Sure, we throw burgers and chicken on the grill all the time, but what about vegetables, fruit, bread, and even cake? We’ve got two dozen recipes that’ll help you put something unexpected to the flames tonight, including yes, cake, and a grilled cocktail.
If you've grilled up something a little out of the ordinary with great results, let us know about it by posting a comment.
1. Potatoes
Save those loaded baked potatoes for cooler months. In summer, grilling potatoes is the only way to go. Watch a video for tips on how to grill potatoes perfectly.
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
| Grilled Southwestern Potato Salad | Grilled Potato, Corn & Red Onion over Arugula | Grilled Potato Fries |
2. Corn
There’s nothing like a smoky heat of a grill to bring out the sweetness of summer corn. Watch a video to learn how to grill corn all the way around, ensuring it stays juicy, tender, and sweet.
 |
|
 |
|
 |
| Spicy Grilled Corn Salad with Black Beans and Queso Fresco | Grilled Corn with Spiced Tasso Butter | Grilled Corn on the Cob with Thyme & Roasted Red Pepper Butters |
3. Shellfish
Grilling shellfish is as simple as can be—in most cases, a brush of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt are all you need in the way of prep—and it’s a great way to serve a crowd. But the best reason is flavor. Nothing quite matches the sweet, intense, and slightly charred taste of shellfish when it’s cooked on the grill.
 |
|
 |
|
 |
| Grilled Lobster | Grilled Mussels, Clams, and Oysters | Grilled Oysters Rockefeller |
Next up: Lettuce & Cabbage; Tomatoes; and Artichokes, Beets & Squash
4. Lettuce & Cabbage
We’re not sure why more people don’t try grilling lettuce and cabbage. Not only does it add an element of surprise, it tastes so much better than your average green salad.
 |
|
 |
|
 |
| Grilled Butter Lettuce with Buttermilk-Chive Dressing | Grilled Hearts of Romaine with Blue Cheese Dressing | Grilled Cabbage with Butter and Indian Spices |
5. Tomatoes
Tomatoes may be plenty delicious straight off the vine with a little salt, but grilling intensifies their flavor by concentrating their juices and giving the skin a smoky flavor.
 |
|
 |
|
 |
| Grilled Yellow Tomato Bisque | Basic Grilled Tomatoes | Grilled Cherry Tomato Pasta with Crisp Breadcrumbs & Basil |
6. Artichokes, Beets & Squash
Why roast when you can grill? You simply can not consider yourself an adventurous cook until you’ve put one of these unlikely veggies on the grill.
 |
|
 |
|
 |
| Grilled Artichoke Hearts | Grilled Beets with Lemon Crème Fraîche Dip | Grilled Butternut Squash Skewers |
Next up: Cake, Fruit, Bread, and Cocktails
7. Cake
Grilling pound cake may sound odd, but trust us on this. The grill gives the cake a toasty texture.
 |
|
 |
|
 |
| Grilled Polenta Cake with Cherry-Cassis Sauce | Grilled Peaches with Pound Cake & Ginger Creme Fraiche | Balsamic-Macerated Strawberries Over Grilled Pound Cake |
8. Fruit
Sugars in foods like fruit, when heated, take on a beautiful golden color and develop a deep, caramel-like flavor. The toasty, sweet, caramelized exterior of the fruit contrasts with the soft, often tart flesh inside, creating a completely new flavor that's simply delicious.
 |
|
 |
|
 |
| Grilled Watermelon Salad | Grilled Cinnamon-Sugar Bananas with Vanilla Ice Cream & Bourbon | Grilled Mango, Poblano & Passionfruit Salsa |
9. Bread
The concept here is simple: hot fresh bread, cool summer kitchen.
 |
|
 |
|
 |
| Grilled Naan Filled with Herbs and Cheese | Grilled Chickpea Flatbread | Grilled Olive-Orange-Fennel Flatbread |
10. Cocktails
While adding herbs to cocktails is nothing new (think mint, lavender, citrusy bergamot) grilling the herbs for a few seconds coaxes out the herb's floral qualities. Think of it as aromatherapy in a glass.
 |
|
 |
|
|
| Limoncello-Gin Cocktail with Grilled Thyme |
