Best Grilling Courses Online: Master BBQ and Grilling Techniques in 2025

Want to grill perfect steaks, smoke brisket, or master BBQ techniques? We’ve tested 30+ online grilling courses to find the best options for learning outdoor cooking, from basic grilling to competition-level BBQ.

Last updated: November 2025 | Reading time: 8 minutes

Quick Comparison: Top 5 Grilling Courses

Course	Best For	Price	Focus	Our Rating
MasterClass – Aaron Franklin	BBQ smoking mastery	$180/year	Texas BBQ	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Udemy – Complete Grilling Course	Budget beginners	$19.99	Basics	⭐⭐⭐⭐
BBQ Champs Academy	Competition BBQ	$149/year	Pro techniques	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rouxbe – Grilling Essentials	Technique-focused	$49/month	All methods	⭐⭐⭐⭐
MasterClass – Roy Choi	Street food grilling	$180/year	Creative grilling	⭐⭐⭐⭐

1. MasterClass – Aaron Franklin Teaches Texas-Style BBQ

Best for: Anyone serious about learning authentic Texas BBQ and smoking techniques

Aaron Franklin runs Franklin Barbecue in Austin, Texas—considered by many the best BBQ in America. His MasterClass teaches low-and-slow smoking, temperature control, and the patience required for perfect BBQ.

What You’ll Learn:

• Brisket smoking (the holy grail of Texas BBQ)
• Temperature and smoke control
• Choosing and preparing meat
• Wood selection and fire management
• BBQ philosophy and patience

Pros:

• Learn from a James Beard Award winner
• Detailed brisket instruction (13-hour smokes)
• Beautiful cinematography shows technique clearly
• Access to 150+ other MasterClass courses
• Franklin’s passion is infectious

Cons:

• Requires smoker (offset preferred)
• Long cook times (patience needed)
• Annual subscription
• Texas-focused (less variety)

Price: $180/year (all-access)

Duration: 4 hours, 13 lessons

Our verdict: If you want to master Texas BBQ smoking, this is the definitive course. Franklin is a legend for good reason.

[Check Current MasterClass Price]

2. Udemy – The Complete Grilling Course

Best for: Beginners who want basic grilling skills for everyday cooking

Chef Mike teaches fundamental grilling techniques for gas and charcoal grills. Covers common mistakes, temperature control, and grilling everything from burgers to vegetables. Over 15,000 students.

What You’ll Learn:

• Gas vs charcoal grilling basics
• Direct and indirect heat cooking
• Temperature control without thermometers
• Grilling meats, fish, and vegetables
• Safety and grill maintenance

Pros:

• One-time payment, lifetime access
• Beginner-friendly pacing
• Works with any grill type
• Practical everyday grilling
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons:

• Less depth than specialized courses
• Basic techniques only
• Limited smoking instruction
• Video quality varies

Price: $19.99 (often $12.99)

Duration: 4 hours, 35 lessons

Our verdict: Great starting point for backyard grilling basics. Affordable way to learn before investing in advanced equipment.

[Check Current Udemy Price]

3. BBQ Champs Academy

Best for: Serious grillers wanting competition-level BBQ techniques

Taught by competition BBQ champions, this academy teaches techniques used in professional BBQ competitions. You’ll learn championship-level methods for ribs, brisket, pork, and chicken.

What You’ll Learn:

• Competition BBQ techniques
• Meat selection and prep for winning BBQ
• Smoking and temperature management
• Sauce and rub formulation
• Competition strategies

Pros:

• Taught by actual BBQ champions
• Competition-tested techniques
• Comprehensive meat coverage
• Active community of serious BBQ enthusiasts
• Regular updates with new techniques

Cons:

• Requires quality smoker
• Annual subscription
• Techniques assume experience
• Long cook times required

Price: $149/year

Duration: 50+ hours of content

Our verdict: Worth it if you’re serious about competition BBQ or want restaurant-quality results. Not for casual weeknight grilling.

[Try BBQ Champs Academy]

4. Rouxbe – Grilling and BBQ Essentials

Best for: Cooks wanting to understand grilling science and technique

Rouxbe approaches grilling like culinary school—teaching WHY techniques work, not just HOW. You’ll learn temperature control, fuel types, and grilling methods with scientific explanations.

