Grilling Mains

What type of meat do I need to grill the perfect hamburger?

Grilling the perfect hamburger is all about choosing the right type of meat. If the fat content in your ground beef is too high, your big juicy burgers will shrink up into tiny greasy sliders. If the fat content in your ground beef is too low, your burgers will dry out quickly. Many chefs and grilling enthusiasts prefer an 80/20 mix of ground chuck that's 80 percent lean meat and 20 percent fat.

What is the best way to prepare meat for grilling?

Two of the most popular ways of preparing meat for grilling involve using dry rubs and marinades. Marinades are liquids that you soak your meat in before grilling. They usually contain some sort of acidic liquid, like vinegar or lemon juice, and spices. Dry rubs are powdery mixes of spices and other ingredients like sugar. Both add plenty of flavor to your meat, especially if you have several hours to let them rest before you grill them. Each one has an additional benefit as well. A marinade will tenderize the meat while it soaks. A dry rub will add more texture. You can make your own marinades and dry rubs or purchase them already made in a variety of flavors.

Which meat should I choose for a large backyard barbecue on a budget?

One of the best choices for a backyard barbecue on a budget is hot dogs. They're pretty inexpensive, and you can easily buy them in bulk. To elevate your barbecue, consider sausages like kielbasa or bratwurst. Purchasing ground beef and making your own hamburger patties is another inexpensive option. You may also consider meat that you can shred and serve in smaller portions. For example, you can grill a pork shoulder and shred it into pulled pork sandwiches or carnitas.