INSIDER’S GUIDE
Grilling
Remember grilling when we were kids? It involved a big Weber kettle grill, charcoal, some lighter fluid, and a sincere hope that dad didn’t set the house on fire.
Now there are choices of grills and cooking methods, a plethora of rubs, sauces and marinades, and a whole lot of choices for what goes on the grill. (If you’ve never had a freshly grilled peach, with a little brown sugar and cinnamon, served with a scoop of good ice cream, you are missing out my friend.)
Cooking food over charcoal, gas, or wood, the high temperatures and exposure to flames or hot coals create a unique sear and impart a smoky flavor that makes even the simplest foods taste delicious. (Think of the lowly Oscar Mayer hot dog…)
Let’s start with choosing the right grill…
Charcoal Grills offer smoky flavor and precise heat control and are a favorite of grilling traditionalists who appreciate the ritual of charcoal lighting.
Gas Grills are convenient and easy to use. They produce quick and consistent heat and are perfect for busy weeknights and casual cookouts.
Pellet Grills combine the convenience of gas grills with the flavor or charcoal, pellet grills use wood pellets to infuse food with a rich, smoky taste. They are a favorite of barbecue aficionados.
Preparation is the same no matter which grill you choose- clean the grates to prevent sticking and to ensure even cooking. Preheat the grill for proper searing and caramelization.
Food cooked with direct heat is ideal for searing meats and getting those beautiful grill marks. Indirect heat is perfect for slow cooking and smoking. Foods needing direct heat are positioned directly over the flames or coals, while indirect heat uses radiant heat from the grill to cook food without exposure to the flame.
Now that we’ve got the basics down, let’s kick that flavor up a notch…
Marinades not only infuse meat with flavor, they also tenderize meat. From tangy citrus blends to savory herb-infused concoctions, marinades add depth and complexity to grilled dishes. We’re DIY fans, so you know we headed over to a few of our favorite websites for some ideas.
Allrecipes calls this the Best Steak Marinade in Existence, and 4,559 people agreed. Its definitely going on our list too.
Ingredients
½ C olive oil
1/3 C soy sauce
1/3 C fresh lemon juice
¼ C Worcestershire sauce
3TBS dried basil
1 ½ TBS garlic powder
1 ½ TBS dried parsley flakes
1 TBS ground white pepper
1 tsp dried minced garlic (optional)
¼ tsp hot pepper sauce (optional)
Directions
Place all ingredients in a blender (or food processor) and blend on high speed until thoroughly combined, about 30 seconds.
Pour the marinade into a resealable plastic bag. Add steak, coat with marinade, squeeze out excess air, seal the bag and place in the refrigerator. Marinate thinner cuts like flank or skirt steak about 2-4 hours. Tougher cuts like top sirloin or sirloin tip will benefit from marinating overnight. When ready to grill, remove steak from the marinade and shake off excess. Discard the remaining marinade. Cook or grill steaks to desired doneness.
Despite the temptation, it is not safe to reuse the marinade straight from the bag. Instead, boil the liquid for several minutes. This will also reduce the liquid making a thick sauce that can be poured over your freshly grilled steak. Recipe and picture from Allrecipes website. Find it here…. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/143809/best-steak-marinade-in-existence/
No time for a marinade? Try a dry rub.
Dry rubs form a flavorful crust on the exterior of meats, enhancing texture and taste. Experiment with a variety of herbs, spices and seasonings to create your own signature rub, or try this one called Best Dry Rub for Ribs from Hey Grill Hey packed with classic BBQ flavors. Recipe and pictures from https://heygrillhey.com/best-dry-rub-for-ribs/
Ingredients
¼ C brown sugar
2 tsp kosher salt
2 tsp black pepper
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp ground mustard
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp celery salt
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl, using a fork to break up any clumps.
Store rib rub in an air-tight glass container, and it will last at least a month. You may need to shake or mix to break up brown sugar clumps
Feeling a little saucy instead?
