Your 12-Month Grilling Calendar: What to Cook and When

This article may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep creating free content.

Most people think of grilling as a summer activity. Fire it up in May, put it away in September. That is leaving eight months of great cooking on the table. Every season brings different meats, produce, and cooking opportunities. Here is your month-by-month plan for grilling all year long.

January: The Winter Smoke

Cold air actually helps smokers maintain low temperatures. This is prime time for long smokes, brisket, pork shoulder, and beef ribs. The cold keeps your cooker from running hot, and standing by a warm smoker on a January afternoon is surprisingly pleasant.

In cold weather, your smoker uses more fuel to maintain temperature. Expect 20-30% more charcoal consumption. Stock up ahead of time and keep your fuel supply dry and covered. A full load in the minion method may need a top-up that you would not need in July.

February: Super Bowl and Wings

Smoked wings are the ultimate game day food. Prep them the night before with the baking powder dry brine method, smoke at 250°F for an hour, then crisp over direct heat. Serve with multiple sauces and watch them disappear before halftime.

Your 12 month grilling calendar — practical guide overview — Your 12 month grilling calendar

March: Spring Thaw and Steaks

As weather warms, transition from long smokes to hot-and-fast grilling. Ribeyes, NY strips, and thick-cut pork chops over high direct heat. Asparagus comes into season, grill it alongside your steaks for the first truly spring meal.

April: Lamb and Easter

Leg of lamb, lamb chops, and rack of lamb are traditional April centerpieces. Lamb loves the grill, the fat renders beautifully and rosemary plus garlic is the classic pairing. Spring onions and baby potatoes in a grill basket make perfect sides.

Lamb is the most underrated grilling meat in America. Domestic lamb is milder than imported and very approachable for first-timers. Loin chops cook in 8 minutes and taste like a more interesting version of the best pork chop you have ever had. Give lamb a chance this spring.

May: Memorial Day Kickoff

The unofficial start of grilling season. This is burger and hot dog territory, classic American cookout fare done right. Grind your own burgers (chuck and short rib blend), make homemade coleslaw, and grill corn for the first time this year.

Your 12 month grilling calendar — step-by-step visual example — Your 12 month grilling calendar

June: Seafood Season

Fish markets are stocked with the best variety of fresh seafood. Grilled salmon, swordfish steaks, and shrimp skewers. Stone fruit starts arriving, grilled peaches for dessert. Zucchini from the garden hits peak production and the grill is the best tool for keeping up with the avalanche.

July: The Main Event

Peak grilling season. Full cookout spreads, ribs, brisket, whole chickens, and every side dish you can fit on the smoker. This is the month for all-day cooking projects, neighborhood block parties, and eating outdoors every night.

July heat affects your smoker. Ambient temperatures of 90°F+ mean your smoker runs hotter with less fuel. Reduce your charcoal load or close your intake vent more than usual. Also, hot weather is prime bacteria growth territory, keep raw meat in coolers with ice until ready to cook and do not leave cooked food out for more than one hour in heat above 90°F.

August: Harvest Grilling

Gardens are producing everything. Peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, corn, all at peak quality. Grilled vegetable platters, grilled pizza with garden tomatoes and basil, and smoked salsa from fire-roasted peppers. This is the month where vegetable grilling really shines.

September: Football and Tailgating

Portable grilling season. Bratwurst, burgers, and smoked pulled pork for sandwiches. Pack smoked meat in a cooler for tailgate setups. Apple season begins, grilled apple slices with cinnamon and ice cream for dessert.

Your 12 month grilling calendar — helpful reference illustration — Your 12 month grilling calendar

October: The Last Hurrah (and Oktoberfest)

Cooler nights make for comfortable long cooks. Smoked pork belly, braised-then-grilled short ribs, and beer brats. Squash comes into season, grilled butternut squash is a revelation if you have never tried it.

November: Thanksgiving Turkey

The smoked turkey is the star of the month. Whether you smoke the whole bird or just the breast, November is when your smoker earns its place in the family tradition. Smoked mac and cheese and smoked baked beans round out the holiday table.

December: Holiday Roasts and New Year Celebrations

Prime rib on the smoker is a showstopper holiday centerpiece. Reverse sear a standing rib roast, smoke at 225°F until 10 degrees below your target, then sear over blazing coals. New Year's Eve calls for grilled lobster tails with drawn butter.

Grilling is a 12-month activity if you choose to make it one. Each season offers different ingredients, different challenges, and different rewards. The pitmaster who grills through winter arrives at summer with sharper skills, better instincts, and a year-round relationship with fire that seasonal grillers will never develop.

Plan every cook with our smoking time calculator and reference the meat temperature guide for targets across every protein.