BBQ Basics You've Gotta Know

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We’re all about collections over at Provisions — and we don’t want you to miss out on the fun.

Today: It’s time for ribs. And burgers. And steak. We’re introducing our BBQ collection!

Barbecue is a hotly contested topic. There’s a lot of variety in technique: wood choice, cooking time, marinade, spice rub, sauce, and more — and every barbecue cook has his or her own opinion about what makes the best.

We won’t weigh in on a definitive favorite (when it comes to ribs, we’re equal-opportunity eaters), but we do want to lay out some of the basic elements you should know before firing up the grill.

  

Here’s our extra-quick primer on the nitty gritty of barbecue:

Rubs: A good rub is a blend of assertive spices and herbs — work it into your meat up to 24 hours before cooking, then give it another coat just before you start to grill. Consider trying something new — this Moroccan blend has ginger, cilantro, and fennel — to keep things interesting.

Sauces: The star of any barbecue, your sauce should be part sweet, part salty, and a little acidic. Depending on where you’re from, you might prefer a sauce that’s vinegar-based, or tomato-heavy, or a version made with mayonnaise. Go with what you like, but make sure it has enough heat to stand up to the sugar. If you like a lot of spice, try this Jamaican jerk sauce made with Scotch Bonnet peppers (one of the world’s hottest).

  

Marinades: It pays off to marinate your meat ahead of time — not even the best sauce can mimic that depth of flavor. We like using Korean BBQ marinades — they use sesame oil and soy sauce, which gives a savory, umami element to the meat.

Smokers: Barbecue pitmasters are notoriously particular about the kind of wood they use and the contraptions they cook with. While you probably don’t have the time (or space) to smoke ribs for 20 hours straight, it’s pretty easy to mimic the flavor at home. We found a miniature smoking gun; just drop wood chips in the top, light them on fire, and watch the smoke flow out of a small rubber tube, infusing your meat, salsa, or fish. It’s fast and simple to use and — the best part — it doesn’t leave your clothes (and kitchen) smoke-filled and hazy.

Alabama-Style Chicken Kebabs

Sauce:

1 1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon sambal oelek (or more if you can handle it..I used two!)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 clove garlic, mashed or put through a press

  1. Whisk all ingredients together. Cover and refrigerate. (Sauce can be made well ahead of time.)

Kebabs:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (6 to 8 ounces each)
Four 12-inch skewers (if using wood, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning)
Salt, pepper, and olive oil
The sauce

  1. Cut the breast halves into 1 1/2 inch cubes and thread them on the skewers. Season the kebabs with a little salt and pepper and drizzle with a little olive oil. Light your grill to medium heat and oil the grates well.

  2. Reserve 1/2 to 3/4 cup of the sauce for dipping.

  3. Place your kebabs on the grill and start lightly basting and turning until the chicken is done. (Be careful not to burn!) Serve them up with a little of the reserved sauce on the side.

Save and print the recipe on Food52.

Tell us in the comments, what are your best barbecue tips and tricks?

Photos by Mark Weinberg

This article originally appeared on Food52.com: The Barbecue Basics You Should Know