If you’re firing up the grill this weekend, why not make it count? Whether you're already a backyard pitmaster or just ready to level up beyond burgers and basic grilled chicken, these next-level grilling recipes are worth the time and effort. These aren’t your average weeknight grill recipes — they’re the kind of dishes that make you excited to tend the coals, try a new technique or tackle that longer cook time. So stock up on charcoal, prep your meat thermometer and get ready to turn your next cookout into something unforgettable.

A few skillful slices turn the core of a pineapple into a base to roast chicken upright so it gets perfectly smoky and crisp on all sides. Borrowing from traditional Mexican al pastor, the chicken is basted with a spicy ancho chili and pineapple sauce. Save a cup of the sauce for drizzling over the finished chicken, along with fresh lime wedges.

Grab your extra-large cast iron skillet and get ready to serve up dinner, Spanish-style. This smoky paella cooks on the grill, mimicking the flavors of the traditional dish. Chicken thighs, mussels, shrimp and chorizo all combine in the saffron-infused broth to create a heavenly feast for a crowd.

These Cantonese-style grilled ribs are a true showstopper. Sweet, smoky, sticky and packed with umami, this recipe takes time but pays off big with restaurant-worthy results. Pair them with rice or a tangy cucumber salad.

Rolled up with herbs, tomatoes and peanuts, this Thai curry beef roll is a stunner on the grill and the plate. Once cooked, it’s sliced to reveal a colorful spiral that’s a flavorful upgrade from your typical flank steak. Pair it with a cool rice salad for a vibrant summer meal.

If you need a meal to wow a crowd, you can’t go wrong with this decent seafood platter. Skewer lobster tails, sea scallops and shrimp for easier maneuvering over the hot grill. A juicy paprika-chili butter mixed with chopped capers, garlic and tons of fresh herbs becomes the perfect sauce for drizzling over every bite.

If you’re looking for a new way to make beef tenderloin, try this traditional Columbian method. The tenderloin is caked in salt, then wrapped in a red wine-soaked cloth and cooked over a charcoal grill. Once it’s done, break away the crust to reveal a tender, flavorful cut of beef.

This over-the-top grill creation is part showstopper, part meat-lover’s dream. Smoky boneless pork ribs are stuffed into a hollowed-out pineapple and the whole thing is wrapped in a bacon lattice. After some time on the grill, the ribs will be tender, the pineapple caramelized and the bacon delightfully crisp.

Grilling lobster feels like a flex, and with a sumptuous basil butter, it absolutely is. Rich, herby compound butter melts into the tender lobster meat, adding big flavor and easy luxury to any backyard cookout. It’s a simple prep that delivers maximum results.

Don’t bust out the shovel just yet — this Kalua-style braised pork shoulder cooks right on the grill. Mimicking the classic Hawaiian dish that roasts in the ground, this pork is wrapped in banana leaves and placed in a Dutch oven. Sprinkle charcoal briquettes around the pot and bake until the pork is completely tender.

Use pineapple in a new and creative way to dial up grilled fish. A thick piece of peel turns into a natural grilling plank that keeps the fish juicy and transfers a slight sweetness. Chop up the rest of the pineapple to make a spicy salsa to spoon over the fillet or eat with chips.

Draw inspiration from Argentinian matambre, which stuffs fillings like chorizo, green olives and pickled jalapeños into a thin cut of flank steak. Rolled, tied and flame-kissed, it’s a seriously satisfying main course that has vibrant color and flavor in every slice. A drizzle of zesty herb chimichurri brings it all together.

A quick turn on the grill can make quick work of serving up raw oysters for a crowd. The heat gently opens the shells for easier shucking. Top with your choice of three sauces, then return to the grill until juicy and bubbling.

Sizzling fajitas turn heads every time they come out of a restaurant kitchen, so why not recreate that moment in your backyard? Repurpose a pizza stone into a flat top for blistering chicken and caramelizing peppers and onions. Serve it with your favorite sides, like tortillas, guacamole and pico de gallo.

Make the most of all the best summer produce with this tasty grill-poached halibut recipe. It’s poached right on the grill in a buttery white wine tomato sauce simmered in a Dutch oven. It’s an luxurious stunner that delivers peak summer vibes with little clean up.

Put your grill to work creating a juicy, coastal New England meal with no giant pot required. Potatoes, onions and clams steam together in a foil packet while the grill adds chars corn, shrimp and kielbasa. Drizzle it all with chives, Old Bay and fresh lemon wedges.

Use a deboned chicken to make a fun twist on classic Italian porchetta. The bird is stuffed with a garlicky breadcrumb mixture and rolled up with twine. Pop it on the grill and cook until golden brown and crispy on the outside.

This smoked mojo pork shoulder is packed with bold Cuban-inspired flavor. A citrusy herb marinade works double duty, infusing both the pork and a pot of rice and beans for a full-on feast. Thanks to your trusty pellet grill, you get juicy, fall-apart meat with woodsy depth and a caramelized crust that’s totally worth the wait.

Grilled whole fish isn’t exactly your typical weeknight fare, but it can make any backyard meal feel extra special. Marinate the fish in a gingery lime mixture and plate it whole on a well-oiled grill. The fish cooks quickly, developing crispy skin and tender, flaky meat that soaks up all the bright, zesty flavors.

A cedar plank adds plenty of smoky flavor to a simple cut of salmon and keeps the filet moist and tender without any risk of sticking. A punchy miso-ginger marinade penetrates deeply after just 30 minutes in the refrigerator. The result is a beautifully caramelized filet that everyone will enjoy.