8 Chef Grilling Tips to Upgrade Your BBQing
8 Chef Grilling Tips to Upgrade Your BBQing
Of all the many wonderful ways to cook meat, few methods produce that smokey flavor, appetizing char lines, caramelized exterior, and juicy interior like grilling! This is great news as sunny days and BBQ season approaches. Whether you’re a grilling novice taking your first steps or an experienced BBQ cook, mastering your craft, our chefs have curated some useful grilling tips and tricks to help you achieve the perfect grill time after time…
1. Grilling Trick: Check the Temperature Before & After
Getting the sear just right
Achieving that perfect crispy outer sear while keeping the inside just right, without overdoing it is all about heat! It may sound like a no-brainer, but make sure the grill is smoking hot before you place the meat. This will also help keep your meat from sticking.
Knowing your grill is hot enough
Here’s a great grilling tip: If using charcoal, first check the coals are covered in a light layer of gray ash. Then, hover your hand about six inches (15cm) above the grill. If you can keep it there for three seconds without flinching, your grill needs more heat. But if you’ve got to pull your hand back because of the heat, you’re all set to start grilling. Usually, it takes about 10 to 15 minutes to preheat a grill properly (different grills heat up at their own pace, so take some time to get to know yours before you start cooking).
Achieving a well-balanced grill
Let your meat reach room temperature before grilling it. Cooking meat straight from the fridge can increase cooking time and result in uneven cooking.
Confidence your meat is sufficiently cooked
An instant read thermometer is the best tool to check if your food is cooked properly. Remember, different foods require specific temperatures to ensure they are safe to eat – so, check the right temperatures needed. Meat’s temperature can stay high even after it’s taken off the grill, continuing to cook it a bit more, so keep that in mind.
2. Leave the Food Alone (or not!)
Flipping your food throughout the grilling process is tempting! But, here’s an important rule.
For steaks, you only need to flip them once, as this ensures even cooking. Moving the steak around the grill or too much flipping extends the grilling time and keeps your guests waiting! For sausages, burgers, and kebabs, it’s best to flip them often. This ensures they cook evenly and don’t stick to the grill.
Another useful tip: keep the grill lid closed unless you’re flipping your food. This maintains a consistent heat, speeds up the cooking process, and prevents your food from drying out. More on this in tip #6.
3. Let the Meat Rest
After grilling meat, we recommend letting it rest for a few minutes before serving or cutting. Bigger pieces need more resting time than smaller ones. This gives the meat’s juices time to spread evenly, resulting in a juicier and tenderer dish. Covering the meat while it rests will lock in the heat! If you are grilling Redefine Meat new-meat* products, you can serve straight from the grill to your plate without delay!
4. Know the Difference Between Direct vs. Indirect Heat
Mastering the art of grilling is about understanding when to use direct and indirect heat techniques and how to tailor your approach to perfectly suit what’s on the menu.
As a rule of thumb, you should grill small whole cuts of meat, with quick cooking times, directly over the flames, whereas bigger, slower-cooking meats do better with indirect heat.
For instance, a steak, including premium cuts like Redefine Flank, should be cooked using direct heat for best results.
When using indirect heat for grilling, you’ll cook food on the side of the grill not directly exposed to flames. This method is ideal for cooking Redefine Premium Burgers, Kababs, and other items from our minced range.
Creating different heat zones on your grill is a handy technique that allows you to cook various types of meats or sides at the same time – using direct and indirect heat.
5. Add Sauces at the End
Jazzing up your grilled meats with marinades, sauces, or rubs? We’re all for that! But remember, timing is everything. Adding these too early may cause your food to burn or stick. We suggest basting or glazing the food in the final 5 to 15 minutes of cooking. This is because glazes usually contain sugar, which can catch fire and turn things sticky quickly.
6. Keep a Lid On It
See the lid on your grill? It isn’t just there to protect the grill when it’s not in use! It’s another tool in achieving great results! Keeping the lid down instills that sought-after smokey flavor into your meat. What’s more, keeping the lid down helps speed up the cooking time of your food, locks in all-important moisture, and saves energy!
