Summer is upon us and that means one thing – grilling season! It's time to dust off the grill and fire it up for some delicious and succulent meals. But before you start throwing your meat on the grill, check out our ultimate guide to grilling for tips and tricks on how to cook your meat to perfection.
1. Choosing the right meat.
The first step to a perfect grilled meal is choosing the right type of meat. High quality and premium cuts of meat are essential for a flavorful and tender dish. Look for fresh, high-end cuts like prime ribeye, filet mignon, or lamb chops from a reputable meat company. These cuts have the right amount of marbling, which adds flavor and juiciness to your meat when cooked.
2.Prepare the meat before grilling.
This includes patting it dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, seasoning it with your desired spices, and letting it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before grilling. This will allow for more even cooking.
3.Preheat the grill.
Preheating the grill is crucial for a perfectly cooked meat. It ensures that the grill is hot enough to sear the meat and locks in the juices. Preheat your gas grill for at least 15 minutes on high heat and make sure the grates are clean. For a charcoal grill, wait until the coals turn gray and spread them evenly before placing the meat on the grill.
4.Use the right tools.
Invest in high-quality grilling tools like tongs, spatulas, and meat thermometers. Tongs are ideal for turning and flipping the meat without piercing it, which can result in losing juices. A spatula is perfect for delicate cuts like fish. And a meat thermometer is essential for checking the internal temperature, so you know when the meat is cooked to your desired doneness.
5. Perfect the grill marks.
Achieving those perfectly charred grill marks is a sign of a pro griller. To achieve this, place your meat diagonally on the grill grates and leave it for a few minutes before rotating it 90 degrees. This will create those perfect cross-hatch grill marks. Make sure not to move the meat around too much to avoid disrupting the grill marks.
6. Don't overcook.
One of the biggest mistakes when grilling meat is overcooking it. Invest in a meat thermometer and remove the meat from the grill when it reaches about 5 degrees below your desired level of doneness. This will allow for the meat to continue cooking while resting and reach the perfect temperature.
7. Rest the meat.
Make sure to let your meat rest for about 5-10 minutes after removing it from the grill. This helps the juices to redistribute and makes for a more tender and juicy bite.
8. Experiment with marinades and sauces.
While grilling high-end cuts of meat, you may want to keep the flavor simple to let the quality of the meat shine. But don't be afraid to experiment with different marinades and sauces to enhance the flavor. Just make sure to not overpower the natural flavor of the meat.