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To make your summer evenings spectacular, I have some fantastic grilled dinner ideas for you!!

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Collage of grilled dinner ideas.


WE Love Grillin’ and Chillin’

Our family loves to grill in the spring and summer because there’s just something that makes dinner feel a little more special when it’s cooked on the grill.

Anytime is a good time to enjoy these grilled dinner ideas. If the weather isn’t to your liking, just whip out a grill pan!

Why we love grilled dinners:

  • Grill it all! From chicken breasts to Hamburgers, Steak Kabobs to pork chops, there are SO many options that can be cooked on the barbecue.
  • Enjoy the outdoors. Grilling often means gathering with friends and family and enjoying the outdoor sunshine.
  • Get your tips! Beginners and pros will appreciate the tips found in this post.
Grilled turkey burger on a plate with strawberries and grapes.

General Grilling Tips

Use these tips when grilling recipes for perfection. Get your grill on!

  • Clean the grill a few days before the event. Add oil to the grates before grilling to prevent sticking.
  • Plan. Create a chart that lays out what item will be grilled in what section as well as how long each piece will need to cook. Be sure different types of food do not touch.
  • Use a meat thermometer to test the doneness of each type of meat. (Clean it off with soapy water in between uses).
  • Direct heat is the area of the grill with the open flame. The flame will sear the outside of the food very quickly. Once seared to your liking, move the meat to the indirect heat. 
  • Indirect heat is the section of the grill without open flames. The area is still hot and will act more like an oven and slowly finish cooking the center of the meat without burning the outside

For all the necessary grilling tools, check out our Grilling Like a Pro Amazon list!

Steak kabobs cooking on the grill.

General Recipe Tips

  • Seafood. When grilling seafood like salmon and shrimp add flavor with seasonings like butter, lemon juice, or lime juice. Only flip the fish once to reduce the chance of it breaking up. You can also cook in foil packets.
  • Grilled veggies. Corn on the cob is an easy vegetable to grill. Some other vegetables that hold up well include zucchini, bell pepper, green beans, Asparagus, mushrooms, onion, cauliflower, broccoli, and tomatoes.
    • Coat the veggies with a bit of olive oil. Season them with some salt or fresh herbs. Cook on skewers or in a grill basket.
  • Grilled chicken. While the grill is preheating, allow the chicken to rest at room temperature for about 20 minutes. Cold chicken doesn’t cook as evenly as room-temperature chicken does. Chicken is done when the internal temp is 165°F.
  • Grilled beef. Allow it to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking. Use a meat thermometer to check temperature then let rest. This allows the center to continue to heat another 5-10° as well as evenly distribute the juices. 
    • Rare. The internal temp reaches 120°F.
    • Medium rare. Cook to an internal temp of 126°F.
    • Medium. The internal temp will be 134°F.
    • Medium well. Cook to an internal temp of 150°F.
    • Well done. The internal temp will be 160-170°F. 

Our favorite grilled dinner Recipes

Whether you use an outdoor grill or a grill pan, these are classic recipes that we enjoy year-round! You are sure to love our best grill recipes.

Pair these with our favorite summer side dishes and summer desserts for a complete meal!

1 Steak Marinade

Main Course Steak Marinade
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 78 votes
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2 Cilantro Lime Chicken

Main Course Cilantro Lime Chicken
Total Time: 55 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 16 votes
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3 Best Chicken Marinade Recipe

Main Course Best Chicken Marinade Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 14 votes
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4 Best Hamburger Recipe

Main Course Best Hamburger Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 37 votes
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5 Huli Huli Chicken Recipe

Main Course Huli Huli Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 1 day 21 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 64 votes
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6 Carne Asada Recipe

Main Course Carne Asada Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 10 votes
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7 Steak Kabobs

Main Course Steak Kabobs
Total Time: 8 hours 27 minutes
5 from 4 votes
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8 Chicken Kabobs

Main Course Chicken Kabobs
Total Time: 8 hours 25 minutes
5 from 7 votes
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9 Ranch Burger Recipe

Main Course Ranch Burger Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
4.96 from 44 votes
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10 Teriyaki Chicken Burgers Recipe

Main Course Teriyaki Chicken Burgers Recipe
Total Time: 1 day 20 minutes
5 from 20 votes
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More Dinners to Make on the Grill

Besides the classics, we have several more delicious grilled options. Try one, or try them all! You will not be disappointed.

11 Carne Asada Tacos Recipe

Main Course Carne Asada Tacos Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 6 votes
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12 Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Main Course Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
5 from 4 votes
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13 Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sandwiches Recipe

Main Course Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sandwiches Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 5 votes
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14 Dr. Pepper Ribs Recipe

Main Course Dr. Pepper Ribs Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
4.89 from 27 votes
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15 Turkey Burger Recipe

Main Course Turkey Burger Recipe
Total Time: 13 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 18 votes
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16 Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe

Main Course Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 1 vote
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17 Steak Taco Recipe

Main Course Steak Taco Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 10 votes
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18 Chicken Fajitas

Main Course Chicken Fajitas
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 6 votes
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19 Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe

Main Course Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 26 votes
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20 Steak and Tortellini Salad Recipe

Salad Steak and Tortellini Salad Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 7 votes
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A grilled Favorite!

Grilled Huli Huli Chicken is the juiciest and most delicious Hawaiian chicken you’ll ever try!

We love grilling all kinds of things in the summertime, but especially meat. This favorite is packed with flavor – you’re going to love it!

Here is the recipe:

5 from 1 vote

15+ Grilled Dinner Ideas

By: Lil’ Luna
To make your summer evenings spectacular, I have some fantastic grilled dinner ideas for you!!
Servings: 6
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 16 minutes
Marinade: 1 day
Total: 1 day 21 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • ¾ cup ketchup
  • ¾ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • cup chicken broth
  • 2 teaspoons ginger
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 12 boneless skinless chicken thighs

Instructions 

  • In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, broth, ginger, and garlic. Reserve 1 cup of marinade for basting (and refrigerate).
  • Place chicken thighs in large Ziploc bag and pour marinade over top. Refrigerate overnight.
  • Remove thighs from bag, and place on grill. Discard marinade. Cook approximately 8 minutes per side, or until no longer pink. Baste with reserved marinade as you grill. Serve warm.

Nutrition

Calories: 461kcal, Carbohydrates: 47g, Protein: 45g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 214mg, Sodium: 1593mg, Potassium: 764mg, Sugar: 42g, Vitamin A: 210IU, Vitamin C: 2.5mg, Calcium: 63mg, Iron: 2.8mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Making this recipe? Tag us!
Share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #lilluna, so we can see what you’re creating in the kitchen!

We Love Grilling Season!

Really we grill all year long here in Arizona, so every season can be grilling season! You’ll love our grilled dinner ideas, not matter what time of the year you use them.

More Collections: Beef Dinner Ideas, BBQ Side Dishes, BBQ Appetizers



About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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6 Comments

  1. The delicious grilled food pictures are what got me here and then I was pleasantly surprised to have so many grilling tips. Im the one who grills at my house, but Im not very good at it yet. With memorial day being on Monday Im excited to eat some great (fingers crossed) BBQ food.

  2. Another fun thing about summertime is the grilling! I like the fact that you can cook outdoors and not heat up the house. The ideas for grilling are endless and the food is amazing!

  3. All the recipes look delicious! I can’t wait to try them this summer! Thanks also for all your grilling tips, they’re super helpful!

  4. We just bought a new grill & I am so excited to try more of these recipes. We love the grilled chicken & steak!