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So if you’re looking to pick up a new outdoor cooker, you’ve come to the right place.

Please note, we are doing our best to update this post daily throughout November since some brands are getting in on the action early – but there is a chance we might not have ALL of the deals listed that are available on the internet

Check out all of the deals below, and use the table of contents to navigate to the category you’d like to see deals in.

Best Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals in Grilling & Smoking

Pellet Grill Deals

Pellet grills have been quite the craze for a few years now.  It’s easy to see the reasons why – these grills & smokers are easy to use and make some spectacular food.

This time of year you can pick up a pellet grill for a great price, whether you’re looking to scoop a Traeger, Camp Chef, Pit Boss, Z Grills, or something else.  Here are the active Black Friday/Cyber Monday pellet grill deals we have found:

Camp Chef: $100 off Woodwind Pellet Grills

Z Grills: Up to $220 off pellet grills all November

• $220 off Z Grills 1000D3E
• $130 off Z Grills 7002C2E
• $120 off Z Grills 700D3

Traeger: Free Accessory Bundle ($200 Value) with purchase of Pro 575, 780 or Ironwood 650, 885 Pellet Grills

• Pro Series 575
• Pro Series 780
• Ironwood 650
• Ironwood 885

Bundle includes accessories, sauces, rubs, and more.

Pit Boss: 25% off all products for Veterans and First Responders 

Gas Grill Deals

Gas grills are definitely the most common type of grill – and the deals are plenty if you’d like to snag one.

Cheap Gas Grill Deals

Weber Spirit II E-310 Gas Grill Limited Time Deal on Amazon

Weber Spirit II E-210 Gas Grill Limited Time Deal on Amazon

50% off + FREE Grill Cover on Nexgrill Deluxe 4 Burner Propane Grill

Built-in Gas Grill Deals

Free Access Doors with Purchase of DCS Built-In Grill on BBQGuys

Free Access Doors with Purchase of Select Coyote Built-In Grills on BBQGuys

Kamado Grill Deals

$300 off Kamado Joe Classic II Freestanding Grill at BBQGuys

$250 off Kamado Joe Classic II Standalone Grill at BBQGuys

Ooni Pizza Ovens

Freshly cooked pizza oven, artisan style pizza is hard to beat.  Ooni is an excellent brand that strikes that perfect balance between quality and value, and a top choice for us in the pizza oven space.  This Black Friday deal is the best discount we’ve seen from them, so it’s a great time to pick a pizza oven up.

20% Off Pizza Ovens Store Wide

Charcoal Grill Deals

Smoker Deals

Weber Grill Deals

Weber Spirit II E-310 Gas Grill Limited Time Deal on Amazon

Weber Spirit II E-210 Gas Grill Limited Time Deal on Amazon

Friday & Cyber Monday Deals – Gifts for BBQ Lovers

Snake River Farms

Snake River Farms is a purveyor of incredibly high quality American Wagyu beef and Kurobuta pork.  Their meat makes for a legendary holiday meal (thinking something like a prime rib or a tenderloin), or a memorable gift for the grillers in your life.

Shop Snake River Farms Holiday Gift Packages

Holy Grail Steak

Holy Grail Steak is where you go to pick up… well the holy grail of steaks.

They online retailer of authentic Kobe beef, which is the rarest type of beef on the planet.  Additionally they offer a wide variety of rare Japanese wagyu beef.

Fair warning – their stuff is expensive!  But Black Friday and Cyber Monday are historically some of the best days of the year to splurge on authentic Kobe, if you’ve ever had the itch to try it.

Aaron Franklin Masterclass

The legend of Texas style BBQ himself has a masterclass on how to create spectacular backyard BBQ.  His class is a great way to pick up some knowledge whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned veteran.

Masterclass 2 Memberships for Price of 1

Dalstrong Knives

Dalstrong manufacturers a wide array of Japanese knives – so whether you’re in need of a new brisket slicing knife or an upgraded chef’s knife, they have some deals for you:

When is Black Friday and Cyber Monday in 2021?

Black Friday is on Friday, November 26th in 2021.

Cyber Monday is Monday, November 29th in 2021.

In previous years, many of the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday Grill deals just kind of roll on through the weekend, so don’t panic if your Thanksgiving turkey put you in a food coma that caused you to oversleep Friday morning.

Good Luck Out There!

And let us know what you ended up with!  We love to hear what people are buying and enjoying.

Not sure where to start with buying a grill for somebody else?  Feel free to drop me an email and I’d be happy to help out.

You could also check out some of our informational articles below:

• Types of grills explained
• Types of smokers explained

The post Best Black Friday Grill & BBQ Deals [Cyber Monday] 2023 appeared first on Own The Grill.

As memorable as it can be, though, what if I were to tell you that steak is not entirely fond of being the center of attention? Instead of being considered the star of the show, what if steak were more like an invitation – a call beckoning us forth to something greater?

That’s right: steak needs a companion, and that companion is red wine. Consuming delicious food can be a thrilling experience in and of itself, but to neglect the corresponding wine pairing can be like leaving a puzzle unfinished.

So it goes with steak. An expertly prepared steak demands a quality glass of red wine; a poorly prepared steak needs it.

Best Wine With Steak – Varietals

Today we’ll discuss some of the best wine options to consider next time steak is on the menu, whether it’s at a restaurant or during your next grill session at home.

Even though the world of steak is full of a variety of different cuts and cooking techniques, each one needing a more tailored wine pairing, consider this the first of many steps to better understanding how wine can complement your steak.

Cabernet Sauvignon

What may be considered the quintessential grape varietal for pairing with steak, a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon can remarkably enhance your dining experience and can also be the gift that keeps on giving as the wine evolves throughout your meal.

This grape varietal is known for having a high amount of tannins which helps counteract the steak’s fat content and juices. Tannins are a compound most commonly found in red wines. These compounds attribute to the complexity and dryness of the wine, thus allowing it to truly stand up to a rich, savory piece of red meat.

When it comes to choosing the right Cabernet Sauvignon, try setting your sights on a selection from California.

For folks looking for an even more intriguing and satisfying experience when it comes to pairing Cabernet with steak (or wine with food, in general), one aspect to consider is the vintage. In the United States, for a wine to reflect a specific year on its label, at least 95% of the designated varietal must have been harvested during the year listed.

Paying attention to the vintage of a wine, especially for wine pairing purposes, can be crucial. Understanding the nuances of various vintages can be daunting, but a general rule of thumb is that younger wines will drink on the more robust and lively side, while older more mature wines will be more balanced and refined, thus causing them to exhibit more elegance and finesse.

Whether mature or youthful, Cabernet can truly sing when carefully paired with just the right steak. Whereas a rich, decadent bottle of 2008 Caymus “Special Selection” would pair nicely with a larger-than-life Porterhouse, a more elegant bottle, like 1992 Heitz Cellar “Martha’s Vineyard” would be better suited for a carefully prepared filet mignon.

Looking for Cabernet Sauvignon suggestions? Try these:

1. Michael David Winery, “Earthquake” Cabernet Sauvignon
   
2. Amici, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
   
3. Elyse, Morisoli Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
   

Michael David Winery Earthquake Cabernet Sauvignon

Check Price on Wine.com

Syrah

One notable aspect of the world of wine is the sheer diversity in how many grape varietals there are around the world that are used for winemaking purposes. While some garner an immense amount of attention, some fly under the general public’s radar, just waiting to be discovered. Syrah is one such varietal.

Syrah (or Shiraz, as it’s called in Australia) is grown in numerous places around the world and can taste quite different depending on a variety of factors. One glass of Syrah can smell like bacon fat and stewed meat, while another glass can smell like a jar of fruit jam; another yet can smell like pencil shavings and eucalyptus.

This wide range of expressions found in the world of Syrah can make for one exciting journey in-and-of-itself. Like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah exhibits robust enough characteristics that allow it to stand toe-to-toe with a nice cut of grilled red meat.

While the individual steak’s preparation ought to be considered when selecting a particular bottle of Syrah, overall the union of the two can be a match made in heaven.

Just like a wine’s vintages is worth considering before choosing a bottle, so also is the region the wine comes from – that is to say, the geographical area where the grapes were grown and harvested. Where the grapes are grown can have a profound impact on how the wine looks, smells, tastes, and ages.

This is where the French word terroir comes in. Terroir is an incredibly dense word packed with meaning and is used to describe all the natural environmental characteristics that winemaking grapes are grown in and exposed to. This can include aspects like rainfall, soil types, exposure to sunlight, elevation, and so much more.

You will find that the same varietal can drink entirely different all because of where the grapes were grown, thus allowing a consumer to determine where he/she prefers their Syrah (for example) to come from.

Some wine drinkers gravitate towards more fruit-forward selections that exhibit notes of ripe red fruits like cherries and raspberries, as well as dark fruits like plums and blackberries.

On the other hand, some wine drinkers may enjoy the juicy notes of red and black fruits while also searching for more inorganic notes to add further dimension and complexity to the wine. Inorganic notes can be anything ranging from pencil lead, sawdust, asphalt, tar, and pepper (both white and black), all of which are characteristics commonly found in Syrah.

Looking for Syrah suggestions? Try these:

1. L’Ecole, “41” Columbia Valley Syrah
   
2. Ramey, Sonoma Coast Syrah
   
3. Two Hands, “Bella’s Garden” Shiraz
   

L’Ecole 41 Columbia Valley Syrah

Check Price on Wine.com

Zinfandel

While this varietal’s ability to pair well with barbecue can easily overshadow its friendly demeanor toward other foods, don’t let it fool you, steak and Zin are totally friends.

Steak offers a flavorful, savory, hearty experience that causes the taste buds to ignite with stimulation. Zinfandel, on the other hand, exhibits bold, jammy notes of ripe red fruits and spices, as well as more exotic notes like tar and asphalt.

