Outdoor grilling is one of the most popular summer activities, and as COVID-19 continues keep many people at home and shifts what socializing does occur outside, patrons may be looking for additional resources. There are countless barbecue experts, TV shows, and websites—books on the subject are also quite copious and include a wide-range of titles to satisfy everyone from novices to experts. Here are just a few titles to keep the backyard grillers busy.

THE BASICS

America's Test Kitchen. Master of the Grill. America's Test Kitchen. 2016. ISBN 9781940352541. pap. $29.95.
In addition to recipes covering meat basics and a strong offering of vegetable, tofu, fruit, and bread dishes, the book offers a wealth of information and tidbits as well as product recommendations of both equipment and food items.

Bittman, Mark. How to Grill Everything: Simple Recipes for Great Flame-Cooked Food. Houghton Harcourt. 2018. ISBN 9780544790308. $30.
Continuing his "How to Cook Everything" series, Bittman presents over 1,000 recipes offering the novice or expert a plethora of ideals covering all aspects of the meal. An introductory chapter covers the basis of gas vs. charcoal, tips on buying a grill, and how to keep it clean. 

Franklin, Aaron & Jordan Mackay. Franklin Barbecue: A Meat Smoking Manifesto. Ten Speed. 2016. ISBN 9781607747208. 29.99.
A more theoretical analysis of barbecue techniques by the owner of the renowned Austin eatery. Franklin confers a primer on mastering the craft, from building your own smoker or modifying an existing one to intricate pointers on selecting meat and the various types of woods.

Goldwyn, Meathead. Meathead: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling. Rux Martin. 2016. ISBN 9780544018464. $35.
The founder of AmazingRibs.com debunks some popular myths about grilling with scientific facts, experiments and experts. Techniques and cooking concepts is followed by 100 recipes as well as a 20-page primer on preparing a whole hog.

Jones, Sam and Daniel Vaughn. Whole Hog BBQ: The Gospel of Carolina Barbecue with Recipes from Skylight Inn and Sam Jones BBQ. Ten Speed. 2019. ISBN 9780399581328. $29.99.
Pitmaster Jones of Sam Jones BBQ and the legendary Skylight Inn in North Carolina recounts the 70-year family business and gives precise instructions on throwing a pig roast, from selecting the wood to building a burn barrel and pit.

Loseke, Nancy. Healthy Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker Cookbook: 100 Low-Carb Wood-Infused Barbecue Recipes. Alpha Books. 2020. ISBN 9781465492623. pap. 19.99.
Pellet grills have become increasingly popular. In this attractively designed book, Loseke covers basics on selecting wood pellets, equipment, and maintaining the grill. Easy-to-follow recipes include appetizers, main dishes (beef, pork, chicken, seafood), soups, salads and desserts.

Purviance, Jamie. Weber's Ultimate Grilling: A Step-by-Step Guide to Barbecue Genius. Houghton Harcourt. 2019. ISBN 9781328589934. $26.99.
Beginning with the “Four T's” (Temperature, Time, Techniques and Tools), the author guides readers with step-by-step photos and line drawings. Charts show grilling times of various foods by thickness and weight. Recipes include starters, beef and lamb, poultry, seafood, vegetables and desserts as well as an assortment of rubs and sauces.

Raichlen, Steven. The Brisket Chronicles. Workman. 2019. ISBN 9781523505487. pap. $19.95.
Meat expert and TV personality Raichlin offers a comprehensive lesson on brisket, covering all the tricks of grading, preparing, braising, stewing, boiling, and grilling. The mouth-watering recipes include salads, sandwiches, and breakfast as well as side items, sauces, rubs, and even brisket chocolate chip cookies.

Stone, Tuffy. Cool Smokes: The Art of Great Barbecue. St. Martin's Griffin. 2018. ISBN 9781250137845. 29.99. 
Reality TV star and five-time BBQ World Champion shares his vast knowledge on the subject from how to choose the right cooker, how to start a fire (five ways), and selecting meat to tips on entering competition cook offs. Over 100 recipes are included for the casual or serious cook. 

Symon, Michael & Douglas Trattner. Michael Symon's Playing with Fire: BBQ and More from the Grill, Smoker, and Fireplace: A Cookbook. Clarkson Potter. 2018. ISBN 9780804186582. $30.
Cleveland restaurateur Symon's beautifully photographed book features 72 recipes inspired by his cross-country barbecue research in preparation to open his own Mabel's BBQ. In between recipes are profiles of top pitmasters across the country.

SAUCES

Jamison, Bill & Cheryl Jamison. The Barbecue Lover's Big Book of BBQ Sauces: 225 Extraordinary Sauces, Rubs, Marinades, Mops, Bastes, Pastes, and Salsas, for Smoke-Cooking or Grilling. Harvard Common Press. 2015. ebk. ISBN 9781558328464. $16.95.
A creative collection of 225 recipes grouped by main-ingredient pairings (pork, beef, poultry, fish, game, vegetable, and fruit). The authors also provide tips on using spices and tips on getting the best use out of the grill or smoker.

Raichlen, Steven. Barbecue Sauces, Rubs, and Marinades: Bastes, Butters & Glazes, Too. Workman. 2017. ISBN 9781523500819. pap. $17.95.
BBQ master Raichlen offers over 200 recipes of rubs, sauces and marinades influenced by the barbecue belt as well as Thai, Mexican, Indian, Cajun, and French cuisines.

Sheehan, Ray. Award-Winning BBQ Sauces and How to Use Them: The Secret Ingredient to Next-Level Smoking. Page Street. 2020. ISBN 9781645670056. pap. $21.99.
Sheehan, owner of BBQ Buddha and winner of “Best BBQ Sauce in the World” for his “Memphis Mop” Sauce (which is included here) presents a mouthwatering collection of sauce recipes from the traditional regional (Memphis, North Carolina, Texas) to the more adventurous (peach and cherry bourbon).

VEGETARIAN GRILLING

Horn, Nadine & Jorg Mayer. VBQ: The Ultimate Vegan Barbecue Cookbook. The Experiment. 2018. ISBN 9781615194568. pap. $19.95.
The creators of Germany's popular vegan blog “Eat This!” present over 80 recipes of meat-free dishes such as eggplant hot dogs and celeriac steaks. Vegetables, breads and salads as well as a tantalizing selection of sauces are included in a beautifully illustrated volume.

Taylor, Genevieve. Charred: The Complete Guide to Vegetarian Grilling and Barbeque. Quadrille. ISBN 9781787134270. $22.99.
British author and live-fire expert Taylor shares a variety of inventive recipes from kebabs to burgers that can be prepared in the oven or a frying pan as well as on the grill. A good choice for anyone who wants to try vegetarian grilling, but is unsure where to start.