Grilling for beginners can seem daunting but I promise these 5 simple tips I learned can help you get started. Read on and fire up the grill!
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A few weeks ago I attended a workshop on grilling, hosted by the Texas Beef Council. At the end of the afternoon, we split up into teams and had the chance to fire up the grill, season & grill our steaks & of course eat!
They had 6 different cuts of beef, it was interesting to try all cuts side-by-side. We had strip steak, but I think my favorite was probably the tenderloin. We also tried a flat iron steak, while it has a unique, stronger flavor, it's actually pretty delicious! And has a much lower price tag than other cuts of meat.
I buy grassfed beef (Butcher Box is a great source). While grassfed has a healthier fat profile, it is much leaner so really take care to not overcook!
Grilling for Beginners – 5 Expert Tips
1. 4 Inches in 4 Seconds
This is how you can tell your grill is hot enough, you should be able to place your hand 4″ above the grill for 4 seconds (and 4 seconds only).
2. 400 F
This is the ideal temp for a gas grill (but as w/ ovens, it's most important to know YOUR equipment…. I cook in a lot of different kitchens and can tell you, no one person's “400 F” is exactly the same 😉 )
3. Clean the Grill Grate
This one piece is so important for a good piece of grilled meat, clean the grate and let the grill burn off any leftover residue before cooking your meat.
For my best tips on how to clean a grill, make sure to check out this article!
4. Seasoning
We learned that seasoning is flexible! a simple sea salt + black pepper + garlic powder seasoning is just as delicious as a more elaborate mix with the right piece of meat. (although I admit, I like adding a mix of multiple spices!)
5. Cutting
Always allow 5 min for the meat to rest (more for larger pieces) and slice against the grain (the key to good flank steak is a super-thin cut, against the grain).
My friend Kathryn Hutchison, an Austin-based food blogger, attended as well and has some nice photos (she's a much better photographer than I am!) and more tips on her blog. Check them out at 10 Best Grilling Tips from the Texas Beef Council.
Do you have any great grilling tips? Share your ideas and pictures on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram as @prepdish in all 3 places, or leave a comment below.
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