Sound weird? Give it a try. A bold Zinfandel with fruit-forward notes that is not overly ripe can truly compliment steak in a tantalizing way. Zinfandel can be easily acquired at your local grocery store or wine shop, and most restaurants have at least a handful of offerings on their wine lists.

Looking for Zinfandel suggestions? Try these:

1. Ridge, East Bench Zinfandel
   
2. Brown Estate, Zinfandel
   
3. Michael David Winery, “Lust” Zinfandel

Ridge East Bench Zinfandel

Check Price on Wine.com

Does the Type of Steak Matter?

You might be wondering if there’s a difference in the best wine with steak if you’re having a ribeye vs a New York Strip.  Or maybe you’re having a glorious porterhouse cut and want to make sure you have just the right bottle.

For the most part, the different steak cuts are all similar enough that it isn’t going to affect optimal wine pairing suggestions too much.  Even though some cuts of steak might be more tender or more flavorful than others – the flavor profiles and strength of steak flavor is similar enough for purposes of choosing a wine.

Now if you’re a master sommelier and can pick out an incredible level of detail and nuance in your wine, you might have different wine suggestions for each type of steak.  But for 99.9% of the population, the above recommendations pair nicely with all of the common steak cuts.

Best Wine With Steak – Wrap Up

Take the information presented in this article and start exploring – you won’t regret it! The world of wine can be many things, but stressful and overwhelming should not be some of them. In setting your sights on a narrow, yet common food and wine pairing like steak & red wine, you are setting yourself up for future success with more complex pairings.

Understanding the nuances of the wine and how it interacts with the food on your dinner plate can take time, but it is a worthwhile pursuit – especially when done in the company of friends and family. Start small, start simple, and start having fun!

Looking for more wine pairing guides?  Here’s our guide to pairing wine and lobster and salmon.

The post What’s the Best Wine With Steak? Our Top Pairing Suggestions appeared first on Own The Grill.

A cured ham has been pre treated to kill off bacteria through either a wet curing or a brine curing process.  Cured ham has a pink or deep rose color. These are the types of ham that you’d generally find at the grocery store.

A fresh ham is a ham that has not been cured.  They are typically more beige or pale pink in appearance, kind of like a fresh pork roast.  Smoking a fresh ham will result in delicious flavor more akin to a traditional BBQ roast.  In this post, we’ll go over everything you need to know for how to smoke a fresh ham!

Our Favorite Value Meat Injector

Ofargo 304-Stainless Steel Meat Injector Syringe Kit

Check Price on Amazon

Preheat Your Smoker

Smoking a fresh ham is a time consuming process, so I always like to maximize efficiency with my time.  With that in mind, I think it’s best to get the fire going so that you can prepare the fresh ham while your smoker gets up to desired temperature.

Preheat your smoker, then let the heat rise and smoke curate.  When smoking a ham, you want the temperature of your smoker to run at 225 degrees Fahrenheit.  Be sure to check in often to make sure your temperature is right.

Prep the Ham

While your smoker heats up, it’s time to prepare the ham.  The first thing you should do is take a knife and cut long slits, creating a diamond pattern across the entire ham skin.  You want the cuts to only go about a quarter of an inch deep, and take care to not cut into the meat.

We do this for a couple of reasons.  First, it the slits will make it easier for the outside of the ham to crisp up when it smokes.  The second reason is that it creates more surface area for the rub and seasoning to absorb in.

Speaking of seasoning, our next step is to take the yellow mustard and coat the entire ham in a light layer.  The mustard is primarily in place to make sure that the dry rub will stick well to the fresh ham while it smokes.  So don’t worry about it if you don’t like the flavor of yellow mustard.

Next, apply a generous coat of your dry rub and/or spices.  You should coat the entire ham evenly, and don’t forget to season the insides of the diamond pattern we cut earlier.

To inject the ham, mix the injection recipe ingredients we listed above in a saucepan.  Use low heat and bring the mixture to a boil.  Inject evenly throughout the ham, including spots close to the skin and near the center.  After injection, let the ham rest for a moment to cool.

Fresh Ham On the Smoker

Put the ham on the smoker after it’s been seasoned and the smoker is at 225 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s ok if the temperature is higher or lower by a few degrees, but 225 is where we want to be.  Add coals or adjust your air ducts as necessary to get the temperature right and consistent.  Also add wood chips as necessary to keep a steady flow of smoke.

The rule of thumb for ham is 20 minutes per pound, but we’re really just cooking to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Every 2 hours, mix pineapple juice with a pinch of brown sugar (I like to do 1 Tbsp brown sugar per cup of pineapple juice) and baste the mixture over the outside of the ham with your silicone basting brush.  This will caramelize the crust and add to the delectability of the ham.

Once the center of your ham reaches an internal temperature of 135 degrees, remove the ham from the smoker and wrap it loosely in aluminum foil.  You should leave openings on the ends so that the ham will continue to get exposure to the smoke.

Pro Tip: Don’t open the lid unless you absolutely have to.  Each time you open it, valuable heat escapes and it takes time to get the temperature right again.  You should really only open the lid to baste the ham a few times and wrap it in foil during the entire cook.

Place the ham back on the grill and continue to smoke until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees at the center.

Rest, Then Prepare, Then Feast

The last part that comes in the process of how to smoke a fresh ham is to let it rest.  After the internal temp reaches 165 degrees F, take it off the grill to rest, but leave the foil on.  We want to let the ham rest for about 30 minutes before cutting into it.

Similar to a steak, allowing the ham to rest lets the juices redistribute away from the center of the meat.  This will in turn make the entire fresh ham much more tender and juicy when it’s time to eat.

Once the ham has rested, carve into it, serve, and enjoy!  I recommend carving quarter inch slices, but feel free to slice to the width of your preference. This makes a great festive meal for holidays like Easter, Christmas, or New Years!

Print

How to Smoke a Fresh Ham

How to Smoke a Fresh Ham – Complete Guide

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword How to Smoke a Fresh Ham, Smoked Fresh Ham, Smoked Ham, Smoking

Prep Time 45 minutes minutes

Cook Time 8 hours hours

Resting Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 9 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings 8 people

Calories 400kcal

Author Jimmy Watts

Equipment

• Smoker
• Charcoal
• Flavored Wood Chips (Hickory, Apple, or Cherry)
• Silicone Basting Brush
• Aluminum Foil
• Probe Thermometer
• Meat Injector (Optional)

Ingredients

• 10 lbs fresh ham
• 2 cups dry rub
• 1 cup yellow mustard
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1 tbsp brown sugar

Optional Fresh Ham Injection Ingredients

• 3/4 cups apple juice
• 1/4 cups pineapple juice
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup kosher salt
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbs Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

• Preheat your smoker to 225 degrees. Add charcoal first then add wood chips for smoke after charcoals have achieved a glowing red center.
• Prepare the ham. Cut a diamond shaped pattern of slits into the skin of the ham, going 1/4 inch deep. Be sure to not penetrate the skin enough to cut into the meat. Coat the outside of the fresh ham with a light layer of yellow mustard.
• Coat the outside of the fresh ham with your dry rub evenly and generously. Be sure to get the rub inside of the slits just cut into the skin.
• Optional: Bring injection ingredients to a boil over low heat in a sacuepan and mix. Inject evenly throughout the ham. After injection, allow the ham to rest and cool down.
• After the smoker has reached 225 degrees Fahrenheit, place the fresh ham on the smoker's grate. Close the lid.
• Mix 1 cup of pineapple juice with a tablespoon of brown sugar. Every 2 hours, use a silicone basting brush to coat mixture over the entire outside of the ham.
• When the fresh ham's internal temperature reaches 135ºF, loosely wrap the ham in aluminum foil. Leave openings at each end so that the ham will still have exposure to the smoke.
• Place the foil wrapped ham back on the cooking grate and continue smoking.
• As soon as the internal temperature reaches 165ºF, remove the ham from the smoker and allow it to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Carve, serve, and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 400kcal

How Long to Smoke a Fresh Ham Per Pound?

The rule of thumb for how long to smoke a fresh ham per pound is 20-30 minutes per pound.  That being said, we always recommend to cook to an internal temperature of 165 degrees, no matter how long that takes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Temperature Do You Smoke A Raw Ham?

The temperature of a raw ham when being smoked is as important as the length of time it should be smoked. A fresh raw ham generally requires around 15 to 20 minutes per pound to become fully smoked. Therefore, it is wise to use your time efficiently.

While you prepare your ham, you should preheat your smoker. We recommend adding charcoal to the fire to get it going. After only a few minutes, the coals should have ashed over on top. You’ll know this when you see the center glowing bright red.

Once you see this red, it is time to add soaked wood chunks. Then, close the lid and allow the heat to rise up and the smoke to build.

When you smoke your fresh raw ham, you will want to maintain the temperature between 220-230 degrees Fahrenheit. Check this temperature while it preheats and do so regularly as the ham cooks.

Is a Smoked Ham Fully Cooked?

Some smoked hams are fully cooked but people often mistake uncooked hams for the cooked variety. In short, if a ham is cured, smoked, or baked, it is considered “pre-cooked.” Therefore, it doesn’t technically need to be cooked again.

Most hams that are sold to consumers are already cured, smoked, or baked. Therefore, it can be eaten right from the refrigerator. However, other hams are generally reheated for an improved texture and flavor. If you buy fresh, raw ham, it will need to be cooked before serving.

Luckily, it is easy to see if your ham has been processed or not as the packaging should state what type of ham it is. If the packaging includes a statement indicating that it needs cooking, it should also display cooking directions. Also, if the packaging states this, it will not be a cured ham.

Does Uncured Smoked Ham Need to Be Cooked?

An uncured smoked ham can be cooked in the same manner as a cured ham. However, the majority of uncured meats we purchase in stores and markets are fully cooked before they hit the shelves. Therefore, you only need to reheat the meat to your liking on most occasions.

To cook an uncured smoked ham, you should place it in a roasting pan and then on a rack. You should add a little dash of water to the bottom of the pan before covering it securely with a lid or kitchen foil.

