10 Best Grilling Cookbooks 2025 in the United States

‘Smokin' and Grillin' with Aaron Brown: More Than 100 Spectacular Recipes for Cooking Outdoors’ is a robust grilling cookbook designed for outdoor cooking enthusiasts. Its 208 pages are packed with a diverse range of recipes that cater to various grilling skill levels, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced grillers.

The book covers an array of grilling techniques suited for different types of grills, which is great for those who own multiple grilling devices or are looking to expand their grilling repertoire. The recipes are well-explained with clear instructions, making it easier for users to follow along and achieve the desired results. Additionally, the book includes useful tips and techniques that can enhance the grilling experience and help users improve their skills over time.

However, at 1.75 pounds and with dimensions of 8.25 x 1 x 9.25 inches, it might be a bit bulky for some users to handle comfortably while cooking. The hardcover format makes it durable but less flexible compared to paperback options. Published by Harvard Common Press, the book is relatively new, hitting the shelves in April 2024, which means the recipes incorporate modern trends and techniques in outdoor cooking. It's a suitable choice for anyone looking to elevate their grilling game with a variety of recipes and expert guidance.

Weber's Ultimate Grilling: A Step-by-Step Guide to Barbecue Genius is a comprehensive cookbook suited for both beginners and experienced grillers. The book is heavy, weighing 3.26 pounds, and has a substantial 352 pages filled with illustrated instructions, which can be quite helpful if you are new to grilling. It covers a broad range of recipes, adding variety to your grilling repertoire, whether you use a charcoal, gas, or even a smoker grill.

The book shines in its clear, step-by-step instructions, making it easy to follow regardless of your skill level. Additionally, it offers plenty of tips and techniques to improve your grilling skills, which can be particularly beneficial for those looking to become more proficient at barbecue cooking. However, the book's weight and size might make it a bit cumbersome to handle while grilling. Also, some might find the recipes somewhat basic if they are looking for advanced or gourmet grilling techniques.

Published by Harvest in 2019, it has maintained popularity, as indicated by its best sellers rank. This cookbook is well-suited for anyone looking to enhance their grilling skills with clear guidance and a wide range of recipes, but those already skilled in grilling may desire a bit more complexity in the recipes.

Mastering the Big Green Egg® by Big Green Craig serves as both an operator's manual and a cookbook, specifically catering to enthusiasts of the Big Green Egg grill. For those who are passionate about this particular type of grill, the book is an excellent resource. It provides clear instructions tailored to the Big Green Egg, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced grillers who want to deepen their understanding. The book's language is accessible, ensuring users can easily follow along without needing advanced grilling knowledge.

The variety of recipes presented in the book is another highlight. It covers a broad spectrum, offering something for different taste preferences and skill levels. This makes it an attractive option for those looking to experiment with new dishes while mastering their grilling technique. Additionally, the book includes useful tips and techniques that can elevate the grilling experience, allowing users to explore the full potential of the Big Green Egg.

However, the focus on a specific type of grill may limit its applicability for those who use different grilling equipment. While the instructional clarity is generally strong, readers without a Big Green Egg might find the content less valuable, as it may not translate well to other grill types. The physical size of the book is compact, making it easy to handle, but some might find the number of pages limited at 160, which could restrict the depth of content.

In conclusion, this book is particularly beneficial for Big Green Egg owners seeking to maximize their grilling capabilities. While it may not cater to users of other grill types, it excels in providing specific, well-organized guidance for its intended audience.