Grilling Recipes, Tips and Tricks

*This post is sponsored by the Glass Barn presented by Indiana Soybean Farmers but all thoughts and tips are all my own.

Spring is here, and Summer is right around the corner! Each year, I am so excited to start grilling out again. But maybe you are like I was just a few short years ago and have no idea how to achieve grilling perfection. I'm here to help with these Grilling Recipes, Tips and Tricks!

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Grilling Tips and Tricks

Meat

• You will want to make sure your meat is thawed. That way the outside doesn't dry out while you are trying to get the center done.
• Make sure you use a meat thermometer. (I have one similar to this one and love it!) I found that I was overcooking my meat! Now that I use a meat thermometer every time, we have the juiciest grilled meat ever! 
• If you are looking for a great deal on meat for this grilling season, I highly recommend buying freezer beef! We buy ours from a local farmer I have known my entire life. The flavor is amazing! Even though it is an investment up front, it is by far the cheapest way to buy beef. Also, I bet the farmer would be more than happy to show you all the lengths he/she goes to to keep their cows happy and healthy!
• With meat, the leaner meat you use, the less likely you are to have a flare up on your grill (a high flame that is cause from the grease dripping from your meat). For instance, when making hamburgers, using a leaner meat will cause less grease to drip down onto the flame and your burgers won't shrink near as much.
• Do you feel like you are in a rut with what you are grilling? My friend Marybeth can help you out with this great post on different meats that do great on the grill. You really have the world at your fingertips with grilling! From hot dogs and hamburgers to chicken breasts, pork chops, steaks and even shrimp! Check out the recipes below for more ideas...

Grilled Shrimp Rub on Goodeness Gracious

Flank Steak Salad Recipe with Taco Seasoning Marinade on These Old Cookbooks

Sweet Teriyaki Steak on Goodeness Gracious

Grilled BBQ Chicken on The Farmwife Cooks

Grilled Pork Shoulder Steaks on Goodeness Gracious

Grilled Pineapple and Ham Steak on The Farmwife Cooks

Grilled Meatball Pizza from Kim Galeaz

T-Bone Steak with Compound Butter on My Fearless Kitchen

Grilled Lemon Chicken on Goodeness Gracious

Sides and Appetizers

• Grilling isn't just for your main meat! You can use your grill to make up some yummy appetizers. 
• Kabobs or skewers are a great way to make up your favorite appetizers on the grill
• Foil is a great way to grill up your favorite veggies! From corn on the cob to potatoes, the grill can make some awesome veggies!
• Here are some great sides and appetizers to try out on your grill...

Grilled Meatball Skewers on Goodeness Gracious

Grilled Corn on the Cob on My Fearless Kitchen

BBQ Ham Pineapple Kabobs on Goodeness Gracious

Creekside Potatoes on Goodeness Gracious

Burgers

• Burgers need a section all their own in my opinion! Below are a ton of recipes I tried out one summer and shared on Goodeness Gracious. There is a little bit of everything for everyone. These recipes take your ordinary burger to a new level! (Psst...you might even read about my first attempts and failures at grilling!)
• When making your burger patties, you want to make sure you don't make them too thick. You want them to cook all the way to the center without drying out the outer meat. It is also extremely important to make sure that your burgers reach safe cooking temps...so grab your meat thermometer!

BBQ Ranch Stuffed Cheddar Burgers

BBQ Bacon Cheddar Burgers

Bacon Cheese Turkey Burgers

Easy Ranch Burgers

Marinades

• Want to take your meat to a whole new level of flavor and juiciness? Try out a marinade! 
• You can buy some marinades in the store that are 30 minute marinades if you are in a pinch, but it is better to let your meat marinate for hours or overnight. That really lets the marinade soak into the meat and add that extra pop to your grilling flavor.
• When you are marinating your meat, turn your meat over a few times during the marinating time to make sure all your meat is getting exposure.
• Also, when you are marinating, you want to make sure you have a pan that is big enough so that it won't leak onto anything else in your fridge...including the fridge itself. If you are marinating in a bag, place the bag in a 9x13 pan or on a deep cookie sheet.
• NEVER use marinade that has been on raw meat on meat that is cooking or cooked. This will transfer the bacteria that may have been on the raw meat onto your cooking/cooked meat. Set aside some marinade before you pour your marinade on your raw meat. That way you can give it a light coating with a brush while it is cooking, if desired.
• As with anytime you are working with raw meat, wash your hands and prep area frequently. 
• And now for some yummy marinades!

Pork Marinade on Goodeness Gracious

Balsamic Rosemary Chicken Marinade on Goodeness Gracious

Best Chicken Marinade Ever on Goodeness Gracious

So there you have it! What are your favorite Grilling Recipes, Tips and Tricks?

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