19 Grilling Recipes With Mains, Sides, and Cookout Plates

A hot grill can handle more than the main dish, especially when you want the whole meal to happen outside. Pick one recipe for the center of the plate, or add a side that gives the meal another reason to stay near the grill. It is a good way to keep dinner outdoors, from the first item off the grates to the last plate served.

Sliced medium-rare steak arranged on a wooden board, topped with a green herb sauce. — Grilled Tri Tip. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Grilled Shrimp Kabobs

A white plate holds grilled shrimp and vegetable skewers with mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes, garnished with chopped herbs. — Grilled Shrimp Kabobs. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Honey-garlic marinade coats Grilled Shrimp Kabobs before the seafood and vegetables meet the grill. The 53-minute recipe serves 4 with one pound of shrimp, red and green peppers, red onion, portobello mushrooms, olive oil, honey, paprika, and garlic. Thirty minutes of marinating come before a 6- to 8-minute cook over medium heat. Serve the skewers with rice, couscous, bread, corn, asparagus, or a fresh salad.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Kabobs

Grilled Corn on the Cob

Four grilled corn cobs topped with crumbled cheese, chopped herbs, and spices are arranged on a white plate. — Grilled Corn on the Cob. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Tajín butter gives Grilled Corn on the Cob a lightly spicy coating before lime, cilantro, and Cotija finish each ear. The 25-minute recipe serves 4 with four cobs, vegetable oil, butter, seasoning, and sea salt. Direct grilling creates char around the kernels while regular turning keeps one side from becoming too dark. Place it beside burgers, chicken, steak, hot dogs, salmon, or skewers for an easy cookout side.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn on the Cob

Wingstop Louisiana Rub Wings

Close-up of grilled chicken wings with a crispy texture, next to a red bowl of creamy dipping sauce. — Wingstop Louisiana Rub Wings. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Smoked paprika, oregano, cumin, brown sugar, onion, and garlic season Wingstop Louisiana Rub Wings. The 25-minute recipe serves 4 with 16 wings that bake at 428°F for 15 to 20 minutes. This is an oven recipe rather than a grilled one, so it works as a cookout plate addition without taking space on the grates. Serve the crisp wings with ranch, celery, fries, corn, slaw, or grilled vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Wingstop Louisiana Rub Wings

Charred Grilled Vegetables

A platter of grilled vegetables including zucchini, mushrooms, asparagus, bell peppers, and red onions, garnished with chopped herbs. — Charred Grilled Vegetables. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Zucchini, red onion, bell peppers, asparagus, and portobello mushrooms fill Charred Grilled Vegetables with color and several textures. The 35-minute recipe serves 6, using olive oil, salt, black pepper, balsamic vinegar, oregano, and parsley. Firmer vegetables start over the hottest zone before moving to indirect heat, while asparagus and mushrooms cook over medium heat. Arrange everything on a platter beside steak, chicken, pork, salmon, burgers, or pasta salad.
Get the Recipe: Charred Grilled Vegetables

Tomahawk Steak

Close-up of cooked beef slices on a wooden board, with a fork holding one piece. The meat appears juicy with a seasoned crust. — Tomahawk Steak. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Cast-iron searing gives Tomahawk Steak its browned crust before the thick cut finishes in the oven. The 35-minute recipe serves 2 with a 2-pound bone-in ribeye, sea salt, black pepper, olive oil, and herb butter. The steak sits at room temperature for about 45 minutes before searing, then finishes at 350°F in the oven. Add grilled corn, asparagus, peppers, pasta salad, or mixed vegetables around the platter.
Get the Recipe: Tomahawk Steak

