As we approach the end of August, summer is heating up and it’s almost time for Labor Day. Since summer is a great time to fire up the barbeque, you probably have had more than a couple of times flipping burgers and grilling steaks. Here are some tips to tweak your grilling routine to add a little oomph to the foods you are grilling as well as impress your family and guest who might be over for dinner! This piece was written by Ashley Peterson who put together this list of barbecue tips and tricks! She is our Guest Writer for this week!
11 Tricks to Up Your Grilling Game
By Ashley Peterson
Young man grilling some meat and vegetable-meat skewers on gas grill
Simon Kadula/Shutterstock:
Royalty-free stock photo ID: 643473778
As the summer season kicks off, you’ll want to crank up the grill, but you might be looking for some new ways to use it! Grilling is a great cooking option for outdoor entertaining. You don’t have to move back and forth from the kitchen to the backyard, and your guests can eat as soon as the food is finished! Here are some tricks to make your grilling game fantastic this summer.
1. Two Skewers Instead of One:
When creating kebabs, use two skewers instead of one. This will ensure the meat doesn’t rotate or cook unevenly when you turn over the kebab. To make sure the skewers don’t burn while grilling them, soak them in water for about 30 minutes prior to adding meat, vegetables, or fruit slices to them. They’ll look great stacked on a monogrammed personalized cutting board or another unique plating arrangement.
2. Spray Something Sweet:
There’s a couple of techniques often used by barbecuers called mopping and spritzing. These techniques allow you to add an extra smoky flavor to the meat you’re grilling. It’s super simple to create. Pick something sweet, such as apple juice, or bourbon. Then, put it in a spray bottle and spritz the meat periodically while grilling it, flipping it over shortly after spritzing. The crust of the meat will be softer, but the meat will be very tender!
3. Wrap Veggies in Foil:
Did you know you can use your grill to make veggies? Whether it’s zucchini, squash, carrots, or even sweet potatoes, your grill can cook practically any vegetable. Sure, you can place them right on the grill to get some nice char marks, but you can also wrap them in tin foil and leave them on the fire for a good 10 minutes. You won’t have to make the veggies beforehand, and they’ll be fresh for your guests!
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4. Put Herbs Over the Charcoal:
You can add some earthy flavors to your meat by putting the herbs directly over the charcoal prior to starting the grill. You can use any of the herbs you have in your pantry, including dill, thyme, rosemary, or even parsley and basil. The woody flavors will be incorporated into the overall flavor without even needing to go on the meat!
5. Clean with an Onion:
Keep your grill clean and fresh like a pro by using an onion to clean it! Halve the onion and then attach it to a roasting stick and rub it up and down each rung of your grill. The acid in the onion dissolves all the built-up gunk on your grill, plus it adds a nice onion flavor to your next grilled meal. Your guests will be super impressed at the end of the night when you get out an onion after the grill has cooled.
6. DIY a Mini-Smoker:
To create a mini-smoker, you don’t need much. Find a foil envelope (like the one you send packages in), fill it with wood chips, cut some holes into the envelope and place it on top of the burner (but under the grate). It’ll add a great smoky flavor to whatever you cook, all without needing to purchase a large smoker!
7. Keep the Skin on the Fish:
Though it might be slightly more difficult to do, keeping the skin on the fish adds a lot of texture to the fish, especially salmon. You’ll want to make the grill as hot as you can get it. Then, brush the fish skin with oil and place the skin side of the fish down onto the grill. Close the lid to let the fish cook, and don’t flip it at any point. You’ll also want to reduce the heat later. The point of the high heat at first is to get a nice sear on the skin, but you want the rest of the fish to cook evenly and slowly to keep it flaky and moist.
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8. Grilled Fruit Skewers:
Grilled fruit has a unique flavor to it. The smokiness and char from the grill actually bring out the sweetness of the fruit. Make sure you pick fruits that are sturdy, such as melons or strawberries. They don’t need to grill for long, either, so make sure you pay close attention to them! Use them to garnish the meat you grill or serve them as a side dish. Drizzle some balsamic vinegar over them to add some tanginess to the fruit, or serve it on the side for your guests to dip their skewers into.
9. Make Dessert:
Keep the party going by using your grill to make dessert! There are so many different recipes you can use to create the best and tastiest grilled desserts. From bananas stuffed with marshmallows and chocolate to grilled peaches caramelized with cinnamon sugar, you can wow your guests with sweet treats made from the same grill their hamburgers came from. Just make sure you clean your grill before making dessert, though!
10. Don’t Press the Burger:
When actually cooking the patty on the grill, it’s very important that you don’t mess with it while it cooks. Leave the patty alone while it’s on the grill, and definitely do not use your spatula to press it down. Pressing the patty will cause all the juice to escape, leaving you with a dry patty once it’s cooked.
11. Grill Safely!
One of the best tricks to grilling is to do it safely. You’ll want to use good tools and get enough protective gear. This includes mittens, spatulas, dish towels, tongs, and spears. Grilling safely can still be done in style! Add a fun personalized apron or two to your grilling gear to keep your clothes from staining.
If you’ve never grilled before, these tricks should definitely help you nail the grilling game right from the start. Even if you’ve been grilling for years, it never hurts to add a trick or two to your grilling tool kit. Doing any of these before, during, or after grilling is sure to impress all your guests. You might even be one step closer to becoming a grill master!
About the author, Ashley Peterson,
Ashley Peterson is the Director of Marketing at GiftsForYouNow. Her favorite part of the job is connecting others with sentimental and personalized gifts that foster lifelong memories.
Ashley is also a mother of two and enjoys spending time with her family and exploring the outdoors.
Thanks to Ashley Peterson for her tips and tricks to add a little spice to your bbq meals!
One More Tip: Finding the Best Gas Grill for your Barbecues!
One really important tip that wasn’t included is the importance of finding the right grill for you and your cook-outs! There are so many grills on the market, it’s often time-consuming to find one that is the right size to fit your barbecuing needs, with accessories that are worth having, and priced under $500! Check out this article The Best 8 Gas Grills for Under $500!
Stevie Wilson,
LA-Story.com
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