25 Grilling Recipes for a Spectacular 4th of July

Skewers, burgers, ribs, apps, chops, and more.

By
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht turned her home baking into a career in 2016 when she began working as the head baker at The Greenbean Coffeehouse in Seattle, WA. Afterwards, she started Baking with Rachel (her blog), began teaching kids' cooking classes, and recipe tested for the cookbook "Let's Stay In" by Ashley Rodriguez.
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Published June 30, 2023
Rachel Knecht
Platter of Grilled Lobster Tails with Lemon Wedges Surrounded by a Bowl of Garlic Herb Butter and a Plate of Corn

Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

It’s not a celebration at my in-laws unless the grill is on. Every year on the 4th of July, they’re out grilling ribs, hamburgers, and all-beef sausages. Though I miss attending the big 4th of July celebrations like we did when we lived nearby, we carry on the grilling tradition at our house. 

The grill is a versatile tool. It can cook high and fast or low and slow. It can be fueled with gas or charcoal. If you’re new to grilling and not sure where to start, we have lots of resources on how to cook everything from vegetables, fish, and meat.

This drool-worthy list is full of highly flavored skewers, easy vegetables, hamburger variations, and bold meats. It’s a celebration after all, so spending a little extra time to make a spicy chili paste or brine the pork will make the meal shine. Your effort won’t go unnoticed. So gather your friends and family and fire up the grill. You’ll be glad you did.

  • Grilled Skewered Meatballs

    Platter of Grilled Meatballs With a Small Bowl of Tzatziki, All on a Blue and White Stripped Kitchen Towel

    Simply Recipes / Mike Lang

    Yes, you really can grill meatballs. Inspired by Turkish köfte meatballs, this version leans on oregano and garlic for flavor. Be sure to get flat metal skewers to keep the meatballs from spinning when flipped.

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  • Grilled Portobello Mushroom Pizzas

    Portobello mushroom pizza with pepperoni on the grill

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    I love mushrooms on my pizza and this grilled version makes portobello mushrooms the star. Scoop out the inside and then grill the mushrooms before adding the toppings. Serve with a green salad.

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  • Grilled Cedar Plank Brie

    Grilled cedar plank brie, topped with blackberries and served on the plank with crostini

    Simply Recipes / Micah Siva

    If you need me, I’ll be over here munching on grilled slices of baguette slathered with blackberry-topped brie. The brie is warmed on a pre-soaked cedar plank for extra flavor.

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  • Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich

    Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwiches on a Parchment Lined Tray, and on the Counter Next to the Tray, Plates With Individual Ingredients

    Simply Recipes / Hannah Zimmerman

    Summer’s favorite salad gets taken from side dish to main attraction. Juicy grilled chicken breast, ripe tomatoes,  fresh mozzarella, and bright green basil are held together on a ciabatta roll. Marinate the chicken for up to 8 hours for the best results.

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    Continue to 5 of 25 below.

  • Grilled Pork Chops with Adobo Paste

    Grilled Pork Chops with Adobo Paste

    Susy Villasuso / Simply Recipes

    Growing up, I knew we were having a special guest come for dinner when my dad was grilling thick pork chops. These pork chops are coated in a hearty paste of Mexican dried chilies. The paste lasts for up to a week in the refrigerator or can be frozen for 1 month.

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  • Sweet and Salty Grilled Watermelon

    Grilled Watermelon Slices Topped With Mint Sprigs and Lime Wedges and Next to a Bowl of Spice Blend, All on a Parchment Paper Lined Baking Tray

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    You’ve cut the watermelon into thick wedges, now what? Try tossing them on the grill and giving each slice a smoky flavor and eye-catching grill marks. Make sure the grates are clean and that it’s sufficiently heated before grilling.

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  • Grilled Shrimp with Konkani-Inspired Masala

    Grilled Shrimp with Konkani-Inspired Masala

    Karishma Pradhan / Simply Recipes

    Shrimp slathered in a tropical paste of coconut, chilies, garlic, and tamarind will have everyone wanting more. Look for large or extra-large raw shrimp and serve the grilled shrimp with coconut rice.

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  • Grilled Lobster Tails

    Platter of Grilled Lobster Tails with Lemon Wedges Surrounded by a Bowl of Garlic Herb Butter and a Glass

    Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

    We may not all have childhood memories spent at Cape Cod, but we can all eat grilled lobster tails. Frozen lobster tails are readily available online and worth every dollar.

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    Continue to 9 of 25 below.

  • Easy Grilled Gochujang Chicken Thighs

    Easy Grilled Gochujang Chicken Thighs

    Cynthia Christensen / Simply Recipes

    Mouthwatering sweet and spicy bone-in chicken thighs are grilled until deeply browned. The key to this Korean-style chicken recipe is the simple paste of gochujang, sweeteners, and aromatics that you baste throughout the grilling process.

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  • Cambodian Grilled Lemongrass Beef Skewers

    Plate With Sach Ko Jakak (Cambodian Grilled Lemongrass Beef Skewers) With a Mound of Rice and Sliced Daikon Radish and Carrot Pickle

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    Serve these steak skewers as an appetizer for a special event or a main course along with rice and pickled carrots and daikon. The Angkor Cambodian Food brand of kroeung is a good choice for this recipe.

