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Learning how to shop for groceries in a more-efficient way has taught me a lot about meal planning, as well as what sorts of ingredients to keep around the kitchen during certain times of the year. The more I write down and journal what ingredients I am buying and need for our weekly recipes, the more I learn about just exactly what ingredients are must-haves.
With the weather so beautiful outside, we have spent much of our time preparing dinner outdoors. We've been using our grill more and more lately and with some time and quite a few trips to the grocery store, I've gotten a sense of what some of our grilling season must-have ingredients are. Today, I'm sharing a tutorial list that includes every item we consider to be an absolute necessity for all of our favorite grilled meals!

10 Grilling Season Must-Have Ingredients
Below you will find a comprehensive tutorial checklist outlining the necessary ingredients to have a successful (and tasty) grilling season! If you follow this list for inspiration before you go grocery shopping for a BBQ or even a spontaneous weekday dinner, you are sure to be ready to get grilling!
1. Steak
No grill is complete without a favorite protein--my husband's favorite grilling protein is steak, so we always make sure to have some ribeyes or shanks on hand.
2. Chicken
My favorite protein (like many others) is chicken, so for me, it's an absolute necessity to have chicken when grilling. Chicken is such a versatile protein you can do a lot with--especially on the barbecue!
3. Sausages
A popular choice for most barbecues all season long is sausages! Whether you prefer bratwurst, kielbasa, andouille, Italian, or a unique flavor like chorizo, you can take your grilling season to the next level if you keep some sausages on hand before you hit the BBQ.
4. Spare ribs
Everyone loves a good rack of ribs on the grill--and the choices for sauces and marinades are endless!
5. Tomato
Tomato is an underappreciated ingredient to keep on hand for a barbecue and it can be used in many ways! Have you ever tried a grilled tomato?
Knock the socks off of your guests at your weekend BBQ by cutting a tomato in half, rubbing it in olive oil, sprinkling with salt and black pepper, and grilling it up right on the grate right until before it starts to burn (about 10 minutes).
Even if that's not your style, tomatoes are still arguably essential to have while grilling since they compliment so many proteins you are going to grill.
6. Corn
If you've ever looked on Pinterest (I mean, at this point who hasn't), you are sure to have seen the grilled corn craze that erupts every spring and summer. There's a reason for that--grilled corn is fantastic! You can find any number of delicious grilled corn on the cob recipes to try, or you can grill it up "naked" and just add butter and salt when it's done.
7. Mushroom
Grilled portobello mushrooms are a great appetizer for any barbecue, and shiitake mushrooms are wonderful to grill and serve alongside a steak!
8. Onion
Like tomatoes, onions are an underappreciated grilling season must-have. White onion is an absolute must, followed by a yellow onion and then a red onion. The possibilities of grilling with onions are endless, and like I mentioned with corn, Pinterest has an overwhelming amount of ways you can get inspiration from to creatively make use of your onion while you are cooking up something delicious on the grill.
9. Asparagus
Asparagus is the mother-in-law of all grilling season must-haves. It's a bit more refined and it's a healthy vegetable, so when you have it around your grilling station will look more put together and people won't judge you as much for your lack of culinary finesse! But all jokes aside, asparagus is a delicious addition to a barbecue and arguably one of my favorite grilling must-have ingredients.
10. Potato
I think we can all argue that potato is a must-have ingredient for almost any occasion, but potatoes are by far are a well-favored side dish for all BBQs and will be loved all grilling season long!
Are there any more you'd add? Comment below and let us know!
Rubbermaid® BRILLIANCE™ is the best food storage container system we've ever used, and all of the other containers in our pantry cannot compare--the #1 point of differentiation is "100% Leak Proof. Guaranteed." When it comes to meal planning and meal prepping after our trips to the grocery store, we make the best use of our Rubbermaid® BRILLIANCE™ (which just so happens to stack perfectly in our refrigerator, so it also saves us lots of room and it keeps our refrigerator clean and organized!)
The 10 pc BRILLIANCE™ set from Rubbermaid® BRILLIANCE™ is available nationwide at Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, Amazon, and other fine retailers.
If you're looking to invest in something that will help you meal plan more effectively and will last you a long time, I definitely recommend Rubbermaid® BRILLIANCE™. It's stain and odor resistant, the containers are crystal clear so you can see what's inside them easily, and they are even splatter-resistant when microwaving (which is great when we have to reheat leftovers we store in them!)
1. Steak
No grill is complete without a favorite protein--my husband's favorite grilling protein is steak, so we always make sure to have some ribeyes or shanks on hand.
2. Chicken
My favorite protein (like many others) is chicken, so for me, it's an absolute necessity to have chicken when grilling. Chicken is such a versatile protein you can do a lot with--especially on the barbecue!
