Best BBQ books: for meat-eaters and plant-based lifestyles

This cookbook by Jamie Purviance is a fool-proof guide if you want new and exciting ways to cook outdoors. With over 150 mouthwatering recipes covering everything from juicy meats to fresh seafood, fragrant vegetables, and sweet fruits - there's something for everyone in this comprehensive guide. However, what sets this book apart is the step-by-step guides and attractive photography, making even the most novice BBQ enthusiasts feel like a pro. It features pages on simple marinades, rubs, and sauces such as guacamole mayonnaise; this cookbook will surely become a staple in your outdoor cooking arsenal.

Customer review: "Really nicely written book which goes through bbq technique and set up as well as the recipes. It’s a nice hardback book, too, and my dad loved it as a gift."

Seared by BBQ guru Genevieve Taylor is the ultimate guide to barbecuing meat. This comprehensive grill manual is split into two sections, Beast and Bird, and includes recipes for cooking everything from small cuts to whole joints. With its emphasis on barbecue techniques such as marinating, braising, and slow cooking, this book is a must-have for anyone looking to level up their grilling game. Plus, there is a section devoted to leftover recipes so you can make the most of your outdoor feasts without any waste.

Customer review: "An outstanding book on cooking with fire, this book is for the seasoned cook and beginner alike. The recipes are well thought out, clearly tested and explain both how and why. I have been cooking for years, and yet I have gained loads from the sections of the book beyond the recipes."

Get ready for a BBQ experience like no other with DJ BBQ's cookbook, Fire Food. Learn how to make creative recipes from classic spag bol to mac ‘n’ cheese pancakes; this book offers a playful twist on BBQ meals. While it may not be the healthiest option, carnivores will rejoice with an entire chapter dedicated to the tastiest barbecue meat recipes. Fire Food also features an inventive chapter on breakfast BBQ meals, including a drool-worthy French toast grilled cheese and maple-syrup spiked gravy inspired by DJ BBQ's Stateside travels.

Customer review: "Got this as a gift for my husband. He loves this book and really wants to get into BBQ. Perfect for giving you instructions/advice about charcoal BBQ, plus nice recipe ideas."

Nothing beats spending quality time outdoors cooking a meal for those you love. If you are ready for more outdoor cooking adventures, this cookbook caters to the tastes of outdoor enthusiasts. With a wide range of recipes, including barbecue and open-air cooking, you'll find a whole range of inspiration for your next camping or bonfire trip. Containing stunning photography of the English countryside, this book will inspire you to cook and plan your next UK-based adventure. The book offers British classics such as wild rabbit and bacon stew and also features hearty dishes like lentil and egg bake.

Customer review: "The most inspirational introduction on why we need to get outside more and connect with the basics of life. Then all of that followed up with some of the most mouth-watering recipes I have ever seen. I got half way through, and my boots were on, and the ingredients were in my rucksack. A vital book to have in any collection!"

Fire + Smoke offers the ultimate guide to BBQ feasts, complete with drinks and dessert. With 120 recipes inspired by global cuisines, you can expect to cook up a storm with dishes like Lamb Shish Kebabs to Galician Octopus. The BBQ drinks section has unique cocktail recipes, like the smoked espresso martini with charcoal syrup. Flip to the back to end the meal on a high note with delicious dessert recipes, including Toasted Marshmallow Ice Cream and Salted Chocolate Smores, which are both easy to make and full of flavour.

Customer review: "This book has been a game changer! I needed a book to learn more about the Kamado I purchased. I bought this for the range of recipes and the variety of both meats and veggies that were on offer. It's been fantastic, and I would recommend it to anyone looking to up their BBQ game."

Spice lovers will love this cookbook. If you want something spicy and flavourful to shake up your barbecue routine, then The Curry Guy BBQ cookbook is the one for you. This upcoming release combines Indian and British cuisine with favourite dishes such as Tandoori Roast Chicken and curry-stuffed naan. Plus, the recipes are easy to follow and can be made on a kettle-style barbecue, meaning you won't need to break the bank on equipment.

