7 Fall Grilling Recipes That Will Make You Want to Cook Outside All Season Long
Fire up the grill for sweet potatoes, apple crisp and more.
I wasn’t always a year-round griller. I blame my willingness to brave bitter temperatures and the occasional snow storm in the name of char-grilled goodness on my aunt and uncle. It started a few years ago when my aunt (whose grilled pizzas are so good they should win an award) made stromboli on the grill — in late October.
Up until that point stromboli was something we made indoors, in the oven, while watching football. It was one of our go-to game day foods. And, we never really did much grilling after Labor Day. But, one bite of cheesy, grilled, broccoli-rabe-and-cherry-pepper-stuffed goodness and I knew I was never going back. The mozzarella was warm and stretchy and the crust was crisp, with a light char that reminded me of a good, wood-fired pizza. Why hadn’t we been grilling our stromboli all along?!
That year marked the beginning of lots of cold-weather grilling for us. We gave our baked mac and cheese extra smokiness by finishing it on the grill, we charred wintry root veggies directly on the grill grates and my uncle roasted the most incredible, beer-drowned Thanksgiving turkey outdoors. And, we haven’t stopped our all-season grilling since.
You may not be willing to bundle up in a winter jacket and cook outdoors in the middle of January (completely understandable!) but there’s no need to pack up the grill just yet. Fall afternoons are sunny and pleasantly cool — perfect for spending outdoors. Plus, lots of seasonal produce (like apples, sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts) taste even better with a little bit of char on them.
Ready to give fall grilling a try? These recipes will get you started. But, don’t be surprised if they turn you into a year-round griller, too!
Grilled Pumpkin BBQ-Glazed Pork Chops (pictured above)
Break out the canned pumpkin puree and pie spices — they’re the key ingredients in Katie’s easy, fall-inspired barbecue sauce. If you make the sauce ahead (it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks), then these juicy, bone-in pork chops come together in a matter of minutes.
Matt Armendariz
Take the classic combination of bacon and Brussels sprouts to the next level by throwing them on the grill. The mixture of the heat and smoke makes the sprouts extra savory, giving the dish a whole new dimension of flavor.
Mushrooms are bountiful during the fall, making them the ideal topping for a homemade flatbread. Add a truffled sauce and freshly grated Parmesan and you’ve got a grilled dish sure to satisfy any fall comfort food craving.
The perfect dish for transitioning from summer to fall, this simple salad tops leafy greens with a hearty mix of fall vegetables, including sweet potatoes that are cooked on the grill. You can follow this recipe exactly, or use it as inspiration and substitute whatever veggies you like (and feel like throwing on the grill).
Armando Rafael, 2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Not ready to give up grilled burgers? Fall-ify them with canned pumpkin; it’s the secret ingredient that holds together a chunky mix of zucchini, peppers and chickpeas in these veggie patties. Plus, the pumpkin has a natural sweetness that perfectly complements the spices in the garam masala and curry powder.
Matt Armendariz, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Sweet potatoes are one of our favorite fall foods. They’re healthy — but hearty and satisfying like our favorite cold-weather comfort foods. Bobby grills his for a subtle smokiness, then dresses them with even more fall flavors: honey, orange zest and caramelized onions.
This popular fall dessert is just as easy to make on the grill as it is in the oven. Just pile everything into your cast iron skillet and cook over indirect heat until the apples are tender.
Related Links
How to Make Thanksgiving Dinner on the Grill
