10 Most Popular Griddle Recipes You Need to Master

Here’s a look at some of the most popular griddle recipes to make on a Blackstone or other flat top grill! While some are great for beginners because they require minimal ingredients and steps, others are more complex with zone cooking or longer cook times required. So no matter what your skill level, you’ll find some awesome griddle recipes in this roundup!

So you’ve purchased a Blackstone griddle or other flat top grill, you’ve completed the griddle seasoning, and you’re ready to throw down your first meal and put your soon-to-be favorite piece of cooking equipment to the test! But what do you make first…

When you think of griddle cooking, you probably think of cheesesteaks, fried rice, and big breakfasts with eggs, bacon, pancakes, and all the fixin’s. And you’re not alone! These are some of the most popular griddle recipes to make on a Blackstone or other flat top grill.

And since we have a griddle cooking Facebook group with over 90,000 members, we often see what griddle owners are cooking out on their back decks… everything from classic comfort foods like country fried steak to Chinese dishes like lo mein or beef and broccoli.

So we’re pretty well-versed on popular foods to cook on the griddle!

The recipes listed in this post have all been made by us and tested multiple times on our griddle cooking YouTube channel, so hopefully you’re inspired to try something new!

The Most Popular Griddle Recipes for Beginners

Here are 10 of the most popular griddle recipes, many of which probably led you to buy a Blackstone or other griddle in the first place:

Smashburgers

Smash burgers are arguably the most popular griddle food to make because they require so few ingredients and a very short cook time. If you haven’t tried a smash burger, then you’re missing out – and you may never cook a hamburger on your regular gas or charcoal grill again! There’s something irresistible about a perfectly smashed burger with a crispy exterior and juicy interior.

Smash burgers are also the perfect griddle recipe for beginners because there are so few steps involved, so you’re able to really learn about using your griddle instead of worrying about a ton of ingredients or zone cooking different foods at different temperatures.

To make smash burgers on your Blackstone griddle, just follow these basic steps:

Form ground beef into balls that weigh about 3 oz each, and place them directly onto the hot griddle surface.
Use a griddle spatula or burger press to press down firmly, creating a thin patty that cooks quickly and develops a delicious crust.
After smashing, season the patties with salt and pepper or your favorite smash burger seasoning.
Cook for 2-3 minutes or until about 60-70% of the pink is gone from the top of the burger patty. Then, flip the smash burger patty, making sure to scrape that amazing “crust” off the griddle as you go.
Top with a slice of American cheese, and cook on the second side until done (just about 2 minutes depending on your griddle temperature). And be sure to steam or toast your hamburger buns!

Of course, that’s a brief synopsis of the basic steps to making this popular griddle dinner. You can get more details on the two most popular smash burger recipes to make on the griddle below:

Classic Smash Burgers

When you think of smash burgers, this classic version is probably what you imagine. Since the patties get “smashed” so thin, these irresistible burgers are often served doubled, with two patties stacked on top of each other.

Go here for everything you need to know about making perfect smash burgers – including how I like to measure out my meat (no scale needed), what tools you need, etc.

Fried Onion Burgers

If regular smash burgers are one of the most popular griddle recipes, then Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers are a close second. Think of these amazing fried onion burgers as a regular smash burger except with thinly sliced, perfectly caramelized onions added.

In fact, most pros smash the onions directly in the top of the beef ball with their burger press – I’ve actually seen George Motz, the “burger scholar” himself and owner of Hamburger America, make fried onion burgers and my Oklahoma fried onion burger recipe is basically a copycat of how he does it.

Cheesesteaks

Originating from Philadelphia, the cheesesteak has become a beloved American classic… Just don’t call it a “Philly” if you’ve added bell peppers or mushrooms. With those ingredients, just call it a “Cheesesteak” – trust me, the Philadelphia natives will come after you!

To make perfect cheesesteaks on your Blackstone griddle, just follow these basic steps:

authentic Philly cheesesteak with Cheez Whiz

Sauté diced onions in a small bit of high-heat cooking oil on the griddle.
Add thinly sliced ribeye steak to the griddle and “chop” into small pieces as it cooks. Add the sautéed diced onions to the steak and cook until the steak is almost done.
Portion the steak into a pile that is about the same length as your hoagie roll. Top with your choice of cheese, and place the hoagie roll opened up and upside-down on top of the meat and cheese pile to steam.
Pile the cooked steak mixture onto the hoagie roll. Add some melted cheese sauce or Cheez Whiz on top if you wish.

