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5 Delicious Outdoor Cooking Meals Perfect for Your Outdoor Kitchen

The Outdoor Kitchen Place

Cooking outdoors isn’t just about firing up the grill; it’s about savoring each moment and each bite with friends and family, surrounded by fresh air and nature. Let’s dive into five fantastic outdoor cooking meals that truly come alive when cooked in your outdoor kitchen, complete with wine or beer pairings and basic ingredients to get you started.


5 Outdoor Cooking Meals


1. Grilled Margherita Pizza

Pairing: A light Italian white like Pinot Grigio or a crisp Pilsner.


Ingredients:

  • Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)

  • Fresh tomatoes, sliced

  • Fresh mozzarella cheese

  • Fresh basil leaves

  • Olive oil

  • Salt and pepper


Why It’s Great Outdoors: With a pizza oven or a hot grill, you can bring a taste of Naples right to your backyard. Grilled pizza dough develops an extra-crispy crust, while the fresh mozzarella melts beautifully over the top. Cooking this in an outdoor kitchen avoids heating up your house, making it perfect for warm evenings.


2. BBQ Baby Back Ribs

Pairing: A bold red wine like Zinfandel or a smoky Porter.


Ingredients:

  • Baby back ribs

  • BBQ rub or dry seasoning mix

  • BBQ sauce

  • Olive oil


Why It’s Great Outdoors: Smoking or grilling ribs low and slow fills the air with mouthwatering aromas. The heat control and ventilation of an outdoor kitchen are perfect for this type of cooking, which can be smoky and messy indoors. Plus, the result is fall-off-the-bone goodness with a smoky flavor that’s hard to beat. Add sides like coleslaw and corn on the cob for a complete outdoor feast!


3. Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Pineapple and Bell Peppers

Pairing: A tropical Sauvignon Blanc or a light, fruity Wheat beer.


Ingredients:

  • Large shrimp, peeled and deveined

  • Pineapple chunks

  • Bell peppers, assorted colors

  • Olive oil

  • Salt, pepper, and garlic powder


Why It’s Great Outdoors: Quick to prepare and cook, shrimp skewers are ideal for a summer evening. The char from the grill intensifies the sweetness of the pineapple and adds depth to the shrimp. The outdoor kitchen setup makes skewer assembly and grilling a breeze, while a tropical wine or beer pairing rounds out the flavors perfectly.


4. Steak Fajitas

Pairing: A medium-bodied Tempranillo or a Mexican Lager.


Ingredients:

  • Skirt or flank steak

  • Bell peppers and onions, sliced

  • Flour tortillas

  • Fajita seasoning

  • Lime juice


Why It’s Great Outdoors: Fajitas sizzle to perfection on a hot grill, releasing those smoky aromas that make outdoor cooking so enticing. The open flame caramelizes the vegetables and gives the steak that sought-after char. Cooking fajitas outside also allows for a communal dining style, as guests can fill their tortillas with fresh ingredients straight off the grill.


5. Cedar-Plank Salmon

Pairing: An earthy Pinot Noir or a crisp Pale Ale.


Ingredients:

  • Salmon fillet

  • Cedar plank (soaked in water for 1 hour)

  • Lemon slices

  • Fresh dill

  • Olive oil

  • Salt and pepper


Why It’s Great Outdoors: Cooking salmon on a cedar plank over an open flame infuses it with a subtle, smoky flavor that enhances the fish’s natural richness. The cedar aroma is both rustic and sophisticated, making this a perfect meal to enjoy outside. It’s also a low-maintenance dish with minimal cleanup since the plank serves as both a cooking surface and presentation.


custom outdoor kitchens naples florida

Each of these meals takes advantage of the fresh air, the unique flavors of grilling, and the freedom to gather around for a cozy, outdoor experience. With simple ingredients and just the right wine or beer pairing, any of these dishes will turn your outdoor kitchen into the ultimate dining spot. So, fire up the grill, crack open a cold one, and enjoy the great outdoors while creating culinary magic!


Before you can cook outdoors you need an outdoor kitchen. Contact The Outdoor Kitchen Place today. We build custom outdoors kitchens in Naples, Bonita Springs, and throughout southwest Florida.

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