Bake the ham at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 18 minutes per pound. Do this until the meat thermometer reaches a temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, basting the ham as it heats will add extra moisture and improve the overall flavor of the meat.

What is the Difference Between a Picnic Ham and a Smoked Ham?

There are so many different kinds of hams out there. Even the oldest surviving Latin prose from the first century BC has instructions on preparing ham! Two popular hams are picnic hams and smoked hams.

A picnic ham is a cut of pork from the upper portion of the foreleg. This piece extends into a portion of the pig’s shoulder. Because it doesn’t come from the back leg, it is not considered a true ham.

A smoked ham, on the other hand, is a section of a leg of pork. It is then cured in a brine and hung in a smokehouse where it is smoked over low heat for a long period of time. This adds extra flavor to the ham.

Both fresh ham and cooked ham can be smoked, depending on what somebody prefers.

How Long Does a Smoked Ham Last?

We’ve written a complete guide to storing ham here, but a general rule of thumb is that smoked ham lasts 5 days in the fridge and 3 months in the freezer.

Wrap Up

Now you’ve got the knowledge for how to smoke a fresh ham – that’s it!  If the process seems overwhelming, just take it step by step and you’ll get the hang of it.  Smoked fresh ham is a wonderful shareable main dish for any holiday or family gathering.

If you used this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out!  Get in touch in the comments section below or email us to let us know how your smoked ham adventure went.

Check out our guide on the best meat slicers next if you want to turn your smoked fresh ham into lunch meat slices!

The post How to Smoke a Fresh Ham – Recipe, Tips, and Complete Guide appeared first on Own The Grill.

However, for those of us who enjoy this delicious crustacean, it is certainly worth paying attention to where the lobster is sourced from, how it’s prepared, what it’s served with, and, as we’ll discuss today, what’s the best wine with lobster. Pairing wine with seafood, in general, is an exciting endeavor in and of itself.

With the many flavors of the ocean at our disposal, there-in lies a seemingly endless array of possibilities to choose from when it comes to wine pairings. This is one reason why I particularly enjoy seafood: the sheer quantity of edible options literally floating around is astounding!

Types of Lobster – Quick Look

Before we dive into pairing wine with lobster, however, let’s take a quick look at the creature itself. While I could spend a great deal of time discussing the variety of lobsters found across our planet, I’ll instead categorize them all into two groups: Clawed lobsters and Spiny lobsters.

Clawed Lobster

I’d venture to say what most people think of when the word lobster is brought to their minds is a Clawed lobster – a lobster with two large claws at the forefront of the body. These are the lobsters you are most likely to see on display in a tank of water while at a seafood market or a high-end steakhouse.

Spiny Lobster

Spiny lobsters, on the other hand, are quite different from Clawed lobsters even though their bodies have many resemblances to each other. The notable difference in appearance between the two is that Spiny lobsters lack claws at the head of the body, instead having large antennae that give it its “spiny” characteristic. Both types are edible, and both are delicious!

Best White Wine With Lobster

When it comes to pairing wine with lobster, it’s best to locate a wine that compliments the inherent delicate, sweet flavors found in the lobster meat. While the actual flavor profile of the lobster can vary depending on its preparation it’s a general rule-of-thumb that crisp, delicate, and fresh wines are best paired with this dish.

Chardonnay

This green-skinned varietal, which originated in Burgundy, France is incredibly diverse, not only in terms of where it can be grown but also regarding its flavor profile and what food it can be paired with.

Chardonnay as a wine can range from being rich, buttery, and oaky with notes of vanilla, all the way to being completely unoaked, steely, and crisp with notes of citrus and fruit.

With this wide range of flavor profiles, one can easily imagine the sheer scope of food pairing options available to it.

Generally speaking, California produces a fair amount of Chardonnay that lean towards the more full-bodied, rich, buttery side of the flavor spectrum, while Burgundy produces a host of selections that lean in the opposite direction: more crisp and elegant with plenty of citrus and minerality.

However, California and Burgundy produce plenty of both styles. What’s great about this spectrum differentiation between the two regions is that lobster, in its wide array of preparation methods, can easily pair with wines from either camp.

Lobster that is served in rich, buttery sauces can be complimented by an oaky, equally rich Chardonnay from Napa Valley.

On the other hand, Lobster that has been boiled or baked can go well with a young white Burgundy from Chablis, which can offer up more of a lean, mineral-laden profile. Since there is plenty of diversity to be enjoyed when it comes to both Chardonnay and lobster, the options to explore when pairing both together are bountiful.

Chardonnay Suggestions with Lobster:

• William Fevre, Chablis, Champs Royaux
• Alexana, Terroir Selection Chardonnay
• Sandhi, Bentrock Chardonnay

William Fevre Chablis Champs Royaux

Check Price on Wine.com

Sauvignon Blanc

Like Chardonnay, this varietal is green-skinned and originates from France. While Chardonnay originates from Burgundy, Sauvignon Blanc hails from Bordeaux. Grown across the world this varietal produces an incredibly food-friendly wine that is crisp, dry, and quite refreshing to drink – especially on a hot summer day!

Tropical fruits, white flowers, lush green grass, fresh bell peppers are just a few of the many notes one can smell and taste in Sauvignon Blanc. With this diversity comes a host of food pairing options, and that’s where lobster comes in.

When I envision pairing Sauvignon Blanc with lobster, I picture a succulent broiled lobster that’s been basted with a thin glaze of clarified butter and sprinkled with fresh lemon juice. Simple, delicate, flavorful but not overly robust, this is the kind of food Sauvignon Blanc can truly shine with.

Both the lobster and the wine compliment each other in their restrained expressiveness; one is not dominant to the other. The fresh and zesty citrus notes often found in Sauvignon Blanc can mingle well with the lobster’s sweet meat, savory glaze, and citrus sprinkling.

Sauvignon Blanc Suggestions with Lobster:

• Henri Bourgeois Sancerre, Les Baronnes Blanc
• Cade Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc
• Arkenstone ‘NVD’ Sauvignon Blanc

Henri Bourgeois Sancerre Les Baronnes Blanc

Check Price on Wine.com

Riesling

Wine can be a divisive experience in some regards, namely because people have unique palates and their own personal preferences on what they like and don’t like. However, few varietals are so misunderstood and so divisive as Riesling, in my opinion.

Generally regarded as nothing more than a sweet, nectar-like wine that ought not garner a price tag exceeding $15/bottle, Riesling is not taken seriously by millions of wine-drinkers, especially when it comes to pairing it with food.

I’m here to convince wine-drinkers to reconsider. Riesling is a varietal that requires an intimate and oftentimes lengthy courtship in order to understand it – this process is worth every minute, every bottle, every sip.

When it comes to food pairings, Riesling is an absolute powerhouse as it can be paired with sweet dishes, spicy dishes and seafood, as well as garden-driven cuisine.

It has the power to be chalky and full of minerality; yet, it can also be a sweet, borderline viscous wine. It’s a wine that can be amazing when consumed young and ethereal after numerous decades of aging.

When it comes to Riesling I think of broiled lobster as I do with Sauvignon Blanc, and this is mainly due to the lobster meat’s natural sweetness. This sweetness can pair quite nicely with Riesling’s acidity, sweetness, and overall floral & citrus notes.

However, Riesling’s usefulness when lobster is on the menu doesn’t stop there, nor does lobster have to remain within the confines of being broiled or baked when Riesling is being served.

Consider this: Asian cuisine is well-known for its heavy utilization of exotic spices, and that even goes for lobster dishes. A sweet Riesling that has a fair amount of zing from its acidity can not only stand up to spicy dishes; it can be an outright stunner!

The heat of a spicy dish is beautifully counteracted by the Riesling’s sweet, refreshing, and tantalizing flavor profile, all of which comes together for a union that’s sure to impress.

Riesling Suggestions with Lobster:

• Domaine Wachau Federspiel Terrassen Riesling
• Schloss Vollrads Riesling Kabinett
• S.A. Prum, Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese Riesling

Domane Wachau Federspiel Terrassen Riesling

Check Price on Wine.com

Best Red Wine With Lobster

However, don’t let this generalization limit you to just white wines! Yes, believe it or not there are some great red wines that are equally suited to being paired with lobster. Whether white or red, let’s dive in and see what friends lobster has in the world of wine.

Pinot Noir

The final varietal I’d like to discuss is Pinot Noir. However, I will preface this by saying that I’d like to limit this discussion to just one region: Burgundy

This famous wine-growing region in France is known for producing some of the finest wines in the world (and some of the most expensive), which goes for both red and white wine. Alas, Burgundy as a region (and France as a country) can offer wines ranging from a few dollars per bottle to tens-of-thousands of dollars per bottle and everything in between.

The options are wonderful, and the quality is remarkably consistent across the price spectrum. Burgundy as a region is well-known for producing Pinot Noir as its dominant red varietal and Chardonnay as its dominant white varietal.

Wine in Burgundy is classified according to the geographic location of where the fruit is sourced from. This classification system generally denotes overall quality, as well.

For the purposes of our discussion, I’ll be limiting us to only Regional and Village wines. Regional-level wines are made from grapes that are sourced from all over Burgundy.

For these wines you will see the word “Bourgogne” on the label, which is French for “Burgundy.” Stepping up one notch on the classification ladder are Village-level wines, which are made from grapes that are sourced from a more select area of Burgundy.

The wine label for a village-level wine will have the name of the actual village (or commune) on it, such as Chablis, Pouilly-Fuissé, Moulin-à-Vent, and Nuits-St-Georges, to name a few.

Pinot Noir Suggestions with Lobster:

• Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair Bourgogne Rouge, Grand Chaillots
• Joseph Drouhin Cote de Beaune
• Louis Jadot Pommard

Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair Bourgogne Rouge Grand Chaillots

Check Price on Wine.com

Pinot Noir, in general, is a food-friendly varietal and can be enjoyed with a multitude of cuisines from all over the world.

