How to Prepare Your Pantry for a Summer of Grilled Delights

With summer here, it's time to embrace the sunshine and warm evenings by taking your cooking outdoors. Grilling not only helps you keep the kitchen cool, but it also gives your meals a lighter, healthier touch as excess fats drip away while cooking.

From essential sauces like barbecue sauce and sel gris to hearty cuts of meat and fresh ears of sweet corn, these 15 grilling must-haves are perfect for stocking your pantry all summer long.

Condiments, Sauces, and Spices to Elevate Your Grilling

1. Salt

While nothing beats the clean, crunchy texture of kosher salt, if you're looking to boost your summer grilling, consider exploring a variety of salts. From smoky blends and delicate fleur de sel to mineral-rich Himalayan pink salt and classic table salt, you'll find a wide array of options in the spice section during your next grocery trip.

• Sea salt comes unrefined (more mineral-rich) or refined and is made by evaporating seawater. Unrefined versions such as sel gris add complex flavors to not just fish like this Grilled Sea Bass, but other meats as well.
• Seasoned salt like this spice-enhanced recipe is made by mixing dried herbs, paprika, onion, and garlic powders to table salt. It can be used to flavorful sides like roasted potatoes when you're sautéing onions or even as a rub for your meats. Seasoned salt made in Hawaii may sometimes incorporate flakes of lava or clay, so expect a black or pink color.

2. Ground Coffee

Coffee isn't just for your morning brew. Incorporate it into your grilling routine for red meats and enjoy savory, rich flavors. A dash of ground coffee works wonders as a meat rub, perfect for dishes like Steak Coffee Rub or Coffee-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Espresso-Honey Glace, and even chicken legs will benefit from this bold addition.

3. Brown Sugar

Brining not only tenderizes tougher cuts of meat by breaking down muscle proteins, but it also helps the meat lock in moisture while grilling. Adding a sweetener like honey or molasses can elevate your marinade, but if those aren't available, brown sugar works just as well. Besides balancing out the saltiness in marinades—like in this soy-based marinade for Grilled Salmon—brown sugar enhances browning and caramelization, as seen in this Grilled Lamb with Brown Sugar Glaze recipe.

4. Barbecue Sauce

While making your own barbecue sauce from scratch is easy, having a ready-made bottle in your pantry is a real time-saver. This zesty sauce is perfect for marinating meats like slow-cooked pork shoulder or adding a final touch to tender ribs and melt-in-your-mouth brisket. Barbecue sauce isn't just for meats—its sweetness works wonders in grilled sides, such as these Perfect BBQ Baked Beans.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a must-have pantry staple for summer grilling, perfect for both sides and salads. Made by fermenting apple cider with yeast, ACV has a mild, tangy flavor that makes it an excellent acidic base for meat marinades. Use it in dishes like Grilled Chicken Adobo or a hearty serving of Oklahoma Brisket.

6. Yogurt

Yogurt may not be the first ingredient you think of for summer grilling, but it’s a hidden gem when it comes to marinades. Common in dishes from India and the Levant, yogurt helps tenderize meat and seafood. Give it a try with recipes like Shish Tawook Grilled Chicken or Grilled "Tandoori" Lamb for a unique twist.

Fresh Vegetables

Stocking your fridge and pantry with summer vegetables that can be quickly tossed in olive oil and grilled will instantly elevate your weeknight grilling. While almost any vegetable can be grilled, here are the top picks that should definitely make it onto your grocery list:

7. Corn on the Cob

Few things say 'summer' like fresh, husked corn in the produce section. Grilling corn is simple—if you're using husked corn, there's no need to soak it before grilling. The result is perfectly juicy, smoky, and slightly charred ears of corn. For unhusked corn, wrap it in foil, season with butter, salt, and pepper, and grill for about 30 minutes until tender.

