17 Easy Grilling Ideas For Dinner To Make This Summer

Need grilling ideas for dinner? From chicken and steak to shrimp and vegetables, these easy recipes are great for weeknights, weekend cookouts, and everything in between.

Grilling is one of my favorite ways to make dinner during the summer. It keeps the kitchen cool, cleanup is usually easier, and almost everything tastes better cooked on the grill.

And with a few simple recipes, it's easy to get dinner on the table. You'll find plenty of main dishes, along with a few easy sides and starters, so you can mix and match your favorites all summer long.

Grilled Main Dishes

Whether you're in the mood for chicken, steak, seafood, or ribs, these easy grilled dinners are packed with flavor and simple enough for weeknights. Pair them with one of the grilled sides below for a complete meal everyone will love.

1

Easy Italian Dressing Grilled Chicken

This Italian dressing grilled chicken is one of those simple recipes you'll come back to all summer. The marinade adds plenty of flavor while helping keep the chicken juicy on the grill. With just a few minutes of prep, it's a quick weeknight dinner.

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2

Easy Shortcut Grilled Ribs

The shortcut is the Instant Pot. It cooks the ribs tender first, then they finish on the grill with a brush of BBQ sauce and a few minutes a side to char. It's the way my family asks for them most. Serve with extra sauce on the side, and some coleslaw or cornbread to round it out.

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3

Easy Smoked Shrimp

Smoked shrimp are surprisingly easy to make and cook in very little time. Whether you use a smoker or set up your grill for indirect heat, the shrimp pick up plenty of smoky flavor. I like to serve them with a simple tomato and cucumber salad on a hot night.

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4

Lemon Garlic Butter Lobster Tails

Lobster tails feel fancy but they're easy to make. Split and brushed with a lemon garlic butter, they cook through in a few minutes on the grill. Serve with extra garlic butter sauce next to the skirt steak below and they're the ultimate summer surf and turf.

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5

Grilled Chicken with Chimichurri Sauce

Here the chimichurri does double duty. It marinates the chicken thighs, then gets spooned over the top once they come off the grill. The chicken stays juicy and cooks quickly.

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6

Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings

Smoke these wings in a smoker or on the grill with wood chips over indirect heat. Then finish them over direct heat for a few minutes to crisp the skin. Serve them with lime and cilantro, or toss them in your favorite wing sauce.

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7

Grilled Pork Chops and Pineapple

Grilled pork chops and fresh pineapple salsa are always a good combination. The salsa adds a little sweetness that goes really well with the smoky pork. It's an easy dinner that feels a little different from the usual weeknight meal.

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8

Marinated Skirt Steak

This marinated skirt steak takes very little hands-on time but turns out tender and full of flavor. Slice it thin and serve it with grilled vegetables, roasted garlic, or your favorite summer salad.

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9

Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken with Avocado Mango Salsa

Fresh avocado mango salsa makes this grilled chicken feel like summer on a plate. The chicken is easy to prep ahead, making it a great option for weeknights or casual dinners.

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10

Easy Grilled Shrimp Skewers

These grilled shrimp skewers cook in just a few minutes, making them one of the fastest dinners on the list. The chimichurri adds plenty of fresh flavor, and it's delicious on grilled veggie kabobs too.

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Grilled Sides and Starters

No grilled dinner is complete without a few good sides. These recipes pair well with just about anything on the grill and are easy enough to make while your main dish cooks.

11

Easy Marinated Grilled Vegetables

These marinated grilled vegetables go with just about anything. Zucchini, peppers, onions, carrots, and tomatoes soak up a simple balsamic basil marinade before grilling until they're tender with a little char.

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12

Roasted Garlic on the Grill

If you've never grilled garlic before, give it a try. It turns soft, creamy, and spreadable with almost no effort. Spread it on bread, add it to steak, chicken, or vegetables, or stir it into a dip.

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13

Grilled Romaine Salad With Bacon And Ranch

Grilling romaine gives it a light smoky flavor while keeping plenty of crunch. Add bacon and ranch dressing, and you've got an easy side that reminds you of a classic steakhouse wedge salad.

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14

Smoked Maple Butternut Squash

If you're looking for something a little different, this smoked butternut squash is a great choice. The smoke adds lots of flavor while a little maple syrup brings just enough sweetness.

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15

Grilled Pineapple Salsa

This grilled pineapple salsa is sweet, fresh, and just a little spicy. Spoon it over grilled chicken, pork, shrimp, or fish, or set it out with grain-free tortilla chips while everyone waits for dinner.

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16

Grilled Asparagus with Prosciutto

Wrapping asparagus with prosciutto is an easy way to dress up a simple vegetable. It cooks quickly on the grill and the prosciutto crisps as it grills. They makes a great appetizer, so you can put them on first for something to snack on while the main cooks.

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17

Grilled Eggplant and Roasted Red Pepper Dip

This grilled eggplant dip is a great snack or side for cookouts or summer dinners. Serve it with gluten-free crackers or flatbread while the rest of dinner finishes on the grill.

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Save these grilling ideas for dinner for the next time you fire up the grill. Whether you're planning a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend cookout, you'll have plenty of recipes to mix and match all summer long. And if you want more to round out the plate, my easy summer salads go with anything off the grill.