9 BOOKS ON BBQ TO DISCOVER

Books are a great way to learn more about what we are passionate about.

As you know (or at least you can guess), I'm a big fan of BBQ and food in general, so whenever a book comes out on one of these two subjects, I buy it. (You should see my library, it's pretty impressive! I'm about to get a card made to borrow my own books. 😂) However, I know that choosing a book isn't always easy, so I'm here to help you. 🤓

First of all, if you want to know everything about BBQ, these books are, in my opinion, essential (they are not presented in any specific order):

Meathead: The science of great barbecue and grilling by Meathead Goldwyn (available in English only)

This book is like a bible. It really contains a lot of information and goes through the basics of BBQ (the science behind the interaction between food, fire, heat and smoke), the accessories to use, the different cooking techniques, the ways to light the BBQ, how marinades work, how to cook a whole pig… it really covers everything (and not just meat as you might think from the title of the book). If you are new to the world of BBQ and want to discover how everything works and learn to do several things, this book is definitely a must. Plus, it even has several recipes to try!

Smokehouse Pro - Techniques and Recipes by Steven Raichlen

If you are one of those who want (or already love) to smoke your food to give it a delicious smoky flavor, this book is for you! Very comprehensive, it presents different techniques for smoking meats, fish, seafood, vegetables, tofu, fruits and even some desserts and cocktails, both hot and cold. It also gives a lot of information on the many types of smokers. Everything is very well explained and detailed from A to Z in this book, so whether you are a beginner or an expert in smoking, this book will suit you perfectly.

The Barbecue Bible: Over 500 Recipes by Steven Raichlen

With over 600 pages, I feel confident in telling you that this book covers everything. It contains, in particular, information on cooking techniques and over 500 recipes (meat, fish, vegetables, sauces, etc.) from the cuisine of different countries such as Italy, Mexico, Thailand and India. If you are just getting started in the world of BBQ, believe me when I tell you that you will no longer be a beginner after reading this book. Clearly, with so much choice, you will practice a lot with your BBQ. Amen, Steven!

BBQ at the Max by Max Lavoie

This book, I may not be the most impartial on it, but I can tell you without any qualms that it is good, even really good. 😉 It talks about cooking techniques and contains lots of simple recipes. What is also hot with this book is that it is Quebecois, so you will have no difficulty finding the ingredients to make the recipes. A book that is suitable for everyone, even beginners!

Otherwise, I've been talking about it a lot lately, but here are some other books (still in no particular order) that are great if you're a beginner (obviously, they might be just as interesting if you're an expert):

Healthy BBQ by Genevieve O'Gleman

This book contains more recipes than anything else. That said, depending on your diet (in the sense of what you generally eat), it can easily suit you. The recipes are simple, made with few ingredients and are very well illustrated.

Smokehouse, the master smoker's unique recipes by Mathieu Beliveau

As you might guess from the title, this book focuses on smoking, but honestly, Mathieu covers all aspects very well: the different models of smokers on the market, the ways to light them, the woods to use, etc. before presenting several recipes to make. With this, it is clear that you have a good basis for successful meals.

Otherwise, without going into a particular category, here are some other books to know:

Flames and Embers: Mastering High-Fire Cooking by Steven Raichlen

The key element of this book is fire. So it contains, for example, a lot of information about cooking with charcoal and how to control cooking on a wood fire; the cooking techniques are really detailed from A to Z. This is not a book aimed at beginners, especially because the recipes in the book are very exploratory, in the sense that they are very varied and have several levels of complexity, but it is very interesting.

Planet Barbecue by Steven Raichlen

If you love world cuisine, this book is for you! With 235 original recipes from 60 countries, this book will clearly take you around the world and discover great recipes (plus, it costs a lot less than a plane ticket 😉).

Vegan barbecue by Marie Laforêt

This book is full of beautiful recipes and pretty pictures. Basically, all the recipes you would have wanted to make with meat are there, but, of course, without meat and animal products. The recipes are simple and the meals make excellent accompaniments.

There you have it! Whatever your food preferences, I can tell you that there are books for every taste on our site . I invite you to take a look to make your choice and I hope I have been able to make things a little easier for you. Good luck! 😉

Happy reading and happy BBQ to all!