Another culinary tip: If you’re using a charcoal grill, you can even use different varieties of charcoal to produce different smokey flavors. For example, hickory charcoal is known for its intensely smokey flavor!
7. Grilling Burgers with Care
When grilling burgers, be sure to keep a close eye on them as they cook quickly. This is one of the key tips for grilling burgers that will ensure they come out perfect every time. Avoid pressing down on the patties with a spatula, as this can squeeze out the juices, leaving them dry.
8. Cook with a Clean Grill
Keeping your grill clean is obviously important for general cleanliness and health. However, it also prevents your meat from sticking to the grill to get even results! Using a wire/ stainless steel brush when the grill is still a little hot makes it easier to remove any food or char residue. Then, once the grill has cooled down, wipe it with a paper towel and a little cooking oil.
Bonus Tips:
Winter Grilling
Don’t let the cold weather stop you. Bundle up and make sure to keep the lid closed as much as possible to maintain the heat.
Summer Grilling
Stay hydrated, keep your grill clean, and don’t forget the sunscreen!
Charcoal Grilling
Use a chimney starter for easier lighting and more even heat distribution. Always have extra charcoal on hand and never leave your grill unattended. Learning to control the airflow will help you manage the temperature better.
Propane Grilling
Always check for gas leaks before lighting your grill. Keep a spray bottle of soapy water handy to test for leaks around the connections.
Healthy Grilling
Opt for leaner cuts of meat and incorporate plenty of vegetables into your grilling routine for a healthier meal.
Smoker Tips for Beginners
Start with easy recipes and always keep an eye on your smoker’s temperature to ensure consistent results.
Secrets to Grilling
Patience and practice are key. Take your time to learn how your grill works and don’t be afraid to experiment with different techniques and flavors.
By incorporating these grilling tips and tricks, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the grill and impressing your guests with delicious, perfectly cooked meals every time.
Check out our New-Meat Recipes for Delicious Plant-Based Grilling
We know. This article wouldn’t be complete if you didn’t leave you with a few recipes to make your next BBQ something special!
California Sunshine (Burger with Avocado)
If you follow our tips for grilling burgers above, you’ll be left with the perfect juicy burger to make every bite of this dish delicious. Grilling will only add to the mouthwatering, smokey flavors of Redefine Premium Burger, which is perfectly complemented here with a cheese sauce and zingy lemon and avocado spread.
Greek Nights (Kabab Flatbread)
Although often overlooked, flatbread is a great addition to your grilled food repertoire. Especially if you grill it straight after you’ve grilled some luscious Redefine Lamb Kababs, so that the flatbread soaks up all of the residual flavor from the kababs. What’s not to love about this grilled recipe? It’s perfect for Winter or Summer grilling.
Prince of Egypt (Kababs with Lima Cream)
More kababs? We’ve got you. This time, the kababs lie on a bed of smooth lima bean cream for a new and creamy alternative to mashed potatoes. Adorned with fresh herbs and plenty of garlic and a zesty mint yogurt, this recipe is vibrant and wholesome. The grilled kababs are the cherry on top, bringing the whole dish together.
Marie Curie (Sausage Sandwich)
There’s no better way to enjoy a sausage than grilled. Sure, you can pan fry them or cook them in the oven, but there’s something wonderful about devouring a sausage with the charred flavor only a grill can bestow upon it. Pop your grilled Redefine Sausage inside a buttery croissant, and you’ve got a unique combination of flavor and texture that comes alive. Why not give it a try yourself?
Beef Flank Brochettes
A great way to grill cuts of meat is on a metal skewer, which is precisely the foundation of this recipe. Tender Redefine Beef Flank cubes are skewered between squares of onion so that they grill together and the beef flank absorbs the delicious juices from the onion. This is one of the easiest and tastiest ways to grill meat.
Helping you Save your BBQ!
Grilling is the heart and soul of the summer season! If you’re catering for meat lovers who are looking to reduce their animal meat or friends and family who are embracing a plant-based only lifestyle, Redefine Meat’s range of juicy burgers, sausages, kebabs, and premium whole cuts will not only save your BBQ, they’ll win you plenty of compliments! Happy grilling!
Locate your nearest Redefine Meat store here.
