Shell Lake, located just six miles outside of Sand Springs, is a City-owned lake offering fishing, a boat ramp, picnic areas, and  most importantly in the summertime outdoor grills. Pack up your family and head to Shell Lake for your next outdoor dinner. Even an ordinary dinner of hot dogs becomes memorable when you grill ‘em lakeside.

Below, we’re sharing five must-make dinners to enjoy on the grill at Shell Lake. Summer is just getting started… see if you can make all five before August ends!

Don’t forget paper plates, cups, napkins, utensils, and tongs or spatulas for flipping. Always bring a trash bag, too, so you can leave the beaches even cleaner than you found them.

BBQ Grilled Chicken

Ingredients:
Barbecue sauce, two cups
To taste:
Lemon juice
Honey
Hot sauce
Salt and pepper
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken legs
Vegetable oil, for grilling

Hot dogs and hamburgers have their place (and we’ll get to those, too!), but sometimes something a little fancier than standard grilling fare is the perfect way to kick your weekend up a notch. Take two cups of barbecue sauce and mix to taste the following ingredients: lemon juice, honey, hot sauce, and salt and pepper. Set aside half a cup for basting, then toss drumsticks into the batter to coat. Oil the grates, then grill the chicken. As the chicken cooks, brush on a swipe of marinade every few minutes. The chicken legs will be cooked after 10 to 12 minutes, but keep ‘em on the grill a little longer if you like yours extra-charred.

Hot Dogs 

Ingredients:
6 hot dogs
6 hot dog buns
Your favorite selection of condiments

This all-American summer classic doesn’t really need an introduction or require a recipe, does it? Toss the hot dogs on the grill for about seven to nine minutes (or until heated through), then when they’re almost done, throw the buns on for a minute or two so they can get toasty. Bring your favorite toppings, like ketchup or mustard, pickled relish, diced onions, and shredded cheese, and pack an easy side like a bag of potato chips or a pint of potato salad from the deli.

Steak Fajita Skewers

Ingredients/Things You’ll Need:
1 lb. sirloin steak, cut into large cubes
3 large bell peppers, cut into giant strips

1 white or yellow onion, cut into large chunks

1 pack small flour tortillas, torn into big pieces

Salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil for drizzling

8 skewers, pre-soaked in water

¡Viva la parilla!, which is to say: long live the grill. Prep this dish at home and take to the lake for the ultimate summertime fiesta. String the steak, vegetables, and folded pieces of tortilla onto the skewer and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pack up and head to the lake, then drizzle the skewered meal with olive oil and place on the grill for seven to eight minutes, turning occasionally. Remove when the steak is cooked to your liking and the vegetables are tender and charred. (Tip: If you like pineapple, mix in a few chunks on each skewer.)

Sausage and Peppers Foil Pack

Ingredients/Things You’ll Need:

6-8 Italian sausage links
3 bell peppers, thinly sliced
1 large onion, thinly sliced

¼ cup olive oil, divided

Salt and pepper

Chopped fresh chives and thinly-sliced jalapenos for garnish

If you ate this, or something like it, at summer camp when you were a kid, then you already know you’re in for a treat. Never had it? Well, like we said, you’re in for a treat. To start, cut four sheets of foil about 12” long. Put the sausages on the grill and let ‘em char, then divide among the foil. Top with your vegetables (coin-sized potatoes are a great addition to this meal, too) and a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkling of salt and pepper. Fold the foil crosswise to make a packet ensuring the edges are sealed closed. Grill for 13 to 17 minutes, then remove and top with your garnish.

Cheeseburgers

Ingredients:
6 burger patties

6 hamburger buns
Burger toppings (cheese, lettuce, sliced onion, pickles, tomatoes, etc.)
Condiments like ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise

Like the humble hot dog, a cheeseburger hot off the grill is a summertime staple. Everyone likes their burgers cooked differently, so start with three minutes per side (only flipping once) and add more time if desired. If you’re using cheese, add it to the burger a minute or two before you plan to remove it so the cheese gets melty. Top with all your favorite crisp vegetables and tasty condiments and bon appétit! Enjoy with fresh fruit, a side salad, or a bag of crunchy chips.

Recipes for BBQ Grilled Chicken, Steak Fajita Skewers, and Sausage and Peppers Foil pack adapted from Delish.com.