cooking out
Grilling food outdoors over direct heat.
Also called cookin' out, grilling out.
Updated September 21, 2026
cooking out pronunciation
/COOK-in owt/
Meaning
Means you are fixing supper on the grill or over a fire outside, usually burgers, dogs, chicken, or steaks. In redneck talk it is casual yard food, not a day-long smoker run. Folks also say grilling out. The gathering itself often gets called a cookout.
How folks use it
- “We're cooking out tonight if it don't rain.”
- “Daddy's cooking out hamburgers while Mama makes the slaw.”
Origin and etymology
Southern and Appalachian verb-plus-out talk for cooking outdoors. It marks place (outside) more than fancy technique. Speakers often keep it separate from barbecue, which points to slow smoke. Exact first print date is uncertain; the phrase grew out of everyday grill culture.
Frequently asked questions
Is cooking out the same as barbecue?
Not usually down South. Cooking out is quick grill food. Barbecue more often means low-and-slow smoked meat.