It’s Grilling Season! Tacoma Boys’ Guide to Grilling
It’s just about time to kick off the grilling season! As we move from spring and into summer, many look forward to enjoying the warm weather and cooking outside. The delicious smell of freshly grilled meats and vegetables wafting through the air on a calm afternoon or evening… It’s a sure sign of summer. And it’s so easy to cook nutritious and flavorful meals on the grill.
Get Started With Grilling Season
Tacoma Boys is ready to help you get ready for grilling season! Grilling is a fun and convenient way to get several snacks and meals ready for a crowd while you hangout in no time. You can work with one surface and avoid the hassle of multiple burners on a stovetop in the kitchen. Grilling season is nice because you can enjoy the company of friends and family while cooking and soaking in the nice weather. To get you started, Tacoma Boys has a fresh selection of meat and seafood in addition to a wide variety of spices, seasonings, and rubs. Plus, dozens of types of barbecue sauce and hot sauce are sure to spice up your plate. To name a few, try:
- Rib Rack Citrus & Pepper Chicken Marinade
- Stonewall Kitchen Honey Barbecue Sauce
- Annie’s Sweet and Spicy BBQ Sauce
- Melinda’s Jalapeno Pepper Sauce
- Spiceology Smoky Honey Habanero Spicy BBQ Rub
- Tacoma Boys Mesquite BBQ Seasoning
And for some tips and tricks on how to season your food with spices, check out our spicy blog here. Grilling season means it’s time to experiment with different flavors and foods! And it’s a good time to enjoy all the fresh local produce, meat, and seafood that Tacoma Boys has to offer. If you want to get started with some basics from the butcher counter or produce department, try grilling:
- Pre-formed burger patties like jalapeno pepper jack and applewood bacon cheddar
- Salmon burger patties
- Rotating stuffed chicken breast
- All beef Chicago hot dogs
- Summer squash
- Corn on the cob
- Russet potatoes
Spring Recipes to Inspire
Grilling throughout April and May means it’s easy to cook spring recipes with available fresh local produce. If you’re new to grilling, try straightforward dishes like chicken kebabs, hot dogs, and burgers. For vegetables, corn on the cob and halved zucchini is easy to grill.
The fresh taste of those summer vegetables are amazing on their own or thrown together in Tacoma Boys favorite summer salad: Our Grilled Zucchini & Corn Salad with Goat Cheese is simply seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. For a full meal, whip up the salad plus Tacoma Boys’ Citrus Herb Grilled Salmon and Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges! Some other tasty and nutritious spring recipes to try on the grill include:
- Grilled Peaches
- Tacoma Boys’ Grilled Carrots with Maple Tahini Drizzle
- Grilled Vegetable Orzo Pasta Salad
- Tacoma Boys’ Grilled Caprese Chicken
- Grilled Asparagus Spears
Fresh fruit is a great option to enjoy as another seasonal side with your spring recipes. Check out Tacoma Boys’ produce section to see what fruit is in season now, such as oranges, strawberries, and blueberries. Plus, fresh herbs like mint, oregano, rosemary, and parsley are coming into season locally too. These are perfect to embellish your dishes and drinks and add fresh flavor throughout and as a finishing touch!
Safe and Easy Grilling Tips
When you’re ready to fire up the grill, be sure to keep in mind some grilling tips to ensure everything remains safe and enjoyable. In general, always consider the temperature of the grill and make sure it’s never left unattended. Keep an eye on kiddos and pets and definitely close the lid whenever you’re not using it. When the heat is on quite high, keep your distance and use mits or tongs to work with the meat and vegetables.
Try these grilling tips, too:
- Check the amount of propane in the tank ahead of time, if applicable.
- Make sure the closest hose in the yard is connected and ready for use in case of emergency.
- Use a meat thermometer to avoid removing the meat to check for doneness.
- Use tools like tongs, spatulas, and basters .
- Scrub the grill after each use and clean it thoroughly once or twice each season.
- Always let the meat rest after removing it from the grill (this applies to indoor cooking, too!).
Depending on how warm it is outside, grab a few glasses of water and tasty refreshments like iced tea, too. When it’s really hot, it’s important to stay hydrated when working in front of a hot grill. And even while grilling in warm weather is always welcoming, there’s no reason to wait for the sun to shine! Here in the Pacific Northwest, cloudy days shouldn’t stop you from enjoying day to day activities like grilling. So even on those chilly days, don a sweatshirt and get out there! It’s always fun to try new things and experiment with different methods of cooking whenever the grilling season rolls back around.
Stop by Tacoma Boys to see what’s fresh and in season for your next grilling adventure! And to stay up to date on insider deals and specials, sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!
