7 New Grilling Books Reshaping Outdoor Cooking in 2025

CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer and other experts recommend these fresh grilling books packed with new 2025 techniques and recipes.

Wolf Blitzer
Updated on June 27, 2025
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The grilling landscape changed dramatically in 2024, with new techniques and flavor profiles capturing the attention of outdoor cooking enthusiasts everywhere. From innovative pellet smoking to reimagined backyard barbecues, 2025 promises exciting shifts in how we think about grilling. Whether it’s mastering live fire or unlocking the secrets of gas grills, these developments invite both novices and seasoned pitmasters to sharpen their skills and expand their menus.

CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer, known for his sharp eye on cultural and culinary trends, highlights the growing influence of approachable, flavorful grilling styles. His firsthand experience with Gaby Dalkin’s latest work underscores a move toward accessible, stress-free grilling that still delivers exceptional taste. Experts like Blitzer are drawn to books that blend tradition with fresh perspectives, perfect for those eager to keep pace with 2025’s grilling innovations.

While these cutting-edge books provide the latest insights, readers seeking the newest content tailored to their specific grilling goals might consider creating a personalized Grilling book that builds on these emerging trends. This approach lets you focus on what matters most to your grilling style and ambitions, delivering a unique roadmap for success.

Best for casual backyard grillers
Wolf Blitzer, CNN anchor known for his front-row seat to history, connected with Gaby Dalkin and highlighted her approachable style in grilling through her latest book. After exploring her recipes, he appreciated how she simplifies grilling for everyone, making outdoor cooking accessible and enjoyable. His experience underscores how this book captures emerging trends in casual, flavorful backyard meals, perfect for anyone wanting to elevate their grilling game while keeping it stress-free.
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Recommended by Wolf Blitzer

CNN anchor, The Situation Room host

It was so nice meeting Gaby Dalkin @WhatsGabyCookin today and to get her terrific new book “Take It Easy: Recipes For Zero Stress Deliciousness.” It’s already a best seller. And she’s so nice! Thanks Gaby for writing this book. (from X)

What's Gaby Cooking: Grilling All the Things book cover

by Gaby Dalkin, Matt Armendariz··You?

The breakthrough moment came when Gaby Dalkin, a well-known California-based cookbook author and private chef, decided to demystify grilling for everyone, whether you're new to the grill or seasoned. This book teaches you everything from mastering grill mechanics—like the differences between gas, charcoal, and smokers—to crafting marinades and spices for a wide range of foods, including meats, seafood, vegetables, and even desserts. You'll find 100 recipes that balance quick high-heat meals with slow-cooked weekend projects, complete with menus and hosting tips. If you're ready to step outside the kitchen and confidently grill your next meal, this book offers a clear path forward.

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Best for mastering live fire techniques
American Grill: 125 Recipes for Mastering Live Fire stands out by focusing on the art of live fire cooking within American comfort food traditions. Tyler Florence brings his Food Network expertise to guide you through everything from marinating to charring, helping you build skills that elevate your grilling game. This book is designed for anyone keen to explore the latest developments in grilling techniques, offering a roadmap that suits both beginners and those eager to refine their approach. It fills a valuable niche by marrying classic American flavors with the dynamic challenges of live fire cooking, making it a timely addition to grilling literature in 2025.
2024·256 pages·Grilling, Cooking Techniques, American Cuisine, Meat Preparation, Vegetable Grilling

Tyler Florence, a chef and Food Network personality, offers a fresh look at American comfort food through the lens of live-fire grilling. This book goes beyond basic techniques to show you how to expertly char, caramelize, and marinate a variety of foods, from steaks to vegetables and even fruits. Specific chapters like the one on Barbecue Chicken Lollipops reveal inventive ways to elevate classic grill staples, while Alice Waters' endorsement highlights how Tyler makes grilling accessible for newcomers and inspiring for seasoned cooks. If you're looking to expand your grilling skills with bold flavors and American culinary tradition, this book provides a practical guide without unnecessary complexity.

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Best for custom grilling techniques
This AI-created book on grilling innovation is crafted based on your experience and interests in the latest outdoor cooking trends. You share your current skills, preferred grilling techniques, and what new developments fascinate you most. The book then focuses precisely on those areas, delivering a tailored exploration of 2025's freshest grilling methods and flavor discoveries. This personal approach helps you stay current with innovations without sifting through unrelated information.
2025·50-300 pages·Grilling, Grilling Fundamentals, Live Fire Mastery, Pellet Smoking, Flavor Innovations

This personalized book explores the cutting-edge grilling methods and flavor innovations emerging in 2025, tailored specifically to your interests and background. It reveals fresh techniques that redefine outdoor cooking, from advanced live fire mastery to novel pellet smoking and inventive seasoning blends. The book covers the latest discoveries in grilling science and culinary trends, focusing on what matters most to your goals and skill level. By concentrating on your unique preferences, it offers a tailored learning experience that keeps you ahead in the rapidly evolving world of grilling. This approach ensures you engage deeply with the most relevant new ideas and practical knowledge for the current grilling revolution.

