After you choose what kind of cooking source you want to use (read our Charcoal vs Propane Grills blog), you’ll want to prepare the meats to cook. Here’s a quick guide on how to prepare some popular meats:

Chicken: Pre-cook the chicken in a microwave or throw it in the oven to help cut down the time it takes to cook on the grill. Season the chicken to your liking (if marinating, it’s best to marinate the chicken overnight in the fridge to lock in the flavors!) then slap it on the grill. Leave it on for about 8-12 minutes, turning once.

Steak: Cut off any extra fat and season it with salt and herbs. Steaks are usually left on the grill for about 12-18 minutes to get a medium cook.

Pork: Pork chops are typically grilled when it is only slightly pink in the center for about 12-16 minutes. Hot dogs and sausages take less time. They cook for about 5-7 minutes

Note: These times are approximations and you should see how long cooking each meat based on what tastes best to you.

Marinating your meats is also a great way to get that explosive richness of flavor from your food. You’ll want to experiment with different types of ingredients to see what works best for you. The essential ingredients that typically make up a good barbecue sauce are tomatoes, vinegar, onion, mustard, and brown sugar. But probably the most favorite ingredient Texans love to add to our meats whether it’s steak, beef, or sausage is BEER. It gives it a bold flavor that makes you want to keep coming back for more.

Barbecuing is America’s favorite pastime, so go out there and make up the best BBQ you’ve ever had!