Best Meat to Grill

Your Guide to the Best Meats to Grill for Any Backyard Cookout

The best meat to grill isn’t just about personal preference—it comes down to cut, fat content, cook time, and how well that meat responds to direct or indirect heat. Whether you're firing up a charcoal grill, cooking low and slow on a pellet grill, or using the convenience of a gas grill, choosing the best meats to barbecue can make or break your cookout.

This guide walks you through the best meats to grill for beginners and seasoned pitmasters alike, covering beef, pork, chicken, seafood, and a few underrated BBQ meat options. If you’ve ever wondered what meat to grill for a crowd, which types of meat to grill on a gas grill, or simply wanted a reliable BBQ meat list—this is your complete starting point.

Jump to:

• Best Beef Cuts to Grill
• Best Pork Cuts to Grill
• Best Chicken Cuts to Grill
• Best Seafood for Grilling
• Other Great Meats to Grill
• Tips for Choosing Good BBQ Meats
• Conclusion

Best Beef Cuts to Grill

Beef consistently ranks among the best meats to grill because of its rich flavor and versatility. These cuts respond beautifully to high heat and deliver bold, satisfying results with minimal prep.

• Ribeye: Often considered the best cut of meat to grill thanks to its marbling, tenderness, and intense flavor. Perfect for direct high heat.
• New York Strip: A great balance of tenderness and chew. Excellent for gas grills because it cooks quickly and evenly.
• Sirloin: One of the best meats to cook on a gas grill for weeknight grilling—flavorful and budget-friendly.
• Flank Steak: Ideal for marinades and fast grilling. Great for fajitas and slicing thin across the grain.
• Skirt Steak: A classic for quick-sear grilling. Strong beefy flavor and one of the best barbecue meats for tacos and sandwiches.
• Burgers: A staple good meat to grill, especially for parties. Look for an 80/20 blend for juiciness.

Best Pork Cuts to Grill

Pork is one of the most versatile types of meat to grill, offering a natural sweetness that pairs perfectly with rubs, glazes, and smoke.

• Pork Chops: Thick-cut bone-in chops are among the best meats to barbecue because they sear well and stay juicy.
• Pork Steaks: Extremely popular in Midwest BBQ cultures. Rich, tender, and great over charcoal.
• Baby Back Ribs: A staple good BBQ meat for long, slow cooks. Ideal on pellet grills or charcoal kettles.
• St. Louis Ribs: Meaty, rectangular, and consistent in size—one of the best barbecue meats for competition-style cooks.
• Tenderloin: Lean, fast-cooking, and perfect for those wanting a milder flavor with lots of seasoning flexibility.

Best Chicken Cuts to Grill

Chicken may be the most approachable, budget-friendly, and good meat to BBQ, especially for family cooking. Each cut brings different strengths to the grill.

• Chicken Thighs: The best meat to grill if you want foolproof juiciness. Easy to season, forgiving, and flavorful.
• Chicken Wings: An iconic BBQ meat list item. Direct heat plus crispy skin equals perfect wings every time.
• Chicken Breasts: Popular and lean, but best when marinated, pounded evenly, or cooked on a gas grill with gentle heat.
• Whole Chicken (spatchcocked): Great for pellet grills or indirect charcoal setups.
• Drumsticks: Affordable and excellent for feeding a crowd.

Best Seafood for Grilling

Seafood is often overlooked, but some of the best meats to grill aren't meat at all—many fish and shellfish thrive over fire.

• Salmon: One of the best meats to barbecue when you want a tender, flaky, rich result.
• Tuna Steaks: Grill quickly on high heat for a rare or medium-rare center.
• Shrimp: Fast cooking and perfect for kabobs or cast-iron grill pans.
• Scallops: Sweet, delicate, and best seared hot and fast.
• Mahi-Mahi: Firm and ideal for flipping directly on the grates.

Other Great Meats to Grill

If you want to expand your BBQ meat list beyond the basics, these options bring big flavor and variety to your grill sessions.

• Lamb Chops: Rich, savory, and one of the best meats to cook on high heat.
• Bratwurst & Sausages: Easy, crowd-pleasing, and great on charcoal or gas grills.
• Tri-Tip: A West Coast favorite and one of the best barbecue meats when cooked medium-rare.
• Duck Breast: Fatty, flavorful, and ideal for a gourmet grilling experience.
• Bison Steaks: Leaner than beef but great for fast, hot grilling.

Tips for Choosing Good BBQ Meats

When you're deciding which types of meat to grill or what meat to grill for a gathering, keep these principles in mind:

• Fat equals flavor: Marbling in beef or fat caps on ribs improve tenderness and taste.
• Thickness matters: Thicker cuts give you more control and prevent overcooking.
• Match the meat to the grill: Fast-cooking steaks thrive on gas grills; ribs and pork shoulders shine on charcoal or pellet grills.
• Consider your cook time: For quick meals, choose steaks, chops, shrimp, or wings. For weekend cooks, go with ribs, tri-tip, or bone-in chicken.
• Know your crowd: Variety wins—mix beef, pork, and chicken for large cookouts.

Conclusion

With so many good meats to grill, your BBQ can be as simple or adventurous as you want it to be. Ribeye, pork chops, chicken thighs, salmon, shrimp, and lamb all rank among the best meats to barbecue depending on your grill and style. Whether you're using a gas grill, charcoal setup, or pellet smoker, choosing the right cut helps guarantee juicy, flavorful results every time. Use this BBQ meat list as your go-to reference, fire up the grill, and start experimenting with new favorites all season long.