The 36 Best Gifts for the Meat Lover in Your Life 

I’m sending a smoke signal to meat lovers everywhere. Do you know any? Perhaps that person who is on a first-name basis with their butcher? Or maybe you are that person, and rightfully so! There is nothing quite like a barbecue sauce-slathered slab of ribs, perfectly smoked chicken wings, or a sizable pork chop. 

Over the years, we’ve seared, sliced, and served countless cuts of meat, all in the name of testing cooking and grilling gear. You’re welcome to do the same, or you can trust us with some great gift ideas. We’ve rounded up 36 gifts to satisfy any meat lover—and their hunger. 

An Essential Meat Thermometer

ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE

$115

$96 at Amazon View on Thermoworks

A meat thermometer is one of our most recommended pieces of kitchen equipment, and the Thermapen One is our long-standing favorite with its fast and accurate readings. It’s perfect for that person who always seems to overcook steak—not that you have to tell them that’s why you got it for them.

A Great Grill Thermometer 

ThermoWorks BlueDOT Alarm Thermometer with Bluetooth Wireless Technology

$57

$46 at Amazon View on Thermoworks

With an easy-to-use screen and Bluetooth connectivity, this grill thermometer is handy for pitmasters and novices alike. One of the best parts is that you can set a minimum temperature alert as a reminder to add more heat for longer grilling sessions. 

An Upgraded Grill Thermometer 

ThermoWorks Smoke Remote BBQ Alarm Thermometer

View on Thermoworks

Seeing a ThermoWorks Smoke is a great sign that there is a grilling enthusiast around. With two probes, you can simultaneously monitor the internal temperature of the meat and the ambient temperature of the grill. If you happen to end up in your neighbor's yard for a game of cornhole, the wireless receiver has a range of roughly 350 feet from the grill. 

A Classic Charcoal Grill 

Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch Charcoal Grill

$219 at Amazon $229 at Home Depot View on Tractor Supply Co.

You’ve likely seen this exact grill in a backyard of someone you know. It’s simple, straightforward, and incredibly reliable, making it a perfect choice for any charcoal grill enthusiast (I’m one of them). 

A Worthy Charcoal Grill Add-On 

Weber 7416 Rapidfire Chimney Starter

$28

$25 at Amazon $25 at Target $25 at Home Depot

Fill a chimney with charcoal, place crumbled newspaper underneath, light it, and come back in twenty minutes to red-hot coals. If you’re looking for a sustainable option that’s almost as fast as lighter fluid to start your grill, this was the best one we tested.

A No-Frills, Classic Smoker

Weber 18-Inch Smokey Mountain Cooker

$519

$419 at Amazon $419 at Home Depot View on Bbqguys.com

My mouth starts to water just thinking about a smoker. (Ribs, brisket, and chicken wings, anyone?) With few frills and gadgets, we found that Weber Smokey Mountain leaves less room for error and more room for flavor-packed meat. With consistent heating on shorter and longer cooks alike, it produced succulent, smoky tri-tips. The vertical design also offers plenty of cooking space.

A  Versatile Flat-Top Grill 

Weber 36 Inch Gas Griddle

$564

$399 at Amazon

$649

$599 at Ace Hardware

The Weber's expansive cooktop is great for anyone serious about smash burgers. You can even cook the toppings, like bacon and caramelized onions, right next to your burgers at the same time. As someone who always gets assigned the grilling duties on the fourth of July, I love a flat-top grill. Its impressive performance (it gets really hot!) paired with its ease of use, makes it a great addition to any backyard. 

A Pair of Grill Gloves

Blackstone Griddle Gloves

$20 at Amazon $15 at Walmart View on Blackstoneproducts.com

Say goodbye to singed arm hair. With a long cuff to protect forearms and a silicone grip that doesn’t sacrifice dexterity with hot and heavy pans, Blackstone Grill Gloves are ideal for anyone who spends time grilling. 

