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Here's exactly how long you should be barbecuing your foods.
Whether you consider yourself a BBQ connoisseur or not, a handy guide filled with everything you need to know about barbecuing certain foods can never go amiss. We're talking everything from your classic chicken breasts, to mushroom boats and corn on the cobs. Luckily for you, we've sought out the help of a range of professionals to confirm the exact timings for a variety of foods, complete with a few tips and tricks and some serving suggestions to guarantee the ultimate BBQ.
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How long to BBQ burgers? 9 minutes.
Perfect internal temperature? 71ºC
For perfectly cooked burgers, Tony Hindhaugh, former chef and founder of Parson's Nose Butchers, recommends cooking your burgers for around 9 minutes, making sure you flip halfway through. For well done burgers, he says to give it marginally longer.
Tom Robinson, Head Chef at Libertine Burger even says, "If you’re adding bacon to your burger, a little trick is to fold it over so the tips don’t get burnt by the heat of the grill."
If you want to take your burgers to the next level, then you can do anything from stuff them with cheese, top them with a ring or pineapple or stack them like a quesadilla.
How long to BBQ chicken breast? 8-12 minutes.
Perfect internal temperature? 73ºC
For chargrilled chicken, cook your breasts on a medium heat until the internal temperature reaches 73ºC, making sure to flip halfway through to ensure you get those delicious sear marks on each side.
To jazz your chicken up, try making a fresh salsa to plonk on top or serve alongside — this pineapple salsa is to-die-for — or partner it up with some homemade BBQ sauce. Likewise, you could give grilled potatoes a go (they're like herby wedges, but better).
How long to BBQ sausages? 20 minutes.
Perfect internal temperature? 65ºC
Sausages are often tagged as being one of the easiest types of meats to cook on the grill, but far too much have I fallen victim to either completely underdone sausages, or incredibly overcooked (aka, burnt-to-a-crisp) ones.
Tony Hindhaugh suggests cooking yours for around 20 mins, and letting them reach an internal temperature of at least 65ºC.
We'd also recommend to avoid overcrowding the grill, and keeping the casings intact as much as you can (avoid tearing or pricking the sausages when moving them) as this can lead to a loss of flavour.
How long to BBQ steak? Rare: 5 + 3 minutes — Medium: 5 + 6 minutes — Well done: 5 + 12 minutes
Perfect internal temperature? 57ºC — 60ºC
The key to cooking steak on the barbecue is to blast it on high heat for the first 5 minutes (searing the steak will give you those much-loved grill markings and seal the steak), and then move it to a lower temperature on the barbecue to cook further according to your desired doneness.
Again, try and leave the steak as undisturbed as possible, but still flipping halfway through.
Before you eventhink about digging in, you have to let your steak rest for a minimum of 10 minutes. Sure, it might seem long when all you've been thinking about all day is devouring a piece of steak, but in the grand scheme of things, it's going to ensure optimal flavour by sealing in all of those glorious juices.
How long to BBQ lamb chops? 6-8 minutes
Perfect internal temperature? 62ºC.
Lamb chops cooked on the barby are a dream. Not to mention, they're super versatile when it comes to seasonings and marinades. Just make sure you've turned them at least once so that they can evenly cook on both sides.
Want to take your lamb chops to new heights? Try rustling up a compote (our aubergine and pepper one is insanely-tasty) and placing it on top of your rested lamb chops, and serve it with some delicious mint yoghurt and grains.
How long to BBQ shellfish? 6-10 minutes.
Perfect internal temperature? 62ºC
The cooking time is dependant on the shellfish you're using — for mussels it tends to be 3 to 7 minutes, for clams it's 6 to 10 minutes, and for oysters it's 4 to 6 minutes. And these three don't require flipping. Whereas with prawns, you're looking at around 2 to 3 minutes per side.
How long to BBQ white fish? 15 minutes.
Perfect internal temperature? 62ºC
The trick to perfecting barbecued fish is making sure you grill's nice and hot. If you add the fish when the grill is too cold, the fish will stick to the grates. It's also worth oiling your fish to help it release cleanly from the grates, too.
To serve, you can team it up with some delicious tomato salsa or chimichurri, along with some grilled greens.
How long to BBQ salmon? 25-30 minutes.
Perfect internal temperature? 62ºC
There's two ways you can cook salmon on your barbecue. The first, is by wrapping it in foil and leaving it undisturbed until it's done. And the second, is by cooking it directly over the barbecue and flipping it halfway through (cooking your salmon this way takes a little less time, around 15 minutes).
To jazz up your salmon dinner, you can mix up a quick coriander-lime marinade, drizzle over a spicy soy glaze or layer it with fresh lemons, garlic and thyme.
How long to BBQ corn on the cob? 10 minutes.
If you're anything like us, then a side of corn on the cob is without-a-question one of the best things about having a BBQ in the first place. Who's hosting a barby without them these days?
The key to cooking corn on the cob is to place it on high heat, and turn regularly so that it chars evenly all over.
Serving suggestion from Kenny Tutt, Chef and Restaurateur behind Pitch + Bayside Social, "I like a butter mixed with some lime zest, chilli, garlic and some salt which you can brush over the corn when it goes on the BBQ to finish."
How long to BBQ mushrooms? 10-12 minutes.
We've said it before, and we'll say it again - mushrooms often get sidelined at BBQs and we're not quite sure why. Especially when you can do everything from skewer them up and soak them in balsamic vinegar, to coating them in a lemon-herb sauce.
Just be sure you give them a good wash beforehand and enough oil on the grill, so that they don't stick!
How long to BBQ greens? 7-10 minutes.
A side of greens (broccoli, asparagus) is a must-make if you ask us. And according to Flo Cornish, Development Chef at allplants, we should be treating our veg the same way we do our meat — with love and attention (aka, with a cracking marinade or seasoning).
Serving suggestion from Flo Cornish, Development Chef at allplants, "while it’s still hot, pop it onto a plate and drizzle over a dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, fresh oregano, chilli flakes and honey. It will just drink it up and make these side dishes the star of the show."
How long to BBQ a jacket potato? 45 minutes.
Cooking your jacket potatoes over the barbecue gives them the tastiest, smoky flavour that pairs delightfully well with a range of fillings. Not to mention, they're super easy to do. Simply treat your spuds as you would in the oven — wrapped in foil!
How long to BBQ flatbread? 5 minutes
Chargrilled flatbread is a game-changer, and it'll take your BBQ spread to the next stage. No sad-looking pitta slices or buns here!
To get those gorgeous sear marks, make sure you're flipping your flatbreads halfway through their cooking time and otherwise leaving them undisturbed for them to crisp up and go golden brown.