What do you get for the backyard chef in your life? From clever tools to bold flavors, we found the best gifts for grillers!
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.
Learn more.
What do you get for the backyard chef in your life? From clever tools to bold flavors, we found the best gifts for grillers!
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.
Learn more.
Wagyu beef has an unmatched texture with unique marbling and great flavor. Give the gift of a premium cut of grass-fed beef from Boise, Idaho. The Snake River Farms Gift of Gold box is the ultimate treat for meat lovers. It includes American Wagyu filet mignons, ribeyes and top sirloin steaks. Read our full Snake River Farms review.
We’ve tested several HexClad items, so we can attest to the quality of their cookware. But indoors isn’t the only time to enjoy this nonstick, hybrid cookware! Fitted out with perforations, the Hybrid BBQ Grill Pan ensures even small or delicate foods, such as vegetables or fish, stay safely on the grill’s grates and are infused with that signature smoky flavor. Not your average grill pan, this specially designed tool is the ideal barbecue sidekick.
Chances are, if they love spending time outdoors cooking on the grill, they’ll love other outdoor cooking equipment. Why not try a new clever tool? This gas-powered pizza oven can be hooked up to a propane tank, just like a BBQ. Watch them get creative by making wood-fire style pizzas in just 90 seconds, along with steak, veggies and seafood. Learn more about outdoor pizza ovens and read our Ooni Koda 12 review.
Gifts for grillers should always include a proper chef’s knife, as there’s plenty of chopping and prepping involved. Give them the gift of a new knife set that will last for years. This chef’s knife is made from high-carbon steel, making it stain- and corrosion-resistant. Each one has an ergonomic, durable handle and is sharp enough to cut through anything in the kitchen.
Help them infuse flavor into every bite with this Himalayan salt BBQ plank. It’s the perfect vessel for serving up grilled veggies or to use as a pre-dinner snack board. It also doubles as a gorgeous sushi platter for year-round enjoyment. Thanks to its myriad uses, it makes a thoughtful hostess gift.
The Thermoworks Smoke X is smart as can be, in terms of thermometers. It comes with two commercial-grade, high-temperature probes, each of which serves a different purpose. According to resident barbecue expert Catherine Ward in her full review, it’s the secret to getting the juiciest, most perfect fire-cooked meals.
“I’ve cooked with the Thermoworks Smoke X dozens of times—something I wouldn’t have done if it didn’t have my total stamp of approval,” says Catherine. “The accuracy of the sturdy metal probes is second to none, and its reliable range makes it the most convenient sidekick to have when cooking up a feast.”
If they already own a Solo Stove, this cast iron griddle bundle is a fun accessory. They can fire up everything from steaks and burgers to pancakes and eggs, whether they’re in the backyard or on a camping trip. And if they don’t yet own a Solo Stove Bonfire fire pit., that’s a great gift, too!
Keep your griller hydrated while they cook without having to worry about leaving steak unattended on the grill. This drink cooler keeps cold sips at hand, and holds up to 54 cans—meaning they’ll be ready for their next tailgate. It’s also the best cooler we’ve tested! Read our full review for more details.
Grilling isn’t just for meat and flame-roasted vegetables. You can also cook pizzas on a grill with the right tools. I have tested over 10 different pizza peels, and this perforated pizza peel is the one I come back to the most. It’s made with an aluminum base and a heat-resistant nylon handle.
As you prep a pizza with flour or semolina to prevent sticking, the perforated holes on this peel help reduce the amount that transfers onto a pizza stone or straight onto the grill, keeping the base of your pizza from charring too much. It’s one of our favorite Ooni accessories.
The Grill Rescue Brush is safer and more effective than its bristled counterparts—and it’s so easy to use. Heat your grill to at least 400 degrees Fahrenheit, soak the head in water and then scrub down the grill top. As you wipe, the steam loosens up debris and crusted-on food, thoroughly cleaning the area without leaving residue or grease behind. Read our full review for more.
