Grilling Hacks

By Kansas City Steak Company Tags : cooking steaks,  grilling,  grilling tips,  steak 101 

Summer is in full swing, which means your grill is likely seeing lots of action.

Neighbors are over for dinner one night and family is gathered in the backyard the next.

Many nights, the grill is the hub of activity. And the gathering place for conversation.

But even for the best grillers, an uncertainly lingers. The pressure to cook your meat to the desired liking of your guests is high.

We decided to ask five of our most seasoned employees (and grillers) what their tricks of the trade are. So what does Ryan from Finance/Operations, Eddie from Inventory, Amanda from Merchandising, Bob from Marketing and Pete from Accounting have to say?

Here are 7 of their go-to grilling pointers.

1. It All Starts With Steak – always buy steaks at least 1″ thick and a high quality grade. The worst outcome of a great family and friend evening is serving up subpar steak.
2. Keep Seasoning Simple – if you’re buying quality steak, let the meat do the talking. Or tasting in this case. Keep your marinade simple – salt, pepper and garlic does the trick. A thin layer of seasoning helps lock in the natural flavors and juices of the steak.
3. Know Your Guests – like any good business, you do a better job when you know your audience. Steak doneness is a personal preference. Most people are more picky about how their steaks are cooked than how any other food is prepared. So ask them their preference before you fire up the grill. But if someone says “well-done”, it’s OK if you ask them to come back another time!
4. Sear The Steak – have one side of your grill on high heat and one with low heat. Sear the steaks for 3-4 minutes per side on high heat, then move to low heat and allow them to slow cook to desired doneness. The searing will provide a nice crusty exterior from the seasoning, further holding in the flavors of the steak.
5. Don’t Flip and Poke – steak experts know how bad it is for a steak if it’s flipped, poked and prodded several times. It’s a rookie move, so trust the flames. Sear it as stated above, then let it sit until the desired doneness is achieved. Unless of course you want a tough, chewy steak.
6. Grill The Whole Dinner – nothing is more frustrating than running in and out of the house checking on the grill, stovetop, oven and other areas. Plan ahead so you can grill the entire meal, and stay outside with your friends and family while you wait for dinner to be served. Asparagus, corn on the cob, peppers, onions, cabbage and potatoes are all beautiful accompaniments to the star of the show.
7. Don’t Overcook It – remember, your steak will continue to cook slightly when you remove it from heat. So please don’t break the cardinal rule of grilling by overcooking a beautiful piece of meat. Remove a tad earlier than you feel necessary, remove from heat and let it sit for five minutes under foil.

Follow these 7 pointers, then sit back and savor your feast.