15 No- Marinade Quick Grilling Recipes

Bymomina

When you’re short on time but still craving that delicious chargrilled flavor, you need recipes that skip the long marinating process — without sacrificing taste. That’s where these 15 no-marinate quick grilling recipes come in.

Perfect for spontaneous summer BBQs, busy weeknights, or last-minute gatherings, each dish is packed with bold flavor and ready for the grill in minutes.

From juicy meats and seafood to crisp veggies and clever flavor hacks, these recipes are designed for speed, ease, and serious satisfaction.

Grab your tongs and get the grill fired up — dinner’s about to be fast, fiery, and full of flavor.

1. Garlic Butter Shrimp Skewers

Fast-cooking and full of flavor, these shrimp skewers are brushed with garlic butter right before grilling. Perfect as a main or appetizer.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb large shrimp (peeled, deveined)
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • 3 garlic cloves (minced)
  • Salt and pepper
  • Lemon wedges

Instructions:

1. Preheat grill to medium-high.

2. Toss shrimp with melted butter, garlic, salt, and pepper.

3. Thread onto skewers and grill 2–3 minutes per side.

4. Serve hot with lemon wedges.

2. Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

Boneless chicken thighs get a simple rub of lemon zest and cracked black pepper, seared on high heat for crisp skin and juicy interiors.

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 tsp cracked black pepper Salt
  • Olive oil

Instructions:

1. Heat grill to medium-high.

2. Rub thighs with lemon zest, pepper, salt, and oil.

3. Grill 5–7 minutes per side, until internal temp is 165°F.

4. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

3. Chili Lime Corn on the Cob

A bold side dish made by grilling corn and finishing it with a zesty chili-lime sprinkle—bright, spicy, and perfect with grilled meats.

Ingredients:

  • 4 ears of corn, husked
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges
  • Salt

Instructions:

1. Grill corn over high heat, turning often, for 8–10 minutes.

2. While hot, brush with butter, sprinkle with chili powder and salt.

3. Squeeze lime over before serving.

4. Greek-Style Lamb Chops

With just garlic, oregano, and olive oil, these chops are grilled quickly and served with a squeeze of lemon for Mediterranean flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 4 lamb chops
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • Lemon wedges

Instructions:

1. Rub chops with oil, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.

2. Grill over medium-high heat for 4–5 minutes per side.

3. Rest for 3 minutes and serve with lemon wedges.

5. Spicy Grilled Tofu Steaks

Thick slices of tofu are seasoned and grilled until crispy on the outside—simple, plant-based, and satisfying.

Ingredients:

  • 1 block extra-firm tofu* 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne
  • 1 tbsp olive oil* Salt

Instructions:

1. Press and slice tofu into 1/2-inch slabs.

2. Rub with oil, paprika, cayenne, and salt.

3. Grill on high for 3–4 minutes per side until charred.

4. Serve hot.

6. Honey Glazed Pineapple Slices

A sweet and smoky treat—pineapple rings grilled and brushed with honey make an amazing side or dessert.

Ingredients:

  • 1 fresh pineapple, peeled and sliced
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • Pinch of cinnamon(optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat grill to medium.

2. Grill pineapple slices 3–4 minutes per side.

3. Brush with honey and sprinkle with cinnamon before serving.

7. Cajun Grilled Catfish

A spicy dry rub brings bold Southern flavor to these quick-cooking catfish fillets—perfect for tacos or rice bowls.

Ingredients:

  • 2 catfish fillets
  • 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Rub fillets with oil and Cajun seasoning.

2. Grill over medium heat for 3–4 minutes per side.

3. Serve immediately with lemon or hot sauce.

8. Herbed Portobello Caps

These meaty mushrooms make a great vegetarian main. Brushed with oil and herbs, they grill up juicy and full of umami.

Ingredients:

  • 4 large Portobello caps
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Brush mushrooms with oil and season with herbs, salt, and pepper.

2. Grill cap-side down first for 5 minutes, then flip and cook 3 more.

3. Serve hot with a drizzle of balsamic if desired.

9. Grilled Halloumi with Cherry Tomatoe

Firm and grillable, halloumi cheese gets crispy edges and pairs perfectly with blistered cherry tomatoes.

Ingredients:

  • 1 block halloumi, sliced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Fresh basil (optional)

Instructions:

1. Toss tomatoes in oil and thread onto skewers.

2. Grill cheese slices and tomato skewers for 3–4 minutes per side.

3. Serve with basil.

10. Peppery Ribeye Steaks

A simple crust of salt and cracked pepper enhances the beefy flavor of ribeye. Grill to your preferred doneness for a steakhouse-quality meal.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ribeye steaks
  • 1 tbsp coarse black pepper
  • 1 tsp kosher salt

Instructions:

1. Season steaks generously with salt and pepper.

2. Grill over high heat, about 4–5 minutes per side (medium rare).

3. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing.

11. Zucchini and Onion Skewers

Fresh zucchini and red onion chunks are grilled quickly with a touch of olive oil and herbs for a healthy, easy side.

Ingredients:

  • 2 zucchinis, sliced
  • 1 red onion, chunked
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp dried Italian herbs
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Toss veggies with oil and seasoning.

2. Thread onto skewers.

3. Grill for 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally

12. Quick BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Skip the marinade—these drumsticks are seasoned and finished with a quick glaze of BBQ sauce during the final minutes.

Ingredients:

  • 6 chicken drumsticks
  • Salt, pepper, garlic powder
  • 1/4 cup BBQ sauce

Instructions:

1. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

2. Grill over medium heat, 20–25 minutes, turning every 5 minutes.

3. Brush with BBQ sauce in the last 5 minutes.

13. Grilled Kielbasa with Peppers

Smoky sausage paired with sweet grilled peppers—ready in minutes and great for sandwiches or platters.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb kielbasa, sliced in halves
  • 2 bell peppers, sliced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Toss peppers in oil.

2. Grill kielbasa and peppers over medium-high heat for 6–8 minutes.

3. Serve with mustard or on rolls.

14. Swordfish Steaks with Lemon Herb Rub

Firm swordfish grills beautifully and needs just a simple rub of lemon zest and herbs to shine.

Ingredients:

  • 2 swordfish steaks* Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • Olive oil, salt, and pepper

Instructions:

1. Rub fish with oil, zest, parsley, salt, and pepper.

2. Grill 3–4 minutes per side over medium-high.

3. Serve hot with a wedge of lemon.

15. Grilled Asparagus with Parmesan

A fast and flavorful veggie side—grilled until tender and topped with freshly grated Parmesan.

Ingredients:

  • 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 tbsp grated Parmesan

Instructions:

1. Toss asparagus in oil, salt, and pepper.

2. Grill for 5–7 minutes, turning once.

3. Top with Parmesan before serving.

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