Grill vs. Toast — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 26, 2023
Grill is to cook food over an open flame or on a grill grate, often resulting in charred or seared marks. Toast is to brown or crisp bread by exposing it to heat, typically in a toaster or oven, without an open flame.
Difference Between Grill and Toast
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Grill: To cook food over an open flame or on a grill grate, often resulting in charred or seared marks.
Toast: To brown or crisp bread by exposing it to heat, typically in a toaster or oven, without an open flame.
Comparison Chart
Cooking Method
Uses open flames or grill grates for cooking
Utilizes dry heat to brown or crisp bread
Food Examples
Commonly used for grilling meats, vegetables, or seafood
Primarily used for toasting bread, bagels, or pastries
Cooking Surface
Requires a grill or grill pan
Uses a toaster or oven
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Resulting Texture
Often imparts grill marks and a smoky flavor
Produces a crispy or toasted texture
Culinary Applications
Suitable for outdoor barbecues and grilling recipes
Used for making breakfast or sandwiches
Compare with Definitions
Grill
A method of outdoor cooking with direct heat.
The chef will grill the marinated chicken for tonight's special.
Toast
To brown bread by heat, often in a toaster.
She likes her toast with butter and jam in the morning.
Grill
A technique for enhancing the flavor of food with grill marks.
Grilling imparts a unique taste to kebabs and skewers.
Toast
Bread heated until crispy and golden.
The kitchen was filled with the aroma of freshly toasted bread.
Grill
To broil on a gridiron.
Toast
A quick method for making crunchy bread.
The toaster makes perfect toast every time.
Grill
To torture or afflict as if by broiling.
Toast
Bread transformed into a warm and crisp snack.
He prepared avocado toast for a healthy brunch.
Grill
(Informal) To question relentlessly; cross-examine.
Toast
To cook bread slices until they are lightly browned.
The chef will toast the bread for the sandwich.
Grill
To mark or emboss with a gridiron.
Toast
To heat and brown (bread, for example) by exposure to radiant heat.
Grill
A cooking surface of parallel metal bars; a gridiron.
Toast
To warm thoroughly, as before a fire
Toast one's feet.
Grill
Food cooked by broiling or grilling.
Toast
To become toasted
This bread toasts well.
Grill
An informal restaurant or a room in a restaurant where grilled foods are served. Also called grillroom.
Toast
To drink to the health or honor of.
Grill
A series of marks grilled or embossed on a surface.
Toast
To propose or drink a toast.
Grill
Variant of grille.
Toast
Sliced bread heated and browned.
Grill
A grating; a grid of wire or a sheet of material with a pattern of holes or slots, usually used to protect something while allowing the passage of air and liquids. Typical uses: to allow air through a fan while preventing fingers or objects from passing; to allow people to talk to somebody, while preventing attack.
Toast
(Slang) One that is doomed, in trouble, or unworthy of further consideration.
Grill
The criss-cross pieces that separate panes of glass in a window.
Toast
The act of raising a glass and drinking in honor of or to the health of a person or thing.
Grill
On a vehicle, a slotted cover as above, to protect and hide the radiator, while admitting air to cool it.
Toast
A proposal to drink to someone or something or a speech given before the taking of such a drink.
Grill
(UK) A cooking device comprising a source of radiative heat and a means of holding food under it; a broiler in US English
Toast
The one honored by a toast.
Grill
(US) A cooking device comprising a source of radiative and convective heat and a means of holding food above it; a barbecue.
I put some peppers and mushrooms on the grill to go with dinner.
Toast
A person receiving much attention or acclaim
The toast of Broadway.
Grill
Food (designed to be) cooked on a grill.
A packet of frozen cauliflower cheese grills
Toast
(uncountable) Toasted bread.
I ate a piece of toast for breakfast.
Grill
A grillroom; a restaurant serving grilled food.
These coupons will get you a discount at Johnny's Bar and Grill.
Toast
(countable) A proposed salutation (e.g. to say "cheers") while drinking alcohol.
At the reception, there were many toasts from the well-wishers.
Grill
(colloquial) A type of jewelry worn on the front teeth.
Toast
(countable) A person, group, or notable object to which a salutation with alcohol is made; a person or group held in similar esteem.
He was the toast of high society.
Grill
The front teeth regarded collectively.
Toast
Something that will be no more; something subject to impending destruction, harm or injury.
If I ever get my hands on the guy that stole my wallet, he’s toast!
Grill
(obsolete) Harm.
Toast
Extemporaneous narrative poem or rap.
Grill
(transitive) To cook (food) on a grill; to barbecue.
Why don't we get together Saturday and grill some burgers?
Toast
A transient, informational unclickable pop-up overlay, less interactive than a snackbar.
Grill
To cook food under the element of a stove or only under the top element of an oven – (US) broil, (cooking) salamander.