Spoil them with the Weber Performer, our top charcoal grill pick. The sprawling 363-square-inch cooking surface offers room for up to 13 burgers—enough for a whole family! Three tool hooks hold your Weber accessories, making switching between tongs and spatulas easy when cooking for a crowd.
When we tested the best gas grills, the Weber Genesis impressed our Testing Team with its performance on ribs, steaks and chicken. Our grilling expert, Catherine Ward, noted that the chicken had “a deeper mahogany color without being overly charred after saucing.” Considering the high-end look bolstered by the large, sturdy side tables for serving and wheel locks, it’s well worth the upfront cost.
A barbecue sprayer is key for adding a light coating of oil and water to grilled items. This spray bottle sprays just enough delicious EVOO or water to keep meats and fish from sticking. Too much oil can cause the grill to flame up, covering everything it touches in a layer of gray smoke. This one also comes with an injection attachment for marinades!
“To avoid a flare-up, I like to spray the food just before placing it on the grill,” says Catherine. “Pro tip: Fill the spray bottle with flavored olive oil for extra pizazz.”
They can show off their favorite sports team and cook up a winning dish with the Hedley & Bennett NFL knife. Senior Editor Katie Bandurski loves this knife for chopping up veggies or slicing through roasts. Choose from any of the NFL sports teams and enjoy a beautiful, durable knife that boasts the team’s logo right on the blade.
A cookout caddy is for the most serious home cooks. With a bottle opener, paper towel holder and cut-out sides, it’s easy to take your favorite grilling tools with you on the go or to the yard. You can even personalize it with the chef’s name!
Help them keep their grilling space neat and tidy with this clever prep system. This six-piece grilling set includes a cutting board, one large deep tray and two smaller trays with lids. The pieces stack together neatly so everything from vegetables and marinated meats can be prepped and carried out to the grill.
The top lids provide a clean surface for finished food to be served off, avoiding any cross-contamination from raw meats and eliminating the need to run back into the kitchen multiple times for clean plates. Once the grill session is over, they can put everything into the dishwasher for easy cleanup.
Give your griller the gift of variety, with a few surprises along the way. With a ButcherBox subscription, they can try out a number of different cuts of meat. The box includes a variety of high-quality meats, all of which are humanely raised and either grass-fed, free-range or wild-caught. Meats arrive frozen and vacuum sealed to toss in the freezer and pull out whenever a craving strikes. Learn more about ButcherBox.
For enthusiasts of good barbecue, nothing beats the “Holy Trinity.” The Texas phrase refers to the combination of smoked brisket, pork ribs and smoked sausages, which often can be thrown on a smoker all at the same time. Gift the BBQ fan in your life the ultimate combo to cook at home with this Holy Trinity meat pack. It includes one beef brisket, one rack of pork spareribs and six Texas “hot gut” sausages to thaw and throw on the smoker for a taste of Texas from Lewis Barbecue at home.
Checking the proper temperature of cooked meats while grilling is important, and I’ve found this wireless smart meat thermometer to be a game-changer. It connects to your phone through the Meater App.
Insert the wireless probe into whatever you’re cooking, set your goal temperature and wait for the notification that your food is done. This is especially helpful for long smoking sessions on a Traeger or other smoker so you’re not having to open the lid to check the process constantly. (If you’re still on the fence about a pellet grill, our Traeger Ironwood XL review will change your mind.)
Honor your favorite burger baron with this signature burger book. Upload a custom image and name for this book of 15 pro recipes by Nicola Graimes and Rebecca Woods. The fun, playful artwork by Félix Lesur completes this custom burger bible for a gift that’s (literally) one of a kind—just like your recipient!
Rodney Scott is a barbecue legend and pitmaster hailing from South Carolina. He certainly knows his way around barbecue, and he shares all his secrets in his World of BBQ cookbook. Take notes from this professional chef on how to season a whole hog, smoke juicy chicken and dress up flame-grilled burgers. And don’t forget the sides! It’s packed with other recipes for barbecue pairings such as cornbread, hush puppies and mac and cheese.
