12 Things You Haven’t Tried on Your Grill—But Should

CKP1001/Shutterstock

Cheese

Cheese lovers take note: Halloumi is a cheese that won’t melt and make a mess when heated on the grill. The cheese, which is made from sheep’s milk, gets a nice char on the outside when grilled and it makes a great appetizer. Here’s how chef Bobby Flay suggests cooking halloumi: Brush on a little olive oil and place the cheese onto a medium hot grill for 2 minutes on each side, or until marked. Then remove and slice. Serve with grilled pita bread, fruit or eat on its own. Get your grill ready for grilling season with an annual tune-up.

AS Food studio/Shutterstock

Stone Fruits

This summer, bring out the flavor of stone fruits by cooking them on the grill. The heat brings out the natural sugars which caramelizes and creates an intense flavor, according to Martha Stewart. Just slice in half, remove the pit and brush with a little olive oil. Grill cut-side down first and then flip. Serve your grilled nectarines, peaches and plums with salads, as dessert or on their own. Clean your grill ASAP with this vegetable!

Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

Watermelon

A staple of summer, watermelon takes on a unique flavor when grilled. Food Network suggests brushing watermelon slices with a little olive oil and grill them over high heat until there are grill marks and the melon is slightly softened. This will take about five minutes. Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper and try mixing grilled watermelon into a salad with arugula and a little goat cheese. These are the 10 major grilling safety mistakes you might be making.

ppi09/Shutterstock

Polenta

Serve up some grilled polenta this summer. Do what celebrity chef Guy Fieri does: slice polenta, brush it with a little olive oil and grill it about three minutes on each side. Grilled polenta goes well with grilled seafood and fresh garden tomatoes.

Don’t make these mistakes when grilling at a tailgate party.

Julie Vader/Shutterstock

Pizza

Yes, you can grill pizza. The Pioneer Woman offers up this recipe: First, rub the grill grates with vegetable oil. Slide the rolled out, prepared dough directly onto the grates and grill over direct high heat for two to three minutes. Flip the dough over and brush this side with some pizza sauce and add your toppings and cheese. Close the grill and cook for another three minutes. When time is up, check to make sure the bottom of the crust is crispy, if it isn’t leave it on for another minute or two. Then remove from the grill and slice.

Elena Veselova/Shutterstock

Pound Cake

For a quick summer dessert, grill up some store-bought pound cake (or homemade, if you have time!). Heat the grill to medium and spread a little melted butter on slices of pound cake. Grill them three to four minutes or until they are crispy. Try serving the cake slices with grilled fruit. Or, try this grilled pound cake recipe from Taste of Home.

These are the 25 grilling tools you need this season.

Romiana Lee/Shutterstock

Clams

Toss those clams right on the grill. You can place cleaned clams right on the grates on high, and cook them for about six to eight minutes, according to Epicurious. Be sure to throw away any that don’t open. Use tongs to transfer to a platter and pour over some melted butter with fresh chopped herbs.

Tema_Kud/Shutterstock

Avocado

On your next Taco Tuesday, try grilling up some avocados to go with your meal. Just cut an avocado in half (the skin should stay on) and remove the pit. Coat the flesh with a little oil and place it flesh side down on the grates and grill for about five minutes. Then remove the peel, slice them up and serve. Also, try this recipe for grilled guacamole.

Charcoal grills vs. gas grills: What’s best for you?

Lyudmila Mikhailovskaya/Shutterstock

Quesadillas

To grill quesadillas, according to Pillsbury, prepare with your favorite fillings then lightly spray each side of the tortilla with cooking spray. Place the quesadilla on the grill, cover, and cook for up to eight minutes, turning it once, until the cheese is melted. Make your next cookout a cut above the rest with these 30 awesome grill tips.

rina P Habich/Shutterstock

Bacon

Bacon lovers rejoice—you can cook bacon slices on the grill, according to Taste of Home. Just take a cast iron skillet and place it directly on the grates. Preheat the grill to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the bacon in the skillet for seven to 10 minutes, depending on the thickness. Turn the bacon over and cook for an additional three to five minutes until it’s crispy. Learn why you should use a cast-iron skillet to grill your steak.

Janet Moore/Shutterstock

Salads

Bring the flavor of the grill to your favorite summer salads. Try throwing some romaine on the grill. Just wash a head of lettuce and cut it in half lengthwise. Grill it for about five minutes on each side, or until there are some grill marks. Chop it up and try using it in a Caesar salad or this grilled romaine with chive-buttermilk dressing.

Here are 16 ways you’re using your grill wrong.

tanuha2001/Shutterstock

Artichokes

Grilling artichokes brings out an unexpected, delicious flavor. Food Network suggests boiling artichokes before grilling them. Once boiled, brush them with a little olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Grill them about 10 minutes, turning occasionally so they don’t burn. When cooked, squeeze on a little lemon juice and serve.