Indirect Grilling Basics
Indirect grilling requires little hands-on attention, but gives you maximum flavor. It's like slow cooking, but on the grill!
Indirect Grilling Basics
This technique is called indirect grilling which means indirect heat, lower temps and longer cooking times. Check out our indirect grilling guidelines for more cooking time information.
PREPARE THE BEEF
When you’re ready to get started, pull the beef out of the fridge and season well. Depending on your recipe, now’s the time to apply a rub, herbs or other spices.
READY THE GRILL
Take a few minutes to configure your grill. As the name suggests, indirect grilling positions the beef away from the heat source instead of directly over it. If you’re using charcoal, this means arranging the coals off to one side of the grill and cooking on the opposite side. If you’re using gas, refer to your owner’s manual and bring the grill to medium heat on one side only.
LET IT BE (MOSTLY)
Keep the lid closed for best results. You should follow your recipe for timing, but also may want to use an oven-proof meat thermometer to confirm when time’s almost up. Be careful not to overshoot your target temperature because it will continue to rise for several minutes after coming off the grill. Larger roasts will take longer to cook using indirect grilling.
GIVE IT A REST
Don’t skip this step! Resting is essential to keep all those delicious juices from draining out of the meat, and makes the next step easier. The larger cuts that work best for indirect grilling generally need more time to rest—often up to 15–20 minutes. Set the meat on your cutting board or a serving tray and cover it loosely with aluminum foil (this is called “tenting”).
CARVE & SERVE
When you’re ready to carve, take care to not pierce the beef with a fork. Instead just use tongs to hold the roast in place. Depending on your recipe or desired presentation, slice the beef thinly across the grain and serve on a warm plate or tray.
Glossary
Drip Pan
An underrated component of any grill set-up, a drip pan—usually made of disposable foil— catches drippings from your meat, preventing dangerous flare-ups.
Beef and Grain Burgers |
Beef and Grain Burgers |
Quinoa adds texture and earthiness to this lean beef burger. Made in a similar way to meatloaf, this patty substitutes an ancient grain for bread crumbs.
Grilled Eye of Round Steaks with Wasabi-Yogurt Cream |
Grilled Eye of Round Steaks with Wasabi-Yogurt Cream |
Yogurt, ginger and garlic create a tenderizing marinade for Eye of Round Steaks. While the steaks grill, a creamy wasabi sauce is whipped up.
Smoky Strip Steaks with Mexican-Style Grilled Corn |
Smoky Strip Steaks with Mexican-Style Grilled Corn |
Ready for grilling season? Throw Strip Steaks and corn on the grill for a smoky Mexican-style meal.
Chimichurri Beef Shoulder Steak |
Chimichurri Beef Shoulder Steak |
Steak is marinated in and served with a fresh South American-style parsley sauce. Try this flavorful recipe today.
Denver Steak
Cut from the center of the Under Blade, these steaks are extremely tender with a good amount of marbling and beef flavor. Best when cooked over high heat on the grill.
Ribeye Cap Roll
Rich and satisfying with exceptional tenderness and marbling. Not always easy to find, but best when roasted or grilled.
Chuck Flap/Edge Roast
Richly flavored and finely textured. Best for slow-cooking whole or grilling if very thinly sliced across the grain.
Chuck Eye Steak (Delmonico)
A low-cost alternative to the Rib Eye Steak. A tender and savory cut great for grilling.
Pairing Beef and Alcohol
While it all comes down to personal preference, we have compiled some general guidelines to finding the perfect beef and alcohol pairing.
Explore our Recipe Collections
Apply your cooking skills in the kitchen by trying one of our delicious recipes. No matter what you're in the mood for, we have a recipe collection that is sure to satisfy.
rancher recipes
Crafted by ranchers across America, these recipes are flavorful, nutritious and proven to satisfy the heartiest of appetites.
GROUND BEEF RECIPES
The versatility of Ground Beef has made it one of America’s all-time favorite. From hamburgers to lasagna, tacos to meatloaf, pasta sauce to wraps, Ground Beef offers easy and delicious options for any meal.