19 Classic Summer BBQ Recipes Every Grilling Fan Must Try

There are summer BBQ recipes that work—and then there are the classics every grilling fan keeps going back to. These 19 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.

Tri-Tip with Pineapple Mango Red Pepper Salsa. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

25-Minute Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burger

An up-close shot of bacon-avocado ground beef burger on a flat white surface. — 25-Minute Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burger. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

This summer BBQ recipe brings together ground beef, crispy bacon, and creamy avocado in a burger that’s all flavor with no delay. It’s done in under half an hour and built to stand up to the grill without falling apart. You get juicy meat, rich toppings, and a burger that actually earns a second helping. This is what grilling fans keep on standby when speed and flavor matter.
Get the Recipe: 25-Minute Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burger

Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken

Grilled maple mustard chicken belongs in any classic summer BBQ with its caramelized edges and no-slip sauce. It grills clean in minutes and doesn’t need a marinade to show up strong. This chicken delivers full flavor without dragging out prep or requiring more than a flip and turn. It’s the kind of go-to dish that keeps BBQs moving without missing a beat.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken

Citrus Glazed Pork Chops

Grilled pork chops on a plate with oranges and limes. — Citrus Glazed Pork Chops. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Citrus glazed pork chops are a staple for summer BBQ recipes with a glaze that sticks through the heat and adds real bite. They come together quickly and leave bold grill marks that do all the talking. This is pork done fast, done well, and done without fuss. You’ll want this one on the grill before the coals even settle.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Glazed Pork Chops

Filet Mignon with Peach Mango Cilantro Sauce

Filet mignon with peach mango cilantro sauce brings out the high-end side of summer BBQ with minimal effort. The sauce is fresh, seasonal, and fast—no extra cooking required. Throw the steaks on the grill and you’ve already outdone half the cookout. This is where flavor meets flair without breaking the rhythm of BBQ season.
Get the Recipe: Filet Mignon with Peach Mango Cilantro Sauce

Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf

Bone in pork chop topped with hollandaise sauce and shrimp, on a white plate next to green beans. — Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Grilled pork chop surf and turf keeps the BBQ theme alive by doubling down on fire-seared pork and shrimp. It’s quick to cook, easy to scale, and looks like you planned ahead even if you didn’t. The mix of land and sea makes it a head-turner at any grill gathering. It’s a bold move that still fits right into the summer BBQ playbook.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf

Grilled Steak with Peaches and Onions

Grilled steak with peaches and onions brings the sweet and the seared straight to your BBQ plate. The fruit chars just enough to deepen the flavor without overcomplicating things. It’s built for ease and flavor without dragging you back into the kitchen. This recipe hits like the cookout just got serious.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steak with Peaches and Onions

Grilled Greek Lemon Chicken Kabobs

Grilled Greek lemon chicken kabobs check every BBQ box with quick grilling, tangy flavor, and no cleanup stress. You can marinate ahead or just throw them on—either way, they work. They’re easy to eat, fast to flip, and grill like they’re meant for summer. These are the skewers that keep the BBQ crowd happy without slowing anything down.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Greek Lemon Chicken Kabobs

Grilled Pork Chops with Pineapple Salsa

Grilled pork chops with pineapple salsa bring bold meat and charred fruit to your BBQ without making things complicated. They’re grill-ready in minutes and hold flavor straight through every bite. It’s the kind of recipe that fits right next to burgers but earns more attention. Fire and fruit come together like summer never left the grill.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Chops with Pineapple Salsa

Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings

A plate of chicken wings on a white plate with a slice of mango. — Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Grilled mango-chipotle chicken wings handle classic summer BBQ flavor with sticky glaze and crisp, fire-finished skin. They come off the grill hot and coated, with sweet heat that builds without overwhelming. These wings need no help from sides or dipping sauce. They hit the plate ready for action and disappear before you finish your sentence.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Mango-Chipotle Chicken Wings