A Kitchen, or Backyard, Torch 

Bernzomatic TS 8000 Trigger Start Torch

$130

$105 at Amazon

A kitchen torch works wonders for getting a charcoal chimney started. You can also use it to sear a sous vide steak. A propane torch, like Bernzomatic, burns hotter and faster than butane. While this torch produces a pretty serious flame, it can also be throttled down very easily. Just don’t forget the crème brûlée after dinner! 

An Apron for Stain Protection

Hedley & Bennett Essential Apron

$90

$85 at Amazon $86 at Hedleyandbennett.com $85 at Cooksbellecour.com

If you’re using mustard as a binder or brushing Buffalo sauce on your wings, it’s a good idea to have an apron nearby. This heavy-duty apron has a trio of pockets that will keep your meat thermometers readily available, too.

One of the Best Pellet Grills

Traeger Woodridge Pro Pellet Grill

$1,150

$999 at Amazon

$1,150

$999 at Home Depot View on Bbqguys.com

A pellet grill would be the gift of a lifetime. "During the summer, we use this pellet grill the most out of all of our outdoor cooking gear," says associate editorial director Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm. "Its app is superemely easy to use, its hopper holds a ton of pellets, and the food it makes...wow. I've enjoyed many smoky, well-seasoned chicken wings and thighs because of it."

A Great Boning Knife 

Victorinox 6-Inch Fibrox Pro Flexible Boning Knife

$40 at Amazon View on Webstaurant Store

A good boning knife will help you effortlessly break down a whole chicken, cut your own steaks, and stand in for a fillet knife. This option from Victorinox will do all three with speed and precision. The extremely sharp blade is flexible enough to effortlessly navigate around bone, and the textured handle ensures you won’t lose your grip, even with wet hands.  

A Sharp Carving Knife

Wüsthof Classic 9" Carving Knife

$170 at Amazon View on Williams Sonoma

While you could use a chef’s knife for carving, gift-giving season is a perfect chance to splurge on a specialized blade that your giftee might not purchase for themselves. A carving knife does the best navigating around bone and getting thin slices of tender cuts of meat. The razor-sharp yet flexible blade of the Wüsthof will make carving a Thanksgiving turkey (or any other large piece of meat) an easy task. 

A Hefty Cutting Board

The Boardsmith Maple End Grain Cutting Board

$250 at Amazon View on Theboardsmith.com

At 16 by 22 inches, this end-grain wooden cutting board has enough space to accommodate a whole turkey, is durable enough to last a decade (or more), and forgiving on sharp knife blades. It just so happens our favorite wooden cutting board is also customizable, making the gift that much more special. Along with three size options, you can choose to add finger grooves, juice grooves, feet, or engraving.  

A Wildcard Pick 

OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

$110

$72 at Amazon View on Williams Sonoma $99 at Target

You might be surprised to see a coffee grinder on this list, but have you ever had a coffee-crusted steak? Also, if you’re getting up at the crack of dawn to smoke a rack of ribs, a little extra caffeine is much needed. This is a great grinder for everyday use, but if you’re a coffee aficionado, you can check this list for more specialized options. Just remember: Your burr grinder should only be used for coffee. If you want to grind your own spice blends, check out our favorite spice grinders. 

A Heavy Pan for Searing 

Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet

$25 at Amazon $25 at Target View on Webstaurant Store

Can you ever have too many cast iron pans? The structural integrity of your kitchen storage might say yes, but I say no. I’m convinced all sizes, 3.5 inch through 15 inch, are useful. Luckily, Lodge makes budget-friendly pans capable of superb searing. The 10.25-inch skillet is a longtime Serious Eats favorite. We love that it's durable, affordable, and gets better with age. 

A Lightweight Carbon Steel Pan for Searing

Misen Pre-Seasoned 10” Carbon Steel Pan

$99

$75 at Amazon View on Misen.com

If you’re gifting a meat enthusiast a pan, chances are they already have a cast iron pan (or two). They might not have a carbon steel option, though. Carbon steel is lighter and is much better when it comes to temperature response than cast iron. Misen arrives pre-seasoned and is nonstick right out of the box. It heats quickly while the silicone handle cover ensures your hand stays cool. 

