Summer’s here, and that means it’s time to fire up the grill and enjoy time outside. However, grilling is an art form, and it takes lots of practice and technique to get it right every time. So if you struggle with getting the perfect sear on a grilled steak or creating the perfect carne asada at home, these tips are for you:

Preheat Plenty Early

One of the biggest mistakes people make when grilling is not giving the grill enough time to heat up. When you don’t let your grill preheat early enough, any meats you’re grilling won’t get that nice sear, and won’t be as juicy. That’s because a piping hot grill immediately sears meat on contact, creating a nice crust on the outer layer that seals in the juices on the inside. For best results, then, try to preheat your grill at least 25 minutes before you start cooking, especially if you’re cooking at a very high temperature.

The other benefit to preheating your grill plenty early is that this also allows time for any bacteria on the grill to be burned off completely.

Know How to Grill Different Meats

Furthermore, understand that different meats need to be treated differently on the grill. For instance, if you’re grilling pork, it’s best to do so on medium heat, whereas steaks should be cooked on high heat to get that sear. For cooking fish, it’s important that you grill on high heat and that you take the time to clean your grill off thoroughly before you get started. With ground beef, such as for hamburgers, the thickness of your patties will determine how long they should sit on the grill. Consider whipping up some great Mexican recipes with beef on the grill, such as carne asada. Yum!

No matter what kind of meat you’re grilling, remember that marinades and seasonings are your friend. Always marinate meats as far in advance as possible. If you’re short on time but still want flavorful meat, consider grilling with flank steak, which is great at absorbing marinades. Season red meats with salt, which helps to draw out juices before you put them on the grill and adds excellent flavor at the same time.

Perfect Use of Gas/Charcoal

Depending on the type of grill you have, there are also some other considerations you’ll want to keep in mind For example, if you have a charcoal grill, make sure to carefully select a charcoal that’s additive-free; ideally, you’ll want to choose a charcoal that’s nothing more than charred wood clumps. Unfortunately, some charcoals have additives that can negatively impact the taste of your grilled food.

If you’re using a gas grill, make sure you keep an eye on your propane levels and exercise additional precautions when handling propane tanks. Nothing’s worse than running out of propane halfway through cooking, so it’s a good idea to keep a spare propane tank handy, just to be safe.

There’s no denying that perfecting the art of grilling takes some time and practice. However, by keeping these tips in mind the next time you fire up the grill, you’ll be well on your way to more delicious barbecues. Above all else, be sure to make the most of your summer by grilling and spending time with your family as much as you can!

For other cooking and grilling tips and delicious, traditional Mexican recipes, follow the Macayo’s blog – and be sure to stop by your nearest Macayo’s to try the perfect carne asada!