How to make grilled pizza

Grilled Pizza

PIZZA ON THE GRILL is gaining popularity, and with good reason. It's quick & easy, and it's the best pizza you've ever eaten! Here's a quick how-to for making homemade grilled pizza.

The Best Grilled Pizza!

Ever since I learned how to make pizza on the grill, I swear it's the best I've ever had! I'll never go back to baking pizza in the oven, or using pizza stones. It sounds frightening and intimidating at first - what happens if the dough slips through the grate?- but once you've done it a few times, it's a piece of cake...or should I say slice of pizza!

What Do You Need to Make Grilled Pizza?

Gas Grill vs Charcoal Grill - First you need a grill! We use a gas grill, but you can certainly use charcoal or a wood-fired grill too. This article will explain all about grills and how best to use them to make pizza on the grill.

Cutting Boards vs Pans - Throw away the pizza stone! The only pan you'll need is the one to carry your pizza dough to the grill on, but you could just as well do double-duty by using a cutting board instead eliminating the need for any pans.

Tools - Stainless tongs, metal spatula, large knife, aluminum foil, spoons for toppings, ziploc bags and containers for toppings, wine, beer, cocktails!  

Pizza Dough - Spend the time to make your own, or you can buy really good pizza dough from your local bakery or supermarket. Most of the time I start off with whole wheat pizza dough. Sometimes I'll throw an authentic Italian pizza dough in there as well. Federal Hill Pizza Company from Cranston, Rhode Island makes fantastic whole wheat and white pizza dough. Four ingredients - unbleached flour, water, salt and yeast, that's it! I get it from my local market - Dave's Marketplace.

Grilled Pizza Recipes - You really don't need any formal recipes, most people just wing it, choosing seasonal ingredients and toppings, or as their tastes dictate! You're the pizza chef, whatever you have a craving for should go on your next pizza! If you feel the need for more ideas, read my favorite cookbook, Pizza On The Grill: 100 Feisty Fire-Roasted Recipes by Elizabeth Karmel and Bob Blumer. This is my go-to book for all my grilled pizza inspiration!

Pizza Sauce - Traditional red pizza sauce, pesto, alfredo sauce, maple chipotle sauce, refried beans, salsa - anything goes here. Use your imagination when building your pizza. Consider theme pizzas, like Mexican, Italian, Greek, All-Meat, Veggie, etc. The sauce should match your toppings.

Toppings - Again, be creative. Use what you like, but consider the sauce you're topping. The different seasons will often dictate what you use on your pizza. Spring asparagus is great on a pizza topped with pesto! Summer offers an abundance of fresh veggies from the Farmers' Market. Fall is perfect for an Apple Dessert Pizza. Winter may see you using more root veggies and canned toppings.

Now that the warm weather is here, I'll be spending some time showing you how to grill, what to grill, and I have plenty of Grilled Pizza recipes to share too! So, clean off that oven, and get ready to grill!

More Grilled Pizza Recipes Coming Soon!

• Funky Chunky, Caramely Monkey Dessert Pizza
• Barbecued Chicken, Carmelized Onions & Basil Pizza
• Sun-dried Tomato & Basil Pesto Asparagus & Artichoke Pizza