Four Easy BBQ Grill Meals for Winter

Just because it’s wintertime doesn’t mean you and the family have to put the BBQ grill to rest. Whether you live in the Northeast or the South, a change in seasons simply means a bit more preparation before you head out to the grill to whip up your favorite meal.

First and foremost, we recommend sticking with a simple recipe that won’t require too much trial and error. Experimenting on the BBQ is a fun activity for anyone who loves to cook, but we think it’s best reserved for warmer weather.

We recommend positioning the BBQ within 10 or 15 feet of your home to avoid a long walk from the house to the grill in cold weather. If you are working with an outdoor kitchen you most likely already have a setup that is designed for year-round use.

Before you head outdoors make sure you have all the necessary materials so you can avoid extra trips back-and-forth. These may include a BBQ brush, paper towels, a spatula, tongs, a fork and extra dishes for the finished product. Don’t forget the meat thermometer! A digital one is a great tool to have, as it will help give you an accurate temperate. This way you can avoid cutting into the meat and simply eyeballing it to gauge readiness. And make sure you always clean the grill and oil the grate before starting to cook.

Here are a few of our dinnertime favorites:

•Grilled Chicken — Who says grilled chicken has to be boring? Whether you’re throwing it on top of a salad or pairing it with a side of whole grains or tasty veggies, the key to good grilled chicken is moisture and flavor. So it’s a great idea to marinate your chicken overnight, with anything from a blend of garlic and oil (maybe a bit of lemon and some spices, too) to a honey mustard concoction to something with a Southwestern feel. Preheat the grill on high and cook (turning at least once if it’s boneless) until the chicken turns white and reaches 165-degrees Fahrenheit.

•Burgers — When it comes to a good burger, your first concern should be the meat. Make sure you select ground chuck that has no less than 15-percent fat. This will ensure a juicy burger. Mix in your ingredients — salt and pepper, garlic and onion, crumbled cheese, a flavorful sauce or whatever other favorites you may have. Next, take care to gently form your burgers, using a handful of meat and molding a patty that is about 3/4 to 1 inch thich. You don’t want them too thin because the burgers will shrink once they hit the grill. Preheat the BBQ on medium-high heat. Put the burgers on the grill, close the lid and cook–ideally flipping just once so you keep all those yummy juices–until they reach 160-degrees Fahrenheit.

•Steak — Steak might be the simplest of all grill recipes! Simply select your cut (we love a good boneless Ribeye, but these can get a little pricey; a New York Strip is another good option), allow it to reach room temperature by taking it out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes beforehand, sprinkle both sides with salt (or garlic salt) and pepper, and you’re ready for the grill. Depending on how you like your steak, you’ll cook each side for anywhere from 4 or 5 minutes to 7 or 8 (find an Internal Temperature Cooking Chart here). And once you remove the steak from the grill, do let it rest for a few minutes before you slice.

•Grilled Veggies — We lied. Grilled veggies may be an even easier endeavor than grilled steak. All you have to do here is pick your veggies, slice, drizzle some oil and season with salt and pepper. Cook until you see those nice grill marks — a few minutes per side. Zucchini, squash, peppers, eggplant and onions all hold up nicely on the BBQ.