Most of the time when we want to cook something like beef brisket or a pork roast, we use a pellet smoker to get the flavor and texture we are after. We also realize that not everyone has a pellet smoker, so we want to talk about the best ways to cook low and slow on a charcoal grill. The common way to use a charcoal grill is to light some lump charcoal or briquettes, toss on some burgers or chicken, flip a couple of times, and pull it off. Thats the fast and hot method. What we are going to discuss today is cooking low and slow on a charcoal or gas grill.
Barbecuing uses indirect heat and low temperatures that take longer to cook your meats—usually hours. If you want to be the master of your gas grill, there are a few things to try. Larger fattier cuts of meat like beef briskets, pork shoulders or butts, and ribs are great for the low-and-slow method.
The Benefits of Low and Slow Cooking
The biggest benefit that youll get from low and slow cooking is that youll add tons of smoky flavor that makes even the blandest beef taste amazing. The smoke will penetrate the surface of the meat, giving you a rosy pink smoke ring and a crisp bark, while trapping the moisture and flavor of the meat inside.
When you cook low and slow, the combination of temperature and time work to break down tough connective tissue and render fat that turns into flavor. Low and slow cooking is the reason why even an average BBQ joint can make a brisket that is tender and tasty.
Low and Slow Cooking
Low and slow means what it sounds like. Youll be shooting for a grill temperature of between 200 and 250 degrees. You also want to be able to place the meat on the grill without coals underneath. For smaller charcoal grills, this means youll have only a limited amount of space to cook with. Dont despair, weve got a solution that will turn even a portable charcoal kettle grill into a low and slow BBQ tool.
Slow Cooker Beef Brisket with BBQ Sauce
FAQ
Can you slow cook on gas grill?
Can you slow roast on a grill?
How do I make my grill cook slower?
Can you cook low and slow on a gas grill?
Yes, you can most definitely cook low and slow on a gas grill. The key is to utilize an indirect heat set up to maintain a low and steady temperature for your food to cook. Most gas grills will burn too hot for low and slow cooking with all of their burners on, even on the low setting.
Can a slow cooker cook grilled meat?
Yes, a slow cooker. Usually the provenance of stews and meaty dishes meant to be pull-apart tender, it can also be the key to perfect grilled meat. The slow cooker’s low-and-slow style of heating food gently will bring any large cuts of meat to a suitable cooking temperature.
Can you cook meat in a slow cooker?
Large cuts of meat often cook unevenly on the grill, but prepping the meat in a slow cooker can help you achieve the perfect sear.
How do you cook meat on a gas grill?
Place the meat in the baking pan on the other side of the grill – away from the flames. Set the grill on low and make sure that you have enough propane to cook for many hours. If you only have a two burner grill, place the pan in the back and light the front burner to cause the indirect heat.