From tangy barbecue sauces to spicy glazes, the right sauce can take your grilled creation to the next level. Whether you prefer sweet, savory or spicy, there’s a sauce to complement every dish. Here’s a good one from The Spruce Eats. It calls for chicken thighs (my favorite), but you can use it on beef or pork too. Make the sauce on the day you’ll use it- it only takes 15 minutes or prepare it ahead. It will keep in the fridge for up to a week.
Ingredients
1 C ketchup
¼ C white vinegar
¼ C brown sugar
2 TBS paprika
1 TBS olive oil
1 TBS chili powder
2 tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
Heat a medium saucepan on medium-low. Add all of the ingredients and allow the mixture to simmer for 5-8 minutes. Taste for flavor and add another ¼ tsp of cayenne if you’d like a spicier sauce.
Remove from heat and allow to cool completely before using. Will keep in the fridge for a week.
Brush the chicken with sauce about 10 minutes before it’s done. This gives the sauce time to caramelize but not scorch.
Pictures and recipe from The Spruce Eats. Find it here…. https://www.thespruceeats.com/better-bbq-chicken-sauce-333633
Good marinade, sauce and rub recipes are essential items for your recipe box. But if you’d like to include something a little less traditional, consider starting with a grilled romaine salad. Try this one from How Sweet Eats.
Ingredients
4 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled
½ C seasoned breadcrumbs
1 TBS unsalted butter (regular is fine, too)
1 garlic clove, minced
4 heads of romaine, sliced in half
Olive oil for brushing
Kosher salt & pepper
1 C cherry tomatoes, cut in half or quarters
½ C ranch dressing
¼ C crumbled blue cheese
2 TBS chopped fresh chives
Instructions
Preheat grill to high heat
Fry bacon, place on towel to remove excess grease.
Melt butter in a non-stick skillet. Add the breadcrumbs and garlic and stir to coat. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring often, until golden and fragrant. Remove from the heat.
Brush the cut sides of the romaine with olive oil. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. When the grill is hot, reduce heat to medium. Place romaine heads on the grill, cut side down. Grill for 1-2 minutes until the lettuce charrs, then flip over and grill for an additional 1 minute. Remove the romaine from the grill.
Serve family style on a large platter. Drizzle with ranch dressing (or any dressing you’d like- Balsamic is good too!) then top with tomatoes, bacon, blue cheese, and fresh chives. Sprinkle with toasted breadcrumbs and serve immediately.
Pictures and recipe from How Sweet Eats. Find it here…. https://www.howsweeteats.com/2022/06/grilled-romaine-salads/
Remember those grilled peaches I told you about? I think you’ll like this recipe from Spend With Pennies.
Ingredients
4 medium peaches, halved and pitted. (Choose freestone peaches if you can- the pit comes out easily)
2 TBS melted butter
2 TBS brown sugar
½ tsp cinnamon (more or less to taste)
Ice cream for serving
Instructions
Preheat grill to medium high. (If using a charcoal grill, prepare coals to medium heat.)
Brush cut side of peaches with butter and brown sugar. Rub the brown sugar into the butter so it sticks.
Sprinkle with cinnamon
Place the peaches, cut side up, and grill for 3 minutes. Flip and grill for 3-5 minutes more or until browned and tender.
Serve warm with ice cream and a drizzle of honey
Variations
Any sweetener will do, like honey or white sugar.
Sub any warm spices for cinnamon- a bit of ginger, apple pie spice, pumpkin pie spice- you get the idea.
Chopped and toasted pecans or walnuts, or even a sprinkle of granola will give peaches a nice bit of crunch.
Try other fruits like plums
Use whipped cream, or vanilla yogurt instead of ice cream if you’d like.
If you don’t have a grill (or if, like me, you’re afraid to use it) use a grill pan or even an air fryer.
Recipes and pictures from Spend with Pennies. https://www.spendwithpennies.com/brown-sugar-grilled-peaches/#wprm-recipe-container-156366
Beyond the culinary delights if offers, grilling is a great way to bring people together. Whether you’re hosting a big backyard barbeque with friends, or a quiet night with family, grilling turns an ordinary meal into something special. We hope these recipes inspire you to fire up the grill, embrace the sizzle and let your culinary creativity fly.
