Summer may be winding down, but there’s still time to fire up the grill and make the most of the season. While burgers and hot dogs are backyard BBQ staples, there’s a whole world of unexpected ingredients that shine on the grill—adding bold, smoky flavor and a deliciously caramelized finish you just can’t get indoors.
Grilling isn’t just a method; it’s a vibe. It brings people together, keeps the heat out of the kitchen, and often delivers a healthier twist on your favorite foods. So, before you pack up the patio furniture, join us as we explore twelve creative, crave-worthy ways to “grill all the things”—from sweet summer fruits to hearty greens, hefty flatbreads, and more.
Grilled Flatbread Pizzas
Pizza night meets cookout vibes with grilled flatbread-style pizzas—quick, crispy, and packed with flavor. Using Martin’s rolls as the base gives you a soft, slightly sweet foundation that crisps up beautifully on the grill. Top it with fresh, seasonal ingredients and you’ve got a backyard gourmet meal in minutes.
Try This: Grilled Summer BBQ Chicken Pizza
Made with Martin’s Sweet Dinner Potato Rolls, this recipe layers on BBQ sauce, shredded rotisserie chicken, grilled corn, pickled red onions, green onions, ranch drizzle, and a melty combo of sharp white cheddar and mozzarella. Finish with fresh basil and cilantro for a sweet-and-savory summer pizza that’s totally grill-worthy.
Grilled Bruschetta
Bruschetta is a simple yet versatile dish that’s easy to elevate with the grill. Toasting the bread over open flames gives it a satisfying crunch and subtle smokiness that pairs beautifully with a variety of toppings—whether sweet or savory, fruity or veggie-packed. It’s a perfect appetizer for warm-weather gatherings, and even better when built on Martin’s soft, golden rolls.
Try This: Whipped Goat Cheese Bruschetta (Sweet)
Built on grilled Martin’s Sweet Party Potato Rolls, this sweet and tangy appetizer is topped with a whipped goat cheese blend, diced strawberries, bananas, and kiwi, fresh basil, and a light balsamic drizzle. For even more flavor, try lightly grilling the strawberries and bananas before topping the toasts.
Grilled Mango (and Mango-Inspired Toppings)
Grilling mango takes this tropical fruit to a whole new level—intensifying its natural sweetness while adding a light char that enhances both savory and sweet dishes. Whether served on its own, paired with grilled proteins, or chopped into a vibrant salsa, grilled mango brings brightness and a hint of island flavor to your plate.
Try This: Caribbean Beach Burgers with Mango Salsa
These tropical-inspired burgers are made with Martin’s Sandwich Potato Rolls and seasoned with a bold jerk spice blend. They’re topped with Colby Jack cheese, crisp veggies, and a refreshing homemade mango salsa featuring cilantro, green onion, jalapeño, and lime. We recommend lightly grilling the mango before dicing to deepen the flavor even more.
Grilled Peaches
Grilled peaches are the essence of summer—juicy, caramelized, and just a little smoky. The heat of the grill elevates their flavor and gives them a beautifully tender texture, making them perfect for both savory salads and sweet treats. Try pairing grilled peaches with herbs, greens, or creamy cheeses for a stunning seasonal side.
Try This: Peach Panzanella Salad
This bright, herbaceous salad features grilled peaches and garlic-rubbed Martin’s Potato Bread, toasted right on the grill for those signature char marks. Tossed with arugula, basil, fennel, and a light maple-shallot vinaigrette, it’s a refreshing and elegant way to highlight peak-season produce.
Grilled Pineapple
If you’ve never tossed pineapple on the grill, now’s the time. Grilling caramelizes the fruit’s natural sugars, creating juicy slices with a sweet, smoky bite that pairs beautifully with both savory meats and bold marinades. It’s a simple way to add tropical flair and extra depth to your favorite summer dishes.
Try This: Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich
This flavor-packed sandwich stacks juicy grilled chicken thighs, charred red onions, and caramelized pineapple on a toasted Martin’s Sandwich Potato Roll. A creamy avocado-yogurt spread and drizzle of teriyaki sauce bring it all together for a sweet, savory, and satisfying summer bite.
Grilled Lettuce & Greens
Grilling leafy greens might sound unexpected, but it transforms them into something deeply flavorful and complex—with just the right amount of char. Hearty greens like romaine can handle the heat, gaining a tender-crisp texture that pairs beautifully with proteins, dressings, and crunchy toppings. It’s a simple way to turn a basic salad into a showstopper.
Try This: Grilled Romaine with Shrimp and Garlic-Butter Breadcrumbs
This elevated entrée salad features grilled romaine hearts topped with lemon-garlic grilled shrimp, a homemade vinaigrette, parmesan, and crispy garlic-butter breadcrumbs made from Martin’s Butter Bread (toasted right on the grill). For extra flair, try charring your lemon wedges before serving for that smoky, citrusy finish.
Grilled Sandwiches
No, we’re not talking about grilled cheese sandwiches (although yes—you can absolutely make those on the grill, too). We mean sandwiches that are built for the BBQ, with bold ingredients and elements that come to life over an open flame. From smoky proteins and charred veggies to toasted bread and melty sauces, grilled sandwiches are an easy way to add serious flavor to your summer cooking lineup.
