Nothing says summer quite like the smell of food sizzling on the grill—and this season, what’s cooking is hotter than ever. The latest grilling trends are all about bold ingredients, unexpected twists, and can’t-miss flavors that go way beyond burgers and dogs. These exciting, flavor-packed recipes spotlight what’s hot this summer (pun definitely intended)—perfect for backyard cookouts, casual hangouts, and every celebration in between.
Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers
EntertainingIngredients
| 1 | pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 2-inch pieces |
| Marinade | |
|---|---|
| 3 | tablespoons HOUSE OF TSANG® Ginger Soy Sauce |
| 2 | tablespoons coconut cream |
| 2 | tablespoons sugar |
| 1 | tablespoon grated fresh ginger |
| 1 | tablespoon oyster sauce |
| 2 | cloves garlic, minced |
| Peanut Sauce | |
|---|---|
| ¼ | cup SKIPPY® Natural Creamy Peanut Butter Spread |
| 2 | teaspoons honey |
| 2 | teaspoons HOUSE OF TSANG® Ginger Soy Sauce |
| 1 | teaspoon rice vinegar |
| 1 | teaspoon Thai red curry paste |
| 1 | teaspoon sesame oil |
| ½ | teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes |
| 3 | tablespoons water, to thin sauce as desired |
| Chopped peanuts, lime wedges and cilantro for serving, if desired |
Directions
Thread marinated chicken pieces onto skewers.
Heat grill to medium-high. Grill skewers, turning occasionally, 12 to 15 minutes, or until cooked through.
Serve skewers with Peanut Sauce, chopped peanuts, lime wedges and cilantro.
For the Marinade
In large bowl, combine Marinade ingredients. Add chicken pieces to bowl, stirring to coat. Cover bowl. Refrigerate. Marinate at least 2 hours.
For the Peanut Sauce
In small bowl, combine Peanut Sauce ingredients. Add water to thin as desired.
Grilled Hot Honey Ribs
EntertainingIngredients
| 2 | packages HORMEL®ALWAYS TENDER® St. Louis Style Ribs |
| Rub | |
|---|---|
| ½ | cup brown sugar |
| 1 | tablespoon garlic powder |
| 1 | tablespoon dried basil |
| 1 | tablespoon white pepper |
| 1 | tablespoon smoked paprika |
| 1 | teaspoon salt |
| Sauce | |
|---|---|
| ½ | cup hot honey |
| 2 | tablespoons minced garlic |
| 1 | tablespoon grated fresh ginger |
| ¼ | cup brown sugar |
| 3 | tablespoons soy sauce |
Directions
Prepare grill for indirect. Heat grill to 350°F.
Apply rub to rib racks on both sides to coat evenly.
Place racks on grill over indirect heat. Close lid. Cook 1 hour, checking occasionally. Turn ribs. Cook an additional 30 minutes.
Brush ribs generously with sauce. Grill 3 to 5 minutes on indirect heat. Turn to coat other sides of rib rack, cooking an additional 3 to 5 minutes.
Remove from grill. Allow to stand 5 minutes. Chop ribs and place on platter.
For the Rub
In small bowl, combine rub ingredients.
For the Sauce
In bowl combine sauce ingredients.
Al Pastor Kabobs
EntertainingIngredients
| 1 | cup chicken broth |
| 1 | cup pineapple juice |
| 2 | tablespoons HERDEZ® Ancho & Pasilla Pepper Paste |
| 2 | tablespoons HERDEZ® Guajillo Pepper Paste |
| 2 | tablespoons HERDEZ® Chipotle Pepper Paste |
| 2 | tablespoons white vinegar |
| 3 | cloves garlic, minced |
| 1 | teaspoon dried oregano |
| 1 | teaspoon ground cumin |
| 1 | teaspoon Kosher salt |
| 3 | pounds HORMEL® ALWAYS TENDER® Pork Shoulder or Butt, cut into 2 inch slices |
| 1 | pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into slices |
| Suggested accompaniments: Warmed tortillas, additional grilled pineapple, chopped onion and cilantro, HERDEZ® Salsa Verde and fresh jalapeno |
Directions
In large bowl, combine chicken broth, pineapple juice, pepper pastes, vinegar, garlic, oregano, cumin and salt. Add pork pieces. Stir to coat. Cover. Refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
Heat grill to medium-high heat. Thread pork and pineapple pieces on 6 skewers. Grill skewers 12 to 15 minutes, turning frequently. Serve with suggested accompaniments.
Grilled Bacon Vegetable Skewers
EntertainingIngredients
| 1 | (6-ounce) package HORMEL® BLACK LABEL® Original Thick Cut Bacon |
| 2 | tablespoons olive oil |
| 1 | teaspoon Kosher salt |
| ½ | teaspoon thyme |
| ¼ | teaspoon pepper |
| 9 | Brussels sprouts, halved |
| 9 | cremini mushrooms, halved |
| 18 | medium skewers |
Directions
In bowl, whisk together olive oil, salt, thyme and pepper.