A Rack for More Than Cooling

Mrs. Anderson's Baking Half Sheet Baking and Cooling Rack

$12

$10 at Amazon

I’m a firm believer in reverse-seared steaks. You’ll need one of these cooling racks to create some space between your sheet pan and the steak. And if you cook bacon on a cooling rack set over a sheet pan in the oven, you’ll get perfectly crispy, straight rashers. There are plenty of uses for a cooling rack, but those two alone should be enough. 

And A Matching Sheet Pan 

Nordic Ware Naturals Baker's Half Sheet

$28 at Amazon $43 at Sur La Table $18 at Home Depot

For resting meat, dry brining a turkey, or throwing some chicken thighs in the oven, a good sheet pan has you covered. In our tests, Nordic Ware was less prone to warping because of its low-gauge construction. It’s heavy-duty, yet comes with a reasonable price tag for a set of two. 

A Meat Grinder 

Weston #8 Electric Meat Grinder

$186 at Amazon View on Perigold.com $191 at Wayfair

Lucky for you, we ran nearly 35 pounds of ground beef and pork through a meat grinder to find the best option. Any burger connoisseur knows freshly ground meat makes the best patties, and Weston’s efficiency is here to assist in that process.   

A KitchenAid Stand Mixer-Compatible Meat Grinder

KitchenAid KSMMGA Metal Food Grinder Attachment

$120

$77 at Amazon View on Williams Sonoma $120 at Target

This meat grinder is a great option for anyone who already has a KitchenAid stand mixer at home. If so, you can avoid another bulky appliance while still achieving great results. This attachment was easy to store and produced perfectly textured ground beef and pork in our tests. 

A Spatula For Burgers 

Dexter Russell S8696 Wood Handle 6 x 3" Offset Hamburger Turner

$37 at Amazon View on Walmart View on Dexterrussellcutlery.com

Once you have some freshly ground meat, reach for this offset turner for the perfect smash burger. In our tests, the sturdy turner paired with an angled handle was durable enough to smash patties but delicate enough to flip with ease.

A Good Set of Steak Knives

Victorinox Grand Maitre Steak Knife Set (Set of 4)

$294 at Amazon View on Victorinox.com

Steak knives (in my opinion) are crucial for hosting. Rather than handing out an assortment of your sharpest paring knives to dinner guests, put a set of these on your list. They’re a necessity, so why not splurge on a really good set if you’re gifting? With weighted wooden handles and a sharp blade, they look good and slice even better. 

A Bucket of Salt 

Maldon Sea Salt Flakes Bulk Tub

$50 at Amazon View on Walmart

There are few bites of food better than a perfectly cooked steak topped with flaky salt. Add some crispy potatoes on the side, also covered in flaky salt, and we’re approaching a “last meal” option. While Diamond Crystal kosher salt is the kitchen standard, a bucket of flaky salt makes a fun gift and is ideal for adding a pop of flavor to finished dishes.  

Our Favorite Pepper Mill 

Cole & Mason Derwent Pepper Grinder

$54 at Amazon $60 at Sur La Table $60 at Sur La Table

The longer ground pepper is exposed to air, the faster it loses flavor. By using a pepper mill, you’ll get more spice coming through in your dish. As one of the faster grinders we tested, Cole & Mason leads to less wrist fatigue when seasoning a few slabs of ribs.

A Sturdy Pair of Tongs

OXO Good Grips 16-Inch Locking Tongs

$24

$21 at Amazon $21 at Oxo

Tongs might be the best utensil to have an assortment of. You’ll need a sturdy, long pair, like this one from OXO, when reaching over a hot grill. The length keeps your hands further from the heat, and the strong grip ensures that your ribeye doesn’t land in the grass on the transfer to the serving tray.

