Grilling Tips for July 4

It’s grilling season, and what better way to celebrate than with a cookout on July 4? Here are some tips to make sure your grill is ready to go, plus some tasty ideas for what to make.

For gas grills:

Start by giving your grill a good cleaning. This will help ensure that food doesn’t stick, and that flavors don’t get muddled.
Make sure the propane tank is full. Nothing ruins a cookout faster than running out of gas in the middle of cooking.
Preheat your grill before adding any food. This will help ensure evenly cooked food.

Charcoal grills are a lot different than gas grills.

For charcoal grills:

Use a chimney starter to light your charcoal. This is the safest and easiest way to get your coals going.
Once your coals are lit, spread them out evenly over the bottom of the grill. This ensures even cooking.
Alternatively, spread the coals evenly across half of the grill, leaving the other half where you can place cooked foods.

Now that your grill is ready to go, here are some ideas for what to make…

Burgers are always a classic cookout food. Try mixing things up with different burger toppings like avocado, bacon, or various cheeses.
Grilled chicken is another great option. You can marinate it beforehand in your favorite sauce or seasoning. Tip: for easy, tasty results, marinate your chicken in lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and some Adobo seasoning.
Vegetables are also a great choice for the grill. Try some zucchini, peppers, or eggplant.
Finally… fruit is a delicious and unexpected option for the grill. Try peaches, pineapple, or watermelon.