Grilling & Barbecuing Words

About this list

A curated list of essential German grilling & barbecuing words — organized into categories with translations and example sentences. A practical starting point for using these words in real conversations.

Whether you're in Volkspark Friedrichshain or Tempelhofer Feld in Berlin, by a lake in Bavaria, or on a balcony in Vienna, grilling is a big part of summer culture in German-speaking countries. In this post, we'll teach you some key vocabulary and useful phrases about grilling.

Grilling vs. Barbecuing

In German, both activities are generally called the same thing:

grillento grill / barbecue
der Grillgrill / barbecue (device)
das Grillengrilling (as a noun)
die Grillpartybarbecue party
die Grillwurstgrilled sausage
die Kohlecharcoal
die Holzkohlewood charcoal
der Gasgrillgas grill
der Holzkohlegrillcharcoal grill

Food on the Grill

Here’s the vocabulary for the most common foods you'll find on a German grill:

die Bratwurstbratwurst / sausage
das Steaksteak
das Hähnchenchicken
der Maiskolbencorn on the cob
das Gemüsevegetables
der Grillkäsegrill cheese / halloumi-style cheese
die Zucchinizucchini / courgette
die Champignonsmushrooms
die Folienkartoffelfoil-wrapped baked potato
der Grillspießskewer / kebab

Phrases for Grilling

Here are useful everyday phrases you’ll hear at any grill party:

Was darf ich dir auf den Teller legen?

What can I put on your plate?

Möchtest du eine Wurst oder ein Steak?

Would you like a sausage or a steak?

Das Fleisch ist gleich fertig.

The meat is almost done.

Ich grille heute vegetarisch.

I’m grilling vegetarian today.

Der Grill ist heiß, pass auf!

The grill is hot, be careful!

Kannst du bitte die Zange reichen?

Can you pass the tongs, please?

Ich habe einen Nudelsalat mitgebracht.

I brought a pasta salad.

Wir machen nachher noch Marshmallows.

We’re roasting marshmallows later.

Grilling Equipment & Tools

If you’re helping set up or clean up the grill, these are the words to know:

die Grillzangegrill tongs
der Grillrostgrill grate
die Aluschalealuminum tray
das Feuerzeuglighter
der Anzünderfire starter
der Deckellid
die Schürzeapron
die Serviettenapkin
der Papptellerpaper plate
das Einwegbesteckdisposable cutlery

Sauces, Dips & Sides

It wouldn’t be a proper grill party without sauces and sides. Here’s how to talk about them:

der Ketchupketchup
der Senfmustard
die Mayonnaisemayonnaise
die BBQ-SoßeBBQ sauce
der Kartoffelsalatpotato salad
der Nudelsalatpasta salad
das Baguettebaguette
die Kräuterbutterherb butter
der Dipdip / sauce

Final Thoughts

With these words and phrases, you’ll be ready to join the conversation, offer food politely, and understand what’s happening around the grill.

As always, if we've missed anything important, please don't hestiate to get in touch!

Grilling & Barbecuing Words (B1) | Vocabulary List