37 AIP Grilling Recipes You’ll Want To Make All Year Long
Being on AIP diet is a great excuse to throw a BBQ party! There are plenty of grilled dishes that are perfect for this diet, as long as you keep a few simple things in mind.
To help you plan for your next backyard feast, we are presenting our favorite AIP grilling recipes for you to try. There are so many options you’re going to have a hard time deciding on your menu!
Chicken is always a safe option that both, kids and grandparents enjoy. Why not try AIP-friendly grilled drumsticks, or maybe you’d rather have the scrumptious AIP stuffed chicken?
My favorites on this list are the organ meat recipes! Organ meats (or offal) seem to be overlooked these days, which is a shame.
People tend to think they’re not very tasty, but when you cook them right you’re going to end up with a mouthwatering meal. Grilling and organ meats go together really well – that’s why we’ve included some AIP barbecue recipes made of liver, heart, and tongue.
Why You Should Incorporate Organ Meats In Your Diet* Organ meats are nutritious with plenty of B-vitamins, magnesium, iron and zinc* They are often cheaper then other cuts of meat* Organ meats are a great source of protein* When you eat offal you are helping reduce food waste
What is a BBQ without a great BBQ sauce? Unfortunately most store-bought BBQ sauces are not good for your AIP diet.
You’ll find several easy-to-make barbecue sauce recipes on our list, each one tastier than the other. And you won’t have to worry about any ingredients that might cause trouble with your diet, since these are carefully thought out and nightshade-free!
Here are just a few of the AIP Grilling Recipes we’ve included:
- AIP Italian Burgers
- Grilled Chicken Skewers with Garlic Sauce
- Grilled Chicken Drumsticks with Garlic Marinade
- Grilled Steak with Creamy Chimichurri Sauce
- Grilled Grouper with Lemon & Herbs
- Grilled Salmon over Kale with Lemon Dill Sauce
- AIP Barbecue Sauce
- Sweet and Tangy Bbq Sauce
If you click or tap any of the links above, it will instantly take you to the recipe below. Or download the entire list by clicking on the green button below.
AIP Chicken Grilling Recipes
Grilled Chicken Drumsticks with Garlic Marinade
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: chicken drumsticks, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, sea salt, pepper (omit).
There is something wonderful about biting into a good drumstick straight from the grill and these ones are no exception! Garlic is the perfect partner to serve on chicken, giving them a slightly Asian taste and the drumsticks have a lovely tanginess from the lemon. These taste great on their own or served with some grilled veggies for a satisfying Paleo lunch.
Grilled Chicken Skewers with Garlic Sauce
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: chicken breast, onion, zucchini, garlic, salt, lemon juice, olive oil.
The garlic sauce in this AIP recipe can also be used as a dip for veggie sticks and tastes amazing! If you want more color on these skewers then use red and yellow peppers, or for a slight difference, roll up strips of bacon instead of some of the chicken. It might be a good idea to use metal skewers for chicken as they help to make sure the meat is cooked thoroughly.
AIP Stuffed Chicken Breast
– Healing Autoimmune
Ingredients: olive oil, basil leaves, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, cauliflower, chicken breasts, avocado oil.
Sometimes a plain chicken breast can be a bit boring, so adding a delicious Paleo-friendly stuffing can lift the flavor to a whole new level! The cauliflower and pesto give you a creamy and satisfying contrast to the chicken meat and fills the chicken with flavor. Just because you are following an eating plan doesn’t mean you have to miss out on taste!
BBQ Chicken Livers and Hearts
– The Nourished Caveman
Photo Credit: Vivica from The Nourished Caveman
Ingredients: chicken hearts, chicken livers, sea salt, black pepper (omit).
We all know that offal should be included in our AIP diet as it is rich in nutrients, but some of it just has too much of a ‘metal’ taste. That’s why using chicken livers and hearts makes a great introduction – the flavors are much more subtle and are a great way to encourage the whole family to try them. The only drawback is that the livers can easily stick to the grill and fall apart, so one suggestion would be to place them in a foil tray on the grill.
Grilled Chicken Thighs with Pineapple-Mint Salsa
– Autoimmune Wellness
Photo Credit: Autoimmune Wellness
Ingredients: sea salt, ginger powder, garlic powder, chicken thighs, pineapple, radishes, cucumber, avocado, green onions, fresh mint leaves, garlic, lemon juice.
When you are following the autoimmune protocol you will find that chicken thighs can feature regularly. They are quite cheap – perfect for students or larger families – but they have a much more intense flavor because the meat is closer to the bone. The pineapple salsa is bright and zingy with creamy notes from the avocado and this would be a lovely family meal for a summer lunch!