8. Asparagus

Asparagus is quick and easy to grill, requiring minimal prep and cooking to perfection in under 10 minutes. Simply season with salt and pepper, toss in olive oil, and grill the stalks. For a twist on the classic, try this Grilled Lemon Parmesan Asparagus recipe.

9. Potatoes

You can never go wrong with a stash of classic baking potatoes, perfect for grilling with butter or spicing things up with rosemary and garlic. But for a fun change, consider adding sweet potatoes to your grocery list. Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges develop a caramelized, smoky flavor that roasting can’t match.

10. Mushrooms

Looking for a high-protein meat alternative this summer? The answer is mushrooms. From white button and crimini mushrooms to wild chanterelles and portobellos, mushrooms make for a hearty, flavorful addition to the grill, whether as a side or main dish. Try these Japanese-Style Grilled Mushrooms or a satisfying Grilled Portobello and Mozzarella recipe.

11. Bell Peppers

Grilled red and yellow bell peppers add a mild sweetness that complements grilled steak or chicken perfectly. You can roast them whole on the grill, allowing the skin to blister and peel off, leaving you with peppers so tender they practically melt in your mouth. Alternatively, slice them up along with zucchini and onions for a delicious vegetable skewer option.

Meats and Seafood

Grilling is a versatile way to cook, and with so many options, the choice of what to throw on the grill this summer is yours. For lighter, healthier dinners, consider fresh fish or shrimp. When you're craving something heartier, reach for rich cuts like thick steaks or ribs. And of course, no summer barbecue is complete without classics like hot dogs and burgers.

12. Chicken Wings

From smoky Grilled Buffalo Wings to Sweet Spicy Wings marinated in a Louisiana-style hot sauce, you can never go wrong with having frozen chicken wings on hand all summer. If you're short on time, buying pre-cut wings is a quick fix. Alternatively, you can buy fresh wings in advance and freeze them until you're ready to cook.

13. Seafood

For a light and quick dinner this summer, seafood is a great choice. Remember, fish and shrimp cook faster than meats like chicken and red meat, so if you're preparing a mixed grill, cook the seafood last. To keep fish like salmon and trout from falling apart, grill them with the skin on. If the fish is skinned, wrap it in aluminum foil or use a fish basket for grilling. Learn how to grill seafood to get the best results, including which types of seafood are ideal for grilling.

14. Burgers and Hot Dogs

No summer BBQ is complete without burgers and hot dogs. Whether you're grilling juicy homemade patties from ground beef or grabbing store-bought ones for convenience, they're always a hit. For a twist, try plant-based options like the Beyond Meat burger — with a Greek-inspired topping — or make Homemade Black Bean Veggie Burgers and vegetarian hot dogs, which are delicious, high in protein, and sure to satisfy!

15. Ribs, Steaks, Tenderloins and More

Pork tenderloin is a boneless cut that runs along the backbone, just above the ribs. Known for its tenderness, this lean cut is perfect for grilling. According to the USDA, pork tenderloin is virtually fat-free and packed with essential vitamins and minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, niacin, and zinc. Due to its leanness, marinating is highly recommended to keep it moist and flavorful on the grill. Learn more about the differences between pork loin and pork tenderloin.

Ribs, whether from pork or beef, are classic cuts for summer grilling. If you're pressed for time, you can precook the meat in the oven before finishing it on the grill to achieve that perfect char and smoky flavor. One popular variation is Galbi, a Korean dish made with beef short ribs marinated in a savory soy-based sauce.

Steaks come in a variety of cuts and sizes, offering options for any budget. High-quality cuts like ribeye or top loin don’t need much seasoning—just a quick sear over high heat will do. These cuts are naturally tender, making them ideal for grilling. On the other hand, more affordable cuts like hanger steak benefit from a good marinade, while leaner cuts such as tri-tip (or Santa Maria steak) only require a dry rub before being grilled over high heat, like in this Santa Maria Grilled Tri-Tip Beef recipe.