Ready to absolutely crush BBQ season? We’ve rounded up the absolute must-grill recipes that’ll have you dominating every backyard gathering. This month is made for grilling (and big flavor wins). Longer days, backyard cookouts, Fatherโ€™s Day, and fresh flavors… It’s grilling season at full throttle. This is your go-to list for the best recipes to crush Father’s Day, level up your weekends, and keep your grill busy all month long.

Traeger Smoked Chicken Thighs That Beat Any Restaurant

Grilled, glazed meat pieces on a wire rack with a dish of sauce and a brush.
Image Credit: Girl Carnivore.

Skip the overpriced chicken dinners and make restaurant-quality thighs at home for a fraction of the cost. Our tested method gets you that perfect BBQ basted skin and fall-off-the-bone meat every single time โ€“ no guesswork needed.
Get the Recipe โ†’ Traeger Smoked Chicken Thighs

Ground Pork Burgers with Hatch Chile Heat

Close-up of a cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, onion, and melted cheese on a sesame seed bun, served with fries.
Image Credit: Girl Carnivore.

Smart grillers know ground pork creates incredibly juicy, flavorful burgers with a different taste profile than beef โ€“ and costs way less at the grocery store. Our hatch chile version will completely change how you think about burger night.
Get the Recipe โ†’ Ground Pork Burgers

Grilled Chicken Leg Quarters (The Cheapest Cut That Tastes Expensive)

Three grilled chicken leg quarters on a bed of greens with lemon wedges on a black tray.
Image Credit: Girl Carnivore.

Smart shoppers know leg quarters cost way less than chicken breasts but deliver way more flavor. Our two-zone grilling method gets you crispy skin and juicy dark meat that’ll make you wonder why you ever bought expensive white meat.
Get the Recipe โ†’ โ€‹Grilled Chicken Leg Quarters

The Ultimate Smoked Pulled Pork That Shreds Perfectly

Pulled pork served on brown butcher paper with a bone, barbecue sauce in a jar, a pickle slice, and a fork on a wooden surface.
Image Credit: Girl Carnivore.

Master the low and slow smoking process that breaks down tough meat into the most tender, flavorful pulled pork you’ve ever made. Our method takes the guesswork out of timing and temperature so you get perfect results every time.
Get the Recipe โ†’ โ€‹Smoked Pulled Pork

Carolina-Style Vinegar BBQ Sauce (The Secret Mop)

A glass jar filled with red chili sauce sits on a dark cloth, with green leaves partially visible in the background.
Image Credit: Girl Carnivore.

This tangy vinegar-based sauce is the secret weapon that pit masters use to keep pulled pork moist and flavorful. One taste and you’ll understand why Carolina BBQ joints guard their vinegar sauce recipes so closely.
Get the Recipe โ†’ โ€‹Homemade Vinegar-Based BBQ Sauce

Bone-In Ribeye Steaks (Steakhouse Quality for Half the Price)

Sliced grilled steak arranged on a dark cutting board, garnished with chopped herbs, with a knife and fork placed nearby.
Image Credit: Girl Carnivore.

โ€‹The steak that says “thanks for everything, Dad” without having to make reservations. Thick, juicy, and grilled to perfection – this is how you celebrate the man properly. Why drop $60+ per steak at steakhouses when you can grill perfect ribeyes at home for under $20 each?
Get the Recipe โ†’ Grilled Bone-In Ribeye

Grilled Lamb Kabobs with Secret Harissa Marinade

Grilled lamb and vegetable skewers on a tray, served with pita bread and a bowl of creamy herb dip.
Image Credit: Girl Carnivore.

Tired of bland kabobs that taste like cardboard? Our harissa marinade trick from Morocco creates layers of spicy complexity that most people have never experienced. Your guests will think you hired a professional chef.
Get the Recipe โ†’ โ€‹Grilled Lamb Kabobs

30-Minute Grilled Shrimp Tacos (Better Than Takeout)

Grilled shrimp tacos with red cabbage, sliced jalapeรฑos, cilantro, creamy sauce, and lime wedges on a white plate.
Image Credit: Girl Carnivore.

Stop spending $15+ on mediocre shrimp tacos when you can make restaurant-quality versions in under 30 minutes. Our marinade trick ensures plump, perfectly seasoned shrimp that beat any beachside taco shack.
Get the Recipe โ†’ โ€‹Grilled Shrimp Tacos

Cilantro Lime Shrimp Marinade (The 30-Minute Game Changer)

Grilled shrimp garnished with chopped herbs, sliced jalapeรฑos, crumbled cheese, and lime wedges on a tortilla.
Image Credit: Girl Carnivore.

This citrus-packed marinade is the secret to restaurant-quality grilled shrimp that’s ready in just 30 minutes. The acid tenderizes while the herbs add layers of fresh flavor that most home cooks never achieve.
Get the Recipe โ†’ Grilled Shrimp Marinade

Rotisserie Picanha (The Brazilian Secret Cut Your Butcher Knows)

Sliced grilled steak on a wooden board with herbs, lime, sliced jalapeรฑos, and chopped vegetables.
Image Credit: Girl Carnivore.

Ask your butcher for this insider cut that most people have never heard of โ€“ it’s like discovering a hidden steakhouse gem. Our rotisserie method creates edge-to-edge perfection that’ll have you questioning why you ever bought expensive prime rib.
Get the Recipe โ†’ Rotisserie Picanha

๐Ÿง  Pro Technique for June Grilling

Through years of recipe testing and troubleshooting common grilling failures, I’ve found that mastering grill zones represents the single most important skill for consistent success. A two-zone setupโ€”one side direct heat, one side indirectโ€”provides complete temperature control throughout the cooking process.

The technique involves starting proteins over direct heat for proper searing, then relocating to indirect heat for gentle finishing. This prevents the burning and drying that plague most home grilling attempts.

Want to master this fundamental technique? Reference our Direct vs. Indirect Heat Grilling Guide for detailed methodology and timing recommendations for different proteins.

If your equipment needs attention before peak season, don’t overlook the Spring Grill Prep Guideโ€”proper maintenance directly impacts cooking performance and food safety.

๐ŸŒก๏ธ Beat the Heat Strategy

Professional-level tip from years of summer cooking: Start your long cooks early in the morning or utilize indirect heat setups. Your equipment efficiency and your patience both benefit significantly when not competing with afternoon temperatures exceeding 90ยฐF.

For more seasonal inspiration and advanced techniques, explore our complete grilling recipe collection.

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Well, Hey, Y’all.

Kita is a multi-talented individual, boasting numerous accomplishments such as being an award-winning recipe developer, world-traveled professional photographer, and journalist. As the lead creative force behind Girl Carnivoreยฎ, she is widely recognized as an authority on all things meat.

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