char-grilled

Blackened over fire

Char-grilled describes food cooked over high heat on a grill, producing characteristic blackened marks and a smoky flavor: char-grilled burgers, char-grilled vegetables.

The char refers to the slight charring where flames or hot grates contact the surface.

Also spelled chargrilled.

texture

crust

Hard outer layer

crispyBrittle and snapping
searedBurned on the surface
tenderSoft or sore

juicy · succulent · blistered · rendered · caramelized · golden-brown · bark · crackling

flavor

smoky

Filled with combustion haze

caramelizedBrowned through sugar heating
blackenedDarkened by burning
woodfireCombustion of timber

hickory · mesquite · applewood · campfire · earthy · robust · savory · umami · chipotle · aroma

foods

steak

Thick beef slice

burgersMeat patties in buns
ribsThoracic bone set
chickenDomestic fowl for eating

kebabs · skewers · sausages · vegetables · corn · peppers · aubergine · portobello · prawns · oysters

technique

searing

Browning with intense heat

grateFramework of metal bars
flippingTurning over rapidly
bastingMoistening meat while cooking

resting · briquettes · propane · yakitori · asado · satay

equipment

barbecue

Slow-cook over coals

tongsHinged grasping utensil
spatulaFlat-bladed kitchen tool
grateFramework of metal bars

rotisserie · firebox · smoker · hibachi · kamado · weber · thermometer · skewers

Opposites

cooking method

char-grilledboiled

Heated until bubbling

steamed · raw · uncooked · poached · microwaved

cooking intensity/char level

char-grilledraw

In original state

uncooked · rare · undercooked · pale

Family

char, grill, grilled, grilling, grills, charred, charring, chars, charcoal

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G