13 Surprising Foods You Can Grill

Burgers, steaks, sausages, chicken⏤all these foods pop into mind when we think about grilling.

But they’re not the only things you can grill!

If you want to change things up and have some exciting new foods on the cookout, check out our list of surprising foods you can grill.

From foods you can guess will work on a grill to some bizarre ideas you’ve never heard of before, let’s get to the foods.

1. Hash Browns

Grilling hash browns isn’t rocket science.

You place your potato patties on a grill pan, toss it in your grill (preferably in indirect heat), then wait for the outer shell to crisp up.

Why cook it on a grill instead of a stove?

Aside from enjoying the outdoors, cooking hash browns on a grill also gives them a robust flavor.

Use some gas grill accessories and your favorite wood chips, and your hash browns will taste unlike any other.

2. Vegetables

A lot of people don’t like vegetables.

But try throwing them on a grill (the vegetables, of course) and getting a nice char, and most people will instantly change their minds.

It’s well-known that mushrooms, corn, zucchini, asparagus, and red onions are great for grilling.

But did you know that leafy greens like kale, cabbage, and even lettuce work on a grill, too?

The secret is to choose fresh, crisp, snappy leaves. Grill them up, put on a nice char, and you’ll enjoy these greens like you’ve never before.

3. Beans

Not green beans.

We’re talking about barbecue beans.

Grab your favorite beans, pour them into a foil pan along with barbecue sauce, mustard, and sugar, then plop that into the grill, and don’t forget to stir occasionally.

Putting barbecue beans on a grill gives them more depth and a rich flavor.

4. Fruits

When we think of fruits, we usually think about eating these plump, sweet foods on their own, or thrown into a salad.

But try throwing them on a grill, and you’ll never look back.

This is especially true for firm, snappy fruits like pineapples and watermelons, where the smoke and the char make biting into them so much more delightful.

5. Pizza

You’re probably thinking, “How on earth do you grill a pizza? Aren’t those baked?”

Well, you’re right.

But nowadays, you can easily buy or make pre-baked pizza crust. From there, throw in your favorite sauce and toppings, and slide that into the grill on indirect heat.

Again, it’s that smoky flavor from the grill that will make your pizza to die for!

6. Salsas and Guacamole

By now, you might realize that the possibilities are endless when it comes to grilling.

You can add that smoky kick to both salsas and guacamole too simply by grilling the vegetables before mixing them in.

For salsa, that’d be the tomatoes, onions, peppers, and whatever else you put on yours.

For the guac, that’ll be the avocados, as well as all the other veggies you add.

7. Desserts

Desserts are probably one of the last things you expect to see on this list.

But here we are!

Grilling desserts not only gives you a hint of smokiness, but grilled desserts are also very nice and toasty⏤especially if you have marshmallows in there.

Grilling desserts is also simple. Just load up your ingredients into a skillet and place it on indirect heat in the grill.

8. Salads

Too many people think salad is just vegetables tossed together with dressing.

While that’s a good way to make a salad, there are many ways you can take it up a notch.

One way is by grilling the vegetables first. And if you’re adding fruit like peaches, grill those up too!

This will give your salad a lovely summer taste.

9. Cajun Boil

Want to make cajun boil, but don’t have a huge pot to cook all those shrimps?

Well, you can grill it instead.

To do this, simply wrap all your ingredients⏤shrimp, salmon, sausage, corn, potatoes, and all your spices in foil. Drizzle them with oil and lemon, then wrap them up tightly.

Pop it into the grill for a few minutes until the salmon is flaky, and you’re done!

10. Soups

Flavor depth is what separates good soup from great soup.

And when you cook your soup on a grill, the smoke will add a whole other level of depth to your dish.

There are several ways to grill soup. You can either grill the ingredients before throwing them all together in one pot. Or, you can put your pot on your grill and get the smokiness that way.

Whatever the case, grilling soups adds texture, smokiness, and a lot of character that stoves can never give.

11. Bread

There’s no better way to enjoy a nice warm meal than with a side of grilled bread.

Grilled bread goes well with barbecue, soups, beans, and just about everything else listed here (except maybe the desserts).

Before grilling, it’s a great idea to brush your bread with butter or olive oil. This will give it a wonderful taste once it’s done.

You can also throw in cheese and make grilled cheese on a grill!

12. Cakes

If this list wasn’t unusual enough, then here are cakes!

Think it’s impossible?

Well, the secret is indirect heat.

With a sturdy pan and indirect heat, you can turn your grill into a pseudo oven and cook up any type of cake you want.

13. Drinks

And the most unusual of them all: drinks!

Now don’t go putting a glass full of liquid into a grill and hope that will “cook” it.

Grilled drinks are made when you grill the ingredients before mixing them.

Several cocktails work great when you grill the ingredients first. Cocktails like mojitos, bloody marys, old-fashioned, and margaritas all work with this.

For non-alcoholics, grilling lemons on sugar before squeezing them is a wonderful way to make your lemonade stand out.

Ready to Grill These Unusual Foods?

So you see, grilling is a lot more diverse than just barbecue ribs, sausages, and burgers.

With these 13 food ideas, you can make everyone at the cookout surprised and pleased with your grilling.

So go and try them out!