When it comes to Backyard Grill Mains, I have one goal: make food everyone talks about without spending the entire afternoon parked next to the grill. There is something about a backyard cookout that just makes people happy. The smell of the grill, the sound of everyone talking at once, somebody chasing a runaway napkin across the yard...
The only problem? Too often the cook gets stuck standing over the grill while everyone else is having all the fun.
Not today!
These are the grill recipes I pull out when I want food that gets people excited without spending the entire afternoon babysitting burgers. We're talking juicy Steakhouse Burgers, sticky-sweet Hawaiian BBQ Chicken, flavor-packed chicken skewers, tender ribs, and even a handy trick for grilling frozen burgers when company shows up and dinner wasn't exactly part of the plan.
Most of these recipes can be prepped ahead, many cook quickly, and every single one earns a spot on the cookout menu. That means less time flipping, more time visiting, and a much better chance you'll actually get to sit down and enjoy your own party.
So grab the tongs, put somebody else in charge of the potato salad, and let's fire up the grill. Summer dinners are calling.
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Why these backyard grilling mains work for entertaining
Whether you're feeding four people or forty, these backyard grilling mains make it easy to serve something memorable without spending the entire day at the grill.
Find the best backyard grilling main for your cookout
Not all cookouts are created equal. Sometimes you need a fast burger recipe, sometimes you need something that will feed the whole neighborhood, and sometimes you just want to spend less time at the grill. Use this quick guide to find the backyard grilling main that fits your plans.
|
Grilling Mains |
Prep Time |
Cook Time |
Serves |
|
Steakhouse Burgers |
10 min |
15-20 min |
6 |
|
Huli Huli Chicken |
15 min + marinating |
15-20 min |
6 |
|
Bang Bang Chicken Skewers |
10 min |
10-12 min |
4-6 |
|
Tri Tip on the Grill |
15 min |
30-40 min |
6-8 |
|
Texas Roadhouse Pork Chops |
20 min |
10-12 min |
4 |
|
Beef Shish Kabobs |
15 min + marinating |
10-12 min |
6 |
|
Honey Glazed Chicken |
10 min |
15-20 min |
4-6 |
|
BBQ Chicken Skewers |
15 min + marinating |
10-12 min |
4-6 |
|
Grilled Chicken Legs |
10 min |
30-35 min |
6 |
|
Grilled Shrimp Skewers |
10 min |
6-8 min |
4 |
|
Ribs on the Grill |
15 min |
2½-3 hours |
4-6 |
|
Lipton Onion Soup Burgers |
10 min |
10-12 min |
6 |
|
Grilling Frozen Burgers |
5 min |
15-20 min |
4 |
1. Steakhouse Burgers
Nothing is better off the grill than a platter of big, meaty, perfectly seasoned burgers and these are just like your favorite restaurant meal, only better! A simple blend of Worcestershire sauce and Montreal Steak Seasoning gives these patties incredible depth of flavor. They cook up fast and juicy, so you spend less time at the grill and more time enjoying your own party. Woohoo!!
2. Hawaiian BBQ Chicken (Huli Huli Chicken)
Dan told me this is the BEST BBQ chicken recipe, and that is high praise, don't you think?! The homemade sauce is tangy, sweet, and just a little bit spicy. Every bite is sweet, smoky, and loaded with flavor!
Marinate it ahead of time so when your guests arrive, all you have to do is toss it on the grates and pretend you've taken a trip to the islands. It's exactly what your next cookout needs!
3. Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
With just 5 ingredients, these bang bang chicken skewers come together fast and disappear even faster! One bite of that sticky, spicy-sweet sauce and you'll see exactly what all the fuss is about. These are the skewers people grab before they've even made it through the buffet line!
4. How To Cook Tri Tip On The Grill
If you've ever wanted that deep, smoky BBQ flavor without leaving home, How To Cook Tri Tip On The Grill is about to become your new best friend! There is something so irresistible about a perfectly grilled tri tip. It's the kind of showstopper that has everyone hovering around the grill asking what smells so amazing. Slice it thin and watch it disappear faster than the potato salad.
