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The Ultimate 2025 Grilling Guide: 15 Unexpected Things To Throw On The Grill Right Now

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The urge to "throw something on the grill" is a year-round phenomenon, not just a summer pastime. As of December 2025, outdoor cooking is undergoing a significant transformation, moving beyond simple burgers and hot dogs into a sophisticated culinary adventure embracing global flavors, smart technology, and surprising ingredients. This comprehensive guide will equip you with the latest trends and a list of 15 unexpected, delicious items to elevate your grilling game immediately. The modern pitmaster is no longer confined by the seasons or traditional cuts of meat; they are experimenting with everything from whole vegetables to complex desserts, making the grill the most versatile appliance in the house. Get ready to fire up your charcoal or smart gas grill and discover what's truly hot in the world of barbecue right now.

The Hottest Grilling Trends and Technology for 2025

The grilling landscape in 2025 is defined by innovation and a return to high-quality, authentic techniques. Understanding these trends is key to mastering your next cookout.

The Rise of Smart Grills and AI Cooking

Connectivity is no longer just for your indoor kitchen. Smart Grills are leading the charge, featuring built-in Wi-Fi, precise temperature control, and app integration. These systems allow you to monitor internal meat temperature and grill chamber heat from your phone, ensuring perfect results every time. Even more advanced, some AI Cooking features are starting to appear, suggesting optimal cooking times and techniques based on the cut of meat and ambient conditions. This technology is democratizing complex techniques like smoking and reverse searing.

Charcoal's High-Performance Comeback

After years of propane dominance, High-Performance Charcoal Grills are staging a major comeback. Enthusiasts are rediscovering the superior flavor profile that lump charcoal and advanced charcoal grills provide. This trend is driven by a desire for a deeper, more authentic smoky flavor that gas grills often struggle to replicate. Look for models with innovative airflow systems for better temperature management.

Global Flavors and Whole-Animal Cooking

In 2025, pitmasters are embracing bold, international flavors. Forget basic BBQ sauce; the focus is on complex marinades and rubs inspired by global cuisine. Think Korean BBQ marinades, Argentinean Chimichurri, and Thai Satay spices. Furthermore, there’s a growing movement towards Whole-Animal Cooking and large-format cuts, which require the low-and-slow expertise of a smoker or a large, dedicated grill.

15 Unexpected Things You Need to Throw on the Grill

Move over, T-Bones. The following list features a mix of fresh winter grilling ideas, vegetarian options, and surprising desserts that will make your next BBQ unforgettable.

Savory Surprises: Beyond the Standard Cuts

The grill is perfect for more than just steaks and chicken breasts.
  1. Hearts of Romaine: Halve a head of romaine lettuce, brush with olive oil, and grill for 1-2 minutes per side. The char adds a smoky depth that transforms a simple Caesar salad.
  2. Cauliflower Steaks: Slice a head of cauliflower into thick "steaks," brush with a spice rub (like a Korean BBQ blend), and grill until tender with a beautiful char. This is a fantastic vegetarian main course.
  3. Pierogies: Yes, the potato and cheese dumplings! Toss store-bought pierogies in butter and grill until they are crispy and golden brown. Serve topped with Grilled Kielbasa and onions.
  4. Black Bean Burgers: Ditch the frozen patties. Grilling homemade or high-quality frozen Black Bean Burgers gives them a crusty exterior and a smoky flavor that is miles better than pan-frying.
  5. Smoked Pork Chops with Apple Glaze: A perfect cold-weather item. Use your smoker or a two-zone grilling setup to infuse the chops with smoke before finishing them with a sweet apple glaze.

Winter Warmers: Comfort Food on the Coals

Don't pack up your grill just because it's cold. Winter Grilling is a major trend, focusing on hearty, warming dishes.
  1. Cedar-Planked Salmon: The cedar plank protects the fish from direct heat and infuses it with a delicate, smoky aroma. This technique is simple and results in incredibly moist fish.
  2. Herb-Crusted Ribeye Steak: While not "unexpected," the *technique* is key. Use a Reverse Searing method: smoke the ribeye at a low temperature until it’s nearly done, then crank the heat for a final, intense sear.
  3. Grilled Bratwurst with Warm Sauerkraut: This classic German dish benefits immensely from the grill. The brats get a perfect snap, and the sauerkraut can be warmed in a foil pan right next to them.
  4. Smoked Brisket Chili: Use your smoker to create a Three Bean Chili with Smoked Brisket. The depth of flavor from the smoke transforms a standard chili into a competition-level meal.
  5. Grilled Tomato Soup: Roasting the tomatoes, onions, and garlic on the grill before blending them into a soup adds a profound smokiness that is both comforting and unique.

Sweet & Simple: Grilling Desserts and Sides

The heat of the grill can caramelize sugars and add a surprising depth to your final course.
  1. Berry and Brie Flatbread: A gourmet appetizer or dessert. Place a flatbread on the grill, top with Brie cheese, fresh berries, and a drizzle of honey, and grill until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  2. Grilled Apples: Core and slice apples, toss them with cinnamon and butter, and wrap them in foil. Grill until soft and serve with vanilla ice cream for a smoky, warm dessert.
  3. Grilled Garlic Mushrooms: Skewer whole mushrooms, brush with a mixture of melted butter, garlic, and herbs, and grill until tender. They make a perfect, savory side dish.
  4. Grilled Corn with Chili-Lime Butter: A simple upgrade to classic grilled corn. The chili-lime butter melts perfectly into the kernels, enhancing the sweet, smoky flavor.
  5. Chocolate Brownie S'mores: A decadent twist on the campfire classic. Use a skillet or foil packet to grill brownies topped with marshmallows and chocolate for a gooey, smoky dessert.

Mastering Essential Grilling Techniques

To truly master your grill in 2025, you need to move beyond direct heat and understand the nuances of temperature control.

Two-Zone Grilling for Versatility

The Two-Zone Grilling method is essential for cooking almost everything on this list. It involves placing all your charcoal or turning on only half of your gas burners to create two distinct heat areas: a direct heat zone (hot) and an indirect heat zone (cooler). This allows you to sear a steak over direct heat and then move it to the indirect zone to finish cooking without burning, or to slow-cook items like Cedar-Planked Salmon.

Reverse Searing: The Steak Secret

The Reverse Searing technique, mentioned for the Herb-Crusted Ribeye, is the gold standard for thick cuts of meat (1.5 inches or more). Start by cooking the meat on the indirect heat zone until it is about 10–15 degrees below your final target temperature. Then, transfer it to the screaming hot direct heat zone for a quick, intense sear on all sides. This results in an incredible crust with a perfectly cooked, edge-to-edge medium-rare interior.

The Power of Pellet Grills and Hybrid Fuel

Pellet Grills continue to be popular, offering the convenience of a gas grill with the flavor of wood smoke. They are perfect for long, low-temperature cooks like Smoked Brisket or Smoked Pork Chops. Another rising star is the Hybrid Fuel grill, which gives users the option to switch between gas and charcoal, offering maximum flexibility for different recipes and flavor profiles. Embracing these new trends, technologies, and unexpected ingredients will ensure that every time you "throw something on the grill," you are creating a fresh, exciting, and unforgettable meal.
The Ultimate 2025 Grilling Guide: 15 Unexpected Things to Throw on the Grill Right Now
throw something on the grill
throw something on the grill

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