Try This: Bistro Flank Steak Sandwich
This savory stack layers thin-sliced grilled flank steak, roasted garlic mayo, and charred bell peppers on toasted Martin’s Potato Bread. The entire recipe is grill-powered—from the foil-roasted garlic to the fire-roasted veggies and flame-kissed bread—making it a full-flavor experience from top to bottom.
Grilled French Toast
French toast on the grill? Yes, it’s a thing—and it’s delicious. Grilling adds a subtle smokiness and crisped-up edges you don’t quite get from a stovetop skillet. Whether you go savory with herbs and spices or sweet with fruit and maple syrup, French toast is an unexpectedly perfect candidate for summer brunch al fresco.
Try This: Savory French Toast with Hollandaise Sauce
This elegant dish features slices of Martin’s Butter Bread soaked in a seasoned egg mixture with scallions, garlic, parmesan, and herbs. While the original recipe is cooked in a skillet, it’s easily adapted for the grill—just use a greased cast iron pan or griddle over medium heat. Finish it with crumbled bacon, homemade hollandaise, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs for a brunch-worthy bite with a twist.
Grilled Veggies
Grilling adds a whole new dimension to vegetables, giving them a smoky depth and satisfying char that you just can’t get from roasting or sautéing. Hearty picks like eggplant, zucchini, onions, and peppers hold up beautifully over the flame, making them the perfect building blocks for summer sandwiches, salads, and sides.
Try This: Grilled Farmers’ Market Sandwich
This vibrant, meatless sandwich piles on grilled eggplant, zucchini, red onion, tomatoes, and melty provolone cheese between slices of crisped-up Martin’s Potato Bread. An infusion of rosemary and white balsamic vinegar tie it all together for a savory, garden-fresh bite.
Grilled Bread & Rolls
Bread isn’t just for burgers and sandwiches—it can be a star on the grill all on its own. Flattened rolls can be transformed into tostadas, taco shells, or crisped-up bases for appetizers and snacks. Grilling adds a satisfying crunch and deep, smoky flavor, giving new life to your favorite Martin’s products in fun, unexpected ways.
Try This: Carne Asada Tacos
This clever twist uses flattened Martin’s Sandwich Potato Rolls as taco “tortillas” or tostadas. After a quick trip to the grill, they become the perfect base for juicy marinated steak, mashed avocado, cotija cheese, and all your favorite toppings. It’s a creative way to bring bold, handheld flavor to your summer grilling spread.
Grilled Cabbage (and Slaw Upgrades)
Cabbage might not be the first thing you think to toss on the grill—but it should be. Grilling cabbage steaks or thick wedges gives them beautifully charred edges and a smoky flavor that transforms traditional coleslaw into something bolder and more complex. It’s an easy upgrade for sandwiches, tacos, or BBQ platters—and pairs especially well with other grilled ingredients like corn.
Try This: Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Sweet Corn Slaw
This recipe layers tender, slow-cooked pork onto Martin’s Sandwich Potato Rolls and tops it off with a creamy slaw made from cabbage, grilled corn, and a tangy yogurt-mayo dressing. For an extra flavor boost, try grilling the cabbage before shredding—it adds just the right hint of smokiness to balance the sweet and savory elements.
Mountain Pies & Campfire Classics (No Campfire Required)
Traditionally made over open flames, Mountain Pies—also known as pie iron sandwiches—are a nostalgic favorite for campers and outdoor cooks. But even if you’re staying close to home, you can still recreate that smoky, fire-roasted flavor using your backyard grill or smoker. Just preheat a pie iron (or use a heavy-duty cast iron skillet or sandwich press), and you’re ready to make these gooey, golden-brown treats right over the flame.
Try These: Creative Mountain Pie Variations
- Pie Iron Pizza – Stuffed with marinara, mozzarella, and pepperoni, this is a handheld pizza that’s crisped to perfection using Martin’s Sandwich Potato Rolls.
- S’mores Mountain Pie – A toasted twist on a campfire classic, this version melts chocolate and marshmallows between buttery bread slices.
- Fruit Mountain Pies – Whether made with cherry, blueberry, or apple pie filling, these sweet pies are a simple way to bring dessert to the grill.
- Pie Iron Breakfast Sandwich – Filled with eggs, cheese, and breakfast meat, this is the perfect way to start your morning fireside—or grill-side.
Explore even more in our Camping Recipe Archive »
Get Grilling—And Get Creative
From charred peaches to smoky lettuce, grilling is about so much more than just meat. Whether you’re planning one last summer cookout or just want to experiment with new flavors, there’s no limit to what you can sizzle over the flames. So, grab your favorite Martin’s bread or rolls, fire up the grill, and try something unexpected. You might just discover your new summer favorite.
Looking for More Ideas? Try These Grilled Twists
Take your grilling game a step further by putting a smoky spin on some of our classic recipes. With just a few tweaks, you can infuse bold, grilled flavor into almost anything:
- Sweet Heat Surf and Turf Burgers – Try grilling the corn, peaches, and lobster tails for a richer, flame-kissed flavor.
- Sweet Heat BBQ Dogs – Add a twist by grilling the avocado or jalapeños.
- Loaded Spiral-Cut Garden Dogs – Swap the hot dog for a grilled carrot for a creative vegetarian version.
- Grilled Fish Sandwich with Avocado Spread – Try grilling the pineapple and jalapeño for a smoky-sweet spread.
- Green Apple Chutney Dogs – Consider grilling the apple and tomatillo to give the chutney a bold, smoky base.
Browse even more ideas in our recipe collection »
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