How to Grill

Are you struggling to achieve the perfect sear or smoky flavor on your grill? Our expert pitmasters have your back. We’ll turn you into a backyard legend with foolproof techniques, from choosing the perfect cut to nailing that smoky flavor every time. We’ve got over 100 grilling recipes, grill reviews, tutorials, and how-to’s to help you feel confident every time you fire up the grill.

Helpful Grilling Guides

The Best Grills to Buy: 2023Direct Vs Indirect HeatHow to Use a Charcoal GrillSmoking wood chips on a grill.Smoking Wood Flavor Pairing GuideRibs being placed fat side down on the grill with long tongs.Must Have Grilling ToolsHow to Light CharcoalThe best grills tested.Grilling Safety TipsStanding rib roast on rotisserie with pecan wood foil packet on gas grillHow to Smoke on a Gas GrillPinterest image for this post.How to Clean a GrillA bbq grill on a grassy area.How to use wood chips

Grilling 101

Grilling is an art that combines skill and passion to create delicious, smoky flavors. And a whole lot of just standing around outside and enjoying good company. But if you’re just starting out, or have been grilling for decades, understanding the basics ensures a successful grilling experience every time.

Essential Equipment

  • Grill Types: Charcoal, gas, and electric grills each offer unique advantages.
  • Tools: Invest in quality tongs, a meat thermometer, grill brushes, and skewers.
  • Grilling Techniques
  • Direct Heat: Perfect for quick-cooking items like burgers and steaks.
  • Indirect Heat: Ideal for larger cuts of meat that require slower cooking, such as whole chickens or roasts.
  • Prepping Your Grill
  • Cleaning: Always start with a clean grill to avoid flare-ups and maintain flavor.
  • Oil the Grates: Prevent sticking and enhance grill marks by oiling the grates before cooking.
  • Mastering Heat Control
  • Zones: Create heat zones by arranging coals or adjusting burners for versatile cooking options.
  • Temperature Management: Use vents on charcoal grills to control airflow and heat; adjust burners on gas grills accordingly.
A woman is preparing food on a barbecue grill.

Cooking Tips

  • Resting Meat: Let meat rest after grilling to retain juices and improve flavor.
  • Experiment with Flavors: Use marinades, rubs, and wood chips to enhance the taste.

By mastering these basics, you’ll be on your way to grilling like a pro, creating mouthwatering dishes that impress every time.

Our Favorite Grills

Check out the best grills on the market. And trust us, we’ve played with a lot of grills.

A red Kamado Joe grill is on a wooden deck, with a tray of seasoned chicken pieces placed on its side shelf.Ceramic: Kamado Joe KonnectedRead the Review →A bbq grill with smoke coming out of it.Digital Charcoal: Masterbuilt Gravity SeriesBuy on Amazon →A black bbq grill with smoking wood.Charcoal: Classic Weber KettleBuy on Amazon →A couple racks of ribs just placed on a Traeger grill.Pellet: Traeger Grill SmokerBuy on Amazon →Rack coming out of the smoker.Drum: Pit Barrel CookerBuy on Amazon →Person standing by a stainless steel outdoor grill with one hand on the lid and holding a pair of tongs in the other hand, with palm trees and a brick wall in the background.Gas Grill: 4-burner Bull Buy on Amazon →

Grilling Safety

  • Location: Set up your grill in a well-ventilated area, away from structures and overhanging branches.
  • Supervision: Never leave the grill unattended while in use.
  • Fire Safety: Keep a fire extinguisher or a bucket of sand nearby. Use long-handled tools to avoid burns.

Our Favorite Grill Recipes

We’ve been grilling at events and feeding people from coast to coast for years, and these are the recipes we love to make to knock their socks off – every single time.

Grilling Ideas for Beef

Best Grilling Recipes for Steak

Get that signature char-grilled flavor that can only come from a steak cooked on the grill.

How to Prep Your Grill

Cleaning Your Grill

  • Before Each Use: Scrape the grates with a grill brush to remove residue from previous sessions.
  • Deep Cleaning: Regularly remove and clean grates, and scrub the interior of the grill to prevent buildup.

Oiling the Grates

  • Prevent Sticking: Use a paper towel dipped in oil, held with tongs, to coat the grill grates before cooking.
  • Enhance Flavor and Marks: Oiling helps create distinct grill marks and adds to the overall flavor.

Arranging Charcoal

  • Direct Heat Setup: Spread coals evenly across the bottom for high-heat cooking.
  • Indirect Heat Setup: Place coals on one side, creating a cooler zone for slow cooking.

Preheating

  • Gas Grills: Preheat with the lid closed for about 10-15 minutes.
  • Charcoal Grills: Light the coals and let them burn until they are covered with white ash (about 20-30 minutes).

Checking for Hot Spots

  • Uniform Cooking: Test the heat distribution by placing slices of bread on the grill grates; note areas that brown faster.

Using Wood Chips

  • Adding Flavor: We don’t recommend soaking wood chips. Why? Because soaking wood chips produces steam, not smoke. And we want the best flavor when grilling.
A seasoned steak cooks on a grill with glowing coals beneath. A bag of Jack Daniel's Whiskey Barrel Smoking Chunks is placed next to the grill.

Grill Recipes for Chicken

Grilling Recipes for Pork

Best Grill Recipes for Seafood

Grilling Methods

Smoking on a Grill

  • Charcoal Grill: Place a water pan next to the coals and wood chips on coals for moist heat and smoky flavor. Use indirect heat by placing meat away from the coals.
  • Gas Grill: Use a smoker box with wood chips above a burner. Set up indirect heat by turning on one side of burners and placing meat on the opposite side.

Rotisserie Grilling

  • Setup: Secure meat evenly on the rotisserie spit to ensure even cooking.
  • Cooking: Use indirect heat to cook large cuts of meat slowly, allowing the meat to self-baste as it rotates.

Using Grill Planks

  • Soaking: Soak planks in water for at least an hour to prevent burning.
  • Cooking: Place food directly on the soaked plank, then place the plank on the grill. The wood imparts a unique, smoky flavor to the food.

Marinades for Grilling

Best Side Dish Grilling Ideas

Meat Guides & Resources

An image of a steak available to order online.Where to order meat onlineMastering Steak Temperature: A Guide to Perfect DonenessPorterhouse steak in a cast iron pan.Steak Cuts 101: a Guide to the Types of SteakLeanest Cuts of BeefCheap Cuts for GrillingA person grilling the best steaks on a grill.Best Steaks for Grilling

BBQ Sauces to Level up Your Grilling Recipes

Barbecue sauce isn’t mandatory for great BBQ, but danged if it doesn’t help.

Newest Grilling Recipes