Our Top 10 Tips for Better Grilled Dishes
Everyone loves a BBQ and just the act of grilling can be very satisfying in itself. But grilling outcomes can range from extraordinary to blah. Regardless of whether you're preferred grill fare is meat, seafood, vegetables, fruit (mangos, pineapples, peaches are terrific grilled!), or any combination, we have some pro tips to help you land on the extraordinary end of the spectrum every time you grill!
Tip 1: Allow meat to come to room temp (at least 30 minutes or more) before cooking, particularly in the case of large cuts like bone-in steaks. Cold meat won't cook as evenly on the grill and will dry out much more easily.
Tip 2: Don't fuss with your food. Let your food sit on the grate in its original position as long as possible so that it cooks through evenly and gets nice grill marks and then turn it over once, if necessary. For the best grill marks, sear your meat at a 45-degree angle, then rotate the meat 90 degrees and sear it again.
Tip 3: Long and slow cooking, rather than cooking at extreme heat, generally results in a juicier, more succulent product. All proteins respond well to slower cooking times, but especially those that have a good amount of fat marbling.
Tip 4: If you're seeking a nice char, cooking on a gas grill is a better choice than charcoal. Gas grills can produce a higher heat, enabling better sear and char flavor. As vegetables cook especially quickly, keep a close eye on them; they can scorch in an instant.
Tip 5: For a smoky flavor, charcoal cooking is the best option. As different charcoals introduce different flavors, experiment and find what you like best. And to maximize the smoky flavor, keep your grill lid down as much of the time as possible.
Tip 6: Use marinade before and after, but not during the cooking process. Dip your products in your marinade (or add them both to a bowl with a lid and turn it over a few times) as far in advance of cooking as you can and then pat dry or shake off any excess sauce. Then brush again with marinade immediately before taking the food off the grill. This will ensure that the marinade flavor is retained, rather than burned off your food.
Tip 7: Mayo is the secret to extra crispy chicken skin. To make chicken skin especially crisp and the meat juicy, rub a little bit – not a lot – of mayonnaise under the skin before throwing it on the grill. You can also add a mix of softened butter, garlic and herbs.
Tip 8: Oil the meat, not the grill. A thin layer of oil on the food holds in its moisture. Not to mention, if your grill is dripping in oil, it burns your ingredients and becomes big fire hazard!
Tip 9: Don’t marinate your fish. While a marinade will add extra flavour to your fish, it will likely compromise texture too; marinade generally causes fish to fall apart. Swap a marinade for a dash of olive oil and perhaps a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
Tip 10: Take fish off the grill a bit before it's cooked to your liking. The residual heat will continue to cook the fish for several minutes after it's off the heat. Overcooked fish is a common grilling disappointment!
Of course, it goes without saying that selecting the best quality products for your grill will make a great difference in how your meal turns out. Visit us for a selection of products that will do your grill proud!
Grilled Heritage Pork Chops
Using top quality heritage bone-in pork chops (preferably Duroc) will transform a simple recipe into a juicy, flavorful feast!
Prep time: 5m | Cook time: 10min | Total time: 2h 15min | Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup light soy sauce
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 Tbsp lemon pepper seasoning
2 tsp minced garlic
4 Bone-in Duroc Pork Chops, around 12 oz
Cooking Directions
Mix water, soy sauce, vegetable oil, lemon pepper seasoning, and minced garlic in a deep bowl; add pork chops and marinate in refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
Preheat outdoor grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
Remove pork chops from the marinade and shake off excess. Discard the remaining marinade.
Cook the pork chops on the grill for 2-3 min and then rotate 90 degrees. Cook another 2-3 min and then flip to other side and repeat. Cook until pork reaches a temperature of 135F. Remove from grill and let rest for 10 min. before serving.