Forget The Meat: How To Host An All-Seafood Summer Barbecue

Summer barbecues are typically incredibly meat-heavy. On these hot summer days, dinner regularly consists of steaks, ribs, sausages, burgers, and chicken, simply cooked on the grill, which have an incredible taste, having absorbed all those wonderful smoky flavors. There's no doubt that all this meat makes for the most mouth-watering of meals, however, this year, try expanding your barbecue repertoire by allowing the grill to impart its charred flavor on to your favorite seafood. Shrimps, salmon, squid, and sea bass all make delicious, refreshing, and easy to prepare warm-weather dishes.

Swordfish steaks are perfect for barbecuing as they hold their shape and don't stick to the grill. Serve these steaks with a tangy, spicy salsa, which can be made in minutes.

For the Charcoal-Grilled Swordfish Steaks recipe, click here.

Chargrilling a whole squid may sound daunting, but it's actually very simple. This meaty seafood cooks beautifully on the grill, and the chile and mint add a zingy, refreshing flavor.

For the Chargrilled Whole Squid With Chile and Mint recipe, click here.

Allow your seafood barbecue to incorporate just a little bit of meat — everything is always improved by being wrapped in bacon. These fresh scallops go perfectly with the salty bacon that surrounds them.

For the Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Scallops recipe, click here.

Spice up a simple filet of sea bass with a sweet and hot mango-chile salsa. This fish dish is perfect for every fiesta you host this summer, just make sure you serve it alongside some refreshing cocktails.

For the Chilean Sea Bass recipe, click here.

Watch the clams gradually pop open as they cook gently on the grill, before tossing them in the flavor-packed jalapeño-basil butter. You won't want to eat shellfish any other way ever again.

For the Grilled Clams With Charred Jalapeño-Basil Butter recipe, click here.

Begin your next dinner party in the most decadent way by serving these gilled oysters on the half shell as a fancy appetizer. Topped with habanero vinegar, jalapeños, and grated parmesan, these oysters are so delicious, and so impressive.

For the Grilled Diablo Oysters recipe, click here.

Grill your favorite fish in a spicy marinade, before breaking it up and using it to fill a warm tortilla. Top with a refreshing slaw and slices of avocado for the most colorful summer dinner.

For the Grilled Fish Tacos With Lime Cabbage Slaw recipe, click here.

This watermelon salsa is the most refreshing thing you'll make all summer. Use it top grilled fish, chicken, or beef: We love it on top of oily, barbecued mackerel filets.

For the Grilled Fish With Watermelon Salsa recipe, click here.

Seafood barbecues can be the most extravagant meals and this flavorful lobster dish is proof of that. Set aside some time, and pull out your finest chef skills to make this fancy dish. We promise the result is worth all the effort.

For the Grilled Lobster With Lobster Jus recipe, click here.

Cooking octopus at home may sound scary, but it's actually rather simple. Get over any squeamishness and make this Mediterranean-inspired grilled octopus dish this summer.

For the Grilled Octopus With Lemon and Olive Oil recipe, click here.

Topping a simple salad with spicy grilled salmon and herb vinaigrette turns an easy, understated dinner into a delicious treat. This quick dish is perfect for every low-key summer dinner party.

For the Grilled Salmon and Avocado Salad recipe, click here.

Top your simple filet of grilled salmon with your favorite Greek salad ingredients to create a refreshing, satisfying dinner. This salmon dish takes less than 10 minutes to prepare, so it is ideal for weeknight dining.

For the Grilled Salmon With Mediterranean Salsa recipe, click here.

Just because you've swapped the meat for seafood doesn't mean you have to miss out on that well-loved, tangy barbecue sauce. Coat the shrimp in the sauce and grill until sticky, cooked through, and almost caramelized.

For the Grilled Shrimp With Honey-G.inger Barbecue Sauce recipe, click here.

Add a Japanese twist to your barbecue by coating the grilled shrimp with umami-packed miso butter. This simple summer dish is bound to become a grilled dinner staple.

For the Grilled Shrimp With Miso Butter recipe, click here.

Grill the soft shell crabs and the asparagus in a chile-garlic marinade and serve with a honey-mustard sauce for a light, but satisfying dinner.

For the Grilled Soft Shell Crabs With Asparagus Salad recipe, click here.

Swap the classic hot dogs for some sliced tuna steaks. Marinade the tuna in a sweet miso sauce, and serve in a grilled hot dog bun alongside lettuce, cilantro, and shallot vinaigrette.

For the Grilled Tuna Rolls recipe, click here.

Who said that burgers have to be made of beef? Combine lobster meat and chopped shrimp, form it into a patty, grill it, and serve in a bun for a hearty seafood dinner.

For the Lobster Burger recipe, click here.

Grilling really can be healthy: These marinated fish skewers are proof. The fish absorbs the flavor of the spices and herbs for 30 minutes before being quickly grilled and enjoyed along fresh summer salads.

For the Marinated Grilled Fish Skewers recipe, click here.

These rich swordfish and bacon kebabs are covered in an Asian-inspired, lemongrass-infused gremolata, which lightens the meaty flavors of these grilled skewers.

For the Swordfish-Bacon Kebabs With Cilantro Gremolata recipe, click here.

Serving a whole grilled fish at a party is one of the most impressive dishes you can. As an added bonus, this stunning centerpiece is incredibly simple to prepare.

For the Whole Grilled Branzino recipe, click here.