3. Sausages
A popular choice for most barbecues all season long is sausages! Whether you prefer bratwurst, kielbasa, andouille, Italian, or a unique flavor like chorizo, you can take your grilling season to the next level if you keep some sausages on hand before you hit the BBQ.
4. Spare ribs
Everyone loves a good rack of ribs on the grill--and the choices for sauces and marinades are endless!
5. Tomato
Tomato is an underappreciated ingredient to keep on hand for a barbecue and it can be used in many ways! Have you ever tried a grilled tomato?
Knock the socks off of your guests at your weekend BBQ by cutting a tomato in half, rubbing it in olive oil, sprinkling with salt and black pepper, and grilling it up right on the grate right until before it starts to burn (about 10 minutes).
Even if that's not your style, tomatoes are still arguably essential to have while grilling since they compliment so many proteins you are going to grill.
6. Corn
If you've ever looked on Pinterest (I mean, at this point who hasn't), you are sure to have seen the grilled corn craze that erupts every spring and summer. There's a reason for that--grilled corn is fantastic! You can find any number of delicious grilled corn on the cob recipes to try, or you can grill it up "naked" and just add butter and salt when it's done.
7. Mushroom
Grilled portobello mushrooms are a great appetizer for any barbecue, and shiitake mushrooms are wonderful to grill and serve alongside a steak!
8. Onion
Like tomatoes, onions are an underappreciated grilling season must-have. White onion is an absolute must, followed by a yellow onion and then a red onion. The possibilities of grilling with onions are endless, and like I mentioned with corn, Pinterest has an overwhelming amount of ways you can get inspiration from to creatively make use of your onion while you are cooking up something delicious on the grill.
9. Asparagus
Asparagus is the mother-in-law of all grilling season must-haves. It's a bit more refined and it's a healthy vegetable, so when you have it around your grilling station will look more put together and people won't judge you as much for your lack of culinary finesse! But all jokes aside, asparagus is a delicious addition to a barbecue and arguably one of my favorite grilling must-have ingredients.
10. Potato
I think we can all argue that potato is a must-have ingredient for almost any occasion, but potatoes are by far are a well-favored side dish for all BBQs and will be loved all grilling season long!
Are there any more you'd add? Comment below and let us know!
Rubbermaid® BRILLIANCE™ is the best food storage container system we've ever used, and all of the other containers in our pantry cannot compare--the #1 point of differentiation is "100% Leak Proof. Guaranteed." When it comes to meal planning and meal prepping after our trips to the grocery store, we make the best use of our Rubbermaid® BRILLIANCE™ (which just so happens to stack perfectly in our refrigerator, so it also saves us lots of room and it keeps our refrigerator clean and organized!)
The 10 pc BRILLIANCE™ set from Rubbermaid® BRILLIANCE™ is available nationwide at Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, Amazon, and other fine retailers.
If you're looking to invest in something that will help you meal plan more effectively and will last you a long time, I definitely recommend Rubbermaid® BRILLIANCE™. It's stain and odor resistant, the containers are crystal clear so you can see what's inside them easily, and they are even splatter-resistant when microwaving (which is great when we have to reheat leftovers we store in them!)
Grilling season is the best! I love to get out there and grill up some pig and roast some veggies.
ReplyDeleteI have been looking at switching all my plastics to glass containers. I need to find a good deal before I go in 100% -
ReplyDeleteI am all about the corn and mushrooms when it comes to grilling. Of course, my husband prefers the meats but I am team-veggie all the way.
ReplyDeleteI am not a meat heavy person but I love grilled corn. Mexican street corn is my fave!
ReplyDeleteThese are all great grilling ingredients and I LOVE those Rubbermaid containers!!! Great post!!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for grilling season It is my favorite way to cook. I will have to pick up the Rubbermaid BRILLIANCE food storage container system.
ReplyDeleteGreat list and makes me wish we weren't getting snow this weekend! I am ready to grill! (client)
ReplyDeleteI love grilling meat as well vegggies. This is a great list of grilling must haves.
ReplyDeleteI've been "dying" to try those containers! I would love to try them for meal prep especially since they stack easily. So much better.
ReplyDeleteIt has been a long time since I have grilled out. We have been grilling on the George Foreman grills lately. I plan on grilling out before it gets too hot outside. I love chicken, potatoes, and corn.
ReplyDeleteHere in Texas, it's always grilling season. I try to keep most of these ingredients on hand at all times, so we can grill at the spur of the moment.
ReplyDeleteReady to grill now. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOh man! Your list makes me want to go out and grill right now! We just bought some steaks and I can't wait to eat them!
ReplyDeleteI love this Rubbermaid storage system, looks like a great way to keep everything organized!
ReplyDeleteTracy @ Ascending Butterfly
Omg I just love grilling!!!!! I can't wait for warmer weather here in NY so we can break out the grill!!
ReplyDeleteIn my family, it's not a cookout unless you have hamburgers and hot dogs. They are the staples for every family get-together.
ReplyDelete