Barbequing and grilling have been part of the social culture for decades. As summers set in, many people step outdoors with their grill and barbeque tools for a fun gathering. It has become a social activity to share with friends and family, bringing communities together. Many people enjoy food with a unique flavor thanks to these cooking techniques. Let’s look at some popular bbq and grilling techniques and a few dishes.

BBQ v/s Grilling
While these two terms are used simultaneously, there are some technical differences between these two cooking techniques. BBQ or barbecue is a technique in which larger cuts of meats like ribs, whole chicken or turkey, and pork shoulders are usually used and cooked on indirect heat to make them tender. Charcoal and different types of wood are the primary sources of heat. They are also used to enhance the flavor of the meat. 

In grilling, however, the food portions are smaller, and they are cooked without smoke. These foods are cooked on high flame and are done quickly.

Historically, grilling came before barbecuing as humans directly discovered fire and cooked their meat or wild forages on a flaming fire. As humans progressed and civilization evolved, cooking styles saw a vast development, leading to different cooking techniques.

Barbecue cooking technique
Barbecue cooking time can vary from four to even twenty-four hours! Meats like ribs, shoulders, butts, and briskets all have fatty and connective tissues which need to be broken down, and it is done by slowly cooking at a temperature of 225 degrees Fahrenheit. The main tool to cook these meats is the smoke generated from woods like mesquite or hickory, which are aromatic in nature.

When barbecuing meat, you must know what kind of marinades you use. Thanks to the slow cooking process, you will notice that barbecued meats generally are more flavorful. This is because strong seasonings are used on these meats as they are cooked slowly, allowing the spices to blend with the meat. This technique also leaves no burned spice flavor because it has been entirely marinated into the fatty chunk.

When it comes to the sauce, the trick is to know precisely when to add it to avoid any burning. Since the sauce has a sweet and sour taste, it is crucial to add it only when you are an hour away from removing the food from the BBQ. If you put it in too soon, the sugar in the sauce will burn and turn bitter. Lastly, the smoke comes from indirect heat. The fire is not directly cooking the meat; it only burns the wood, which releases smoke.

Grilling cooking technique
Cooking time for grilling is short compared to BBQ – only about 5 to 15 minutes. Since it uses direct heat, the food is prepared quickly at a temperature of about 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Usually, thinner or ground meats like chicken breast, burgers, or even steak cuts are grilled. The meat or vegetables are put on the grill directly with the lid off, so the smoke is not trapped and has no smoky flavor.

More dry seasoning and marinades are used for grilling as wet seasoning can hinder the browning process of the meat. Usually, meats can also be grilled without any seasoning. Flavors can be added after it’s cooked. Browning is an essential part of grilling and also adds a different flavor to the whole meat. Since the heat is too high, one must be careful while adding the sauces. It must be added at the right time to avoid burning or sticking.

Popular dishes
Texas barbecued chicken is one of the most popular BBQ recipes loved by most people. Paired with some red potato and egg salad, this makes for a perfect meal along with some chilled drinks.  Spicy beef brisket is yet another favorite. This beef breast meat is widely used in BBQ recipes and is loved for its juicy and smoked flavor.

Pulled pork sandwich or a grilled pork tenderloin can also be made in two different cooking styles. The tenderloin makes for a moist and flavorful meal for a quick and healthy dinner. Grill some vegetables and pork pieces and add homemade seasoning, and a wholesome dinner is ready!
Barbeque chicken wings, baked beans, creamy potato salad, mac, and cheese are some of the most loved easy-to-make foods one can easily relish in the next grill or BBQ session.
Apart from these dishes, check various other recipes that are made using these cooking techniques.