It’s been a long day, and you certainly don’t have time to make dinner tonight, or do you? Being short on time during the week doesn’t mean you have to relegate yourself to takeout for a great weeknight meal.
These 12 easy weeknight grilled dinners can all be done in about 45 minutes and are guaranteed to be better than takeout. So don’t let the weekday grind get in the way of flavor. Get outside, fire up the grill, and throw down one of these incredible weeknight dinners.
This list also includes a bonus grilled vegetable so delicious you must try it (keep reading for that one!), and I’ve posted plenty of great side dishes you can add to your menu.
Grill Ideas for Dinner That Are Fast, Easy, and Delicious
Just remember to marinade these easy recipes for the grill before you leave for work, and you’re good to go!
Grilled New York Strip Steak with Garlic Butter
First up is this easy grilled NY Strip Steak with Garlic Butter. This is one of the simplest grilling recipes when it comes to steak, and you don’t need a top dollar cut of meat to make it delicious. The garlic herb butter really goes a long way to make this grilled steak on level with a high-end steakhouse.
San Diego Style Street Tacos
I would be remiss to not include something for Taco Tuesday in my round-up of quick and easy weeknight grilled dinners. These San Diego Style Street Tacos can be made from grilled flank steak or skirt steak; both are excellent choices. Just toss the meat in the marinade before work and by dinner time you’re ready to roll.
Grilled Argentinian Shrimp
It doesn’t get much faster than grilled shrimp. These Grilled Argentinian Red Shrimp actually cook even faster than other types of shrimp, making this the quickest recipe in the round-up. They’re great plain, but also make incredible shrimp tacos.
Drunkin’ Strip Steak
Another of my favorite ways to grill a steak, this Bourbon Molasses Marinated Steak is so flavorful and so easy to grill; it’s perfect for a night when you’re short on time and long on appetite. Just toss it in the marinade before you head out for the day, and grill it in about 15 minutes when you get home.
Grilled Sweet n’ Sour Orange Salmon
Grilled salmon can be intimidating. Do I flip it? What if it sticks to the grill? When is it done?
Worry not, this Sweet n’ Sour Orange Salmon recipe answers all of those questions. Best of all, it delivers an amazing flavor that isn’t too “fishy.”
Grilled Chicken Halves
You can pick up a whole chicken for less than five bucks, and splitting it in half makes it so much easier to grill. This grill roasted chicken recipe is simple, packed with flavor and best of all it’s super juicy. Drop it in a simple salt water brine (trust me, it’s so easy) before work, and give these less than an hour on the grill and you’ll be glad you did.
Grilled Broccolini w/ Garlic, Lemon, and Parmesan
While this Grilled Broccolini might not be a meal in itself, it’s so easy to make this grilled vegetable as a side to just about any grilled dinner, it would have been a crime to leave it off the list. Between this recipe and Grilled Corn, I don’t know which is my favorite.
Easy Grilling Ideas Worth the Wait
These suggestions of things to grill for dinner take a little longer, but they’re still easy weeknight dinners. Let the grill do the work and relax.
Steakhouse Burgers
Nothing says summer grilling like a great burger. These Smoked Hamburgers take just a tad over the 45-minute mark to perfect, but the extra five minutes is soooooo worth it. Trust me, these burgers are better than you’ll find in any high-end steakhouse.
Pineapple Teriyaki Turkey Burgers
If you’re looking to keep things on the lighter side, these Grilled Turkey Burgers are a great choice. Turkey burgers have the reputation of being dry, and they often are because turkey is such a lean meat. You don’t have to worry about that with these burgers. They’re surprisingly juicy and flavorful.
Seared Sea Scallops with Brown Butter
If you like seafood, or even if you don’t, you’re going to love these Seared Sea Scallops w/ Brown Butter. They don’t taste at all fishy, have an amazing texture, and if you follow my tips in the recipe they’ll be seared perfectly.
Maple-Glazed Pork Chops
Gone are the days of dry, boring pork chops. These Maple-Glazed Pork Chops are tender, juicy, and jam packed with flavor. Grab a thick-cut pork chop or two and get these on the grill ASAP.
Grilled Spatchcock Chicken
Grilled chicken is hit or miss. Sometimes the boneless skinless chicken breasts can get dry while on the grill. They are very lean, so some drying is going to happen.
Instead of paying a premium for chicken breasts that dry out, try this whole Spatchcock Rosemary Chicken. This is one of my go-to weeknight meals, and a whole chicken can be purchased for around five bucks.
Fire-Grilled Tri-Tip
Dollar for dollar, tri-tip is likely my favorite cut of meat. This tender and juicy Grilled Tri-Tip will not disappoint, and with any luck you’ll have some leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch. Tri-tip sandwiches with a little chimichurri are like knocking on heaven’s door.
