The ultimate outdoor recipes guide | All About Outdoor Living

The ultimate outdoor recipes guide

So you’ve bought yourself an outdoor cooker, some meaty steaks, and a load of fresh ingredients to make the most…

So you’ve bought yourself an outdoor cooker, some meaty steaks, and a load of fresh ingredients to make the most of this weather. So why are you getting frustrated with all these recipes? You can’t even get your charcoal lit without it blowing away in the wind, let alone cook anything! This is where outdoor cooking tips and tricks come in handy. Think you won’t be able to make anything tasty? Think again! With the right knowledge, your meals could be even tastier than indoors. Read on for our ultimate outdoor recipes guide.

Table of Contents

Know your ingredients

When you’re cooking outdoors, the most important thing to remember is to know your ingredients. If you don’t, you could be in for some nasty surprises. Make sure you know how long it takes to cook each ingredient, and how much it takes to feed your guests. Let’s take a look at some common ingredients and how you should be cooking them.

Meat

This one is obvious. If you don’t know how long to cook your meat, you could be in for a very nasty surprise! Make sure you know how long your steaks, chops, and burgers take to cook to avoid them being undercooked or over-cooked.

Fish

If you’re cooking fish outdoors, it’s best to go for something like salmon. It cooks pretty quickly, so you don’t risk it being undercooked. Salmon is best cooked on the barbecue. It’s delicious with a dollop of butter, lemon, and some fresh herbs.

Potatoes

Potatoes are a classic outdoor food. But there’s a right and wrong way to cook them. You can either cook them in foil with some butter, herbs, and other seasonings, or you can cook them with a barbecue fork.

Vegetables

Vegetables are great to cook on the barbecue, especially if they take a while to cook. You can either add them to a sandwich or make a barbecue salad.

Different types of outdoor cooking

Indoor cooking is all about choosing the right recipes and making sure you’re cooking the ideal temperature. Outdoors, things are a little different. It’s about the type of fuel you’re using, the right temperature and knowing when to put your food on. Here are the most common types of outdoor cooking.

Barbecuing

Barbecuing is slowly cooking food over a low heat with charcoal. It’s great for slow-cooking meat and vegetables.

Grilling

Grilling is cooking something quickly over a high heat. It’s great if you’re in a rush or want a really crispy crust on your food. It does tend to dry out food, so make sure you’re using the right marinades for flavour.

Roasting

Roasting is cooking something in the oven that’s been cut open. You can do this outside using your barbecue. It’s great for long-cooking meats.

Smoking

Smoking is cooking food in low heat for a long time. It’s great for meat that might take a while to cook, such as ribs or chicken.

Know your tools and equipment

If you’re cooking outdoors, there are a few tools and equipment you might want to add to your inventory. While you could easily make do with a few kitchen items, they might not be great for the job.

Scissors

Scissors are a great tool for cutting open bags of charcoal. They’re also handy for cutting through thick cardboard boxes and plastic packaging.

Bag opener

If you’re cooking with charcoal, you might want to invest in a bag opener to open those bags. You can use a knife, but that can be really challenging.

Spatula

You can use a spoon to flip steaks, but you’ll be much better off using a spatula. You can easily flip and move food without breaking it or making a mess.

Long tongs

Long tongs are a great investment. They’re perfect for moving hot food around, such as skewers and things on the barbecue. They’re also handy for grabbing things that are out of your reach.

Long barbecue fork

A barbecue fork is a great tool for turning your food on the barbecue. It’s longer than a regular fork, which stops you from burning your hands when you reach inside.

Thermometer

A thermometer is essential if you’re cooking meat. You can use it to make sure your steak is cooked to perfection.

How to use a Chimney starter

If you’re starting a fire, the best way to do it is with a Chimney starter. It’s much easier than trying to light your barbecue and waiting for it to heat up. First, put your charcoal in the starter. Make sure you leave a space at the bottom. Once your charcoal is ready, pour it into your barbecue. Make sure to leave that space at the bottom. Here are a few tips for getting your charcoal the right temperature. If you’re cooking something like chicken, you want it to be around 350°F. You’re looking for an ideal grilling temperature. You don’t want it to be too hot, as it will dry out your food, or too low, as it will take a long time to cook.

How to cook with charcoal

There are a few different ways you can cook with charcoal. You can do it the old-fashioned way and use a grill, or you can buy some specialty equipment.

Grill

Using a grill is great if you’re only cooking a few things. If you’re cooking a big meal, you might find it gets in the way. It’s also difficult to get everything evenly cooked.

Wok

A wok is one of the best tools to use with charcoal. They’re great for stir-frying, and they’re deep enough to hold lots of charcoal. They’re also easy to move around.

Smoker

Cooking foods low and slow is a great way to make tender meat. It’s perfect for things like ribs, chicken, and pork.

Which grilling bag is right for you?

If you want to cook something in a bag, you’ll need to use a grilling bag. There are a few different types of bag that cater for different types of food.

Vegetable steamer

This bag is great for vegetables. You can steam them in this bag and they’ll be ready in no time. They’ll also stay nice and moist.

