6 Must-Try Grilled Steak Recipes for Backyard BBQs

Fire up the grill and get ready to transform your backyard into the most popular spot on the block this summer. These six incredible grilled recipes bring together everything from juicy steaks and smoky brisket to buttery shrimp and BBQ-glazed pork chops—each one tested, perfected, and packed with flavor. Whether you’re hosting a crowd or just cooking for family on a warm evening, this lineup has your perfect match waiting right here.

Jump to Recipes:

1. Grilled Steak
2. Steak Kabobs
3. Garlic Butter Shrimp
4. BBQ Pork Chops
5. Grilled Sausage
6. Smoked Brisket

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1. Grilled Steak

There’s nothing quite like a perfectly grilled steak to anchor a backyard BBQ, and this recipe delivers exactly that. Using thick strip loin steaks seared on high heat and finished with a proper rest, you’ll get that coveted crust and juicy, tender interior every time. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser for anyone who loves classic, no-fuss grilling at its absolute best.

⏱ Prep Time: 5 min | 🔥 Cook Time: 10 min | 🍽 Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 strip loin steaks, 1-inch thick (10 oz / 300 g each)
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Pat steaks dry with paper towel. Season all sides with salt and pepper.
2. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
3. Grill steaks for 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare, or until desired doneness.
4. Remove from heat and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
5. Slice thinly across the grain and serve.

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2. Steak Kabobs

Steak kabobs are the ultimate interactive BBQ dish—colorful, fun to eat, and endlessly customizable. This version pairs tender sirloin chunks with sweet bell peppers, onions, and earthy mushrooms, all brushed with a rich garlic butter that takes every bite over the top. Perfect for feeding a crowd or letting everyone build their own skewer creation.

⏱ Prep Time: 20 min | 🔥 Cook Time: 8 min | 🍽 Servings: 8 kabobs

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds thick-cut sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1 medium onion, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1½ cups button mushrooms
• 2 medium bell peppers (any color), cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• ⅓ cup butter, melted
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped

Instructions:

1. Thread beef, onion, mushrooms, and bell peppers alternately onto skewers.
2. Brush kabobs with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper.
3. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
4. Grill kabobs for 4 to 5 minutes, then turn and grill another 4 to 5 minutes until browned and cooked to desired doneness.
5. In a small bowl, combine melted butter, crushed garlic, lemon juice, and parsley.
6. Brush kabobs liberally with garlic butter mixture and serve immediately.

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3. Garlic Butter Shrimp

Don’t let the shrimp steal the show—but oh, it will. These grilled shrimp are brushed with a heavenly lemon garlic butter sauce that caramelizes on the grill and locks in incredible flavor. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe is a lifesaver when you need something fast, elegant, and absolutely delicious. Serve with crusty bread to soak up every last drop of that butter sauce.

⏱ Prep Time: 15 min | 🔥 Cook Time: 15 min | 🍽 Servings: 4-6

Ingredients:

• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 shallot, minced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1½ pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 lemons, halved
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Melt butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Stir in shallot, garlic, and red pepper flakes until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Thread shrimp onto skewers and season with salt and pepper. Brush with 2 tablespoons of the butter mixture.
3. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
4. Add shrimp skewers to the grill and cook, turning occasionally, until shrimp are pink and opaque, about 3 to 4 minutes.
5. Add lemon halves to the grill, cut side down, during the last 2 minutes of cooking.
6. Serve immediately, drizzled with remaining butter mixture and garnished with parsley and grilled lemons.

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4. BBQ Pork Chops

These BBQ pork chops prove that juicy, flavor-packed pork absolutely belongs on your grill. A simple soy-and-brown-sugar marinade works magic on thick-cut chops, keeping them tender while adding that perfect sweet-savory balance. They cook up fast, rest to perfection, and disappear even faster—so you might want to make extra.

⏱ Prep Time: 10 min (+ optional marinating time) | 🔥 Cook Time: 12-18 min | 🍽 Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in pork chops, thick-cut
• ⅓ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp mustard powder or Dijon mustard
• 1½ tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp ground black pepper (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, mustard, olive oil, and pepper.
2. Add pork chops and turn to coat completely. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours if desired.
3. Preheat grill to high heat (about 450°F).
4. Remove chops from marinade and discard remaining marinade.
5. Grill chops for 2 to 3 minutes per side, then move to indirect heat and cook for 8 to 15 minutes longer, depending on thickness.
6. Remove to a plate, cover loosely with foil, and rest for 5 minutes before serving.

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5. Grilled Sausage

Sometimes the simplest things are the most satisfying, and grilled sausages are proof. Whether you choose bratwurst, Italian, or a spicy andouille, sausages are practically foolproof on the grill—developing crispy, charred casings while staying juicy inside. Serve them on buns with grilled peppers and onions, or slice them up for a sausage board with mustards and pickles.

⏱ Prep Time: 5 min | 🔥 Cook Time: 15-20 min | 🍽 Servings: 4-6

Ingredients:

• 6 sausages (bratwurst, Italian, or your favorite variety)
• 2 bell peppers, sliced (optional)
• 1 large onion, sliced (optional)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Hot dog buns (optional)
• Your favorite mustards and condiments

Instructions:

1. Preheat grill to medium heat.
2. Prick sausages lightly with a fork to prevent bursting (optional).
3. If using peppers and onions, toss them with olive oil and place in a grill basket or on a sheet of heavy-duty foil.
4. Grill sausages for 15 to 20 minutes, turning occasionally, until evenly browned and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 160°F).
5. During the last 10 minutes, add the pepper-onion mixture to the grill, stirring occasionally until softened and charred.
6. Serve sausages on buns with grilled peppers and onions, or as-is with mustard on the side.

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6. Smoked Brisket

Low and slow is the name of the game with smoked brisket—the crown jewel of any serious backyard BBQ. While it takes patience and time, the payoff is absolutely unforgettable: tender, smoky, melt-in-your-mouth beef with a dark, peppery bark that will have your neighbors wandering over to ask what’s cooking. Plan ahead, trust your thermometer, and get ready for BBQ glory.

⏱ Prep Time: 20 min | 🔥 Cook Time: 10-14 hours | 🍽 Servings: 10-12

Ingredients:

• 1 whole beef brisket (10-12 pounds), trim fat cap to ¼ inch
• ¼ cup coarse black pepper
• ¼ cup kosher salt
• 2 tbsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• Yellow mustard (as binder, optional)
• Wood chunks or chips (oak, hickory, or pecan)

Instructions:

1. Trim brisket fat cap to about ¼ inch thickness. Trim any hard fat or silver skin.
2. Mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika to create the rub.
3. Apply a thin layer of yellow mustard as a binder, then coat entire brisket generously with the rub.
4. Preheat smoker to 225-250°F using oak, hickory, or pecan wood.
5. Place brisket fat side up on the smoker grate. Insert a meat probe into the thickest part of the flat.
6. Smoke until internal temperature reaches 165-170°F (the stall), about 5-6 hours.
7. Wrap tightly in butcher paper or foil and continue smoking until internal temperature reaches 195-203°F, about another 4-6 hours.
8. Remove from smoker and let rest in a cooler (still wrapped) for at least 1 hour, ideally 2-3 hours.
9. Slice against the grain and serve.

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Final Thoughts

There you have it—six incredible grilled recipes that will make your backyard BBQs absolutely legendary this season. From a quick weeknight steak to an all-day smoked brisket project, there’s something here for every skill level and every craving. Which one are you firing up first this weekend?

Don’t forget to save this post to your favorite Pinterest board so you’ve got these recipes ready whenever the grill calls your name! 🥩🔥