Here’s How to Make the Perfect Barbecue According to the Queen’s Butcher

Alexander Raths/Shutterstock: A perfect barbecue according to Donald Russell

If there’s one person who’d know how to make the perfect barbecue, it’s Donald Russell, a butcher and supplier to the monarch’s household. He is collaborating with YouTuber Christian Stevenson, better known as DJ BBQ, on creating an outdoor feast fit for royalty! Here are his tips.

Preheat the Grill

david n madden/Shutterstock: Grill time matters for BBQ

First things first, so start with a clean BBQ. If you have an electric one, preheat for about 10-20 minutes. For traditional coal barbecues, around 45 minutes is good.

Put Coal on Half the Grill

Try the ‘half and half’ method when you set up your BBQ. Put more coal on one side and leave the other half empty. By doing this, you can get a lovely char over the direct heat, but if it gets too intense, you can move the meat to the cooler side.  Think of it as a ‘safe zone’ for goof-proof cooking.

Say Yes to Seasoned Woods

For a deep and intensely smokey flavor, use fruit woods that are seasoned when grilling. You could also make fresh charcoal by cooking down the wood for more flavor.

Wild cherry, beech, birch, sweet chestnut, and orange are the best kinds to use. Stay away from pine and elderflower wood as they let off a pungent smoke. Try to stick to whatever is available locally.

Get the Meat Out Early

Remove the meat from its packaging at least 20 minutes before grilling so that it can come down to room temperature. You can marinate it in the meantime, but add salt only at the last minute, so that the meat doesn’t dry out.

For steaks, take them out of the fridge at least half an hour in advance. They need to relax to be tender as they are a muscle. Never shock a cold steak with sudden heat. However, burgers and sausages should be left in the fridge so that they can retain their structure.

Go for the 60/40 Method

Cook your meat on its first side for 60 percent of the cooking time, and for the second side, cook it for the remaining 40 percent. This method will guarantee perfect results every time.

Add Oil to the Meat

Brush the meat with oil before placing it on the barbecue. Use tongs to do this, instead of a fork so that you don’t pierce the meat.

Experiment With Marinades

AS Food studio/Shutterstock: Experiment with recipes for BBQ

The easiest and most classic rub has only five ingredients: sea salt, onion granules, brown sugar, cracked pepper, and garlic. You could also add dry herbs like oregano, cumin, paprika, or chili powder. If you are using BBQ sauce, add it towards the end as it can burn quickly.

Use the Press Test

The‘Press test’ will tell you how well your meat is cooked. Press the part of your palm that’s underneath your thumb to know how rare meat feels. If you press the middle finger and thumb together and touch the same area of your palm, it will feel springy. That’s how it should feel! Repeat the same with your ring finger for medium, and little finger for well-done meat.

Keep the Lid On

This will ensure that the meat cooks more evenly and will help lock in the BBQ flavor.

Lastly, cover your meat in foil and let it rest for 20 minutes before serving. Follow these tips for a lip-smacking barbecue that is sure to impress!