Summer Grilling

Is there anything better than summer time with a grill full of food and family and friends to enjoy it with? Summer time is long awaited for us here in Michigan. It is the time we are finally able to crawl out of our hibernation and start to enjoy the warm weather and more importantly, The SUN! Now it doesn’t matter if this is the start of warm weather or if you just want some new ideas to try on your grill as a great excuse to get people together. Whatever your reason, these 10 ideas are sure to help kickstart your grilling adventures.

If you don’t have a grill, I highly suggest you pick one up from Monument Grills Use code “MikesReferrals” for 5% off your purchase.

1. Grilled Chicken Skewers:
   • Ingredients: Chicken breast, bell peppers, onions, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, skewers.
   • Affiliate products: Stainless steel skewers, grilling marinade brushes, grill tongs. Grilling Tool Kit:
     • 1 pound chicken breast, cut into chunks
     • 1 bell pepper, cut into chunks
     • 1 onion, cut into chunks
     • 2 tablespoons olive oil
     • 2 cloves garlic, minced
     • Salt and pepper, to taste
     • Skewers

     Instructions:

     1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
     2. In a bowl, combine the olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
     3. Add the chicken chunks to the bowl and toss to coat them in the marinade. Let it marinate for about 15 minutes.
     4. Thread the marinated chicken, bell pepper, and onion onto the skewers.
     5. Place the skewers on the preheated grill and cook for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
     6. Remove from the grill and serve hot.
2. BBQ Ribs:
   • Ingredients: Pork ribs, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper.
   • Affiliate products:BBQ Cowboy Rub, BBQ grill mats, rib racks, Wireless Meat Thermometer
   • Ingredients:
     • 2 racks of pork ribs
     • 1 cup BBQ sauce
     • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
     • 1 tablespoon paprika
     • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
     • Salt and pepper, to taste

     Instructions:

     1. Preheat the grill to low heat.
     2. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to create a dry rub.
     3. Rub the dry rub mixture all over the racks of ribs, ensuring they are evenly coated.
     4. Wrap the ribs tightly in aluminum foil and place them on the preheated grill.
     5. Cook the ribs over indirect heat for about 2-3 hours, or until the meat is tender and easily pulls away from the bone.
     6. Remove the foil from the ribs and brush them generously with BBQ sauce.
     7. Increase the heat to medium-high and place the ribs back on the grill, uncovered, for about 5-10 minutes, or until the sauce is caramelized and sticky.
     8. Remove from the grill, let them rest for a few minutes, then slice and serve.
3. Grilled Vegetable Medley:
   • Ingredients: Zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper.
   • Affiliate products: Vegetable grilling baskets,
   • Ingredients:
     • 2 zucchinis, sliced
     • 1 bell pepper, sliced
     • 8 ounces mushrooms, halved
     • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
     • 2 tablespoons olive oil
     • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
     • Salt and pepper, to taste

     Instructions:

     1. Preheat the grill to medium heat.
     2. In a large bowl, combine the sliced zucchini, bell pepper, mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes.
     3. Drizzle the vegetables with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat evenly.
     4. Place the vegetables in a grilling basket or on a sheet of aluminum foil.
     5. Grill the vegetables over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are tender and lightly charred.
     6. Remove from the grill and serve as a side dish or over cooked rice or pasta.
4. Teriyaki Salmon:
   • Ingredients: Salmon fillets, teriyaki sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, soy sauce.
   • Affiliate products: Fish grilling baskets, cedar planks, grilling mats.
   • Ingredients:
     • 4 salmon fillets
     • ¼ cup teriyaki sauce
     • 2 tablespoons honey
     • 2 cloves garlic, minced
     • 1 teaspoon grated ginger
     • 1 tablespoon soy sauce

     Instructions:

     1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
     2. In a small bowl, whisk together the teriyaki sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, and soy sauce to make the marinade.
     3. Place the salmon fillets in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them, ensuring they are evenly coated. Let them marinate for about 15-20 minutes.
     4. Remove the salmon from the marinade and place them on the preheated grill, skin side down.
     5. Grill the salmon for about 4-5 minutes per side, basting occasionally with the leftover marinade, until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
     6. Remove from the grill and serve hot. Optionally, garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds.
5. Grilled Shrimp Skewers:
   • Ingredients: Shrimp, lemon juice, garlic, paprika, salt, pepper, olive oil.
   • Affiliate products:Fish grilling baskets, grilling mats.Stainless steel skewers, grilling marinade brushes, grill tongs. Grilling Tool Kit
   • Ingredients:
     • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
     • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
     • 2 cloves garlic, minced
     • 1 teaspoon paprika
     • Salt and pepper, to taste
     • 2 tablespoons olive oil
     • Skewers

     Instructions:

     1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
     2. In a bowl, combine the lemon juice, minced garlic, paprika, salt, pepper, and olive oil.
     3. Add the shrimp to the bowl and toss to coat them in the marinade. Let it marinate for about 10-15 minutes.
     4. Thread the marinated shrimp onto the skewers.
     5. Place the skewers on the preheated grill and cook for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque.
     6. Remove from the grill and serve immediately. Optionally, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the shrimp for added freshness.
6. Grilled Steak:
   • Ingredients: Ribeye or New York strip steak, salt, pepper, olive oil.
   • Affiliate products: Steak Tenderizer, Wireless Meat Thermometer, grilling marinade brushes, grill tongs. Grilling Tool Kit
   • Ingredients:
     • 2 ribeye or New York strip steaks
     • Salt and pepper, to taste
     • Olive oil

     Instructions:

     1. Preheat the grill to high heat.
     2. Rub the steaks with olive oil and season them generously with salt and pepper, ensuring both sides are evenly coated.
     3. Place the steaks on the preheated grill and cook for about 4-6 minutes per side for medium-rare, or adjust the cooking time to your desired level of doneness.
     4. Flip the steaks only once during cooking. Avoid pressing down on the steaks to retain their juices.
     5. Remove the steaks from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.
     6. Slice the steaks against the grain and serve hot.
7. SMASH Burgers and Grilled Portobello Mushrooms:
   • Ingredients: Portobello mushrooms, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper.
   • Affiliate products: Wireless Meat Thermometer, grilling marinade brushes, grill tongs. Grilling Tool Kit, Grilling baskets
   • Burger Press with Heat Resistant Handle, Burger Press with Heat Resistant Handle, Blackstone 36in Gas Griddle with 4 Burners
   • Ingredients:
     • 1 pound ground beef (80% lean)
     • Salt and pepper, to taste
     • Sliced cheese (cheddar, American, or your choice)
     • Burger buns
     • Optional toppings: lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo), etc.

     Instructions:

     1. Preheat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.
     2. Divide the ground beef into four equal portions (about ¼ pound each) and shape them into loose balls.
     3. Season each ball with salt and pepper on both sides.
     4. Place one ball of beef onto the hot skillet or griddle and immediately press it down firmly using a spatula to flatten it into a thin patty.
     5. Cook the patty for about 2-3 minutes, allowing it to develop a brown crust.
     6. Flip the patty and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
     7. Place a slice of cheese on top of the patty and let it melt.
     8. Transfer the cooked patty with the melted cheese to a plate and repeat the process with the remaining balls of beef.
     9. Assemble your burger by placing the patties on the bottom halves of the burger buns.
     10. Add any desired toppings such as lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and condiments.
     11. Cover with the top halves of the burger buns.
     12. Serve the smash burgers immediately and enjoy!
8. Grilled Corn on the Cob:
   • Ingredients: Corn on the cob, butter, salt, pepper.
   • Affiliate products:grill tongs. Grilling Tool Kit, Grilling baskets
   • Ingredients:
     • 4 ears of corn, husks removed
     • Butter, softened
     • Salt and pepper, to taste

     Instructions:

     1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
     2. Brush the ears of corn with softened butter and season them with salt and pepper.
     3. Place the corn directly on the grill and cook for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the kernels are tender and lightly charred
     4. Remove from the grill and serve hot. Optionally, brush the corn with more butter before serving.
9. BBQ Chicken Wings:
   • Ingredients: Chicken wings, BBQ sauce, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper.
   • Affiliate products:grill tongs. Grilling Tool Kit, Grilling baskets
   • Ingredients:
     • 2 pounds chicken wings
     • 1 cup BBQ sauce
     • 1 tablespoon paprika
     • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
     • Salt and pepper, to taste

     Instructions:

     1. Preheat the grill to medium heat.
     2. In a bowl, combine the BBQ sauce, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to create a marinade.
     3. Place the chicken wings in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them, ensuring they are evenly coated. Let them marinate for about 30 minutes.
     4. Place the marinated chicken wings on the preheated grill and cook for about 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally and basting with additional BBQ sauce, until the wings are cooked through and nicely caramelized.
     5. Remove from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. Optionally, serve with extra BBQ sauce for dipping.
10. Grilled Pineapple Dessert:
    • Ingredients: Fresh pineapple slices, brown sugar, cinnamon.
    • Affiliate products:grilling marinade brushes, grill tongs. Grilling Tool Kit, Grilling baskets
    • Ingredients:
      • 4 pineapple slices (about ½ inch thick)
      • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
      • ½ teaspoon cinnamon

      Instructions:

      1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
      2. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon.
      3. Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture evenly over both sides of the pineapple slices, pressing lightly to adhere.
      4. Place the pineapple slices on the preheated grill and cook for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are lightly caramelized and grill marks appear.
      5. Remove from the grill and serve hot as a standalone dessert or as a topping for ice cream or cake.

These 10 Grilling ideas are sure to keep you and your friends happy all Summer long! For a list of the products I use to create these dishes, check out the links below!

These recipes and products are Mikes Referral’s Approved!!