Marinade Magic: 23 Grilled Recipes You Need This Summer

Summer is the perfect time to fire up the grill and enjoy some marinated goodness. Fans of juicy steaks, tender chicken and flavorful veggies will love these marinated grilled foods that just scream summer. We’ve rounded up mouthwatering recipes that are easy to prepare and packed with flavor, making your next BBQ a hit. Grab your tongs and get grilling!

Citrus Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Grilled citrus shrimp skewers with lime slices. — Citrus Grilled Shrimp Skewers. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Marinated in a tangy citrus dressing and brushed with more citrus and herb flavor after grilling, these shrimp skewers are a healthy, light summer meal.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Grilled Stuffed Avocados

Steak stuffed grilled avocados on a metal plate. — Grilled Stuffed Avocados. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Stuffed with Asian marinated steak, red peppers, grilled corn, and scallions, these grilled avocados are perfect for a summer meal served with a side of rice.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Stuffed Avocados

Indian Steak Kabobs

Indian yogurt steak and potato kabobs. — Indian Steak Kabobs. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These steak kabobs are marinated in a fragrant collection of spices, resulting in a tender and flavorful steak and potato dinner perfect for summer grilling.
Get the Recipe: Indian Steak Kabobs

Grilled Venison Backstrap

Venison sliced on a cutting board with a sauce on it. — Grilled Venison Backstrap. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Marinated overnight and grilled to perfection, this venison backstrap recipe results in a tender, juicy, and flavorful dish that’s great for summer barbecues.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Venison Backstrap

Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter

Flank steak is quick and easy to grill, and this 5-ingredient recipe tops it with a sweet and spicy chili butter that bursts with flavor. It can be on the table in 20 minutes, making it a fantastic choice for summer grilling.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter

Marinated Grilled Asparagus

Perfect for summer grilling, this recipe pairs crispy, charred asparagus with creamy, lemony dressing, rich eggs, and fresh chives. It’s a versatile dish that shines on the grill, whether outdoors or in a grill pan.
Get the Recipe: Marinated Grilled Asparagus

Easy Balsamic Grilled Eggplant Sandwiches

This balsamic grilled eggplant sandwich is packed with flavor and incredibly easy to make. Layered with eggplant, roasted red peppers, fresh mozzarella, and basil on ciabatta bread, it’s a delightful summer meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Balsamic Grilled Eggplant Sandwiches

Juicy Tequila Lime Grilled Chicken Drumsticks

Combining citrus zest and smoky tequila, these grilled chicken drumsticks are a mouthwatering dish perfect for a weeknight summer dinner or impressing friends at a BBQ.
Get the Recipe: Juicy Tequila Lime Grilled Chicken Drumsticks

Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken

This Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken is incredibly juicy and flavorful. Though it requires marinating time, the mix of garlic, onion, lemon, and spices makes it worth the wait, adding a refreshing touch to your summer grill.
Get the Recipe: Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken

Copycat Chiavetta’s Marinade Recipe

A Buffalo, New York tradition, Chiavetta’s chicken marinade ensures tender, juicy meat. Made from common pantry staples, this marinade is a quick and easy way to enhance your summer grilling.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Chiavetta’s Marinade Recipe

Greek Chicken Skewers

Featuring tender chicken marinated in a flavorful blend, these Greek chicken skewers are an effortless option for a summer dinner, whether grilled or baked.
Get the Recipe: Greek Chicken Skewers

Bruschetta Chicken

This dish combines tender grilled chicken with fresh mozzarella, bruschetta mix, and balsamic glaze. It’s a fresh and healthy option perfect for summer evenings.
Get the Recipe: Bruschetta Chicken

Pollo Asado (Chipotle Copycat Recipe)

Pollo Asado, packed with flavor from a chipotle-based marinade with lime and orange juice, makes for one of the most flavorful grilled chicken dishes, perfect for summer gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Pollo Asado (Chipotle Copycat Recipe)

Grilled Hawaiian Ribeye Steaks

Combining juicy ribeye with a Hawaiian marinade of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, pineapple, and rum, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, ideal for special occasions or casual weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hawaiian Ribeye Steaks

Kansas City Tomahawk Style Pork Chops

These bone-in pork chops are marinated overnight, grilled over charcoal, and finished in a beer and BBQ sauce bath, resulting in tender pork that’s perfect for tailgating or summer BBQs.
Get the Recipe: Kansas City Tomahawk Style Pork Chops

Marinated Chicken Thighs Recipe

Keto Chicken Thighs Recipe with Healthy Chicken Marinade. Photo credit: Mary’s Whole Life.

This recipe features a simple yet flavorful chicken thigh marinade. Perfect for family gatherings and summer BBQs, it’s an easy way to enjoy grilled chicken.
Get the Recipe: Keto Chicken Thighs Recipe with Healthy Chicken Marinade

Marinated Pork Steaks

Juicy and tender, these marinated pork steaks start with a savory, sweet, and spicy marinade and finish with a dry rub of your favorite spices. They’re easily cooked on an outdoor grill or stovetop.
Get the Recipe: Marinated Pork Steaks

Mexican Carne Asada Marinade

This marinade makes for an amazingly flavorful and tender Carne Asada. It’s a perfect choice for adding some zest to your summer grilling.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Carne Asada Marinade

Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

This Hawaiian BBQ Chicken is full of big tropical flavors, making it a great addition to your summer grilling repertoire.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

Grilled Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers

These sweet and tangy grilled honey garlic chicken skewers are an easy summer dish packed with flavor, perfect for BBQ season.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers

Yogurt-Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers Recipe

This Indian-inspired recipe features chicken skewers marinated in a flavorful yogurt blend, offering a refreshing change for your summer cookout.
Get the Recipe: Yogurt-Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers Recipe

Grilled Chicken Breast, Juicy and Tender

This recipe ensures juicy, tender grilled chicken breast, bursting with garlic and lime flavor. It’s a family favorite for summer grilling.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Breast, Juicy and Tender

Grilled Marinated Lamb Chops

Marinated with red wine, garlic, and spices, these grilled lamb chops are a flavorful and easy-to-prepare option for summer grilling, making cleanup a breeze.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Marinated Lamb Chops

Gina Matsoukas

Founder and Writer at Running to the Kitchen | About

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.