A tabletop outdoor griddle can change the way you think about cooking outside. No grates, no flare-ups, no lost vegetables falling through the cracks — just a wide, flat, searingly hot surface that handles everything from breakfast to dinner with equal confidence. Here are five flat top griddle recipes worth mastering, plus the one technique that ties them all together.

What Are the Best Things to Cook on a Griddle?

The best things to cook on a flat top griddle are dishes that benefit from direct, even contact with a hot surface — proteins that need a proper sear, vegetables that caramelize at the edges, eggs that cook gently without sticking, and anything that builds flavor through sustained heat. The enameled cast iron surface of the All-Clad 17" Tabletop Griddle holds heat exceptionally well, making it ideal for high-heat cooking and low-and-slow finishing alike.

How Do You Cook on a Flat Top Griddle?

Flat top cooking is simpler than it looks. Preheat the griddle for 5 minutes, add a thin layer of oil, and let the surface do the work. The key is resisting the urge to move food too soon — a proper sear releases naturally when it's ready. Manage temperature by positioning food closer to or further from the center of the burner.

The Lid Steam Finish — The Technique That Changes Everything

The included lid is more than a cover — you can use it too. Once your protein has a proper sear on the griddle surface, turn the griddle off and close the lid to trap the steam. The retained heat and moisture cook the interior gently without drying out the exterior or continuing to brown the crust.

It works beautifully for smash burgers with melted cheese — lid on for 30 seconds and the cheese melts completely without overcooking the patty. For chicken, it's the difference between a dry exterior and a juicy finish. For vegetables, it softens the interior while keeping the caramelized edges intact.

Prefer to have a dedicated accessory for this? Our Stainless Steel Domed Melting Lid, 12.5" is purpose-built for exactly this — spacious enough to cover four standard burger patties at once, with a domed design that circulates steam evenly over whatever's underneath. Heavy gauge polished stainless steel, dishwasher safe, and backed by our Limited Lifetime Warranty.

One technique, two tools — used at the right moment, either elevates every dish on the griddle.

What to Cook on a Griddle for Dinner — 5 Easy Meals

1. Smash Burgers

The flat top griddle is the natural home of the smash burger. Form loose beef balls, place on the hot griddle, and press firmly with a grill press until thin. The maximum surface contact creates a deep, lacquered crust that a rounded burger on a grate can never achieve. Cook for 2–3 minutes per side. Top each patty with a slice of cheese, then turn off the griddle and cover with the lid for the final minute to melt the cheese to perfection. Serve immediately.

2. Hibachi Dinner with Fried Rice

The wide surface handles a full hibachi dinner simultaneously — protein on one side, vegetables on the other, fried rice finishing in the center. Use day-old rice for best results, toss with soy sauce, sesame oil, and egg directly on the griddle surface. Use the lid steam finish technique explained above on the protein while the rice crisps alongside. This is the griddle recipe that impresses every time.

3. Griddled Fish Tacos 

Season fish fillets with cumin, smoked paprika, garlic, and lime. Cook 3–4 minutes per side on the hot griddle until almost done, then place the lid over the fish for the final minute to steam-finish without drying out the flesh. Warm corn tortillas directly on the surface alongside. Top with slaw, pico de gallo, and fresh cilantro.

4. Simple Breakfast for Dinner

Bacon, eggs, and pancakes all at once — the 17" surface handles it without juggling pans. Cook bacon first, use the rendered fat for the eggs, and pour pancake batter into the remaining space. Place the melting lid over the pancakes briefly to help them cook through evenly without burning the bottom. Fast, simple, and genuinely satisfying outdoor cooking.

5. Seared Scallops with Herb Butter

The enameled cast iron surface reaches temperatures that create the kind of golden crust on scallops that usually requires a professional kitchen. Pat dry, season with salt, sear 90 seconds per side untouched. Add a knob of butter and fresh herbs directly on the griddle surface and use the lid for 20 seconds to finish with a gentle steam. Simple, fast, and impressive.

What to Cook on a Flat Top Griddle for a Crowd

The 17" cooking surface is sized for up to 4 people — enough for a full dinner service without the complexity of managing multiple burners. The most popular approach: run the five dishes above as a sequential menu, using the lid steam finish to carry each dish to a perfect finish. Start with scallops, move to smash burgers, finish with fried rice — every round makes better use of the retained heat in the enameled cast iron surface. And for larger gatherings, our full outdoor griddle lineup has the right size for every occasion.

The All-Clad 17" Tabletop Griddle — Popular for Good Reason

The 17" Tabletop Gas Griddle with Lid is built around the enameled cast iron surface that makes these recipes possible. The dual-layer enamel remains flavor-neutral and heats to 570°F — fast, even, and consistent from edge to edge. It goes from 0 to 392°F in about 5 minutes, the integrated drip tray makes cleanup straightforward, and the included lid transforms from cover to finishing tool with every dish you make.

Compact enough for a balcony, powerful enough for a full outdoor dinner — this is the outdoor griddle that earns its place in any cooking setup.

Shop the All-Clad 17" Tabletop Griddle and start cooking outdoors differently.