Victoria Day may officially kick off grilling season, but Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to get your grill started. Not only can you try out new ways to grill the seasonal produce slowly showing up at the farmer’s market, but you can make some of mom’s warm-weather favourites, whether or not it’s actually warm yet.
And if you’re looking for Mother’s Day dinner inspiration, look no further. From tasty grilled starters to sweet grilled desserts, we’ve got delicious grill recipes that mom — and the rest of the family — will love.
Celebrate mom with a grilled starter
An easy grilled app is the perfect way to get your dinner started, and we have two humble suggestions: grilled wings and grilled flatbread. Both have some major benefits — they’re super customizable and easy to cook — which makes them ideal for Mother’s Day entertaining.
These Indian-Spiced Grilled Chicken Wings are absolutely delicious thanks to homemade Kashmiri Masala Spice Blend, which combines warming and earthy spices for a fiery starter. These Spicy Japanese Izakaya Style Grilled Chicken Wings get their heat from wasabi, and feature toasty sesame seeds, refreshing ginger and savoury soy sauce.
For flatbreads, go for a sweet and savoury starter with Hawaiian Grilled Flatbread, which pairs juicy pineapple with creamy avocado. Or try Grilled Ciabatta and Spicy Broccoli Rabe and Fennel to make the most of the seasonal produce at the farmer’s market.
Grill the perfect main
Of course, the star of your Mother’s Day feast is the entree, and we’ve got plenty of picks for an amazing main course.
Option 1: Elevated seafood. This Grilled Halibut with Pineapple balances sweet and smoky notes for an unexpected flavour profile — one that works perfectly with a Hawaiian Grilled Flatbread first course. Spicy Grilled Salmon with Tzatziki takes your taste buds on a delicious trip to Greece, while this Grilled Thai Salmon uses roasted red chili paste to add classic flavour from Thai cuisine.
Or go with grilled steak. You can’t go wrong with Grilled Montreal Steak, which uses Montreal Steak Spice Seasoning to deliver the classic flavour that mom loves. If you’re feeding a crowd, give Grilled Flank Steak a try. A homemade red wine marinade, amped up with Italiano seasoning, makes each bite tender and intensely flavourful.
If mom loves pairing sweet and savoury flavours, these Grilled Pork Chops with Pineapple Granny Smith Salsa are a must-try. A next-level take on pork chops with applesauce, these pork chops are sweet, smoky, savoury, meaty and absolutely delicious.
Finally, try a plant-based main with these Grilled Cauliflower Steaks with Mushrooms and Onions. Grilling makes cauliflower smoky and tender, while a Montreal Steak Spiced mushroom and onion “gravy” adds classic BBQ flavour.
Get your grilled veg on
Of course, it’s not all about the entrée — so take your Mother’s Day feast to the next level with a grilled vegetable side.
Try out this Brazilian Grilled Corn as a prelude to summer corn season: a dash of Brazilian Style BBQ Seasoning adds lime and garlic notes for a bold flavour profile. Or go for Grilled Potato Kabobs, which pack in tons of smoky-sweet flavours thanks to La Grille Barbeque Chicken Seasoning.
If you’re craving a heartier side for your Mother’s Day dinner — one that could double as a main — try these juicy Italian-seasoned Grilled Portobello Mushrooms. Alternatively, try a side that celebrates all the produce of the season with this Maple Bacon Grilled Vegetable Salad with Bocconcini Cheese.
Indulge your sweet tooth with grilled desserts
Wrap up your Mother’s Day cookout with a grilled dessert that’s sure to become mom’s new favourite.
These Cinnamon Sugar Grilled Donuts taste like summer. They’re also deceptively simple to make, using refrigerated biscuit dough to save you hours of mixing and proofing your dough.
If mom’s a fan of lighter desserts, try this Grilled Angel Food Cake with Peppered Berries and Vanilla Cream. A peppered berry compote — made from berries, balsamic vinegar and black peppercorns — adds sophisticated flavour to your dessert. Save time by preparing the berries and vanilla cream in advance, so you can grill dessert quickly and get back to quality time with mom.