To print out our full cheesesteak recipes and to get more details on making these iconic griddle sandwiches, click the links down below:

Fried Rice

When most people think of a griddle or flat top grill, they probably think of the large flat cooking surface at their favorite Japanese steakhouse restaurant. So naturally, fried rice is one of the most popular griddle recipes.

And after having so many different fried rice dishes at various Asian restaurants, I can tell you that our fried rice recipe is better than you can get at a restaurant!

The traditional griddle fried rice that most people think of consists of diced carrots and onions, peas, soy sauce, and a few other Asian ingredients. But fried rice is a versatile dish that can be customized with your favorite ingredients, making it perfect for using up leftovers or creating a quick and satisfying meal.

We’ve even used shrimp, sausage, and a mixture of vegetables to create this Cajun fried rice, so the possibilities are endless!

Here are some awesome griddle fried rice recipes to try out:

Hibachi Chicken Teriyaki

For a full Japanese steakhouse dinner, pair your fried rice with a hibachi-style chicken teriyaki, another popular griddle recipe!

Yes, making hibachi chicken teriyaki at home requires more steps, and I recommend that you try some of the simpler griddle recipes on this list first… but once you master this popular flat top grill dinner you’ll be able to save yourself big bucks versus going out to a restaurant!

I prefer to make my own homemade teriyaki sauce (super easy!), but you can also use a store-bought bottled teriyaki instead. Then, you simply cut some boneless skinless chicken breasts into chunks, sauté them on the griddle, add the teriyaki sauce, and cook until done.

You can print out our full recipe for a complete Japanese-style chicken teriyaki dinner here: Hibachi Chicken on the Griddle (Easy Blackstone Hibachi Recipe)

Griddle Fajitas

Fajitas are another one of the most popular griddle recipes to make, because the large flat cooking surface of a flat top grill is perfect for cooking a larger volume of ingredients – like sliced bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, and your choice of protein – all at one time.

Try making a big batch of fajitas inside on your stovetop, and you’ll probably have to dirty up multiple skillets or cook the fajitas in batches. So making fajitas on the Blackstone griddle is definitely easier and involves less clean up.

Of course, there are tons of different fajita recipes out there, but the basics of making fajitas on the griddle includes sautéing sliced bell peppers and onions, along with your choice of proteins (marinated or not). Then, you mix everything together and serve with warm tortillas, fresh pico de gallo, or your favorite Mexican toppings.

chicken fajitas and vegetables cooking on a Blackstone griddle

We’ve got amazing recipes you can print out for steak, shrimp, or chicken fajitas – so pick your favorite from the list down below, or check out all of these fajita posts to learn more about making the perfect griddle fajitas! My personal favorite is our steak fajita recipe with a fantastic homemade marinade:

Pancakes

No griddle recipe roundup would be complete without mentioning pancakes, a griddle breakfast staple!

Pancakes are super easy to make on the griddle, and I actually prefer cooking them on a griddle versus a stovetop skillet, because I can prepare a large batch at once… and my kids LOVE pancakes, so we freeze the leftovers for easy weekday breakfasts.

To make pancakes on your Blackstone griddle, simply spoon your batter onto the heated griddle surface and cook until bubbles form around the outer edges, then flip and cook until golden brown. The pancake batter that you use is up to you, but we LOVE our homemade griddle pancakes recipe!

*TIP – I HIGHLY recommend that you cook pancakes on the griddle as a beginner or anytime that you get a new flat top grill. The pancake batter spreads out on the surface and when you flip the pancakes to the second side you can easily see where the hot spots and cool spots are on your griddle. Knowing these temperature zones is especially helpful as you start to prepare other recipes on the griddle!

*Need help with what temperature ranges to use for cooking a variety of griddle recipes? You can go here to grab this free printable griddle temperature chart!

griddle cooking temperature chart on a clipboard

Crispy Hash Browns

Shredded hash browns are another one of the most popular griddle recipes, probably because they’re a typical diner breakfast food… and people often think of the large commercial griddles of their favorite diner when considering what to cook on the flat top grill.

There are many different methods to make hash browns on the griddle, but to get the perfect crispy griddle hash browns takes some practice (and lots of patience as it takes longer to cook this breakfast side dish than what you may think)!