What You’ll Learn:

• Grilling vs BBQ vs smoking (differences)
• Heat zones and temperature control
• Maillard reaction and grill marks
• Various grilling techniques
• Equipment selection and maintenance

Pros:

• Science-based understanding
• Multiple camera angles
• Technique-focused instruction
• Works with all grill types
• Professional-level education

Cons:

• Monthly subscription
• More academic than fun
• Less recipe-focused
• Requires practice time

Price: $49/month or $399/year

Duration: 10+ hours

Our verdict: Perfect for analytical learners who want to understand grilling deeply. Less exciting than celebrity courses but more educational.

[Start Rouxbe Free Trial]

5. MasterClass – Roy Choi Teaches Street Food Cooking

Best for: Creative grillers wanting to learn Korean-Mexican fusion and street food

Roy Choi pioneered the food truck revolution with Kogi BBQ. His MasterClass includes extensive grilling sections covering Korean BBQ, fusion techniques, and creative outdoor cooking.

What You’ll Learn:

• Korean BBQ techniques and marinades
• Fusion grilling concepts
• Street food-style cooking
• Creative spice rubs and sauces
• Grilling for crowds

Pros:

• Creative, modern approach
• Korean BBQ techniques
• Inspiring flavor combinations
• Access to 150+ other MasterClass courses
• Choi’s energy and creativity

Cons:

• Not traditional BBQ focused
• Annual subscription
• Assumes some grilling knowledge
• Korean ingredients may be unfamiliar

Price: $180/year (all-access)

Duration: 3 hours grilling content

Our verdict: Perfect if you want creative, modern grilling techniques. Less useful for traditional American BBQ.

[Check Current MasterClass Price]

Essential Grilling Techniques

Heat Management:

• Direct heat: High heat directly under food (steaks, burgers)
• Indirect heat: Food beside heat source (roasts, whole chickens)
• Two-zone cooking: Hot side for searing, cool side for finishing

Temperature Control:

• Hand test: 5 seconds = low, 3 seconds = medium, 1 second = high
• Vent control: More air = hotter fire
• Lid use: Closed for oven effect, open for searing

Smoking Basics:

• Wood types: Hickory (strong), apple (mild), mesquite (intense)
• Temperature: 225-250°F for low and slow
• Smoke color: Thin blue smoke (good), white billowing (bad)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I really learn grilling online?

Yes! Grilling courses show camera angles of temperature cues, doneness tests, and technique. Thousands learn successfully online. The key is actually practicing—grilling 2-3 times per week for a month builds muscle memory.

Do I need an expensive grill?

No! Basic charcoal kettle grill ($100-150) can do almost everything expensive grills can. Start with what you have, upgrade later if desired. Technique matters more than equipment.

What’s the difference between grilling and BBQ?

Grilling: High heat, quick cooking (burgers, steaks, vegetables). BBQ: Low temperature, long cooking time with smoke (brisket, ribs, pulled pork). Different techniques entirely.

Can I smoke meat without a smoker?

Yes! Techniques: wood chips in charcoal grill, smoking boxes for gas grills, or two-zone setup. Results differ from dedicated smoker but still produce good BBQ. Courses teach workarounds.

How do I know when meat is done without cutting it?

Touch test: Firmness indicates doneness. Instant thermometer: Most reliable ($15-30). Time guides: Approximate but less accurate. Good courses teach all three methods.

Is grilling healthy?

Can be! Grilling adds no extra fat and allows fat to drip away. Potential issues: charring (carcinogens), excessive high-heat cooking. Courses teach healthy grilling techniques.

What’s the best wood for smoking?

Beginners: Apple or cherry (mild, hard to overdo). Beef: Oak or hickory (strong). Pork: Apple, hickory, or maple. Chicken: Apple, pecan, or cherry. Fish: Alder or apple (delicate).

Our Final Recommendation

For Texas BBQ mastery: MasterClass with Aaron Franklin ($180/year) is the definitive course on smoking brisket and Texas BBQ.

For basic backyard grilling: Udemy’s Complete Course ($19.99) teaches everyday grilling for one-time payment.

For competition BBQ: BBQ Champs Academy ($149/year) teaches championship techniques from winners.

For technique understanding: Rouxbe ($49/month) explains the science behind grilling.

For creative modern grilling: MasterClass with Roy Choi ($180/year) teaches Korean BBQ and fusion techniques.

Ready to Master the Grill?

Great grilling combines technique, patience, and practice. Choose a course matching your goals, then commit to grilling regularly. In one season, you’ll be the neighborhood grill master.

[Browse All Cooking Courses by Category]