Homemade Grilled Pizza Recipe

Grilling pizza transforms an ordinary meal into a culinary adventure you've probably never attempted. You'll discover that backyard pizza-making isn't just about tossing dough—it's an art form that combines precise technique with creative freedom. By mastering a few key skills, you'll elevate your cooking game and impress friends with restaurant-quality results. Want to learn how to create crispy, charred pizzas that'll make your neighbors jealous? Let's uncover the secrets of grilled pizza perfection.

Recipe Highlights

• Perfect grilled pizza requires preheating the grill to medium-high heat (around 400°F) and preparing a well-oiled pizza dough surface.
• Essential ingredients include fresh pizza dough, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, basil leaves, olive oil, salt, and pepper for optimal flavor.
• Carefully stretch dough, brush with olive oil, and grill for 2-3 minutes per side, creating crispy edges and a smoky char.
• Add marinara sauce, mozzarella, and fresh basil after flipping the dough, then close the grill lid to melt cheese evenly.
• Master the technique by practicing consistently, experimenting with toppings, and maintaining patience throughout the learning process of grilling pizza.

History

Although pizza has ancient roots, grilled pizza as we know it today is a relatively modern culinary innovation.

You might be surprised to learn that its origins trace back to Providence, Rhode Island, where Italian-American chef George Germon first popularized the technique in the 1980s at his landmark restaurant, Al Forno.

Germon experimented with cooking pizza directly on a charcoal grill, transforming the traditional baking method into an exciting, smoky experience. His groundbreaking approach quickly spread through culinary circles, inspiring chefs and home cooks to reimagine pizza preparation.

The technique capitalizes on high, direct heat, creating a uniquely crisp crust with distinctive char marks that can't be replicated in a conventional oven.

Today, grilled pizza represents a perfect blend of traditional Italian craftsmanship and American innovation.

Recipe

Grilling pizza transforms an ordinary meal into an extraordinary culinary experience, bringing the smoky flavors of a wood-fired pizzeria directly to your backyard.

The high heat of the grill creates a perfectly crispy crust with beautifully charred edges while maintaining a tender, chewy interior that simply can't be replicated in a traditional oven.

Mastering grilled pizza requires some technique and preparation, but the results are well worth the effort.

With a few quality ingredients and the right approach, you'll be creating restaurant-quality pizzas that will impress family and friends with their authentic flavor and stunning appearance.

Ingredients:

• 1 pizza dough (homemade or store-bought)
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced
• Fresh basil leaves
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Prepare your grill by heating it to medium-high heat, approximately 400°F.

While the grill heats, stretch the pizza dough into a thin circle on a well-oiled surface.

Ensure the dough is at room temperature for optimal stretching and even cooking.

Brush one side of the dough with olive oil and carefully place it on the grill grates, oiled side down.

Cook for 2-3 minutes until distinctive grill marks appear and the bottom becomes crispy.

Quickly brush the top side with olive oil, then flip the dough.

Immediately spread marinara sauce, distribute mozzarella slices, and sprinkle fresh basil leaves.

Close the grill lid and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts and the bottom is golden brown.

For the best grilled pizza experience, work quickly once the dough is on the grill and have all ingredients prepared in advance.

Hot spots can cause uneven cooking, so rotate the pizza if needed and watch closely to prevent burning.

A thin crust and minimal toppings ensure a crispy, perfectly cooked pizza that captures the essence of outdoor cooking.

Cooking Steps

Preparing a grilled pizza requires methodical attention to each step, from setting up your workspace to adding toppings with precision.

You'll want to gather all ingredients beforehand, stretch your dough carefully on an oiled surface, and have your toppings ready to quickly apply after the first grill.

Moving swiftly but deliberately, you'll transform your raw ingredients into a restaurant-quality pizza with crispy, charred edges and perfectly melted cheese.

Step 1. Prepare Ingredients and Workspace

Before firing up the grill, you'll want to create a perfectly organized mise en place that sets you up for pizza-making success.

Gather all ingredients within arm's reach: pre-stretched dough, marinara sauce in a small bowl, torn fresh mozzarella, and chopped basil leaves.

