Foods You Should Never Grill
By Sara Butler
One of the true joys of summertime is getting to grill outdoors. Let's face it, many things taste better when they're fresh off the grill, but there are a few foods that are the exception to the rule. Here are a few foods you shouldn't grill and the reasoning behind it.
Bacon
You may think that bacon is perfect for the grill, but it's actually dangerous. It can cause flames to grow out of control if they get splattered in the grill. That's why baking bacon in the oven is the best course of action and blotting away as much of the grease and fat as you can after it comes out.
Shrimp
If you want to cook shrimp still in its shell on the grill, then go for it! The problem with cooking peeled shrimp on the grill is that it's simply too delicate to do so. It can get easily dried out on a grill too, even if you take the time to marinate it beforehand.
Green and Red Lettuce
Some people love to grill vegetables and it's a great way to enjoy a healthy dose of summer vegetables, but certain vegetables simply don't do well. Putting foods with a high water content on the grill, such as lettuce, will only cause it to wilt -- and there's nothing scrumptious about that. Plus, some varieties such as radicchio will come off the grill tasting bitter.
Flaky Fish
Some fish does great on the grill but others not so much. If you're making a flaky fish on the grill, such as salmon, and you want to prevent it from falling apart, then use a plank of wood or fresh slices of citrus fruit to grill it on top of. This can infuse flavor and keep your fish from disintegrating on the grill.
Burgers
This might be a bit controversial since hamburgers are a classic food enjoyed on the grill. The problem is that what makes burgers so juicy is keeping the fat and other juices inside of it. Cooking it over an open flame on the grill allows these juices to drip away and can make for one dry burger.
The best method of cooking a burger is using a cast iron pan, so consider investing in one of those if you want to take your burger game up a notch.
Cooking on the grill is great, once you learn what you should and shouldn't do!
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