Grilled Beef Finger Meat

Grilled beef finger meat is made for summer BBQs that want real firepower without a long prep. It cooks hot and fast, locking in flavor and texture with just a quick rest. The cut pulls apart easily and brings a rich, rib-like bite that’s straight from the grill. If you’re serious about BBQ, this one earns a permanent spot.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Beef Finger Meat

Ninja Woodfire Grill T-Bone Steaks

A grilled t-bone steak on a black platter. — Ninja Woodfire Grill T-Bone Steaks. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Ninja Woodfire grilled T-bone steaks fit the classic BBQ mold with thick cuts, deep grill lines, and all the bone-in flavor you expect. These steaks don’t need seasoning tricks or extra sauces—they show up strong on their own. They hit the flame and land bold with minimal fuss. When the bone’s hot and the smoke’s still rising, you know you’ve done BBQ right.
Get the Recipe: Ninja Woodfire Grill T-Bone Steaks

Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter

A grilled steak with cowboy butter on a white plate. — Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Grilled steaks with cowboy butter take summer BBQ to the next level with rich garlic-herb butter that melts into every slice. These steaks sear fast and come off looking like they belong in a steakhouse. It’s a straight shot from grill to plate with nothing extra needed. This recipe is BBQ swagger, served medium-rare.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter

Sweet & Spicy Grilled Harissa-Honey Chicken Skewers

Sweet and spicy grilled harissa-honey chicken skewers are BBQ-ready with charred edges and fast-caramelizing heat. They go from grill to hand without plates, forks, or excuses. The flavor kicks in fast and keeps you coming back before you’ve even cooled off. These are the kind of skewers that keep the grill hot all night.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Grilled Harissa-Honey Chicken Skewers

Grilled Hawaiian Chicken

Grilled chicken breasts stuffed with ham, pineapple and Jarlsberg cheese garnished with green onion. — Grilled Hawaiian Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Grilled Hawaiian chicken fits right into any summer BBQ with sweet pineapple glaze and that just-grilled finish. It takes only minutes to cook and holds its flavor long after the flame dies down. This dish doesn’t pretend to be fancy, just dependable and bold. Every BBQ playlist needs a hit like this one.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hawaiian Chicken

Ninja Woodfire Grill Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts

Four bacon-wrapped chicken breasts on a white rectangular plate garnished with sprigs of parsley. — Ninja Woodfire Grill Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Bacon-wrapped chicken breasts come out of the BBQ with crisp edges, juicy centers, and no wasted grill space. The bacon does double duty—locking in moisture and flavor while adding a savory crunch. These breasts land on the plate like they own it. BBQ feels complete when these make the menu.
Get the Recipe: Ninja Woodfire Grill Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts

Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri

Sliced Grilled Hanger Steak with Chimichurri on a white plate. — Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Grilled hanger steaks with chimichurri deliver sharp herb flavor and fire-seared beef in a summer BBQ format that’s fast and full. The sauce slices through the richness without slowing down the cook. It’s a simple way to serve something bold without the wait. This steak doesn’t just land—it announces itself.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hanger Steaks with Chimichurri

Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter

Sliced flank steak with chili butter. — Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Grilled flank steak with chile butter matches classic BBQ with big flavor and short grill time. The butter melts straight into the grain, adding heat without overpowering. It’s simple, hearty, and always feeds more than it looks like it should. Every BBQ fan should know how to pull this off blindfolded.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Shrimp skewers on a plate with lemon wedges. — Grilled Shrimp Skewers. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Grilled shrimp skewers hit BBQ season with minimal prep and fast grill time that keeps the party moving. They sear quickly and soak in just enough char to taste like summer. These shrimp finish before the grill even cools down. Nothing says BBQ fan favorite like a skewer that leaves no leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Tri-Tip with Pineapple Mango Red Pepper Salsa

Tri-tip with pineapple mango red pepper salsa is a summer BBQ recipe that brings serious heat and balance with zero extra effort. The steak grills fast and the salsa cools things down with sharp, sweet notes. This dish proves that grilling fans don’t need sides to win the plate. When this one’s on the fire, you’re already ahead.
Get the Recipe: Tri-Tip with Pineapple Mango Red Pepper Salsa