The most in-demand reservation of the summer? Your backyard! Just fire up the grill and allow the heat to transform meat, veggies, and more into weekend party fare or simple weeknight meals—all while keeping the kitchen cool and cleanup to a minimum.
Of course, good grilling is about more than flipping burgers over an open fire. You have to get a feel for managing heat and a knack for building flavor as well as make sure you have the right tools for the job. That’s where this outdoor grilling playbook comes in. Think of it as a guide to upgrading your grilling game with smart techniques, must-have gear, and foolproof recipes designed to help you get even more out of every cookout.
Keep scrolling to find pro tips for making the most of temperature zones, preventing flare-ups, and building flavor with marinades, rubs, and glazes. We’re also sharing some of the latest grills and accessories worth adding to your setup, along with recipes for everything from guava-chile wings to smoky grilled desserts. Whether you're cooking a quick family dinner or hosting your biggest backyard gathering of the season, consider this your guide to taking summer grilling to the next level.
Gather Your Tools
To say I’m passionate about grills and grilling is probably an understatement: Some of my earliest memories involve cooking over charcoal with my family. And now that I’m the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab, testing and reviewing grills and grill tools is part of my job!
When it comes to taking your grill skills to the next level, consider upgrading your tools. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Top tongs. In my opinion, a good pair of tongs is the single most important grill accessory. Think of them as an extension of your hands—tongs grip, flip, and grab, all while keeping your actual hands away from the heat. Grillhogs makes a great three-piece set that includes 16-, 12-, and 9-inch sizes that are sturdy, highly responsive, good at grasping, and dishwasher-safe. We also really like Oxo’s tongs and turner set, which comes with 16-inch tongs and a long spatula (another grilling must-have).
- Hot thermometers. One of the biggest differences between good grilling and great grilling is the mastery of the nuances of temperature. That’s where my next tool rec, a thermometer, comes in handy. If you prefer a wireless leave-in option, go with the Meater. If you like instant read, the Lavatools Javelin Pro is the right move.
- A better board. We also swear by a good cutting board such as the Epicurean BBQ Board, which is large enough for big pieces of meat but thin, sturdy, and lightweight enough for serving.
- More useful tools. Other grilling accessories that stand out include a scale such as Ozeri’s so you can measure how much propane is left in your tank, an electric pepper grinder such as the Finamill for easy seasoning, and versatile glass containers such as the ones with lids from Pyrex that you can use to marinate, serve, and even store food in your fridge afterward.
Get Set Up
At the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, we spend our days testing recipes until they’re worthy of your table. My team and I cook every dish multiple times, fine-tuning techniques and troubleshooting so you don’t have to. But after all that time spent in the kitchen, one of my favorite places to cook is actually outside.
Grilling combines some of the things I love most about cooking: plenty of space to work, endless versatility, and the unmistakable flavor only fire can provide. As a bonus, cleanup is hard to beat—when I grill, there’s no sink stacked with dishes or saucepans waiting for me when dinner is over.
Great grilling starts before the food ever hits the grates. A few simple setup steps can help you cook more evenly, avoid common pitfalls, and get the most out of your grill, whether you're making burgers on a weeknight or hosting a backyard feast.
1. Preheat. Open the lid, turn the dials to high, and close the lid. Give the grill 10 to 15 minutes to preheat fully so grates will sear properly and food will cook more evenly and be easily released.
2. Mind the weather. Wind, cold, and high elevation can affect airflow and heat retention, reducing grill temps and upping cooking times.
3. Create zones. Set up direct high heat for searing, medium heat for everyday grilling, and indirect heat (away from flames) for thicker cuts that need gentler cooking.
4. Remember the rack. The upper shelf keeps finished foods warm, melts cheese, heats buns, and doubles as another indirect-cooking zone.
5. Use the lid. When down, it reduces flare-ups, lets the grill heat like an oven, and promotes even cooking.
6. Fight flare-ups. Move food to a cooler zone, close the lid briefly to reduce oxygen, and let flames die down before you resume cooking.
Our Favorite Grills
Nicole here. Over the years, I’ve learned that if you truly want to grill like a pro, you need to first decide what kind of grill is right for you and then get recommendations from experts you trust. My team and I have tested more than 90 grills since 2011, including more than 15 portable grills and even smart grills (more on that below). That’s why I can recommend the best outdoor grills with confidence.
It might surprise you to learn that a lot has changed in the grilling category over the years. “Smart” or connected grills are among the newest innovations: They often include multiple probes to let you monitor the temperature of your grill and your food so you can get an even more precise cook. Plus, they can connect with an app so you can keep an eye on your meal while prepping sides or entertaining guests. Check out some of our favorites:
Best Smart Grills
An electric igniter, a control panel, and connected cooking abilities set this egg-shaped ceramic charcoal grill apart.
This smoker combines smarts with premium features such as a strong build, a spacious cooking area, a connected pellet sensor, and an enclosed grease and ash collector.
Weber’s newest addition has a digital temperature gauge that is simple to use with an included probe that you can also track in the app.
Get Grilling
Move over, burgers and ribs. I’m all for those juicy, flavorful proteins, but summer is also the perfect time to give fruits and vegetables a turn on the grill. A little heat transforms produce by caramelizing natural sugars, creating new textures, and adding smoky depth that can make even simple ingredients shine. Juicy peaches, tender zucchini, and vibrant bell peppers become standout additions to any BBQ spread, bringing color, variety, and plenty of fiber and antioxidants to the table.
Use the guide below from the GH Test Kitchen to learn how to prep some of our favorite fruits and vegetables as well as the ideal grill temperature, heat zone, and cooking time for each. And if you're looking to grill meat, poultry, or seafood, check out our complete protein grilling guide for expert tips, temperatures, and timing.
Layer In Flavor
To take grilled food from good to great, start with a rub, a marinade, or a glaze.
- Rubs are dry blends of salt, spices, and sometimes sugar that create a flavorful crust as food cooks.
- Marinades are seasoned liquids made with oil, acid (such as citrus juice or vinegar), salt, and spices or herbs that infuse ingredients with flavor and can help tenderize tougher cuts.
- Glazes are brushed on toward the end of cooking, creating a glossy, caramelized finish. Try one of our recipes below to find your favorite way to add and build flavor.
Rubs
Glazes
Marinades
Best Grilling Recipes
From bourbon-glazed pork chops and buffalo salmon to charred vegetables and juicy grilled fruit, these flavor-packed recipes are made for warm-weather entertaining.
