It’s officially barbecue season. Soon, we will be gathering with friends and enjoying delicious food together in the scorching sun. There is always room to improve your barbecue game and, with these 12 tips, you can make it a tasty day.
Use the right fuel
Though charcoal is usually the fuel of choice, there are better options that can really help to flavour your food to the max. We would recommend lumpwood charcoal, as it gives your meat a smoky, mouth-watering taste. You can purchase lumpwood from specialists, gardening centres or even Amazon for a bargain price,
Be organised
Cooking a barbecue can be a stressful experience, particularly when balancing a lot of different elements. Try and marinate some of your meat the night before and organise your equipment before cooking. To take some of the stress out of preparation, try a meat box delivery – this is a quick and easy way to get excellent quality produce brought straight to your door.
Lose fridge chill
Meat is best cooked when allowed to reach room temperature – if too chilled the meat can become too cold in the centre, yet burnt on the outside. Always take your ingredients out of the fridge at least 20 minutes before cooking.
Control the heat
Getting your barbecue to the perfect heat is one of the most important steps to achieving perfectly cooked food. To test it out, hold your hand about 6 inches above the grill and see how long you can hold it there. if you can hold it there for longer than 10 seconds your barbecue is too cold, whilst 2 seconds is too hot. Aim to be able to hold your hand above it for 5 seconds – this should be the perfect temperature for your barbecue.
Invest in the best tools
Achieving a perfect barbecue is a lot harder without decent tools – a high-quality pair of tongs makes turning your meat a little easier. Invest in thick oven gloves to protect yourself from the scorching heat.
Make your own burgers
There is something special about a homemade burger. Perhaps it’s the use of fresh ingredients, or its thicker texture. Making your own is an easy way to impress your guests this summer, and using high-quality meat is the key to success. Why not try a meat box delivery – they only sell the best meats from British farmers, and even have a barbecue box for extra ease.
Add fish to the menu
Fish is often left out of the barbecue menu, but it tastes fantastic when grilled. Fish absorbs the smoky flavour from charcoal or wood and is a good accompaniment to your barbecue spread. Marinate it in spices for an even better flavour.
Marinade
Marinating your meat takes your barbecue game to the next level. There are a variety of different rubs you can try, from peri-peri to curry. Begin the process the night before to allow the meat to fully absorb all the delicious flavours.
Rest the meat
Always rest your meat for up to half an hour, as this ensures a succulent and juicy taste. Eating it too early leaves the meat tough, since the juice quickly flows out after cutting. Keep your food warm by wrapping it in foil, or place on a warming tray to ensure it stays hot.
Grill vegetables
Though meat may be the obvious choice, adding vegetables to your barbecue is delectable, as well as a healthy side dish. Barbecuing veg leaves them perfectly cooked yet slightly charred – slice them thin and get grilling.
Add healthy sides
The side dishes are just as important as the meat! How about adding a tasty salad to your menu, or perhaps a jacket potato? This makes the meal more substantial and will go down a treat with friends and family.
