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Outdoor Kitchen Countertop Ideas for Every Style and Budget

Alex Rennie

By Alex Rennie

Family Handyman's Editorial Process

Updated on Jul. 03, 2025

Outdoor kitchen countertop ideas can transform your space. Let’s narrow down the options and determine which type is best for your outdoor kitchen.

Adding a kitchen to your outdoor space opens up lots of opportunities for socializing and hanging out with family, especially since no one wants to be cooped up in a stuffy indoor kitchen on a sunny day. When designing your setup, exploring the best outdoor kitchen countertop ideas is essential, as the countertop is a highly visible element that needs to be durable.

Ahead experts Sylvia Fountaine, professional chef and creator of Feasting at Home and Ben Neely, owner of Riverbend Homes, share their insights on modern outdoor countertop styles.

What To Look for in an Outdoor Kitchen Countertop

Here’s what to take into consideration when shopping for an outdoor kitchen countertop:

  • Climate: The weather in your area will impact your countertop, visually and structurally. Intense sunlight can fade and stain some materials. In cold climates, the freezing and thawing cycles can cause cracks leading to structural damage. Fountaine says stainless steel countertops can get extremely hot in direct sunlight. She has been scorched while using them with clients!
  • Aesthetics: Think about color and texture so the countertop effortlessly blends in instead of standing out. An expensive, high-end countertop can look out of place in a rustic setting. Neely says if your outdoor kitchen features a lot of masonry, choose a stone countertop to complement it.
  • Durability: Consider how you’ll use the outdoor kitchen countertop. Will it be only for food prep and buffet setup? Or will it also be a staging area for gardening and outdoor projects?
  • Ease of cleaning: Non-porous countertops (stainless steel, granite, soapstone) let you easily wipe up spills and grease spots. Porous surfaces (tile grout, unsealed concrete, wood) can be easily stained by red wine, cooking oil and condiments and should never be cleaned with oven cleaner, no matter the material.
  • Food safety: “The more porous the substance,” Fountaine says, “the more opportunities there are for bacteria and foodborne illness.” Stainless steel, granite and sealed concrete are easy to keep sanitized, she says, with little to no texture to hide germs. Porous materials like unsealed tile and grout aren’t a dealbreaker but Fountaine is adamant about using cutting boards outdoors and not letting food sit on the countertop.
  • Maintenance: Porous countertops need to be sealed with a protective coating every couple of years. This is inconvenient and adds to the long-term cost. Neely says, depending on the material, you can go longer between sealings if you keep your countertop in the shade.
  • Cost: Outdoor kitchen countertop options come in a wide range of prices. Generally, the more expensive the material, the more durable and convenient it is to maintain and clean. Although cheaper options save money up front, outdoor kitchen costs future repairs, resealing and cleaning challenges might not be worth the initial savings. “If you don’t have the budget up front,” Fountaine says, “prioritize food safety above all.” According to Ranney Blair Weidmann Remodeling, a remodeling company in Atlanta, Georgia, tile is usually the cheapest option at as little as $3 per square foot, while Home Depot states that quartz countertops cost an average of $85 per square foot.

Also consider the type of sink you want, especially if it will be mounted on or in the countertop. Some sinks work best with certain countertop materials.

Top Outdoor Kitchen Countertop Materials Compared

1 / 6

Granite countertop texture surface
Flavio Coelho/Getty Images

Granite

Granite is an igneous rock created from ancient volcanic activity. It can contain lots of different minerals, creating unique patterns of swirls and veins.

According to Neely, granite is “probably the most ideal for outdoor kitchen countertops,” citing its durability against stains and the elements. Knowing how to clean granite countertops properly also helps preserve their natural beauty and longevity. Granite countertops are extremely heavy and must be positioned and supported properly to avoid cracking.

Note: If you’re up for the task, you can DIY the installation. If not, leave it to the professionals.

Pros

  • Can go years without resealing;
  • Resists prolonged sun and moisture exposure;
  • Easy to sanitize;
  • Available in a range of colors and pattern choices.

Cons

  • Expensive;
  • Can get hot in direct sunlight;
  • You may regret an ultra “busy” design after a few years;
  • Challenging to install.
2 / 6

Quartz and plaster texture for external architectural surfaces
StevanZZ/Getty Images

Quartz

These engineered countertops are made by grinding quartzite stone and combining it with polymers and resins to form a slab. Pigments and metal flakes can be added to this mixture to create specific colors, making quartz a popular choice for modern outdoor countertop styles.

However, the high price tag and heavy weight of quartz make it challenging to install correctly. Even an inexperienced DIYer can sometimes damage the slab or seriously injure themselves attempting installation. Hiring a professional is worth the cost.

