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5 Best Grill Baskets for Fish, Vegetables and More
Our experts tested 10 grill baskets to find the best picks, from nonstick to stainless steel.
We updated this article in March 2023 to add more information about each product, based on extensive testing done by the Good Housekeeping Institute.
A grill basket is an easy-to-use grilling accessory that makes it simple to maneuver and develop charred flavor on small or delicate ingredients on a hot grill. They can be used on a pellet grill or a portable grill and some can even be used over an open flame while camping. They’re an efficient way to turn and rotate foods that might fall through the grates, like thinly sliced onions, or food that could require time skewering before cooking, like diced chicken or shrimp. This barbecue tool is also a smart investment if you enjoy foods that tend to stick to grill grates, like a delicate fish fillet.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, we test a wide variety of grill gear, including grill thermometers and BBQ tongs to help you have a successful barbecue. In our recent grill basket testing, we tested 10 grill baskets and grilled over four pounds of veggies to find the grill baskets that performed best. The grill baskets that ranked highest produced caramelized red onion, roasted asparagus and perfectly charred bell pepper and were easy to handle and clean.
Our top picks:
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- 3
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- 5
Read more about how we evaluate grill baskets in our Lab — plus everything you need to know to shop for your perfect grill basket — at the end of this guide. Don't have an outdoor space for grilling with a grill basket? Check out our guides to the best indoor grills and the best grill pans for grilling from the comfort of your kitchen.
Proud Grill Company UltraVersatile Stainless Steel Grill Basket
Proud Grill Company UltraVersatile Stainless Steel Grill Basket
Pros
- Removable dividers
- Removable handle
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Discolors after grilling which can require extra cleaning if you want it to look new
Proud Grill UltraVersatile Stainless Steel Grill Basket is our best overall grill basket because it's true to its name and versatile. Whether you like to separate your shrimp from your veggies or are grilling a small whole fish, this grill basket is up to the task. In our testing, the veggies had a nice char on the exterior, but still were a little crisp on the inside. We love that it has perforated walls and dividers that can be removed for large ingredients or added to create separate compartments based on what you are grilling.
This grill basket is lightweight and has a handle that can be snapped on for easy carrying or taken off so that it doesn’t get in the way of closing the grill hood. Our pros were able to easily remove all veggies from the grill basket, and it was easy to clean — but the stainless steel did discolor, which would need to be removed with stainless steel cleaner to keep it looking new.
| Weight | 2.9 pounds |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 15" x 10" x 2 ½" |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Handle | Detachable stainless steel handle with rubber grip |
Lodge Dual Handled Grill Basket
Pros
- Cast iron comes preseasoned and ready for use
- Durable
- Affordable
Cons
- Heavier than other baskets on our list
This Lodge pick is a circular cast iron grill basket with teardrop shaped holes in the bottom. At under $40, this grill basket is very affordable while also built to last. In our testing, it produced veggies with a really beautiful char, perfect for tucking into your favorite summer sandwich. It offers a decent amount of surface area for a bunch of veggies: We found that it was okay if the grill basket was a little crowded as the veggies still cooked evenly. Because of its circular shape with handles on the sides, it may be difficult to pair with another grill basket on many grills.
Just like your favorite cast iron pan, this grill basket is heavy. Take caution when carrying and maneuvering it, as it was the heftiest we tested — and it also remained hot the longest. This pre-seasoned grill basket was incredibly easy to hand wash after testing and still looked brand-new after veggies were removed. For future uses, you can clean and maintain this grill basket as you would your other cast iron cookware.
| Weight | 7 pounds |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 12 ½" x 2 ¼" |
| Material | Cast iron |
| Handle | Two attached cast iron handles |
Weber Professional Grade Grill Pan
Weber Professional Grade Grill Pan
Pros
- Produced the most well-charred vegetables in our tests
- Large surface area
- Lightweight
Cons
- Discolors after grilling which could require extra cleaning
While Weber offers a handful of grill baskets, we were especially impressed with the Weber Style Professional Grade Grill Pan. This stainless steel grill basket features small slots and offers a lot of surface area which allows you to get under larger ingredients like fish well and the low walls ensure that veggies get a nice char. Its size also allows it to be paired with another grill basket on a standard sized 450-square-inch outdoor grill.
