The best barbecue tips for your next cook up (2024)

There's no denying that everyone loves a BBQ cook-up, but mastering the craft takes time and ample forward planning to make sure it all works out.

BBQ disasters are more common than you think - from fiery flare-ups, under-cooked food and misjudged timings, these issues happen to the best of us (even Australians like me, and it's practically in our blood).

We've compiled all our top BBQ tips to avoid a disaster and our handy guide will be your new go-to for nailing your next grilled feast.

How to prep before you begin barbecuing?

You can’t manage a barbecue whilst you’re busy chopping things or looking for the tongs. Get all your sides and salads sorted and in their serving dishes, then cover and chill, if needed.

Make sure you have separate and discernible equipment, trays, plates and tools for handling raw food vs cooked food.

When to put food on the BBQ?

If you're using a charcoal BBQ, you'll need around 30 minutes to light it and wait for it to be at the right temperature (when all the coals appear white and ashy). If you're using a gas BBQ, you'll need around 15-20 minutes, but check your specific BBQ manual for exact timings.

Don’t wait for your guests to show up to get started, as they’ll be hanging around, filling up on nibbles before the main event. Light it early, start cooking whenever the coals are ready and keep the barbecued food warm in a low oven, covered loosely with foil, if necessary.

What should you cook first on a BBQ?

As a general rule of thumb, the best order to cook food on a BBQ is starting with a thick piece of meat that typically takes a while to cook (for example chicken on the bone, a thick steak and sausages), so we'd recommend cooking them first.

A thin steak, most vegetables, halloumi and veggie burgers, usually don't need much time at all and these can be cooked towards the end of the BBQ and kept warm in the oven if needed.

What is the secret to good BBQ?

Along with making sure your coals are warm enough, we'd also recommend a digital thermometer to ensure you're cooking your food properly as your meat might look done, but it could still be raw on the inside. Use a digital thermometer to check the internal temperature. You should aim for 65°C for pork and beef, and 70°C for chicken.

Alternative ways to use your BBQ?

Barbecues aren’t just for meat. Did you know you can bake bread and some desserts on the BBQ? We also love to wrap potatoes in foil and put directly on the embers whilst everything else cooks. You can also bake fruit in a similar way, or grill all kinds of fruit, directly on the bars.

Our favourite tip is to take a whole banana still in the skin, slice into the side and stuff some pieces of chocolate in it, then wrap in foil and cook for a few minutes until the chocolate has melted and the banana is roasted. It's like a speedy banana split when you serve with a scoop of ice cream and crushed peanuts.

Is a disposable BBQ worth it?

Unless you truly don’t have room to store a barbecue, don’t waste your time with disposable barbecues. They may seem like a cheap convenience, but they don’t have much room, don’t have an even heat, and don’t last very long, meaning they aren't very environmentally friendly. You’re better off buying a small, reasonably priced kettle barbecue instead.

How to prep halloumi for the BBQ?

It’s a veggie barbecue classic, but halloumi is a pesky thing to cook on the grill sometimes. The slices can fall apart, then slip through the bars and are gone forever. There’s a better way: instead of cutting across the block, cut horizontally through it into four equal slices. They don’t go to pieces and you can serve them as a burger alternative, or you can cut it into smaller pieces after grilling, or skewer onto kebabs with red onion and peppers.

How to spend more time with your guests?

The point of a barbecue is as much about the social occasion as it is about the food. Don’t overstretch yourself by trying to make too much. One to two meat dishes, a veggie option, a couple of sides, some bread and some drinks are all you really need.

What to cook on a BBQ?

Whether it’s veg or meat, it needs to be seasoned well, either with salt and pepper or a spiced rub (ground cumin and coriander work well). We also think it's important to use the residual heat at the end of your BBQ session to gently grill your burger buns too.

If you’re going to the trouble of lighting a barbecue, a few limp leaves aren’t a worthy accompaniment. Make some beautiful, colourful salads like our farro salad and this Mediterranean salad for added freshness.