First bbq

[Twinkletwinklelil]

Having our first bbq this weekend, gas bbq

where’s the best supermarket to buy meat?

any definite must haves on the bbq?

How big is your bbq, how many are you catering for and do you have any dietary requirements?

Have you used your bbq much before? I’d stick to meats that you’ve already had a practice with so you know how long they cook for on your bbq, and the best place to put them on the bbq. Every set up is slightly different.

Yeah I’ve used a BBQ before but this is the first time hosting
8 adults, maybe another 2. Yet to confirm. No dietary requirements

gas 3 burner bbq

I normally theme my bbq to a particular cuisine so that all the flavours in the marinades and sides ‘work’ together and don’t clash. I also stick to the rule of 3: 3 items on the bbq, 3 carbs, 3 salads

If you want chicken, boneless thighs are best because they're extra tender and don't dry out as easily as other cuts. The skin also chars beautifully and crisps up and they take on the flavour of any marinade or rub brilliantly too.

I’d say that there’s only so much meat people can eat! Include plenty of other things too. Haloumi with honey and chilli, corn on the cob with lime and Parmesan, Mediterranean vegetable skewers.
I do a watermelon and feta salad
An Asian slaw
potato salad
tomato, basil, mozzarella and red onion salad with balsamic

Great ideas thanks! @AtleastitsnotMonday

i wanted to do one of each meat but that may be overdoing it.
I also was going to do salmon.. but again.. not necessarily important?

chicken thighs, wings or breasts?
lamb steaks?
beef steaks
sausages for hotdogs

I wanted to do a nice salad too.

You can cook what you want obviously, but think about logistics - I keep cooked food in a lidded dish in the oven at about 100c to keep it hot. Cook the things that will keep the longest first - i.e. the chicken and sausage will be fine, things like salmon or kofte etc will dry out in the oven so cook them last.

Also you will not regret buying a meat thermometer - with the exception of pink-safe foods (steaks etc) just take everything to 77c and it will definitely be safe to eat. Less than a tenner on Amazon but well worth it!

To avoid flames try to minimize very oily/sugary marinades, and I opt to have all the burners on the lowest setting, and keep the lid down between turning, for more controlled even cooking.

Chicken thighs, lamb chops or steaks, burgers, sausages and pork belly strips are the best bbq meats IMO but agree you don’t need them all.

If you buy bone in chicken, make a couple of slashes down to the bone so they cook through more easily

Marinading is really worthwhile for chicken and . Yoghurt based marinades for chicken will stop it drying out.

Wouldn’t do salmon for a first bbq, liable to fall apart if you don’t have a fish cage

Agree with majoring on sides and not overdoing it on meats. I’d do 2/3 meats and 2/3 salads. Cowboy caviar is a good BBQ salad. Also some potato salad or baked potatoes maybe, plus bread/buns.

Agree with keeping things warm in the oven if cooking in batches

Aubergine is amazing BBQd but takes a while

Soooo helpful!! Thank you

Be sure to turn your bbq on this week to burn off any manufacturing leftovers. Then wipe down with a damp cloth.

Does it have a cast iron plate? That will need seasoning first, too.
https://www.matadorbbqs.com.au/hints-tips/first-time-use

Do you just have the three burners like a hob? No grill space?

I’ve given up on ‘bitty’ bbqs and now do things like beer can chicken, shawarma, brisket although that is a long labour of love), porchetta, roast pork. Just because it’s bbq people don’t turn into cavemen shovelling meat in! Will be hard just on burners though.

Oh and the best supermarket is the butcher.

Lidl steaks - best by far

Oddly, we live in a village and there’s no local butcher :(

Really? Iove Lidl, but have been disappointed by their fresh meat so far.

Best steak I've found for BBQs is Morrisons Flat Irons, Bavette or Denver Steaks (in that order!). Season them with salt and pepper and then tenderize them with a good meat mallet knocking the seasoning into the meat.

Also if your doing chicken it might be worth cooking in the oven first so it's cooked but not brown and then finishing off on the bbq, same with ribs.

Well I did it, it was a great success too. Hotdogs, beef burgers, chicken thighs, steaks and fish. 2 salads and some sides like coleslaw etc. 😃