10 Best Grilling Cookbooks 2026 in the United States

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.

‘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.

Steven Raichlen's "Barbecue Sauces, Rubs, and Marinades--Bastes, Butters & Glazes, Too" is a great pick if you want to deepen your barbecue flavor skills. This cookbook is especially helpful for people with some grilling experience but is friendly enough to guide beginners through using rubs, sauces, and marinades effectively. Since it focuses on enhancing the flavor rather than cooking the meat itself, it suits all types of grills, from gas to charcoal and smokers, allowing you to customize tastes across different grilling setups.

The book offers a wide variety of recipes, covering everything from classic barbecue sauces to inventive glazes and butters, which adds exciting options for your grilling sessions. Instructions are clear and easy to follow, making it straightforward to mix and apply the sauces and rubs correctly. One of the standout features is the inclusion of tips and techniques that help you get the most flavor out of your seasonings, which can elevate your grilling game. However, because this book concentrates on sauces and seasonings, it doesn’t cover grilling basics or meat cooking methods in depth, so beginners might need an additional resource for those aspects.

The book's size and weight make it a handy kitchen companion, and the nearly 350 pages provide plenty of content without overwhelming. If you're looking to expand your barbecue flavor arsenal with trusted, tested recipes and helpful seasoning advice, this book is a solid choice.