chargrill: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Culinary, informal, advertising
Quick answer
What does “chargrill” mean?
to cook food directly over a source of very high heat (typically charcoal, gas, or an electric element), often creating distinctive sear marks.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to cook food directly over a source of very high heat (typically charcoal, gas, or an electric element), often creating distinctive sear marks.
1. (verb) The specific culinary process of cooking over high, direct heat. 2. (adjective) Describing food that has been cooked in this way.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In American English, 'grill' is more commonly used for the same action. 'Chargrill' is more frequent in British English, especially in restaurant menus and food packaging, and carries a slightly more 'artisanal' or 'premium' connotation.
Connotations
UK: Often implies a charcoal-based, smoky flavour and is used as a marketing term for premium products (e.g., 'chargrilled chicken'). US: The term is understood but less common; 'grilled' is the default. When used, it often emphasises a specific cooking style, like on a 'charbroiler'.
Frequency
Medium frequency in UK culinary contexts; low-to-medium frequency in US contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “chargrill” in a Sentence
[NP] chargrill [NP] (e.g., He chargrilled the steak)[NP] be chargrilled (e.g., The peppers were chargrilled)[NP] chargrilled [NP] [PP] (e.g., She chargrilled the fish on the barbecue)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chargrill” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Let's chargrill these halloumi slices for the salad.
- The chef prefers to chargrill the aubergine whole.
American English
- We're going to chargrill the skirt steak for tacos.
- You can chargrill the corn right in the husk.
adverb
British English
- The salmon was cooked chargrill-style.
- (Usage as adverb is very rare; typically adjectival)
American English
- (Rarely used as an adverb; 'grilled' is used adverbially more often)
adjective
British English
- I'll have the chargrilled vegetable sandwich, please.
- The flavour of chargrilled red peppers is unbeatable.
American English
- They serve a chargrilled chicken Caesar salad.
- I love the chargrilled artichoke appetizer.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Common on restaurant menus and food product packaging to denote a cooking method and imply flavour.
Academic
Rare; might appear in gastronomy or food science texts.
Everyday
Used when discussing cooking methods, especially for meat and vegetables on a barbecue.
Technical
Used in professional kitchens to specify a cooking technique distinct from baking or pan-frying.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chargrill”
- Using 'chargrill' for cooking *in* an oven (broiling/grilling).
- Confusing 'chargrilled' with 'burnt'. Chargrilled implies controlled charring for flavour.
- Misspelling as 'char-grill' or 'char grill' (though hyphenated form is sometimes seen).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. While 'grill' is a broader term, 'chargrill' specifically emphasises cooking over very high, direct heat, often from charcoal or gas flames, with the intent of creating a charred, smoky flavour and distinct sear marks. It's a more descriptive culinary term.
Yes, if the electric grill can generate very high, direct heat sufficient to sear and char the food's surface. However, the term often carries a connotation of flame-grilling, so it's less commonly used for basic indoor electric grills.
'Barbecue' (BBQ) can refer to the equipment, the social event, or a slow-cooking method with indirect heat and smoke. 'Chargrill' refers specifically to the fast, high-heat cooking technique done directly over the heat source, which is often a part of barbecuing.
No. 'Chargrilled' implies intentional, controlled charring that enhances flavour and texture (like on a steak or pepper). 'Burnt' implies unwanted, excessive charring that results in a bitter, unpleasant taste.
to cook food directly over a source of very high heat (typically charcoal, gas, or an electric element), often creating distinctive sear marks.
Chargrill is usually culinary, informal, advertising in register.
Chargrill: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɑːˌɡrɪl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɑrˌɡrɪl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “chargrilled to perfection”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think CHAR (as in charcoal or char marks) + GRILL. You CHAR it on the GRILL.
Conceptual Metaphor
FIRE IS A TOOL FOR FLAVOUR (The application of intense heat transforms and enhances the food).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary implication of the term 'chargrill' as opposed to just 'grill'?