Classic Grilling and Barbecue Recipes to Make All Summer Long

From BBQ chicken to the perfect steak, these are the recipes you'll want to grill on repeat.

test kitchens favorite grilled chicken
Photo: Armando Rafael

The fragrant smoke rising from a grill is one of the most evocative signs of summer and happy outdoor living. Successful grilling is about preparation and good ingredients—and, of course, excellent recipes. From American classics like cheeseburgers and smoky baby back ribs to iconic jerk chicken, the flavors often enjoyed at restaurants are easy to achieve at home—and can be made even better! To get you started, we have collected some of our best grilling and barbecue recipes that never disappoint. You may never want to cook inside again!

01 of 23

Bistro Burgers

Bistro Burgers
Con Poulos

A few simple moves give a simple backyard hamburger bistro status. Grill thick slices of onion, just enough to take the edge off but maintain some crunch, then drizzle them with Worcestershire. For even more flavor, brush uncooked patties with Dijon mustard, which will help them caramelize, and stash the finished burgers and onions in a covered pan to keep everything warm and juicy. Serve on toasted brioche buns with crisp watercress and radicchio on each plate.

02 of 23

Grilled Chicken Thighs with Charred Corn and Summer Squash

Grilled Chicken Thighs with Charred Corn and Summer Squash
Con Poulos

After a quick turn on the grill, flame-kissed boneless thighs get tossed with a minty lemon dressing. Next, you char some corn and zucchini. When you lay the meat on top, the sauce dresses everything on the platter. Talk about simple and delicious.

03 of 23

Grilled Skirt Steak and Hearts-of-Palm Salad

Grilled Skirt Steak and Hearts of Palm Salad
Con Poulos

This grilled skirt steak has a spicy complexity thanks to the red curry paste it's slathered in before it hits a hot grill. Pair the sliced meat with grilled hearts of palm, which taste like a briny cross between a fresh vegetable and a pickle, then toss with fresh mizuna or other Asian greens, juicy cherry tomatoes, and thin rice noodles (quickly cooked in boiling water) that offer just enough heft to turn this Thai-inspired salad into a complete meal. For a dressing, whisk together lime juice, fish sauce, more red curry paste, sugar, and oil—it's delicious on this salad, but it's one you'll used on repeat all summer long, too.

04 of 23

Chipotle-Shrimp Tacos with Fennel and Beans

Chipotle-Shrimp Tacos with Fennel and Beans
Con Poulos

On a hot grill, the shrimp for these smoky tacos will char in minutes and blistering the tortillas will take mere seconds. A fennel slaw, tossed with lime juice and salt, adds zesty crunch to every mouthful.

05 of 23

Summer Veggie Melts with Caper Salad

Summer-Veggie Melts with Caper Sauce
Con Poulos

Get some char on your bell peppers, red onion, and Broccolini for these substantial sandwiches, but take them off the grill while they still have a bit of crunch. The crisp-tender texture is a nice contrast with the Hoagie roll and gooey Provolone cheese.

06 of 23

Glazed Pork Chops and Blistered Shishitos

Glazed Pork Chops and Blistered Shishitos
Con Poulos

Brushed with a simple glaze of hoisin and chili sauce, pork chops caramelize quickly yet finish cooking in minutes, before the sugars have a chance to burn. Rounded out with steamed rice, shredded cabbage, and a sesame-ginger dressing, the result is like juicy pork katsu, sans the breading and frying.

07 of 23

Perfect Grilled Steak

med104768_0709_grill_steak.jpg

For juicy meat and a great crust, choose a thicker cut such as rib eye. Because this type of steak takes longer to cook, it will have time to develop a nice sear.

08 of 23

Classic Burger-Joint Cheeseburger

burger lettuce tomato pickle cheese
Armando Rafael

Sizzling, browned burgers are essential summer fare. And the best burgers are those you make at home with high quality, seasonal ingredients.

