As temperatures rise and the days grow longer, it’s time to dust off the grill and prepare for outdoor cooking season! While burgers and hot dogs are backyard classics, why not take your grilling game global this year? The world offers barbecue traditions that can transform your cookouts from ordinary to extraordinary.
These six international grilling styles will introduce exciting new flavours to your outdoor cooking repertoire:
- Greek Chicken Souvlaki: Take a culinary trip to the Mediterranean with this beloved Greek street food. Marinate cubed chicken breast in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano and dried parsley for at least 30 minutes (though overnight is ideal). Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers and grill over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side. Serve with warm pita bread, homemade tzatziki sauce (Greek yogurt with cucumber, garlic and herbs) and a simple Greek salad for a meal that transports you to the streets of Athens.
- Japanese Yakitori: These chicken skewers are a staple in Japanese izakaya (pub) culture. Traditional yakitori involves skewering small pieces of chicken and grilling them over special binchotan charcoal. The seasonings are minimalist — typically just salt and white pepper or a sweet-savory soy glaze called tare.
- Jamaican Jerk Chicken: For bold, spicy
, Jamaican jerk chicken delivers an unforgettable punch. This Caribbean classic features a blend of scallions, thyme, allspice and fiery peppers. For the most authentic experience, grill the chicken over charcoal, which imparts a distinctive smokiness that complements the spicy marinade. Serve with rice and peas for a true taste of Jamaica. - Korean Bulgogi: Korean BBQ has taken North America by storm, and bulgogi offers a perfect introduction to these
at home. Featuring thinly sliced beef marinated in a sweet-savory mixture of soy sauce, sugar, garlic, sesame oil and pepper, bulgogi cooks quickly. While authentic Korean BBQ often involves tabletop grilling, you can easily adapt the technique to a standard backyard grill by using a grill basket or foil. Serve bulgogi in lettuce wraps with rice, kimchi and an array of small side dishes for an interactive dining experience. - Argentinian Asado: Unlike many BBQ styles that rely heavily on sauces and marinades, asado is all about the meat itself — particularly beef ribs, flank steak and sirloin. Season simply with salt before grilling slowly over hardwood lump charcoal, allowing the natural flavours of the beef to shine. In Argentina, asado isn’t merely a cooking method but a social event that brings friends and family together. Serve with chimichurri sauce (a vibrant mixture of parsley, garlic, vinegar and oil) for authentic Argentinian flavor.
- Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken: Hawaii’s unique culinary traditions offer mainland North Americans a taste of Polynesian-Asian fusion flavours. The name “huli huli” (meaning “turn turn”) comes from the traditional cooking method of turning the chicken repeatedly while basting it with a signature sauce that combines brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, ginger and pineapple juice for a perfect balance of sweet, tangy and savory flavours. Serve with traditional Hawaiian sides like macaroni salad and rice for an authentic “plate lunch” experience.
Exploring global grilling traditions is a delicious way to expand your culinary horizons without leaving home. So fire up the grill, gather your ingredients and take your taste buds on a world tour this grilling season!
Have you tried any international grilling techniques? Which global BBQ traditions are your
Did you know? Grilling through history
Cooking meat over fire is one of humanity’s oldest culinary techniques, dating back at least 1.8 million years. Archaeologists believe that learning to cook with fire was a crucial step in human evolution, as it made food easier to digest and allowed our ancestors to extract more nutrients from their diet.
Interesting read!