Best Barbecuing & Grilling Books of 2026

The Franklin Smoke cookbook is the ultimate guide to live-fire grilling and smoking at home. Written by the James Beard Award-winning team behind Franklin Barbecue, Aaron Franklin and Jordan Mackay, this book provides expert techniques for any type of backyard grill, from inexpensive kettle-style grills to hand-built fire pits. The book features detailed chapters on tools, techniques, and methods of grilling and smoking a variety of ingredients, answering all your burning questions while offering delicious new ways to incorporate fire and smoke into your everyday cooking. This book is a must-have for anyone looking to elevate their grilling game and cook up meat, vegetables, fish, and more like a true Texas fire wrangler.

Guga: Breaking the Barbecue Rules is a daring new cookbook by the popular BBQ guru, Guga. This cookbook offers a unique twist on traditional barbecue recipes, including Brazilian specialties like picanha and Korean-style chicken wings. In addition to meat dishes, Guga provides recipes for sides, sauces, rubs, and more. With expert cooking tips and beautiful photography throughout the book, this cookbook is perfect for both seasoned BBQ enthusiasts and beginners looking to take their skills to the next level. Overall, Guga: Breaking the Barbecue Rules is an excellent addition to any meat lover's cookbook collection.

The Blackstone® Griddling cookbook is the ultimate guide for mastering outdoor cooking on your Blackstone® griddle. With expert tips on cleaning and seasoning your griddle, this cookbook provides an all-encompassing guide to griddling from breakfast to dessert. The book features mouth-watering recipes, including juicy Jalapeño & Onion Triple Smash Burgers, Griddled Shrimp Pad Thai, and Bananas Foster French Toast Grilled Cheese. The cookbook is a must-have for any griddle enthusiast looking to level up their outdoor cooking game.

Asada: The Art of Mexican-Style Grilling is the first major cookbook that teaches readers how to create asada - Mexican-style grilled meat - at home. Written by Mexican food authorities Bricia Lopez and Javier Cabral, this cookbook features over 100 mouthwatering recipes that guide readers through the eight crucial elements of any carne asada, from appetizers to dessert. With this cookbook, readers will not only learn how to make delicious food but also understand the culture that informs these flavors. Asada: The Art of Mexican-Style Grilling is a must-have for anyone who loves grilled meat and is looking to host the perfect carne asada gathering.

The Traeger Grill Bible is the ultimate guide for anyone who owns a Traeger wood pellet grill. With digital temperature control, Traeger makes it easy to grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ with consistent and excellent results every time. This cookbook is a one-stop practical guide with clear instructions on how to master your Traeger grill, choose the right wood pellets, cook different cuts of meat and fish to perfection, and even grill vegetables. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pitmaster, this book offers a crash course that will have you serving up mouth-watering smoked masterpieces in no time.

WOODFIRE is an essential guide for anyone who loves outdoor cooking with the Woodfire grill. This comprehensive book offers an overview of the grill's components, usage instructions, maintenance tips, and much more. With dozens of full-page, vibrant recipes, this book is perfect for beginners and experienced grillers alike. The book includes US measurements, effortless cooking charts, Woodfire maintenance and usage guidance, and lined pages to note your culinary masterpieces. The book encourages readers to experiment with affordable meat cuts and tantalizing marinades, making it a must-have companion for mastering the art of Woodfire grilling.

The book "Franklin Barbecue: A Meat-Smoking Manifesto" is a must-read for anyone interested in the art of barbecue. Written by Aaron Franklin, the owner of the highly popular Franklin Barbecue restaurant in Austin, Texas, and coauthor Jordan Mackay, the book provides a comprehensive guide to building and customizing your smoker, sourcing top-quality meat, and cooking mind-blowing barbecue. The authors share years of hard-won knowledge and secrets behind truly great barbecue. The book is a definitive resource for backyard pitmasters and is highly recommended for anyone looking to up their barbecue game.

The Carnivore Diet by Shawn Baker is a groundbreaking nutritional strategy that challenges contemporary dietary theories. This book offers a simple and effective way of eating that has shown outstanding results. Baker provides supporting evolutionary, historical, and nutritional science that reinforces the success of this meat-based diet. The book outlines a comprehensive strategy for incorporating the Carnivore Diet as a tool or a lifelong eating style. Baker also discusses common misconceptions and challenges people face when transitioning to this diet. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to challenge the traditional nutritional paradigm and embrace a carnivorous lifestyle.

The Complete Cook’s Country TV Show Cookbook 15th Anniversary Edition is a must-have for anyone looking to explore the best American recipes and the cooks and locales that inspired them. This edition features over 550 recipes, including new content from new TV episodes and exciting twists on down-home favorites such as Stuffed Turkey Wings and Torn and Fried Potatoes. The book also includes updates on winning products featured on the TV show, making it a comprehensive guide to American cooking. Overall, this book is an excellent addition to any cookbook collection and offers a unique look at the diverse culinary landscape of America.

The Great American Burger Book (Expanded and Updated Edition) is a definitive guide to creating mouthwatering hamburgers by America’s leading burger expert, George Motz. This book showcases a wide range of regional burger styles and cooking methods, including traditional grilling techniques as well as smoking, steaming, poaching, smashing, and deep-frying. Each chapter is dedicated to a specific regional burger, and includes the history of the method and details on how to create your own piece of American food history right at home. This book is perfect for anyone who loves a great burger, unique or classic. Overall, this book is a must-read for burger enthusiasts who want to learn how to create authentic regional hamburgers at home.