These easy flip skewer racks are a clever gift for cooks because they hold chunks of veggies and meats with ease. Plus, flipping is a breeze! Just turn one, and the rest follow thanks to its ingenious design. Get the griller in your life started with some of our creative kabob recipes.
If they’re often firing up a smoker and cooking with wood, help them protect their hands in style. Gloves are helpful when adding more wood to the flame or lighting charcoal. These BBQ gloves are made from leather and suede, so they’re durable yet comfortable and pliable, and the interior is lined with cotton for breathability. You can even customize the pair with their initials for a personal touch.
Light up the night griller’s domain with this set of two magnetic grill lights. These heat-resistant lights work on gas, charcoal and pellet grills. Just use the magnetic base to attach them. These are an especially good gift for dads who are always asking his kids to hold the flashlight so he can see.
Gifting to someone who is obsessed with hot sauces? Introduce them to something new. This variety pack of gourmet hot sauce comes with three different bottles to find a new favorite, whether they’re putting it on burgers or wings or adding it to a marinade. The sauces are made with red chili peppers and black truffle oil along with other spices for a unique flavor experience. It’s hot sauce, but elevated!
Why splurge on the same old flavors for your favorite griller when you can encourage them to make their own? This barbecue sauce kit comes with seasoning blends, four 12-ounce glass bottles, labels and a recipe book for inspiration. They’ll get to make barbecue sauce exactly to their taste and explore new flavors, too! Toss in a bottle of their favorite ketchup to get them started.
This lightweight melamine grill and prep tray set have designs inspired by traditional Sicilian maiolica ceramics. But unlike ceramics, these are shatter-free and dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. One tray acts as a serving platter and lid, while the other offers a deep bottom for marinading meats. Together, they’ll add a dose of class to any cookout.
Nothing beats a juicy, flame-cooked burger straight off the grill. And the basics of a great burger all start with the patty. Help the burger lover in your life mold burgers with ease. No more hand forming here! This cast-aluminum burger press is adjustable for the desired thickness, helping to make perfectly formed burgers every time. Once the prep is done, it’s easy to clean with soap and water.
Grillers that splurge on their own high quality beef should get to enjoy it freshly ground. If they have a KitchenAid mixer already, this meat grinder attachment is an easy and fast way to turn sirloin into burger patties. It comes with fine, medium and coarse grinding attachments, so they can get their ground meats to just the right texture every time. Want to really beef up your gift? Get them the sausage stuffer attachment to go with it!
Cooking straight on the grates of the grill is always an option, but with a quality cast iron, they can get creative with a variety of dishes. This cast iron combo set includes a deep skillet and a shorter skillet that doubles as a lid. The versatility will allow them to try plenty of dishes from braised meats and breakfast skillets to even homemade bread.
If they’re someone who cherishes their culinary salts, this arched salt cellar is the perfect gift. Each ceramic dish is made by Pigeon Toe ceramics, a women-owned ceramics shop in Portland, Oregon. It’s not only convenient to have at the side of the barbecue, but it also shows off those gorgeous salt flakes—and offers enough surface area for a Salt Bae-tier pinch.
One of the best things any home cook can pull off the grill is a slow-smoked pork shoulder or pork butt. Once it’s been cooked low and slow for hours, it shreds into incredibly flavorful pulled pork. Make it easier on them with these custom meat claws. They’re made with wood handles and stainless steel, so they’re sturdy for plenty of use. Personalize them with an engraving on the handles to make them their own.
They’ll be able to show off their handiwork with this custom meat branding iron. This branding iron is fully customizable from the design to the words, so it’s a great way to deliver something totally unique. Choose from iron or self-heating electric options, and whether it comes with a reusable gift box for storage.
Are they always taking their grill to tailgate parties or out camping? It’s important to have a great place to store BBQ tools on the go! This grilling utensil holder is made from durable leather and will hold all of their utensils including grilling forks, tongs, flippers and brushes. Choose from a variety of leather colors for the exterior and personalize it by adding their name or initials.
