Barbecue Recipes

Written by Stefani Anderson (last updated July 11, 2012)

Does the word "barbecue" make you think of bland burgers and cheap hot dogs? Barbecues don't have to be boring—change up the menu a little and get big results. Use these tips to spice up your boring barbecue meats the next time you're getting ready to grill something.

Mix up simple seasonings to add to your beef before you start grilling. A mild mix I use in hamburger meat and on grill cuts has equal amounts of salt, pepper, garlic granules, and onion granules. This works great in hamburgers and on steaks. Mix some in with ground beef as you make patties, or sprinkle a little on when you start grilling.

You can also make a simple rub that's a little spicy:

  • Combine equal parts chili powder and dry ground mustard seed.
  • Add twice as much of each ground cumin and oregano.
  • Finally, add enough salt to double the volume of the whole mix, and add in a little pinch of cinnamon.

When you're ready to grill, use equal amounts of olive oil and spice mix to make a paste, and rub it on the meat. It has a little bit of a bite, and it will wow your guests. This works great on pork, beef, or poultry.

Here's an awesome and simple chicken marinade recipe:

  • 1 cup soy sauce
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cups soda pop (things like Sprite, 7-Up, Coke, Pepsi, or Dr. Pepper work great—you just need something sweet and carbonated)
  • 4 tablespoons garlic powder

Mix it all together in a bowl and add your chicken (you can also marinade turkey in this recipe). Cover the bowl and marinate overnight in the refrigerator. Pull the bowl out and allow your chicken to come to room temperature before grilling.

You can also make a good, simple glaze for fish that helps keep it moist and tastes delicious:

  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dill

Mix everything together and brush it on your fish after you start cooking it. Cook on one side, then flip and brush the glaze on the side that's done. When the other side is done, flip it again just long enough to brush glaze on the other side, and flip again to warm up the glaze. That's it! It's so simple, but people will be amazed by the flavor. It's especially good on salmon.

Author Bio

Stefani Anderson

Stefani is an assessment developer for an online university. She earned a degree in language, editing, and anthropology from Brigham Young University. Her favorite thing is to travel the world, chronicle her adventures, and help others celebrate memories. ...

MORE FROM STEFANI

Simple, Fluffy, Tasty Pancakes

You love a good pancake every now and then. Don't get bored with the same old, same old—a few tips will keep it ...

Discover More

Best Storage for Your Bread

Does your bread go stale before you can enjoy it all? Learn what you need to know to keep your bread fresh longer.

Discover More

Brewing Great Coffee

Make your instant coffee taste like fresh grounds. Perk up your brew. See how easy it is!

Discover More
More Cooking Tips

Grilling Meat Outdoors

Do you love a freshly grilled steak or hamburger? Check out some advice on grilling meat before you light the barbecue ...

Discover More

Making Your Own Barbecue Sauce

Barbecue sauce is a great way to add a little extra zest to dinner, but what do you do if you don't have the money to buy ...

Discover More

Great Steaks

Is there really anything better than going out for a great steak dinner? Maybe it is grilling your very own great steaks. ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is eight minus 6?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)