It’s nearly the weekend, the forecast is great, so it’s definitely time to get the BBQ out and gather with friends and family in the garden. But what are you going to cook?
A successful BBQ requires a little planning and preparation. Taking a moment to consider who you’re cooking for, how many, what the conditions might be, and what equipment you’ve got.
It’s important to think not just about what you’re going to cook, but also how you’re going to cook it. Do you need to marinate anything ahead of time? How long will it take to cook? Is it worth considering reverse searing some items?
Reverse searing is an ideal way to manage larger items on the BBQ, where you cook them low and slow, either in your oven or on the BBQ, and then finish them up over a high heat to get that all important sear and crust. We talk about it more in our guide to Cooking the Perfect Steak, which also has lots of other handy tips for cooking steaks, ideal for the outdoor grill.
BBQ of course lives and dies on the quality of the meats.. Something that we at Colyford Butchers know all about. Whilst steaks and chops are BBQ favourites, it’s also a great opportunity to let the traditionally cheaper cuts shine.
Sausages and burgers are great for a quick meal without breaking the bank, and always go down well with children. Plus, we’ve always got plenty of prepared items during the season, such as kebabs, chicken wings and marinated ribs.
The kings of BBQ though are brisket and shoulder of pork. Check out our recipes for our take on some low ‘n’ slow essentials. We’ll be adding more throughout the summer!
You can’t forget the all important sides as well. A small, balanced selection is all you need. We love a crusty loaf or french stick, as you can easily slice them up for burgers and sausages, or even spread them with lashings of garlic butter and throw them on the grill for a few minutes before serving.
You can keep it simple with a nice fresh salad and boiled new potatoes, or really get into the BBQ spirit and serve a mac ‘n’ cheese or pit beans. All of this should be ready to go before you start cooking. Not only will it keep stress to a minimum, it also means that everything’s ready to go the moment your meats are cooked to perfection.
Sauces are your finishing touch. From a rich and smoky homemade BBQ sauce, to the perennial favourites of ketchup, mayo and mustard… everyone’s got their favourites. A quick and easy go to for us is to stir spicy sriracha sauce through mayonnaise. Amazing!
Essential Recipes
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