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Oysters - It seems intimidating, but all you have to do is throw them on the fire flat-side up for five minutes. To put it over the top, add a bit of parmesan and garlic butter on top.

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Watermelon - If you’ve never had a grilled watermelon salad with salty feta, fresh red onions, field greens, and syrupy balsamic vinegar, this is the summer to try it.

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Rice balls - Yaki onigiri, or Japanese grilled rice balls, are an easy way to liven up your barbecue. Simply form warm short-grain rice into balls using plastic wrap, then grill with butter and soy sauce when you’re ready.

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Quesadillas - They're crispy, smoky, and incredibly easy to make. If you need something a little more fancy, use grilled corn and goat cheese inside.

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Guacamole - Throw corn and avocado halves onto the grill and let them char, then add them to a bowl with red onion, garlic, lime juice, and jalapeño. You’ll never do guac any other way.

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Romaine hearts - You might not think to throw a leafy greens on the barbecue, but grilled romaine hearts with Caesar dressing makes a delicious and healthy side for a fraction of the calories.

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Tofu - A healthy and veg-friendly addition is sure to please at any barbecue. Slather thick cuts with a sweet and spicy marinade for a burger replacement, or skewer them with vegetables for an appetizer.

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Zucchini roll-ups - Grill long slices of zucchini until they blister and soften enough to slather them with goat cheese and roll them up for a classy and simple appetizer.

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Kale - Succumb to the kale chip craze as you taste the leafy green’s crisp edges and smoky flavor. Mix with ricotta, grilled plums, and fish for the classiest of celebrations.

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Flatbread pizza - Get that traditional wood-fired effect for minimal effort by laying store-bought pizza dough onto the grill and covering it in your favorite toppings. Try sautéed mushrooms, leek, onion, balsamic vinegar, basil, and parmesan.

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Portobello mushroom caps - If you’re in the burger mood but are looking for a meat alternative, portobello mushrooms are perfect. They’re chewy and flavorful, and they go really well with a slice of gooey cheese.

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Polenta - Swap out the traditional burger bun for thick slices of grilled polenta, or top polenta with slices with tomato, mozzarella, and basil for classy and healthy snacks. 

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Brussel sprouts - It’s cool not to like brussel sprouts when you’re a kid, but now it's time to get onboard. Grilled so they’re tender on the inside and crisp on the outside, pair the sprouts with bacon and maple syrup.

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Broccolini - This charred broccolini is a healthy and no-fuss side that tastes amazing when mixed with bright lemon juice and hot red chili flakes.

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Carrots - Reacquaint yourself with the orange crunchy vegetable as it sweetens and softens on the grill, then toss it with lime juice, a dash of cumin, and cilantro for a gustatory adventure.

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Lemon pepper chicken kebabs - Switch up regular vegetable kebabs by skewering chicken, lemon, asparagus, peppers, onions—or any other combination—and letting the grill do the rest.

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Sweet potatoes - Healthier and tastier than regular fries, slice sweet potatoes into thin wedges, toss with olive oil and spices (try a simple cilantro-lime dressing), and grill for about 10 minutes.

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Stuffed apples - Sweet and savory come together here perfectly as the flavors of the cored apple mix with sausage and sage stuffings to create the perfect dish.

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Mini peppers - Skewer them and lay them on the flame until they blister for optimal flavor, then top with a minty tzatziki sauce for a joyous blast to the taste buds.

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Bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers - The crunch of crispy bacon, the smoky charred jalapeño shell, and the warm cheddar and cream cheese mixture will fulfill all your Fourth of July desires.

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Mixed nuts - Roasting nuts brings out a depth to their flavor, and you can sweeten things up with maple syrup, fruit, and ice cream, or spice them with salt, pepper, rosemary, sage, and cayenne pepper.

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Limes - You can’t have Fourth of July without cocktails, and they, too, can benefit from the grill! Transform drinks like caipirinhas into rich and elegant concoctions.

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Grapefruit - Grilled grapefruit is amazing on its own, as the sugars caramelize and it turns sweeter. But it’s even better when you mix it with honey, ginger, and vodka.

On to the desserts!

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French toast - You might be surprised at this addition, but grilling this sweet, eggy bread is immensely more flavorful than frying it on a pan.

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Galette - Take your pick of fruit—from peaches to strawberries, cherries, or blueberries—toss it into a pie crust, throw some chocolate in there, fold the edges, and let the grill melt all those amazing flavors together.

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Bananas - Elevate the classic banana split by grilling the bananas and caramelizing all those sugars, then watch as the cold ice cream melts luxuriously over its seared edges.

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Doughnuts - Press some doughnuts on the grill for a dangerously good upgrade to the American classic. Take it one step further and top it with peanut butter and jelly.

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Peaches - Alone or paired with either a sweet or savory dish, grilled peaches are the kind of delicacy you’ll kick yourself for not having tried earlier.

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Banana s’mores - Slice a banana down the center, stuff it with marshmallows, chocolate, and graham cracker crumbs, wrap it in foil and let it sit on the grill. In a few minutes you’ll have a warm, gooey treat.

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Pineapple -

Warm grilled pineapple topped with brown sugar rum sauce, cinnamon, and ice cream... life-changing.

See also: A guide for the perfect summer BBQ

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