As a mom, I’m always cleaning the kitchen. Not long ago this meme started circulating and I felt seen.
It’s never-ending. But there are some days when the mess is less, the clean-up is easier, and there are no leftovers to put away because everyone devoured the food.
Those days are grilling days.
{This post is sponsored by the Washington State Beef Commission.}
I love a meal that’s made 100% on the grill. Sure, there’s probably some prep work but it’s usually minimal. Grilled food is real food. Fresh, flavorful, and unprocessed. And even if there is prep work to be done, a lot of it can usually be done ahead of time to avoid the kitchen chaos that results every evening around 6pm.
When we grill, I love choosing beef (and my family devours it, every time). A juicy steak doesn’t dry out as easily as some other grilled proteins, and there are so many cuts to choose from. It’s nearly impossible to have a bland, dry piece of beef and the char it gets from being kissed by the flames enhances the flavor perfectly. Dinner made with beef is always satisfying. And it powers all of our summer adventures because the essential nutrients found in beef, like protein, iron, zinc and B vitamins, provide our bodies and minds with the fuel we need to keep up with all our fast-paced summer fun.
So here are three of my all-time favorite grilled meals. They’re perfect for camping, an easy dinner, or days that are so hot you can’t bear to turn on the stove. They’ll keep your family’s bellies full and your kitchens clean.
What’s your favorite grilled meal?
1. Marinated Steak Kabobs with Baked Potatoes and Asparagus
I told you that I like to keep my kitchen clean – and for me, that means keeping grilled dinners simple. Yes, there are some super complex and impressive culinary creations you can make on the grill but for me, it means keeping the flavors simple and the prep work to a minimum.
The Beef: My local meat store sells their tenderloin ends & pieces pre-marinated for 24 hours in Kalbi marinade and they are to die for. The lean tenderloin is melt-in-your-mouth tender and the marinade is the perfect blend of sweet-and-savory. If your store doesn’t have skewers, make your own ahead of time and let them marinate overnight for practically zero day-of prep work. You can usually find Kalbi marinade in your grocery store’s butcher section, in a refrigerated area.
The Potatoes: Pierce ’em, rub ’em with oil, and season the skins with salt & pepper. They take awhile to cook, so I admit I cheat a little here. I pre-cook them in the microwave, then season the skins and toss ’em on the grill to finish. Pre-cooking is also a great tip if you want baked potatoes while you’re camping but don’t want them to take so long. Microwave them before you leave home and just heat them over the flame with the rest of your meal.
The Veggie: My go-to seasoning combo for grilling any veggie is to toss them in olive oil and sprinkle with Creole seasoning. If you don’t have that, I also love a combo of granulated garlic and seasoned salt.
2. Mediterranean Skewers with Hummus & Pita
Show of hands: Where are my fellow rare-steak-loving peeps at?
Once again, simple is best – and beef makes it delicious!
The Beef: I use Ribeye (though you can choose any tender cut you prefer) and season it simply with salt & pepper. Grill to desired doneness, allow to rest for five minutes, and slice.
The Veggies: A combination of zucchini, red onion, grape tomatoes, and peppers get skewered, drizzled with olive oil, and cooked on the grill until crisp-tender.
The Bread: Toss pita bread or naan on the grill for about a minute to warm it through (I love mini naan because they’re perfectly portioned). Remove the pita bread, slather with hummus, and create a wrap by adding the grilled veggies and beef slices. Sprinkle with feta cheese if desired.
3. Beef Burger Foil Packets
This is a fun one whether you’re camping or just want to change up dinnertime in your own backyard. Set out ingredients and have each family member assemble their own packet. Grill them over your fire pit or on the grill (medium heat) for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.
The Beef: Use ground beef for this one. Mix together your favorite hamburger recipe, or (even easier) add a dollop of mayonnaise and a half packet of onion soup mix to one pound of ground beef. Form into 4-6 patties, depending on your family members’ appetites.
The Veggies: Use baby carrots and baby red potatoes (or cut larger potatoes into smaller pieces). Drizzle with olive oil and season with garlic & seasoned salt or whatever seasoning combo you prefer.
The Assembly: Spray a piece of aluminum foil with cooking spray. Add vegetables to the middle and place a burger patty on top. Seal the edges of the foil and cook over medium heat (campfire or grill) for 20-25 minutes until the beef is cooked through and the vegetables are tender, shaking the packet halfway through to keep from burning or sticking. If you want a cheeseburger, add cheese during the last few minutes of cooking.
The Best Part: Eat right out of the foil packet while lounging by the fire. You’ll have NO DISHES to clean and you’ll have made a really fun memory with your family!
What’s your favorite all-grilled meal?