Chicken grilling bag

This bag is great for cooking large items such as chicken. It’ll keep the chicken moist, and it’ll be ready in no time.

Pizza bag

What’s better than pizza on the barbecue? A pizza bag! It’s great for cooking your favourite pizza at home. You can make it exactly how you like it.

Now you know the basics – here are some tasty recipes!

Grilled Steak with Onions

You can’t go wrong with a delicious steak. To make it even tastier, add some caramelized onions. They take a while to cook, so you can start them before you put the steaks on the grill.

Barbecued Chicken

This is a great dish that’s perfect for feeding a crowd. It’s super easy to make and it won’t take up much of your time. You can easily double the recipe to feed even more people.

Grilled Corn

This is an ideal side dish for any barbecue. It’s quick to make and it’s full of flavour. It’s also super cheap to make.

Grilled Pineapple

This is a great dessert for summer. It tastes amazing, but it’s super healthy. It’s also very easy to make, so it’s perfect for beginners.

Grilled Corn on the Cob with Lime Butter

This recipe is so simple and delicious, you’ll never go back to boring old corn on the cob again. Just make sure to use fresh lime juice instead of bottled lime juice. If you don’t have fresh limes, you can substitute lemon juice.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tacos

You’re going to love how easy this pulled pork taco recipe is to make. It’s perfect for summer because it uses ingredients that you probably have on hand.

Chicken Wings with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

This chicken wing recipe is so simple to make, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making them before. They’re delicious served hot off the grill or cold as an appetizer.

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Skewers

These shrimp skewers are perfect for summer entertaining because they’re easy to prepare and serve. You can use any type of shrimp, but we recommend using large shrimp with tails intact. If you’d prefer not to eat the shells, just remove them before serving.

Grilled Salmon with Lemon Dill Aioli

To make the lemon dill aioli, combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Stir until well combined. Add the chopped fresh dill and stir again. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Grilled Chicken with Peach Salsa

If you’re looking for a recipe that’s simple to make, yet delicious, then this grilled chicken recipe is perfect for you. It’s also one of the easiest ways to use peaches when they’re at their peak.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

This pulled pork recipe is so easy to make that you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making it before. It’s made with slow cooker pulled pork, which means you won’t need to spend much time cooking it.

Smoky Brisket

If you’re looking for a quick and easy dinner idea, try this smoky brisket pulled pork recipe. It’s perfect for summertime grilling because it uses a slow cooker.

Sweet Potato Fries

This sweet potato fries recipe is one of our favorites. They’re crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Plus, they’re loaded with flavor thanks to the honey mustard dipping sauce.

Grilled Corn with Chipotle Butter

If you’ve never grilled corn before, try these tips to make sure you grill them perfectly every time.

Conclusion

The weather outside is finally getting better and you can use your outdoor kitchen. Cooking in your back arden is a great way to bring your family and friends together. Cooking outside, however, does have its challenges. Follow the tips, tricks and recipes in this guide, and you’ll be able to cook delicious food outside all year round.