Tailored Guide
Flavor Innovation
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for pellet smoker enthusiasts
What makes this book unique is its exclusive focus on maximizing the capabilities of the Pit Boss Smoker, a leading pellet grill known for consistent results. It covers beginner to advanced techniques, helping you unlock the full versatility of your grill not just for smoking but also roasting, baking, and braising. The detailed temperature charts and pellet selection guide included ensure you can tailor flavors and achieve precise cooking outcomes. Whether you're looking to elevate casual cookouts or master American holiday feasts, this book offers a clear path to becoming a confident pitmaster and making every grilling session memorable.
2024·98 pages·Grilling, Smoking, BBQ Techniques, Meat Preparation, Pellet Selection

After exploring the evolving landscape of pellet grilling, Paul J. Baker developed this cookbook to fully harness the potential of the Pit Boss Smoker. You learn precise techniques for smoking, grilling, roasting, and even baking, along with guidance on selecting wood pellets to enhance flavors. The book offers practical tips for maintaining your equipment and mastering meat preparation, including temperature charts for perfect steak doneness. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned pitmaster, this book equips you with the skills to impress at every cookout and expand your culinary range to fish, vegetables, and festive dishes.

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Best for authentic backyard barbecue fans
What makes the BBQ Pit Boys Book of Real Guuud Barbecue unique is its origin in the largest BBQ community on YouTube and Facebook, where over 2.2 million subscribers tune in for straightforward, no-frills grilling advice. This book captures that same spirit, focusing on simple, effective methods using charcoal, rubs, and marinades to produce classic barbecue dishes. It’s designed for anyone eager to embrace or deepen their backyard grilling experience, offering a recipe collection that spans from slow-roasted meats to inventive dishes like Fireball whiskey meatballs. For those wanting to connect with a vibrant BBQ culture and learn approachable techniques, this book provides a solid foundation and fresh inspiration for the summer grilling season and beyond.
2024·256 pages·BBQ, Grilling, Slow Roasting, Smoking, Marinades

The methods the BBQ Pit Boys developed while building the world's largest online BBQ community offer a fresh, accessible approach to grilling and slow roasting that strips away complexity. You learn how basic tools like charcoal and a sharp knife combine with flavorful rubs and marinades to create dishes ranging from beer-can burgers to stuffed alligator. This book distills their most popular YouTube recipes into a down-to-earth guide that’s equal parts approachable and satisfying, with full-color photos that bring the experience home. If you're someone who values authentic backyard barbecue without fuss, this book will fit your style perfectly, though those seeking highly technical or gourmet techniques might look elsewhere.

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Best for exploring Southern and Cajun flavors
This book offers a fresh take on grilling, steering you away from the usual fare with over 100 recipes that embrace rich Southern and Cajun flavors. Aaron Brown lays out a flavorful journey through both smoking and grilling methods, emphasizing variety and creativity in outdoor cooking. Whether you want to try smoky pork belly burnt ends or finish with grilled pineapple shortcake, this collection serves those eager to deepen their barbecue knowledge and expand their summertime menus. It’s designed for anyone ready to make their outdoor cooking more exciting and flavorful.
2024·208 pages·Grilling, Outdoor Cooking, Smoking Techniques, Barbecue, Sauces

When Aaron Brown noticed how grilling often falls into a monotonous loop of burgers and steaks, he crafted this book to break that cycle with fresh, flavorful recipes inspired by Southern, Cajun, and African-American traditions. You'll find more than 100 recipes covering everything from smoky pork belly burnt ends to grilled pineapple shortcake, plus chapters dedicated to sauces, sides, and desserts that broaden what outdoor cooking can be. Brown shares his personal tips and tricks that have won over millions online, making this a practical guide for anyone wanting to elevate weeknight grilling into an adventurous culinary experience. Whether you’re a casual griller or looking to impress your neighborhood, this book invites you to explore new tastes and techniques with confidence.

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Best for custom grilling plans
This AI-created book on grilling is tailored to your interests and skill level, focusing on the newest developments in outdoor cooking for 2025. By sharing your background and specific goals, you receive a book that dives into the latest techniques and discoveries that matter most to you. Personalizing your grilling learning journey helps you explore emerging trends efficiently and effectively, making your experience both relevant and rewarding.
2025·50-300 pages·Grilling, Grilling Techniques, Equipment Innovation, Flavor Trends, Live Fire Cooking

This tailored book explores the evolving world of grilling with a focus on the latest 2025 discoveries and innovations. It covers emerging techniques, new equipment advancements, and flavor trends that match your specific grilling interests and experience level. By concentrating on your goals, it examines how to integrate cutting-edge practices that enhance your outdoor cooking skills. The personalized content ensures you engage deeply with developments that resonate with your style, whether mastering live fire, pellet smoking, or gas grilling innovations. Through a carefully crafted narrative, this book reveals how recent research and trends shape the future of grilling, making your learning experience current and highly relevant. This tailored approach helps you stay ahead in a fast-changing culinary landscape, making your grilling sessions more inspired and successful.

