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Outdoor Cooking Recipes for Your Grill

Try one of these delicious outdoor cooking recipes.

An outdoor kitchen is a fun addition to a home, and we’ve got some great recipes to get you cooking!

If you love entertaining, you should install an outdoor kitchen.

Outdoor kitchens create relaxing indoor-outdoor spaces that any outdoor enthusiast will appreciate.

You can sit on the patio and enjoy the yard and garden accessories that make this space your own.

Not to mention the resale value an outdoor kitchen on the patio or by the pool adds to your home.

Homes with outdoor kitchens typically see an ROI between 100% and 200%, depending on the location.

Once you’re familiar with all of your new kitchen gadgets, what will you cook first?

Keep reading for five outdoor cooking recipes to break in your new cooking area.

Outdoor Cooking Recipes to Try in Your Outdoor Kitchen

Next on our list of delicious outdoor cooking recipes…

Grilled Mustard Broccoli

Eating your vegetables is way more fun when they’re covered in a spicy yogurt sauce. 

This broccoli is different than what your mom used to make.

It’s basted in sauce and then grilled for extra flavor.

broccoli on cooking sheet

 

Ingredients

1 ½ lb of broccoli 

Salt

½ cup plain Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon mustard oil or olive oil

1 tablespoon whole grain mustard

1½ teaspoons chili powder or paprika

1 teaspoon chaat masala

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

Vegetable oil

Directions

Clean broccoli by trimming the stems, then cutting away from the heads.

Slice the stems lengthwise into ¼”-thick strips.

Then, bring salted water to a boil and cook the stems and florets until the broccoli is bright green and tender.

This will take approximately 2-3 minutes.

Put the broccoli into a bowl of ice water, then remove from water and pat it dry with paper towels.

Combine ingredients for the sauce (yogurt, mustard oil, whole grain mustard, cumin, chili powder, chaat masala, and turmeric) into a bowl. Whisk. 

Add broccoli and toss to coat with the mixture, then season to your liking. 

Once your grill has reached medium-high heat, grill the broccoli while occasionally turning for 5-7 minutes. Let some spots char, then transfer to a serving platter or bowl.

broccoli on cooking sheet

Grilled Mustard Broccoli

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 7 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes

Eating your vegetables is way more fun when they’re covered in a spicy yogurt sauce. This Grilled Mustard broccoli is different than what your mom used to make. It’s basted in sauce and then grilled for extra flavor.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ lb of broccoli 
  • Salt
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon mustard oil or olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
  • 1½ teaspoons chili powder or paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chaat masala
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • Vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. Clean broccoli by trimming the stems, then cutting away from the heads.
  2. Slice the stems lengthwise into ¼”-thick strips.
  3. Then, bring salted water to a boil and cook the stems and florets until the broccoli is bright green and tender.
  4. This will take approximately 2-3 minutes.
  5. Put the broccoli into a bowl of ice water, then remove from water and pat it dry with paper towels.
  6. Combine ingredients for the sauce (yogurt, mustard oil, whole grain mustard, cumin, chili powder, chaat masala, and turmeric) into a bowl. Whisk. 
  7. Add broccoli and toss to coat with the mixture, then season to your liking. 
  8. Once your grill has reached medium-high heat, grill the broccoli while occasionally turning for 5-7 minutes.
  9. Let some spots char, then transfer to a serving platter or bowl.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 182Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 341mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 7gSugar: 4gProtein: 8g

The Nutritional Information may not be accurate.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Skillet Mac and Cheese

Just because you’re cooking outside doesn’t mean you have to give up comfort food.

Your kids will love it, but this mac and cheese recipe is a hit, whether you’re a kid or not.

skillet mac n cheese

 

Ingredients

12 oz box macaroni

1 Tbsp butter

1 12oz can evaporated milk

1 tsp mustard

2 tsp Frank’s Red Hot

1/2 tsp salt

2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese

Directions

Prepare macaroni of your choice according to the instructions on the box.

Heat a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat while the pasta is cooking.

When pasta is tender, drain and add to the cast iron skillet with butter, milk, mustard, hot sauce, and cheddar cheese. 

Mix until combined and cheese is melted. It’s that easy!

skillet mac n cheese

Skillet Mac and Cheese

Yield: 4
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Just because you’re cooking outside doesn’t mean you have to give up comfort food. Your kids will love it, but this mac and cheese recipe is a hit, whether you’re a kid or not.

Ingredients

  • 12 oz box macaroni
  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • 1 12oz can evaporated milk
  • 1 tsp mustard
  • 2 tsp Frank’s Red Hot
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Prepare macaroni of your choice according to the instructions on the box.
  2. Heat a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat while the pasta is cooking.
  3. When pasta is tender, drain and add to the cast iron skillet with butter, milk, mustard, hot sauce, and cheddar cheese. 
  4. Mix until combined and cheese is melted. It’s that easy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 535Total Fat: 31gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 96mgSodium: 923mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 2gSugar: 10gProtein: 25g

The Nutritional Information may not be accurate.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Homemade Grilled Pizza

There’s nothing easier or more customizable than homemade pizza.

This is always a crowd-pleaser, especially if your outdoor kitchen is equipped with a wood-fired pizza oven.

You can easily buy pre-made dough or make your own.

It depends on how adventurous you’re feeling in your new space!

