What foods can I grill? (And not grill?)

Nothing beats the rich flavor and outdoorsy vibe of cooking up a family-size meal on a flaming-hot grill on a warm summer day. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran of outdoor cookery or an absolute beginner, there are probably some foods you’ve never even tried to grill – but now might be the perfect time to give them a try!

At the same time, there are a few food types that might sound tempting to put on them a hot grill… but trust us, they’re a lot easier said than done. And some that are just plain not worth it.

Read on and fire up some timely inspiration with these mouthwatering mealtime ideas, sorted below by varying degrees of grill-ability.

The Undisputed Classics

The simple pleasures of the warm-weather months never change. Like the joy of a trip to the beach on a sunny day. Or peaceful bike ride on a sun-dappled trail. Or… sizzling meats on the backyard barbecue grill! You simply can’t go wrong with the crowd-pleasing classics, and they never go out of style.

Burgers and Hotdogs – Always tasty, never fancy, and sure to be a crowd-pleaser! Be sure to cook your burgers thoroughly (at least 160°F inside) and serve with fresh buns and your favorite condiments.

Steak – The king of grilled meats! Take a quick moment to review our guide to grilling meats to ensure right-on-target results. [Note: link to “Grilling Meats to Perfection” article, not posted yet]

Chicken – From lean and meaty boneless, skinless breast meat to juicy bone-in thighs, chicken almost always tastes better grilled!

Fries – The ultimate versatile side-dish… just cut some small potatoes into wedges, soak them in olive oil and season them with salt & pepper, then let them cook along with your meats. No worries!

Further Outdoor Adventures

When you’re ready to elevate your outdoor cooking game and take it up just one notch, try grilling something just a little bit outside your usual comfort zone for a little variety. Your taste buds will thank you!

Meaty Fish – Tuna steaks, swordfish, salmon, halibut fillets, and other dense, fleshy fish are naturals for the grill!

Fruits – Have you ever eaten a grilled pineapple slice seasoned with a little chili powder? No? Well, add it to your to-do list right now! It’s super-easy, and insanely tasty.

Veggies – A skewer with seasoned red onion, bell pepper and zucchini is another easy side dish that brings the flavor. Same goes for grilled cauliflower steaks, asparagus, broccolini… virtually any veggie you can roast in the oven can go on the grill!

For a few additional not-the-same-old grilling ideas, check out our New Ideas for Summer Grilling.

Believe It or Not!

There really aren’t many limits to your grill-time menu, if you’re willing to keep an open mind about it. Some foods take on a more intense flavor profile when they’re cooked over a flame, and they might become new favorites for you and your family.

Eggplant – Not only is eggplant super grill-friendly, it also makes an easy and delicious side dish with Mediterranean chicken dishes. Just slice into discs, rub with olive oil, season with salt, pepper and garlic powder, and grill for five minutes on each side. Simple is best!

Mushroom Caps – A great option for guests or family members who prefer to go meatless, just marinate jumbo-size portobello mushroom caps in some Italian dressing and grill them as you would with a thin-cut slice of meat or poultry.

Pizza! – Yes, you read that right. Pizza on the grill is phenomenally good… as long as you have a heavy-duty pizza pan or flat griddle for your grill-top! Luckily, we have a really good one for you to consider.

Not Necessarily Ideal

While using a flat-top griddle on your grill surface gives you the ability to cook a great many foods you may not have considered, some of them are still better (and less messy!) on a conventional stovetop or oven. Pro Tip: grills that feature a side-burner allow let you bring the sauté pan outside with you!

Breakfast Classics – Bacon, eggs, and pancakes are all do-able on a gas or charcoal grill, yes. But… why force the issue? Stay in your jammies and cook them inside. It’s easier!

Flaky Fish – The delicate flesh of flaky, skinless white fish simply falls apart on the grill. Again, you could make it work with a solid griddle accessory, but it’s not the ideal cooking method.

Leafy Greens – Lettuce, spinach, kale, and other leafy green vegetables have a fairly high water content and will start to wilt badly and start to fall apart on contact with a hot grill surface. If you do choose to grill dense cabbage slices or romaine hearts, use a light hand with the heat and limit the cooking time.

Just Don’t

Seriously, it’s just not worth it.

Sliced Tomatoes – We love the garden-fresh, flavorful tomatoes you can only get during the sultry summer months. But grilling them over an open flame makes them fall apart and ruins their texture and flavor. A cherry tomato or two placed on a skewer with other veggies is fine, but otherwise… yeah, no.

Angel Cake – We saw a recipe one time for grilled peaches (yum!) with bourbon-tinged whipped cream (awesome!) on grilled angel-food cake (huh?). So, we tried it out. And it was, um… let’s just say it’s not up to Kenmore standards. We recommend that you keep your light, soft dessert cakes off the grill, if possible.

Melty Cheese – There are some cheeses that just amazing on the grill, such as haloumi from Cypress. And melty cheeses are absolutely perfect on top of a grilled burger or pizza. But melty cheeses cooked directly on the grill? Oof. Don’t make that mistake!

Above all else, we encourage you to experiment with your grill and find more and better ways to enjoy outdoor cooking throughout the grilling season. There are as many great grilling ideas out there as there are grill-masters wielding tongs. So blaze your own trail on a journey of backyard bounty!