Memorial Day is almost upon us, which means it’s time to start thinking about firing up the grill for the first official cookout of summer. These tips and tricks from some of the nation’s top chefs will save you time and effort, so you can actually enjoy your backyard bash!
1. Crank up the grill.
Preheating the grill is critical to achieving that smoky, savory sear on big chunks of meat. “Always make sure the fire is hot. For gas grills, turn it on about 15 minutes before you’re ready to cook. If you’re using charcoal, light it about 45 minutes ahead of time to let the coals burn down,” says Vanderlei Melchior, head gaucho chef for the upscale Brazilian steakhouse chain Fogo de Chão.
Related Reading: The Best Gas Grills for 2019
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2. Hack your cooler.
“Don’t forget that your cooler can double as an insulated ‘warmer.’ Use it to keep things warm in transit to a cookout,” says Sunny Anderson, celebrity chef, cookbook author, and co-host of “The Kitchen” on Food Network.
Related Reading: CNET’s Picks for the Best Coolers for Summer
3. Form the perfect burger.
If you’re going to serve hamburgers (because let’s face it, they’re pretty much the quintessential Memorial Day grub!), make sure you do it right. “It’s important to know how to choose the right burger for grilling. It should be at least 80/20 lean to fat ratio ground chuck. Too much fat can cause it to shrink,” says Jon Lemon, Bareburger culinary director. “Form into 6-oz. patties and press a ½ inch dimple into the middle of the patty so it keeps its form.”
Chowhound’s BBQ Bacon Turkey Burger recipe
4. Invest in a meat thermometer.
Using a meat thermometer to ensure your cuts are perfectly cooked doesn’t make you less of a grill master. “Purchase a digital thermometer. You’ll be more confident when grilling and won’t waste any money on over- or under-cooked protein,” says Geoffrey Zakarian, chef and partner of Point Royal at the Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Fla.
Thermapen Mk4, $99 at ThermoWorks
This digital model is beloved by chefs and home cooks alike.
5. Spray your meat.
That’s right—filling a spray bottle with marinade or loose barbecue sauce is an easy and mess-free way to glaze your meat more evenly, says Michael Schulson, founder and CEO of Schulson Collective restaurant group.
6. Elevate the classics.
There’s nothing wrong with a plain ol’ hot dog with mustard—but putting a new twist on Memorial Day favorites is sure to wow your guests. “Adding unexpected flavors and ingredients always impresses and kicks a dish up a notch,” says Ayesha Curry, chef and cookbook author.
Chowhound’s Banh Mi Spiral-Cut Hot Dog recipe
7. Grill in sessions.
“To spend as much time with your guests as you can, get some veggies on the grill before they arrive. I love making grilled veggie salads, which you can build with seasonal ingredients such as corn or zucchini and prepare ahead of time,” says Ryan Farr of San Francisco’s 4505 Burgers and BBQ, named “Hottest Barbecue Joint in America” by Zagat.
8. Let your protein rest.
“One of the top mistakes when grilling any meat or fish is not letting it come to room temperature before starting. This ensures more even cooking and the juiciest results—just don’t leave it out longer than two hours,” says Anderson.
Chowhound’s Corn Husk-Wrapped Grilled Halibut recipe
Related Reading: The Best Grilling & BBQ Cookbooks to Buy This Summer
9. Opt for sliders.
Grilling up miniature sliders instead of regular-sized burgers will allow you and your guests to sample all your summery mains and sides. “Sliders are so great because there are simple and easy options you can throw together. For a break from beef, buy a pre-roasted rotisserie chicken, pull apart the meat, toss it with barbecue sauce, and top it with coleslaw or jalapeños,” says Beau Houck, executive chef of Noi Due Carne on New York City’s Upper West Side.
Chowhound’s Grilled Buffalo Chicken Slider recipe
10. Make a shopping list.
Look at your recipes beforehand and shop according to the exact amounts you’ll need—this will prevent you from wasting money and food by overbuying. “Buying pre-packaged perishable items often leads to extra ingredients that wind up going to waste because they don’t keep,” says Stephanie Izard, a Food Network Iron Chef, founder of several Chicago area restaurants, and spokesperson for Morton Salt’s Erase Food Waste campaign.
Related Reading: The Best Grocery Delivery Apps & Services
11. Make a batch of drinks.
Mixing a cocktail or sangria in bulk is a little more fun than a cooler full of beer or wine. “Batching cocktails allows you to spend more time entertaining your guests, but it’s very important to know your proportions before mixing everything together,” says Mo Ghanem, brand manager for the tequila brand Riazul. Multiply the amounts for one drink by the number of guests you expect.
Chowhound’s Grilled Sangria recipe
12. Keep the kids happy.
“Create a play area where the little ones can all hang out. Fill it with crafts, toys, and games so they have a dedicated area, just for them,” says Curry. “This is always my go-to so the adults can mingle.”
13. “Grease” the grill with an onion.
That’s right—rubbing half an onion down the length of the grill will prevent meat from sticking, says Adrian Davila of Davila’s BBQ in Seguin, Texas and third-generation pitmaster.
Chowhound’s Korean Short Rib Kebabs recipe
14. Utilize skewers.
Stacking protein and veggies on skewers makes for a fun presentation and easy way to serve a variety of flavors—plus, you don’t have to worry about smaller cuts of meat or vegetables falling through the grill grate. “My Jerk Rubbed Chicken Skewers with Mango Salsa is great as a side dish or main, and it comes together so quickly,” says Curry.
BearMoo Kabob Skewers, set of 10 for $18.99 on Amazon
Way better than the wooden skewers you inevitably forget to soak ahead of time.
15. Have vegetarian options.
Don’t forget about your herbivore guests! Be sure to have side dishes or mains that are meat-free. For something besides veggie or pasta salads, Houck suggests grilling up a hearty olive oil-brushed bread and serving with a nice cheese (such as burrata or fresh mozzarella), tomatoes, and fresh basil. Or you can grill pizza.
Sale Alert: Sur la Table’s Marked Down Their Pizza Grill (Plus Lots More BBQ & Grilling Accessories)
16. Do dessert on the grill.
As long as it’s fired up, grill seasonal fruits for an easy dessert. “Pears, peaches, and seasonal fruits actually sweeten up once grilled—just add ice cream!” says Anderson.
Chowhound’s Grilled Nectarine Crumble recipe
17. Safety first!
“Place your grill at least 15 feet away from your house and always have a fire extinguisher on hand,” says Anderson.
18. Pay attention to marbling.
If you want a premium cut of meat, look for consistent marbling, red color, and don’t be afraid to ask your grocery store’s butcher for advice,” says Davila.
Related Reading: The Best Meat Delivery & Butcher Subscription Services
Huw Jones / Photolibrary / Getty Images Plus
19. Hack your skewers.
To keep your kebabs from rolling and flipping all over the grill—which can lead to uneven cooking—use two skewers per serving, says Schulson. This helps holds them steady.
See our Memorial Day headquarters and our Ultimate Guide to BBQ & Grilling for even more tips, tricks, and recipes.
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