The Outdoor Lifestyle Blog

Everyone wants to appear impressive to their friends. Having a backyard barbecue and grilling out is one way to do that -- as long as you know what you're doing, that is.

If you don't know your way around a gas or charcoal grill, the last thing you'll be doing is impressing your guests. That's why we've collected 7 telltale signs of a grill master.

Even if you don't do everything right when you're grilling out, at least focus on these seven things, and everyone will consider you a grilling pro!

Whether you're wanting to give guests something to snack on before the main course, or you're looking for some interesting appetizers that can stand out on their own during your at-home happy hour, these grill- and pizza oven-friendly hors d'oeuvres are perfect for any occasion.

So, preheat your grill or stoke those flames, because we guarantee you'll be hungry and ready to give a few of these sweet, savory, and totally unique recipes a try by the time you finish this article

It may seem counterintuitive, but did you know eating spicy foods in the Summer can actually keep you cool? It's true! Just like hot weather, hot foods make you sweat which—as we're sure you know—is your body's natural cooling system!

So if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen because this article is packed with spicy patties, bold sauces, and all kinds of delicious ideas for classic beef burgers, salmon burgers, turkey burgers, chicken burgers, and vegan burgers that'll make your mouth water!

If you’re looking to eat healthier this summer but still want to make use of your outdoor pizza oven, fear not—you can still enjoy hot, satisfying pizzas with a whole lot less fat, salt, carbs, and calories.

The good news is healthy doesn’t mean bland. In fact, some of the most flavorful pizzas you’ll ever create can be good for you, thanks to lean and healthy ingredients that also offer bold flavor profiles.

Here are a few ways to lighten up your backyard oven pizzas without sacrificing taste:

It’s no secret that Americans love their hamburgers—especially if it’s grilled to perfection outdoors. If you’re planning a big Memorial Day celebration, or just want to wow the crowd at your next cookout, try varying up your burger recipe with some of these ideas.

First things first: use high-quality beef (grass-fed often tastes better) and follow these steps to making and grilling the perfect burger.

Burger patty add-ins

A few extras added into quality ground beef can go a long way in enhancing the burger’s flavor. Here are a few things you can add in when forming your patties.

If you have a custom outdoor kitchen in your backyard, we know you’ll want to make the most of it all season long. If you’re planning something for mom this Mother’s Day, or just want to kick back on a lazy weekend morning, why not host a springtime brunch in your outdoor living area?

You can enjoy the slightly cooler weather and cook before the heat of the day sets in, plus experiment with new culinary options.

Here are a few ideas for hosting brunch in your outdoor kitchen:

In previous posts, we’ve covered s’mores and other treats you can make over an open fire. Your outdoor fire place or fire pit isn’t the only part of your outdoor kitchen capable of making delicious treats!

Here’s a beginner’s guide to preparing desserts in your outdoor kitchen:

Desserts on the grill

Let’s start with the simplest option: grilling whole or sliced fruit, which can bring out a number of complex caramel flavors. Serve grilled fruit warm with a side of vanilla ice cream for an irresistible treat. Here are some easy recipes to get started on:

Here at Unlimited Outdoor Kitchen, we’re big fans of the perfectly grilled beef hamburger. But if you or one of your cookout guests is trying to avoid red meat, don’t despair—there are plenty of other tasty burger options for you to grill up!

We’re going to skip the obvious swaps like store-bought turkey or veggie burgers (which can be plenty delicious on their own), and offer some more creative, homemade options.  

Even if you’re still solidly on Team Beef, you’ll want give these alternative burgers a try, just to spice things up a bit!

Here on the Unlimited Outdoor Kitchen blog, we’ve already covered how to find the perfect cut of steak and then grilling it to its perfect temperature and doneness.

What about creating the perfect marinade?

No doubt about it, steak tastes fantastic on its own. Still, if you’re looking to experiment with new flavors and don’t want to rely on bottled steak sauce, you can customize your own marinade with the flavors you love.

If you plan to entertain around the warmth of your fire pit this winter, why not let it do double duty and provide food as well?

If you’re tired of the same old hot-dog-and-s’mores routine, try one of these other tasty treats that you can roast over an open flame:

Campfire meals

If you have a wood fire pit, take this page from the camping handbook and make a tin foil meal.

Toss veggies, cubed potatoes, and a protein with spices/herbs, olive oil or butter, wrap it all up in foil (carefully folding and sealing the “seam” at the top), and let it roast in the hot coals of the fire. You’ll end up with a steamy hot meal that’s perfect for a chilly night.