Your grill needs a break. It’s not you. It’s — okay, it’s definitely you. The minute summer arrived, you were throwing steaks over the coals faster than you can say George Foreman . Don’t get it wrong: Your grill has loved all the cookouts you've had so far this season. It was there for you through the ribs and the vegan 'cue — but it wants to you to know it can be so much more.
Once you’re burned out on the old steak-burger-fish rotation, let your grill show you what it’s really made of. Give it your watermelon, your cheese — heck, even your doughnuts — and it will deliver nothing less than crisp, summertime glory. Fire up the coals, ladies. This summer, we’re going big or we’re going hungry.
Image: Half Baked Harvest
Avocados
Yes, you can — and should — be grilling fruit, starting with avocados. Pick one that’s still a bit firm, cut it in half, and throw it on the grill. When it’s nice and charred, you can dress it with a vinaigrette or make the best guacamole ever. Thanks, Savory Simple!
Image: Savory Simple
Watermelon
A thick slice of watermelon holds up nicely on the grill. Take a cue from How Sweet Eats and toss it with a salad — or eat it as is with only a drizzle of honey for company.
Image: How Sweet Eats
Bananas
Our genius friends at Half Baked Harvest grill up bananas to give their desserts an extra smoky kick. Um…banana split, anyone?
Image: Half Baked Harvest
Pineapple
Fashion Edible thinks you should be putting pineapples on your burgers — and we have to agree. Just be sure to give them a little grill time first.
Image: Fashion Edible
Kale
Kale fans, eat your hearts out. You already love your brassica every which way — now, let’s introduce it to the grill. You have The Gouda Life to thank.
Image: The Gouda Life
Artichokes
When you think of artichokes, you’re probably thinking of those sad yellow things floating around in a jar at the supermarket. But a fresh artichoke heart, cut in two and thrown on the grill, is nothing short of a revelation. Cooking for Keeps shows us how.
Image: Cooking for Keeps
Pizza
Don’t have a brick oven? No problem. Half Baked Harvest makes mini, berry-topped pizzas that are perfect for outdoor grilling.
Image: Half Baked Harvest
Jalapenos
These cheesy, potato-stuffed jalapeno poppers are begging to be the star of your next cookout. Adventures in Cooking breaks it down.
Image: Adventures in Cooking
Cheese
Okay, grilled cheese is nothing new — but we’re not talking the sandwich kind. Naturally Ella fires up her halloumi, but Brie and chilled slices of goat cheese are great options, too.
Image: Naturally Ella
Croissants
Can you tell we’re a little grill-happy? Heather Christo fries up her Nutella-smothered croissant sandwiches, but we think they’d be so good over the coals.
Image: Heather Christo
Doughnuts
While we’re getting crazy over here, let’s just go ahead and grill up our doughnuts, too. Pair them with a chocolate sauce for dunking and get a pair of stretchy pants ready. Thanks, Half Baked Harvest!
Image: Half Baked Harvest