09 of 23

Smoky Baby Back Ribs

smoky-baby-back-ribs-med108588.jpg

Smoky, sticky, falling-off-the-bone ribs are easier to make than you think.

10 of 23

Grilled Corn with Chile-Lime Salt

corn cob grilled
Lauren Ross

The sweetness of market-fresh corn is enhanced by a mouth-watering and homemade chile-lime salt seasoning

11 of 23

Hawaiian Turkey Burgers

hawaiian turkey burgers
Christopher Testani

Mild turkey patties are seasoned with the intense flavors of ginger and soy and topped with lusciously caramelized pineapple slices hot off the grill.

12 of 23

Brown-Sugar BBQ Chicken Drumettes

med103841_0608_drumettes.jpg

A delicious barbecue recipe that's lip-smacking good, these drumettes make for fun finger food, too.

13 of 23

Grilled Whole Fish with Lemon and Thyme

grilled whole fish lemon thyme
Paola + Murray

Impeccably fresh fish requires nothing more than olive oil, lemon, and thyme (and a grill basket for easy turning). The result is a meal ready in under 20 minutes.

14 of 23

Grilled Garlic Bread with Herb Butter

garlic bread
Lauren Ross

Sometimes the sides can upstage the main event: This toasted loaf of bread doused with herby garlic butter is so good it can make a standalone meal—just add salad.

15 of 23

Flank Steak and Red Onion

mld105347_0710_flksteak11.jpg

Let the grill do double duty as you caramelize an onion on the grill and then heap the slices atop grilled steak for this new summertime favorite.

16 of 23

Grilled Halibut Steaks with Potatoes, Olives, and Onions

grilled halibut steak potatoes olives onions
Christopher Testani

Meaty halibut steaks and lightly charred vegetables are transferred straight from the grill to an aromatic oregano vinaigrette, drenching them with flavor.

17 of 23

Pulled BBQ-Chicken Sandwiches

pulled chicken bbq sandwich

These juicy pulled chicken sandwiches get a sweet and tangy taste from barbecue sauce that will always delight.

18 of 23

Barbecue Chicken

test kitchens favorite grilled chicken
Armando Rafael

An all-American classic, the secret to this succulent BBQ chicken is an hour-long dry-brining before you put it on the grill.

19 of 23

Backyard Jerk Chicken

how_to_grill_jerk_chicken_1.jpg

Allspice, thyme, soy, and a lightning bolt of Scotch bonnet pepper make a coating paste for authentic homemade jerk chicken. The longer you marinade the chicken pieces, the more rewarding every mouthful will be.

20 of 23

Grilled Vegetable Pizzas

grilled vegetable pizzas

Christopher Testani

For this spin on pizza, beautiful fresh vegetables are grilled and piled on flatbread for loads of grilled flavor—yet easy enough for a quick weeknight dinner.

21 of 23

Grilled Buttermilk Chicken Tenders with Dipping Sauces

Grilled Buttermilk Chicken Tenders with Dipping Sauces
David Malosh

Did you know you can grill chicken tenders? And do it quickly? The problem is they can grill too quickly, resulting in dryness. The fix? This recipe, which benefits from a buttermilk brine and a wrapping of bacon. 

22 of 23

Grilled, Marinated Chicken Thighs

Grilled Marinated Chicken Thighs
Marcus Nilsson

A cup of summer herbs combined with lemon and garlic makes these quick-cooking boneless thighs juicy and fragrant. Pop them in a burger bun, shred them for tacos, or accompany them with your favorite grilled vegetables.

23 of 23

Grilled Porterhouse with Brown Butter and Horseradish

grilled porterhouse with brown butter and horseradish
Christopher Testani

A crusty, thick-cut porterhouse is the apex of grilling. Be sure to do it right! A dressing of luscious brown butter combines with the meat's resting juices and a topping of vibrant arugula, crunchy celery, and juicy olives that will make you hum with every mouthful.

Was this page helpful?

Related Articles