Grilling season is back, and that means delicious outdoor barbecue get-togethers with family and friends for everything from Mother’s Day and Father’s Day to the 4th of July, or simple summer parties with loved ones! There is just something special about food smoked over the grill and all of those delicious side dishes and desserts you can serve with it.
One advantage to cooking out either on a weeknight or weekend is the ease of using the grill outside rather than having to heat up your house in warm weather. Grilling food also imparts a great smoky flavor and char to food that’s hard to achieve inside on a stove. Plus, many summer events—from holidays to neighborhood cookouts and backyard barbecues—revolve around grilling and being outside, so it’s a great way to stay connected with your guests and celebrate summertime while you cook.
So, we’ve put together a few easy grilling ideas for you to enjoy outdoors on and off the grill to spruce up your menu this year. While you might have your go-to grilling main dishes you look forward to all year, like hamburgers, corn on the cob or a juicy steak, there are always new ideas to add to the mix.
Whether you’re making dinner for your family or hosting a backyard cookout, these easy grilling ideas are guaranteed to get your meal off to a fun start.
Recipe Ideas: On the grill
Fire up the grill and enjoy the summer weather as you create tasty and simple meals. All of these meals are easy and quick to make, so you don’t have to be a master on the grill to please your guests!
Juicy Steak
Start off with a hearty Grilled Steak and Brown Rice Salad Platter. Serve your favorite juicy grilled steak over a brown rice salad with arugula and avocado, all drizzled with a store-bought chimichurri dressing. It’s simple and impressive looking to wow any guests!
You can also use the grilled steak for this Jalapeño Lime Butter Steak Bowl, which uses Minute’s Jalapeño Rice Cups to quickly add some mild spice to the meal and lime juice to add acidity and freshness that goes perfectly with grilled meats.
Seasoned Chicken
If you prefer chicken, make your own Chicken Shawarma and Rice Pitas. Perfect for a dinner for two, you can easily swap grilled chicken into this recipe to take advantage of your grill this summer. After you heat your Minute Jasmine Rice Cups and seasonings, simply add in the grilled chicken along with Greek yogurt.
If you want to share with a crowd for your 4th of July get-together or summer cookout, double or triple the ingredient amounts. For an extra flavorful dish, season the chicken with your shawarma spice blend before placing on the grill.
Tacos are always a hit with a crowd, so why not try them on the grill? These Quick and Easy Chicken Soft Tacos are just that—quick, easy and sure to please all of your guests. Season the chicken with your favorite taco seasoning and cook it on the grill to impart some great smoky flavor before combining it with the salsa. You can even warm your tortillas on the grill before serving to get some great grill marks!
Veggie Burgers and Meat Alternatives
There’s nothing more classic than a burger on the grill, but these days there are many excellent meatless options that you can try.
For these Brown and Wild Rice Bowls with Veggie Burgers, use your favorite vegetarian or vegan burger and add it on top after your Minute Brown & Wild Rice Cup is heated. It’s perfectly portioned for one, but if you’re serving a crowd or making a family dinner, set up a burger-making station. Simply double or triple the ingredients depending on how many people you’re serving, and let everyone enjoy making their own burger bowl.
Vegetables are perfect for grilling, especially those that are seasonal to summer like bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant and corn on the cob! They add a fresh element that tastes delicious with the char from the grill, and can act as a great balance for heavier, smoky grilled foods.
You can turn these fresh summer vegetables into delicious side dishes for your BBQ event spread like this Mexican Street Corn and Rice Salad. This salad is packed with refreshing summer flavors and the perfect amount of spice. Have all the ingredients ready while your fresh corn cooks on the grill and simply toss everything together after you slice it off the cob for an easy grilling side.
Refreshing Side Dishes: Off the grill
For a great BBQ spread, there is nothing better than a refreshing side dish to pair with all of those smoky grilled foods!
