Back-to-school season is in full swing! While weeknights may be packed with extracurricular activities and earlier bedtimes, there’s no need to save the summer fun of a BBQ for the weekend. With these five tips for weeknight grilling, you’ll be whipping up easy, delicious BBQ dishes in no time! 

Maximize your marinade. Start your day by marinating your meat in the morning. By the time dinner rolls around, all you’ll have left to do is fire up your grill, and you’ll be good to go! Not only will this save time, but it will also allow the flavors to fully develop, giving your dinner an extra burst of deliciousness. 

Combine the main dish and side dish. Save time by grilling your entire meal in one dish: toss your meat and vegetables into a foil pack, and you’ll have a perfectly flavorful meat and side dish all in one. Warm up some rolls on the grill as a finishing touch, and you’ll be good to go. Plus, fewer dishes and a cleaner kitchen make this option even better! 

Keep it family-friendly. If your kids aren’t huge fans of BBQ, you can still utilize your grill for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. Try grilling pizza or quesadillas to add a complex, smoky flavor that will impress kids and parents alike. 

Double your recipe. By making double the amount of serving sizes, you’ll have leftovers that will be perfect to take to school or work the next day, which is one less meal you’ll have to worry about putting together. Bonus tip: throw some extra veggies on the grill to save for other recipes throughout the rest of the week! 

Consider your cuts. Lean meats like chicken cutlets, white fish and thin-cut steaks grill up in under ten minutes, ensuring that dinner will be on the table well before bedtime! Stick to these quicker-cooking options on weeknights and save heartier cuts such as brisket and pork shoulder for the weekend, when you’ll have more time to savor the slow-grilling process. 

Congrats – you’re now on your way to surprising your family with an amazing weeknight meal! Just remember, with a little bit of prep and planning, even the busiest nights of the school year can be filled with delicious smells of BBQ flavors.