Summer BBQ Ideas: 12 Light & Easy Recipes

Time: 30 minutes • Serves: 4 • Good for: sweet-heat, weeknight grilling

Ingredients

• 1½ lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, 1½-inch pieces

• 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1–2 chipotle peppers in adobo, minced (plus 1 tsp adobo sauce)

• 2 tbsp lime juice

• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp cumin, 1 tsp kosher salt

• Optional: chopped cilantro + lime wedges

Instructions

• Marinate (10 min): In a bowl, mix oil, chipotle, adobo, lime, honey, garlic, paprika, cumin, and salt. Toss chicken to coat.

• Skewer: Thread chicken and pineapple onto soaked wooden or metal skewers.

• Grill: Medium-high heat, 8–10 minutes, turning once, until charred and cooked through (165°F/74°C).

• Finish: Rest 3 minutes. Sprinkle cilantro and serve with lime.

Time: 25 minutes • Serves: 4 • Good for: taco night, sweet-savory

Ingredients

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled & deveined

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp chili powder, ½ tsp paprika, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp salt

• 1 cup small pineapple chunks

• 8 small tortillas (corn or flour)

• 1 avocado, sliced

• 1 cup corn (fresh or frozen, thawed)

• ¼ cup cilantro leaves

Jalapeño Crema

• ½ cup Greek yogurt or sour cream

• 1 small jalapeño (seeded for mild), chopped

• 1 tbsp lime juice, pinch of salt

1) Grilled Nectarine, Burrata & Prosciutto Salad

• Do this: Halve nectarines; brush with oil; grill to caramelize. Toss arugula, basil, cherry tomatoes, and burrata. Add torn prosciutto.

• Dress: Lemon, olive oil, pinch salt/pepper.

2) Italian Sausage Sandwiches with Giardiniera & Basil Aioli

• Do this: Grill sausages; toast brioche or ciabatta.

• Top: Chopped giardiniera + basil-lemon aioli (⅓ cup mayo or yogurt + basil + lemon zest).

3) Chimichurri Flank Steak Lettuce Cups

• Do this: Marinate steak (garlic, parsley, oregano, vinegar, olive oil). Grill, rest, thinly slice.

• Serve: In lettuce leaves with extra chimichurri.

4) Chili-Lime Salmon Foil Packs

• Do this: Salmon fillets + corn + zucchini + lime rounds; chili powder + salt. Seal in foil, grill 10–12 minutes.

5) Greek Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki

• Do this: Yogurt + lemon + oregano marinade. Grill to char.

• Serve: With cucumber, tomato, and store-bought or quick tzatziki.

6) Zucchini & Halloumi Kebabs

• Do this: Alternate halloumi cubes and zucchini ribbons; brush with oil; grill.

• Finish: Mint and lemon zest.

7) Caprese Grilled Peach Skewers

• Do this: Skewer peaches + mini mozzarella + basil; grill briefly; glaze with balsamic reduction.

8) Charred Corn & Black Bean Salad

• Do this: Grill corn; cut kernels. Toss with black beans, tomato, red onion, cilantro, cumin, and lime.

9) Crunchy Slaw with Jalapeño-Lime Dressing

• Do this: Cabbage, carrot, radish, scallion.

• Dress: Lime juice, olive oil, honey, minced jalapeño, cilantro, pinch salt.

10) Watermelon, Feta & Mint

• Do this: Cube watermelon, add feta and mint, squeeze lime. Chill until serving.

These are routine-friendly ideas readers enjoy. They’re not medical advice or magic fixes—just everyday habits you can try.