Click here for our griddle hash browns recipe and for our best tips for cooking hash browns on the griddle!

Perfect Griddle Eggs

The griddle isn’t just for meats and starches—it’s also great for cooking eggs to perfection!

Whether you prefer sunny-side-up, over-easy, or scrambled, the griddle provides even heat and ample space for cooking multiple eggs at once. For a simple and satisfying breakfast, cook eggs on your Blackstone griddle alongside bacon, sausage, or toast, and enjoy a delicious start to your day.

You can head here for our tips for making the best griddle scrambled eggs!

Asian Stir Fry or Noodles

Whether you opt for a protein and vegetable stir fry or you add in Asian noodles for a griddle lo mein, stir fry-style recipes are also popular to cook on the flat top grill!

With the large flat cooking surface and high-heat capabilities of a flat top grill, you’ve got the perfect method for preparing Asian meals for a crowd or just your family of four. You can stir fry noodles and vegetables to perfection, and reduce your homemade teriyaki sauces to just the right consistency. Just like for the Shrimp and Steak Stir Fry recipe down below:

cooking stir fry on the Blackstone with shrimp and steak

And since you’re in control of the flavors and the ingredients, the stir fry and noodle recipes that you make yourself are usually better than you can get at your local Chinese restaurant.

Here are some of our favorite stir fry and noodle recipes for the griddle:

shrimp, chicken, and beef lo mein on a Blackstone griddle

Griddle Quesadillas

Quesadillas are a quick and satisfying meal that can be customized with your favorite fillings, and a Blackstone griddle is perfect for making your favorite quesadilla recipes because you can make 4 or 5 quesadillas at one time (versus only being able to cook one at a time in a skillet).

To make quesadillas on your Blackstone griddle, start by placing a tortilla on the hot surface and sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over one half. Add cooked chicken, beef, or vegetables on top of the cheese, then fold the tortilla in half to enclose the filling. Cook until golden brown and crispy on both sides, then slice into wedges and serve with sauces for dipping.

Mexican-style chicken or beef quesadillas are probably the first to come to mind when it comes to this popular griddle food, but here are some of our other favorites:

Common Questions about Popular Blackstone Griddle Recipes

Can I cook delicate foods like fish on my Blackstone griddle?

Absolutely! In fact, we make this salmon on the griddle all the time! *TIP – The homemade salmon seasoning in that recipe is also perfect on roasted sweet potatoes.

cooked salmon on the Blackstone with butter and garlic

Can I use marinades or sauces on the griddle?

Yes, you can use marinades or sauces on the griddle to add flavor to your food (and we do it often). However, be cautious when using sugary or acidic marinades, as they can cause the griddle surface to become sticky or corroded if not cleaned properly.

In fact, we recommend our “clean as you go” method so that sticky sauces don’t continue to just sit on the griddle during the whole cook time… you can move your foods to the clean side of the griddle, scrape down that dirty area (add a little water to create steam if you need to), then move the foods back and clean the other part. If you do this a few times during the cook, especially for things that take a while to cook or if you’re preparing multiple items, then it will be easier to clean at the end.

How do I prevent food from sticking to the griddle?

To prevent food from sticking to the griddle, make sure it is properly seasoned before each use. You can season your griddle by applying a very thin layer of high-heat cooking oil and heating it until it begins to smoke. Go here for our full guide for how to season a griddle.

Additionally, using a light coating of oil before adding food to the griddle top can help create a non-stick surface.

Can I cook frozen food directly on the griddle?

When we first started cooking on an outdoor griddle about 5 years ago, the answer was “no” because the drastic temperature differences between the ice cold food and the super hot griddle may result in your griddle top warping (or bending or developing a slight curve so that it doesn’t sit flat).

However, griddle manufacturers have come a long way in recent years, and now most have built-in brackets on the underside of the griddle top to help with this problem. In fact, I have never had a griddle warp during cooking.

That being said, while it is possible to cook frozen food directly on the griddle, it may take longer to cook and result in uneven heating. For best results, thaw frozen food before cooking or at least “knock some of the cold off” by setting your frozen items out on the counter for about 30 minutes or so.

I hope this list of the most popular griddle recipes to make on the Blackstone inspires you to try something new! And be sure to reach out if you would like to see us cook a particular recipe on our griddle cooking YouTube channel.

And if you’re a Pinterest User, then be sure to PIN this to your board for Blackstone Griddle Recipes: