Fire up the grill!

In the long list of appliances that can seriously upgrade your cooking, perhaps the most underrated is the BBQ.

That’s right, it’s not just a fixture for summer get-togethers or a place to grill sausages while sipping on a cold one. A BBQ is actually an incredibly versatile tool that you can use to turn simple dinners into opportunities for culinary adventure.

You can use it to get a perfect char on a steak, cook a salmon on a cedar plank, or even bake a Neapolitan-style pizza. When you start thinking about it, the options are endless -- and super exciting for home cooks.

Whether you’re grilling up a round of beef burgers, cooking up a mess of sausages, or trying a new recipe altogether, there are a few tips that will take your BBQ skills to the next level. 

1. You’re only as good as your ingredients. The best BBQ meals don’t start at the grill; they start when you source your products. Whenever possible, opt for meat raised without any antibiotics, hormones, or chemicals. Not only will you feel good about investing in sustainable products, but you’ll taste the difference with every bite.
   
   
2. Hold out for the right heat. It can be tempting to put your meat on the grill as soon as you fire it up, but patience is key. You need to control the heat in your BBQ just like you would in an oven. A good rule of thumb is to move your hand over the grate, checking that the temperature is even from front to back, side to side. Resist the urge to repeatedly open the grill, even when you’re cooking, as this will let out the heat.
   
   
3. Cook chicken on low, beef and pork on high. You might be noticing a trend here: the right temperature is key to mastering your grill. For chicken that’s juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside, cook it slow and low. Meanwhile, pork and beef should be cooked on high for a smoky, charred result.
   
   
4. Turn food over only once. One of the best parts of grilling is the caramelized flavours that result. To create this result in your cooking, let your food cook on the grill at a low temperature and avoid turning or moving it. Your patience will be rewarded with beautifully browned results.
   
   
5. Glaze meat in a pinch if you don’t have time to marinade. While BBQs and marinades are a match made in heaven, we don’t always have time to let our meat soak for hours. Brush on a glaze during the last few minutes of your cook for a sweet burst of flavour.

For more cooking tips and tricks, visit follow @meatme.ca and visit meatme.ca.