The Best Gifts for BBQ Lovers | 2023
If you have a BBQ fan on your gift shopping list, it can be, ironically, both easy and difficult to shop for that BBQ fan. See, some BBQ lovers are always looking to add a new sauce, gadget, or piece of cooking apparel to the lineup, while others have everything in their BBQ kit just the way they like it. To make it easier for you, we have you covered on both ends, with gifts the more amateur or casual BBQ enthusiast will love to the more obscure, advanced, and high-end BBQ gifts even the advanced pitmaster will appreciate. (And for the record, you can say barbecue gift, BBQ gifts, or bar-b-q gifts, we’re not wading into that debate! But you can trust that these gifts for BBQ lovers have been thoroughly vetted and have passed all tests with flying colors — and smokey, savory, rich flavors, too.)
MEATER Plus Smart Meat Thermometer
Perhaps the last meat thermometer your BBQ fan friend (or SO or boss or brother or whoever) will need, this wireless Bluetooth meat thermometer has an amazing 165-foot range and can safely withstand temperatures up to 527º. It connects to a smartphone app to give real-time data on the cooking process, allowing for precise heat control and perfectly cooked foods every time. And it even comes in a nice wooden case.
Alpha Grillers Heavy Duty BBQ Set
There are a lot of BBQ tool sets out there that cost a bit less than this one and that come with a few more tools, but your BBQ gift recipient will be looking for replacement pieces in a couple years when they wear out, whereas with the high-quality tools in this kit, they’ll think of you as they flip burgers, sear steaks, or brush on the sauce many years from now. And the tongs have the perfect click, which is critical.
The Spice Lab Barbecue Spices and Seasonings Kit
Many meats (and even some non-meat grillables) go from good to great thanks to a use of just the right rub. And this four-piece spice blend kit from The Spice Lab has just the right rubs for myriad foodstuffs, from a Smoky Pecan Rub that’s perfect for pork or chicken to a Sweet Rib Rub that — yep, you guessed it — is just right for ribs. And for lots of other grilling foods, too. (And hey, try it on baked or broiled tofu, too!)
GRILLART Grill Brush and Scraper
A clean grill is a happy grill. Or rather, a clean grill leads to a happier grill chef. This large, sturdy, and seriously capable grill brush/scraper combo tool will power through even the most stubborn food scraps and char. Even a seasoned grill chef (yes, pun intended) will appreciate a great grill brush, because even a great grill brush will wear out with use, and we’re assuming this one will get a lot of it.
RAPICCA BBQ Gloves
These heat-resistant gloves can keep hands safe from burns even when exposed to temperatures as high as 932º Fahrenheit, which is hotter than any amateur chef is likely to ever see, even when cooking in a wood-fired pizza oven. (Granted, those can hit 1,000-plus degrees, but the 800º range is more common.) And because these gloves are waterproof, even a spill of boiling water — or oil — won’t burn the chef.
Grilling Gourmet Cedar Grilling Planks
These 100% natural, careful cut and smoothly polished cedar wood grilling planks add a plethora of flavor to fish, poultry, pork, and more. And they’re a great BBQ gift even for amateur BBQ cooks, because they’re surprisingly easy to use. All the chef has to do is soak them for a few hours, then pop the food to be cooked onto them and place the planks right on the grill. These are made in America from American wood.
Thoughtfully Gourmet Bangin’ BBQ Sauce Variety Pack
With an impressive 15 different types of BBQ sauce included in this set, this is a great gift for the BBQ newbie or the grill master alike. The newbie can get a crash course in sauces and find a bunch he or she likes, while the veteran BBQ chef is likely to find at least a few sauces that they haven’t used before. And it doesn’t hurt that the BBQ sauces come in a great-looking box that’s perfect for gifting.
Hudson Durable Goods Chef Apron
There are hundreds of low-quality aprons out there that people buy for the puns or “dad jokes” or whatnot emblazoned across the front, but the true BBQ cooking aficionado cares not for the cutesy, but for the quality. And quality is the name of the game here. This long, durable, easy-to-adjust apron offers plenty of coverage, it has two large waist pockets plus a chest pocket ideal for a phone, and it has a side loop for towels, tongs, and more.
ThermPro Digital Meat Thermometer
Yes, there are some amazing, fancy, multifunction meat thermometers out there today, like the wireless smart MEATER unit we discussed earlier. But on the other hand, for many BBQ chefs, this very affordable, quick, accurate, and amazingly well-reviewed digital meat thermometer from ThermPro will do just fine. And it really is an amazing price for the quality and durability — stocking stuffer, anyone?
AIZOM Stainless Grilling Basket
With this easy-to-use grilling basket, your giftee will suddenly be able to grill all sorts of foods that are usually a messy challenge when cooked on the barbecue. From flaky fish to sliced veggies to tofu to more, this basket helps foods stay together while cooking and still allows for plenty of searing and smokiness. It’s must-have for anyone who wants to make the most out of his or her grill.
Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker
Would you believe you can get a precision, high-quality upright digital electric smoker that can accommodate four racks of ribs at once for only a bit more than $200? Well, your gift recipient probably won’t, either, so you can give this “wow factor” BBQ gift, revel in appreciation for months, and still enjoy a bank account that is left intact. You’ll also enjoy a lot of perfectly smoked meats the person cooks, too.
