10 Best Grilling Cookbooks 2025 in the United States

The Traeger Grill Bible is a handy cookbook designed for anyone interested in grilling and smoking with a Traeger grill. It offers a good range of recipes covering beef, pork, lamb, poultry, fish, seafood, vegetables, snacks, and even desserts, making it suitable for users looking to expand their outdoor cooking variety. The book is concise, with 108 pages, which makes it approachable for beginners and those who prefer straightforward guidance without overwhelming detail.

While it’s tailored specifically for Traeger grills, which are popular for their wood pellet smoking style, the recipes and tips can inspire users of similar grills as well. The instructions are generally clear and aimed at making the grilling process easy and enjoyable, which is great for less experienced cooks wanting to gain confidence. Some experienced grillers might find the book a bit basic or brief, as it doesn’t dive deeply into advanced techniques or complex smoking methods.

Additional tips and tricks are included but remain simple and practical, focusing on enhancing flavor and ease rather than professional-level insights. If you own or plan to use a Traeger grill and want a straightforward recipe guide that covers many types of food with clear directions, this book is a solid choice. Those looking for more detailed technique explanations or a wider grill brand focus might want to supplement it with other resources.

'Project Smoke' by Steven Raichlen is a solid choice for anyone interested in mastering smoked foods, whether you're a beginner or already have some grilling experience. The book is well-structured around seven key steps to smoking, which helps make the process less intimidating for newcomers. It covers a variety of grill types and smoking methods, making it adaptable no matter what kind of equipment you have.

With 100 recipes that range from classic favorites like brisket to more unique options such as smoked bacon with bourbon, it offers plenty of variety to keep things interesting. The instructions are clear and approachable, guiding you through each recipe and technique with enough detail to help you succeed without feeling overwhelmed. Additionally, the book provides useful tips and insights to improve your smoking skills over time.

A limitation is that the book focuses solely on smoking rather than general grilling, so if you're looking for a wide range of grilling styles beyond smoking, this might feel a bit narrow. Also, while the recipes aim to be accessible, some might require ingredients or equipment not everyone has on hand, which could be a minor hurdle. At around 336 pages, it’s comprehensive yet still manageable to explore. This makes 'Project Smoke' a great pick for anyone looking to dive into smoked cooking with clear guidance and recipe variety, especially if you want to focus on smoking techniques rather than all grilling styles.

The Pit Boss Smoker Bible is a great choice for beginners who want to master wood pellet grilling. It’s designed specifically for users of this grill type, making it easier to learn how to achieve smoky, flavorful results. With over 250 recipes, it offers a wide variety of dishes to try, from meats to sides, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

The instructions are clear and approachable, guiding you step-by-step through the smoking process without overwhelming technical details. Additionally, the book includes helpful tips and techniques, which are perfect for building confidence and improving your skills over time.

Though the book is 126 pages long, it provides a solid foundation for anyone starting out with a wood pellet grill who wants to impress family and friends with tasty smoked meals.