20+ Genius Grill Ideas That Transform Your Backyard

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Summer is quickly approaching, you guys! Get ready to be sick of me and my tongs, lol!

One of my favorite things about warm weather, besides the lattes turning into iced ones, is dragging every pan out of the kitchen and onto the patio.

Every June my neighbors host a backyard cookout and everyone brings one dish to grill. Last year I showed up with three different skewers and the tray never survives the first hour!

There’s something about smoke and char that makes even boring vegetables taste like a treat, haha!

Since the season is only a couple of short weeks away, I’ve gathered 20 adorable grill ideas the entire family will love. How cute is that? Don’t fret if you’ve never fired up a grill before.

From fruit skewers to sticky ribs and a whole drink station, there’s something in here for everyone. Under each idea I’ve added the little details you actually want to know. Plus a link to the full step-by-step recipe.

GRILL IDEAS

Grilled Peach Caprese Skewers

We’re starting off strong with these peach caprese skewers. Sweet peaches, mozzarella and basil all get a quick turn on the grates.

The peaches caramelize just enough to taste like dessert and dinner at once. I always burn my thumb grabbing one too early!

Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon

Cedar plank salmon is the one that makes people think you hired a caterer. The wood soaks overnight so it smokes instead of burns.

I always catch that smoky cedar smell before the salmon even comes off. Fair warning, the whole yard will notice! It’s the kind of smell that pulls people out of the house before you even call them.

Grilled Corn With Chili Lime Butter

How cute are these corn cobs with chili lime butter melting down the sides? The butter gets a little smoky char mixed right in.

I always add one extra squeeze of lime because the first one never feels like enough. This is the side dish that disappears before the main course even lands!

Stuffed Grilled Portobello Mushrooms

Portobello mushrooms make a surprisingly hearty main. Stuff the caps with cheese and breadcrumbs before they hit the grill.

They hold their shape better than you’d think. Not that I doubted a mushroom, haha! A drizzle of balsamic at the end makes it taste like a real restaurant plate.

Grilled Halloumi Vegetable Platter

Halloumi squeaks when you bite it and somehow that’s the best part. It grills up golden without falling apart like softer cheeses do.

Pile it on a platter with zucchini, peppers and onions straight off the grates. Who doesn’t love a cheese that holds its own shape, am I right?

Grilled Watermelon Feta Salad

Grilled watermelon sounds strange until you actually try it. The heat brings out a caramelized edge while the middle stays cold and juicy.

Crumble feta over the top and add a handful of mint. This one gets requested at every single potluck I attend! Even my pickiest cousin asks for seconds.

Grilled Pineapple Rings With Cinnamon

These pineapple rings with cinnamon taste like fair food without the ticket line. The sugar caramelizes into little sticky spots that everyone fights over.

I always throw a scoop of vanilla ice cream on mine when I am feeling fancy. Nobody has ever once said no to that combo, lol!

Foil Packet Grilled Shrimp

Foil packet shrimp is my go-to for lazy weeknights. Everything goes in one packet, so cleanup basically doesn’t exist!

Toss in garlic, butter and lemon before sealing it up. The steam does all the real work in there. I barely lift a finger. That’s exactly how I like it.

Grilled Flatbread With Toppings

Grilled flatbread turns into a blank canvas the second it comes off the grates. Char marks alone make plain dough look impressive.

Load it with whatever’s sitting in the fridge, cheese, tomatoes, olives, all of it works. This is the dinner that lets everyone build their own. It buys me a very quiet twenty minutes!

Grilled Whole Lemon Chicken

A whole lemon chicken on the grill looks fancier than it actually is. Stuffing the bird with lemon halves keeps everything juicy the whole time it cooks.

I always tell myself the wait will not be worth it. I am wrong every time, haha! The skin turns so crisp it practically crackles.

Grilled Vegetable Rainbow Skewers

These rainbow vegetable skewers look like a produce aisle exploded in the best way. Peppers, onions, zucchini and cherry tomatoes all get threaded together.

I thread mine while insisting it took way more effort than it did. It’s the side dish that gets photographed more than the burgers, lol!

Smoked Paprika Grilled Potatoes

Smoked paprika potatoes are the side dish nobody expects and everyone finishes first. Parboiling them first cuts the grill time way down.

I always forget how much smoky kick the paprika adds without any actual smoking involved. They vanish before the burgers even finish! Honestly, I make a double batch now just in case.

Sticky BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders

Talk about talent! These bbq ideas grill up pulled pork so tender it practically shreds itself. Pile it high on a soft slider bun with a little slaw on top.

I tried skipping that step once and regretted it instantly! These sliders never make it to the second round of the cookout.

Classic BBQ Baby Back Ribs

Is it really summer without baby back ribs? Not in my book! A dry rub goes on the night before so the flavor actually sinks in.

The sauce gets brushed on toward the end so it caramelizes instead of burning. Somebody always ends up with sauce on their shirt, haha!

BBQ Chicken Skewer Platter

A bbq chicken skewer platter is the easiest crowd-pleaser I know. Chunks of chicken marinate for a few hours before threading onto skewers.

They cook fast, so keep an eye on the grill the whole time! Walk away for even a minute and you’ll regret it.

Smoky BBQ Brisket Sandwich

This smoky brisket sandwich takes the longest of anything on this list. Nobody complains once it’s on the plate, though! Low heat for hours breaks the meat down until it’s basically falling apart.

I pile mine onto a toasted bun with pickles for crunch. The smell alone brings the neighbors over, every single time!

BBQ Backyard Party Table Setup

Mismatched jars, a checkered cloth and a few citronella candles turn dinner outside into an event. My guests always comment on the table before they even sit down.

I never plan this part, it just happens every single cookout, lol! It’s such an easy way to make paper plates feel a little special.

Rustic BBQ Side Dish Spread

A rustic side dish spread rounds out any cookout without much fuss. Think baked beans, coleslaw and a big bowl of potato salad, all served in mismatched dishes on purpose.

I always make most of it the morning before, then act surprised when people ask how. It looks like it took all day. That’s exactly the point!

BBQ Sauce Glazed Sausages

Sauce glazed sausages are the fastest thing on this whole list. They go straight from the package to the grates with barely any prep.

Brush the sauce on during the last few minutes so it gets sticky instead of burnt. This is the dish I make when guests show up earlier than expected! Who doesn’t love a shortcut that still looks intentional?

Outdoor BBQ Drink Station Display

Last but definitely not least, we have this outdoor drink station. A galvanized tub full of ice holds sodas, lemonade and a few fun bottles for the grown-ups.

A chalkboard sign with the drink names makes it feel like an actual party instead of a cooler on the porch. Guests help themselves, which means one less thing for the host to manage. Who doesn’t love that?