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What to Grill in July
July is the heart of grilling season, the time of year when meals move outside and smoke, fire, and fresh summer flavors do most of the heavy lifting. This month’s recipe roundup is built for easygoing outdoor cooking, whether you’re planning a weeknight dinner, a weekend gathering, or something a little unexpected from the grill.
What to Grill in July
Mezcalini
Cross a margarita with a mojito and you get a Mezcalini. Add smoke and you achieve nirvana, not to mention notoriety—especially if you brandish the handheld smoker in front of your guests.
Griddled Bulgogi Steak Lettuce Wraps
Light eating for summer! These griddled bulgogi steak lettuce wraps are built for weeknight cooking: thin-sliced sirloin, a sweet-savory pineapple-soy marinade, quick cooking on a hot griddle, and crisp lettuce wraps finished with pickled cucumbers, green onion, and sesame seeds. The griddle gives the steak direct contact with high heat, helping the marinade caramelize while the meat stays tender.
A New Macaroni and Cheese (with Grilled Onions, Chilies, and Corn)
Mac ‘n’ cheese gets a well-deserved makeover. Presenting one of Steven’s most popular recipes—this cheesy dish also features grilled peppers (including a feisty poblano), bacon, and ham. Woodsmoke takes it over the top.
Coffee-Crusted Pork Tenderloins with Redeye Barbecue Sauce
Coffee is a traditional ingredient in at least one classic Southern pork dish: country ham with redeye gravy, a dish I last enjoyed in Louisville. Kentucky ham isn’t quite as well-known as that from Virginia, but it’s every bit as tasty and it gave me the idea for this coffee-crusted pork tenderloin served with a coffee barbecue sauce.
The Raichlen Pan Bagnat (Provencale Tuna Sandwich)
Sandwiches are a summertime staple, and few can hold a candle to this luxurious combination of grilled tuna, tender lettuce, black olives, a sun-ripened tomato, and basil. Accompany with a dry rosé or prosecco..
Carne Enchilada (pork taco)
Johnny Hernandez may be the busiest man in San Antonio. Chef, restaurateur, arts patron, and philanthropist, he presides over an empire that includes 11 restaurants, a stone-ground tortilla factory, and yes, a fleet of La Gloria Margarita trucks. His mission is simple–promote the authentic Mexican cuisine of his Nuevo Leon and Michuacan forebears. He has cooked for Barack Obama in the White House and created Day of the Dead River Parade and Festival that have become San Antonio institutions. Thanks to his tireless efforts, in 2017, UNESCO designated San Antonio a Creative City of Gastronomy. Like most Mexican-Americans, Johnny grew up eating carne asados at family Sunday cookouts. Pork marinated in adobo (dried chili paste), grilled over a hot fire, and served in tacos—it’s Mexican comfort food at its best.
Smoked Potato Salad
No barbecue is complete without potato salad. Here’s my take on what may be the most soulful potato salad you’ve ever tasted.
Double-Grilled Summer Vegetable Frittata
Grilling 24/7 is one of my bywords and that means firing up the grill for breakfast and brunch as well as for dinner. Which brings me to a dish that’s welcome pretty much anytime, day or night—double-grilled vegetable frittata. Frittata is a cross between an omelet and a quiche, of course, and the first grilling (direct) imparts a smoky char to the vegetables. The second grilling (indirect) cooks the frittata itself. The strategic addition of wood to the fire imparts a smoke favor that transports this Italian classic to the realm of barbecue. Note the use of a grilling grid, grill wok, or wiremesh grill basket to grill the vegetables.
Spit-Roasted Pineapple
This cinnamon-grilled pineapple comes served on a spit, just like Brazilian rotisseried meats, and the waiter carves thin slices onto the plate, just as he would picanha or spit-roasted beef tenderloin. You can certainly serve the fruit with meat, but it also makes a stunningly original dessert.
However you like to grill in July, keep it simple and make the most of the season. Pick a recipe, get outside, and enjoy the kind of easy summer meal that tastes better when it comes off the grill.
More Recipes for July
- For the Best July Yet, 8 Great Recipes for the Grill
- 8 Recipes We’re Grilling This July
- How to Grill Burgers: 12 Surefire Ways to Build the Best Burger!
Looking for more recipes like this? Browse our Recipe Index for grilled, smoked, and live-fire favorites.
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Looking for more summer grilling inspiration? Check out our Summer Grilling Guide.
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