Summer is the perfect time to gather with friends and family, fire up the grill, and enjoy some mouthwatering BBQ.
Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or a beginner ready to dive into the world of outdoor cooking, these ultimate summer grilling tips will help you create delicious dishes everyone will love.
From juicy hamburgers to perfectly grilled corn on the cob, here’s how to make the most of your BBQ.
Grilling is a wonderful way to cook delicious and flavorful meals, capturing the essence of summertime gatherings and outdoor cooking.
During the summertime barbecue season, there’s nothing quite like the sizzle of juicy burgers on the grill. The aroma of smoky ribs wafting through the air is unbeatable.
It’s a time to gather with friends and family, bask in the warm sun, and indulge in delicious grilled delights.
Before we get started, we would offer the best tip on maintaining your grill grates.
Clean BBQ Grill Grates
Preheating your grill, ensuring the grates are clean, and properly seasoning your food can all contribute to minimizing sticking.
Top: Soft Metal Bristle Brush & Scraper Bottom: Grill Brush Bristle Free & Scraper
Additionally, using a grill brush to clean the grates before cooking can help remove any stubborn residue.
Heat your grill grates to 350 degrees. Dip the brush into ice cold water. Allow water to drain off. With brush on hot grates begin scrubbing.
The moisture drenched brush will steam clean the hot grates.
When you notice that metal brush pieces are falling out, time to toss the grill brush.
Alternatively, use a scraper head that is bristle free.
Tips For The Best Barbecue Season
Here are some tips to make your barbecue season the best it can be:
The top important tips to barbecuing is keep the lid of your barbecue closed. Only open it as necessary to maintain the perfect temperature.
Set up your grill with areas of direct and indirect heat. This allows you to sear meats quickly and then move them to a cooler part of the grill to cook through without burning.
Watch for flare-ups as well. If the flames get too high, move the meat to a cooler part of the grill.
Avoid putting too many items on the grill at once. This can lower the temperature and lead to uneven cooking.
After grilling, let the meat rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, providing a juicier bite. This applies especially to grilling beef steaks.
SummerTime Barbecue Cooking Techniques
As you fire up the barbecue, you can learn the art of perfectly searing steaks. This applies to both beef and pork. Achieve tender perfection with your grilling.
Steaks
Searing steaks, whether beef or pork, is a culinary technique. It transforms these cuts into mouthwatering masterpieces. Mastering it requires both knowledge and practice.
The key to achieving tender perfection lies in the Maillard reaction. This reaction occurs when the surface of the meat reaches temperatures around 300°F (150°C) or higher. It creates that coveted crust.
Chicken
Mastering the technique of basting chicken while it’s barbecuing is essential for achieving that mouthwatering, caramelized finish that everyone craves.
You have options for your chicken. You can season it and char the skin on the grill.
Alternatively, you can marinate the chicken before hand (Crafting the Perfect Marinade) or glaze it while it’s barbecuing.
As your chicken sizzles over the grill, use a basting brush to generously brush with your favorite bbq sauce every 10 to 15 minutes will not only enhance the chicken’s flavor but also keeps it moist and succulent.
Try Our Homemade Honey Barbecue Sauce
Meticulous attention to detail and a few essential steps will help you to achieve the perfect charred chicken skin.
Start with bone-in, skin-on cuts for the best flavor and moisture retention.
Before grilling, pat the skin dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve that coveted crispy texture.
Message avocado oil onto the chicken pieces along with the salt and pepper or bbq chicken seasoning.
Preheat your clean grill to medium-high. Do not oil grates, as chicken is covered with cooking oil.
Place the chicken skin-side down on the grill. Cook for approximately 6-8 minutes. Grill until the skin is beautifully golden and crisp.
Flip the chicken and continue grilling for another 6-8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
The result is succulent, juicy meat encased in a perfectly charred, golden skin. It crackles with each bite. This elevates your outdoor cooking experience to new heights.
Hamburger
The perfect BBQ hamburger starts with high-quality ground beef. Ideally, use an 80/20 blend of meat to fat for that juicy, flavorful bite.
You can choose to generously season the hamburger meat with salt and pepper or alternatively with a burger seasoning.
Get creative by mixing into the raw meat other ingredients, such as your favorite cheese, cubed or shredded.
Barbecue sauce and even some fresh leafy greens. Such as spinach, arugula, fresh basil or cilantro.
Green Hamburgers
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 12 ounces fresh basil
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- 1 1/4 pounds ground hamburger (15% Fat)
- 1 large egg
Wash first three ingredients. Place all greens into a food processor. Process greens until finely chopped. Set aside.
Next form a well in center of meat and place processed greens and egg; mix well. Form into hamburger patties.
Place on a heated BBQ grill and cook until done; about 4 minutes on each side. Plate and serve with favorite side condiments.
Preheat your grill to medium-high, allowing those beautiful char marks to form while locking in the juices.
As you place the patties on the grill, resist the urge to press them down. Allow them to sizzle and caramelize. This creates a mouthwatering crust.
Flip only once, and when they’re nearly done, crown each with a slice of cheese for that glorious melt.
Toast your buns lightly for added texture, and layer them with fresh toppings—crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, zesty pickles, bacon stripes, roasted garlic, sweet peppers and creamy avocado slices.
Finally, drizzle with your favorite condiments, and take a moment to appreciate your masterpiece before diving in.
With every bite, you’ll savor not just the flavors. You’ll experience the joy of a perfectly crafted BBQ hamburger. It is a testament to your grilling prowess.
Grilling Vegetables
Corn On The Cob
Learning to char corn on the cob is an art that combines patience, technique, and a little bit of flair.
Start by selecting fresh, plump ears of corn, their golden kernels glistening with moisture.
As you peel back the husks, the sweet, earthy aroma will ignite your senses. It sets the stage for a culinary adventure.
The key to achieving that perfect char is to preheat your grill until it’s scorching hot.
Place the corn directly on the grates, listening for that satisfying sizzle—a sound that promises smoky flavor.
Rotate the corn every few minutes, allowing it to develop those coveted charred spots without burning.
The goal is a balance: a tender kernel with a hint of caramelization, releasing its natural sugars. As you take the first bite, the satisfying crunch paired with smoky undertones.
You can turn your charred corn on the cob, into this Corn Salad with Queso Fresco. That charred flavored sweet corn kernels will give your salad some festive South Of The Boarder flavor.
Grilled Romaine Lettuce
Grilled romaine lettuce is a delicious and simple dish that adds a smoky flavor to the classic leafy green.
When grilling romaine, the outer leaves become slightly charred while the inner leaves retain their crispness, offering a delightful texture contrast.
To prepare grilled romaine, start by cutting a head of romaine lettuce in half lengthwise, leaving the core intact to hold the leaves together.
Drizzle the cut side lightly with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the lettuce halves on a hot grill, cut side down, and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes until grill marks appear and the leaves begin to soften.
Grilled romaine can be served as a stand-alone side dish or enhanced with toppings like strawberries, candied pecans, goat cheese and a drizzle of Apple Cider Maple Vinaigrette.
It is perfect for summer barbecues or adding a twist to a traditional salad.
Barbecuing Green Beans
Barbecuing green beans is a delightful way to bring out their natural sweetness and crunch while infusing them with a smoky flavor.
Two mouthwatering recipes you might enjoy are Barbecued Charred Green Beans with Bacon and Shallots, and Bacon Wrapped Green Beans.
So, grab your apron, tongs, and favorite seasonings, and get ready to elevate your outdoor cooking game this summer!
More Foods To Put On The Barbecue
Try These Recipe Favorites With Your Leftover Barbecued Chicken
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