Perhaps nothing screams “summer” more than the crackling sizzle of a grill searing your favorite meats and vegetables. That sizzle sets the stage for alfresco meals that become lasting memories. All it takes to make the perfect barbecue a reality is a few delicious recipes. The right recipes, after all, can transform an ordinary cookout into an extraordinary feast. Start a search today to find quick and easy barbecue recipes for your next summer get-together.
Shutterstock: Alexander RathsGrilled Skirt Steak With Homemade Marinade
This recipe is ready in less than 30 minutes.1 Start by grabbing a large bowl. Pour in some orange juice, brown sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, chile paste, fish sauce, and garlic. Mix everything together to create an Asian marinade. Then, add the skirt steak and marinate it for 15 minutes.
Next, fire up your grill. Once it’s hot, add your steak. You’ll want to cook it for about 4 minutes on each side. You’re aiming for a nice brown color on the outside. Inside, it should be hot and just a touch pink. That’s it! In less than half an hour, you’ll be sitting down to a delicious, Asian-inspired barbecue meal.
Ingredient List
- ½ orange, juiced
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon chile paste
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 2 mashed garlic cloves
- 2 pounds trimmed skirt steaks
Spicy Apricot Wings
If chicken is more your thing, then these tangy wings are a great choice for your next barbecue.2 Grab some wood chips and wrap them in heavy-duty foil. Make some holes in the foil using a skewer. Place this packet on the grill, cover it, and wait for smoke in about 5 minutes.
While the chips are smoking, mix apricot preserves, Worcestershire sauce, light brown sugar, soy sauce, mustard, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, sweet paprika, cayenne, and ginger in a large bowl. Save half the mixture in a small bowl for later.
Add the wings to the large bowl and toss until the wings are covered in sauce. Let them rest for 5 minutes to soak up the flavors. Now, grill those wings! Keep the grill covered and heat on moderately high for about 25 minutes. Turn them now and then. Serve with the leftover sauce.
Ingredient List
- 1/2 cup apricot wood chips
- 1/2 cup apricot preserves
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 3 pounds chicken wings
Maple Barbecue Salmon
Salmon is another barbecue classic — and this recipe puts a delicious twist on the standard dish.3 Take your salmon and sprinkle brown-sugar bourbon seasoning all over. A little cooking spray helps it stick. Then, mix together maple syrup and barbecue sauce in a small bowl. Keep half for later.
Now, grill the salmon for 4 to 5 minutes. Turn the salmon a few times until it reaches 145°F. During the last minute of grilling, brush half of your sauce onto the salmon. Once off the grill, use the rest of the sauce for an extra flavor boost. That’s it! You’re all set to enjoy sweet and smoky salmon.
Ingredient List
- Salmon filets
- Brown-sugar bourbon seasoning
- Pure maple syrup
- Barbecue sauce
- Cooking spray
Grilled Corn With Flavored Butters
Want a corn-on-the-cob twist?4 Grill some corn and serve it with a trio of flavored butters: Cajun, miso, and green goddess. Start by grilling the corn. Turn it occasionally for about 8 to 10 minutes. You want it lightly charred and tender. Now, it’s time to whip up the butters.
For Cajun butter, mix butter with paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, and black pepper. Stir until everything’s combined. For the miso butter, blend butter with miso, crushed red pepper flakes, rice wine vinegar, lime zest and juice, and salt. Then, top it off with toasted sesame seeds.
Lastly, for the green goddess butter, add butter, cilantro, parsley, scallions, garlic, lemon zest and juice, salt, and black pepper to a food processor and process until it’s smooth. You can store the butters in the refrigerator for four days or in the freezer for a month.
Ingredient List
- 8 shucked ears of corn
- 2 sticks unsalted butter for each butter
Cajun Butter
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Miso Butter
- 3 tablespoons white miso
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 lime, zested and juiced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Toasted sesame seeds
Green Goddess Butter
- 1/2 cup cilantro leaves
- 1/2 cup parsley leaves
- 2 chopped scallions
- 1 minced garlic clove
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
Simple Grilled Asparagus
Looking for another quick, tasty side? Grill some asparagus.5 Begin by tossing the asparagus with olive oil. Sprinkle it with salt and pepper for flavor. Next, place the asparagus on the grill. Cook for about 5 to 8 minutes. Make sure to turn the asparagus occasionally.
While the asparagus cooks, char some lemons. Place the halves cut side down on the grill. This should take about 3 minutes. Now, move your asparagus to a large serving plate. Drizzle with a bit more olive oil and squeeze the grilled lemon over the top for a zesty finish.
Ingredient List
- 1 pound asparagus
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
- 1 halved lemon
The Joy of Summer Barbecues
With these quick and easy recipes, you’re not just hosting a cookout, you’re creating a feast. A feast that’s bound to leave your guests asking for more! So, take some time to explore the vast array of summer barbecue recipes available online. And get ready to turn your next get-together into a delicious celebration.