From the ripe, fruit-forward Pinot Noirs found throughout California’s winegrowing regions to the more earthy, savory Pinot Noirs found in Burgundy, the ability to create an experience at the dinner table that is centered around this varietal is quite easy to do.

When it comes to pairing lobster with a Bourgogne Rouge (a regional red wine from Burgundy) the preparation of the lobster ought to be considered, just as it must be for the prior varietals we discussed. Lobster Thermidor comes to mind when thinking about a pairing with Burgundian Pinot Noir.

Rich, savory and very flavorful, Lobster Thermidor is a French dish that comprises cooked lobster, brandy, egg yolks, and oftentimes a cheese, all of which is combined to form a creamy mixture that is then poured inside of the lobster’s shell and cooked in the oven.

A great deal of Pinot Noir from Burgundy exhibits an overall flavor profile that is full enough in body to withstand the richness of Lobster Thermidor without overpowering the senses.

Burgundy Pinot can oftentimes exude notes of bright red cherries, sweet tobacco leaves, crushed gravel, iron, and even clove and menthol. This spectrum of smell and taste ensures for a flavorful yet balanced approach to enjoying a luxurious dish like Lobster Thermidor.

Best Wine With Lobster – Wrap Up

Lobster is a delicacy, and it ought to be treated as such. We pay careful attention to how the lobster is caught, how it’s stored (whether alive or not), how it’s prepared, and how it’s ultimately served and enjoyed.

From the time it’s caught to the time it’s consumed; a lot goes into getting a lobster to the dinner plate. The same can also be said of wine when it comes to getting it into your glass.

Pairing these two labor-intensive delicacies with one another is truly a heavenly match and can evoke emotional responses ranging from excitement and exhilaration all the way to serious, inner contemplation at just how amazing the two are for each other.

While lobster can oftentimes be viewed as a serious dish that ought to be reserved for special occasions, try and have some fun with this pairing – let’s call it experimenting in style! And whether it causes a smile from ear-to-ear, or just a satisfied mmmmm, enjoy the experience, enjoy the journey, and happy sipping!

Looking for more wine suggestions?  Check out these posts next:

• Best Wine With Steak
• Best Wine With Salmon

The post Best Wine with Lobster – Our Pairing Suggestions & Guide appeared first on Own The Grill.

I wanted to share some gift ideas that any barbecue enthusiast would love to receive. I’m not an expert, but as a wife and mom who has bought her fair share of grilling accessories for my husband, I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t. Hopefully, these suggestions can help you pick out something memorable.

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Every Grill Master Needs Quality Grilling Accessories

It may seem basic, but a set of sturdy grilling tools is actually a useful gift.

Sturdy, well constructed grilling accessories make all the difference when it comes to convenient and enjoyable grilling experiences. Consider giving them the following useful tools:

• Stainless steel tongs with long, heat-resistant handles. Tongs allow easily flipping burgers, turning hot dogs, and moving meat. Look for a locking feature to keep them compact.
• A strong stainless steel spatula for flipping and serving. Either perforated or slotted ones make it easy to slide under food. Look for one with an angled, beveled edge to match the grill’s shape.
• A sturdy two-pronged carving fork for picking up foods and holding them down. The fork tines help maintain juices and texture.
• A long handled basting and grilling brush for applying sauces, oils, and marinades smoothly and evenly. Silicone bristle brushes are great since they’re heat resistant and easy to clean.
• Extras like corn cob holders and skewers are nice add-ons too.
• An apron with built-in tool holders keeps everything organized in one convenient place.
• Look for a carrying case or caddy that keeps tools together and protected between grilling sessions.

Quality grilling tools are functional accessories that also look impressive. Upgrade standard grill tools to bring convenience and joy to their backyard barbecuing. Sturdy accessories built to last make grilling easier and more fun.

Take the Temperature Guesswork Out

An instant-read digital thermometer is perfect for any grill lover who wants to improve their skills. Ensuring food is cooked just right is so much easier when you can quickly check temps. No more fretting over whether the chicken is safely cooked through or that beautiful steak is a perfect medium rare. This little gadget gives priceless peace of mind.

Protect Hands and Clothes

Quality insulated gloves and an apron are very practical gifts – especially if the one you love tends to get a little careless around the heat! The intense heat of a grill means hands need shielding. Look for longer gloves that cover forearms. An apron, custom embroidered if you want, means less worrying about grease, sauce stains, and burns.

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Give the Gift of Flavor with a Seasoning Set

When choosing a seasoning gift pack, consider sets that provide:

• An assortment of dry rubs, sauces, marinades, and injection mixes. Look for a variety of flavor profiles like smokey, spicy, savory, sweet, or tangy.
• Regional BBQ styles like Memphis, Texas, Carolina sauces and rubs.
• Quality ingredients free of preservatives, MSG, etc.
• Reusable containers and shakers for easy use and storage.
• Recipes or pairing suggestions for the seasoning blends.

FAQs about Grilling Gifts

What are some essential grilling tools I should gift?

Top grilling tools to gift include barbecue tongs, spatulas, instant-read thermometers, basting brushes, grilling gloves or mitts, skewers, and grill scrapers. High-quality versions of these basic tools will be appreciated.

What kind of apron makes a good grilling gift?

Look for a heavy canvas apron with features like built-in tool holders, adjustable neck straps, front pockets, and even personalization with an embroidered name or monogram. Make sure it provides good front torso coverage.

Should I give grilling recipe books as a gift?

Absolutely – a cookbook focused on barbecue, grilling, and smoking meat makes a thoughtful gift. Look for books with recipes suited to their skill level and grill type.

What type of meat thermometer is best for grilling?

An instant-read digital thermometer is ideal for grilling to quickly check temperature. Look for a thermometer that gives readings in 2-3 seconds and is accurate within 1-2 degrees.

How can I make grilling at night easier to gift?

A clip-on LED grill light is perfect for seeing the grill surface after dark. Rechargeable, adjustable lights make night grilling safe and easy.

What kinds of seasonings make good grilling gifts?

Pick a seasoning gift pack with a variety of dry rubs, marinades, and barbecue sauces. It allows grillers to explore new flavor profiles.

The post Grilling Gifts: Best Ideas for Barbecue Lovers appeared first on Own The Grill.

Summer is nearly here, and that means that it is nearly time to break out the grill.

If you are anything like us then you find true happiness when you prepare food for the people in your life on the grill. There really is nothing like kicking back in the patio in front of a smoking grill, beer in hand, sun on your skin, knowing you are going to be eating something delicious in a few hours.

Every year, we try to add at least one grilling recipe to our repertoire. A true grillmaster can handle any dietary choice and allergy restriction thrown at them. They may even enjoy the challenge. We will grill anything – from lamb to mushrooms, from bison to fish, and we will even give grilling beans a go too.

If you are looking for something new then you have come to the right place. Yes, the classic grilling dishes are delicious, but you will find something more exciting and off the beaten path here. These are the dishes you are going to want to serve up to surprise and delight your guests.

In this article, you are going to find 20 mouthwatering dishes that you can serve up to your family and friends this summer. This has something for everyone – Vegans, Vegetarians, Keto friendly grilled dishes, fish lovers, and of course, we have the meat lovers covered too.

Warning, if you keep reading you will find yourself getting very hungry and you might even be tempted to get your grill out tonight.

20 Summer Grilling Ideas & Recipes

When it comes to thinking of food to make on the grill, most people jump straight to the classics – burgers, sausages, ribs, steak, and rump. Maybe, if they’re feeling creative, they’ll make bacon and eggs.

We’re here to tell you that you shouldn’t just limit yourself to the classic grilling dishes this summer.  Instead, we have collected 20 dishes that you may have never tried to make on the grill before. They are all a little different.

But, trust us, they are all delicious and will go down a treat with your family and friends. So, let’s not waste any more time…

Grilled Tandoori Chicken

For Meat Eaters, Gluten Free

Recipe Inspiration

If you have already tried our Lemon Pepper Wings and our Chicken Wing Brine recipes and are ready to try something new – you need to make yourself a serving of Grilled Tandoori Chicken.

This is a twist on the classic Indian chicken dish. The namesake marinade of this dish is made by mixing fresh yogurt with Garlic, lemon or lime juice, olive oil, salt, cumin, coriander, paprika (not smoked), ground turmeric, cayenne, ground ginger, ground clove, and ground cardamom.

The trick to getting the best flavor out of this dish is to make sure that you marinate the chicken overnight. This gives a chance for the flavors to mature and sink into the meat. The acids in the yogurt will also soften the chicken and make it feel like it’s melting in your mouth after cooking.

Once marinated, put the meat onto a series of skewers and get grilling. 

Best Wood Chips

Applewood

Cedar

Oak

Best Served With

Pilau or Basmati Rice

Grilled Vegetables

Grilled Spinach

Grilled Salmon Souvlaki

For Fish Eaters, Gluten Free

Recipe Inspiration

Many of us forget that we Americans aren’t the only country in the world that loves to grill. In fact, one of the most underrated cuisines in the world is built around grilling – we are, of course, talking about Greek Food.

Why not try something a little more lightweight and the Mediterranean this summer and make yourself a Salmon Souvlaki Bowl. We are so obsessed with this dish because it perfectly walks the line between being delicious and being good for you.

The Salmon just needs to be seasoned with oil and salt before being placed on the grill. Make sure that you pick up some good-quality fish to get the best out of this recipe.

While you are grilling the fish why not chuck on some lemon, tomatoes, and eggplant to cook alongside it. This dish pairs perfectly with homemade Tzatziki and fresh salad.

Best Wood Chips

Cedar

Pine

Best Served With

Quinoa

Tzatziki 

Grilled Tomatoes

Grilled Lemon

Grilled Eggplant

Fresh Salad 

Grilled Lemongrass Chicken

For Meat Eaters, Gluten Free Possible

Recipe Inspiration

Next on our tour of the world on our grill, it’s Vietnam.

