"Grilling" and "intimidating" don't have to be part of the same sentence. If you're a complete beginner, look no further than these easy grilling recipes anyone can master, from basic grilled shrimp to juicy grilled chicken and grilled vegetable kebabs perfect for your roommates and family. Throwing vegetables and meat on the grill gives your food that irreplaceable flavor that won't be achieved from roasting, and you'll convince yourself you're an actual pro after trying out these foolproof ideas. This summer, crank up the grill and discover a whole list of new recipes you'll want to make every season from here on out.
— Additional reporting by Haley Lyndes
These burgers are made with mashed chickpeas, quinoa, flavorful spices, and an easy-to-make vegan BBQ sauce. They taste as good as the real deal, minus the meat.
Get the recipe: smoky BBQ veggie burgers
Who doesn't like a juicy, tender meat? The key to this recipe is the Greek yogurt, which the steak marinates in overnight to get its delicious taste.
Get the recipe: yogurt-marinated flank steak
This juicy dish puts bland, dry chicken to shame. The recipe calls for thinner plain yogurt, instead of Greek yogurt — which contains less sugar — so check the label and choose a yogurt with as few carbs as possible.
Get the recipe: yogurt and lemon marinated grilled chicken
Butter isn't exactly a healthy fat, but there's never been a yummier way to eat it than in these buttery, cheese-filled oysters.
Get the recipe: Mobile-style oysters
Hate when the herbs and seasoning get burnt onto your steak? Try this genius trick, marinating the beef after grilling to add bright and bold flavor.
Get the recipe: postgrill marinated skirt steak
Asparagus is another low-carb side that's perfect for grilling season. Just buy thicker stalks, so they're less likely to slip between the grates.
Get the recipe: grilled asparagus
You'll want to build your entire dinner menu around these pretty kebabs. (Guacamole, salsa, sour cream — yum!)
Get the recipe: fajita chicken kebabs
Ground turkey is even cheaper than ground chicken, and this buffalo-blue-cheese topping ensures it's full of flavor, too.
Get the recipe: buffalo turkey burgers
This is as low fuss as it gets: form patties of ground beef, and top the grilled burgers with your favorite store-bought (or homemade) queso.
Get the recipe: queso cheeseburger
Treat your roommates or family to an unexpected watermelon dish by throwing sliced watermelon on the grill and making a Mediterranean "pizza."
Get the recipe: grilled watermelon pizza
Take plain-old chicken skewers to the next level with a quick and easy chipotle yogurt sauce for dipping.
Get the recipe: chipotle-honey-lime chicken kebabs
Not a single person will be mad about having these bacon-wrapped hot dogs for dinner.
Get the recipe: bacon-wrapped hot dogs
With a little help from lemon juice, olive oil, and basil, you can transform chicken breasts into one of the tastiest grilled entrees ever.
Get the recipe: lemon-basil grilled chicken breasts
Skip the meat altogether and throw your favorite vegetables on the grill for an easy vegetarian taco. Top it with salsa, cotija cheese, cilantro, or guacamole.
Get the recipe: grilled vegetable tacos
The only way to eat fresh corn during the summer is with grill marks — it's truly the best.
Get the recipe: grilled corn salad
Offer a new type of "chip" at the dinner table with these ones made of polenta.
Get the recipe: grilled parmesan polenta chips
Why stop at grilled corn when you can top it on a generously slathered piece of avocado toast?
Get the recipe: Mexican grilled corn avocado toast
Pretty much anything wrapped in bacon will be a crowd-pleaser, and these bacon-wrapped shrimp and nectarines look and taste decadent, yet the recipe only contains those three ingredients!
Get the recipe: bacon-wrapped shrimp and nectarines
The best part about this meal, succulent from the chicken and crispy from the lettuce, is that you can make the grilled chicken ahead of time and use the leftovers for wraps the next day.
Get the recipe: grilled chicken caesar wrap
These healthy sandwiches will be a hit for the adventurous and veggie-forward family. Salty, milky halloumi gets perfectly charred when grilled and needs only a four-ingredient sauce to shine between bread.
Get the recipe: green goddess sandwich with grilled halloumi
Leave the utensils inside! Food on a stick is way better, and these burger skewers are not only aesthetically pleasing but also super delicious.
Get the recipe: burger skewers
The hardest part of this recipe is spiraling the zucchini, but if you have a spiralizer, it's a breeze and only takes 15 minutes to make!
