17 Summer BBQ Recipes Every Grill Fan Needs to Try
There are summer BBQ recipes that work, and then there are the classics every grilling fan keeps going back to. These 17 recipes deliver exactly what the grill was made for: bold flavor, simple prep, and zero regrets. Whether you’re firing up charcoal or gas, these are the ones worth repeating all season long. Skip them once, and you’ll know exactly why that was a mistake.
Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken
Grilled maple mustard chicken belongs in any summer BBQ with its caramelized edges and no-slip sauce that sticks through the heat. It grills up fast, doesn’t require a marinade, and finishes strong without slowing things down. This is a chicken recipe built for BBQ fans who want flavor without the fuss. It hits the plate like it was always meant to be part of the cookout.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken
Grilled Steak with Peaches and Onions
Grilled steak with peaches and onions brings the best of summer BBQ with fruit that chars just enough and steak that sears like it means it. It keeps prep short and payoff high, balancing sweet and savory without needing extra sides. Perfect for grilling fans looking to mix things up without losing momentum. It’s the kind of plate that makes people stop mid-bite and ask what’s going on over there.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steak with Peaches and Onions
Citrus Glazed Pork Chops
Citrus glazed pork chops bring serious BBQ energy with a glaze that holds up to heat and flavor that lingers past the grill. These chops hit the grates fast and come off with grill marks that speak for themselves. No long prep, no kitchen detour—just meat that’s ready when the grill is. This is what summer BBQ recipes look like when you let the fire do the work.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Glazed Pork Chops
Grilled Greek Lemon Chicken Kabobs
Grilled Greek lemon chicken kabobs are fast, flavorful, and built to move straight from grill to plate at any summer BBQ. Whether you marinate ahead or not, they show up ready and finish without hassle. These skewers grill evenly, eat easily, and carry that sharp lemon punch BBQ fans love. They’re the kind of thing people reach for without even asking what it is.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Greek Lemon Chicken Kabobs
Filet Mignon with Peach Mango Cilantro Sauce
Filet mignon with peach mango cilantro sauce takes summer BBQ up a notch with steakhouse results and backyard effort. The sauce needs no stovetop, just a quick mix before the grill even heats up. The filet cooks fast and serves clean, making it an easy standout. It’s how grilling fans make a point without making a mess.
Get the Recipe: Filet Mignon with Peach Mango Cilantro Sauce
Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf
Grilled pork chop surf and turf delivers serious BBQ appeal by stacking shrimp and pork on the same plate. Each part grills fast and holds its own, no extra pans or complicated steps. This is the kind of meal that feels like a cookout and a celebration at once. It’s what happens when summer BBQ gets a little ambitious in the best way.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf
Tri-Tip with Pineapple Mango Red Pepper Salsa
Tri-tip with pineapple mango red pepper salsa comes off the grill hot while the salsa cools it down with just enough sweetness. This summer BBQ recipe balances bold steak and bright fruit without slowing anything down. You get fire, flavor, and a dish that doesn’t need backup. It’s what grilling fans bring when they want to win the grill and the table.
Get the Recipe: Tri-Tip with Pineapple Mango Red Pepper Salsa
25-Minute Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burger
Bacon-avocado ground beef burgers deliver real BBQ flavor in just 25 minutes, no shortcuts and no grill failure. The patties stay together, the bacon crisps fast, and the avocado finishes it without falling apart. It’s made for grilling fans who want something strong and fast without giving up taste. This burger gets requested before the last one’s even finished.
Get the Recipe: 25-Minute Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burger
Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter
Grilled steaks with cowboy butter are BBQ-ready with a buttery garlic-herb finish that melts into every bite. The steaks sear quickly and land on the plate like they’ve done this before. They don’t need extras—they hit hard and leave no room for second guesses. When this steak hits the grill, you know the BBQ just turned serious.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter
Grilled Hawaiian Chicken
Grilled Hawaiian chicken shows up strong at any summer BBQ with its sweet pineapple glaze and quick-cooking finish. It doesn’t require complicated prep or long marinating—just a few minutes on the grill. The flavor holds even after the grill cools, making it perfect for second servings. This is the kind of chicken that keeps the grill crowd coming back without hesitation.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hawaiian Chicken
Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Grilled shrimp skewers are ideal for summer BBQ recipes, thanks to their quick cooking time and straightforward preparation. They grill clean, hold just enough char, and don’t need more than a squeeze of lemon to hit hard. These skewers are built for BBQ fans who don’t want to slow down the party. They disappear from the platter like they were never there.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri
Grilled hanger steaks with chimichurri bring together a sharp herb punch and fire-seared meat in one fast-moving BBQ recipe. The steaks don’t need much—they grill quickly and soak up that green sauce without hesitation. It’s a straightforward cook with loud results that speak straight to grilling fans. These steaks show up like they’re about to take over the cookout.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri
Grilled Pork Chops with Pineapple Salsa
Grilled pork chops with pineapple salsa pair perfectly with flame-charred meat and grilled fruit, creating a summer BBQ sensation. They take just a few minutes to cook and come off the grill with sear marks and sweetness. This isn’t a fancy dish—it’s a smart one that plays well with heat. When this hits the table, the sides feel optional.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Chops with Pineapple Salsa
Ninja Woodfire Grill Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts
Bacon-wrapped chicken breasts bring grill efficiency with crisp bacon edges and juicy meat inside. They don’t need fancy seasoning—just the sizzle of bacon and the right heat. This BBQ recipe utilizes space efficiently and concludes with a burst of texture and flavor. It’s the kind of main dish that gets people hovering around the grill before it’s even done.
Get the Recipe: Ninja Woodfire Grill Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts
Ninja Woodfire Grill T-Bone Steaks
T-bone steaks from the Ninja Woodfire Grill check all the BBQ boxes—thick cut, deep grill marks, and that unmistakable bone-in flavor. They don’t need much more than a flip to land perfectly on the plate. These steaks are all about strength and simplicity, ready in minutes with no distractions. When the grill’s hot and these are on it, nothing else really matters.
Get the Recipe: Ninja Woodfire Grill T-Bone Steaks
Sweet & Spicy Grilled Harissa-Honey Chicken Skewers
Sweet and spicy harissa-honey chicken skewers bring bold energy to the BBQ, featuring charred edges and a heat that kicks in quickly. They go straight from grill to hand—no plates, no forks, no delay. These skewers are sharp, quick, and built to keep the fire going. It’s the kind of recipe that makes a BBQ feel like it’s just getting started.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Grilled Harissa-Honey Chicken Skewers
Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings
Grilled mango-chipotle chicken wings come out hot and sticky with a glaze that clings through the flame. They’re crisp on the outside, juicy underneath, and don’t wait around for dipping sauce. This is BBQ flavor turned all the way up without dragging out the prep. They don’t last long once they hit the tray—and that’s exactly the point.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings