The Best Foods To Make On A Grill That Aren’t Steak
Summertime grilling is the best. It is arguably one of the saving grace of summer when you factor in the crazy heat and constant mosquitos. But this summer, are you looking to grill other things besides your basic steak and occasionally chicken? Those are great don’t get me wrong, but there are so many other meals and side dishes you can cook on the grill. So, here are some of the best foods for you to make on the grill that isn’t steak.
1. Sausage and Shrimp Skewers:
Two foods that are amazing together are sausage and shrimp. They mix well together in pasta and even salads but a quick and easy way to just get the deliciousness of the two proteins is to just stick them on a skewer and grill them. A great sauce for the shrimp and sausage skewers would be either something a little spicy like a cajun rub or sauce. Mix together in a large bowl cajun seasoning, olive oil, mayonnaise, and lemon juice. This sauce recipe would give you a quick and easy cajun sauce for these skewers. Be sure to coat the skewers really well, because it’s going to taste amazing.
2. Mushrooms:
One of my favorite foods is mushrooms. I believe they can be the main course or side dish of any meal and I also eat them as a snack and raw in my salads but maybe that’s just me. An even better way to make this delicious and versatile vegetable more delectable is to cook them on a skewer on the grill in your backyard. The smell will be heavenly no matter what seasonings or sauces you put on them and you can put tons of different seasonings on mushrooms. Some of my favorites are balsamic vinegar & soy sauce, dill, garlic, or just salt & pepper. But no matter what flavor you choose to enhance your mushrooms, they will taste amazing I guarantee it.
3. Chicken, Bacon and Ranch Skewers:
One of the best flavorful chicken dishes can be easily cooked on a skewer on your grill. Chicken, bacon and ranch seasoning is one of the bast flavor combs in my opinion. Apparently, I’m not the only one who thinks so as there are versions of this trio in salads, pizzas, sandwiches, and even pasta. But a skewer on the grill is one of the easier and more summertime friendly ways to taste this delicious dish. All you need to really do is alternate chunks of chicken with small pieces of bacon on a skewer. Then, coat them with ranch dressing or sprinkle them with a ranch seasoning of your choice. That’s it! You’ll have a flavorful, easy dinner on the grill in no time.
4. Carrots:
If you’re interested in a tried and true classic vegetable side dish, with a smoky twist, try these grilled carrots. I think carrots are a vegetable that nearly everyone will at least try, especially those who don’t typically like other veggies. Besides who wouldn’t like these carrots since they have the most delectable glaze on them. After they are grilled, brush the sweet mixture of brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, rosemary, ginger, and olive oil over the carrots and you’ll soon be ready to enjoy the perfect side dish to your meal.
5. Personal Pizzas:
Yes, you can make actual personal pizzas on the grill! Pizza lovers rejoice! I think “pizza lover” covers just about everyone so this food idea will definitely be a hit at your next get together or Thursday night dinner. This recipe is also easy to put together. First, make sure your grill is greased with either oil or cooking spray. Next, assemble the pizzas! You could use store-bought dough or make the dough by hand, it doesn’t really matter since it will taste delicious either way. Then, of course, load up the pizza with whatever toppings and sauces you want. Some great toppings for grilled pizza are sausage, pepperoni, chicken, zucchini, olives, and mushrooms just to name a few tried and true favorites. With so much versatility, and the fun people will have in being able to make their own, these pizzas are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
6. Salmon:
If you or someone at your get together is looking for a healthier and beef or chicken-less meat option then go for some grilled salmon. Salmon is delicious, one of the best fish options in my opinion. It is also definitely one of the best options in general for the grill. Whichever sauces and rubs you choose for this dish would be perfect, but an option that always goes perfect with salmon is a lemon sauce. Mix together lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. This mixture will be sure to get you a perfect lemon sauce for grilled salmon, but if you’re looking for a sweet and tangy option go with a mix of butter, brown sugar, minced garlic cloves, lemon juice, soy sauce, pepper, and minced ginger. Either one is sure to be a hit with everyone in your household, even if that’s just you.
7. Street Corn:
This is one of my favorite side dishes or appetizers to get anywhere and I’m glad to know I can now make it this summer on my grill at home. In my opinion, this can also be a meal by itself and it’s also super easy to make. After you are done grilling the full ears of corn, make a spread with sour cream, mayonnaise, minced cilantro, minced garlic, lime zest, lime juice, and chipotle seasoning. Once you’ve finished spreading that sauce across the corn, then sprinkle some cotija cheese across the ears and you’ll be ready to go.
8. Glazed Peaches:
When it’s time for dessert after your big backyard grilling bash, don’t even think about putting the grill away. Throw some peaches on the grill for the perfect dessert and for a new way to enhance the already amazing flavor of this popular summertime fruit. After the peaches have grilled up beautifully, be sure to glaze them with a mixture of honey, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Balsamic vinegar and raw honey is another great flavorful tipping when it comes to peaches also. After all, the toppings really are the best part. When it comes to If you’re not a fan of peaches, Plums and Watermelon are also great fruits to put on the grill.
