The Outdoor Lifestyle Blog

This is a tricky topic. There are many different types of meat and cuts and so many different spice blends to test out. We're going to limit this article to the basic meat groups: poultry, fish, beef, pork, and lamb

These are going to be our favorite blends for these different meats, but be sure to take this advice with a grain of salt (literally).

There is much more out there than simply salting and peppering your meat. Experiment with new flavors, and use spices you might not have ever heard of. Here are our favorite blends for seasoning meat. 

Easter is coming up and, if you’re in charge of providing the main meal, things can get stressful really quickly.

So, what's the best way to avoid stress and create a culinary masterpiece? Having a plan. A delicious, juicy ham has traditionally been the main dish of choice for most families that celebrate Easter. Today we’re going to put a spin on the traditional baked ham and give you some recipes that you can use in your outdoor kitchen smoker. Keep on reading to get some of the best recipes on the internet for smoked ham!

Edible bouquets are a lovely way to show your love on Valentine's Day. After all, who wouldn't want a bouquet that tastes even better than it looks?

Like any bouquet, edible bouquets come with a price tag. Vendors put a lot of work into edible arrangements, and they charge a pretty penny for their time and creativity. If you're looking for a frugal way to pull off an edible arrangement this Valentine's Day, the best solution is to do it yourself.

We've found four edible bouquets that even the most novice creator can assemble. So, if you have a Valentine who craves fruit or candy, bacon or pickles, we have the perfect bouquet for you!

The holiday season means Christmas parties in abundance. Charcuterie boards are a favorite for hosts and guests alike at just about any social event throughout the year, but at Christmastime, the expectation for food is so much higher. 

Don't let that intimidate you, though. It's possible to knock the holiday charcuterie board out of the park. We have everything you need to know right here.

Your outdoor kitchen is your cooking haven, but nothing can change that faster than a run-in with food poisoning. One evening you're having a relaxing dinner on the patio with your family, and the next morning you're suffering the effects of food poisoning. Or imagine how horrified you would be if you hosted a dinner party and served a meal that caused food poisoning.

No one ever plans for food poisoning, but neither do people consistently take the proper precautions to avoid it. Every ounce of effort you put into keeping your food sanitary is worth it. This blog will help!

If you're like the majority of the American population, you're probably grilling burgers for the 4th of July. You'll also toss some hot dogs on the smoker just incase you run out of burgers or to give the kids another option, but burgers are usually the main event.

What if you did something different this year? What if you made hot dogs the highlight of your 4th of July cookout? Grilling them is easy; it's the toppings that make them truly spectacular! Since we're celebrating America's Birthday in just a few days, let's look at some truly American dogs that are inspired by different parts of the country.

Just because you're celebrating St. Patricks Day doesn't mean corned beef and boiled potatoes have to be your meal of choice.

There are a variety of Irish-inspired dishes you can make in your outdoor kitchen that transcend the norm and still have plenty of St. Patty's Day flair. We hope you'll try one (or all) of these winning recipes that can be deliciously prepared in your outdoor kitchen's smoker.

Cooking is one thing. Cooking outside is another.

Not that it's difficult to cook outside; it's just that the outdoors provides a unique environment with unique challenges and options for cooks at all levels. If you do not take these challenges and opportunities into account, then you're missing out on the chance to make your food that much better. 

Here are our best cooking tips for creating an above-average outdoor dining experience for your hungry friends and family.

It's Valentine's Day. Yay! An excuse to eat chocolate and buy flowers and eat out at your favorite fancy restaurant!

Unless you forgot to make reservations at your favorite fancy restaurant... In that case, you're in desperate need of a Plan B. 

All is not lost because you forgot to reserve your favorite table at your favorite dining spot on February 14th. In fact, we'd venture to say that you'll be better off savoring a romantic dinner at home with your sweetheart in your very own backyard.

We know you weren't planning to whip up a romantic dinner in your outdoor kitchen this evening, which is exactly why we found three easy dinner recipes that will still taste like you've been planning for weeks! 

It's February, and regardless of how you feel about Valentines Day, if you're a chocolate lover, this just might be your month. Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and white chocolate is everywhere, taking on the shape of hearts, making its way into packages shaped like hearts, and coating sweet strawberries resembling hearts. It's all about love — love for that special someone expressed through a common love for chocolate.

But why wait for someone to gift you with a decadent chocolate heart on February 14th? Why not create your own chocolate heaven in your own outdoor kitchen? Try these delicious treats: