Everyone knows about the staples of grilling: steaks, hot dogs, hamburgers. Those things are good – hell, they can even be great when done right. But only using your grill to cook meats is a travesty because there are so many foods that really come into their own when paired with a grill. And they’re generally things you wouldn’t normally consider grilling. But nonetheless, these foods on the grill can turn a basic ingredient into a delicious dish – and sometimes even a dessert!
Here are 7 of the best summer foods for grilling out (in our opinion).
- Watermelon – Watermelon is a summer staple, and why wouldn’t it be? It’s refreshing and juicy and perfect for hot summer days. But one thing you might not know is that watermelon becomes twice as delicious when it’s thrown on the grill for about three minutes (on each side). You can leave the rind on or cut it off, but either way, grilling watermelon gives it an irresistible smoky flavor that meshes perfectly with its sweetness.
- Salads – No, that’s not a typo. You really can grill salads. We like to cut up wedges of baby romaine, endives, and some broccoli rabe (get the recipe here). Mix it in with a few grilled vegetables, some parmesan, and top with a lemon vinaigrette. It’s a perfect summer appetizer – or entree.
- Pineapple – There’s almost no fruit that won’t become more delicious once it’s tossed on the grill. But one favorite is pineapple. There’s just something about the sweetness and juiciness of the pineapple, contrasted with the smokiness of the grill. Toss a few slices on the grill and eat warm for a basic side or snack. If you want it jazz it up a little, sprinkle some brown sugar and cinnamon on top before you grill. Or, top regular grilled pineapple slices with a drizzle of honey. Absolute perfection.
- Eggplant – We’ve already covered how to cook eggplant – even grill it. But it never hurts to throw in a few extra tips. Eggplant is a really versatile vegetable. You can grill eggplant, throw it in a bowl, add some oil and spices, mash it up, and have baba ghanoush. Or you could dice it, boil it, and toss it into a salad. Or you could grill slices, top with a bit of lemon juice, and eat them plain. Whatever you choose, rest assured it’ll be delicious.
- Tomatoes – If you’re a fan of tomatoes, you’ll love grilled tomatoes. And the best part is that they couldn’t be easier to grill up. Any kind of tomato will work, but we like to use roma tomatoes, because they’re small and tend to be juicier. Slice the tomato in half (not lengthwise) and pop it onto the grill. Grill for 3 minutes, let it cool for a bit, and then bite in. The skin will be charred in a few places (which adds to the flavor), and will slide right off when you eat it.
- Green Beans – Another all-time favorite vegetable is green beans. We’ve also put together a pretty detailed list on how to cook green beans, including tips for grilling them. The best way to enjoy green beans on the grill is to prep them first by tossing them in a bowl with some olive oil, salt, pepper, and minced garlic. Lay out a large piece of foil, fold in half, and roll the sides up to make a packet. Add the green bean mixture onto the foil, and cover with an additional sheet of foil to enclose the beans. Throw them on the grill for 15 minutes, then serve warm.
- Banana – Another great summer dessert idea is grilling up a few bananas. Slice bananas lengthwise and throw onto the grill for a few minutes on each side. Just keep an eye out on them to make sure they don’t get too mushy. Even better, instead of topping ice cream with bananas, make the grilled bananas the center of your dish and top with a small bit of ice cream and whip cream for a sweet summer dish.
What is your favorite food to grill outside during the summer? Do you have an amazing grilled recipe? Share with us in the comments!