Get the recipe: grilled tomatoes and basil zucchini "noodles"
Hungry for lunch? These sandwiches are the perfect midday meal, and the grilled zucchini inside is what makes it!
Get the recipe: grilled veggie sandwiches with herbed cream cheese and pesto
Help yourself to a whole heaping of this salad; it's healthy and refreshing!
Get the recipe: grilled watermelon caprese salad
Portobello mushrooms are a hearty alternative to hamburgers that both meat-eaters and vegetarians will love.
Get the recipe: grilled balsamic portobello burgers
Stuff jalapeños with bacon, cream cheese, pepper jack cheese, scallions, garlic, and lime, and grill them for the best-ever jalapenño popper.
Get the recipe: grilled jalapeño poppers
Skewers make grilling much more manageable, and this combination of chicken, peppers and onion is juicy and irresistible.
Get the recipe: chili lime chicken skewers with mango sauce
Grilling hot dogs is as easy as it gets, but it's always important to get a tutorial before you fire up the grill. This is hands down the best way to do it.
Get the recipe: grilled hot dogs
Grilled vegetable kabobs are a must at any BBQ, and you can customize them to meet your family's preferences.
Get the recipe: vegetable kabobs
A new take on surf and turf, these shrimp and chorizo skewers can be grilled in a matter of minutes.
Get the recipe: shrimp and chorizo skewers
Make your life easy by assembling easy-to-grill skewers with marinated salmon, pineapple, zucchini, and red onion.
Get the recipe: Asian salmon kabobs
The key to keeping grilled chicken breasts completely juicy is to brine them for at least two hours and up to overnight.
Get the recipe: beer-brined grilled chicken breasts
Spread a homemade gremolata, an herb sauce with garlic and lemon, all over the shrimp once they've been grilled for an easy boost of flavor.
Get the recipe: grilled shrimp with gremolata
Take the meaning of "grilled cheese" to a whole new level by throwing gooey brie and fresh cherries on the grill.
Get the recipe: grilled brie with cherries
The combination of parmesan cheese, fresh basil, and olive oil is a much more exciting way to dress up corn than with just butter.
Get the recipe: grilled corn with parmesan and basil
Buffalo-lovers will devour these spicy grilled shrimp.
Get the recipe: buffalo grilled shrimp
Grilled flank steak tacos with guacamole and cotija cheese are perfect for Cinco de Mayo and beyond.
Get the recipe: grilled flank steak tacos
A homemade Juicy Lucy, aka a cheese-stuffed burger, will be the star of any backyard BBQ.
Get the recipe: Juicy Lucy burger
This BBQ rub is bursting with the flavors of orange peels, chili powder, and black pepper, and it's the ultimate match for grilled chicken.
Get the recipe: grilled chicken thighs and wings with barbecue sauce
This is possibly the best (and easiest) grilled shrimp recipe you'll ever make. All you need is salt, lemon, and parsley.
Get the recipe: lemony grilled shrimp
Choose a fish like halibut, sea bass, or striped bass, and marinate it for 15 minutes in lime juice and oil, and you're on your way to heavenly homemade fish tacos.
Get the recipe: grilled fish tacos
Take your standard grilled burger to new heights with a quick aioli and plenty of blue cheese crumbles for topping.
Get the recipe: blue cheese burger
Grilled zucchini is the absolute best with butter, garlic, Italian seasoning, and lemon juice.
Get the recipe: grilled lemon garlic zucchini
Juicy summer peaches are delicious enough as it is, and when you take them to the grill, the result is pure heaven.
Get the recipe: grilled peach salad with goat cheese
These cheese- and herb-filled flatbreads can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for one to two days.
Get the recipe: grilled flatbreads stuffed with cheese and herbs
This foolproof grilling recipe for salmon is perfect for beginners.
Get the recipe: grilled salmon with garlic and herbs
Once you master the basics and learn the techniques for grilling different vegetables like broccolini, asparagus, and eggplant, you'll want to prepare veggies this way all the time.
Get the recipe: how to grill vegetables
These restaurant copycat steak tacos might seem complicated, but each step is totally doable, from the carne asada to the salsa.
Get the recipe: steak tacos
Give grilled corn an upgrade with a zesty cilantro-lime butter.
Get the recipe: grilled corn with cilantro butter