Dust off and fire up the BBQ – Summer is only weeks away!
With Summer now officially in arms reach, we can begin to look forward to the long-awaited BBQ season that oozes everything of a Classic Kiwi Summer. Long nights and outdoor dining sharing special moments (and good food) with family and friends as we lead into the festive season.
If you're ready to fire up the grill, we’ve gathered our top five BBQ-ready cuts that promise to be a hit at any gathering. From juicy burgers to Steak, these cuts offer versatility, great flavour, and easy cooking, making them perfect for any sunny day.
Here’s how to make the most of each cut this Summer.
- Classic Beef Burgers
There’s nothing quite like a classic beef burger sizzling on the BBQ to set the tone for summer! Whether you’re opting for premium beef mince to make your own at home, or grabbing a pack of our award-winning Angus Beef hamburgers, you can be rest assured that this cut is an absolute staple for Summer.
If you’re making your own, keep the seasoning simple – salt and pepper are often enough – and consider adding a touch of garlic powder or Worcestershire sauce for extra depth.
We recommend grill each patty for 4 minutes on each side for a nice crust while keeping the inside moist and juicy.
If you’re looking for Beef but after a little twist… our Angus Beef and Cheese Burgers, or Angus Beef Brisket and Chuck Burgers are a great option.
Pop them in a burger with all of your favourite fresh summer salads, a Burger Bowl for a lighter meal choice or even use them in a Beef Burger Roulade.
- Angus Beef Sausages
BBQ sausages are a must-have for any summer gathering, bringing big flavour with minimal prep. We’re pretty biased to our Angus Beef Sausages – they are a 5-star customer favourite for a reason!
In our opinion, the best way to cook your sausages is on a lower heat. We recommend turning the pan or BBQ down and the rolling the sausages often. This allows them to cook evenly right the way through. To check if they’re cooked, use a knife to cut through the sausage.
Tip: whilst this may be controversial to what you've been told.... we recommend to not prick the outside of the sausages with the knife or fork. This will mean that all of the juices remain in the pan and your sausages don’t shrivel up!
Whether you’re popping between white bread, making a Sausage Sandwich, or perhaps adding to a dish – like this Sausage and Cherry Tomato Pasta.
If you’re looking for an alternative to Beef, we also love these Classic Pork Sausages from Freedom Farms. We particularly love them in this Sausage Banh Mi recipe!
- Sirloin Steak
Nothing says summer BBQ like a perfectly grilled Sirloin Steak. This Steak is best suited for high-heat cooking methods, leaning itself nicely to BBQs, offering tenderness and rich flavour.
Tip: Allow your steak to come to room temperature before cooking for even grilling. Keep an eye on the fat cap, which adds flavour and moisture as it renders on the grill.
We know Summer is a popular time for entertaining, so consider whole fillets (Sirloin, Scotch or Eye) during your meat shop – they’re perfect for feeding a crowd and cook evenly on the BBQ (we recommend using a Meat Thermometer – it simply takes the guesswork out of it!)
This Sirloin Steak with Tomatoes and Capers recipe is a favourite of ours or if you’re after something a little more classic – try the Marinated Sirloin Steak with Potato Skins, and you can’t go wrong.
- Angus Beef Brisket
Beef Brisket is a showstopper on the BBQ, bringing unbeatable flavour and tenderness when cooked low and slow. This Pitmaster’s cut, known for its rich marbling, shines when smoked or slow-cooked over the BBQ, allowing the fat to render and create melt-in-the-mouth meat. Although it requires patience, brisket is perfect for longer gatherings where guests can enjoy the anticipation of a hearty, flavourful meal.
Whether you’re adding to buns, like this Beef Brisket with BBQ Sauce, Slaw and Buns, or enjoying it Texas style, with this Rubbed BBQ Brisket with Chilli Avo Oil and Pickled Pepper Salsa recipe – we think this cut is King for BBQ enthusiasts.
- Grill Sticks
An excellent quick, easy and affordable BBQ choice, perfect for sharing amongst family and friends. Courtesy of Meat Street – we have three delicious grill sticks to shop from – Doner Kebab Lamb Grill Sticks, Oriental Mint Lamb Grill Sticks and Steakhouse Beef Grill Sticks.
Zero prep, and minimal fuss on the BBQ. Simply pop on the BBQ until golden brown and cooked through. Ensure your grill stick is fully cooked before eating, by checking the middle is no longer pink.
These BBQ cuts are the heart of summer gatherings, perfect for sharing and indulging with loved ones. Have a cut that you’re not sure if it’s quite right for the BBQ? Head to our Best Cooking Methods for your Beef article to learn more.