Grilled Citrus Herb Chicken and Veggies
– Fed and Fulfilled
Photo Credit: Fed and Fulfilled
Ingredients: chicken breasts, zucchini, asparagus, broccolini (baby broccoli), olive oil, sea salt, garlic powder, lemon juice, lime juice, garlic, raw honey, apple cider vinegar, fresh parsley, fresh thyme leaves.
This is a dairy and gluten free grilled dish that makes a wonderfully tasty alternative to drumsticks and burgers for your family barbecue. The citrus marinade gives the chicken a great zesty flavor and the caramelization on the chicken makes the pieces look as good as they taste. The chicken is served on top of grilled veggies and then you can add the rest of the marinade as a sauce.
Easy Italian Dressing Grilled Chicken
– Cook Eat Paleo
Photo Credit: Lisa from Cook Eat Paleo
Ingredients: chicken breasts, paleo Italian dressing (fresh herbs, dried oregano, garlic, sea salt, black pepper (omit), red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil.
This recipe gives you all the traditional flavors of an Italian dressing, but making your own means that you are in charge of the ingredients and the flavor. If you really like garlic, throw in some extra for an added kick! This chicken tastes wonderful once it is cold too, so you can use it shredded in lettuce wraps, with a simple green salad or served with a baked sweet potato.
Paleo Grilled Chicken Tenders
– Paleo Effect
Ingredients: chicken tenders, paleo adobo seasoning (sea salt, garlic powder, oregano, black pepper(omit), ground turmeric), sea salt, black pepper (omit), coconut oil spray.
Chicken tenders are great if you have kids as they are an ideal size, but these go down well with adults too! This is a Paleo and AIP compliant recipe that is so simple – just season the chicken and grill! Tenders are amazing as finger food for family barbecues or they can be served on a fresh green salad, but they are also delicious served with a creamy avocado dip.
The BEST Chicken Marinade EVER!
– Sisters Undercover
Ingredients: chicken drumsticks, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, sea salt.
This is such an easy recipe that it will definitely go into your recipe collection as a go-to marinade! This marinade gives you garlicky chicken with a tangy twist from the lemon juice, and if you omit the black pepper this is suitable for AIP folks too. This recipe also works well with shrimp and pork chops or strips for a stir-fry – just have some fun experimenting!
AIP Beef and Lamb Grilling Recipes
AIP Italian Burgers
– Healing Autoimmune
Ingredients: ground beef, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder.
Grass-fed beef burgers are not only AIP, Paleo, and Keto, but they’re also just really tasty and easy to make. So, whip these up no matter what diet you’re on. You can also switch out the seasonings or add in some vegetables to change the flavors.
Lamb Shoulder Chops and Cardoons
– The Nourished Caveman
Photo Credit: Vivica from The Nourished Caveman
Ingredients: lamb shoulder chops, garlic, fresh rosemary, olive oil, sea salt, cardoons.
Lamb chops can be so delicious and very tender if you cook them well and they make the perfect meat for an AIP meal. Teamed with some cardoons and seasoned with rosemary and garlic, this is a simple but really tasty dish. Just remember to rest the lamb chops for a few minutes before serving as this will allow the meat to relax and become juicy and tender.
Grilled Steak & Cucumber Noodle Bowl
– Grazed & Enthused
Photo Credit: Grazed & Enthused
Ingredients: cucumber, skirt steak, ginger, coconut aminos, lime juice, mint, sea salt, olive oil.
With its flavors having their roots in Asian cuisine, this would be the perfect paleo dish to serve at an Asian-inspired meal. The ginger and coconut aminos give a wonderful savory flavor and the whole dish rests on a bed of fresh cucumber noodles. If you don’t have a spiralizer, you could simply slice the cucumber very thinly on a mandolin or with a potato peeler.
Grilled Steak with Creamy Chimichurri Sauce
– Fed and Fulfilled
Photo Credit: Fed and Fulfilled
Ingredients: strip steak, sea salt, garlic powder, avocado oil, fresh parsley, fresh cilantro, avocado, scallions, apple cider vinegar, garlic, dried oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, lime juice.
Sometimes all you need with your favorite steak is a really good sauce and you have a winner for dinner! Chimichurri sauce can be the best one to use as it is zesty and fresh, but creamy enough to complement the beef. The sauce in this AIP recipe also has all the added healthy fats from the avocado to give a smooth taste to an already wonderful sauce.
