Sizzle Starters: Delectably Simple First-Time BBQ Recipes to Try
There’s a singular joy that comes with gathering around a barbecue (or BBQ). The sounds of sizzling meats, the tantalising smoky aroma wafting through the air, the warm weather, and good company—all these things make barbecues a delightful experience.
If you’ve just purchased a BBQ, you’re probably excited to give it a try. And in case you’re wondering what to cook on the BBQ, then you’re at the right place. This guide is your compass into your first grilling adventure. Beyond sharing first-time BBQ recipes and popular condiments, we’ll cover everything – from understanding your BBQ to basic grilling preparation and techniques.
Understanding Your New BBQ
BBQs come in different types—charcoal, gas and electric—with each offering a unique grilling experience.
Charcoal BBQs infuse food with a deep, smoky flavour but require more time and skill to master. Gas BBQs are convenient and easy to control, while electric BBQs are perfect for those with limited space or those who live in places with restrictions on open flames.
Each type of BBQ features unique controls, like vents on charcoal grills, temperature knobs on gas grills, or buttons on electric grills. Always read the user manual to understand your BBQ better.
Safety is paramount, so keep your BBQ on a stable surface, away from flammable materials. Also, ensure children and pets keep a safe distance from your BBQ.
Basic BBQ Tips
Properly lighting your BBQ is the first step. For charcoal grills, make sure you pile up your charcoal and light it, allowing it to burn until it’s covered with ash. With gas grills, remember to open the lid before igniting. As for electric grills, they usually come with an easy-to-use switch.
Controlling heat is crucial. Remember that grilling is more about managing temperature zones than blindly cranking up the heat. Learning how to smoke and grill different types of food properly will offer you more variety in your cooking. Lastly, clean your grill after each use to maintain its quality and taste.
Preparation Before Grilling
The quality of the ingredients you use can make or break the grilling process. Fresh, high-quality meats and vegetables yield the best results. For meats, it’s important to trim excess fat and make sure they’re at room temperature before grilling. Vegetables should be cleaned and cut uniformly for even cooking.
Marinate your choice of meat to infuse it with flavour, and apply BBQ rubs to give it a smoky and authentic grilled taste. Experiment with different marinades and rubs to find your preferred flavour profiles.
First Recipes to Try on Your New BBQ
When it comes to first-time BBQ recipes, it’s best to start with simple ones. Choose the type of meat you prefer or everyone in your family enjoys. Don’t shy away from adding fruits, vegetables and other food ingredients into the mix to come up with more interesting and nutritious BBQ fare.
Still unsure about what to cook on the BBQ?
Here are some quick and simple yet delicious recipes to get you started:
There’s nothing like a tender, flavourful and juicy whole chicken cut butterfly-style to give you and your guests a taste of how something as simple as barbecuing can produce such tasty results. Even better, this recipe only requires three ingredients: a whole chicken, mayonnaise or olive oil, and SmokeyQ Chicken Rub.
Barbecued Pork Loin With Crispy Crunchy Crackling
Another three-ingredient wonder that only requires a rolled pork loin, kosher salt and olive oil, this recipe is best grilled over charcoal to get that crispy-on-the-outside and tender-on-the-inside outcome.
For this recipe, choose your preferred steak cut – rib eye, tomahawk, T-bone, sirloin, porterhouse, New York strip, tri-tip or rump. Just follow the reverse-searing technique, brush with mayo, mustard or olive oil and season with salt and pepper or any of your favourite seasonings. Then add a bit of barbecuing magic and voila! What you get is a tender, juicy steak with a flavoursome crust.
Love lamb? This recipe requires marinating boneless lamb overnight to ensure the meat soaks in all the seasonings and spices. For best results, use grass-fed lamb in making these kabobs.
Looking for the perfect burger recipe? Then try this classic burger mix that combines lean ground beef (80%) with Worcestershire sauce, salt, garlic powder and pepper. Then shape into burger patties and fire up the grill. Make extras because this will be a surefire hit.
Who said there’s only meat for grilling? Add a new dimension to your cooking and make your BBQ more nutritious by grilling bell peppers, onions, zucchini, corn, mushrooms, pineapple slices, artichokes, apricots, peaches, carrots and more. Brush with olive oil or butter and season with salt, pepper and other spices. These cook fast, so watch out for the burn!
Photo by Denys Gromov: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photo-of-skewers-4669218/
Aside from the above, you can also grill your favourite seafood—shrimp, fish, or scallops—over medium heat, turning once until the flesh is opaque. It’s delicious on its own, so seasonings are optional.
You could also grill tofu. Simply press and cut it into slabs, marinate with your preferred seasonings, and grill over medium heat, turning once, until charred and crispy. Enjoy!
BBQ Condiments
Here are some common condiments you might find at a BBQ:
Tomato Sauce: You can use tomato sauce (similar to ketchup) liberally on a wide variety of BBQ dishes, from grilled sausages to burgers.
BBQ Sauce: It’s often used as a marinade for meats before grilling or as a dipping sauce for various BBQ dishes.
Mustard: This is frequently used as a condiment for sausages and burgers. Whole grain mustard and Dijon mustard are especially popular choices.
Beetroot Relish: A sweet and tangy beetroot relish can be used as a topping for burgers or served as a side.
Aioli: Garlic aioli is a popular choice as a dipping sauce for seafood, particularly prawns, or as a spread on a burger bun.
Bush Tomato Chutney: Indigenous to Australia, bush tomatoes add a tangy caramel flavour to this chutney, making it an excellent pairing for grilled kangaroo or beef.
Sauces for Lamb: Mint jelly or tzatziki sauce (cucumber, yoghurt and garlic) is often served with grilled lamb.
Vegemite: While not traditionally a BBQ condiment, Vegemite is a rich and salty yeast spread that features in adventurous Australian BBQs. It can be used as a marinade for meats or an ingredient in sauces.
Great Pairings for Your Grilled Dishes
BBQ sides like cornbread, coleslaw, and potato salad complement your grilled dishes perfectly.
As for beverages, the choice ranges from lemonade and iced tea to beers and wines—whatever suits the mood and pairs well with your BBQ fare.
Essential BBQ Accessories
For beginners, a set of reliable BBQ accessories includes a long-handled spatula, tongs, grill brush, and meat thermometer. These tools help you safely flip food, clean your grill, and monitor the internal temperature of your meats.
Keep your BBQ accessories and tools clean, and store them properly for longevity.
Enjoy Your First BBQ
BBQ is an art form, a perfect blend of science and intuition.
Embrace the journey—your mistakes, your triumphs, and the satisfaction that comes from serving up grilled delights to family and friends.
And remember, practice makes a grill master. Happy grilling!