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  • Blue Cheese Burger

    A Plate with a Blue Cheese Burger Cut in Half and in the Background, the Other Half of the Burger Is on Parchment Paper with Pickles

    Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker

    If you’re in a burger rut, try out this blue cheese version. The cheese is mixed right into the patties. Opt for a wedge of blue cheese whenever possible. Pre-crumbled cheese won’t melt quite as well.

  • Whole Grilled Eggplant

    Plate of Whole Grilled Eggplant Next to a Platter of More Eggplant and an Oil Dispenser

    Simply Recipes / Mike Lang

    Skip the prepwork and grill the whole eggplant. Serve for Meatless Monday or as a side for chicken skewers. Leftovers last for 2 days and can be eaten as is or whirled into baba ganoush.

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  • Veggie Burgers

    Veggie Burger on a Plate

    Simply Recipes / Mike Lang

    If you’re looking for a plant-based burger, you’ve come to the right place. This burger is made from ingredients you probably already have in your pantry: walnuts, quinoa, and chickpeas. Ground flax and the liquid from the can of chickpeas replaces the egg that many veggie burgers need to hold it together. 

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  • Cedar Plank Salmon

    Cedar Plank Salmon on a Grilling Plank Next to Herbs and Grilled Lemon Wedges

    Simply Recipes / Mike Lang

    Grilling salmon on a cedar plank gives it a subtle smoky flavor without the hassle. Not only does it add flavor, it’s also easier to cook because you don’t have to worry about the fish sticking to the grates. Win! Turn leftover salmon into salmon patties for a quick lunch or dinner.

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  • BBQ Chicken on the Grill

    Overhead view of grilled chicken legs.
    Ciara Kehoe

    While I’m partial to Kansas City barbecue sauce, I’ll eat any grilled chicken that's been basted in sauce and cooked until crispy and juicy. Start the chicken on the hot side of the grill and then move it to the cool side so that it can cook low and slow.

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  • Grilled S’mores Sliders

    Side View of Grilled S'mores Slider on a Wooden Board

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

    When you think about it, s’mores are a dessert sandwich with graham crackers acting as the “bread”. This recipe takes away the pretense and uses buns. There’s a lot to love about this recipe and being able to make it on a gas grill is high on my list.

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  • Grilled Lamb Skewers with Haitian Epis

    Plate of Lamb Skewers with Epis Served with Arugula

    Simply Recipes / Nancy Odogwu

    Haitian epis is an easy marinade made of fresh herbs, aromatics, and peppers. It’s an important part of Haitian and Creole cooking and an incredible dip for lamb skewers.

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  • Chicago Hot Dogs

    All-beef hot dog with toppings on a plate with a bowl of chips behind it.
    Mike Lang

    Do it like they do in Chicago and make a hot dog worthy of the Windy City. Make sure to get all beef hot dogs and don’t skimp on the fixings. If you can’t find sport peppers, then substitute pepperoncinis.

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  • Grilled Halibut with Calabrian Chile Gremolata

    Plate of Grilled Halibut with Calabrian Chile Gremolata with Utensils on a Table

    Matt Armendariz

    Host like Gaby Dalkin and serve this quick and easy fish at your next backyard soiree. Halibut grills in 10 minutes so you’ll be eating in no time at all. This recipe uses crushed Calabrian chilis but jarred whole chilis work as well. 

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  • Grilled Chili Lime Flank Steak

    Grilled Flank Steak Marinade with Lime
    Nick Evans

    Flank steak’s rich flavor is complemented by a bright and smoky marinade. Give it at least 2 hours to soak in the flavor or marinade it ahead of time and freeze for up to 3 months before thawing and grilling.

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  • Grilled Spicy Citrus Ribs With Bourbon Glaze

    A parchment lined baking sheet with cut ribs from a grilled ribs recipe.
    Lori Rice

    Grilled ribs are high on my summer must-eat list. These are brined before grilling and then glazed with the winning combination of bourbon and brown sugar. Grill over indirect heat for about an hour and glaze when the ribs are almost ready to be taken off the grill.

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  • Greek Pizza on the Grill

    Grilled Greek pizza on a baking stone.
    Sally Vargas

    Once you have the technique down, grilled pizza is a fast and easy summer meal. Fresh vegetables and herbs sing of summer. Plan ahead so that your dough is ready when you are. 

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  • Grilled BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

    A plate with pickles, chips and shredded bbq chicken sandwich with pickle slaw and topped with bbq sauce. A second plate with two sandwiches and sarrano mayo are behind the plate.
    Nick Evans

    Skip the utensils and grab this grilled chicken sandwich with two hands. Marinate boneless chicken breast, grill, and then shred it for a crowd. The recipe makes enough for 8 sandwiches.

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  • Grilled Ginger Sesame Pork Tenderloin

    Grilled Ginger Sesame Pork Tenderloin
    Elise Bauer

    This easy pork tenderloin is marinated in savory soy sauce, spicy ginger, and fragrant sesame oil. It’s helpful to have an instant read thermometer to ensure the pork doesn’t dry out from overcooking.

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    Continue to 25 of 25 below.

  • Grilled Mushroom Swiss Burger

    Side view of a mushroom swiss burger on a plate outside.
    Lori Rice

    This should be called double mushroom swiss burger because it uses both dried and fresh mushrooms. Shitake mushrooms pack the biggest flavor but any kind will do for topping. If you're disappointed this is a beef burger, check out this vegetarian portobello mushroom burger.

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