In our testing, it produced well-charred veggies after only five minutes of grilling, and after eight minutes, the veggies were soft and had the greatest number of char marks out of any other grill basket we tested. Our pros love how slim and compact this grill basket is for storage compared with other grill baskets with high sloping walls — you could easily store it with your rimmed sheet pans. It's also lightweight and released all veggies easily, but it did discolor after grilling.
If you are looking to grill a whole stuffed fish that needs to be flipped, the Weber Large Fish Basket is another great option with its flexible stainless steel grates and wide handles on either side. This basket is also tops for grilling bacon or veggies.
| Weight | Less than one pound |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 17" x 12" x 1.5" |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Handle | Two attached stainless steel handles |
Nordic Ware Nonstick Grill and Shake Basket
Nordic Ware Nonstick Grill and Shake Basket
Pros
- High, sloping sides to keep foods contained
- Nonstick
- Lightweight
Cons
- Hand wash only
Nordic Ware Nonstick Grill & Shake Basket is an affordable nonstick grill basket, perfect for those extra-delicate ingredients that tend to stick, like a filet of salmon or blistered tomatoes. In our testing, we were impressed by its nonstick material and high sides that allow for veggies to glide across and up and down the basket with ease as they achieve a nice char. Its high sides are great for ensuring that veggies do not fall overboard and its perforated holes are key to giving veggies their grill marks. We did notice in testing that veggies cooked down quicker than other grill baskets, which is ideal for veggies that need a longer cook time like butternut squash.
Two things to consider with this grill basket are that because it is nonstick, it cannot be heated over 450˚F and it needs to be hand washed. In our testing, we noticed some scratches on the nonstick coated bottom of the basket after use, which is why hand washing and not using metal utensils will help extend the basket's life.
| Weight | 2.4 pounds |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 2.5" x 14" x 12" |
| Material | Nonstick aluminized steel |
| Handle | Two attached nonstick handles |
Outset Jumbo Nonstick 3-In-1 Grill Basket
Pros
- Three grill baskets in one
- Nonstick
Cons
- Handle should be removed when used on grill
The two-piece design of this grill basket gives you tons of options whether you're grilling veggies in your backyard or roasting mussels over an open fire. There are three ways to use it: You can use the shallower skillet, the deeper skillet or latch them together for an enclosed basket that is easy to shake and ensures that your ingredients aren’t flying out. In our testing, veggies were evenly cooked and were nice and tender.
Thanks to the basket's nonstick material, veggies also released easily, and after a quick clean, the basket looked as good as new. Its long handle is helpful for carrying and cooking over an open fire, but it should be removed when used on the grill as it will get too hot and may not allow you to close your grill's hood.
| Weight | 3 pounds |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 25" x 11" x 4" |
| Material | Nonstick steel |
| Handle | Removable nonstick steel handle |
How we tested the best grill baskets
The experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab ventured outdoors to test 10 grill baskets. We grilled equal amounts of sliced red bell pepper, whole asparagus and wedges of red onion on the same grill for each grill basket.
In addition to evaluating the results of our grilled vegetables, we rated each grill basket for ease of use, durability and cleanability. We tested a variety of grill baskets in terms of size, shape, material and handles to see how they compared in side-by-side testing.
We preheated all grill baskets for five minutes at 500 degrees and cooked each batch of veggies for eight minutes, flipping halfway through the grilling process. We inspected and tasted all veggies for evenness of cooking, appearance and flavor of char marks and how easily we could remove the food from the grill pan.
