Grilling season is here in Northeast Ohio! With the warmer weather, it’s time to dust off that spatula and grab some skewers. You’ll find that there are a plethora of recipes for you to try this summer, whether it’s new takes on old classics, healthier alternatives, or barbeque staple dishes. Here are some of our favorites!
Jamaican Jerk Grilled Eggplant
Eggplant and other veggies of your choice taste great coated in a Jamaican Jerk as a base for a marinade. These cook in just a few minutes with very little prep time. With strong flavor and being light to eat, Jamaican Jerk grilled veggies are sure to be a hit as a main course or as a side dish to something else.
Speaking of side dishes on the grill, a staple classic is grilled corn on the cob.
Herb Buttered Grilled Corn
A quick and flavorful grilled corn is a staple of grilling season and is perfect for your summer events. Making seasoned or herbed butter is an easy way to make your corn’s flavor match whatever you’re having for the main course is going to be whether it’s spicy or savory. A sweet and delicious addition to any grilling experience, it’s easy to add to your grill and make enough for as many guests as possible.
Grilled veggies pair well with a myriad of other dishes, from tenderloin to seafood, as well as burgers and wings. Whether you’re a meat-eater or prefer plant-based alternatives to these dishes, they’re certain to go well with your outdoor feast.
Filet Mignon or Tenderloin
You’ve likely had a steak on the grill, but not everyone has had tenderloin or filet mignon. These tender cuts of meat grill well with tons of flavor on their own, but they also pair well with dry rubs. Tenderloin and filet grill well for a quick and delicious meal, since they cook perfectly and stay tender.
Salmon/Tuna Steaks
If you’re looking for something a little lighter in fare than red meat, salmon and tuna steaks are a great way to give your summer feast a boost. These are also easy to season to make perfect for any occasion. Seafood is a perfect choice for a light dinner that can make you feel like you’re relaxing at a beach this season.
Grilled Seitan
Seitan is a vegan meat alternative that packs a lot of protein. It can be mixed with seasonings when making it from scratch, dry seasoned, or marinated depending on how you are going to cook it. The best part about seitan for those who are meat-free is that it can mimic many other foods. From steak to chicken wings and many things in between, it has a very meaty texture and can be flavored to match. Seitan also grills well and keeps for a long time once made, so you can prepare it a few days before you intend to grill it up.
Burgers, Brats, and Wings
Sometimes it can feel like you need to reinvent the wheel with your summer grilling. However, sometimes the ol’ reliable staples of grilling seasons past are the perfect things for your cookout. Burgers, hot dogs, and wings can all be classed up or made meat-free for those who choose that dietary difference, but they can also just be the classics you might remember from when you were a kid watching others grill for you. They can all be seasoned and sauced for whatever your preferences are, as well. “You can’t go wrong with the classics” is sometimes a cliche sentiment, but with grilling, it’s a fairly true principle. These foods are great for the outdoors and barbeques because they’re portable and work as finger foods off the grill.
No matter what you’re looking to eat this grilling season, you can flavor it, grill it, or make it perfect for the occasion with just a little prep work, and that’s half the fun of grilling– being able to make something enjoyable quickly so you can enjoy your time outdoors with your friends and family.