Turn any grill into a smoker with this clever grill smoker box. Simply fill the stainless steel box with any of the included apple, cherry or hickory wood chips for that smokey flavor we all know and love. Bonus: It comes with a thermometer, plus a grill-scraping bottle opener and hickory-smoked sea salt for a finishing touch.
Cooking meat, seafood and vegetables over an open flame or smoker already adds unmatched flavor. But why not turn it up a notch? Spice rubs immediately take grilled foods from good to great. Gift this set of rubs so they have the ultimate library of choices for any grilled foods. The box comes with 12 different canisters with a variety of rubs including chili lime, hickory molasses, chipotle and even the ideal burger seasoning.
Even seasoned grillers will appreciate the chance to try something new. And this cast iron oyster pan is the perfect vessel for taking your grilled seafood to the next level. Homemade oysters have never tasted better.
Hedley & Bennett aprons are some of the best around, and they’ve done several notable collaborations with some of the coolest brands around. But let’s be honest—nobody is cooler than Pac Man! Each cotton twill grilling apron sports an adjustable neck strap, utility loops, chest pockets and lap pockets in a sleek retro colorway. The big pockets even have a print of the iconic game for a fun added touch!
Practical and fun, these cheeky grill towels add flair to your griller’s outdoor setup while keeping their station clean. Choose the design that fits their personality, like “Kiss The Cook” or “All Up In My Grill.” We’re adding them to our cart immediately!
Having a little background music makes anything more enjoyable, including grilling! Cue up your favorite playlist on this Sonos speaker and enjoy rich sound in a lightweight, travel-friendly package. The speaker connects to a phone via WiFi and is completely waterproof, so it’s usable in a variety of outdoor conditions.
Is there anything more decadent than roasted garlic? What about preparing roasted garlic with minimal effort? This cast iron garlic roaster creates the perfect savory treat, yielding creamy garlic that is the perfect addition to steak, a pizza or a slice of bread. Just be warned…once guests find out how delicious it is, this roaster will be in constant use. Pair it with this garlic keeper.
It wouldn’t be a grilling night without corn on the cob. This cast iron corn pan makes it easy to cook every ear of corn at once, with depressions that ensure each side gets a tasty dose of butter and seasoning.
Go fish! This clever roasting pole keeps hands away from the fire. Load the steel spit with hot dogs, marshmallows and any other BBQ favorites, then dangle it over your flame. This grilling gift is a fun pick for kids, too.
Replace those old barbecue tongs with this stellar nine-piece tool set. Long-lasting wood handles and a rugged canvas carry case will keep their BBQ tools organized and ready to use anytime. The set includes a turner, fork, basting brush, grill cleaner and tongs.
Grilling essentials vary depending on what’s being grilled and other factors like the time of year and crowd size. However, some universally agreed-upon basics include a grill, a spatula for flipping burgers and steaks, tongs for handling hot dogs and vegetables and a meat thermometer to ensure everything is cooked safely.
While these are the grilling basics, each grillmaster has specific preferences. Some prefer modern gadgets like smart grills and app-connected thermometers, while others stick to traditional, manual tools.
The most popular items to grill are meats, including steaks, ribs, burgers, brisket, pork, chicken, hot dogs and sausages. Vegetables like corn on the cob, peppers, onions, asparagus, zucchini, eggplant and mushrooms are also great additions to any grilling session.
Unless you’ve coordinated with the grillmaster, they likely have the grilling covered. A great option is to bring sides like salads (leafy greens, potato, pasta), chips, dips or drinks. Offering to bring something like a cold beer to complement a hot burger is always appreciated. When in doubt, ask your host beforehand.
If you can’t decide on just one gift for your grillmaster, why not put together a gift basket full of goodies? Grab a basket and fill it with small gifts like grill gloves, BBQ utensils, wood chunks for smoking and artisan spices and condiments.
Additional reporting by Associate Shopping Editor Madi Koetting