Pros

Cons

  • Can yellow in direct sunlight, so should be placed under an awning;
  • Vulnerable to cold weather damage;
  • Expensive;
  • Installation is not DIY-friendly.
3 / 6

full frame shot of a concrete countertop with a brownish color
© Monika Halinowska/Getty Images

Concrete

No-frills concrete countertops are one of Neely’s favorite options, calling it “probably the third most common countertop our clients want.” If you don’t mind a few inevitable cracks, concrete could be a great choice.

If you’re comfortable working with concrete and constructing molds, you can install a concrete countertop yourself. However, it’s a time-consuming task, so be sure you have enough time to complete it.

Pros

  • Mid-range price;
  • Relatively simple to repair;
  • Stays cool to the touch;
  • DIY installation.

Cons

  • Will crack over time;
  • Porous surface susceptible to stains and water spots;
  • Must be sealed to serve as a food surface.
4 / 6

Full frame of scratched stainless steel surface
arsenisspyros/Getty Images

Stainless Steel

A food-safe favorite of Fountaine, stainless steel countertops are what you’d find in a professional kitchen. That makes them a practical and functional choice for serious cooks, indoors and out.

Installation is fairly simple. If you have access to a fabricator who can create the countertop shape and size you want, an experienced DIYer should be able to take it from there.

Pros

  • Easy to clean and prevents bacterial growth;
  • Sleek and modern look;
  • Can be installed by an experienced DIYer.

Cons

  • Can rust in wet climates;
  • Can get hot in direct sunlight;
  • Vulnerable to scratches;
  • Expensive.
5 / 6

Full Frame Shot Of Tiled Floor
Kwanchai Lerttanapunyaporn/Getty Images

Tile

Tile countertops can be made of whatever tile shape and size you like and arranged in a variety of patterns. If a striking visual is your priority over a functional cooking surface, tile countertops could be a cost-effective choice.

If you have the budget, porcelain and ceramic tiles provide the best protection against bacteria and stains. Installing tile is relatively straightforward and the easiest option for an adventurous DIYer.

Pros

  • Most tiles are cheaper than other countertop options;
  • Relatively simple installation for DIYers;
  • Endless color, pattern and design choices.

Cons

  • Porous grout is hard to keep clean;
  • Tile and grout must be sealed to be a food surface;
  • Susceptible to cracking and dislodging over time, especially in climates with freeze/thaw cycles.
6 / 6

Black soap stone with natural pattern texture background.
mikhail badaev/Getty Images

Soapstone

The incredible pressure required to create this metamorphic rock makes it extremely dense, so it resists stains and moisture without a sealant.

Although soapstone has a noticeably softer consistency than other stone options it scratches easily. This softness makes it easier to cut and shape during installation than harder stone options but also relatively fragile; it can snap if not supported properly while placing.

If you decide to tackle installation yourself, make sure you know what you’re doing and have several strong friends to help out.

Pros

  • Non-porous surface resists stains;
  • Resists heat well;
  • Doesn’t need to be sealed;
  • The dark color creates a powerful, dramatic look.

Cons

  • Soft consistency is not ideal for those who want a pristine surface.
  • Color hues are limited to what nature created.

Maintenance and care tips for outdoor countertops

  • Clean every week: Wipe down countertops with mild soap and water or a stone-safe cleaner to remove dirt, mildew and spills.
  • Seal regularly: Texas Granite Group, a Central Texas-based countertop fabrication company, advises applying a high-quality stone sealer once a year (or as needed) to prevent stains and moisture absorption.
  • Protect from harsh outdoor elements: Install a cover or use a custom countertop cover to protect surfaces from UV rays, debris and moisture.
  • Use trivets for hot items: Avoid placing hot pans or pots directly on the surface. Use trivets or heat pads to prevent damage.

FAQs

What are affordable options for outdoor kitchen countertops?

Tile and concrete offer two of the most budget-friendly options for outdoor kitchen countertop ideas. Tile starts around $3 per square foot and allows for creative design, though grout lines require regular maintenance. Concrete provides a mid-range option with excellent customization potential. Both materials can be DIY-friendly for experienced homeowners, further reducing costs.

What is the best countertop material for outdoor kitchens?

Granite is widely considered the best material for outdoor kitchen countertops. It offers excellent durability and heat resistance and qualifies as one of the top low-maintenance countertops for outdoor use. When properly sealed, it withstands direct sunlight without fading and resists moisture damage.

About the Experts

  • Sylvia Fountaine is a professional chef with more than 30 years of experience in the food industry. A former restaurant owner and wedding caterer, she launched the Feasting at Home blog in 2011 to share her catering recipes.
  • Ben Neely is the owner of Riverbend Homes, a second-generation, family-owned company that has been designing and building custom homes in the Texas Hill Country since 1996.

Sources

Author
Alex Rennie
Alex Rennie is a freelance writer who specializes in the home improvement, DIY, and appliance space. Having spent more than five years as a residential and commercial carpenter in NYC–specializing in custom furniture construction and installation–Alex uses his hands-on experience and expert insight to craft product reviews, buying guides, and h...
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Alex Rennie