36 Best Indoor Grill Recipes for Enjoying Year Round

Updated on Oct. 21, 2024

Grilling outdoors not an option? Move the party inside with these top-rated indoor grill recipes.

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Whether pressed on juicy burgers or strewn across a cut of scrumptious steak, grill marks turn anything they touch into a mouthwatering feast. But what do you do when the weather sabotages your plans for outdoor grilling? Well, you can still achieve that satisfying sizzle with an indoor grill. In fact, anything you can cook on direct heat will cook up beautifully on an indoor grill too. From starters to dessert, these indoor grill recipes will make a believer out of you.

Choose from different cuts of steak, all sorts of kebabs and hamburger recipes to make inside tonight. Just remember that there are a few differences between indoor and outdoor grills.

Indoor grills are powered by electricity and don’t cook food by flame, so they minimize smoke and offer a fuss-free grilling experience. The raised grill ridges also allow greasy, high-fat drippings to drain off with ease. The time and temperature you’ll need for cooking on an indoor grill is basically the same as outdoor grilling recipes. Just make sure you’re using an indoor grill with a lid when needed and a food thermometer to check that meats are coming up to temperature.

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Grilled Zucchini

Set aside some room on the grill for zucchini. This side cooks quickly, and grilled zucchini pairs well with everything from barbecued chicken to tropical pork skewers.
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Grilled Steaks with Mushroom Sauce

Midweek days deserve something special. This steak entree with its savory sauce will fit the bill beautifully. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
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Pork Kabobs

This recipe was originally for lamb, but I adapted it to pork and adjusted the spices. It’s always requested when the grill comes out for the season. —Bobbie Jo Miller, Fallon, Nevada
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Farmers Market Street Tacos

I love going to my local farmer’s market and seeing what fresh produce is in season that I can throw into a taco. Use whatever fresh veggies they have; I promise it will be delicious. —Ralph Jones, San Diego, California
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Firecracker Shrimp

These delightful firecracker shrimp are coated in a sweet and spicy glaze. The marinade comes together in moments for sizzling shrimp skewers. —Mary Tallman, Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin
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Grilled Lime Chicken

A wonderful citrusy marinade makes this grilled lime chicken tangy and tasty. A few hours before dinner, simply marinate the chicken for a fuss-free meal later on. —Lisa Dougherty, Vacaville, California
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Bacon Cheeseburger

Where can you get a juicy burger that is so superior to drive-thru fare? Right in your backyard with this delicious bacon cheeseburger recipe. —Jackie Burns, Silverdale, Washington
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Veggie Kabobs

Grilling is a delightful way of preparing the season’s freshest produce. The zesty Italian marinade adds just the right amount of spice to these veggie kabobs. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
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Grilled Stone Fruits with Balsamic Syrup

Get ready to experience another side of stone fruits. Hot off the rack, these grilled nectarines practically melt in your mouth. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
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Cuban Sandwich

If you want a hearty sandwich that won’t overstuff you, then the Cubano is for you. Tangy pickles, tender pork, savory ham, gooey melted Swiss cheese and a hint of mustard are layered between two toasty pieces of bread for the ultimate panini. —Margaret Knoebel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Grilled Chicken Burgers

Out of all my indoor grill recipes, this is one of my favorites! These chicken burgers get a delicious hint of sweetness with tart apples mixed right into the patties. The cranberry-mayo spread takes it up a notch even further. —Debbie Gauthier, Timmins, Ontario
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Lime and Sesame Grilled Eggplant

Fresh vegetables make wonderful indoor grill recipes. My recipe’s seasonings have an Asian theme, but the dish still makes me think Greek. —Allyson Meyler, Greensboro, North Carolina
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Spicy Lemon Chicken Kabobs

When I see Meyer lemons in the store, it must be spring. I like using them for these easy chicken kabobs, but regular grilled lemons still add the signature smoky tang. —Terri Crandall, Gardnerville, Nevada
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Zesty Grilled Ham

If it’s ham, my kids will eat it, but they like this kicked-up indoor grill recipe best of all. Even the small ones eat adult-sized portions, so be sure to make plenty. —Mary Ann Lien, Tyler, Texas
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Grilled Pork Chops

Soaked in brine and rubbed with a fragrant spice blend, these grilled pork chops burst with flavor.
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Grilled Garlic Naan

Indian food is my all-time favorite and no meal is complete without some naan. I like to brush this indoor grill recipe for naan with lots of butter, garlic and a little chopped cilantro.—Jerry Gulley, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
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Fajita in a Bowl

Pull out the skewers and take a stab at grilling peppers, onions and corn for an awesome steak salad that’s all summer and smoke. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Oktoberfest Brats with Mustard Sauce

I come from a town with a big German heritage, and each year we have a huge celebration for Oktoberfest. This recipe packs in all the traditional German flavors my whole family loves. —Deborah Pennington, Decatur, Alabama
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Chicken Caesar Pitas

Hand-held and picnic friendly, these chicken-stuffed pockets pack a double dose of whole grains from brown rice and whole wheat pitas. The chicken can be made up to 2 days in advance for a fast-fix lunch. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
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Berried Treasure Angel Food Cake

My husband grills anything and everything—even dessert! With his gentle nudging, I came up with this simple recipe that takes just a few minutes to prepare, yet always impresses dinner guests. —Anita Archibald, Richmond Hill, Ontario
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Greek Pork Chops

