Top Grilling Ideas for Spring and Summer

Here are some helpful tips for planning what to grill the next time you feel like cooking outdoors:

• Use fresh, local ingredients when considering things to grill. Think about foods that are in peak season in your area. You’ll save money and have the freshest options. 
• Check the weather. If there’s a chance it may rain on the day you’re grilling, you’ll want to avoid getting wet. If it’s too late to postpone your cookout, consider using a smoker on your porch or covered patio instead. That way you won’t have to go with an umbrella to check the food as often as you’re waiting on it to cook. 
• Consider the group size. If you’re entertaining a large group, setting up a buffet may be the most stress-free way to ensure everyone gets served. Also, consider selecting buffet-friendly menu items like burgers, hot dogs and smoked pork shoulder. These can be placed on larger platters with buns, condiments and side dishes, and guests can easily help themselves whenever they like. On the other hand, if you’re hosting a smaller group, table service is much more feasible.  
• Provide plenty of choices. If you don’t know your guests’ eating habits, offer some healthy alternatives for those who may be on a restricted diet or some vegetarian or vegan options for those who don’t eat meat. 
• Don’t be afraid to ask for suggestions. One of the most efficient ways to figure out what to cook on the grill is to reach out to guests ahead of time to see what some of their favorite foods are. Plus, if you’re planning on asking guests to bring a dish, this will help you avoid duplication, so you don’t end up with three different varieties of potato salad.

• Meats: Hamburgers, steaks, chicken breasts, chicken wings, pork chops, salmon, swordfish, tuna steaks
• Vegetables: Corn on the cob, cauliflower, artichokes, peppers, mushrooms, broccoli, zucchini, potatoes, sweet potatoes, eggplants, tomatoes, romaine lettuce
• Baked Items: Flatbreads, pitas, pizzas
• Desserts: Peaches, pineapple, pears and figs served on skewers with a chocolate dipping sauce

Planning the perfect barbeque for the whole family is all about knowing the best things for grilling. Think about grill recipes everyone will enjoy. Be creative and check out popular food blogs and culinary influencers for their favorite outdoor grilling ideas. If your kids are old enough, let them help with prepping the food or even grilling with supervision so a family barbeque becomes an educational experience. If you’re not comfortable allowing your kids to help with the cooking, let them help brainstorm menu ideas so they can join in on the fun.

The best thing about grills today is that they provide many more culinary options than older gas and charcoal grills. One of the most versatile grilling products available is the flat top grill, which also allows you to sear foods and cook unexpected dishes outdoors like pancakes, scrambled eggs, flatbreads and even fried rice. Flat top grills also featured improved temperature regulation and have grease channels where excess fat can drip away from the cooking surface to prevent flareups. These grills also make it easy to customize dishes. For example, you could make customed-filled omelets for each guest or family member at your next outdoor brunch.

If you love the succulent flavor and texture of smoked meats, a new smoker lets you enjoy them whenever you want. If you plan to host a lot of cookouts, consider a pellet smoker. This type of cooker is equipped with a built-in thermostat and an automated hopper that feeds the flame when needed to maintain a consistent temperature, allowing you to step away and spend more time with your guests without worrying about your food overcooking.

There are a variety of choices when it comes to grilling fuels, including electricity, propane, charcoal and grill pellets. Each type comes with advantages and disadvantages, but ultimately some fuels are better for certain desired results. For example, one fuel may ignite more quickly and burn hotter, which is better for foods cooked at a higher temperature. Another fuel may hold a lower, consistent temperature more easily or impart a distinctive flavor that augments a certain dish. For a detailed overview of each fuel type, check out our informative article 7 Grilling Fuels to Use This Summer.

Here are essentials you’ll need for getting the most out of your grilling experience:

• Meat Thermometers: These handy culinary gadgets let you know when meat is cooked to the desired doneness. A good meat thermometer is one with an easy-to-read display, so you can temp foods quickly and easily.
• Grill Cleaning Tools: Part of keeping your grill in top shape and preventing flare ups is regular cleaning. Tools like grill brushes, griddle scrapers and grill cleaning blocks will make removing grime and stuck-on food a breeze. For help with cleaning your grill, check out our helpful guide Clean and Maintain Your Grill.
• Serving Trays: These let you easily transfer grilled foods to the table or dining area in one trip, so everything stays piping hot for you and your guests.  
• Beverage Coolers: Keep plenty of cold drinks on hand even on sweltering days with a quality cooler.