An All-Purpose Serving Tray

Open Kitchen by Williams Sonoma Handled Platters

View on Williams Sonoma

When serving a smorgasbord of grilled meat, it’s best to have a platter or two to assist. The Williams Sonoma set includes three sizes, all with a wide bowl shape to help contain any runaway hot dogs. With multiple sizes, bowl shapes that are ideal for scooping, and handles for carrying, this set was our favorite.

Reading Material 

Good Meat: The Complete Guide to Sourcing and Cooking Sustainable Meat

$25 at Amazon

While I love the ease and convenience of online recipes, I’m a real sucker for physical media. If you’re on my gift list, don’t be surprised when a cookbook arrives. As the name indicates for this one, it’s about good meat. You’ll find detailed descriptions of the basics of shopping for and cooking meat, with plenty of recipes. 

A Smart Sous Vide Machine

Breville Joule Turbo Sous Vide

$250 at Amazon $250 at Target $250 at Sur La Table

A sous vide machine can encourage the meat enthusiast on your gift list to try a new style of cooking. The Breville Joule Turbo app includes how-to videos, which makes it a great idea for someone who may be trying a sous vide for the first time. In our tests, it was extremely fast and accurate—not even dropping a single degree in water temperature when we added salmon.  

And A Vacuum Sealer 

Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro

$155

$109 at Amazon View on Williams Sonoma $135 at Target

Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealer

$140

$129 at Amazon $129 at Target $129 at Walmart

For sous vide projects, freezing, and extending the shelf life of meat, either of our co-winners will seal the deal—pun intended. Both of these vacuum sealers are easy to use and have double-seal technology to ensure there are no leaks. 

Some Skewers

OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Grilling Skewers

$18 at Amazon $18 at Oxo

$30

$18 at Macy's

Why is food-on-a-stick always so good? Don’t ask me—it just is. Gift some skewers to inspire kebabs, souvlaki, or yakitori. For an upgraded skewer, OXO features broad handles that make flipping and threading food a practically effortless chore. 

Meat to Your Door

Good Chop

View on Goodchop.com

It seems like every year, I know someone who either gifts or receives a meat delivery service—and they’re always excited about it. Good Chop provides a quality assortment of beef, pork, chicken, and fish that will make anyone happy. It was the best meat delivery service our editors tested, and they recommend it for year-round use, too.

A Helper for Keeping Stovetops Clean

Le Creuset Splatter Guard

$60 at Amazon View on Williams Sonoma

Searing meat can be messy (read: oil splatters everywhere!). A splatter screen can help cut down on the amount of swiping and scrubbing you'll need to give your stovetop later. This one from Le Creuset is one of the best—and it has a handle that folds down for storage.

And Wine Too

Mysa Wine Natural Wine Club Subscription

View on Mysa.wine

As a former sommelier, I can confidently say that you need to pair wine with all this meat! This wine subscription focuses on natural wine, highlighting smaller producers. That means you’ll likely get some new and exciting options you won’t find in your grocery store. 

FAQs

What do you get someone who loves to cook meat?

For someone who loves to cook meat, there might be some essentials on this list they already have—like a cast iron pan. For them, think about specialized tools and gadgets. A sous vide machine, carbon steel pan, or boning knife all make unexpected but sure-to-be-appreciated gifts. 

What do you get someone who loves to grill? 

If it’s time for a grill upgrade, or if you’re looking to add a new style like a smoker, charcoal, or flat-top to someone's assortment, there are some great options on this list. If a new grill is not in the cards, some great choices are tongs, grill thermometer, or a meat delivery service. 

Why We’re the Experts

• Bryan Belknap is a contributing writer at Serious Eats. 
• As a former product tester for a kitchenware company, he’s worked with everything from pans to grills to utensils—understanding what makes a piece worthy of a spot in someone's kitchen (or backyard). 
• As the designated cook for dinner parties and grillouts, he is quite familiar with all the odds and ends needed to pull off a great meat-focused meal.