Pizza is a popular dish enjoyed by people all over the world. While traditionally baked in an oven, pizza can also be cooked on a grill, giving it a unique smoky flavor. While some recipes recommend using a pizza stone to achieve a crispy crust, not everyone has a pizza stone readily available. In this article, we will explore how to cook pizza on the grill without a stone.

Introduction

Pizza is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit different tastes and preferences. Whether you prefer thin crust or thick crust, vegetarian or meat lovers, pizza is a crowd-pleaser. However, cooking pizza on the grill can be a bit tricky, especially if you don’t have a pizza stone. A pizza stone is a baking stone that helps distribute heat evenly, resulting in a crispy crust. But don’t worry, you can still achieve a delicious crispy crust on your grilled pizza without a pizza stone.

Preparing the Grill

Before you start cooking your pizza, it’s essential to prepare your grill properly. Choosing the right grill is crucial for the success of your grilled pizza. While a gas grill is easy to use, a charcoal grill is preferred by many pizza enthusiasts as it gives the pizza a unique smoky flavor.

Once you have chosen the grill, the next step is to clean and oil the grates. This will prevent the pizza from sticking to the grates and ensure that the crust cooks evenly. To clean the grates, use a wire brush to remove any debris or burnt-on food. Then, use a cloth or paper towel to apply a thin layer of oil to the grates. This will create a non-stick surface and prevent the pizza from sticking to the grates.

After cleaning and oiling the grates, preheat the grill to a high temperature. This will help ensure that the pizza cooks evenly and quickly. It’s essential to keep the lid closed while preheating the grill to allow the temperature to build up. Once the grill has reached a high temperature, you’re ready to start preparing the pizza dough.

The pizza dough is the foundation of a delicious pizza. There are many different types of pizza dough recipes to choose from, but for grilled pizza, it’s best to use a thin crust recipe. A thin crust will cook quickly on the grill and prevent the pizza from becoming soggy.

To prepare the pizza dough, start by rolling out the dough into a thin, circular shape. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough, or you can use your hands to stretch the dough. It’s essential to ensure that the dough is evenly rolled out to prevent any uneven cooking. Once the dough is rolled out, use a fork to dock the dough. Docking is the process of creating small holes in the dough to prevent it from rising too much during cooking.

In the next section, we will explore how to choose the right toppings and sauce for your grilled pizza.

Preparing the Pizza Dough

After rolling out the dough, it’s essential to transfer it to a pizza peel or a flat surface that’s been dusted with flour or cornmeal to prevent it from sticking. A pizza peel is a tool that resembles a paddle and is used to transfer the pizza dough to the grill.

Once the dough is on the peel, it’s time to add the toppings. It’s essential to work quickly at this point to prevent the dough from becoming too moist.

Toppings and Sauce

Choosing the right ingredients for your grilled pizza is crucial for its success. When it comes to sauce, you can use any pizza sauce that you like, or you can make your own by blending tomatoes, garlic, and herbs.

When it comes to toppings, the possibilities are endless. You can use vegetables, meats, cheeses, and even fruits to create a unique and delicious pizza. It’s essential to choose toppings that are not too heavy or wet, as they can make the crust soggy.

Once you have chosen your toppings, apply the sauce to the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Use a spoon or ladle to spread the sauce evenly over the dough. Then, add the toppings, starting with the cheese and then adding the other toppings.

It’s essential to not overload the pizza with too many toppings, as this can prevent it from cooking evenly. Once you have added the toppings, carefully transfer the pizza from the peel to the grill.

In the next section, we will explore how to grill the pizza and achieve a crispy crust.