Grilled Steak & Watermelon Salad
– Adventures in Partaking
Photo Credit: Adventures in Partaking
Ingredients: limes juice, sea salt, avocado oil, cilantro/coriander leaves, mint leaves, steak, red onion, watermelon, baby spinach, olive oil.
Often in the summer when it is barbecue season here, I can get a bit fed up with the old favorites, so this summer I tried this delicious AIP-friendly watermelon salad recipe and it went down so well with everyone! When you grill watermelon the natural sugars caramelize, completely changing its flavor and then paired with strips of tender steak you have a refreshing and satisfying dish for your next family grill day.
Lavender Lamb Loin Chops with Grilled Blood Oranges
– Slim Palate
Photo Credit: Josh from Slim Palate
Ingredients: lamb loin chops, fresh rosemary, fresh lavender, sea salt, black pepper (omit), garlic, blood oranges, blood orange peel, lard, extra virgin olive oil.
Never tried cooking with lavender? Well, now is your chance to experience this fragrant and aromatic herb on delicious lamb chops. Paired up with grilled blood orange, this is an explosion of taste in your mouth and perfect for a family summer meal outdoors. The orange will caramelize, giving you the tangy but sweet juice to pour over the meat and making a really impressive Paleo meal for family and friends.
Grilled Beef Heart
– The Healthy Foodie
Photo Credit: Sonia from The Healthy Foodie
Ingredients: beef heart, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper (omit), coconut oil.
We all know how healthy organ meats are, but sometimes we can be put off by the thought. So I really want you to try this simple heart recipe as the end result is amazing! Once you have trimmed the heart and soaked it overnight in balsamic vinegar, simply grill it and slice and serve it with veggies or salad for a meat that actually tastes just like a good steak. This recipe is grain and gluten free and AIP-friendly.
Paleo Rib Eye Steak
– Paleo Effect
Photo Credit: Meghan & Angel from The Paleo Effect
Ingredients: rib eye steak, extra virgin olive oil, paleo adobo seasoning (sea salt, garlic powder, oregano, black pepper(omit), ground turmeric), sea salt, pepper (omit).
A good rib eye steak can have your mouth watering before you eat it, and is such a satisfying dinner! When grilling steak, good chefs always recommend you oil the meat, not the grill, and this helps the seasoning to stick to the steak. If you have any left over, simply slice thinly and serve next day with a salad for the perfect tasty paleo lunch, or toss it in a wok with veggies for a quick stir fry!
Tuscan Grilled Ribeye
– Joyful Healthy Eats
Ingredients: ribeye steak, fresh rosemary, garlic, salt, pepper (omit), balsamic vinegar, olive oil, lemon.
This is a simple AIP-friendly recipe that gives you delicious steaks every time as they are coated in herbs and balsamic vinegar to enhance the flavor of the meat. The rosemary does not overpower the taste of the beef but brings out its natural flavor and that, along with a squeeze of lemon juice ,can be all you need to enjoy this amazing steak dish!
Grilled Beef Tongue with Basil Pesto
– Real Food & Love
Ingredients: beef tongue, bone broth, garlic, onion, dried sage, sea salt, basil pesto (basil, nutritional yeast, garlic, sea salt, olive oil).
When we were small, my Grandma used to serve tongue at lunchtime and we always said “Yukk!” Nowadays though, I have developed a real taste for it and find that grilling the meat after the tongue is cooked gives you a delicious meal that everyone will enjoy. Tongue is a great source of iron and vitamin B 12 which helps with brain function, so try not to be put off by the look!
AIP Fish and Seafood Grilling Recipes
Chargrilled Prawns and Delicata Squash with Arugula and Herb Oil
– Healing Family Eats
Photo Credit: Healing Family Eats
Ingredients: tiger prawns, lime zest and juice, garlic, delicata squash, coconut oil, arugula, extra virgin olive oil, lime wedges, olive oil, mint leaves, parsley leaves, sea salt.
When you grill these amazing prawns, they take on a wonderful charring and look so good you won’t want to wait! Contrasting with the soft squash, the prawns are tender and have a zingy flavor from the citrus. This is a versatile AIP-compliant recipe as it also works well with strips of steak or chicken, but the prawns are great for hungry mouths as they cook up really quickly.
Grilled Shrimp & Pineapple Salad
– Adventures in Partaking
Photo Credit: Adventures in Partaking
Ingredients: olive oil, lime juice, parsley, ground ginger, sea salt, pineapple slices, shrimp, mint leaves, cucumbers.
Here is another great AIP recipe where there are few ingredients but the end result is so tasty! Shrimp goes well with tropical fruits like pineapple, lime or mango, and if you can get fresh pineapple it certainly makes a difference to the texture of this dish. It can add to the overall appearance of the meal if you leave the tails on the shrimp and they can also be used as finger foods this way!