Thread skewers with bacon slices and vegetables. Brush vegetables on skewers with olive oil mixture.
Heat grill to 350°F.
Place skewers on grill. Grill 5 to 8 minutes. Turn to grill an additional 5 to 8 minutes or until bacon is crisped and vegetables are tender.
Bacon Wrapped Peaches
EntertainingIngredients
| 16 | strips of HORMEL® BLACK LABEL® Bacon |
| 3 | large freestone peaches, halved and pitted |
| 16 | toothpicks, soaked in water for 30 minutes |
| 2 | tablespoons vegetable oil |
| 8 | large basil leaves |
Directions
Heat bacon, in four batches, on paper towel covered plate, covered with paper towel in microwave oven on HIGH (100%) 2 minutes.
Place basil leaf over cut side of peach and wrap with 2 bacon strips; secure bacon with toothpicks. Lightly brush peaches with vegetable oil and grill cut side down over medium-high heat 1 to 2 minutes or until lightly charred. Reduce heat to medium-low. Carefully flip and grill 3 to 5 minutes or until bacon is crisp.
Pro tip: Par-cook Brussels sprouts before skewering to make sure everything cooks evenly and gets that irresistible char. And for the peaches, choose ones that are ripe but still firm enough to hold up on the grill.
Grilled Chipotle Chicken Flatbread with Guajillo Lime Crema Drizzle
EntertainingIngredients
| Flatbreads | |
|---|---|
| 2 | flatbreads |
| ½ | cup tomato pizza sauce |
| 1 | cup shredded Mexican cheese |
| Grilled Chipotle Chicken Breast, sliced | |
| ¼ | cup bacon crumbles |
| ¼ | cup pickled red onions |
| 2 | tablespoons Guajillo-Lime Mayo |
| 1 | tablespoon chopped cilantro |
| Guajillo-Lime Mayonnaise | |
|---|---|
| 1 | cup Mayonnaise |
| 1 | tablespoon HERDEZ® Guajillo Pepper Paste |
| 1 | tablespoon lime juice |
| Grilled Chipotle Chicken Breast | |
|---|---|
| 1 | chicken breast |
| 1 | tablespoon HERDEZ® Chipotle Pepper Paste |
| ½ | cup oil |
| 1 | tablespoon minced garlic |
| ½ | teaspoon black pepper |
| ½ | teaspoon salt |
Directions
For the Flatbreads
On one flatbread, add half of tomato sauce, cheese, chicken and bacon. Add other half of sauce, cheese, chicken and bacon to remaining flatbread.
Grill over medium heat or bake at 400° until cheese is melted, about 12 minutes.
Top with pickled red onions and drizzle with Guajillo-Lime Mayonnaise and chopped cilantro.
For the Guajillo-Lime Mayonnaise
In small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, HERDEZ® Guajillo Pepper Paste and lime juice.
For the Grilled Chipotle Chicken Breast
In small bowl, mix HERDEZ® Chipotle Pepper Paste with oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Add to resealable bag with chicken and marinate at least 2 hours.
Grill chicken breast until internal temperature is 165°. Then cut into thin slices.
Grilled Cauliflower Crust Pizza with Pepperoni, Hot Honey and Kimchi
EntertainingIngredients
| 4 | ounces maitake mushrooms, trimmed and broken into individual pieces |
| 2 | teaspoons olive oil |
| Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper | |
| 1 | purchased frozen 12-inch cauliflower pizza crust |
| ⅓ | cup pizza sauce |
| 1½ | cups shredded whole milk mozzarella |
| 1 | cup coarsely drained kimchi, coarsely chopped |
| ½ | (5-ounce) package HORMEL® Pepperoni Cup N’ Crisp |
| 3 | scallions, roughly chopped |
| 2 | teaspoons freshly grated ginger |
| Mike’s Hot Honey® for serving |
Directions
Prepare grill for medium-high heat. 15 minutes before grilling, heat pizza stone on covered grill.
In small bowl, combine mushrooms, olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.
On pizza peel, place frozen crust. Spread pizza sauce on crust. Sprinkle with cheese. Top with kimchi, pepperoni, scallions and grated ginger.
Transfer pizza to heated stone on grill. Cover and cook pizza 15 to 18 minutes, or until crust is browned, cheese is melted and pepperoni is crisped.
Drizzle with hot honey.
Want to really ramp up the experience factor for your guests? Set out a spread of toppings and let everyone build their own masterpiece — it’s a fun, interactive way to get creative with flavor and encourage guests to try something bold, unexpected, and totally delicious.
Pro tip: Grill one side of your crust or flatbread first, flip it, add toppings, and then close the lid to melt the cheese and infuse that smoky goodness.
When it comes to summer grilling, we’re all about pushing the boundaries of flavor and fun — and these fresh trends are proof that the grill is your ultimate tool for creativity. Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or just lighting the coals for the first time this season, these recipes are bound to make every cookout unforgettable. So fire it up, pour something cold, and let summer’s best flavors sizzle.