Yes, grilling out and summer go hand in hand.
But when it comes to the grill, all seasons are well suited.
With the numerous benefits of grilled foods, the ease of it all and the community dining experience it creates, there are no rules for a reason.
So, forget that summer is gone and fire up the grill.
Whether you take advantage of a warm fall evening or go for the small, electric grill in your kitchen, you should keep the following foods on your radar.
While you may be familiar with some of the food inspiration below, you may find others to be unconventional or plain weird.
Nevertheless, our recommendation is simple -- don’t knock it until you try it.
And with these 7 foods on your culinary to-do list, you have 7 flavor-filled reasons to keep the grill season going.
- Any kind of protein.
Of course, the grill and protein go hand in hand.
From chicken and steak to fish and burgers, you can’t go wrong when meat is in the spotlight.
But, your grillable protein options surely don’t stop there.
Next time you take to the grill and are craving a little culinary creativity, consider cooking up some of these delicious protein-packed foods.
- Shrimp and scallops
- Octopus
- Tofu
- Tempeh
- Lamb
- Greens on greens on greens.
You can take just about any green to the grill. And when you first taste that charcoal flavor come through, you may never want to cook greens any other way again.
Here are some go-to greens to enjoy at your next grill night.
- Zucchini
- Romaine lettuce
- Asparagus
- Broccoli
- Pineapple and peaches.
If you have yet to experience grilled pineapple and peaches, it’s about time you do.
Pineapples and peaches are transformed when they meet the grill -- bringing on an undeniably soft and melt-worthy texture that will take your sweet tooth for a ride.
You can enjoy them solo, or pair them with a scoop of your favorite icecream, a sprinkle of cinnamon or a spritz of whipped cream.
And if you are looking for a savory compliment to the sweet, try serving your grilled pineapple with a dash of cayenne pepper.
- Potatoes.
You can’t go wrong with potatoes…in any form.
During your next grill session, be sure to prepare a variety of potatoes. You can season them for a savory fix or you can add a bit of sweetness to the starch.
No matter what way you take it, remember that you can’t go wrong with a little bit of salt, herbs and seasoning.
- Corn, but make it interesting.
Corn on the cob is a grill master staple.
And while you can keep it plain and simple, know that with just a couple more ingredients, you can take things from basic to booming.
If you are looking for the latter, the best place to start is Mexican Grilled Corn.
Seasoned with a healthy amount of Mexican spice, complimented by a creamy, guilt-free drizzle and grilled to perfection, you’ll soon be adding corn to your weekly menu.
- Guacamole.
This one may come as a shock… we know.
And you may think standard guacamole is great as is, but grilling avocado before tossing it into your go-to chip dip is the grill master’s best kept secret.
Adding a subtle smokey flavor to your next batch of guac will surely take your upcoming Taco Tuesday to a whole new level.
- Watermelon.
Grilled watermelon is a taste-bud thriller -- and for more reasons than one.
This cooking process transforms the sweet, juicy and crisp fruit you know and love into a smoky, savory and chewier side dish.
In fact, some even say that the texture of grilled watermelon resembles that of meat.
And once you venture down this culinary path, there are a million ways you can take it. Maybe you add a sprinkle of Tajin and a splash of lime. Or maybe you throw the grilled watermelon in a salad along with arugula, feta and a light vinaigrette.
The options are endless, and will keep you craving this versatile melon year round.