Fresh Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies

A bowl of vibrant pasta salad with penne, cherry tomatoes, black olives, diced cucumbers, red onions, and a drizzle of dressing. — Fresh Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Cavatappi, olives, tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, onion, and parsley make Fresh Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies a substantial cold side. The 40-minute recipe serves 4 with a balsamic-Dijon vinaigrette flavored with garlic, basil, and lemon. Despite the name, the vegetables char beneath the broiler rather than on a grill. Cool the pasta before mixing, then serve the bowl with chicken, shrimp, burgers, hot dogs, pork chops, or steak.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies

Chipotle Grilled Chicken

Grilled chicken breast slices served over a bed of greens with lemon wedges on the side. — Chipotle Grilled Chicken. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Chipotle in adobo, garlic, onion powder, lime, and olive oil coats Chipotle Grilled Chicken with smoky heat. The 25-minute recipe serves 4 with 1.7 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs. The meat begins over medium-high heat, then finishes covered at lower heat until cooked through. Slice it for tacos, burritos, bowls, or salads, or serve the thighs whole with grilled corn, peppers, asparagus, or pasta salad.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Grilled Chicken

Grilled Steak Pinwheels

Close-up of sliced stuffed beef roulade with visible layers of meat, cheese, and spinach on a wooden board. A glass of beer is blurred in the background. — Grilled Steak Pinwheels. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Rolled flank steak surrounds Emmental cheese and spinach in Grilled Steak Pinwheels. The 35-minute recipe serves 4 with a 2-pound butterflied steak, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Butcher’s twine holds the log together before it is sliced and grilled for about 15 minutes. Serve the pinwheels as individual portions with corn, grilled vegetables, asparagus, peppers, pasta salad, potatoes, or a leafy salad.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steak Pinwheels

Charred Grilled Asparagus

Grilled asparagus spears served on a plate with two charred lemon halves. — Charred Grilled Asparagus. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Thick spears stay firm enough for the grates in Charred Grilled Asparagus. The 10-minute recipe serves 4 with one pound of asparagus, olive oil, salt, black pepper, and lemon for serving. Five minutes of cooking gives the stalks light char without turning the centers soft. Bring them to the table with salmon, pork chops, steak, chicken, shrimp kabobs, burgers, or hot dogs for a fast green side.
Get the Recipe: Charred Grilled Asparagus

Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers

Thai chicken skewers topped with a creamy sauce and garnished with chopped herbs and peanuts, served over a bed of white rice. — Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Lemongrass, ginger, garlic, red curry paste, lime, sesame oil, and fish sauce season Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers. The 1-hour 5-minute recipe serves 4 with eight boneless chicken thighs and a peanut sauce made with soy sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime. Wooden skewers soak before the chicken is threaded and grilled until browned on every side. Add rice, cucumber salad, grilled vegetables, herbs, and chopped peanuts to complete each plate.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers

Cheeseburger

Ground beef, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce build a Cheeseburger in 20 minutes. The recipe serves 2, with the buns toasted on a hot grill while the patties cook in a cast-iron skillet. That split method makes this another cookout-friendly outlier rather than a fully grilled burger. Serve it with corn, peppers, asparagus, pasta salad, grilled vegetables, fries, onion rings, or slaw.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger

Grilled Chicken Thighs

Grilled meat ribs garnished with chopped herbs and garlic, served on a white platter with fresh parsley in the background. — Grilled Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Chimichurri works as both a marinade and a finishing sauce for Grilled Chicken Thighs. The 1-hour 10-minute recipe serves 4 with parsley, cilantro, garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, red pepper flakes, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Boneless thighs marinate for at least 30 minutes before grilling for 10 to 15 minutes with occasional turning. Spoon the reserved sauce over the chicken and add corn, vegetables, bread, rice, or pasta salad.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Thighs

Flaky Grilled Salmon

A close-up of a cooked salmon fillet topped with a mixture of chopped herbs, garlic, and seasonings. — Flaky Grilled Salmon. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Skin-on fillets help Flaky Grilled Salmon stay together while the underside turns crisp. The 30-minute recipe serves 4 with 17.6 ounces of salmon plus butter, lemon, garlic, olive oil, and chopped parsley, oregano, or dill. The fish grills skin-side down for 4 to 5 minutes before the lid closes for another 5 to 10 minutes. Finish with reserved herb butter and serve it with corn, asparagus, peppers, pasta salad, or mixed vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Flaky Grilled Salmon