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    Wendy LlambiasWendy Llambias
    21:24 14 Nov 23
    David and the team were exceptional. We were thrilled with our new outdoor kitchen. They certainly gave us the WOW factor. Very professional, hard working and always left the job spotlessly clean. We can strongly recommend All about Outdoor Living.
    Misbah SyalMisbah Syal
    16:02 15 Oct 23
    We couldn't be happier with our installation by All About Outdoor Living. We had a very particular vision for a really awkward space that was executed perfectly. From the initial design consultation to the final finishing touches, the entire process was seamless and stress-free.Bill who led the groundworks was great to work with. With lots of challenges due to root systems, mature trees/shrubs, drainage issues and uneven ground, Bill and his team worked meticulously to lay porcelain patios, paths and turf, providing solutions for everything.David, Dale and Dean bought the whole space to life with a stunning, bespoke wooden pergola that is a structural statement in itself. And they fabricated an angled kitchen on site with water and power supply, to boldly frame and define a space where nothing is level or convenient. They were a joy to have around, and gave all the attention to detail you could want.The quality of workmanship is outstanding, and the materials used are not only durable but also visually stunning. Our family and friends are truly impressed with the results and we would recommend them in an instant. Cooking and entertaining outdoors has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, All About Outdoor Living, for creating our dream outdoor kitchen space.
    Alex BlomfieldAlex Blomfield
    13:52 13 Sep 23
    If you need anything from design to help with getting your bbq fixed, this is the place to go. I can't recommend them highly enough. David is not only incredibly knowledgeable about everything Bbq's but also really helpful and professional. Don't go anywhere else!!!
    JJ RJJ R
    10:01 19 May 23
    An excellent experience from start to finish. David is very experienced in terms of site position, planning, seeing potential problems and finding good cost effective solutions. Dale and Dean were a pleasure to have working on site. As a family, we love our outdoor kitchen and cannot recommend it enough. The blinds and pivoting roof makes it a useable space for all seasons. I wouldn’thesitate to recommend David and his team to anyone.
    Lyndon HedderlyLyndon Hedderly
    10:28 18 May 23
    David provided a great service - suggesting a top product which we're enjoying using.
    Matt GouldMatt Gould
    11:16 25 Jan 23
    Great company, no pushy sales pitch. Just completed my new outdoor kitchen and pergola so I'm all set for when the sun comes out. Can't wait!!
    Scott FranklinScott Franklin
    19:44 04 Jan 23
    Emma ChallisEmma Challis
    19:25 04 Jan 23
    I think sometimes, projects like this can be so overwhelming. Although, with David’s advice and wealth of knowledge, he was able to advise and help to design our outdoor kitchen which catered for all our needs and requests and all within our budget too. Thank you!
    Jude CleaverJude Cleaver
    15:40 22 Nov 22
    All about outdoor living came to see me and produced some amazing ideas, after getting the quotation and drawings I was pleasantly surprised it was in my budget. The workmen who carried out the job were clean and hard working, I can highly recommend this company for doing what they say they will do. Thank you David for overseeing the project and making the whole process comfortable for me.
    Gillian ForsterGillian Forster
    20:12 23 Aug 22
    I set out to update my garden after almost 2 years of lockdown , it was time to turn our attentions to making our garden a great outdoor entertainment space and give it an overhaul and David and his team did a great job.
    Harvey SHarvey S
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    Amazing team! From start to finish the service, quality and support was fantastic. Products are of a high standard and the collaboration on the design was brilliant. Highly recommend David and his team.
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    Wendy LlambiasWendy Llambias
    21:24 14 Nov 23
    David and the team were exceptional. We were thrilled with our new outdoor kitchen. They certainly gave us the WOW factor. Very professional, hard working and always left the job spotlessly clean. We can strongly recommend All about Outdoor Living.
    Misbah SyalMisbah Syal
    16:02 15 Oct 23
    We couldn't be happier with our installation by All About Outdoor Living. We had a very particular vision for a really awkward space that was executed perfectly. From the initial design consultation to the final finishing touches, the entire process was seamless and stress-free.Bill who led the groundworks was great to work with. With lots of challenges due to root systems, mature trees/shrubs, drainage issues and uneven ground, Bill and his team worked meticulously to lay porcelain patios, paths and turf, providing solutions for everything.David, Dale and Dean bought the whole space to life with a stunning, bespoke wooden pergola that is a structural statement in itself. And they fabricated an angled kitchen on site with water and power supply, to boldly frame and define a space where nothing is level or convenient. They were a joy to have around, and gave all the attention to detail you could want.The quality of workmanship is outstanding, and the materials used are not only durable but also visually stunning. Our family and friends are truly impressed with the results and we would recommend them in an instant. Cooking and entertaining outdoors has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, All About Outdoor Living, for creating our dream outdoor kitchen space.
    Alex BlomfieldAlex Blomfield
    13:52 13 Sep 23
    If you need anything from design to help with getting your bbq fixed, this is the place to go. I can't recommend them highly enough. David is not only incredibly knowledgeable about everything Bbq's but also really helpful and professional. Don't go anywhere else!!!
    JJ RJJ R
    10:01 19 May 23
    An excellent experience from start to finish. David is very experienced in terms of site position, planning, seeing potential problems and finding good cost effective solutions. Dale and Dean were a pleasure to have working on site. As a family, we love our outdoor kitchen and cannot recommend it enough. The blinds and pivoting roof makes it a useable space for all seasons. I wouldn’thesitate to recommend David and his team to anyone.
    Lyndon HedderlyLyndon Hedderly
    10:28 18 May 23
    David provided a great service - suggesting a top product which we're enjoying using.
    Matt GouldMatt Gould
    11:16 25 Jan 23
    Great company, no pushy sales pitch. Just completed my new outdoor kitchen and pergola so I'm all set for when the sun comes out. Can't wait!!
    Scott FranklinScott Franklin
    19:44 04 Jan 23
    Emma ChallisEmma Challis
    19:25 04 Jan 23
    I think sometimes, projects like this can be so overwhelming. Although, with David’s advice and wealth of knowledge, he was able to advise and help to design our outdoor kitchen which catered for all our needs and requests and all within our budget too. Thank you!
    Jude CleaverJude Cleaver
    15:40 22 Nov 22
    All about outdoor living came to see me and produced some amazing ideas, after getting the quotation and drawings I was pleasantly surprised it was in my budget. The workmen who carried out the job were clean and hard working, I can highly recommend this company for doing what they say they will do. Thank you David for overseeing the project and making the whole process comfortable for me.
    Gillian ForsterGillian Forster
    20:12 23 Aug 22
    I set out to update my garden after almost 2 years of lockdown , it was time to turn our attentions to making our garden a great outdoor entertainment space and give it an overhaul and David and his team did a great job.
    Harvey SHarvey S
    15:49 22 Aug 22
    Amazing team! From start to finish the service, quality and support was fantastic. Products are of a high standard and the collaboration on the design was brilliant. Highly recommend David and his team.
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