Grab some charcoal, skewers, and a chimney to light your coals. Marinate whatever suits your fancy, chop up salads, mix up some drinks. Revel in the fact that you won't be smoking up your house with screamin' hot pans—because you're preparing to cook outside after all, and grill grates and cast irons are happy to be super toasty over a blazing flame.
Grilling is, to me, aseasonal (as I'd don winter boots and a coat to do it in the snow) but it's extra exciting when the sun never seems to set. Since it's past time to pull out the grill and have nothing to do with the cooking apparatus inside your kitchen: Here are 25 recipes and ideas for the next outdoor party you're hosting or heading to.
Why yes, you can use the grill to make bread—and even if you hadn't thought to do that, you can grill already-made bread, too! Think flatbreads that pouf when they hit the heat, cast iron challah, grill-marked rustic loaves that you can eat with a slick of garlic and oil or tear into breadcrumbs.
Bright, bursting-with-flavor summer vegetables take to grill smoke like they take to vinaigrette or salt: happy and relaxed, with a little sigh of contentment. Whether you've got an abundance of fleshy friends like zucchini or eggplant, or spicy alliums, or greenies like romaine or snap peas, grilling gives 'em a toasty touch.
There are always ways to up your meat-grilling game, however familiar this staple cooking method might be to you: Get outside your comfort zone! Marinate your meats! Make sauces and salsas! Serve over greens! So what are you waiting for?
The sizzle and pop of the grill when something sweet, like peaches or watermelon, hits it is music to my ears. There's just something about the smell of caramelizing sugar that makes my not-so-sweet tooth get a little more excited than usual.
More from Food52
- Our 52 Most Popular Products of All Time
- Why We Love the Dansk Pitcher
- Our 5 Best Skewer Recipes
- 13 Essentials for Setting a Farmhouse-Inspired Table
Any Night Grilling is your guide to becoming a charcoal champion (or getting in your grill-pan groove), any night of the week. With over 60 ways to fire up dinner—no long marinades or low-and-slow cook times in sight—this book is your go-to for freshly grilled meals in a flash.
Order Now
See what other Food52 readers are saying.