Grilling Tips and Tricks
Get ready for the grilling season with our guide!
Spring is officially here, which means it’s that time of year again—grilling season!
To get you in the mood for warmer weather and outdoor gatherings, we’ve put together some tips and tricks for excellent grilling. We think they’ll make for an easier (and tastier!) time cooking and will maximize the fun you have with your guests.
Be Prepared
First, make sure you start with a clean grill. No one wants salmon that tastes like last night’s burgers! And make sure you have plates and utensils nearby and ready to go, so it’s easy to serve guests while the food is still hot.
It’s also helpful to keep a spray bottle of water handy, as it’s perfect for dampening flare-ups without interfering with the heat.
Cooking Tips
Whatever you’re grilling, it’s best to avoid putting cold foods directly on the grill. As is true for baking, giving the food you plan to grill 30 or 45 minutes to come to room temperature before beginning will help it cook more evenly.
Keep “carryover cooking” in mind. Food can continue to cook even after you take it off the grill. In fact, your food can go up about five degrees in temperature after leaving the grill, so it can actually be helpful to undercook.
When cooking meats, be careful not to squeeze or flatten them, since this can take away both moisture and flavor. It’s okay to leave the meats until it’s time to flip. And be careful not to add sauces too early! This can cause sugars to overcook and even burn. To create an ideal glaze, it’s best to wait until the last five to fifteen minutes of cooking to allow the sauce to caramelize and set on the meat.
Finally, if you enjoy grilling fish, you probably know that it sticks easily, and sometimes, this can get messy. To avoid sticky or split fish, add a thin coat of mayonnaise before cooking.
The Good Stuff
For a crowd pleaser, we recommend grilled pizza. If you’ve never grilled pizza, you’re missing out! The grill’s smoky flavor adds an extra something special to this perennial favorite, and there’s no end to the toppings and sauces you can choose.
Plus, if you’re making your own pizza, it’s easy to modify for picky eaters or those with dietary restrictions. Try a gluten-free crust, or, for the vegan in the family, skip the cheese (we know, we know). Opt for a simple marinara sauce as a base, and pile on your dairy-free toppings. Cheese-less pizza can be surprisingly tasty if you enhance the flavors in other ways.
If you’re serving dessert, grilled peaches are a fun, summery, and visually appealing option to offer your guests. Grill them with a little olive oil, arrange on a platter for an attractive presentation, and serve with ice cream. You’ll be sure to impress!
Note: You may have to wait until later in the season for the best, fresh peaches.
Relax
Don’t forget to enjoy your company and hard work. This is where our outdoor furniture comes in! We can’t think of a better place to relax and enjoy that burger than in one of our Adirondack chairs. With their deep, contoured seats, easy style, and tropical color options, you’ll have no trouble getting out of work mode, whether you use them as deck furniture with your grill set-up or in your yard.
Our small outdoor tables are ideal for holding food and drink, and, when paired with comfortable chairs, they make for a more intimate, lounge-friendly setting than a picnic table.
For more relaxation on grill night, check out our previous post on tropical-themed drinks here. You may be hosting, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the evening just as much as your guests!