In our recent review, we also tested grill baskets from Cuisinart, All-Clad, Uncommon Goods, Kingsford and another model from Weber.
What to look for when shopping for the best grill basket
✔️ Size: Consider the overall surface area of the basket and the size of the perforations or slots. If you plan to cook asparagus or whole fish, you will need ample room in the basket. If you like to grill baby potatoes or shrimp, you’ll want smaller perforations or holes or a tighter matrix to a grid. If you want to use more than one basket at a time, be sure that two can fit side-by-side on your grilling surface.
✔️ Shape: Grill baskets come in a number of styles: perforated square trays with high walls, hinged grids that clamp together like a clamshell with long handles and skillet-like baskets. Some grill baskets have a fairly universal shape, meaning they can accommodate a range of foods. Others are designed to close around ears of corn or meatballs or even a quesadilla. Find the style that works for the foods you cook most. "I like baskets that are long or have lots of surface space because I find them to be more versatile, but if you're mostly using for veggies, ones with slopes sides/handles are good for shaking/tossing," says Nicole Papantoniou, Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab Director.
✔️ Material: Grill baskets are most commonly made from nonstick steel or stainless steel, but they can also come in cast iron.
- Nonstick steel grill baskets are easy to clean and ensure that even the most delicate foods will be released. But to retain their longevity, they should be hand washed and not heated beyond 450˚F. You also need to use BBQ tools that won't scratch the coating.
- Stainless steel grill baskets are durable and can be heated to very high temperatures, but they may discolor after grilling. This material comes in a variety of different shapes and sizes as well.
- Cast iron grill baskets can be heated to high temperatures and help retain heat well, but they tend to be very heavy and can offer carry-over cooking if your ingredients aren't removed after the grill basket is taken off the grill.
✔️ Handles: Whether you opt for a tray style or a clamshell style, you want handle placement that keeps your hands away from the flame. You also want handles that are heat-resistant and wide enough for a secure grip for shaking, rotating and transporting. Some baskets feature detachable handles for easy storage or removing when the grill is closed, while other have them attached at the sides that stay intact throughout cooking and storing.
✔️ Cleanability: Depending on the material, some grill baskets are easier to clean. Nonstick and cast iron models cannot go in the dishwasher, but discolored less in our testing. Stainless steel can go in the dishwasher, but you can also use a stainless steel cleaner to help remove any discoloration.
How to use a grill basket
You can use a grill basket as a way to get more use out of your grill — no need to go indoors to roast your baby potatoes or cook green beans. Or be a considerate host and cook a veggie burger for your vegan friend on a designated basket away from the rest of the burgers.
"Heat it up the same way you would heat up your grill," says Papantoniou. "Oil ingredients before you put them in basket and space foods apart so there's room for a sear/good browning." Shake, toss or flip ingredients halfway through cooking in a grill basket to achieve even cooking and carmelization on both sides and throughout each ingredient.
Grill baskets can be used with a variety of ingredients, not just zucchini, onions or fish. Try grilling green beans, bacon or even sandwiches in a grill basket. After you're finished grilling, let your grill basket cool down before handling. If you do have to handle the basket though, use protective grill mitts.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
As a reviews analyst in the The Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, Eva Bleyer has tested a wide variety of kitchen appliances, tools and gear, including pizza stones, kitchen scales and so much more. She conducted the most recent side-by-side testing of grill baskets. Eva earned a B.S. in Food Studies, Nutrition and Public Health from New York University and is a graduate of the Natural Gourmet Institute. As a lifelong vegetarian, Eva is very familiar with grilling veggies and knows how cumbersome the task can be without a grill basket.
Eva (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she tests kitchen gear, home appliances and culinary innovations. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor of science in food studies, nutrition and public health and is a trained chef through the Natural Gourmet Institute. Eva has more than 10 years of experience in the food industry, working as a food stylist, personal chef and marketing manager.
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