Grill Pizza: Ultimate Guide.

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Grilling pizza is a delightful and unique way to elevate your outdoor cooking experience. The combination of smoky flavors and crispy crust creates a mouthwatering result that is hard to resist. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of grilling a pizza to perfection. Whether you are a seasoned grilling expert or a beginner looking to try something new, this article will provide you with all the essential tips, techniques, and recipe ideas to make your grilled pizza a guaranteed success.

What you need to grill pizza

Grill– grilling pizza works best over natural charcoal, or even a stick burner or pellet grill. However a gas grill would work too, it just wouldn’t give that wood fired flavor we all love.

My go to grill is my Chargriller Akorn. I think any kamoda style grill is perfect though for pizza.

Pizza Stone- pizza stones are great for grilling pizza. They allow for even cooking, and a great crisp crust.

Pizza Peel- these are great for transferring the pizza to and from the grill to serving platters

Your recipe- There are countless pizza recipes out there. My personal favorite is a margherita pizza with ingredients right out of my garden, however any recipe works great on the grill, even frozen pizzas!

Section 1: Preparing for Grilling

Before firing up the grill, it’s important to prepare adequately. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth grilling experience:

1. Select the right dough: Choose a pizza dough recipe that is suitable for grilling. Opt for a sturdy dough that can withstand the heat without becoming too crispy or burnt. You can also use a premade dough right out of the package if you’d like !
2. Preheat the grill: Ensure that your grill is clean and preheated to medium-high heat. This will help achieve the desired crispy crust while melting the toppings to perfection. You want your grill around 400 degrees
3. Gather your ingredients: Assemble all the ingredients you’ll need for your pizza, such as sauce, cheese, and various toppings. Prepping them in advance will streamline the grilling process. If you are putting sausage, or other meats, it helps to precook them before putting them on the pizza.

Section 2: Grilling Techniques

Grilling pizza requires a slightly different approach than traditional oven baking. Follow these techniques to achieve a delectable grilled pizza:

1. Oil the grates: Brush some olive oil on the grates to prevent the dough from sticking and to add a hint of flavor.
2. Stretch the dough: Roll or stretch the dough to your desired thickness and shape, keeping it relatively uniform to ensure even cooking.
3. Direct and indirect heat: Start by grilling one side of the dough over direct heat until it firms up and develops grill marks. Flip the dough and move it to indirect heat before adding the toppings. You can also treat your grill, just like an oven . Put it at 400, and let it cook until desired doneness.
4. Timing is key: Keep a close eye on the pizza to prevent burning. Grilling times may vary based on dough thickness, grill temperature, and desired doneness. Aim for a golden-brown crust and melted cheese.
5. Use a pizza stone or pan: To achieve an even cook and prevent toppings from falling into the grill grates, consider using a pizza stone or a perforated pizza pan.

Section 3: Recipe Ideas

Now that you’re familiar with the grilling process, let’s explore some delicious grilled pizza recipe ideas:

1. Margherita Pizza: A classic combination of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, basil leaves, and a drizzle of olive oil. This simple recipe is my favorite with fresh veggies from the garden.
2. BBQ Chicken Pizza: Tossed in tangy barbecue sauce, topped with grilled chicken, red onions, and cilantro.
3. Mediterranean Pizza: Spread hummus on the dough, then add sliced olives, feta cheese, roasted red peppers, and fresh oregano.
4. Vegetarian Delight: Load up on grilled veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, and red onions. Finish with a sprinkle of goat cheese and balsamic glaze.
5. Hawaiian Twist: Embrace the sweetness of pineapple with ham or bacon, paired with mozzarella cheese and a touch of barbecue sauce.

Section 4: Final Touches and Serving Suggestions

Once your grilled pizza is cooked to perfection, consider these final touches and serving suggestions:

1. Garnish creatively: Add a touch of freshness with a handful of arugula, basil leaves, or a drizzle of balsamic reduction.
2. Slice it right: Use a sharp pizza cutter or a chef’s knife to slice the pizza into wedges or squares.
3. For the adults, pair your pizza with your favorite red wine. Pizza and wine go together perfectly in the summer for a wonderful evening on the patio.

Pizza is great for kids and adults both, and are super easy on the grill. Adding that classic pizzaria wood fired flavor is easy to do at home, and will quickly become a family favorite on the weekends.

To add even more family fun, you can have each family member make their own pizza with whatever they like !