Tailored Guide
Grilling Innovation
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for versatile outdoor grilling recipes
Sam Zien accidentally became a leading cooking personality and restaurateur after a 20-year search for his true passion. With more than 4 million followers on social media, he brings his deep, hands-on experience in outdoor cooking to this book. His approachable style and practical experiments make complex grilling techniques accessible, helping you unlock flavors and solve common grilling puzzles like the best fuel to use or how to keep chicken juicy.
2024·256 pages·Grilling, Cooking, Outdoor Cooking, Smoking Techniques, Meat Preparation

Drawing from his two decades of culinary exploration and a massive social media following, Sam Zien delivers a fresh take on outdoor cooking in this book. You’ll find more than 100 recipes covering everything from perfectly tender chicken breasts to complex smoked turkeys, alongside clever tips like why mayo can transform your grilling results. Sam doesn’t just share recipes; he tackles common grilling dilemmas such as choosing between gas and charcoal and accommodating vegetarian guests. Whether you’re just starting or looking to elevate your backyard barbecue skills, this book offers practical insights and flavorful experiments to try, like the Caveman Steak or a full grilled fish with cilantro, chile, and lime.

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Best for new gas grill users
What sets this guide apart in the grilling world is Marty Crossland's deep personal connection to the craft, rooted in decades of experience and a family tradition from Texas farms. His book focuses squarely on overcoming the quirks of gas grilling, a method many find convenient yet tricky to master. By sharing 23 focused tips, he addresses the pitfalls and nuances of cooking beef and pork on home gas grills, making it a practical resource for those eager to improve their skills. Whether you're just starting or transitioning from wood to gas, this book offers valuable insights to elevate your grilling game.
2024·34 pages·Grilling, Meat Cooking, Beef Preparation, Pork Recipes, Gas Grill Techniques

Marty Crossland draws on a lifetime shaped by his Texas farm roots and his father's memorable mesquite-grilled steaks to tackle the challenges of cooking meat on a home gas grill. He candidly shares the trial-and-error journey that transformed his early bland and unevenly cooked meals into flavorful successes. This book breaks down 23 specific tips focused on beef and pork, aiming to help you master temperature control, timing, and flavor enhancement on gas grills. If you're new to grilling or switching from traditional wood-fired methods, this guide offers down-to-earth insights to improve your grilling confidence and results.

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Conclusion

These seven grilling books reveal three clear themes shaping 2025 outdoor cooking: an embrace of live fire mastery, a surge in pellet smoker techniques, and a celebration of approachable, flavorful backyard barbecues. For those wanting to stay ahead of grilling trends or dive into the latest research, start with Tyler Florence’s American Grill and Paul J. Baker’s PIT BOSS Smoker Cookbook to master fundamental techniques.

For cutting-edge application and flavor innovation, combine Gaby Dalkin’s approachable recipes with Aaron Brown’s Southern-inspired grilling for new taste adventures. Beginners will find Marty Crossland’s gas grill guide invaluable for building confidence and skills. Alternatively, you can create a personalized Grilling book to apply the newest strategies and latest research to your specific situation.

These books offer the most current 2025 insights and can help you stay ahead of the curve — whether you’re firing up your first grill or refining a seasoned pitmaster’s craft. Dive in, experiment, and elevate your outdoor cooking to new heights this year.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "What's Gaby Cooking" for a balanced mix of accessible recipes and solid grilling fundamentals. It’s perfect for easing into 2025’s grilling trends with practical tips and flavorful dishes.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to grilling?

Not at all. Marty Crossland’s "A Beginner’s Guide to Grilling Meat" offers targeted advice for new gas grill users, making it a great entry point before exploring more advanced techniques.

Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?

You can pick based on your interests. For live fire mastery, go for Tyler Florence’s "American Grill." If pellet smoking intrigues you, Paul J. Baker’s book is ideal. Each has a unique focus to suit your style.

Which books focus more on practical application versus theory?

Books like the "PIT BOSS Smoker Cookbook" and "BBQ Pit Boys Book of Real Guuud Barbecue" prioritize hands-on techniques and recipe execution, while others blend practical advice with culinary insights.

Will these 2025 insights still be relevant next year?

Yes, these books capture evolving grilling methods and flavor trends that build on long-standing techniques. They offer solid foundations with fresh twists that will remain useful beyond 2025.

How can I get personalized grilling advice tailored to my skill level and goals?

Great question! While these expert books offer valuable insights, a personalized grilling book can complement them by focusing exactly on your experience, equipment, and flavor preferences. Check out custom grilling books for tailored guidance that evolves with your needs.

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