3 Delicious Meats for Summer Grilling
We're well into summer and nothing beats grilled meats. As fabulous as ribeyes and pork chops are, high prices have me looking to other parts of animals for interesting cuts to grill. Here are three of favorites I've come across.
Pork Leg Cutlets: I adore grilled pork, and leg cutlets are a great option. I buy them boneless, meaning the shank bone has been cut out of each piece, and sear them for about 2 minutes on each side over high heat. The taste and texture is similar to pork tenderloin. They're tender, low in fat, and best of all, about half the price of center-cut pork loin chops.
Tip: Since these cutlets are much thinner than traditional pork chops, cook over high heat to get grill marks without overcooking the cutlets in the middle.
Related: A Guide to Great Grilling
Lamb Shoulder Steaks: Who doesn't love lamb chops cooked over an open flame? But if traditional lamb chops (cut from the rib section) give you sticker shock, consider the less popular (but equally delicious) lamb shoulder steak. It does have a bit more fat and the occasional bone you'll need to cut around, but your efforts will be rewarded. The flavor from a shoulder steak is rich and meaty, and it's readily available at most supermarkets for a fraction of the cost of rib chops.
Tip: Since the shoulder steak can be strong, even gamey at times, consider cooking them a bit longer than traditional rib chops to tame the flavor.
Beef Flatiron Steak: Despite their explosion in popularity, flatiron steaks have remained as cheap and delicious as ever. Really called a top-blade steak, this cut comes from the chuck, an area of the cow that otherwise produces tough meat. Flatirons are great for grilling and hold marinades well, making them a great alternative to steaks like sirloin.
Related: Out-of-the-Ordinary Recipes for the Grill
Tip: Go to a butcher you trust, and ask him to remove the connective tissue down the middle.
Looking for a great grill? Check out these top picks and read up on our 10 secrets for successful grilling.
What are your favorite cuts of meat to grill? Let me know in the comments.
- by Paul Hope
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