If you’re only using your BBQ for burgers and steaks, you’re missing out on one of outdoor cooking’s secret weapons: the griddle. This smooth, flat-top surface turns your grill into a full-on diner, street taco cart, and stir-fry station, all in one.
What makes a griddle different from a traditional grill? We’ve got you covered in our Grill vs. Griddle guide, but here’s the short version: no grates, no gaps, just pure searing surface. That means no more runaway veggies or delicate seafood casualties, and way more room to get creative.
So, what can you cook on a griddle? Just about anything. From a full breakfast spread to sweet desserts, here’s how to make your BBQ griddle the MVP of your backyard kitchen.
Let’s dig in!
Breakfast on the Grill: Rise and Griddle
There’s something magical about breakfast cooked outside. On a griddle, you can fry up anything you’d usually cook on your stovetop, including:
- Sunny-side-up eggs
- Crispy bacon
- Sausage links or patties
- Golden hash browns
- Pancakes (yes, even ones with chocolate chips)
The even heat and solid surface make the griddle perfect for cooking multiple items simultaneously. Think campfire breakfast vibes without the pine needles in your eggs.
GRILL SPOT TIP: Griddle spatulas and a flat scraper make flipping and cleaning a breeze.
Smash Burgers and Sandwiches: Flat is Flavorful
The griddle isn’t just for breakfast. Enter: the almighty smash burger. With its flat top, you can press down your burger patties to create those crispy, caramelized edges while keeping the inside juicy.
Other flat-top faves include:
- Patty melts
- Griddled cheese melts
- Classic grilled cheese with a perfectly golden crust
Use a pre-heated cast-iron press or a heavy spatula to get that next-level sear. If you don’t have a press or big enough spatula, we’ve also used a clean, heated cast iron skillet to press our patties. Don’t worry if your skillet is bigger than your burger!
Here’s how we arranged our griddle on a 3-burner grill 👇 We smashed one burger at a time with a pre-heated skillet (there’s a smash burger under the skillet), then moved the cooked smashed patties to the warming rack. Bonus points for using the skillet to cook vegetables while also smashing burgers.
Stir-Fry and Sizzle: High-Heat, Fast-Cooking Favorites
Wok-style stir-fries on a grill? Yup, your griddle can handle that heat. In fact, your griddle is ideal for quick-cooking meals that benefit from a high-temp surface.
Toss on:
- Thin-sliced beef or chicken
- Veggie medleys
- Fried rice (bonus points for that crispy bottom layer)
GRILL SPOT TIP: Set up a DIY taco bar and let everyone build their own street-style creations.
Seafood Success: When the Grates Would Fail You
Grilling fish can be risky. One wrong move and your fillet becomes fish flakes. That’s where the griddle shines.
Use your griddle for small or delicate seafood like:
- Shrimp
- Scallops
- White fish fillets
All of these seafood treats cook beautifully on a flat surface, with no fear of sticking or falling apart.
GRILL SPOT TIP: Use a touch of oil or butter and don’t overflip. Let that golden crust develop.
Vegetables Galore: No More Falling Through the Grates
If you’ve ever watched a slice of zucchini slip between the grill grates, you’ll love how a griddle handles veggies.
Try:
- Bell peppers
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Asparagus
- Zucchini rounds
They cook evenly and char beautifully on the griddle’s hot, solid surface.
GRILL SPOT TIP: Toss your veggies in olive oil, garlic, and your favorite seasoning rub before tossing them on the griddle.
Creative Extras: From Griddle Pizza to Desserts
Once you’ve mastered the classics, it’s time to get playful. The griddle can handle less conventional treats as well, such as:
- Flatbread or naan pizzas
- Grilled donuts or cinnamon rolls
- Sliced pineapple, peaches, or apples with cinnamon sugar
This is where the griddle really becomes a family-friendly favorite.
GRILL SPOT TIP: Drizzle grilled fruit with honey or caramel sauce for a ridiculously easy backyard dessert. Check out this recipe!
Common Griddle Cooking Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
1. Starting With a Cold Griddle
Pitfall: Placing food on the griddle before it’s hot can lead to sticking, steaming, and uneven cooking.
Fix: Always preheat your griddle for 10–15 minutes before adding your food. If you aren’t sure it’s hot enough, splash a few water droplets onto the surface. It should be hot enough to sizzle the water droplets on contact.
2. Using the Wrong Oils, or Too Much Oil
Pitfall: Low smoke-point oils (like extra virgin olive oil) burn fast and leave a bitter taste. Excessive oil use can also lead to greasy food and flare-ups.
Fix: Use high smoke-point oils, like canola, avocado, or grapeseed, and apply just enough to lightly coat the surface. Not sure which oil is best? Check out our cooking oil smoke chart!
3. Skipping the Prep Work
Pitfall: Griddles cook quickly. If your ingredients aren’t prepped, you’ll be left scrambling (and not in the fun, eggy way).
Fix: Chop, season, and portion everything before anything hits the heat. Think of it like stir-fry speed: everything should be prepped and ready to go.
4. Overcrowding
Pitfall: Food that steams instead of sears.
Fix: If your griddle’s packed edge to edge, cook in batches for better browning.
5. Using the Wrong Tools
Pitfall: Delicate food falls apart, or stuck-on bits get left behind.
Fix: Invest in proper griddle tools: a flat-edge spatula, scraper, and tongs make a world of difference.
6. Neglecting Cleaning and Maintenance
Pitfall: Burnt-on residue, rust, and uneven cooking over time.
Fix: Clean your griddle after every cook. Scrape it while still warm, wipe with a paper towel, and apply a thin coat of oil to prevent rust.
Bonus: Not Knowing Your Hot Spots
Pitfall: Uneven cooking if you’re not familiar with how heat distributes across your griddle.
Fix: Do a “toast test”: Lay slices of bread across the griddle, cook briefly, and see which ones brown fastest. That tells you where your hottest zones are.
Time to Fire Up the Griddle
Ready to take your BBQ to new levels? Whether you’re a breakfast lover, a burger fiend, or just tired of chasing mushrooms through the grill grates, the griddle is your go-to tool for cooking outside the box.
Get started with a BBQ griddle insert that fits your grill, grab your spatula, and don’t forget to oil the surface before each cook. A clean, seasoned griddle is a happy griddle.
Now the only question is, what won’t you cook on a griddle?
Want help picking the right griddle for your grill model? Contact us or check out our wide selection of grill accessories to level up your cookout.
Happy griddling!