5. Texas Roadhouse Pork Chops Recipe
Want that hearty, restaurant-quality flavor without leaving your patio? These juicy pork chops are the answer! They're seasoned with a blend of spices, grilled to perfection, and finished with a mouthwatering butter sauce that will have everyone asking for seconds. Best of all, they only require 20 minutes of active time. Less stress, more fun for you!
Click here for the full recipe
6. Beef Shish Kabobs Recipe
Beef Shish Kabobs are the ultimate crowd-pleasing grill main tender marinated steak and crisp veggies cooked to smoky perfection in about ten minutes flat! The marinade does all the heavy lifting ahead of time, so when your guests arrive you are basically just sliding these gorgeous skewers onto the grates and soaking up the compliments. This is the kind of effortless, impressive cookout food that has everyone asking for the recipe before they've even finished their plate!
7. Grilled Honey Glazed Chicken
Grilled Honey Glazed Chicken is the kind of recipe that makes everyone think you spent way more time in the kitchen than you actually did! The honey glaze caramelizes beautifully on the grill, creating a sticky coating that's packed with sweet and savory flavor. Underneath, the chicken stays juicy and tender.
The best part? You only need a handful of ingredients to make it happen. It's simple, it's crowd-pleasing, and it's exactly the kind of fuss-free main that lets you actually enjoy your own party!
8. BBQ Chicken Skewers
I have to admit, I fell in love with these BBQ chicken kabobs after the very first bite! The creamy marinade seals all the moisture into the chicken, guaranteeing tender, juicy, flavorful results every single time. They get those gorgeous grill marks everyone loves, and the sticky, sweet heat makes them one of the first things to disappear at any backyard cookout.
9. Grilled Chicken Legs
Grilled Chicken Legs are the ultimate crowd-pleaser, and this recipe delivers the crispiest, most golden skin with the juiciest, most tender meat inside every single time! Drumsticks are one of the most budget-friendly cuts you can grab at the store, so you can feed a whole backyard full of hungry people without breaking the bank. Even if you're new to grilling, this one is totally beginner-friendly, which means less stress and more time soaking up all the fun!
10. How To Grill Shrimp Skewers
Sweet, tender shrimp on the grill in just minutes?! These Grilled Shrimp Skewers are the ultimate entertaining hack they cook up lightning fast, which means you're back at the party before anyone even notices you were gone. These are a great main dish, but also make a terrific on-the-spot appetizer!
11. How To Make Ribs On The Grill
Ribs on the grill that are fall-off-the-bone tender, lip-smacking, and finger-licking good? Yes, please! This foolproof method for How To Make Ribs On The Grill means no heating up the house, no guesswork, and no babysitting - just mouthwatering spareribs cooked entirely on the grates every single time. Trust me, this one is going to make you the absolute star of your next backyard cookout!
12. Lipton Onion Soup Burger Recipe
This is my go-to trick for the most flavorful, savory burgers you will ever eat! Mixing a packet of Lipton Onion Soup right into the ground beef adds an incredible depth of flavor that always has guests asking for the recipe. They are wonderfully nostalgic, super juicy, and an absolute must-make for your next backyard bash!
13. Grilling Frozen Burgers
Let's be honest sometimes impromptu gatherings happen and you don't have time to thaw the meat! The good news? You don't have to! Just put those frozen patties straight on the grill and dinner is on the table in minutes. It's the ultimate stress-free hack for feeding a hungry crowd on the fly, and I absolutely love that!
Backyard grilling mains worth firing up the grill for
Whether you're feeding the family on a Tuesday night or hosting the whole neighborhood for a backyard cookout, these grilling mains prove that great food doesn't have to mean spending all day standing over the grill. Pick a favorite, grab your tongs, and let the grill do the heavy lifting! The only thing left to do is sit back, enjoy the compliments, and maybe snag an extra helping before it disappears.
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