For familiar flavors that everyone is sure to love, Minute’s Cilantro & Lime Rice Cups pair well with all kinds of grilled ingredients including meats, shrimp and vegetables. These cups pack zesty flavors and are ready in just 60 seconds when you need a quick side for your grilled meal.
This BLT Rice Salad is a great side to serve that incorporates the foolproof trio of crispy bacon, crunchy lettuce and juicy tomato. Plus, it’s made in just 15 minutes, so you can spend more time focusing on grilling the rest of your meal—and enjoying your great food! Save some of those tomatoes to toss into this Feta and Tomato Rice dish as well. Use grilled chicken for an easy Mediterranean-inspired meal, or omit for a meat-free yet vibrant salad packed with fresh produce, creamy Feta cheese and aromatic Minute Basmati Rice.
Want to take advantage of fresh summer produce? This Summer Squash Rice does exactly that, and can be ready in under 10 minutes thanks to Minute White Rice Cups. This incredibly simple dish needs just six ingredients to produce a refreshing, colorful side dish perfect for a summertime spread.
Want more ideas? Take a look at our Quick and Hearty Salad Recipes to get more inspiration for all of your summer get-togethers. All of these salads are delicious, easy to make and use Minute Rice as a base so they’re perfectly filling and flavorful as a meal or a side.
Bonus – Dessert Recipes
Every summer event deserves a sweet finish, especially if you celebrate Father’s Day or the 4th of July.
Ice cream is almost a necessity in the summer heat, and this Salted Caramel Rice Pudding Ice Cream Pie is a simple way to make a homemade version without needing an ice cream machine. With a cookie crust and salted caramel rice pudding filling, it’s a perfect make ahead dessert for your next cookout.
For a simple option, try this Vanilla Berry Parfait for a delicious, refreshing and perfectly-portioned treat. Minute Basmati Rice Cups add a subtly aromatic flavor perfect for desserts, and you can use fresh berries to really capture the taste of summertime.
Keep guests refreshed in the heat at your next summer party with these Coconut Pineapple Rice Popsicles. With just a few ingredients, these popsicles bring refreshingly tropical flavors to your backyard BBQ. You can get creative by incorporating different fruits or adding lime juice to really enhance the tropical flavors.
Take a look at more Dessert Ideas for Memorial Day and all of your other summer events!
Meals Mom and Dad Will Love to Kick Off Grilling Season
Mother’s Day comes at a time when the weather starts to get warm and we’re all eager to spend more time outside, so it can be a great unofficial start to the grilling season. As families take the time to celebrate their loved ones, why not fire up the grill to thank Mom for all that she does?
These easy grilling ideas can make for a special Mother’s Day meal to kick start grilling season. Start with All-in-One Shrimp Skewers with Grilled Rice, a fun and unique dish to create on the grill that mom is sure to love. Grilled rice is made by adding Minute Instant White Rice, vegetables, chicken broth and Italian dressing into a pouch of foil on the grill, where the liquid is absorbed by the rice to absorb delicious flavors. Paired with marinated, grilled shrimp, it’s the perfect dish to make on the grill.
To bring more bright, fresh summer flavors to Mother’s Day, serve this Orange Fennel Chicken dish. Grill the chicken before simmering with orange juice and salt, and serve over Minute Instant Basmati Rice for a fragrant and citrusy meal perfect for enjoying outside on Mother’s Day. You can also add grilled chicken to this Lemon Dill Basmati with Cranberries, Pistachios and Goat Cheese recipe for a Mother’s Day meal, or serve the dish on its own as a complex and flavorful side dish. It’s packed with delicious textures and colorful flavors that your mom will love.
These easy grilling ideas are perfectly simple recipes to help you make the most of your grill this summer, whether you’re serving dinner for two or hosting a family and friend get-together. With the convenience, speed, and variety of Minute Rice, you can be sure to create simple but delicious meals on the grill regardless of your skill level!
