Charcoal BBQ recipes for beginners

Delicious Charcoal BBQ Recipes for Beginners

Looking to upgrade your BBQ skills from gas to charcoal? You’ve made the right choice, as charcoal grilling imbues a smoky flavor in your meats and vegetables. However, if you’re a beginner, it’s essential to learn the basics of charcoal grilling first. Here’s a simple guide to help you out.

Types of Charcoal and Their Properties

The first and foremost aspect of the charcoal grilling process is the selection of the right type of charcoal. Here are the three most common types of charcoal:

• Briquette Charcoal: This is the most popular and easily available type of charcoal. Briquette charcoal is cheap and can burn for hours. However, it produces a lot of ash and has added chemicals.
• Lump Charcoal: This type of charcoal is made by heating hardwood in the absence of oxygen. It burns for a shorter duration than briquette charcoal but produces less ash and imparts a better smoky flavor to the food.
• Charcoal Logs: This type of charcoal is the most expensive and requires you to use a chimney starter or create a criss-cross pile to light up. You’ll need to use it with natural wood chips to create a delicious flavor profile.

Charcoal BBQ Recipes to Try

Now that you know the basics let’s dive into some delicious charcoal BBQ recipes that you can easily make as a beginner.

Recipe 1: Grilled Chicken with Lemon and Herb Rub

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Instructions:

1. Mix all the herbs and spices in a bowl, along with olive oil and lemon juice.
2. Marinate the chicken with the herb rub mixture for at least 30 minutes.
3. Preheat your charcoal grill to medium-high heat for 15-20 minutes.
4. Grill the chicken breasts for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through.

Recipe 2: Grilled Vegetables with Balsamic Glaze

Ingredients:

• 1 large bell pepper, cut into thick slices
• 1 large zucchini, sliced into rounds
• 1 large eggplant, sliced into rounds
• 1 red onion, cut into wedges
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

Instructions:

1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat for 15-20 minutes.
2. Toss all vegetables in olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Place the vegetables on the grill grates and cook for 2-3 minutes per side.
4. Once cooked, remove the vegetables from the grill and transfer to a platter or dish.
5. In a small saucepan, heat the balsamic vinegar over medium heat until it reduces and thickens into a glaze, then drizzle it over the grilled vegetables.

Congratulations, you’re on your way to mastering charcoal grilling with these easy-to-make beginner-friendly recipes. But remember, grilling is an art, and perfection doesn’t come overnight. Practice regularly and try different recipes to see which ones work best for you. Happy Grilling!