Prep your workspace with essential tools:

• Large cutting board
• Olive oil brush
• Tongs
• Grill-safe spatula
• Clean kitchen towels

Oil your work surface lightly to prevent dough sticking, and have a plate ready for transferring your finished pizza.

Keep ingredients cool but not refrigerator-cold, allowing cheese and herbs to develop maximum flavor.

Position your ingredients strategically near the grill to minimize movement during cooking.

Double-check that your workspace is clean, organized, and everything is measured and ready to transform simple ingredients into a delicious grilled pizza.

Step 2. Stretch and Oil Dough

With your workspace meticulously arranged and ingredients at the ready, you'll now transform that ball of dough into a pizza masterpiece.

Begin by lightly dusting your work surface with flour, preventing sticky situations. Gently press the dough ball flat, using your fingertips to create a disk. Then, carefully stretch the dough using the back of your hands, letting gravity help you expand it:

• Rotate the dough as you stretch
• Aim for a thin, even thickness
• Keep edges slightly thicker for a rustic crust

Brush both sides generously with olive oil, which will:

1. Prevent sticking to the grill
2. Help create those coveted crispy, golden edges
3. Add subtle flavor to your pizza

Ensure the dough is room temperature for optimal elasticity and easier handling.

Step 3. Place Dough on Grill Grates

Flames dance beneath the grill grates, ready to transform your carefully prepared dough into a crispy culinary canvas. Using heat-resistant tongs, carefully transfer the oiled dough directly onto the preheated grates, positioning it with confidence and precision.

Key placement tips:

• Center the dough for even cooking
• Avoid overlapping grill marks
• Listen for a gentle sizzle upon contact

Watch closely as the bottom begins to bubble and develop distinctive char marks, typically within 2-3 minutes.

You'll notice the dough firming up and releasing easily from the grates—a sign it's perfectly positioned. Gently lift an edge with tongs to check the underside's color; a golden-brown surface with dark grill marks indicates you're ready to flip.

Move swiftly and deliberately, using your tongs to rotate and position the dough for optimal grilling.

Step 4. Flip and Add Toppings

Once the first side of your pizza dough develops beautiful golden-brown grill marks, it's time to flip and transform your culinary creation.

Quickly flip the dough using a large spatula or tongs, positioning the grilled side facing upward. Work swiftly but carefully to prevent burning, brushing the new side with olive oil to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.

Immediately add your toppings with a light touch:

• Spread thin layer of marinara sauce
• Sprinkle fresh mozzarella cheese
• Distribute torn basil leaves
• Drizzle additional olive oil (optional)

Keep toppings minimal and evenly distributed to prevent soggy results.

Close the grill lid to help melt the cheese and create a perfectly crisp bottom. Watch closely, as grilled pizzas can go from perfectly charred to burnt in mere moments.

Step 5. Monitor Pizza's Doneness

After quickly adorning your pizza with toppings, your attention shifts to monitoring its progress on the grill.

Watch for visual cues that indicate perfect doneness: the cheese should be fully melted, with small bubbles forming across its surface, and the bottom crust developing a golden-brown color with distinct char marks.

Key monitoring techniques include:

• Open the grill lid briefly to check color
• Rotate pizza 45 degrees for even cooking
• Listen for subtle sizzling sounds
• Look for crisp, slightly raised edges
• Check that cheese is glossy and melted

Use a metal spatula to lift an edge and peek underneath. The bottom should be crisp and have a deep golden-brown color with dark charred spots.

Remove the pizza immediately when it reaches this stage to prevent burning, transferring it to a cutting board for slicing and serving.

Final Thoughts

Since mastering grilled pizza takes practice, don't get discouraged if your first attempt isn't picture-perfect. Every great pizzaiolo started exactly where you're now: learning through delicious trial and error.

Keep a few key techniques in mind: maintain consistent grill temperature, prep ingredients beforehand, and watch your pizza like a hawk. Your confidence will grow with each crispy, smoky creation.

Consider experimenting with different dough styles, cheese varieties, and topping combinations to develop your signature grilled pizza technique.

Remember that timing is everything – those crucial 2-3 minutes can transform good pizza into a memorable meal. Embrace imperfections, stay patient, and enjoy the process of becoming a backyard grilling expert.