Unlikely Foods That Taste Even Better When Grilled

Summer time requires that you have a BBQ at least once a week. At least. But that doesn't mean you have to forver be on that burger and grilled chicken tip. Food52 has gathered some foods that taste unexpectedly delicious when grilled. You can thank them for saving you from barbeque fatigue later.

Here's a recipe that's not unusual in terms what you grill but how you do it. Cover a hunk of meat in an enormous amount of salt, wrap it in cloth, and throw it directly into flaming coals. Exactly 19 minutes later, you'll have transformed a normally boring piece of tenderloin into perfectly-seasoned steaks that are tender all the way through. Get the recipe on Food52.

Grills are miracle workers and this recipe proves it. Even the most outcast of vegetable scraps— the chard stems you almost threw away—are transformed into tender, charred morsels you won't be able to keep your hands off. The true hero of the dish is the meaty sauce of anchovies, garlic, and olive oil. One lick and you'll soon be eating it with all your vegetable leftovers. Get the recipe on Food52.

Here's a recipe that's bound to convert any okra skeptics into its biggest fans. Just skewer some okra, get them on a hot grill, and let the heat work its magic. Don't forget to dip that smoky okra into a mix of Sriracha, salt, and lime for an addictively spicy finish. Get the recipe on Food52.

Your grill can do so much more than you give it credit for. Fill an aluminum pouch with woodchips, poke some holes in it, stick it in a covered grill, and that's it: you've made a make-shift smoker. Now use it to turn a boring lentil salad into a rich side with an intensely smoky, spicy flavor. Get the recipe on Food52.

Toasters are overrated. What you've really got to do with bread is rub it with garlicky oil and toast it on a hot grill until it's charred and smoky. Then, top it with an herby pesto and a dollop of a lemony cream. If you don't have the energy to make the pesto yourself, sub in the store-bought variety. The grilled bread is where you should be directing your energy. Get the recipe on Food52.

Sprinkle pineapple—or any firm fruit—with sugar, sear it on the grill until it's nice and caramelized, and watch it get sweet, mellow, and gorgeously charred. Make it a meal by tossing the fruit with peppery greens, creamy avocado, and a spicy dressing. Sounds like an unusual combination, but with one bite and a little faith, you'll be on board. Get the recipe on Food52.

You're too busy to shell fava beans, so let the grill do the work. The smoke and heat break down the tough pods until they're soft and tender. Plus, when you marinate the favas in garlic, lemon, and chile, you'll have to stop yourself from polishing off the whole bowl. Get the recipe on Food52.

You can have great sauce and fresh cheese, but if the crust is a loser, your pizza will be, too. The key to getting a thin crust with just the right amount of char and crunch is to throw your pizza on a hot grill and close the cover. Even with store-bought dough (we won't tell), you'll still end up with an authentic, bubbled crust that's straight out of Italy. Get the recipe on Food52.

You can and should put meatloaf on the grill. Roasting it on the grill brings out the savory flavors you want out of a hearty meatloaf. And with three different types of meat and bacon and a Dr. Pepper-molasses glaze, this meatloaf's going to blow your mom's version out of the water. Get the recipe on Food52.

If you're still steaming your corn in the microwave, listen up. Fresh summer corn deserves a spot on the grill where it can get smoky and sweet. Then, because crunchy, juicy corn isn't enough, coat it in butter, mayo, crumbled cheese, salt, and chile powder. Have a big stack of napkins nearby. Get the recipe on Food52.