Grilled Sardines with Olive & Caper Salsa
– Keto Diet Blog
Ingredients: sardines, extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper (omit), lemon, lemon zest, mixed herbs (rosemary, oregano, parsley), garlic, green olives, red onion, capers.
Sardines are oily fish, which we know are so good for our diet, but they are also packed with flavor and make a great light lunch for the whole family. This recipe is really low in carbohydrates and is suitable for many eating plans. When making the salsa, try to use fresh herbs as they have better flavor than dried. If whole fish is a challenge, you can ask your fishmonger to prepare them for you.
Garlic Grilled Shrimp Skewers over Ginger Spiced Sweet Potato Rice
– AIP Sisterhood
Ingredients: shrimp, garlic, olive oil, sea salt, sweet potatoes, yellow onion, ground ginger.
Shrimp is a fantastic food to grill as it only takes a few minutes to cook, so is perfect for a speedy AIP lunch dish. In this recipe it is served with sweet potato rice which is flavored with ginger to give it a warming spiced taste and this goes well with the shrimp. If you prefer, you can serve it with cauliflower rice in the same way, but the sweet potato adds a new dimension to the flavor.
Simply Grilled Salmon
– Primal Palate
Ingredients: salmon filet, dried basil, dried oregano, black pepper (omit), salt, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, lemon.
Salmon is such a great fish as it is a good source of protein and healthy oils which can be useful when you are following a diet for health reasons. If you can source wild salmon, the flavor will be even better, but marinating the fish gives it loads of extra taste, so just use what you can find. This is a grain and dairy free recipe, and to make it AIP-compliant, just omit the black pepper.
Grilled Grouper with Lemon & Herbs
– Home & Plate
Ingredients: grouper fillets, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Italian herb seasoning blend, lemon wedges.
Grilling fish can be a great way to cook as it keeps all the goodness in the flesh and makes the perfect summertime light lunch. This is a low carb recipe that is suitable for many diets, and as the fish is simply flavored with lemon and herbs, it won’t cause any issues with grains or gluten. If you can’t source grouper near you, you can use other firm white fish like cod or seabass.
Marinated Grilled Halibut with Garlic and Lemon
– Kitch Me
Ingredients: clove garlic, olive oil, dried basil, sea salt, black pepper (omit), fresh lemon juice, fresh parsley, halibut fillet.
Isn’t it amazing how citrus can lift the flavor of fish in loads of different recipes! Keeping the ingredients simple can give you such a delicious meal without too many complex flavors. In this recipe, you can use dill instead of the basil for a new slant on taste, but basil gives an aromatic freshness and reminds you of spring. This is a low carb, gluten free recipe which is AIP-friendly if you omit the black pepper.
Grilled Salmon over Kale with Lemon Dill Sauce
– Paleo on the Go
Ingredients: salmon, olive oil, sea salt, kale, garlic, Lemon Dill Avocado Sauce.
Salmon is such a healthy fish and has a great flavor, so simple recipes can be the best way to cook it to avoid the flavor being hidden. In this low carb recipe, the salmon is served on kale, with a fresh and fragrant sauce that complements the flavor of the fish without being too overpowering. Salmon is a meaty fish so smaller portions are filling enough, keeping the costs down too.
Grilled Shrimp with Mango, Strawberry, Avocado Salsa
– Salixisme – AIP Living
Ingredients: large shrimp, lime juice, honey, fish sauce, avocado oil, garlic, ginger root, sea salt, strawberries, mango, avocado, cilantro, onions, olive oil.
Shrimp have quite a delicate flavor, but they can carry seasonings and marinades really well, so why not give this great recipe a go next time you are grilling for the family! Seasoned with garlic, ginger, and fish sauce, the shrimp are super-tasty and make a lovely summery lunch for AIP followers. I like to serve these with a simple green salad, or just as they are!
AIP BBQ Sauces
Nightshade-Free Cherry BBQ Sauce
– Autoimmune Wellness
Photo Credit: Autoimmune Wellness
Ingredients: coconut oil, yellow onion, garlic, pitted cherries, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, smoked sea salt.
One of the things I missed on AIP was tomato, especially when making sauces, so I was really pleased to find this recipe for nightshade free barbecue sauce! It uses cherries instead, but still has the sweet and smoky flavor you expect from a good BBQ sauce. This works well with ribs, but I have also used it with chicken drumsticks and it tastes amazing with pulled pork too!
