30 Minute Grill Menu
and Cajun Ribeye w. Southern Creamed Corn w. Bacon
One of our favorite things about summer returning is how often a great evening comes together without a plan. A day at the pool turns into cocktails on the patio. A beach day becomes dinner with friends. An afternoon on the boat somehow ends with everyone gathered around the table. While we love make-ahead entertaining, we think it’s just as important to have a few menus in your back pocket for those last-minute invitations and impromptu gatherings. That’s exactly why we created this 30-Minute Grill Menu. With minimal ingredients and simple preparation, this entire menu comes together from start to finish in just 30 minutes—proof that hosting doesn’t have to be complicated to feel special. Whether you’re feeding friends who followed you home from the beach or pulling together a casual weeknight dinner outdoors, these recipes make it easy to say “stay for dinner” without a second thought.
30 Minute Grill Menu:
Lillet Spritz
Grilled Mustard-Curry Pork Tenderloin
Peach, Tomato and Grilled Halloumi Salad w. Chili Honey Vinaigrette
Grilled Romaine
Hibiscus Cream & Blueberries
‘Elegant yet Easy’ recipe (subscribers only): Cajun Ribeye w. Southern Creamed Corn w. Bacon
30 Minute Grill Tips:
Have good grill equipment- a grill brush (watch out, lots aren’t safe! We replaced our old wire brush with this one a few years ago), long tongs, a wide metal spatula, wireless thermometer and a large cutting board with grooves to rest your meat - we love ones like this that are chic enough to serve on.
Keep a “hostess snack stash.” Always have a few no-prep appetizers on hand. Think gourmet potato chips, your favorite seasoned nuts, artisan crackers, and one great cheese. Arrange them in small bowls or a trio dish (this one is TOO CUTE) and guests will think you planned ahead, even if you didn’t.
Stock the bar for summer. Keep a quality margarita mix (we love RIPE) in the pantry, tequila in the freezer, and plenty of fresh lemons and limes in the fruit bowl. A simple but special cocktail like this Lillet Spritz is perfect because it requires no prep!
Need an even quicker and simpler last minute menu? Keep these things on hand-frozen burger patties, good buns, flavored butter, a favorite barbecue sauce, bagged salad kits, and a box of popsicles for dessert. With those basics, you’re never far from dinner.
Set the table before you light the grill. The food cooks fast, so take five minutes to set out plates, a tablecloth, condiments, and serving platters first. Once the grill is hot, you can focus on cooking instead of scrambling.
Need an even simpler dessert? Fresh berries, store-bought pound cake and vanilla ice cream also make the perfect trio! Other favorites - Trader Joe’s Key Lime Pie, Jonny Pops Popsicles, and Tates chocolate chip cookies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream in between two for a quick and delicious ice cream sandwich!
30 Minute Grill Essentials:
For Subscribers Only:
30 Minute Grill Shopping List & Prep Timeline
July 2024 EYE Recipe- Linguini with Clams & Salami
July 2025 EYE Recipe- Cornmeal Crusted Cod w. New England Chowder Sauce
NEW ‘Elegant yet Easy’ Recipe- Cajun Ribeye w. Southern Creamed Corn w. Bacon
Some recipes are worth recreating the moment you get home, and this is one of them. Inspired by an unforgettable anniversary dinner at one of New York City’s legendary steakhouses, we took the waiter’s advice and ordered our ribeye “Cajun style”—and we’re convinced it’s one of the best ways to enjoy a steak. Paired with a Southern creamed corn with bacon, this meal became the inspiration for one of our favorite summer dinners. July is the perfect time to make it while sweet corn is at its peak, and this recipe doesn’t just give you incredible flavors—it teaches you exactly how to grill the perfect ribeye and make authentic Southern creamed corn using the technique I learned from legendary Alabama chef Frank Stitt, whose restaurants have a special place in my heart as my grandmother worked with Frank years ago. It’s an elegant meal that’s surprisingly simple to pull off, and one you’ll come back to all summer long.