6 Whole Foods Grilling Recipes
With Memorial Day around the corner, it's finally time to get out there and fire up those grills! With months of outdoor cookouts and backyard gatherings ahead of us, the flavor possibilities are endless. But summer is also about slowing down and keeping things simple. Having a few crowd-pleasing recipes in your back pocket is the secret to searing like a pro and keeping your cool all summer long — whether you're a barbeque veteran or a first-time griller.
Click here to see the 6 Whole Foods Grilling Recipes (Slideshow)
Here are a few of my favorite no-fuss meat picks that are easy on the wallet, too, so you can wow your friends and family and keep the coals burning all the way through Labor Day. And no matter what you choose to bring home, remember, the meat you grill is only as good as the meat you buy. For the best quality and taste, go for meat that is raised on a vegetarian diet without the use of antibiotics or added hormones — because great tasting meat comes from animals that were raised the way nature intended. Here are some of our favorite things to grill.
Flat Iron Steaks
Flat iron steaks deliver a ton of flavor for an easy-to-swallow price, so it's a perfect go-to for weeknight meals or cookout parties. Cut from the shoulder, flat iron is quite lean, so cook it no further than medium-rare and make sure to slice it against the grain for the best texture.
Fresh sausage:
Few summer selections can top the versatility and simplicity of a perfectly grilled sausage. And with all of the seasonings and varieties to choose from, like pork, beef, chicken, turkey or even bison or lamb, you can really satisfy a range of taste buds on a modest budget.
Kabobs
This all-inclusive meal on a stick lets you pack a range of tasty meats and summer's best flavors like sweet corn, tomatoes, and summer squash — all in a few tasty bites. And with so many options to choose from, you can try a different combo every night. Just chop veggies and pre-marinated meats into similar-sized cubes to ensure even cooking and let your guests build their own kabobs (with pre-soaked wooden skewers) to suit their tastes. Grill over direct heat and serve! For even easier grilling, you can pick up grill-ready chicken, beef, and pork kabobs right from the meat counter, plain or pre-seasoned.
Dry-aged steaks
Dry-aged steaks deliver that ultimate steakhouse flavor and texture without the steakhouse price tag. The aging process reduces the moisture content and concentrates the robust, meaty flavor while the natural enzymes in the meat make for a very tender finished steak. No fuss required for this king of steaks, just a dash of salt and pepper and a hot grill and you're good to go.
If you're still not sure where to start, ask your secret weapon, your butcher. Happy grilling!
— Theo Weening, Global Meat Buyer for Whole Foods Market
Grilled Sausages with Maple-Glazed Fruit Recipe
Take this versatile grilling sausage preparation in a brunch direction, or serve it with whole wheat couscous and a salad for dinner. Pre-poaching the sausages and stone fruit up to a day ahead will help them cook quickly so even the cook can relax.
Click here to see the Grilled Sausages with Maple-Glazed Fruit Recipe
Dry-aged Steaks with Grilled Salsa Recipe
Grilling tender dry-aged strip steaks alongside summery salsa ingredients will give you a great steakhouse experience at home. Be sure to have a cooler area of the grill prepared to shift the steaks to if they begin to cook too quickly.
Click here to see the Dry-aged Steaks with Grilled Salsa Recipe