My in-laws taught me a lot about cooking, so any time I come across a great new recipe, I enjoy making it for them. These bright, lemony chops quickly became a favorite. —Geri Lipczynski, Oak Lawn, Illinois
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Grilled Squash

Grilled squash is a quick and easy side dish for those wonderful days of late summer and early fall. Pair it with your favorite grilled meats, or broil it later in the season (when it's too cold to grill) and serve it alongside your entree of choice.
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Chicken with Peach-Avocado Salsa

This super fresh dinner is pure summer—juicy peaches, creamy avocado, grilled chicken and a kick of hot sauce and lime. To get it on the table even quicker, make the salsa ahead. —Shannon Norris, Cudahy, Wisconsin
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Fruit-Glazed Pork Chops

Here’s a fast and simple way to grill chops in half an hour. Other fruit preserves can be easily substituted. These are also nice broiled in the oven. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
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Grilled Lobster Tails

I had never tried grilling lobster tails at home until I tried this convenient and deliciously different recipe. It turned out amazing, and has left me with little reason to ever order grilled lobster tail at a restaurant again. Here's how to cook lobster tails on the grill. —Katie Rush, Kansas City, Missouri
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Grilled Chicken Salad with Blueberry Vinaigrette

We love adding grilled chicken to our salads in the summer, but the real star here is the vinaigrette made with blueberry preserves and maple syrup. This salad goes great with a fresh baguette and a frosty glass of minted lemonade. —Susan Gauthier, Falmouth, Maine
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Firecracker Grilled Salmon

Let this sensational firecracker salmon perk up dinner tonight. With a super flavorful glaze that kicks you right in the taste buds, this weeknight dish is anything but boring. —Melissa Rogers, Tuscaloosa, AL
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Grilled Broccoli

Coating broccoli in a lemon juice marinade and a layer of Parmesan, then hitting it with a smoky char, makes for a showstopper of a grilled broccoli side dish.
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Honey Thyme Grilled Chicken

For grilling chicken, I wanted a marinade different from barbecue sauce, so I pulled out some honey and thyme. If you have time, let the chicken marinate awhile to boost flavor. —Noel Bigelow, Alexandria, Virginia
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Grilled Eggplant Parmesan Stacks

We love eggplant Parmesan, but when it’s hot outside, the dish feels too heavy. Grilled eggplant slices topped with tomato, mozzarella and Parm satisfy everyone. —Joann Parlin, Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey
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Grilled Tilapia with Mango

Here's a new twist on tilapia that I created for my wife. She enjoys the combination of mango with Parmesan. Somehow it tastes even better outside on the deck with a cold glass of iced tea. —Gregg May, Columbus, Ohio
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Pork Burgers

These ground pork burgers are a flavorful alternative to all-beef burgers. Our pork burger recipe uses a few secret ingredients to make sure the patties turn out juicy and moist.
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Grilled Steak and Mushroom Salad

My husband loves this salad, especially during summer. He says he feels as if he’s eating a healthy salad and getting his steak, too! I always serve it with some fresh homemade bread. —Julie Cashion, Sanford, Florida
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Grilled Caprese Quesadillas

Here's a quick and easy summer lunch that makes great use of garden-grown tomatoes. Feel free to make your quesadillas heartier by adding grilled chicken. —Amy Mongiovi, Lititz, Pennsylvania
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Grilled Pineapple Chicken

A trip to Hawaii is easy with this juicy grilled pineapple chicken. Simply give it a quick marinade, fire up the grill and let it sizzle. We love this low-carb recipe! —Charlotte Rogers, Virginia Beach, Virginia
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Grilled Angel Food Cake with Fruit Salsa

When I need dessert fast, I go with angel food cake. Mix fruit salsa ahead of time, and pop the cake on the grill. —Glorimar Jimenez, Indianapolis, Indiana

Indoor Grill Recipes FAQ

What can you do with an indoor grill?

Enjoy picture-perfect grill marks and kicked-up flavor with the convenience of grilling indoors. An indoor grill is only limited by its size when it comes to direct heat cooking. Large quantities of food or significant cuts of meat like a rack of ribs won’t fit most top indoor grills, so they’re best used for everyday grilling tasks. Use an indoor grill to cook up family favorites like burgers, chicken breasts, hot dogs and brats, or more creative dishes like grilled cauliflower wedges, firecracker grilled salmon or Mexican street corn.

How do I adapt outdoor grill recipes for an indoor grill?

Indoor grills can handle whatever most outdoor grills can, especially when direct heat is required. Cast-iron grill ridges will achieve those coveted sear marks if you preheat your indoor grill to get that sweet sizzle right when your meat (or whatever you’re cooking) meets heat. And don’t fuss with your food—letting it sit a few minutes before rotating or flipping will create those beautiful lines that result from caramelization. Indoor grills are often more consistent in temperature as they don’t fluctuate as outdoor grills do, so your food should cook more evenly.

Does food cooked on indoor grills taste the same?

Food cooked over a flame or on a charcoal or wood grill will have a smoky flavor that’s hard to replicate on an indoor grill. But there are a few tricks you can do to impart major flavor when cooking on an indoor grill. First, consider marinating your food before grilling. Next, adding flavoring agents like smoked salt, liquid smoke (use sparingly) or rubs can turn even bland food into dishes with a bang.