Grill Nation: Our Ultimate Guide to Grilling

24, 2023

Ensure this is the best grilling season yet with the expert tips in this grill guide.

Taste of Home

When warm weather comes around, its time to start grilling!

Keep reading to getgrilling tipsand tricks from our Test Kitchen experts.

When choosing between thetypes of grills, find one that matches your cooking style.

When you think of an old-school grill, youre probably picturing a charcoal grill.

They tend to be durable, round or rectangular grills that burn differenttypes of charcoalwhich then heat the grill.

On the plus side, the charcoal gives food a wonderful smoky flavor that just cant be beat.

Heres a full guide onhow to use a charcoal grill.

These large grills are fueled by a separate tank of propane or line of natural gas.

Because of this, gas grills are incredibly easy to use.

If youre on the fence, weve broken down the differences betweencharcoal vs. gas grills.

Smokers are a favorite of professional grill masters and barbecue restaurants, and can be more pricey.

This grill is almost completely hands-free and is a good choice for novice grillers.

There are two main types of electric grills: outdoor and indoor.

These grills work well for those with balconies or small backyards.

Because of their small size, theyre best for cooking one to four portions at a time.

Most are powered by a small propane tank, but there are some that use charcoal.

These small grills tend to be the most inexpensive and are usually under $80.

Want to make the most of the great outdoors?

Some of our favorite unexpected grilling recipes include fresh fruits,french toastandcobbler.

If you’re able to cook it, you’re able to grill it!

Grilled main dishesare a go-to when it comes to summer.

Beyond fall-off-the-bonegrilled ribsand creativekabob recipes, use the warm summer months to grill uppizza,whole chickensand tenderseafood.

Test Kitchen tip:If your meats arent lifting easily from the grill grate, let them be!

Once a nice sear (and grill mark) has formed, your food will lift like a breeze.

ensure you save room on your grill for somegrilled side dishes, too.

And if youre ending up with scorched or raw veggies, read up on ourtips for grilling vegetables.

Not to mention,grilled dessertsare worth experimenting with, too.

Stone fruit like peaches and plums hold up well to a grills heat and caramelize beautifully.

Or try grilling bananas with this recipe forgrilled banana brownie sundaes.

you might even use the grill to cook upbreakfast recipes, like heartypotato packetsandscrambled eggs.

Test Kitchen tip:Take your smoothie to the next level by grilling your fruit.

you’re able to also use grilled fruit in thisgrilled peach and pineapple sangria.

Want even more grilling ideas?

Check out our top 100grilling recipes.

And whatever you do, dont make thesegrilling safety mistakes!

That means keeping it clean, using the proper tools and keeping it covered when not in use.

For step-by-step cleaning instructions, take a look at ourgrill cleaning guide.

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