Grilling is a fantastic way to draw out the flavors of different foods. It can be a quick and easy way to prepare your food if done right. The following tips will help you master grilling. Once you learn to grill like a pro, you will be able to grill different foods, including vegetables, steaks, burgers, chicken, and even seafood.
Choose Your Meat Wisely
One of the most important steps in the grilling process is selecting the right meat. This is just as important as any BBQ technique. The better your cut of meat, the better results you will get.
To ensure that you have the best meat, you should look out for:
- Color. Look at the color of the meat before you buy it. Beef should be dark red, veal a light pink, lamb a light red, and pork a red or deep pink.
- Marbling. Marbling in meat refers to the fat fibers in a piece of meat. Marbling affects how juicy or flavorful the meat will be.
- Cut. Different cuts come out differently once cooked. Check out the best meat to smoke on a pellet grill to see which cuts of meat are great for BBQing.
- Quality. Higher quality meat is tastier and will produce better results when grilling.
Moreover, If you are grilling chicken, go for chicken thighs. Chicken breasts dry up faster than thighs.
Get Organized
Nothing removes the joy of grilling, like running around to get everything together, especially after you have already started cooking. That is why it is important to organize yourself and prepare everything you need beforehand.
Set up your station. One way to do this is to set up your grilling station. This doesn’t have to be a complicated setup. A table with everything you need will do, don’t forget you electric fire starter. This way, you will have your grilling tools and food all in one place and avoid running back and forth between the kitchen and your grilling station. This is the way to go if you want to avoid burning or overcooking your food.
Prep your food. In addition, remember to prep your food before grilling. Room temperature meat is the way to go. So, thaw your meat before cooking it. Do not put frozen meat on your fired-up grill. Not only will the meat not cook evenly, but it will also dry up faster. If you are adding vegetables to the menu, chop them up beforehand.
Season your food. Most importantly, season your food before grilling. Seasoning is necessary to ensure that your food is packed with flavor. You can flavor your meat with an all-purpose spice rub or marinade at least 30 minutes before you start to cook it. This will ensure that the meat absorbs the flavors well. Be careful with sugar marinades, as they can make your meat burn faster.
Always preheat. Preheating your grill is a step you should never skip unless you are using a charcoal grill. Preheating will help cook your meat evenly.
Clean Your Grill
Make sure that your grill is clean before you use it. You can use a wire brush to clean between the grates. You can do this before cooking, during the preheating process, or after. Just make sure that the grill is warm, as this makes it easier to remove any debris. Cleaning prevents any food poisoning and helps avoid charring in your next BBQ session.
Use the Right Tools
Having the right tools will make your grilling process smoother. Such tools include:
- Thermometer. This is inarguably a BBQ pro’s best friend. A thermometer will help you know when your grill is ready for cooking and when your meat is done. If you do not want overcooked or undercooked meat, invest in a good thermometer.
- Brush. You will need a brush to apply any marinade on the meat. A silicone brush is great as it can withstand high heat.
- Tongs. These help you put the food on the grill and move it around as you cook. Get heavy-duty ones that will last long.
- Gloves. Gloves will protect your hands when handling hot objects. Therefore, invest in high-quality BBQ gloves.
- Grill pan and basket. These are great for vegetables such as sliced onions, mushrooms, or asparagus, which can easily fall off the grill while you cook. Both sit well on the grill and will allow the vegetables to get a smoky flavor without losing any pieces.
- Timer. This is a great tool to use, especially if you are a newbie. You can choose to use a cooking timer or the timer on your phone.
Let Your Meat Rest
As tempting as it can be to cut your meat right after you remove the grill, do not. When your meat is just off the grill, the juices are more liquid. Let your meat rest for five minutes to ensure that all the juices are redistributed evenly. To avoid losing all the juices when you cut, give it some time. This will produce a tender and juicier cut.
