There are few things as American as a backyard barbecue.
Grass-fed beef sales jumped from $17 million to $272 million in the span of four years, and we’re predicted to spend $7.2 billion dollars on grills in 2022.
But when the weather looks threatening or your small (or nonexistent) backyard cramps your style, that doesn’t mean you can’t join the ranks of the true barbecue enthusiasts!
With a few tried-and-tested BBQ essentials and the right indoor grill, you can still get that elusive char and smoky flavor. Check out the list below!
Table of Contents
A BBQ Grill
Sure, you might not want to add more kitchen gadgets to your cabinets—but the right grill can make or break the taste of your meal. Beginners can try a standard or cast iron stovetop grill pan to mimic an outdoor grill.
Otherwise, you can upgrade to a contact grill for an easier sear that’s perfect every time. These electric grills prevent unwanted smoke and splatters, and picking from the best contact grill options can make your meal a little more mess-free.
A Smoked Taste
The perfect sear does wonders for the appearance of your food, but it’s nothing without the mouthwatering smoked taste.
A few shortcuts can help indoor grill enthusiasts add some heat and flavor.
For a quick fix, liquid smoke and smoked spices and herbs can be an easy way to make the most of marinades and cooked foods.
However, there are several kitchen tool upgrades if you want to invest in taking your food to the next level.
First, try a portable smoke infuser to add smoky goodness in no time at all (not to mention dramatic flair).
If you really want to bring on the smoke, though, try a stovetop smoker. This option can add all of the nuanced rich and warm flavors you’re looking for, without the need to step outside.
A Sous Vide
For insanely tender meat, this option can’t steer you wrong. To make this work, you’ll add your seasoned barbecue meat to a bag, put it in a pot of water on your stove, and heat the water to a precise temperature using the sous vide.
The result is a juicy and flavorful meal, though you may want to finish it up on the grill to get those striking sear lines.
The BBQ Toolkit
With the most important equipment and flavors taken care of, it’s time to make sure you have the essentials.
Don’t forget to grab (or buy) the smaller tools you’ll need, depending on your method of choice:
- Tongs to flip your BBQ meats and veggies
- A spatula for your patties and fish
- Brushes to add glazes and sauces
- Grill cleaners and brushes to clean your surface
- Neutral oil to keep food from sticking
- Potholders for touching any hot handles
- An apron for splatters or messy barbecue sauce
You may already have some of these on hand, but don’t forget to have them within easy reach as you start to grill!
The Perfect BBQ Essentials to Elevate Your Meal
Replicating the smoky, warm taste of an outdoor grill isn’t hard with the right BBQ essentials.
With a little practice (and a few new kitchen gadgets), you’ll have guests amazed that you didn’t even have to step outside to infuse your foods with rich BBQ flavors and tender goodness.
For more tips to make the most of the great indoors, check out our other posts!