AIP Barbecue Sauce
– The Paleo Mom
Photo Credit: Sarah from The Paleo Mom
Ingredients: red palm oil, yellow onion, apple, molasses, apple cider vinegar, fresh ginger, fish sauce, ground mace, garlic, ground turmeric, ground cinnamon.
Finding a healthy barbecue sauce that you can make to season your grilled meats can be a godsend and can let AIP and paleo people relax about the food they are eating at a family barbecue. This sauce is nightshade free and very low in carbs and can be used with any meat. The molasses gives the stickiness you need for coating chicken and ribs and the mace is a great alternative to nutmeg.
Sweet and Tangy Bbq Sauce
– Adventures in Partaking
Photo Credit: Adventures in Partaking
Ingredients: olive oil, red or yellow onion, fresh ginger, garlic, pink Himalayan salt, dried thyme, dried rosemary, apple, apple cider vinegar, orange juice, strawberries, water, coconut sugar or maple syrup.
In this nightshade free recipe, the sweetness comes from apple and strawberries, making this a whole new version of an old favorite! You also have tanginess from the apple cider vinegar and a hint of heat from the ginger. This recipe is totally compliant with AIP and can be used in the same way as traditional barbecue sauce, but we love it as a dip for chicken tenders.
AIP BBQ Sauce
– Genius Kitchen
Ingredients: pumpkin, apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, coconut oil, molasses, maple syrup or honey, garlic, salt, coconut aminos, fresh ginger.
This autoimmune protocol BBQ sauce is perfect for anyone dealing with health problems – it’s AIP, nightshade-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, refined-sugar-free, corn-free, soy-free, nut-free, peanut-free, fish-free, shellfish-free, and egg-free. Oh, and did we mention it’s delicious? This sauce is perfect for ribs but use it anytime you need to get your barbecue fix in.
Autoimmune Paleo BBQ Sauce
– Primal Palate
Ingredients: lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, bacon grease, ground ginger, carrots, onion, strawberries, salt.
This delicious sauce is dairy and nightshade free and is suitable for Paleo and AIP diets. It is an adaptable recipe that allows you to alter the amount of smokiness to suit your needs, but still giving you a tangy sauce with a hint of sweetness. Use this to coat ribs, chicken or pork chops for a wonderful barbecue flavor for your next grilling day! Any leftovers can be frozen for another day.
Instant Pot BBQ Sauce
– The Emancipated Epicure
Ingredients: carrots, apples, frozen mixed berries, onion, blackstrap molasses, apple cider vinegar, water, sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder, ground ginger, ground cloves, bay leaf, lemon juice, sweet potato, maple syrup.
This is a rich and unctuous sauce that has all the flavor we expect from a really good barbecue sauce. It has molasses for added richness and the sweetness of fruit and you can either choose to use liquid smoke or smoked sea salt to give the smoky element that is a part of many BBQ sauces. This great AIP-friendly sauce can be stored for a few days in the fridge or can be frozen.
Just Peachy Bbq Sauce
– My Big Fat Grain Free Life
Ingredients: onion, extra virgin olive oil, unsweetened apple butter, apple cider vinegar, coconut aminos, lemon juice, water, maple syrup or honey, garlic powder, smoked salt, peaches.
For this delicious sauce it is best if you can use really ripe fruit, as this is what gives the refined sugar free sauce its sweet notes. It tastes amazing smothered onto chicken thighs or pork and makes a lovely addition to serve on top of turkey burgers. You can use peaches or mangoes, depending on the season and this is another great sauce that will keep for a few days in the fridge.
AIP Rhubarb Bbq Sauce
– Beyond the Bite
Ingredients: rhubarb, apple cider vinegar, water, garlic powder, ground ginger, molasses, maple syrup, onion, smoked sea salt.
Here is another recipe that uses molasses to give the sauce that richness that you just know will taste amazing over ribs or chicken drumsticks. This is a good way to use up that heap of rhubarb you have in the garden, but if you don’t have any you can use peaches instead. This is AIP-friendly and can be used as a coating for grilling or as a dip with veggie sticks or chicken tenders.
Strawberry Balsamic BBQ Sauce
– Unbound Wellness
Ingredients: coconut oil, carrots, onion, beets, strawberries, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, maple syrup, water, coconut aminos, smoked salt, garlic powder, ginger powder, black pepper (omit).
This recipe is a great example of how well strawberries go with balsamic vinegar! They give a fantastic sweet and savory taste that can go with any grilled meats such as chicken, pork or even shrimp. You will not believe that this sauce is nightshade free! Don’t worry about using beets – they are only there for the color and you won’t be able to taste them.
