What’s a great type of meat for BBQing?

I’ve been thinking a lot about summertime picnics. When I think about summer one of the first things that comes to mind is a BBQ. Hamburgers and hot dogs are my usual fare. Maybe if it’s a special group coming over I’ll break out a steak or two. Besides those things I haven’t tried much. I really don’t know what meats and what cuts of meat are the best for the grill. I did a little research, though, and I now think I’m ready to venture out of my comfort zone.

Let’s start with chicken. The best parts of a chicken to grill would be the legs, breast or entire chicken. Wings and thighs are small and can be grilled if you have the proper container to grill them in so they don’t fall through the grid. Chicken can be marinated, have BBQ sauce on it or seasoned with a rub.

Beef is always a grilling staple. Of course, there are hamburgers and hot dogs. Cuts of steak that do well on a grill are T-bone steaks, boneless rib eye, bone in rib eye, flank steak and top sirloin. There’s no way to go wrong with them. Leaner cuts of beef would need to be grilled longer at a lower temperature to keep them tender.

Pork is always popular. Ribs and BBQ go together like peanut butter and jelly. You can use pork or beef ribs. Pork roasts, pork chops and pork loins are excellent on the grill as long as precaution is taken not to dry it out.

Fish on the grill is quite a treat. Grilled salmon, grilled tuna steaks, grilled swordfish; the list goes on. Grilling fish is a bit tricky. The key is to cook it in foil or in a fish basket and not cook it too long so it’s dry.

Now, there are unusual meats that can also be grilled. I always hear about turkey on the grill. I bet it’s great, but I’m not sure I’m ready to go there. My relatives in Maine swear by venison, moose and bear meat on the grill. I’m definitely not ready to go there. Regionally, I bet there are many types of meat I’m not even thinking about. Maybe some crocodile or rattlesnake. Yuk. Well, to each his own. If you’re more adventurous than me, go for it. I may venture out from hamburger and hot dogs but not too far.