Grilling is America's number one favorite method of
cooking and beef is America's number one favorite
on the grill! Here are some helpful hints for this
low-fat cooking favorite!
Starting
The Fire
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Before you start the fire, if your
grill has bottom vents, open them.
-
For a more even-burning fire, use
high-quality charcoal.
-
To determine the number of briquets
needed, spread briquets one layer deep on the fire
grate, extending them one to two inches beyond the
area the food will cover on the cooking rack. Then
arrange those briquets in a pyramid shape.
-
Add lighter fluid and carefully
light.
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In about 30 minutes the coals should
be ash-covered.
-
Carefully spread them in a single
layer with a long-handled tongs and set the cooking
grid in place.
Temperature
Beef should be grilled at medium temperature.
To check the temperature of coals, hold the palm of
your hand 4 inches above the coals. If heat forces
you to pull your hand away...
-
after 2 seconds the coals are high.
-
after 4 seconds the coals are medium.
-
after 5 seconds the coals are low.
Actual cooking time will vary depending
on the position of the meat on the grill and the degree
of doneness desired.
Beef
Doneness Guide
The best way to determine doneness is
to use a meat thermometer. Always cook ground beef
to medium doneness (160 degrees F). If you don't have
a meat thermometer, cook ground beef until the center
is no longer pink and the juices run clear. Test burgers
by cutting them in half.
It's perfectly safe to enjoy steaks
while they're still pink in the middle. Use the following
guidelines to determine your preference:
-
Rare - bright red in the center
and lighter pink towards the outside, 140 degrees
-
Medium - light pink in the center
and brown towards the outside, 160 degrees
-
Well done - brown consistently
throughout, 170 degrees
Best
Beef For Grilling
Grilling is a low-fat cooking method,
because as the meat cooks, the excess fat drips off
the meat and into the fire. Of course steaks and burgers
are the standard grilling favorites, but don't forget
about beef kabobs and ribs! Grilling even gives beef
roasts a great smoky flavor.
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