18 Game-Changing Grilling Recipes For Two

When you want to fire up the grill but don't want to load the fridge with leftovers, these grilling ideas for two are exactly what you need.

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This diverse collection of grilling ideas for two has fare for every taste. You’ll find Mediterranean recipes stuffed with grilled vegetables, foil packs and plenty of sandwiches and salads. I also put decadent beer-sauced pork ribs and coffee-rubbed steaks on the list.

What the recipes have in common, aside from the use of a grill, is that most only feed two; some make enough for a pair to eat dinner and then pack away leftovers for lunch. Even better, nearly all of the recipes are quick and rely on simple, familiar techniques. You’ll eat well all summer long!

1 / 19

Herbed Chicken Caesar Salad

This chicken Caesar salad looks and tastes fancy but couldn’t be easier to make. It’s my husband’s favorite dinner.—Kay Andersen, Bear, Delaware
2 / 19

Chorizo Burgers

I’ve always enjoyed a hamburger right off the grill, and in the Southwest we enjoy chorizo, so I combined the two. Instead of using store-bought condiments, I use fresh ingredients to brighten up the burgers along with some pickled vegetables. I like to serve these burgers with a side of deep-fried Brussels sprouts. —Robert J. Johnson, Chino Valley, Arizona
3 / 19

Chicken and Zucchini Foil Packs

I enjoy foil-wrapped dinners cooked on the grill, especially because there are no pots or pans to wash. You can try making chicken foil packs with most fresh vegetables you have on hand. —Dianna Smith, Newport, Tennessee
4 / 19

Sweet Coffee-Rubbed Ribeyes

My husband and I Iove cooking together. He’s an Old West chuck-wagon enthusiast and I like cooking foods from around the world. This steak is a favorite in our household! —Kylie Hatmaker, Knoxville, Tennessee
5 / 19

Thai Shrimp Salad for 2

Here’s a deliciously different salad that blends grilled shrimp, a lean source of protein, with the low-calorie crunch of cucumber and onion. It’s tossed and dressed with Thai flavors of sesame, cilantro, lime and refreshing mint.
—Annette Traverso, San Rafael, California
6 / 19

Grilled Vegetable Pesto Sandwiches

Grilling isn’t just the pastime of meat eaters! Ask my vegetarian family members who love these wholesome sammies slathered with prepared pesto and stacked with char-kissed summer produce. —Tanya Mehta, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
7 / 19

Ramen-Veggie Chicken Salad

Like a salad with plenty of crunch? Then this refreshing recipe is sure to please. Toasted ramen noodles, almonds and sesame seeds provide the crunchy topping. The chicken makes it a main dish. —Linda Gearhart, Greensboro, North Carolina
8 / 19

Grilled Pepper Jack Chicken Sandwiches

Basic, yet packed with flavor, this sandwich gets a kick from zesty cheese and savory bacon. It’s a great meal for summer days. —Linda Foreman, Locust Grove, Oklahoma
9 / 19

Flavorful Salmon Fillets

Compliments are a sure thing when I fix these fabulous salmon fillets. A tasty marinade pumps up the flavor and keeps them moist and tender. —Krista Frank, Rhododendron, Oregon
10 / 19

Grilled Tuna Salad

I love serving this tuna spinach salad! Tuna steaks are quick to cook and delicious, and although they’re pretty inexpensive, they always seem a little more elegant than canned tuna. You can find them at most meat and seafood counters. Try this salad with fresh bread and tall glasses of lemonade. —De'Lawrence Reed, Durham, North Carolina
11 / 19

Grilled Vegetable Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

My Italian-style grilled veggies have a wonderful sweet and sour dressing. Best of all, I pick the fresh veggies and herbs from my garden. —Laura Mast, Defiance, Ohio
12 / 19

Grilled Caprese Quesadillas

Here's a quick and easy summer lunch that makes great use of garden-grown tomatoes. Feel free to make your quesadillas heartier by adding grilled chicken. —Amy Mongiovi, Lititz, Pennsylvania
13 / 19

Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus

Elevate your appetizers with bacon-wrapped asparagus, a delightful combination of smoky bacon and fresh asparagus spears. This easy-to-make dish is elegant and irresistibly tasty for any gathering.
14 / 19

Barley Beef Burgers

Barley adds another dimension to an old-fashioned hamburger. My husband and I really enjoy these juicy patties with onion and barbecue sauce mixed right in. —Rosella Peters, Gull Lake, Saskatchewan
15 / 19

Grilled Jerk Shrimp Orzo Salad

The heat, seasonings and appearance of this colorful main-dish salad are perfect for summer—or any time of year that you want to summon memories of sunshine. —Eileen Budnyk, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
16 / 19

Lemon Basil Salmon

My husband came up with this easy, foil-packet recipe for flaky, fork-tender salmon. This recipe is a winner. —Marianne Bauman Modesto, CA
17 / 19

Pizza Mountain Pies

Because we liked this pudgy pie recipe so much, I started making them for my daughter on our stove at home. —Pam Weik, West Lawn, Pennsylvania
18 / 19

Barbecued Ribs with Beer

These ribs are so simple to make, you will want to make them often. They always are juicy and have a wonderful taste. —Catherine Santich, Alamo, California
19 / 19

1-2-3 Grilled Salmon for Two

I love salmon, but my husband doesn't. So I combined flavors I knew he liked to create this recipe, and now it's the only salmon recipe he will eat. It’s so easy and only requires a handful of ingredients. —Nicole Clayton, Prescott, Arizona

Grilling Ideas for Two FAQ

What are the best simple grilling ideas for two?

It doesn’t get much easier than salmon in foil packets. Serve the fish with an equally simple grilled vegetable salad or elegant bacon-wrapped asparagus, which is a breeze to pull off.

What’s the best way to grill for two on a budget?

To get the most bang for your buck, both financially and nutritionally, focus on one-dish meals that pair a filling starch with a combo of veggies and protein, like ramen-veggie chicken salad.

How do you reheat grilled leftovers the next day?

Plenty of grilled foods taste great cold, including chicken, salmon, various vegetables and potatoes, so consider whether you could eat your leftovers without a reheat. If you decide to heat the food, use the stovetop. To warm up hearty grilled items like burgers or saucy pork ribs, heat a small amount of water or broth in a saucepan over medium-low heat. When it simmers, add your leftovers and cook, covered, until the food is warmed through. Flipping or stirring the food after a couple minutes will help it heat evenly.