Grilling isn't just about flipping burgers. Grilling is the oldest form of cooking and is both an art and an science. Grilling is practiced around the world and key to many cuisines. Looking for the perfect grilled steak or something more creative? Here are ten wonderful books (in no particular order) on grilling that will satisfy your passion for outdoor cooking as well as your taste buds.
How to Grill by Steven Raichlen
How to Grill is a thorough and in-depth manual to grilling by grilling guru Steven Raichlen. Raichlen is a very knowledgeable teacher with clear and inspiring directions. This how-to book contains more than 1,000 full-color photos to show you every step. Great for the novice.
Seven Fires: Grilling the Argentine Way
Argentinians love food and they love to grill! This wonderful book by Argentine native Francis Mallmann is a fascinating journey into South American culture and good food. The seven fires refers to seven different cooking techniques over an open fire. The directions are very straight forward and the photos are beautiful.
The Big Book of Outdoor Cooking & Entertaining by Cheryl & Bill Jamison
This huge book will keep you busy all summer long. Tons of great recipes for the grill with special chapters on rubs and sauces. Also: 20 recipes for ribs, 33 great steaks, 58 chicken dishes and 43 different burgers.
Grill It! by Chris Schlesinger and John Willoughby
This a wonderful grilling book with gorgeous photography and over 200 mouth-watering recipes (many with an ethnic flair). Some highlights include: 10 key tips for better grilled food, different live-fire cooking methods, what the best grill is for you, building the right fire, controlling the heat, and testing for doneness.
Bobby Flay's Grill It!
Bobby Flay loves to grill. This is his fourth book on grilling with wonderfully creative recipes including his signature sauces and rubs.
The Cook's Illustrated Guide to Grilling and Barbecue
Like all of Cook's Illustrated books, Grilling and Barbecue is very detailed with step-by-step instructions and tons of information. This is a very good reference guide for beginners and experts alike. The staff at Cook's have perfected their techniques and recipes by testing, testing, and retesting every variable. I don't always agree with their finding but there is always something to be learned from their books.
Serious Barbecue by Adam Perry Lang
Chef Adam Perry Lang is owner of New York's award winning Daisy May's BBQ USA. Serious Barbecue contains a number of different techniques for outdoor cooking. Lang covers the fundamentals of grilling with detailed instruction, step-by-step seasoning tips and great recipes.
The Best Barbecue on Earth by Rick Browne
This is a fun book that shows a global perspective on grilling. Rick Browne travels to 26 locations around the world and shows us how the locals grill. Learn grilling techniques from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Morocco, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, and, of course, the United States. Makes for very interesting reading.
Mastering the Grill by Andrew Schloss and David Joachim
350 delicious recipes with detailed instructions for cooking on gas, charcoal or wood.
Weber's Way to Grill
Hundreds of step-by-step photographs explain grilling techniques in a clear and concise manner. Lots of great recipes with dozens of sauces, marinades and rubs included.
