Great BBQ Tips for Australian Families - Delicious Recipes and Fantastic Ideas

‍Are you partial to a rack of ribs or platter of hot wings? Do you find yourself craving a juicy steak or perfectly charred salmon fillet? Even if your answer is ‘yes’, it can be hard to know how to take your barbecue game up a notch. Luckily, Australian families have become as obsessed with barbeque as they are with backyard cricket and iced-vending stands. We’ve all been there - sweating over the fire, praying that this time it will be different. That won’t be another charred chicken or bitter burnt ends again. But making great food isn’t just about getting the temperature right and using the right sauce. There are lots of little hidden secrets that make all the difference between average and amazing barbeque food, whether you want to impress guests or just enjoy a casual family BBQ at home!

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Grab a rotisserie chicken

One of the best ways to ensure that everyone at your bbq loves what you make is to grab a rotisserie chicken. Everyone loves chicken and even more, everyone loves a rotisserie chicken - especially when it’s fresh and hot off the grill. Rotisserie chickens are cheap and packed with flavour. If you grab them from the deli at the supermarket, you can often find them on sale. They’re even tastier than conventional roasted chicken because the constant rotation means they’re evenly cooked all the way through. And they’re incredibly easy to grill. Just throw them on the barbie and baste with melted butter or a simple, herbed oil and vinegar mix. Not only will they taste amazing, but they’ll look fantastic on your table, too.

The slow reveal

Be patient! Cook your steaks to the right temperature and they’ll be delicious. Cook them less and they’ll be chewy and tough. Cook them more and they’ll be dry and flavourless. Cooking a steak to the right temperature is the key to producing a juicy, tender, flavourful meal. There are two ways to check if your steak is ready to come off the grill. One is to use a meat thermometer. The other is the “finger test”. The “finger test” is simple. Touch the steak with your index finger. It should be warm, but not so hot it’ll burn you. If it’s hot enough to hurt, it’s not ready. If it’s just pleasantly warm, it’s ready to come off the grill and be served. So, when you’re cooking those steaks or sausages or whatever your family loves, just wait. Don’t be tempted to pull them off the barbeque too soon. Patience will pay off.

Meat quality matters

Don’t cut corners when it comes to buying meat for your bbq. You can’t expect to make amazing food with just any old whatever (and we've all been there!) You’re not just making a few burgers here and there. You’re cooking for an entire family or a whole crowd! You need meat that’s top-notch. Meat that’s tender, tasty, and juicy. (our mouths are watering right now!)

If you want a great meal, you need great meat. It’s not just about the cut though. You’ll also want to make sure your meat is of the best quality. To keep your meat tasting amazing, you’ll want to marinate it before you grill it. Why not experiment with marinade flavours, too!

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Don’t forget the veg and carbs

The classic bbq meal is meat and sauce and maybe a side of corn on the cob. But you don’t need to stop there. You can have a full meal cooked on the barbecue by grilling plenty of delicious veggies and tossing them with some herbs and spices. Corn, zucchini, carrots, peppers, and potatoes are delicious when grilled. You can also grill up some nice crusty bread or buns to serve with your meat and veg. Grilling your food is a great way to bring a casual, family-friendly feel to your next meal. You can make vegetable and carb side dishes on the barbecue, too.

Don’t be afraid of mustard and ketchup

Sure, mustard and ketchup are great on burgers and hot dogs, but they’re also fantastic on steak and other grilled foods, too! You can add a ton of flavour to your food by mixing a few tablespoons of ketchup with a generous squeeze of mustard. Brush this sauce on your meat or veggies before or while they’re grilling. You can also add a tablespoon of ketchup and a tablespoon of mustard to your baked beans or potato salad. The mustard and ketchup combination tastes great, but it also has another benefit: it can help your food retain more moisture and stay juicy longer.

Just grill some veggies

If you’re nervous about grilling meat, don’t be. But if you don’t feel like you can handle the responsibility, start with vegetables. Grilled vegetables are quick, easy, and delicious. Especially if you marinate them first. There are tons of different vegetables that taste great when grilled. You can grill broccoli, eggplant, peppers, zucchini, potatoes, and even corn. Just make sure to put the vegetables on the grill long enough to soften them while giving them a nice charred flavour. You can even grill fruit, like peaches, pears, and pineapples. Vegetables are super healthy and they make a great side dish to pair with your favourite protein. They’re also easy to make and they’re great for outdoor eating because they’re easy to eat. Plus, they’re delicious when they’re kissed with a bit of smoky char.

Marinated protein is your friend

If you want your meat to be perfectly tender and packed with flavour, marinate it. Marinades can do an amazing job of tenderizing meat and adding flavour to it. It’s like a big flavourful gift for your meat. If you want to add a ton of flavour to your meat, you’ll want to use a marinade. Marinades are liquid with flavourful ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, chilli, and herbs. You can make your own marinade or buy one ready-made. Marinades work their magic on your meat by first being mixed with your meat and then being left to sit in the fridge for a few hours or even a day or two. The longer the meat marinates, the more flavour it will have. When your meat is well marinated, you can skip the sauce.

Photo by Amie Johnson on Unsplash

Don't forget the veg and carbs

The classic bbq meal is meat and sauce and maybe a side of corn on the cob. But you don’t need to stop there. You can have a full meal cooked on the barbecue by grilling plenty of delicious veggies and tossing them with some herbs and spices. Corn, zucchini, carrots, peppers, and potatoes are delicious when grilled. You can also grill up some nice crusty bread or buns to serve with your meat and veg. Grilling your food is a great way to bring a casual, family-friendly feel to your next meal. You can make vegetable and carb side dishes on the barbecue, too.