Pizza on a Grill: Why Every BBQ Enthusiast Should Try It

By: Arsal Sher of Fire Pit Surplus

When it comes to backyard grilling, we often think of classic BBQ staples like burgers, ribs, or steaks. But if you’re looking to elevate your grilling game and surprise your guests, it’s time to try something new—pizza on a grill.

Grilling pizza isn’t just a trend; it’s a delicious way to enjoy one of the world’s favorite foods, and every BBQ enthusiast should give it a shot. Here’s why grilled pizza is a must-try at your next cookout and how you can master the art of making pizza on a grill.

The Appeal of Grilled Pizza

Pizza on a grill offers a flavor and texture that’s hard to beat. The direct heat from the grill creates a crispy, charred crust, while the smoky flavor seeps into the dough and toppings, giving your pizza a unique, wood-fired taste.

Plus, it’s a lot of fun. Unlike traditional oven-baked pizza, grilling pizza is interactive and gives you the flexibility to experiment with endless topping combinations. Whether you prefer thin-crust, thick-crust, or even stuffed-crust, grilled pizza can be customized to your liking.

And let's not forget the community experience. Grilling pizza is perfect for social gatherings, as it allows everyone to create their own personalized pizza right there on the grill. It’s a hands-on way to get friends and family involved in the BBQ action.

Grilling Pizza: A New Way to Elevate Your BBQ Game

If you’re a BBQ lover, you’ve probably mastered the art of grilling meats and veggies. But adding pizza to the mix can take your BBQ skills to the next level. It’s not only about variety but also about offering something different that your guests may not expect.

Why Grilled Pizza Is the Perfect BBQ Companion:

• Gourmet Twist: Grilled pizza adds a touch of gourmet to your BBQ spread, offering guests something more than the standard BBQ fare.
• Endless Customization: Everyone gets to choose their own toppings, allowing for a fully customized pizza experience.
• Perfect for Pairing: You can top your pizza with BBQ classics like pulled pork, smoked sausage, or grilled veggies, making it a perfect complement to your main BBQ dishes.

Pairing grilled pizza with BBQ favorites opens up a world of new flavor combinations, from BBQ chicken pizza to pizzas loaded with smoked meats and fresh-off-the-grill veggies.

Key Tools for Grilling Pizza

You don’t need a fancy setup to grill pizza, but having the right tools can make the process smoother and ensure perfect results every time.

• Pizza Stone or Direct on the Grates: A pizza stone (like the 15" round cast iron pizza stone by Pizzori) is a great tool for grilling pizza, as it helps distribute heat evenly and creates that perfect crispy crust. If you don’t have a pizza stone, you can grill the pizza directly on the grates, just be sure to lightly oil the grates and keep an eye on the dough.
  
  
  
• Pizza Peel: A pizza peel (like the Pizzori 13" Perforated Pizza Peel) makes it easy to transfer the pizza to and from the grill, especially if you’re using a stone.
• Grill Thermometer: This will help you keep track of the grill temperature and ensure your pizza cooks evenly without burning.

Grill Type Considerations

Grilled pizza works great on gas, charcoal, or pellet grills, but each type has its own benefits:

• Gas Grills: Offers precise temperature control, making it easy to cook pizza at the perfect heat.
• Charcoal Grills: Imparts a delicious smoky flavor that many BBQ enthusiasts love.
• Pellet Grills: Great for even heat distribution and infusing pizza with a wood-smoked flavor.

Getting the Temperature Just Right

The key to grilling pizza is getting the temperature right. You want the grill hot enough to cook the dough quickly without burning it. Aim for a grill temperature of around 500°F for the best results.

Setting up your grill with direct and indirect heat zones is also important. Start by cooking your pizza over direct heat to get the dough crisp, then move it to indirect heat to finish melting the cheese and cooking the toppings evenly.

Perfecting Your Grilled Pizza Crust

One of the best parts about grilled pizza is the crispy, slightly charred crust that you just can’t get from a regular oven. Here’s how to perfect it:

• Prepping the Dough: If you’re making dough from scratch, make sure it’s stretched thin to ensure it cooks quickly and evenly. Store-bought dough also works great—just let it come to room temperature before grilling to make it easier to handle.
• Par-Baking the Dough: Par-baking the crust for 1-2 minutes on the grill before adding toppings helps prevent the dreaded soggy pizza.
• Avoiding a Soggy Crust: Keep sauces and toppings light. Grilled pizza is all about simplicity—too many toppings can weigh down the dough and make it soggy.

Top Pizza Toppings for BBQ Enthusiasts

The beauty of grilled pizza is that the possibilities are endless. Here are some BBQ-inspired toppings to try on your grilled pizza:

• Pulled Pork: A BBQ classic that works perfectly as a pizza topping. Add some red onions and BBQ sauce for extra flavor.
• Grilled Veggies: Bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms take on a whole new flavor when grilled first, making them a great addition to your pizza.
  
  
  
• BBQ Chicken: Combine grilled chicken with a BBQ sauce base, and you’ve got a crowd-pleasing pizza that’s full of smoky flavor.
• Smoked Sausage: Thin slices of smoked sausage add a rich, savory element to any pizza.

Feel free to experiment with different cheeses, from traditional mozzarella to gouda, which pairs beautifully with BBQ flavors.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Grilling Pizza

Grilling pizza can be a bit tricky, but avoiding these common mistakes will ensure your pizza turns out perfect every time:

• Too Many Toppings: While it’s tempting to load up your pizza, too many toppings can make it difficult to cook evenly and leave you with a soggy crust.
• Not Monitoring the Grill: Pizza cooks fast on the grill, so stay close and keep an eye on it to avoid burning.
• Skipping the Preheat: Always preheat the grill and any tools, like a pizza stone, to ensure your pizza cooks evenly.

Why Grilled Pizza Is a Must for BBQ Lovers

Adding pizza to your grilling repertoire isn’t just about trying something new—it’s about elevating your BBQ experience. Here’s why you should give it a try:

• Variety: It breaks the monotony of traditional BBQ dishes and adds excitement to your menu.
• Impress Guests: Grilled pizza shows off your versatility and technique as a true Grill Master and adds a gourmet touch to your BBQ.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Pizza is a universally loved dish, and the grilled version is no exception. It’s a hit for both kids and adults, making it perfect for any gathering.

Conclusion

Grilled pizza is a delicious and fun way to elevate your BBQ game. With its crispy crust, smoky flavor, and endless topping possibilities, it’s no wonder that pizza on a grill is becoming a go-to for BBQ enthusiasts everywhere. So fire up your grill, grab your favorite toppings, and start experimenting with grilled pizza at your next cookout!

For more tips on mastering the grill and trying new recipes, be sure to check out the backyard pizza accessories collection from Grill Masters Club. And if you’re looking to spice up your backyard the same way grilled pizza will spice up your barbeques, head on over to Firepitsurplus.com.