It’s grilling season!  With the sunny warm weather, there is no better way to cook than grilling outside, enjoying the summer. Grilling can be tricky, which is why we asked the experts in meats and grilling from around our neighborhood to share with us (and you!) everything they know so we may, too, become experts in the art of grilling.

Step one: Where to get your meat

To get the best meat for grilling, skip the grocery store and go straight to the butcher. Getting quality meat means knowing where it came from, and that is what William von Schneidau did when he started BB Ranch Butcher Shop, he found the best farms in the area. His full butcher shop is well known in Pike Place Market, as they do everything themselves and can do any cut you want on the spot.

Knowing what cut or kind of meat to get for grilling can be tricky, but William recommends some of his best: 

• Baby Back Ribs
• Santa Maria Tri Tip (uniquely to BB Ranch with the most amazing rub you’ll ever taste)
• BB Ranch hand made burgers (or sausages), such as buffalo, blue cheese, bacon and lamb sliders.
• Red Steaks

William suggests to always tell your butcher about your plans; what you’re cooking with the meat, how many people you’ll be feeding, what you’ll be drinking, etc. That will help them point you to the best meat catered to your needs.

If going with red steak seems a bit threatening to grill,  William suggests to go with something the butcher prepared instead. Whether that’s their hand made burgers or their Lime Jalapeno Chicken Wings (they suggest to pair it with Margaritas and Coronas), all you’ll have to do is listen carefully to the butcher’s cooking time directions and you’ll have a perfect meal. If it’s your first time grilling, but you want steak, William’s go-to is a boneless Rib eye steak from their dry-aged locker, he assures us it’s fool-proof.

The best part of BB Ranch being in Pike Place Market is that it is your one-time stop. You can get everything you need for your BBQ there.  All businesses at Pike Place know each other so the people from the veggie stand will know exactly what to suggest to go along with your BB Ranch meat and vice versa.

Step two: Know the grilling basics

• Get it hot: Turn the grill on several minutes before you want to begin grilling. You want the grill nice and hot for when you begin.
• Oil it up: Grab a paper towel and soak it in oil, grab it with tongs and rub it over the rack to avoid the meat from sticking to the grill.
• Dry it off: Pat your meat dry with a paper towel before you place it on the grill to get the perfect sear.
• Let it rest: When the meat has reached your desire done-ness, let it rest for a few minutes to allow the juices to settle.
• Use it: Grill pans are great for giving vegetables and fruits the smoky flavor we all love, without having them fall through the rack.

Step three: Recipes

You have your meat and basic grilling tips, all you need now is a few recipes (if you didn’t buy prepared meat from BB Ranch) for your meat to make your BBQ perfect. Here are five of our favorites.

1. Bacon Bourbon BBQ Chicken Kebabs
2. Beer Marinated Grilled Steak
3. Grilled Cilantro Lime BBQ Wings
4. Grilled Veggies: Zucchini, Carrot, Mushroom and Peppers
5. Chipotle Baby Back Ribs

Looking for more summer and barbecuing recipes? Follow our Pinterest Board!

What are your plans for Independence Day? Do you have any grilling tips or secrets? Share them with us in the comments!