If you have spent any time in that beautiful country then you will know that lemongrass, five-spice, and soy sauce are cornerstones of most Vietnamese dishes. This grilled chicken is no different.

This is another dish that gets the majority of its flavor from an excellent marinade. To make it you will need fresh lemongrass, shallots, garlic (lots), sugar, salt, five-spice, soy sauce (use gluten free soy sauce if needed), and fresh chillis.

You will want to blend all of these ingredients together in a food processor. Then coat chicken breasts with them and leave them to marinate overnight. You can then cook the chicken normally on the grill before serving with lots of fresh vegetables.

You can also serve this grilled chicken with glass noodles or rice. We also used the leftover chicken to make a soup or pho dish.

Best Wood Chips

Pine

Best Served With

Glass noodles

Avocado

Fresh Cucumber

Fresh Chilli

Grilled Romaine Salad

Suitable for Vegans, Gluten Free

Recipe Inspiration

Sometimes when the true summer temperatures arrive and it gets too hot to sleep – we don’t want to eat heavy dishes. They will make us tired and may even make us feel warmer. When this type of weather arrives, we recommend trying out this fun twist on a salad. Maybe with a glass or two of iced wine.

This salad consists of grilled lemon, fava beans, and corn served inside grilled Romaine lettuce leaves. You can have this on its own, as a side, or even mixed in with pulled pork or grilled salmon.

If you have a small grill then you may have to make this salad in two parts – grilling the Romaine lettuce first, and then the rest of the salad ingredients. However, both processes are so simple that this dish has no right to be as tasty as it is.

Best Wood Chips

Applewood

Best Served With

Iced Rose Wine

Tzatziki

Sour Cream

Hot Sauce

Grilled Salmon

Grilled Bison Burger

For Meat Eaters, Gluten Free

Recipe Inspiration

If you love beef burgers but want a healthier alternative then you should check out Bison meat. It has a really similar flavor profile but is a lot leaner. And some argue it even takes better after it’s been on the grill.

We recommend that you add some grilled bacon to this burger – as well as fresh tomatoes, bbq sauce, and, of course, some smoked cheese. And maybe add a few gherkins if they are to your taste.

We recommend buying your Bison meat as mince and creating your own burgers. You can do this by adding finely chopped onions, pepper, garlic powder, and mustard seeds to the mixture and moulding the meat into patties.

Everyone has their own technique for cooking burgers on this grill, so we won’t boss you around. But, we do recommend trying out this recipe for making fries on the grill to pair with your Bison Burgers.

Best Wood Chips

Oak

Cedar 

Pine

Best Served With

Fries

Grilled Vegetables

Mac and Cheese

Fresh Salad

Grilled Lamb Chops

For Meat Eaters, Gluten Free

Recipe Inspiration

You have probably made steak or pork chops on the grill before – but have you tried lamb chops?

After trying out this meal, we think that lamb might be the meat that makes us think of summer the most – especially if you pair it with grilled vegetables, a drizzle of gravy, and a spicy harissa sauce.

This recipe works best when you keep the meat on the bone. Make a harissa-based marinade to soak the meat overnight before transferring it to the grill. One of the great things about lamb is it is really easy to get the outer layer crispy – so, you don’t have to worry too much about burning the meat.

You can serve this with a range of items. It works well with fries, gravy, and greens. Or you can serve it with other Moroccan-inspired foods like Couscous, harissa yogurt, and grilled eggplant.

Best Wood Chips

Oak

Best Served With

Steak Fries

Gravy

Grilled Vegetables

Harissa Yogurt

Lemon Couscous

Grilled Whole Fish

For Fish Eaters, Gluten Free

Recipe Inspiration

Our favorite fish dish of all time is Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon, but if we had to pick a second it would have to be Grilled Whole Fish.

If you don’t like working with fish heads then you can do this dish with fish fillets and wrap them up in aluminum foil to keep the moisture in.

If you ever find yourself grilling on the beach with a fresh catch then we recommend cooking it like this. You want to make sure that you pack as much flavor inside the fish as you can – large slices of lemons, smoked sea salt flakes, parsley, and chili.

If you want to take this recipe from delicious to show stopping then you need to make sure you serve your fish up with Preserved Lemon Gremolata. It’s fresh, spicy, and it makes the fish taste even better.

Best Wood Chips

Oak

Cedar

Best Served With

Quinoa

Fries

Pasta

Grilled Lemons

Grilled Spicy Miso Portobello Burgers

Suitable for Vegans, Can be made Gluten Free

Recipe Inspiration

This is one of the best Vegan dishes that we have ever made on our grill. If you are someone who loves savory and spicy dishes then you may end up coming for a few nights in a row after you cook it for the first time – it’s that good.

We like to serve these large mushrooms up like we would any other burger – with tomatoes, gherkins, and bacon and cheese for the non-Vegans. We have also served them with guacamole and sriracha sauce.

You are going to want to start by basting the mushrooms in a mixture of miso paste, blended with sriracha and sesame oil. You do not want to marine the mushrooms for too long as they can lose their structural integrity and fall apart on the grill.

Once you have prepared the mushrooms, all you have to do is pop them on the grill for around 10 minutes. Then all that’s left to do is plate them up. They cook a lot quicker than beef burgers so if you are cooking a mixture, bear this in mind when you are planning out your timing.

Best Wood Chips

Oak

Best Served With

Burger Buns

Guacamole

Bacon

Smoked Cheese

Tomatoes

Gherkins

Coleslaw

Tzatziki

Chimichurri Poblano Turkey Burger

For Meat Eaters, Can be Gluten Free

Recipe Inspiration

Chicken isn’t the only grilling option when it comes to poultry. Turkey can make a great alternative. Turkey mince is also a great option if you are looking to cut a little bit of fat out of your burger.

Some people think that Turkey is bland meat that can’t make an interesting meal – these people have just been cooking it wrong. Once you have tried this dish, your opinions on Turkey will be changed.

This dish would pair really well with the miso mushroom burgers we talked about in the last version – they are both savory, spicy, and hard to stop eating.

Best Wood Chips

Oak

Cedar

Pine

Best Served With

Fries

Grilled Vegetables

Mac and Cheese

Fresh Salad

Grilled Eggplant With Eggplant Relish

Suitable for Vegans, Gluten Free

Recipe Inspiration

If you are looking for the perfect healthy and vegan side dish to serve at your next barbeque then look no further – serve up this one. Or, if you are looking for a light dinner then you can make this in a bigger batch and serve it as a main.

Grill eggplants are quick and easy to make – they are a great dish to put the kids in charge of if they want to help with the cooking.

Grilling eggplants is simple, all you need to do is lightly coat them with olive oil and then cook them for a few minutes on the grill. They are filling, savory, and are typically a big hit with everybody.

Grilled eggplants are such a classic dish that they can be served with anything and still taste good. We have seen them served with fish, ribs, couscous, fries, a spicy relish, and much more.

Best Wood Chips

Pine

Best Served With

Couscous

Quinoa

Fries

Grilled vegetables

Pico de Galo

Grilled Peruvian Chicken

For Meat Eaters, Gluten Free

Recipe Inspiration

If you are looking for a twist on the classic grilled chicken recipe then why not try this one? It’s spicy, it’s not too heavy, and it’s perfect for Summer.

If you have never had Peruvian Chicken before then you are in for a treat. It is made from a mix of honey, soy sauce, chili, paprika, salt, and a range of traditional spices. It is a dish that gives BBQ wings a run for its money when made correctly.

You are going to want to make the sauce the night before and marinate the chicken in it. You are then going to want to make an extra batch that you can pour over the chicken once you have finished grilling it.

Make sure you make a big batch of these because they will fly off the plate.

Best Wood Chips

Pine

Oak

Best Served With

Hot Sauce

Fries

Grilled Vegetables

Lime Rice

Greek Salad

Grilled Eggplant With Freekeh

Suitable for Vegans, Gluten Free (options)

Recipe Inspiration

If you are looking for another way to serve up grilled eggplant then why not try serving it as a salad with a healthy helping of grains, leafy greens, and zesty sauce.

This is a dish inspired by the flavors of the Middle East – we particularly love making this salad with Freekah.

Freekah is a grain (it does contain gluten) that grows in the Middle East and is smoked – this makes it a perfect combination for grilled eggplant. You will want to serve this salad with fresh herbs, a tart sauce (with a yogurt base), and some moist vegetables like cucumber. Otherwise, it will taste a little dry.

We love mixing these Middle Eastern flavors with flavors from the Greek Islands by adding Feta, Tzatziki, and salad leaves like Rocket.

However you serve it, make sure to sip on some sweet minty drinks to complete the experience.

Best Wood Chips

Pine

Best Served With

Couscous

Buckwheat Salad

Rocket

Feta

Harissa Yogurt

Grilled Indian Masala Street Corn

Suitable for Vegetarians (Vegan Options), Gluten Free

Recipe Inspiration

Masala is the Hindi word for spiced or spices. We are used to dishes like Tika Masal or drinking like Masala Chai (also known as Chia Tea). But the Indian flavor pallet has so much more to offer us.

Today, we are going to look at how you can turn the classic dish – Corn on the Cob – into someone a whole lot more interesting.

In India, most families have a secret mix of spices that they use to create their dishes. If you don’t have a secret mix you can use Garam Masala. You will want to mix these spices with melted ghee (or butter of your choice).

You will then want to pour half of this to cover the corn while it is cooking. Once the corn is done you can cover it with the other half of the mixture. Then serve with what you would usually serve corn on the cob with.

Best Wood Chips

Oak

Best Served With

Pilau Rice

Saag Paneer

Fries

Ribs

Grilled Vegetables

Tandori Chicken

Grilled Lemon-herb Chicken Breast (With Salad)

For Meat Eaters, Gluten Free

Recipe Inspiration

This dish perfectly balances our cravings for flavor-filled, grilled meat with our need to eat a light meal on the hottest days of the year.  The chicken and the honey mustard bacon in this dish are to die for and the salad will leave you feeling full, fresh, and energetic.

