Cooking pizza on a BBQ is a fun way to get creative and make a delicious meal outdoors. With the right techniques and tools, you can make pizza on a gas or charcoal grill that tastes like it came straight from a pizza oven. Here is a complete guide to making perfect pizza on your barbecue.
Ingredients Needed
To make pizza on a BBQ, you will need:
- Pizza dough – store-bought or homemade
- Pizza sauce
- Cheese – mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan etc.
- Toppings of your choice – pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, peppers etc.
- Cornmeal or semolina flour
- Parchment paper
- Pizza peel or inverted baking sheet
- Tongs and spatula
Prepare the BBQ
Before making the pizzas, you need to get your grill set up:
For a Gas Grill
- Preheat your grill on high heat for 10-15 minutes.
- Turn off the burners on one side to create an indirect cooking zone.
- Clean and lightly oil the grates.
For a Charcoal Grill
- Light a full chimney of charcoal and let it burn until fully ignited.
- Pour the lit coals onto one side of the grill, leaving the other side empty.
- Let the coals burn down until they are lightly covered in ash (about 20 minutes).
- Clean and lightly oil the grates while coals are heating.
You want to use indirect heat on the BBQ so the crust doesn’t burn before the cheese melts. Shooting for a grill temperature around 500-600°F.
Prep the Pizza Dough
While the grill is heating up, stretch and prepare the pizza dough:
- Place dough on a lightly floured surface and gently stretch it out into a circle.
- Make sure the dough is thin enough to cook quickly over the grill, about 1/4 inch thick.
- You can toss it in the air to stretch it if you’re feeling adventurous!
- Lightly rub the top of the dough with olive oil. This helps prevent sticking and creates a crispier crust.
Top and Assemble the Pizza
- Spread pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving about 1/2 inch around the edges.
- Sprinkle cheese over the sauce. Use more cheese than you would for a regular oven pizza since some will melt off in the grill.
- Add your favorite toppings. Don’t overdo it since too many toppings can make the pizza soggy.
- Slide the prepared pizza onto a piece of parchment paper lightly sprinkled with cornmeal or semolina flour.
Grill the Pizza
- Make sure your BBQ is preheated properly with an indirect cooking zone ready.
- Slide the pizza (on the parchment paper) onto the grill on the indirect side, away from any direct flame.
- Close the grill lid. This traps heat to melt the cheese faster.
- Cook the pizza with the lid closed for 3-5 minutes until the bottom crust is lightly charred.
- Use tongs to peek and check if the bottom is browned.
- Once the bottom has browned, use the pizza peel to flip the pizza. Cook another 2-3 minutes with the lid closed until the cheese is bubbly.
- Use the spatula to transfer the pizza to a cutting board.
Let it Rest
- Let the pizza rest for 1-2 minutes before slicing. This prevents the cheese from sticking to the pizza peel.
- Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to slice and serve.
Tips and Tricks
- Choose a dough that can handle the high heat of the grill. Thin, chewy doughs with olive oil work best.
- Brush the dough and grill grates lightly with oil to prevent sticking.
- Keep the grill lid closed as much as possible to melt the cheese faster.
- Have all your toppings and tools ready before putting the pizza on the grill. Things happen fast once it’s on the heat.
- Make sure the BBQ grates are very clean so the pizza doesn’t stick.
- Try drizzling the crust with flavored olive oils or brushing with garlic butter after grilling for extra flavor.
- Use a pizza stone on the grill for an even crispier crust.
Frequently Asked Questions About BBQ Pizza
What kind of BBQ is best for making pizza?
Either a gas or charcoal grill will work great. The key is being able to create an indirect, high heat cooking zone around 500-600°F.
Should I use a pizza stone?
Yes, pizza stones help mimic the effects of a pizza oven by crisping up the crust evenly. Place it on the grill grate before preheating.
How do I keep the pizza from sticking to the grill?
Lightly oil the dough and grill grates before cooking. Use parchment paper underneath for easy transfer on and off the grill. Cornmeal or semolina flour also helps prevent sticking.
How do I get cheese that melts well on the BBQ pizza?
Use more cheese than you normally would and choose cheeses that melt well like mozzarella, provolone, cheddar or Mexican blends. Shredded cheese also melts better than cheese slices.
Can I grill pizza on a gas grill?
Yes, absolutely! A gas grill works just as well as a charcoal grill. Just make sure to preheat it properly and use indirect heat.
What temperature should I grill pizza at?
Aim for an overall grill temperature of 500-600°F. If using direct heat, go closer to 500°F. For indirect heat, 600°F is ideal. Use an oven thermometer to check.
How long does it take to cook pizza on a BBQ?
Cooking time can vary based on grill temp, dough thickness and toppings. Most pizzas will take 5-8 minutes total grill time with the lid closed as much as possible.
Conclusion
Cooking pizza on the grill is an extremely fun and tasty cooking project for a beautiful day outdoors. With high, indirect heat and a few simple tricks, you can make wood-fired style pizza from the comfort of your backyard. Just be sure to prep all your ingredients and tools ahead of time. Let your imagination run wild with creative toppings too! Grilled pizza in the summer is deliciously simple.