10 Tips for Grilling Perfection

Jul 26, 2022


Barbecue, burgers, and ribs — oh my! Just the thought of breaking out the grill is often enough to make our stomachs rumble. But never fear — there’s still time to have that “make-your-whole-street-smell-good” kind of cookout. After all, summer is in full swing!
 
Mouthwatering food begins with a skilled cook, and it is never too late to expand your tricks of the trade. Whether you are just learning to grill or are looking for a refresher course on the basics, keep reading the tips listed below for summer grilling.
 
  1. Clean and oil your grill
Always begin with clean grill grates to keep last night’s dinner from imparting a weird flavor on your next meal, and to make your meat easier to flip. Coating your grates in vegetable or canola oil will also keep your food from sticking and will protect your grates from rust.
  1. Don’t put cold meat on the grill
Too many people take their meat straight from the cold fridge to the hot grill; however, this will cause the outside of the meat to cook much faster than the inside. Take the meat out of the fridge and let it set on the counter for about 30 minutes before grilling to allow it to reach room temperature.
  1. Don’t flip the meat too often
Generally, it’s only necessary to flip your meat once about halfway through the cooking process. If your meat is stuck on the grill, don’t panic — it will unstick itself as it continues to cook.
  1. Don’t flatten the meat
Although it’s hard to resist the burst of flames and loud sizzle of a burger after it has been squished by a spatula, this technique rids the meat of its taste and moisture. By squeezing out the fat, you are squeezing out the juicy flavor.
  1. Touch the meat
Instead of using a fork to check whether your meat is done, which releases juice and fat, gently touch the steak with your finger. If the meat is soft like the flesh between your index finger and thumb, it’s rare. If it resists your poking a bit and is soft like your cheek, it’s medium-rare. Medium meat will spring back, and well-done meat is firm like poking your forehead.
  1. Undercook the meat slightly
Undercooking dinner may seem like a bad idea, but it is recommended to do so when it comes to the grill. “Carryover cooking” causes the temperature of the meat to rise by five degrees even after the food is taken off the heat. Use a thermometer to pull the meat off the grill when it is five degrees away from being done.
  1. Let the meat rest
This step is perhaps the most often overlooked. Steaks need to rest for 5 to 10 minutes after being taken off the grill to give the juices a chance to redistribute throughout the steak. This will help the steak to finish cooking evenly and will keep the meat moister and more flavorful.
 
            Your local Co-op is fully stocked with grilling supplies — everything from utensils and thermometers to charcoal and propane to the grill itself! Find the nearest location here.
 
For more content like this, check out the latest issue of the Cooperator.

Read More News

Apr 28, 2025
It can be a chore to find just the right gift for mom on Mother’s Day. It’s her special day and we want to honor her and show how much she means to us. There’s a lot of pressure to find that “perfect” gift. Well, don’t worry. Just head over to your local Co-op for plenty of gift ideas that any mother would be pleased to receive. Consider these suggestions:
 
Apr 21, 2025
Every morning, as the sun rises over the horizon, the sound of turkeys echo through the woods. Unable to resist this calling, hunters will often spend the early hours before work during turkey season lying in wait for an unsuspecting tom to pass by.

Every hunter has his personal tips and tricks, but there are a few basic tactics that can be followed to increase your chances of bringing home a trophy bird.
 
Apr 14, 2025
Before the weather even turns warm, many gardening enthusiasts are already making plans and studying seed choices for their home garden. Although many Tennessee residents have plenty of room for a garden, others may not be so lucky. If you’re hampered by a lack of space for your gardening choices, raised beds might be a solution.