BBQ Essentials for bbq party
  • | September 27, 2016
Nothing screams “man” more than the smell of rich, smoky meat on the grill. The rich, flavorful aromas of beef, chicken, pork, and even seafood wafting across a summer’s day are enough to make any mouth water with excitement.

As men, we are at home standing in front of the fire, tongs in hand. As summer approaches, it’s time to delve into our BBQ essentials and get the lowdown on all the delicious necessities that go into barbecuing.

  1. Smoked Salts.  Whether you have a smoker or not, a variety of smoked salts is the perfect way to step up your bbq game. With flavors from hickory to Applewood or mesquite, smoked salts can really imbibe a savory, smoky flavor to your bbq without the hassle that comes from smoking.

  2. Brining Kit.  A variety of bringing kits are available (or you can make your own concoctions). Brining is the process of essentially submerging your meat in a solution of salt, sugar, water, and spices. Similar to marinating, bringing tenderizes your meat while helping keep it moist. When time allows, brining is preferable to marinating.

  3. Liquid Smoke.  For quick dashes of flavor, a bottle of liquid smoke can and will come in handy.

  4. The Right Grill.  There are pros and cons to propane, charcoal, or even open-fire barbecue. Deciding which is right (and works best) for you can impact your offerings so choose wisely.

  5. The Right Spices.  No BBQ collection is complete without a variety of spices readily on hand for rubs, seasonings, and sauces. The essential BBQ spices are salt, pepper, garlic, paprika, chili powder (or cayenne pepper), mustard, and brown sugar. Keep these on hand at all times and you’re ready to rub at a moment’s notice.

  6. The Right Sauce ingredients.  Real men make their own BBQ sauces! There are a variety of cookbooks available to help teach you if you aren’t skilled in preparing BBQ sauce. Essentials to have on hand include ketchup, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, honey, mustard, and hot sauce.

  7. Grill Planks.  Grill planks are a great way to infuse your food with a smoky flavor while grilling. When you don’t have a smoker but want the rich, smoke flavor, planking a variety of meats, chicken, and seafood is a delicious alternative to straight grilling. In addition to being flavorful, planking food keeps the grill clean.

  8. Your own brand!  A man needs to be able to mark his territory! A personalized brand lets everyone know who cooked it!

  9. The right meat.  Unfortunately, these days’ butcher shops are harder to come by unless you happen to live in a large, urban area. Fortunately, the rise of farmer’s markets and specialty food stores provide the next best thing. No amount of sauce or style will turn poor quality meat into gourmet fare. Find the right source.

Barbecuing is definitely man’s domain. The urge to grill is a strong, primal calling that causes us to congregate each summer around fire pits and charcoal in order to feast! These 9 BBQ essentials will help take your grilling game to the next level and make your backyard parties legendary.

Good luck.