Surprising Foods That You Didn’t Know You Could Grill

Summertime is in full swing, and with that, comes grilling season. You’ve probably already spent a few weekends standing over the grill, whipping up burgers, hot dogs, ribs, and steaks. However, you don’t have to limit yourself when it comes to grilling.

There are plenty of foods that you can put on the grill to totally change the way that you host your weekend or holiday cookouts. If you’re not sure where to start, this list of surprising foods you can grill can help.

Watermelon

Most people don’t think of fruits and vegetables when they think of foods you can grill. However, watermelon is a summer staple, and putting it on the grill completely transforms it into something that some people believe is even better.

Putting your watermelon on the grill, adding just a touch of salt, and closing the lid changes the flavor profile and the texture of the watermelon.

Instead of a sweet, juicy piece of produce, you can enjoy raw to a savory, meat-like food item. Don’t be afraid to experiment with some seasonings as you hone in on your grilled watermelon recipes, either.

Some people even enjoy putting some olive oil and a seasoning of their choice on their watermelon before serving it with a slice of cheese on buns, creating a watermelon burger.

Cantaloupe

Watermelon isn’t the only melon you can grill. Cantaloupe is quite similar in its structure and tastes just as good when smoked and grilled.

One interesting way to go about this is to put some olive oil on your grill’s grates to prevent sticking and slice your cantaloupe into smaller pieces.

You can put the pieces on a skewer and sprinkle some salt or other seasoning on it to create a kabob.

Bacon

This one may seem like it goes without saying, but there’s no bad way to cook bacon. The world’s most popular breakfast meat is delicious on sandwiches, on its own, or in a variety of other ways.

Since bacon has a natural smokiness to it, putting it on the grill is a great way to highlight its natural flavors.

Eggs

While we’re talking about breakfast foods that you can grill, you may be surprised to find eggs on the list. This low-calorie, high-protein option just requires the use of a muffin tin on your grill top.

If you’re a camping enthusiast, you may have fixed eggs in a cast iron skillet over an open fire before. That’s the type of flavor that you get when you add eggs to your list of grilling recipes.

Oysters

While seafood isn’t always considered a food that lends itself to grilling, that’s simply not the case.

Even if you’ve grilled salmon or other types of fish before, you may be surprised to find that oysters make a great addition to your grilling menu.

They’re incredibly easy to prepare, as you just need to put them on your grill until they start popping open. Serve these up and create the feel of an elevated menu at your next cookout.

Guacamole

Dipping sauces don’t usually come up on lists of food you can grill, but you just have to be willing to think outside the box.

You’ll need to keep an eye on your guacamole if you choose to go this route, though. Stirring regularly can help ensure that your ingredients aren’t getting overcooked.

When you’re done, you’ll have a rich, smoky-tasting guacamole that pairs great with chips or other foods.

Potato Wedges

If you’ve ever fixed steak on the grill, you’ve probably wrapped some potatoes in foil and let them cook alongside the meat.

However, that’s not the only way that you can grill your potatoes. Cut your potatoes into thick wedges and put some olive oil on your grill to make sure they don’t stick. You can also toss the wedges in oil to achieve the same result.

You can use regular or sweet potatoes to make your grilled wedges. If you get a bit of a char on the potato, don’t worry about it.

Since potatoes have a natural sweetness and starchiness, the smokiness of the char will pair perfectly.

Stuffed Peppers

Much like potatoes, peppers on the grill aren’t exactly revolutionary. You’ve likely thrown peppers and onions on your grill’s surface before, but stuffed peppers are another great option if you’re looking to add a new item to your list of grilling recipes.

Since most peppers have thin skin, they’ll pick up the smokiness from your grill within minutes. You can stuff your peppers with virtually any combination of items, ranging from cream cheese and bacon to cheese and ground beef.

Don’t be afraid to experiment. Depending on what you stuff the peppers with, you can use these as an appetizer or an entree.

Pizza

If you’re tired of making frozen pizzas in the oven but don’t have access to a special pizza oven, take your favorite guilty pleasure food to the grill.

If you want to up the taste of your crust, add some olive oil, garlic, or other seasonings to your dough, roll it out, and put it on the grill.

Obviously, cheese is going to melt on the grill, so don’t be afraid to put it on as thick as you’d like. You can add any type of pizza topping that you like and prep your pizza on the grill.

If you like pineapple pizza, grilling is a great option. Much like watermelon and cantaloupe, pineapple is a soft, juicy fruit that absorbs the smoke from your grill, so it will totally change the texture and the flavor profile.

Lemons

Most people don’t think of citrus when they think of grilling, but it’s actually a great idea. Lemons aren’t only good for adding to water or drizzling on your fish.

Grilling lemons, and other citruses like grapefruits, oranges, and limes, cuts down on their natural bitterness while also giving them a bit of texture.

It’s a good idea to brush your grill’s grates with some oil first since citrus fruits tend to stick. Simply cut them in half and place the exposed portion on the grill.

You can also cut them into smaller slices, but you’ll want to make sure not to leave them on the grill too long if you go this route.

The high amount of sugar in citrus makes them prone to burning, so you’ll want to monitor your heat and the amount of time that you leave them on the grill.

Lettuce

Lettuce may not seem like the most exciting food, but it’s certainly surprising to find out that you can put it on the grill. This is especially true for romaine lettuce.

Whether you’re planning on making a salad or you want to change the way that people at your cookout top their burgers, grilling lettuce is a bold choice, but it’s a good one.

Season the lettuce with some salt and pepper after cutting the head in half. You’ll also want to add some oil to the lettuce before putting it on the grill to help it hold its seasoning and prevent sticking.

It’s a good idea to eat the lettuce as soon as it comes off the grill, as that’s when the flavor from the smoke will be the most evident.

Get to Grilling!

Burgers, brats, and steak will always be a part of grilling season. However, you don’t have to limit yourself to those grilling mainstays.

Branching out and trying new things will help you elevate your grilling game, whether you want to impress your friends and family, or you just want to enjoy these surprising foods that you can grill.

Fire up the grill and start experimenting!