As always, you will want to make sure that you marinate the chicken and the bacon overnight before you start cooking. Even if the recipe does not explicitly call for it, we like to make a little extra of each sauce to soak the meat in later.

You do not want to reuse the sauce you have been soaking the raw meat in, as you can risk giving your guests food poisoning.

This combination of salad and rice will leave everyone with full bellies but won’t cause anyone to feel sluggish after their dinner.

Best Wood Chips

Oak

Applewood

Pine

Cedar

Best Served With

Avocado Salad

Honey Mustard Bacon

Fresh Tomatoes

Tzatziki

Feta

Grilled Vegetables

Grilled Steak Tacos With Chimichurri

For Meat Eaters, Gluten Free

Recipe Inspiration

If you thought that Leftover Brisket Tacos were a good idea, what until you hear about these Steak Tacos – they are to die for.

This may be the ultimate Tex-Mex combination, steak and tacos. We also recommend that you whip a batch of Chimichurri Sauce to serve with this dish.

We love making tacos because they are so easy to make and easy to customize – which means everyone can make themselves the meal that they want. We like to cook up a big patch of stake and then let our guests create their own tacos.

To complement the texture of the stake, you are going to want to make sure that you have lots of other soft fillings to go with it – like Pico de Galo, Guacamole, and grilled peppers.

Best Wood Chips

Oak

Applewood

Best Served With

Steak Fries

Nachos

Pico de Galo

Chimichurri Sauce

Guacamole

Root Beer

Grilled Chicken Shawarma

For Meat Eaters, Gluten Free

Recipe Inspiration

We have suggested a lot of different ways to enjoy grilled chicken in the article, but this dish has to be one of our top favorites. Especially, when it is served on top of Israeli Salad with a healthy dollop of Tzatziki.

Just writing about this dish is making our stomachs rumble.

What makes this dish even better is that it is so easy to make. All you need to do to prepare the brine is to blend fresh garlic, lemon, salt, and olive oil in a food processor until it is creamy. Then leave your chicken to soak in it overnight.

You should prepare the salad about half an hour before you are ready to eat. You can serve these two dishes as part of a larger buffet or as the main course.

You can make Shaearma wings, kebabs, or fillets – they all work well and taste delicious.

Best Wood Chips

Oak

Applewood

Best Served With

Quinoa

Rice

Israeli Salad

Tzatziki

Grilled Thai Turkey Burgers

For Meat Eater, Gluten Free

Recipe Inspiration

We love using Thai flavors when we grill because they make such an exciting combination with the smokiness the meat develops. Anyone who has ever had a Thai fish cake will back us up on this one.

Cilantro and Lime are two key ingredients in Thai cuisine and they feature heavily in this dish. This recipe also features a good amount of lemongrass and ginger. With all four of these ingredients, you can’t include too much of them in your Turkey burgers.

You can buy pre-made Turkey burgers, but nothing compares to making them at home from mince and mixing in these delicious Thai ingredients. You might also want to prepare a few Thai-inspired condiments to put on your burger – like pickled cucumber, sriracha mayo, and spicy coleslaw.

We adore Thai cuisine because it manages to be full of flavor but still leaves you feeling fresh and energetic.

Best Wood Chips

Applewood

Best Served With

Coleslaw

Gherkins

Shredded Carrots

Grilled Vegetables

Mac and Cheese

Sriracha Mayo

Japanese Farm-style Teriyaki

For Meat Eaters, Gluten Free (Options)

Recipe Inspiration

We have already talked about using Miso on the grill, and now we want to talk about another Japanese flavor – Teriyaki.

Teriyaki sauce is typically made from a mixture of soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. The meat is soaked in this sauce before being grilled or boiled. The word Teri means lustre and yaki means to grill or broil. We would also recommend adding some ginger and garlic into the mix.

You can serve this Teriyaki Chicken with your normal barbecue sides – like corn on the cob, fries, and mashed potatoes. Or you can serve it on sushi rice with pickled salad, edamame beans, and other types of salad.

If you want to make your Teriyaki Chicken farm style then just leave out the sugar, for us, mirin is more than sweet enough on its own.

If you are looking for a Vegan alternative to this dish, you can replace the Chicken with Portobello Mushrooms.

Best Wood Chips

Pines

Best Served With

Teriyaki Mushrooms

Gherkins

Edamame Beans

Fries

Fresh Salad

Grilled Italian Chicken

For Meat Eaters, Gluten Free 

Recipe Inspiration

Our final Chicken suggestion today is Italian Style Grilled Chicken served with Salsa Verde.

This is a simple recipe that requires very little effort to cook, but, man is it delicious! Sometimes, you can add too much sauce and spices to the meat, and you can lose its original flavor. Not with this dish.

Everything about the brine for the Chicken and the Salsa Verde only highlights the natural, smoky flavors of grilled chicken. This recipe is perfect for those hot summer days or the days when the weather is awful and you want to pretend you are sitting on the Italian Riviera.

Why not make this the main feature of an Italian-themed dinner. That features capers, olives, artichokes, grilled fish, a Caprese Salad, and some pesto pasta.

This recipe is so simple that it is nearly impossible to get it wrong. You will end up with a delicious dish every time.

Best Wood Chips

Oak

Pine

Best Served With

Fresh Salad

Salsa Verde

Parmesan

Avocado

Grilled vegetables

Olives

Capers

Grilled Fava Beans

Suitable for Vegans, Gluten Free 

Recipe Inspiration

Our final suggestion is a simple vegan side that will be a big hit with everyone at the table. We also recommend making a large bowl of the Mint, Lemon Zest, and  Sumac dip because no one at the table will be able to get enough of it.

Fava beans are a traditional Middle Eastern dish that is becoming more and more popular across the world. While many choose to mix these beans in with other ingredients, after you have tried this dish you will learn that they are tasty enough to be served on their own.

All you need to do to cook Fava beans is to brush their shell with olive oil and a little salt and then pop them straight onto the grill. Give each side 4 minutes before serving them up to your hungry guests.

Best Wood Chips

Oak

Pine

Cedar

Best Served With

Fresh Salad

Grill Vegetables

Ribs

Steak

Summary

Summer is the season of adventure, so why not extend that to your cooking and your grilling? This is the season to experiment with delicious new flavor combinations and unexpected ingredients.

If you love to use your grill then this is the perfect time of year for you to get it out and cook on it every weekend (and maybe even on a few work nights). A day spent at the grill is never wasted.

If you are looking for something new, exciting, and of course, mouth-wateringlly good, then you will find all of that in the article above.

We have included 20 grilling dishes that we swear by and have been big hits amongst our friends and family. Now, if you excuse us, we will be cooking up some of those Masala Spiced Corn cobs this evening. What will you be cooking up for your family this summer?

The post How To Get Started: 20 Summer Grilling Ideas appeared first on Own The Grill.

This time of year is usually a good time to realize how your year is going to go, so why not carry yourself and your friends and family through to the summer months with a proper cookout. There is plenty of good food and good weather to enjoy, so follow our list for your next meal in the sun.

Traditional Easter Meals

Easter is usually a great time for anyone looking to implement some fresh meats into their meals and will have anyone looking to try some new meat licking their lips with anticipation. Particular meats like ham, lamb, beef, and turkey are frequently seen at this time of year and will feature throughout this list.

9 of the Best Easter BBQ and Grilling Ideas

Honey Glazed Smoked Ham

When it comes to having a slice of rich meat to start your Easter, smoked ham is one of the best out there. The food is so versatile that it works with anything from sandwiches, to mashed potatoes or fries.

Glazing this ham with honey or apple can be a perfect way to add a sweetener to a relatively smoky dish. Add some fresh vegetables and some bread and you’ve got yourself an old classic.

Smoked Beef Or Pork Ribs

When it comes to ribs, pork is definitely the more frequently seen out of the two types, however, beef ribs have their upsides as well!

The beef ribs are often a lot sturdier and come in a larger size than their pork counterpart. If you slowly cook either of these meats over a few hours at a time, you’ll find that the meat will fall straight off the bone and into your mouth.

Make sure that you glaze either of these with some sort of apple or BBQ flavorings and you have a wonderfully rich meal, ready to eat with your hands. Just make sure you have a napkin handy!

Grilled Lobster Tails

Seafood is always particularly fresh around the winter and summer months, with lobsters firmly at the top of this list.

Lobster comes with a sweet, but rich taste that you don’t find with a lot of seafood variations, so it’s always nice to pair these with a good steak or some fresh lemon juice. Lobsters are enough to make anybody’s ears perk up when discussing food, so why not implement them into your Easter menu?

Add some strong garlic butter and your tongue will be dancing with the flavor.

Grilled Lamb Lollipops

One of the main meats that are often seen around Easter is fresh lamb. Lamb is often seen as a symbol for Easter, with sheep being born in these months and symbolizing new life, so why not add some of the food to your occasion?

Lamb goes extremely well with mint jelly or sauce, which can add a sweeter tone to your meal, especially when paired with baked potatoes or mashed potatoes.

With regards to the taste of the meat, lamb is incredibly rich and will leave you wanting more after the very first bite. Combined with a tender texture, it’s no wonder why people find lamb dishes so popular.

Rotisserie Chicken

I think a lot of people can agree that one of the best food inventions that were ever made, is the rotisserie. The ability to cook food so evenly whilst ensuring that the heat doesn’t burn the chicken makes having a BBQ that much easier!

Chicken is a very versatile food that can be featured alongside plenty of different options. For example, having some fresh lemon or orange marinade can go a long way in making the chicken even more flavorful. Having some perfectly cut fries or some creamy mashed potatoes make a rotisserie chicken essential!

If you don’t have a rotisserie grill, you could also substitute a good old fashioned beer can chicken for equally tender and tasty results.

Rotisserie Leg Of Lamb

Alternatively, there is the option of having a leg of lamb on a rotisserie spit and it can be an incredible way to get all of the juices and the flavors flowing. This option is incredibly rich and tender, with the lamb all but falling apart on your plate and allowing you to eat with ease.

