You know the kind of grilled meals Grandpa says he’s been making since before you could hold a spatula? These are 15 grilled dishes that’ll have him swearing you stole his secrets—even if you’ve never seen him near a grill. They’re bold, easy, and loaded with the kind of charred flavor that sparks backyard stories you’ve heard way too many times. Get ready for a round of “I showed you that trick” before the plates even hit the table.
Zaalouk Roasted Eggplant Dip
Zaalouk Roasted Eggplant Dip may not be grilled the way Grandpa did it, but the deep char on those eggplants brings it close enough that he’ll still try to take the credit. This grilled eggplant dip uses flame-kissed vegetables that give it that rustic edge he claims only comes from “his” coals. It works well as a starter or side at any grilled gathering and has just enough nostalgia baked in to stir up Grandpa’s memory. Don’t be surprised if he insists this dip was always part of his backyard grilling routine—even if you’ve never seen him make it.
Get the Recipe: Zaalouk Roasted Eggplant Dip
Smoky Baba Ghanoush Without Tahini
Smoky Baba Ghanoush Without Tahini leans on grilled eggplant to get that rich, fire-touched flavor Grandpa insists comes only from “real grilling.” It’s a great make-ahead grilled dip that works perfectly as a side for kebabs, meats, or even veggies. Even without tahini, the grilled texture speaks to those backyard moments he never lets anyone forget. Expect him to point at this and say, “See? That’s how I used to start every cookout.”
Get the Recipe: Smoky Baba Ghanoush Without Tahini
Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab
Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab is the kind of skewer that Grandpa swears he’s been flipping on the grill since before you were born. These juicy grilled bites are fast to cook, easy to prep ahead, and full of bold flavors that hold their own at any BBQ. They belong at any backyard gathering where grilled meats take center stage. Grandpa’s stories might stretch the truth, but he’ll absolutely say these taste exactly like his “famous 1968 kebabs.”
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab
Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks
Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks aren’t technically grilled, but the bold marinade has the kind of flavor Grandpa thinks only comes off a grill anyway. Bake them or throw them on a grill pan and you’ll still end up with something he’ll swear tastes just like his old backyard parties. This dish works great for cookout-style dinners without needing a full grilling setup. Grandpa will definitely try to convince you this was one of his “weekend staples.”
Get the Recipe: Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks
Peach Salmon Skewers With Peach Jalapeno Crema
Peach Salmon Skewers With Peach Jalapeno Crema hit that sweet-and-savory grilled balance that gets Grandpa talking about his “grilled fruit phase.” These cook quickly on the grill, letting you enjoy grilled fish without a lot of cleanup or fuss. The crema keeps things fresh and punchy, but it’s the charred peach that really gives Grandpa something to comment on. He may not remember ever combining fruit and fish, but he’ll say he “definitely thought of it first.”
Get the Recipe: Peach Salmon Skewers With Peach Jalapeno Crema
Nordic Fire-Grilled Salmon
Nordic Fire-Grilled Salmon brings the bold, outdoor grilled flavor Grandpa loves—and yes, he’ll say he was grilling salmon like this before it was trendy. This dish uses open-fire grilling that really leans into the primal, brag-worthy style he claims ownership of. It’s perfect for a grilled summer dinner that feels both casual and impressive without overcomplicating prep. Grandpa might not have used Nordic seasoning, but he’ll still say you stole it from his camping days.
Get the Recipe: Nordic Fire-Grilled Salmon
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks hit the kind of grilled flavor Grandpa brags about without needing to fire up the coals. The sticky glaze and crisped skin feel like they came straight off the backyard grill, which means Grandpa is definitely going to act like he taught you this trick. This is a quick weeknight grilled meal that plays perfectly into those long summer weekends he always talks about. Just wait until he starts telling everyone you “borrowed” his famous rub for this.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Eggplant Grilled Cheese With Green Hot Sauce
Eggplant Grilled Cheese With Green Hot Sauce flips the script on classic sandwiches but still fits the grilled vibe Grandpa can’t resist talking about. The grilled eggplant gives this sandwich that fire-kissed taste he’ll pretend he invented when you were a kid. It’s easy to throw together for a quick lunch or side during any grilled feast. Don’t act surprised when he takes one bite and suddenly remembers making something “almost exactly like this” back in ’94.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Grilled Cheese With Green Hot Sauce
Vegetarian Kofta Kebabs Recipe
Vegetarian Kofta Kebabs Recipe still fits the grilled mood even without meat, and Grandpa might grumble—until he takes a bite. These plant-based grilled skewers cook fast and hold their shape like classic kofta, which means he’ll likely say you just remade his “old veggie experiment” from the ‘80s. It’s a smart choice when you want grilled flavor without dealing with raw meat on a hot day. Once he’s done complaining, he’ll probably ask for the recipe “for a friend.”
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Kofta Kebabs Recipe
Salmon Salad With Bagel
Salmon Salad With Bagel doesn’t fall under your usual grilled go-to, but the smoked salmon flavor is bold enough that Grandpa’s convinced it's one of his old grilling methods in disguise. While it’s more of a chilled dish, it still fits at a table surrounded by grilled mains and side dishes. Use this as a brunch option when everyone’s taking a break from the backyard heat—and Grandpa is ready to talk about the one time he grilled fish “just like this” at the lake. Even if it’s served cold, he’ll somehow still make it about his grill skills.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Salad With Bagel
Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Grilled Shrimp Skewers are the kind of backyard classic that Grandpa swears he had mastered before shrimp was even popular. They grill up in minutes, are easy to serve at parties, and fit right in with any mix of grilled meats and veggies. These skewers bring both flavor and fire, which gives Grandpa all the ammo he needs to take credit. Whether he remembers the marinade or not, he’ll still claim this recipe was his summer go-to.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Thai Chicken Satay
Thai Chicken Satay might not be what Grandpa usually tosses on the grill, but the charred skewers and peanut sauce make him think it should have been. This is a quick grilled dish that fits right into summer weekends where everyone wants bold flavor with minimal effort. It’s a great way to bring something new to the grilled table without losing that classic cookout energy. Expect Grandpa to mumble something about “trying this in Thailand back in the day” even if he’s never left the country.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Satay
Gochujang Chicken
Gochujang Chicken adds a Korean-style kick to grilled chicken, which Grandpa will claim he’s “been doing for years” even if he can’t pronounce gochujang. It’s sticky, spicy, and built for the grill—fast-cooking and perfect for weeknight BBQs or weekend feasts. This grilled dish packs enough flavor to hold its own next to ribs or burgers. He’ll probably nod with approval and say something like, “Not bad—for your generation.”
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Chicken
Grilled Hawaiian Chicken
Grilled Hawaiian Chicken takes that sweet, smoky glaze Grandpa always liked and gives it a pineapple-forward refresh. The chicken grills up juicy and quick, with just enough char to spark his stories about grilling “way back when.” This grilled recipe works well for big family cookouts or laid-back weekday dinners. Don’t be surprised when he swears he invented pineapple marinade “in ‘72 during a Luau theme party.”
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hawaiian Chicken
Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter
Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter brings the kind of seared, beefy flavor that Grandpa says he could do blindfolded. It’s a fast, high-heat grilled recipe that fits perfectly in any BBQ spread and delivers enough boldness to spark some grill envy. This one doesn’t need a fancy rub or long prep—it’s all about good meat and fire, just the way he likes to talk about it. He’ll definitely say he was grilling flank steak “before it got popular.”
Get the Recipe: Grilled Flank Steak with Chile Butter
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