Grilling Basics

What is Grilling?

In short - grilling is cooking over fire! It's a dry heat method of cooking over hot coals and flames to impart flavor into meat and vegetables. It's also synonymous with 'barbecue' in some regions of the United States.

how to CHOOSe YOUR GRILLING METHOD

• Direct - the most popular grilling method! As the name implies, food is placed directly on a grill grate over hot coals and flames. This method is great for items that require short grilling times, so there is no worrying about burning before being cooked through (ex. burgers, steak, kabobs, foil packets).
• Indirect - similar to slow cooking, but on the grill! Indirect grilling has walk-away convenience and requires little hands-on attention, but gives you maximum flavor with its lower temps and longer cook times. Commonly the grill is prepared with the coals on one side of the grill to develop heat zones on the grill. Learn More.
• Smoking - For those who appreciate the art of smoking meat, this method uses flavored wood chips, pellets or lump charcoal to develop flavor and as a heat source. It's referred to as 'barbecue', 'bar-b-q', or just simple 'BBQ'. But by any name, this timeless technique delivers richly-flavored, tender results and is suited for large cuts of meat such as brisket, roasts and ribs. Learn More.

MASTERING THE GRILLING FUNDAMENTALS

Master the basics! Grilling is a popular method for preparing steak- it's well known for no-fuss clean-up and that smoky, grilled flavor no other cooking method can mimic. If you're not an expert griller, don't worry! Follow our steps and you’ll find grilling easy and—most importantly—very satisfying. Check out our grilling guidelines for cook time information.

follow our chart for GRILLING TIME GUIDance

don't be afraid to cook steak at home... it's easy with our expert tips!

1) HEAT GRILL & SEASON STEAK: For a gas grill, set to medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes. For a charcoal grill, wait until coals are white. Season steaks liberally with salt and pepper prior to grilling.

2) COOK & ROTATE: Cook 2 to 3 minutes; rotate 45°, flip and repeat to achieve diamond grill marks.

3) REMOVE FROM THE GRILL & REST: Remove steaks from the grill, place on a clean cutting board or platter and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve immediately.

PERFECT BURGERs with our simple, expert tips

1) HEAT GRILL & FORM PATTIES: For a gas grill, set to medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes. For a charcoal grill, wait until coals are white. Season patties and place a dimple in the center of the patty.

2) GRILL & FLIP BURGERS: Place burgers on the grill and cook until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. 

3) ONLY FLIP ONCE: Avoid pressing down or piercing burgers and only flip burgers once during cooking. 

BOOST YOUR GRILLING EXPERIENCE with these chef tips

• Preparation is key! Measuring ingredients, preparing rubs and checking that bag of charcoal or the gas tank will set you up for success and stress-free grilling. 
• Experiment with marinades and rubs! Tender beef cuts can be marinated for 15 minutes to 2 hours for flavor; less tender cuts, such as Flank Steak, should be marinated for 6 hours, but not more than 25 hours. Learn More.
• Consider carry-over cooking. Keep in mind that meats temperature continues to rise after coming off the grill, so adjust times accordingly.
• Avoid cutting into steak to see if it's done. Cutting into beef can result in dry and overcooked beef. Relying on a meat thermometer to help gauge and determine doneness is your best bet!
• Resting beef is essential for juicy, flavorful results. 
  
• Slice steak against the grain for optimal texture. 'The grain' refers to the direction of the muscle fibers. Slicing 'across the grain' or against the direction of the fibers, results in an easier chew and better texture.