Burgers and basic barbecue chicken can make every cookout start looking like the one before it. These 13 recipes bring in Cajun wings, marinated pork chops, seafood, loaded burritos, vegetable kabobs, and chicken skewers with Greek, chipotle, and Thai flavors. Some cook directly over the grates, while others use a grill pan, cast-iron skillet, or oven when that method works better.
Wingstop Louisiana Rub Wings
Coated with smoked paprika, oregano, cumin, brown sugar, onion powder, and garlic powder, Wingstop Louisiana Rub Wings bake until crisp in 25 minutes. The recipe makes 16 wings and serves 4 without requiring a deep fryer. Serve them with ranch, blue cheese dressing, celery, or fries when the cookout needs something beyond another tray of burgers. The dry seasoning can also be used on chicken cooked over the grill.
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Tomahawk Steak
Built around a 2-pound bone-in ribeye, Tomahawk Steak serves 2 and takes 35 minutes once the steak is ready to cook. Sea salt, black pepper, olive oil, and herb butter keep the ingredient list focused on the beef. The steak is seared in cast iron and finished in the oven, giving the cookout menu a larger centerpiece without adding several sauces or toppings. Slice it against the grain and serve with potatoes or grilled vegetables.
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Grilled Shrimp
Brushed with lemon, garlic, butter, and chopped herbs, Grilled Shrimp goes from prep to platter in 20 minutes. One pound of peeled shrimp makes 4 servings, with the skewers cooking for roughly 4 to 5 minutes per side. The short cooking time makes this useful when the grill is already handling slower meats. Eat the shrimp with rice or vegetables, tuck them into tacos, or add them to pasta or salad.
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Grilled Pork Chops
Marinated in soy sauce, olive oil, Dijon mustard, garlic, and brown sugar or honey, Grilled Pork Chops cook in 25 minutes and serve 4. The four bone-in chops rest in the marinade for at least 1 hour before going over high and medium heat. Their sweet-savory coating offers a straightforward change from bottled barbecue sauce. Add grilled corn, potato salad, baked beans, or cucumber salad to finish the plate.
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Grilled Cheese Burritos
Filled with seasoned ground beef, Mexican rice, Monterey Jack, sour cream, lettuce, and cilantro, Grilled Cheese Burritos make 6 servings in 35 minutes. Each flour tortilla is rolled tightly and cooked on a hot griddle or cast-iron grill pan until the outside is crisp and the cheese melts. These give the menu a handheld option that is more filling than a basic sandwich. Serve them with guacamole, chips, salsa, beans, or street corn.
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Flaky Grilled Salmon
Finished with garlic, lemon, butter, dill, parsley, and oregano, Flaky Grilled Salmon cooks in 30 minutes and serves 4. Skin-on fillets begin directly over the hot grill before finishing with the lid closed until the flesh turns opaque and separates easily. It brings seafood to a menu that may otherwise lean heavily on beef and chicken. Spoon over the reserved herb butter and eat it with grilled vegetables or a simple salad.
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Greek Chicken Kabobs
Marinated with Greek yogurt, lemon, garlic, olive oil, oregano, vinegar, and paprika, Greek Chicken Kabobs cook in 25 minutes and feed 6. Two pounds of chicken breast are cut into pieces, threaded onto skewers, and grilled for 10 to 15 minutes. The yogurt-based marinade gives the cook a different direction from standard barbecue seasoning. Serve the kabobs warm with crumbled feta, parsley, tzatziki, flatbread, or a Mediterranean-style salad.
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Copycat Smash Burger
Pressed onto a very hot cast-iron surface, Copycat Smash Burger makes 4 burgers in 25 minutes. Ground beef patties cook beneath a metal spatula before being topped with cheddar and tucked into brioche buns with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and spicy mayo. This changes the texture of the standard cookout burger by trading a thick patty for browned, crisp edges. Bring it to the table hot with fries, onion rings, or a cold salad.
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Grilled Veggie Kabobs
Tossed with lemon, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, basil, and parsley, Grilled Veggie Kabobs combine zucchini, red onion, mushrooms, green bell pepper, and eggplant. The recipe serves 4 and takes 40 minutes, including time for soaking wooden skewers. Grilling the vegetables together keeps smaller pieces from falling through the grates. Drizzle the reserved dressing over the cooked kabobs and serve them beside corn, burgers, or other cookout mains.
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Cheeseburger
Ready in 20 minutes, Cheeseburger makes 2 servings with ground beef, cheddar, toasted buns, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and a ketchup-Worcestershire sauce. The buns may be toasted over the grill, while the patties are quickly seared in cast iron for a browned crust. It covers the classic option without leaving the toppings completely plain. Serve each burger immediately with fries, onion rings, coleslaw, or a crisp side salad.
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Chipotle Grilled Chicken
Coated in chipotle in adobo, lime juice, garlic, onion powder, and olive oil, Chipotle Grilled Chicken takes 25 minutes and serves 4. Boneless chicken thighs cook over medium-high heat before finishing covered at a lower temperature. The smoky chile marinade gives the chicken more character than another coating of regular barbecue sauce. Slice it for tacos and burritos, or serve the thighs with rice, quinoa, sweet potatoes, or greens.
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Korean Burgers
Seasoned with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and black pepper, Korean Burgers produce 3 burgers in 20 minutes. The beef patties are brushed with honey barbecue sauce, then layered on sesame buns with chili-garlic mayonnaise and chopped scallions. Although the recipe card cooks them in a pan, grilling is included as an alternative for added smoke. Pair them with kimchi, cucumber salad, fries, or grilled vegetables for a burger night that moves beyond standard toppings.
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Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers
Marinated with fresh ginger, garlic, lemongrass, red curry paste, lime, sesame oil, and fish sauce, Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers serve 4. The full recipe takes 1 hour and 5 minutes, including preparation and marinating time, and uses 8 boneless chicken thighs. These skewers bring sweet, savory, citrusy, and chile flavors without relying on bottled barbecue sauce. Finish them with chopped peanuts and fresh herbs before serving with rice or a cool cucumber side.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers