Warm weather is (hopefully) here to stay a while, which means it is officially grilling season! Whether your go-to sauce is Mindy’s Yummy Sesame, Sesame, Honey Mustard, or Smoky Chipotle, it is super important to know when to put sauce on your food when grilling. Otherwise, you might end up with a sticky, burnt mess on your grill and plate.
Finding the perfect time to apply sauce can be tricky to figure out, but fear not! We are here to help. Below are some tips to achieve the perfect barbecued dishes that leave everyone wanting more!
- Tip #1: Use a Complementary Marinade Before Grilling: By marinating your meat before putting it on the grill, you are allowing it to soak up some flavor before cooking. Instead of relying on excess sauce to provide flavor, which can cause it to stick on the grill and burn, use a marinade beforehand and light sauce as a finishing touch for the best results. We recommend using flavors that complement your favorite sauce in the marinade so that all of the flavors work together harmoniously.
- Tip #2: Wait Until the Last 5 Minutes to Apply the Sauce: We know that everyone wants to pack as much flavor as possible into their meals, but applying too much sauce on the grill might not be the answer. Focus on searing the meat and cooking it to the right temperature first. Once you are within the final minutes of grilling, it is the perfect time to apply sauces so that it doesn’t burn, leaving you with more delish flavors and less mess!
- Tip #3: Try Thinning Out the Sauce: By thinning out your sauces slightly, you can achieve thinner coats of sauce. The sauce should be thin enough where you can drizzle it on the meat but not too thin that it is a liquid. This can help prevent undesirable textures or scorching that can accompany grilling. Afterall, you can always add on extra sauce once it is on your plate and ready to enjoy (and we recommend it)! We recommend thinning your sauces with citrus juice or chicken or beef broth so that it adds even more flavor!
- Tip # 4: Try Cooking Low & Slow: If you don’t have the time to babysit your grill, or if you are worried about burning your sauces, try grilling at a lower temperature for longer. With this method, you can apply your sauce earlier in the process, and it is less likely to burn. But, still make sure you check it regularly so that you don’t overcook it. Instead of waiting until the final few minutes to apply the sauce, you’d be able to apply it at least 15 minutes before it is done cooking. Please note that this time will vary depending on the type of meat and sauce you choose.
- Tip # 5: Always Check the Meat’s Temperature: Generally, one of the best rules of thumb for sauce application is to rely on the meat’s temperature to tell you when! Most sauces have some sugar in them, and therefore can become gummy or burn easily if applied too early. Once the meat has almost reached its cooking temperature, you can apply the sauce and you will have a delicious meal!
Grilling certainly takes some experimenting to learn what you like and what you don’t. Try out some of these tips to step up your grill-game this summer! Feel free to tag us with your creations at @mindysyummysauces on Instagram.
