosemary is always a winner. The acidity of the lemon balances out the flavor of the rosemary, making this dish incredibly easy to eat. 

These pork chops are also marinated in olive oil, which keeps them moist and tender on the grill, allowing them to absorb all of that delicious flavor from your sauce.

The honey thyme butter sauce is easy to make and takes only minutes once you have your ingredients available! You’ll need:

• 1 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried)
• ½ cup honey

Saucy Spicy Baby Back Ribs

This recipe is for 2 people.

Sauce:

1 tbsp chopped garlic

2 tbsp chopped ginger

1 tsp red pepper flakes (or more if you like it spicy!)

Juice of 1 lemon

¼ cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free) ¼ cup brown sugar

Easy Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwich Recipe with Blue Cheese Slaw and Chipotle Ketchup Mayo

In a bowl, combine the chicken breasts with 1/4 cup of the blue cheese dressing and 2 tablespoons of the red onion. Use your hands to mix so that all of the chicken is coated. Place the chicken on a plate or in a resealable bag and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight.

Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan over medium heat until hot enough for cooking (you can also use a stovetop griddle). 

While the grill is heating up, make your slaw by combining 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles with 5 tablespoons buttermilk ranch dressing in another bowl. 

Add shredded lettuce (about 1 cup), sliced tomatoes (about 3 slices), and more red onion if desired! Mix well before adding it all into your buns last minute before serving these bad boys up!

Blackened Jerk Chicken Salad with Mango, Pineapple and Crispy Tortilla Strips to Serve on the Side. Or Not

This salad is a great way to use up leftover chicken. If you don’t have any on hand, simply grill some boneless, skinless chicken breasts for about 15 minutes and chop them into 1-inch pieces.

• 2 cups diced cooked chicken (about 2 breasts)
• 1 cup chopped pineapple chunks (fresh or canned in juice)
• 1/2 cup mango chunks (fresh or frozen)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion (or shallots)

To make the dressing: In a small bowl combine lime juice, olive oil and chipotle powder until well blended. 

Pour over salad ingredients and toss gently to coat evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving on top of lettuce leaves if desired—or just eat directly from the bowl!

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed trying out some of our recipes. You can also try making your own variations of these dishes, or pick one that suits your taste buds and go for it! Grill on, friends!

Further Reading

Here are some additional resources with grilling recipes for beginners:

AllRecipes: Best Grilling Recipes for Beginner Cooks – A collection of easy and delicious grilling recipes perfect for beginners.

Taste of Home: Super Easy Grilling Recipes – Check out this collection of easy and simple grilling recipes that you can make without breaking the bank.

The Cookie Rookie: 10 Summer Grilling Recipes – These yummy grilling recipes are perfect for any summer cookout or BBQ.

FAQs

What are some easy grilling recipes for beginners?

There are plenty of easy grilling recipes for beginners. Some ideas include grilled chicken, vegetables, and burgers.

What are some tips for grilling?

Make sure to preheat your grill, oil the grates to prevent sticking, and keep the lid on the grill while cooking to help trap in heat.

How long should I cook meat on the grill?

The cooking time of meat on the grill depends on the type and thickness of the meat. As a general rule, cook beef, pork, and lamb until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) and poultry until it reaches 165°F (75°C).

How do I know when my grilled food is done?

You can check the doneness of grilled food with a meat thermometer or by cutting into the thickest part of the meat to see if the juices run clear.

Can I grill in the rain?

While it is possible to grill in the rain, it is not recommended as it can be dangerous. Wet conditions can increase the risk of flare-ups and accidents.