The best brioche buns.

Last weekend I made a favorite, simple grilled chicken recipe and served it aside tzatziki and schug, and the whole exercise made me excited for the outdoor cooking season ahead: the charred, smoky flavors, the array of creamy, herby, spicy condiments, the olive oil grilled bread, the bubbling, berry desserts mounded with scoops of vanilla ice cream.

PS: Marinating & Grilling 101

This post is organized as follows:

The Best No-Knead Brioche Buns
Three Tips for Better Burgers
Two Veggie Burgers
Four Classic Dips
On the Grill		Salads & Sides
Desserts
Drinks

The Best No-Knead Brioche Buns

These no-knead brioche buns are so easy to whip up. The dough takes 5 minutes to stir together, and once it’s mixed, you can do one of two things:

  1. Stick the dough in the fridge overnight; then shape and bake the following day whenever you are ready.
  2. Let it rise in a warm spot for two hours; then immediately shape and bake.

I love using the refrigerator when I’m short on time and want to get one step out of the way. Regardless of which path you chose, the buns will be light and airy, perfect for any burger you might find yourself cooking this weekend.

Three Tips for Better Burgers

If you plan on making burgers this weekend, here are three tips to make them even better:

  1. Make a secret sauce. (You likely have all of the ingredients on hand.)
  2. Make quick-pickled onions.
  3. Make the buns: No-Knead Brioche Buns

Two Veggie Burgers

Either of these veggie burgers could be sandwiched between the brioche mentioned above, but if you’re up for it, I highly recommend making homemade pita bread, especially if you’re making the falafel burgers.

A bowl of cut open rounds of pita bread.

4 Classic Dips

On the Grill

Grilled chicken breast on a plate aside bread, peppers, and salad.

At the start of every grilling season, I find myself asking the same questions: Is marinating really necessary? And if so, for how long? Is salt in the marinade a no-no or a must? What about acid? What kind of charcoal should I buy? Lump or briquettes? Do I grill covered or uncovered?

You can find all of my grilling and marinating tips here: Grilling & Marinating 101.

The above-pictured grilled chicken breast has become a recent favorite. It calls for a quick brine and a simple (and quick!) marinade, and the results are outstanding: juicy, flavorful, tender meat.

Below are a few more of my favorite grilling season recipes (with a few condiments to match).

Salads & Sides

veggie loaded stuffed bell peppers.

The above-pictured veggie-loaded stuffed pictures could easily stand alone as a vegetarian entrée, but it also makes a great side dish. Find more favorite salads and side dishes below:

Find Many More Ideas Right Here → Salads & Sides

Desserts

Many More Ideas Right Here → Desserts

Drinks

If you’re looking for a really fun summer cocktail, I can’t recommend this strawberry Paloma slushie enough. Made with whole, peeled limes, a ton of strawberries, tequila, agave, and ice, it comes together in no time, and it’s just so festive, fun, and delicious.

And if you don’t have a go-to margarita recipe, this is my favorite, a classic I make all summer long always to rave reviews.