Nothing screams summer like the smell of grilled meat wafting through the air! Whether you’re hosting a big cookout or just having friends over for dinner, barbecuing is an easy and delicious way to entertain. But with so many meat options, how do you choose which one is best suited for throwing on the grill?
To make it easier on you, we’ve collected the best barbecue meats to whip out of your freezer come summertime. Read on below and find out which protein-packed treats will have your taste buds singing until autumn hits!
HOW TO PROPERLY PREPARE YOUR BARBECUE FOR GRILLING
Nothing beats the best BBQ meat cooked over a hot flame. But before you can get the full flavour out of your best meat for BBQ, you need to properly prepare your grill to ensure a safe and successful barbecue. First, be sure to thoroughly clean the top and bottom grates with an approved cleaner or brush. Then, make sure you oil up the grate with a brush or paper towel beforehand to keep food from sticking and burning.
When shopping for meats, make sure they are fresh and of good quality, as this will ensure that they taste delicious when grilled. Some of the best BBQ meats include steak, pork chops, ribs, succulent chicken thighs and breasts, burgers, fish, and sausages. Enhance your proteins by marinating them overnight in spices, herbs, and oils for added flavour. Prep them with oil and marinade beforehand; these will act as taste enhancers while helping to prevent your food from sticking.
Furthermore, make sure there’s plenty of space between the pieces of meat on the grill so that you get an even temperature throughout. It will help avoid those charred black spots. Now you’re ready for some tasty barbecued meals.
WHAT WOOD AND CHARCOAL SHOULD YOU USE?
Finding the ideal wood and charcoal for your best BBQ meats and recipes can be a tricky endeavour. Fortunately, some guidelines can help you select the most appropriate fuel and smoke combination for each type of food.
For best results when barbecuing leaner cuts of meat like chicken or pork, consider using mild smoked wood such as cherry or applewood combined with good-quality briquettes for heat. If you’re cooking tougher meat cuts like beef brisket or ribs, more robust woods like hickory and mesquite are ideal due to their high levels of flavour intensity. Charcoal is also an excellent choice since it continues to generate heat even after the flames have died down.
All in all, the best fuel for barbecuing and the best meat for BBQ will vary from person to person, depending on personal taste. Experimenting is the greatest way to ensure your barbecue feast is satisfying.
HOW DO YOU SEASON BARBECUE MEAT?
Nothing compares to a deliciously flavourful barbecue meal. Fortunately, seasoning your best BBQ meats doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. There are plenty of rubs and sauces you can buy pre-made. Alternatively, you can make your own. To begin, use a combination of dry rub ingredients such as cumin, coriander, paprika, and garlic powder. Make sure to completely coat the best meats for BBQ with the rub and let it sit overnight. After that, you can choose your favourite wet ingredients, like Worcestershire sauce and lime juice, to add an extra layer of flavour before grilling the best meats to BBQ. Finally, make sure to use plenty of good-quality oil over the entire surface of the BBQ meats to prevent them from sticking too much during grilling. With these simple steps, you’ll create a perfectly seasoned and mouthwatering barbecue meal every time.
WHAT ARE THE BEST CUTS OF MEAT TO BARBECUE?
When it comes to the prime cuts of meat to barbecue, you have some wonderful options. Beef short ribs are one of the best BBQ meats, as they provide a succulent taste due to their thick fat layers that deliver plenty of moisture. Chuck tender steak is also another excellent option when it comes to the best BBQ meat as well as T-bone steak, ribeye steaks and strip steak. The cut features a balance between fat and protein, sandwiching plenty of flavours that can only be unlocked through barbecuing. Thanks to shredded beef ribeye and beef brisket, these two cuts offer the best meats for BBQ due to their generous marbling of fat, providing remarkable tenderness with every bite. Finally, pork shoulder steaks also make great choices when discussing the best meats to BBQ, as they provide an amazing depth of flavour. No matter your choice from the varied array of delicious BBQ meats available, you’re sure to make some superbly tasty meals on the grill.
HOW TO ROAST ON A BARBECUE
Roasting on a barbecue is a fun and rewarding experience. Meats are perfectly cooked this way, as they allow the coals to get hot and charred, giving the food that delectable smoky taste. When choosing your best meats to BBQ, keep in mind that some cuts of meat work terrific with dry heat over charcoal or gas, while others require a lower cooking temperature with moist heat.
The best BBQ meats for roasting directly over the grill include steaks, lamb chops, beef ribs, burgers, chicken wings, and seafood. If you’re looking for something that needs cooking low and slow, then consider pork shoulder, brisket, or ribs. Marinating these cuts beforehand will give them even more flavour when cooked.
HOW TO SLOW COOK ON A BARBECUE
Slow cooking enhances the flavour and tenderizes the meat. To get the premier taste and tenderness out of your meats, you need to choose the best BBQ meats for slow cooking. Beef brisket, pork shoulder, and ribs all make excellent candidates for slow roasting — as long as they are cooked low and slow over indirect heat sources.
To check how it’s cooking, use a meat thermometer and aim for internal temperatures of at least 165°F for poultry, 170°F for beef and veal, 160°F for pulled pork and lamb, and 145°F for seafood. With these guidelines in mind, get out there and start experimenting with your best BBQ meats.
CONTACT THE OUTDOOR CHEF — PERTH’S BARBECUE EXPERTS
Are you ready to take your BBQ experience to the next level? Look no further than The Outdoor Chef! We’ll make sure that every grill session is memorable. Reach out to us today for more information.