Mix and match as many toppings as you want for this one.

grilled homemade pizza

 

 

Ingredients

Pizza dough (homemade or store-bought)

Pizza sauce of your choice

Ham, diced

Prosciutto

Red onions

Zucchini

Mozzarella, shredded

Directions

Divide the ball of pizza dough into four equal pieces.

Roll the dough into 10-inch rounds on top of a floured surface.

Prepare, slice, and chop all of your toppings while your grill or oven is heating.

Organize the toppings to your liking. 

Place the dough rounds on the grill and let them cook for 1-3 minutes.

Flip the dough quickly and begin to add toppings.

Cook for 3-5 minutes longer. The cheese will melt and begin to bubble.

Remove the pizza from the grill with a large spatula.

Cut into slices and enjoy!

grilled homemade pizza

Homemade Grilled Pizza

Yield: 4-6
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 13 minutes

There’s nothing easier or more customizable than homemade pizza. This is always a crowd-pleaser. You can easily buy pre-made dough or make your own. It depends on how adventurous you’re feeling. Mix and match as many toppings as you want for this one.

Ingredients

  • Pizza dough (homemade or store-bought)
  • Pizza sauce of your choice
  • Ham, diced
  • Prosciutto
  • Red onions
  • Zucchini
  • Mozzarella, shredded

Instructions

Divide the ball of pizza dough into four equal pieces.

Roll the dough into 10-inch rounds on top of a floured surface.

Prepare, slice, and chop all of your toppings while your grill or oven is heating.

Organize the toppings to your liking. 

Place the dough rounds on the grill and let them cook for 1-3 minutes.

Flip the dough quickly and begin to add toppings.

Cook for 3-5 minutes longer.

The cheese will melt and begin to bubble.

Remove the pizza from the grill with a large spatula.

Cut into slices and enjoy!

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 114Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 498mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 11g

The Nutritional Information may not be accurate.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Carolina Barbecue Chicken

Last by not least on our list of delicious outdoor cooking recipes is Carolina BBQ chicken.

Few foods can be enjoyed in the outdoors as much as barbecue chicken.

This is a staple recipe that every outdoor cook should have in their arsenal.

carolina bbq chicken thighs on plate

 

Ingredients

1/2 cup yellow mustard

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons mustard powder

2 teaspoons hot sauce

1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Salt and pepper

2 Tbs unsalted butter, melted 

8 chicken thighs 

Vegetable oil

Directions

Preheat your grill to medium.

Combine mustard, vinegar, sugar, mustard powder, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to taste in a bowl. Whisk until smooth.

Toss the chicken with ⅓ of the sauce in a large bowl until all of the chicken is coated.

Let the mixture rest for 10 minutes while you brush the grill grates with vegetable oil.

Reserve ¼ of the sauce for basting and the rest for topping the chicken.

While basting occasionally, grill the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 170 degrees F.

This should take approximately 10-12 minutes per side.

Serve with the rest of the mustard sauce.

Add sliced tomato and macaroni salad if you wish!

carolina bbq chicken thighs on plate

Carolina BBQ Chicken

Yield: 4-8
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Few foods can be enjoyed in the outdoors as much as barbecue chicken. This Carolina BBQ Chicken is a staple recipe that every outdoor cook should have in their arsenal.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup yellow mustard
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons mustard powder
  • 2 teaspoons hot sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 Tbs unsalted butter, melted 
  • 8 chicken thighs 
  • Vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat your grill to medium.
  2. Combine mustard, vinegar, sugar, mustard powder, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to taste in a bowl. Whisk until smooth.
  3. Toss the chicken with ⅓ of the sauce in a large bowl until all of the chicken is coated.
  4. Let the mixture rest for 10 minutes while you brush the grill grates with vegetable oil.
  5. Reserve ¼ of the sauce for basting and the rest for topping the chicken.
  6. While basting occasionally, grill the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 170 degrees F.
  7. This should take approximately 10-12 minutes per side.
  8. Serve with the rest of the mustard sauce.
  9. Add sliced tomato and macaroni salad if you wish!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 358Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 174mgSodium: 472mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 1gSugar: 6gProtein: 31g

The Nutritional Information may not be accurate.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Try Your Hand at These Outdoor Cooking Recipes!

If you’re not drooling by now, we haven’t done our job.

Now that you’ve taken your backyard to a whole new level impress your family and friends with these easy outdoor cooking recipes.

About Julee: Julee Morrison is an experienced author with 35 years of expertise in parenting and recipes. She is the author of four cookbooks: The Instant Pot College Cookbook, The How-To Cookbook for Teens, The Complete Cookbook for Teens, and The Complete College Cookbook. Julee is passionate about baking, crystals, reading, and family. Her writing has appeared in The LA Times (Bon Jovi Obsession Goes Global), Disney's Family Fun Magazine (August 2010, July 2009, September 2008), and My Family Gave Up Television (page 92, Disney Family Fun August 2010). Her great ideas have been featured in Disney's Family Fun (Page 80, September 2008) and the Write for Charity book From the Heart (May 2010). Julee's work has also been published in Weight Watchers Magazine, All You Magazine (Jan. 2011, February 2011, June 2013), Scholastic Parent and Child Magazine (Oct. 2011), Red River Family Magazine (Jan. 2011), BonAppetit.com, and more. Notably, her article "My Toddler Stood on Elvis' Grave and Scaled Over Boulders to Get to a Dinosaur" made AP News, and "The Sly Way I Cured My Child's Lying Habit" was featured on PopSugar. When she's not writing, Julee enjoys spending time with her family and exploring new baking recipes.
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