Customer review: "We have all of The Curry Guys books and find them great to cook from, and this one is no disappointment. You don't need to have or use a BBQ for the recipes, which is handy with the great British weather!"

Here is another DJ BBQ perfect for barbecue enthusiasts. The bestselling author's The Burger Book is the ultimate guide to creating flavorful burgers. Packed with over 80 burger recipes, it includes options for meat lovers, vegetarians, and vegans and even has recipes for fish and lamb burgers. Plus, it features recipes for buns, sauces, and sides to help you create the ultimate burger feast. Whether you prefer classic beef burgers or want to try something more adventurous, like a gravy burger, this book has it all. With easy-to-follow recipes, you can cook like a pro both on the grill and indoors.

Customer review: "Like all of DJ BBQ’s books, it explains how to set up the grill and the different ways that the coals can be stacked and placed to create different cooking techniques. The book is written in a jovial and familiar way that is entertaining to read."

If you live a vegan lifestyle, BBQ season can be challenging. But fear not, as this cookbook offers a range of delicious plant-based alternatives that will make everyone at the table wanting more. With tasty recipes such as hasselback squash, katsu burgers with wasabi mayo, and brown sugar baked beans, even the most set-in-their-ways carnivores won't be disappointed. The book focuses on using seasonal produce to create vibrant and tasty meals which can be enjoyed both indoors and outdoors.

Food writer Helen Graves celebrates the art of live fire cooking in her cookbook Live Fire - featuring over 100 seasonal and achievable barbecue recipes from around the world. This book showcases not just meat and fish but also seasonal vegetables. Also, it includes interviews with chefs and home cooks from multiple diaspora communities cooking with live fire in the UK. Recipes in this book include chicken wings with tahini and za'atar, grilled baby artichokes with an anchovy dip dish, a smoked cherry and more. This practical and immersive book is perfect for both novice and experienced barbecuers alike.

Customer review: "This book is complete gold. Vibrant, exciting, colourful, inventive, delicious. Anyone who knows Helen or follows her on Instagram (@foodstories) knows she is a killer force behind live-fire cooking and knows all the best ways to serve stuff that comes off one of her many barbecues (often on a perfect flatbread). This book will inspire even the most novice of barbecue-hungry home cooks to get creative on the grill. Brilliant."

From the legendary pitmaster himself, Rodney Scott's cookbook features delicious recipes from pit-smoked turkey, and barbecued spare ribs, along with the inspiring story of how Rodney became a barbecue legend today. Whether you're a seasoned grillmaster or an enthusiastic alfresco cook, you'll find plenty of easy-to-follow recipes that are sure to impress.

Customer review: "This book is ace.. it will help you to perfect your BBQ. 100 per cent recommended. Rodney is a legend"

If you're a vegetarian who loves barbecue but always ends up with a plate of potatoes and corn on the cob, Genevieve Taylor's Charred is the perfect cookbook for you. With over 70 vegetarian-friendly recipes, this book shows how easy it is to bring out the best in vegetables over the fire. From grilled halloumi and watermelon salad to tandoori cauliflower and miso-glazed aubergine, Charred will leave you feeling inspired to fire up the grill and experiment with new flavours and foods.

Customer review: "We already have this book and bought it for our son and his wife last year. It’s excellent, very imaginative combinations but not too fiddly. The book and BBQ basket are a present for my sister and partner, who live in Spain. They asked our advice on veggie recipes when cooking for friends, so I thought this would be useful."

Aaron Franklin is the owner of the wildly popular Austin restaurant Franklin Barbecue. His dedication to the art of meat smoking is unmatched, and in Franklin Barbecue: A Meat-Smoking Manifesto, he shares his knowledge with readers. This cookbook is not for the casual griller but for those who want to become masters of the craft. Franklin provides the tools you need to become the ultimate barbecue host with detailed chapters on building and customizing your own smoker, selecting and curing wood, and creating the perfect fire.

Customer review: "Great book lots of technical information about bbq Smokers including picking building and modding, also a few simple recipes given as a starting point to allow you to create your own tasty food. The way it's written is easy to understand and keeps you interested. Great book for the more technical aspects of smoking."

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