Toast
To lightly cook by browning via direct exposure to a fire or other heat source.
We liked to toast marshmallows around the campfire.
Grill
To interrogate; to question aggressively or harshly.
The police grilled him about his movements at the time of the crime.
Toast
To grill, lightly cook by browning specifically under a grill or in a toaster
Top with cheese and toast under the grill for a few minutes.
Grill
To feel very hot; to swelter.
Toast
To engage in a salutation and/or accompanying raising of glasses while drinking alcohol in honor of someone or something.
We toasted the happy couple many times over the course of the evening.
Grill
(transitive) To stamp or mark with a grill.
Toast
To warm thoroughly.
I toasted my feet by the fire.
Grill
To make angry; provoke; offend, incite.
Toast
To perform extemporaneous narrative poem or rap.
Grill
To terrify; make tremble.
Toast
To dry and brown by the heat of a fire; as, to toast bread.
Grill
To tremble; shiver.
Toast
To warm thoroughly; as, to toast the feet.
Grill
To snarl; snap.
Toast
To name when a health is proposed to be drunk; to drink to the health, or in honor, of; as, to toast a lady.
Grill
(obsolete) Harsh, rough, severe; cruel.
Toast
Bread dried and browned before a fire, usually in slices; also, a kind of food prepared by putting slices of toasted bread into milk, gravy, etc.
My sober evening let the tankard bless,With toast embrowned, and fragrant nutmeg fraught.
Grill
A gridiron.
[They] make grills of [wood] to broil their meat.
Toast
A lady in honor of whom persons or a company are invited to drink; - so called because toasts were formerly put into the liquor, as a great delicacy.
It now came to the time of Mr. Jones to give a toast . . . who could not refrain from mentioning his dear Sophia.
Grill
That which is broiled on a gridiron, as meat, fish, etc.
Toast
Hence, any person, especially a person of distinction, in honor of whom a health is drunk; hence, also, anything so commemorated; a sentiment, as "The land we live in," "The day we celebrate," etc.
Grill
A figure of crossed bars with interstices, such as those sometimes impressed upon postage stamps.
Toast
Slices of bread that have been toasted
Grill
A grillroom.
Toast
A celebrity who receives much accalim and attention;
He was the toast of the town
Grill
To broil on a grill or gridiron.
Boiling of men in caldrons, grilling them on gridirons.
Toast
A person in desperate straits; someone doomed;
I'm a goner if this plan doesn't work
One mistake and you're toast
Grill
To torment, as if by broiling.
Toast
A drink in honor of or to the health of a person or event
Grill
To stamp or mark with a grill.
Toast
Make brown and crisp by heating;
Toast bread
Crisp potatoes
Grill
To undergo the process of being grilled, or broiled; to broil.
He had grilled in the heat, sweated in the rains.
Toast
Propose a toast to;
Let us toast the birthday girl!
Let's drink to the New Year
Grill
A restaurant where food is cooked on a grill
Grill
A framework of metal bars used as a partition or a grate;
He cooked hamburgers on the grill
Grill
Cook over a grill;
Grill the sausages
Grill
To cook on an open flame or grill, giving food sear marks.
He loves to grill burgers on the barbecue for family gatherings.
Grill
To char food over high heat for a smoky flavor.
Grilled vegetables are a healthy and delicious side dish.
Grill
Cooking on a metal grate over fire or coals.
They decided to grill steaks for their summer cookout.
Common Curiosities
What is grilling?
Grilling is a cooking method that involves cooking food over an open flame or on a grill grate, often resulting in charred or seared marks.
What equipment is needed for grilling?
Grilling requires a grill or grill pan and a heat source, such as charcoal or gas.
What are the advantages of grilling?
Grilling imparts a unique flavor, sear marks, and a smoky taste to food, making it a popular cooking method for various dishes.
Why is toast a popular breakfast option?
Toast is a quick and convenient breakfast choice, as it can be customized with various toppings like butter, jam, or spreads.
Is grilling suitable for indoor cooking?
While outdoor grilling is common, indoor grill pans can be used for grilling in kitchens.
Can you toast bread without a toaster?
Yes, bread can be toasted in an oven, on a stovetop, or even over an open flame with caution.
Is toasting only for bread?
Toasting is commonly associated with bread, but it can also apply to items like bagels, pastries, or even nuts.
What types of food are commonly grilled?
Grilling is commonly used for meats like burgers, steaks, and chicken, as well as vegetables and seafood.
What does "toast" mean in culinary terms?
In culinary terms, "toast" refers to browning or crisping bread by exposing it to heat, often in a toaster or oven.
What is the difference between toasted and untoasted bread?
Toasted bread is browned and crispy, while untoasted bread is soft and often used for making sandwiches or as a base for toppings.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