Add a honey glaze or some sort of mint sauce and you have an excellent appetizer for you and your family to enjoy. This goes perfectly well with some fresh potatoes and vegetables to match!

Grilled Garlic Prawns

Once again, we recommend that you try some sort of seafood when you have the chance. Grilled prawns around Easter time are one of the freshest things on this list and are excellent when it comes to eating smaller-sized foods.

Because of their stronger fishy taste, prawns work fantastically with some garlic marinade and chilli sauce. The slight spice from the sauce and the strong waves of flavor from the garlic and the shellfish are a wonderful way of filling your stomach and celebrating Easter.

Grilled Steak

You simply can’t talk about some sort of grilled meal and not mention the potential of having a fresh steak on the go. Because of how juicy and easy to get steak is, you have to think of a NY Strip, ribeye, or filet when debating on your next grilled or smoked meal.

Add one of these steaks with sides like mashed potatoes, fries, or fresh vegetables, and you’re able to have a hearty meal in massive portions. Lovely stuff!

Adding some sort of peppercorn sauce or garlic butter to your steak is a brilliant way of finishing off your meal and adding an extra burst of flavor to your BBQ.

Smoked Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are already a traditional Easter hors d’oeuvre – so why not put a spin on your classic recipe and add smokey flavor?

You have to be a little careful with your heat – and it may be better to cold smoke deviled eggs if you can’t keep your smoker temperature low enough. But the flavor is without a doubt worth the trouble.

Happy Easter Grilling!

BBQ and grilled meals are a great way to mark the celebration of Easter, with a wide variety of options at your disposal.

For example, lamb meals offer a much richer and more tender choice to those who are wanting the light taste of some grilled chicken to satisfy their hunger. Sometimes the best thing you can do is make sure that you have some good sauces and some sort of potatoes at your disposal.

These complement the meats incredibly and will leave you counting the minutes until your next cooking adventure.

The post 9 Easter Grilling & BBQ Ideas appeared first on Own The Grill.

The beauty of getting a BBQ gift for someone is that there are a ton of options available to you, from getting a premium grill set, to personalized grilling aprons or a series of meat spices and oils to bring a ton of new flavors and options to your grill. There are tons of grilling accessories to choose from, so you will never be short of gifts to buy.

There are gift ideas to suit almost any budget and some excellent ideas for even the most well-equipped BBQ fanatic.

We have put together this list of some of our favorite BBQ gift ideas to help you find the perfect present for your favorite grilling enthusiast.

Best BBQ and Grilling Gift Ideas

Personalized BBQ Tool Set

If you want to give your friend or loved one something special this summer, why not consider giving them a personalized grill set?

You can allow your imagination to run wild here, getting their beloved grilling equipment named, or go for something a little more fun and quirky. You could even get individual grilling tools and personalize them, or a specific premium grilling tool as a crowning jewel of any grill set.

BBQ Cookbooks

There is a range of awesome BBQ cooking books out there, from famous and well-regarded chefs all over the world, taking inspiration from various regional and national cuisines. You could also look for smoker cookbooks to introduce the avid barbecue fan to a new style of bbq cuisine or help provide them with inspiration for their next day of grilling.

Great BBQ Cookbook

Smoker Cookbook: The Ultimate Smoking Meat Cookbook

Check Price on Amazon

Premium Meats

It’s never been easier to pick up world class beef online. Whether your loved one loves steaks or BBQ brisket, there are companies out there that will deliver out of this world beef to your doorstep.

One of our favorites is Snake River Farms, an American Wagyu ranch that produces some spectacular, albeit pricey steaks, roasts, and more.

There are other great choices for different price points too. Holy Grail Steak lets you order some of the world’s rarest Japanese Wagyu – and places like Porter Road will send you incredible USDA prime beef to your doorstep.

Snake River Farms American Wagyu Gold Grade Ribeye

Snake River Farms' top of the line ribeye steak is hand cut to 1.5" thick.

Check Price on Snake River Farms

Grilling Tools Starter Kit

With this stainless steel grilling kit, they will never have to worry about buying another one again thanks to how well stainless steel handles grease and heat.

The set includes everything they need to cook any delicious barbecue dish, including a grill pan, tongs, spatula, skewers, and a thermometer. It even comes with a recipe book so they can follow along with step-by-step instructions.

Cast Iron Skillet

A proper cast iron skillet will last you years if cared for properly, so it makes sense to invest in something sturdy that won’t break the bank.

Not only are cast irons great to have in the kitchen, but they can be used in conjunction with smokers and most grills. One of our absolute favorites is smoked mac and cheese – which is made in the kitchen on a cast iron skillet then transferred to the BBQ so it can absorb delicious smokey flavor.

Backcountry Iron Smooth Cast Iron Skillet (12 Inch)

Check Price on Amazon

Premium Thermometer

A high end wireless thermometer is an excellent choice for both grilling and smoking BBQ. These probe thermometers allow you to monitor your cook from afar and ensure perfect results every time.

While there are plenty of choices out there, we particularly love the Meater thermometer – which gives a reading for both your food’s internal temperature and your grill’s ambient temperature at the same time.

Top Wireless Thermometer

MEATER Plus | Smart Meat Thermometer with Bluetooth | 165ft Wireless Range | for The Oven, Grill, Kitchen, BBQ, Smoker, Rotisserie

With 165 feet of range and a dual sensor probe, it doesn't get much easier or more accurate than the Meater Plus.

Check Price on Walmart Check Price on Amazon

Grill Brush

If you don’t want to go for a full on tool set an prefer to keep things simple, a good old fashioned grill brush is a great gift that will get plenty of use.

The best grill brushes will keep your grill clean and shiny, so it looks great and lasts longer, preventing rust of old grease from affecting the quality of your food.

A scraper is useful for scraping off excess fat from meat before serving also, allowing you to ensure you get all of the juiciness but avoid the worst of the fat and grease.

Top Grill Brush

GRILLART Grill Brush and Scraper

Check Price on Amazon

Portable Grill

If your loved one already has a grill set up for the back patio, a portable grill could be a great gift.

The best portable grills can cook food just as well as some of their larger counterparts – and they’re light enough to take on the go for a camping trip or a tailgate.

Best of all, there are portable options for just about any price point. A basic yet quality portable charcoal grill can be well under $100 – and higher end gas and pellet fueled options can be closer to the $500 price point.

Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill

Check Price on Amazon Check Price on Weber

BBQ Apron

A barbecue apron is a great gift idea as it is something that is really practical, but also something that you can personalize to make it even more thoughtful or humorous.

It will help to reduce the chance of burns or spills ruining clothing, which is important when grilling or BBQing as there can be a lot of grease and fat spitting up at the griller.

Steak Branding Iron

A branding iron will allow your grilling fanatic to put the perfect final touch on every steak they make, allowing them to literally create their own steak ‘brand’ or simply impress guests with the level of effort that has gone into preparing their steak.

This is a really fun and thoughtful idea, and you can even find branding irons that allow you to customize the lettering. Alternatively, you could get one made specifically, although this may be a little more expensive.

BBQ Themed Socks

If you’ve got a barbecue lover in your life, then this is the perfect stocking filler. There are some very funny designs out there to choose from, and you can also get them personalized to add a little extra humor and fun.

Jim Beam Bourbon Barrel Cooking Pellets

If the person you are buying a grilling gift for owns a pellet smoker, then a bag of fun flavored pellets is a great choice that will definitely get put to use.

Even if your loved one doesn’t own a pellet grill, wood pellets are a great way to add a smokey flavor to a gas or even charcoal grill. They can be used directly on a charcoal fire or in conjunction with a pellet smoker tube.

One of our favorites is the Jim Beam Bourbon Barrel bag of pellets, but there are many flavors to be found – so there should be something suited for everyone.

BBQ/Grill Caddy

This gift will not only help out at any barbecue they host but it will also look great in their kitchen too! It has space for several different-sized plates, as well as cups, bowls, and spoons so it’s perfect for entertaining friends and family and making it easier to serve up your delicious food or collect the dishes after dinner.

Gourmet BBQ Rubs

A great gift idea for any barbecue lover is a selection of BBQ Rubs. This will include curated spice blends that are used to flavor those tasty foods that go on the grill or smoker.

Whether your pit master prefers to sear a steak or smoke a brisket low and slow, there is a rub package out there that will have you covered.

Premium Herbs & Oils

On a similar note, you could consider creating a grilling themed basket of premium herbs, spices, and oils.

Many pit masters prefer to craft their own BBQ rubs instead of going the store bought route. If that’s the case, pick up some gourmet sea salts, peppers, and olive oils. They will be put to good use and can produce some impeccable homemade spice mixtures.

Bullet Smoker

If you really want to make an impression, you could take a look at picking up a bullet smoker.

The reason we think bullet smokers make such great gifts is because they produce unbelievably good food for how they are priced.

Plus, they’re versatile. They are relatively easy to take on the go and you can smoke a brisket, prepare a Thanksgiving turkey, hang sausages, and more on these bad boys.

Not to mention, many are designed to double as a grill. All around, bullet smokers are one of our favorite smoker types and a great pick up for anybody who loves BBQ.

Top Bullet Smoker

Weber 18-Inch Smokey Mountain Cooker & Charcoal Smoker

Also available on Weber.com

Check Price on Amazon Check Price on Walmart

Store Bought BBQ Sauces

Nowadays, many of the most famous BBQ joints across the USA sell their own branded BBQ sauces in stores – which are typically also available online.

If you are looking for a BBQ sauce recommendation, start with one of our all-time favorites – Aaron Franklin’s Original Texas Style BBQ Sauce.

Franklin Barbecue Original Texas BBQ Sauce

Check Price on Amazon

BBQ Grill Light

A great gift idea for any barbecue lover, a LED grill light will illuminate the area around the grill so they can easily monitor the color of the meat and how the grilling is progressing to ensure the perfect level of juiciness is achieved, no matter what time of day.

