How To BBQ Right: Your Guide To Cooking Protein

Barbecuing may seem as simple as tossing some meat over a flame, but true BBQ enthusiasts know better.

Want to BBQ like the pros?

We’ll walk you through a few basics that every pro griller has up their sleeve. From mouth-watering ribs to classic BBQ prawns, here’s your guide to cooking meat and cooking for high protein diets on your grill.

The Basics: How to BBQ Right

We’re not saying these basic tips will save you from every disaster, but these grilling dos and don’ts can give you an edge and that might mean the difference between sitting down to a successful meal or turning to that handy food delivery app.

• DO make cleaning your grill a habit.
• DO oil your grill before cooking.
• DON’T overcrowd your grill.
• DO take the time to preheat.
• DO let meat rest for at least 5 minutes after it’s finished on the grill.
• DON’T cook on high.

How to Cook Ribs on the BBQ

It’s not hard to learn how to cook pork rib, or any kind of ribs, really, on the BBQ; just don’t forget to have some patience. Perfection can’t be rushed.

1. Prepare your meat (i.e., remove membrane, season, and store in the fridge for a few hours).
2. Bring ribs to room temp and preheat and prepare the grill. Keep it around 120 degrees Celsius.
3. Cook low and slow until meat cracks easily and is juicy and tender. Depending on the thickness, this could be anywhere from 3 to 7 hours.
4. Let rest for 5 minutes.

Check out a more in-depth guide on how to cook ribs on the BBQ here.

How to Cook Steak on the BBQ

Choosing marbled cuts of beef will make for a juicy and flavourful steak; once that’s out of the way, the rest is simple.

1. Bring your meat to room temperature and preheat and prepare the grill.
2. Place the steaks over direct heat to sear them. Give them a turn for that professional crosshatch pattern, then flip them over and repeat.
3. Temp it. Fifty-five to 62 degrees Celsius will get you a medium-rare steak. For something more well-done, cook the steak over indirect heat for a few more minutes.
4. Let rest.

Be sure to read this head chef’s input on how to cook a perfect steak.

How to Cook Fish on the BBQ

While learning how to cook salmon on the BBQ is great, don’t limit yourself to a single type of fish. Firm-fleshed fish like salmon, tuna, and halibut can be cooked directly on your barbeque, while flakier fish like tilapia and sole require other methods.

For a quick lesson on how to grill salmon on the BBQ, follow these simple steps.

1. Rinse your fillet or steak and pat dry.
2. Marinate or cover with a dry rub.
3. Preheat and prepare your grill.
4. Place skin-side down on well-oiled grill over direct heat. Cover and grill until fish turns opaque and the thickest section flakes easily with a fork.

And that’s not the only way. Use a cedar plank, invest in a grill basket, great for flakier fish, or cook low and slow over indirect heat.

How to Cook Prawns on the BBQ

Christmas dinner isn’t complete without the prawns, but grilling prawns is a deceptively simple process. The most common failure is overcooking, so be sure to keep an eye on the clock.

1. Peel and devein the prawns. Marinade for half an hour in the fridge.
2. Prepare and preheat your barbeque, sticking to high heat.
3. Thread the prawns onto skewers, piercing once near the head and once near the tail.
4. Cook for about 2 minutes on each side, until prawns are opaque.

We Teach You How to BBQ Right: Learn More With The Outdoor Chef

As our head chef says, all BBQing requires is Love & Beer!

Visit our Joondalup or Osborne Park stores for more information about classes and be sure to check out our must-have range of outdoor kitchen equipment and BBQ accessories!