Juicy Grilled Hot Dogs

Four hot dogs in buns topped with crispy fried onions are arranged on parchment paper in a basket. — Juicy Grilled Hot Dogs. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Six beef franks make Juicy Grilled Hot Dogs a quick main for casual cookout plates. The 16-minute recipe serves 6 with buns plus ketchup, mustard, and fried onions as suggested toppings. Grilling for 5 to 7 minutes with frequent turning creates even browning without leaving one side overcooked. Set out cheese, relish, chili, onions, slaw, corn, peppers, pasta salad, or grilled vegetables so guests can finish their own.
Get the Recipe: Juicy Grilled Hot Dogs

Grilled Pork Chops

A grilled pork chop garnished with chopped parsley is served on a plate. — Grilled Pork Chops. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Soy sauce, brown sugar, Dijon, garlic, and olive oil form the marinade for Grilled Pork Chops. The recipe takes 25 minutes to cook and serves 4, with the bone-in chops marinating in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour beforehand. They sear over the hottest zone for 2 minutes per side, then finish over medium heat for another 4 to 5 minutes. Rest the pork and serve it with corn, peppers, asparagus, vegetables, or pasta salad.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Chops

Lamb Kebabs

Three grilled kebabs on flatbread, topped with shredded lettuce, cherry tomatoes, red onion, chopped herbs, and a drizzle of white sauce, served with lime wedges. — Lamb Kebabs. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Mint, coriander, cumin, onion, and garlic season Lamb Kebabs before the ground meat is shaped around skewers. The 20-minute recipe serves 6 and includes a cool sauce made from Greek yogurt, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. The kebabs cook on a grill or griddle pan for 8 to 10 minutes with frequent turning. Serve them in flatbreads with lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, and sauce, or add grilled vegetables alongside.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Kebabs

Charred Grilled Peppers

Grilled red and yellow bell peppers with char marks, topped with crumbled feta cheese and garnished with herbs. — Charred Grilled Peppers. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Bell pepper halves blister over medium-high heat in Charred Grilled Peppers. The 15-minute recipe serves 4 with olive oil, sea salt, black pepper, and optional oregano and garlic. They cook skin-side down for 5 to 7 minutes, then finish on the flesh side for another 2 to 3 minutes. Serve them warm or at room temperature beside burgers, hot dogs, steak, chicken, pork, salmon, kabobs, or pasta salad.
Get the Recipe: Charred Grilled Peppers

Greek Chicken Kabobs

Grilled chicken skewers topped with a creamy white sauce and chopped herbs, served on a plate with sliced vegetables. — Greek Chicken Kabobs. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Yogurt, lemon, garlic, red wine vinegar, oregano, and paprika tenderize Greek Chicken Kabobs before grilling. The recipe takes 25 minutes to cook and serves 6 with two pounds of chicken breasts, plus at least 30 minutes of marinating time. The skewers cook for 10 to 15 minutes over medium-high heat and are turned occasionally for even grill marks. Finish with feta and parsley, then serve with tzatziki, pita, rice, salad, or grilled vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Greek Chicken Kabobs

Grilled Tri Tip

Parsley, cilantro, garlic, vinegar, olive oil, oregano, and red pepper flakes make the chimichurri for Grilled Tri Tip. The recipe takes 40 minutes and serves 4 with a 2-pound roast, plus at least 30 minutes of marinating before grilling. The beef cooks for about 10 minutes per side, then rests for 5 to 10 minutes. Slice against the grain and serve with the reserved sauce, corn, vegetables, asparagus, peppers, or pasta salad.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Tri Tip