The Secret Weapon For Cooking Meals on the Grill

June 28, 2010, By Jean Scheid 4 comments

For these grill recipes, it doesn’t matter what type of grill you have on the back deck. Charcoal, woodchip, gas or electric grills are all you need to remain king of the grill.

A variety of meat and veggies will be your most popular choices. For meats, consider pork chops, hamburgers, chicken, steaks or a London broil. Top veggies are corn on the cob, snap peas, carrots, potatoes, zucchini, eggplant and red or green peppers.

Sure you can toss on the BBQ sauce, sit back and relax with a cold one, and hope everything gets done at the same time, or you can guarantee your family and friends will be back-slapping you all afternoon for that great grilled meal.

Grab the Foil

Grilling in foil is great to get the flavors you want, not just for the veggies but meats, too. Foil packets can be used three ways—you can go for veggies only, you can throw the meat in with the veggies for a tasty whole meal on the grill, or you can make dual foil packets.

• Veggie Foil Packets – Mix up your vegetables and make sure they're cut in equal size chunks. Use heavy-duty aluminum foil and tear off a large piece that is big enough to hold your veggies with room for folding. Spray a little cooking spray on the bottom of the foil. Place your veggies in with salt, pepper, onion and garlic or use that famous spice concoction you call your own. Wrap the veggies up making a double fold at each end. Try and keep the foil packet in a tent form in the middle so the steam inside can cook the veggies.
• All-in-One Meals – You can also use the same principle for cooking entire meals on the grill. This works best with pork chops, chicken, and even lamb chops. First you’ll need a big piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil sprayed with cooking spray. Rub your meat with salt, pepper, and the spices you want. Then, place the veggies on top in the same tent-like form.
• Dual Foil Packets – Here you can cook the veggies in one foil packet and the meat in another. Again, chops and chicken are best. A quick and easy idea for your meats is to generously pour some of your favorite marinade right on the meat. You can even use creamy salad dressings like ranch or blue cheese. Don’t forget to spice your veggie packets.

Tips for Cooking in Foil Packets

Use these tips for cooking foil packets to gain that wow factor your family and friends want:

1. Use heavy duty foil for the grill – not the usual thin stuff—or use several layers of the thinner stuff. And remember that lots of smaller packets are better than one big one.
2. Turn the foil packets often so food doesn't burn and stick to the bottom of the foil. If you see your foil turning brown on the outside, check the food inside the packets to see if it's done.
3. Some foods will cook faster than others. Onions will cook faster than carrots or peppers, for example, so match foods with the same consistency.
4. Liquids will enhance the flavors of your food packets. Think broths, wine, fruit juice, marinades, and vinegar.
5. Packets will be hot so make sure you help the young ones with opening these tasty meals.
6. Practice on the family first before you go for a big crowd to make sure you stay the BBQ King in your neighborhood.

Jean Scheid is a freelance writer and Ford dealer living in Taos, New Mexico. She is a contributor to Six Apart Media.