Most grill lights are designed to clamp on to your grill’s handle with an adjustable neck, so you can set them at the perfect angle to illuminate your grates.

Grill Fan

If you’ve got a BBQ enthusiast in your life, then there’s no better gift than a grill fan. These fans are designed to keep the air circulating around your BBQ, which means you’ll be able to enjoy the beautiful smells and sounds of the grilling process without having to inhale too much smoke.

Keeping the air circulating can also help keep the grill cleaner, as smoke often builds up and leaves residue on grill tops and covers, so directing this away with a quality grill fan can save a considerable amount of smoke staining.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re planning on giving a gift for Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Christmas, or just because, there are plenty of ideas here to inspire you to find the perfect gift for any occasion. With a little research and preparation, you’ll be sure to pick out a unique and thoughtful BBQ gift that will leave a lasting impression on the recipient.

The post 19 BBQ and Grilling Gift Ideas – For Those Who Love to Cook Outdoors! appeared first on Own The Grill.

A Memorial Day tradition for a lot of us is to invite our family and friends around for a backyard get-together where the grill takes center stage.

Held on the last Monday in May, Memorial Day is also the unofficial signifier of summertime, and what better way to kick off summer than with a good old-fashioned family gathering.

Warm weather, outside, cold drink in hand, flaming hot grill on the go, salad table at the ready, Memorial Day is about giving thanks by enjoying what we’re lucky enough to have.

So, to make sure you’re getting all the compliments this coming Memorial Day, we’re showcasing the best grilling and BBQ ideas to impress you first, and your guests second. We’ve rounded up some of our own recipes along with some of the best from across the internet.

Memorial Day BBQ / Grill Recipe Ideas

Four Cheese Bacon Jalapeño Mac and Cheese

This four-cheese bacon and jalapeno mac and cheese are so dang naughty that it must be nice. Go big on Memorial Day by giving the people exactly what they want – a hefty portion of this jam-packed mac and cheese to ooze all over their plate. 

Pepper Jack, extra sharp cheddar, Gouda, and fontina have been called up to the plate to give this bake its cheesy credentials. With a cheeky Ritz cracker topping offering the dish a crisped and crunchy edge – yes, make this on Memorial Day, but also slip it into your regular recipe list, it’s that good.

Want to add an extra layer of flavor? Throw your mac and cheese on the smoker for smokey flavors that balance nicely with the other ingredients in this recipe.

3 Ingredient Garlic-Herb Grilled Chicken Wings

Source: epicurious.com

You would be brave, and dare we say it, maybe even a little silly to invite the family over on Memorial Day and not have a ski-high pile of chicken wings ready for them.

Now, we’re not saying that you need to find the most labor-intensive recipe and spend an age sourcing too many weird and wonderful ingredients for your wings to be tasty, and this recipe proves it.

A 3-ingredient garlic and herb marinade and 30 minutes are all you need to ensure your loud-mouth uncle doesn’t give you grilling for not serving him some grilled wings.

Since this recipe calls for a marinade it’s not necessary, but if you have the time consider brining your wings to bring out even more flavor.

Steve’s Bodacious BBQ Ribs

Source: allrecipes.com

On a similar level of importance as the wings, these sweet and sticky BBQ ribs are a must-have on Memorial Day. Saucy Steve sure has pulled out all the stops with this recipe, putting forward a seriously stacked marinade to give these ribs no chance but to be finger-licking delicious. 

Cayenne pepper, paprika, cumin, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, garlic powder, ground pepper, and salt – once the ribs have spent an hour or so chilling in the fridge doused in this spiced dry rub, the hard work is officially done, and it’s time to sit back and let your smoker do its beautiful thing. 

Balsamic Vinegar and Honey Pulled Pork Sliders

Source: preventionrd.com

If you revel in preparing as much as you can the day before, these pulled pork sliders are essential Memorial Day backyard banquet fodder. There’s a reason why pulled pork has blown up in recent years and that is because it is delicious. 

By slow-cooking a boneless pork shoulder roast for 9 – 10 hours on low, or 4 – 5 on high, you’ll be able to knock enough of these pulled pork sliders for many people, and they are anything but boring. Served on toasted slider buns with homemade slaw, this balsamic and honey pulled pork is ready and waiting to be the center of attention and table. 

No-Mayo Coleslaw

Surrounded by the heavy-hitting Memorial Day dishes, this no-mayo coleslaw can offer a light and citrusy freshness to help balance the BBQ table out. Instead of your slaw drowning in a slimy sea of mayo, this no-mayo slaw leans on honey, lemon juice, and olive oil for its dressing. 

Shredded red cabbage, green cabbage, and carrot are all you need to bring this vibrant and crunchy slaw together that has no chance of going by the soggy-mayo wayside.

Grilled Chicken Caesar Sandwiches

Food that looks, sounds, and tastes gourmet, but doesn’t require an excessive amount of time and ingredients to put together is ok by us. If this “bang for your buck’ ethos sounds ok by you too, then, please, click this way and into the grilled chicken caesar sandwich light. 

The deeply charred boneless chicken thighs have a distinct mustardy flavor that blends perfectly with the fennel-basil slaw and tangy cornichons. Add the Caesar dressing, and Pepper Jack cheese and sandwich it all between a toasted brioche bun for a big-impact Memorial Day BBQ sandwich. 

Grilled Pineapple

Grilled pineapple is a super sweet, delicious, and versatile side piece to serve alongside your Memorial Day salad bar and meat tray. It would take a very hardened individual to turn down a slice of grilled pineapple when the opportunity presents itself. 

Once your guests get wind of the pineapple being lathered in hot pepper sauce, butter and honey, dare we say it – there won’t be a pineapple-less plate in the building. To make the pineapple look as good as it tastes, make sure to strive for deep-charred lines of grilling approval – nobody argues with those. 

Easy Potato Salad

Potato salad is a workhorse salad that doesn’t ask for much and gives plenty. What we mean by that is potato salad has got to be one of the easiest salads to whip up, and boy does it do wonders in filling the ravenous family members up. 

This Easy Potato Salad recipe makes your salad prep easy-peasy by stripping it back to the bare essentials. Red potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, finely chopped chives, mayonnaise, milk, and a few herbs for flavor’s sake – give yourself 15 minutes to prepare this carb-loaded crowd-pleaser and not one minute more. 

Grilled Corn on the Cob

The beauty of this recipe is that it takes you through grilling in-husk corn and out-of-husk corn. Which is the better of the two is a debate that has, and will continue to split opinion, as both have their advantages and disadvantages. 

For instance, in-husk corn will remain juicier, while out-of-husk corn gathers a smokier flavor profile. To make matters even more confusing (we hope you like making decisions), this recipe features multiple flavored-butter options so that you can flavor your corn exactly how you like it. 

Maple BBQ Grilled Chicken

There aren’t too many things that signal in the summer on Memorial Day more than grilled chicken. Gaining its sweetness from maple, and its fiery side from sriracha, the barbeque sauce of this recipe is nothing short of genius. 

Pick up whatever chicken pieces tickle your tastebuds and smother them in this sticky, and sweet sauce for at least one hour before slapping them down on the grill. Purposefully simple, effortlessly delectable, this is one of those special recipes that doesn’t need to sell itself, you just need to eat it.

Grilled Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers

Preparing 16 individual jalapeno poppers in 30 minutes may seem like a tall order, but with this bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers recipe, you may proceed to succeed. Let it be known that this is an extremely cheesy affair, so if cheese isn’t where you get your kicks, we advise you to tap out now and keep scrolling. 

For the folk who think cheese is the bee’s knees, then click this way and let these poppers take you to the promised land. Parmesan, cheddar, and cream cheese stuffed jalapenos wrapped in bacon and grilled until they turn all gooey and crispy – this is an instant-classic Memorial Day BBQ appetizer. 

Summer Orzo Pasta Salad

As essential as potato salad is to a successful salad table, without this dish of pasta salad buddied up next to it, there will always be something missing.

This fresh and fabulous pasta salad looks like summer, and tastes of the Mediterranean with ingredients like feta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, chickpeas, red onion, mint, basil, and fresh parsley. Orzo pasta helps to seal the deal on this Italian-inspired pasta salad that is mighty by sight and mighty in taste. 

Grilled Carrots with Avocado and Mint

Gaining taste from lemon, smoothness from honey, and a punchy brightness by way of ginger, these grilled carrots are destined to be the talk of the salad table. Although these three powerhouse flavors sound pretty alright on their own, this healthy grill idea ain’t done with you yet, not by a long shot. 

Ground cumin seeds, mint, and avocado are also in cahoots to bring you a gourmet take on, what is essentially, just carrots. The trick with this recipe is to leave the carrot skins on,  exactly where nature intended.

This will help the carrots to char and bring on a smokiness to compliment everything else that’s going on with the high-flying vinaigrette.

Super Soft Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Cookies

What better way to round out our Memorial Day feast ideas than some soft and buttery bakery-style choc chip cookies. Ok, maybe cookies aren’t the first thing you think of when pondering your Memorial Day BBQ plates, but everyone deserves a sweet treat after their meal, right? And a choc chip cookie has never tasted or looked so good.

Cookies are also the ideal candidate for an after BBQ treat because they can be made the day before and pulled out of the fridge to wide acclaim. Taking just 20 minutes to prepare, these vanilla-infused, butter-heavy cookies will land on that special childhood place of heart and mouth that only good choc chip cookies can. 

Final Thoughts

Paying respects and making memories on Memorial Day is about being close to the ones you love, and sharing in the great American grilling dream. Whether you’re looking to bring your gourmet A-game with an impressive selection of dishes that represent your devotion to cooking and eating!

Or, you just want to make your day as simple and as easy as possible, we hope you found the Memorial Day BBQ-inspo you were looking for.

The post Memorial Day Grill & BBQ Recipe Ideas appeared first on Own The Grill.