5 easy BBQ recipes you need to master

When the weather warms up it’s time to ditch the kitchen and fire up the grill. From the classics like hamburgers, steak and ribs, to lighter options like chicken and salmon, this BBQ recipe collection will keep you grilling all season. Bonus: We’re sharing our secret recipe for tangy, homemade BBQ sauce. You’ll want to double the recipe to keep this delicious sauce on hand all summer long. All recipes serve 4.

[Photo Credit: iStock.com/exclusive-design]

• 500 g ground beef
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 slices cheese (cheddar or other)

Shape beef into 4 equal patties and season both sides of each patty liberally with salt and pepper. Using your thumb, press a shallow indent in the middle of each burger. Grill patties until crust develops and no longer pink inside (about 6 minutes per side for medium). Add sliced cheese 2 to 3 minutes before burger is finished cooking. Place burgers on toasted buns, or lettuce wraps, and add your favourite toppings. We recommend the classics: lettuce, tomato, onion, ketchup, mayo and mustard.

• 4 boneless rib-eye or New York strip steaks
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Let steaks rest at room temperature for 20 minutes before grilling. Heat grill to high. Brush the steaks on both sides with oil and season liberally with salt and pepper. Grill the steaks until slightly charred (4 to 5 minutes). Flip the steaks and grill 3 to 5 minutes for medium-rare, 5 to 7 minutes for medium or 8 to 10 minutes for medium-well. Tent steaks on a platter for 5 minutes before slicing.

• 1.5 kg baby back pork ribs (1–2 racks)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Let ribs rest at room temperature 30 minutes, then cut into 2- or 3-rib sections. Pat dry with paper towel and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Over medium heat, grill ribs bone side down until golden brown (about 15 minutes). Flip ribs and grill until crisp (about another 15 minutes). Transfer to a platter and serve with a good BBQ sauce, like the one at the end of this article.

• 4 skin-on salmon fillets (about 1-inch thick)
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 1 lemon cut into wedges

Generously coat the flesh side of the salmon with oil and cook it 90% of the way skin side down until the skin releases easily from the grill (about 6-8 minutes). Then turn over for 2-4 more minutes, or until desired doneness is reached. Serve with lemon wedges and a tangy cucumber dill sauce.

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• extra-virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup of your favourite BBQ sauce (ours is below in the next recipe)

Heat grill to high. Brush chicken with olive oil and season well with salt and pepper. Cook chicken breasts with BBQ closed for 5-6 minutes or until they easily release from the grates. Flip the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes. Baste the chicken breasts with BBQ sauce, flip and cook for 2 minutes on each side. Cook until the breasts are firm to the touch and cooked all the way through. Serve with extra BBQ sauce for dipping.

No grill chef’s repertoire is complete without a great homemade BBQ sauce recipe. Use this as a basting sauce when grilling hamburgers, chicken or ribs or use as a condiment.

• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• Few drops hot pepper sauce
• 4 teaspoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

In a medium saucepan, cook onion in butter until soft and translucent. Add remaining ingredients and simmer, uncovered, for 20-30 minutes or until sauce reaches desired thickness. Stir occasionally. Store in the refrigerator.