Is there anything better than grilling a meal on the barbecue and eating outside? It’s like a picnic in your own backyard! But if you don’t grill regularly, it’s hard to know exactly how to cook meats and veggies and when things are ready to chow down on.
But I can help! Whether you are trying to cook the perfect burger or grilling a side dish of veggies, the guide below will help you know what the proper temperature is and approximate cooking time for whatever you are grilling.
Beef
The cooking times are estimated for cooking without the grill cover on.
1-Inch-Thick Hamburgers
Cooking time (for medium): Direct heat, 5 to 6 minutes per side
Internal temperature: 155° to 160° F
½- to 1-Inch-Thick Steaks (such as Flank and Skirt)
Cooking time (for medium-rare): Direct heat, 4 to 6 minutes per side
Internal temperature: 130° to 145° F
1- to 1½-Inch-Thick Steaks (such as Strip and London Broil)
Cooking time (for medium-rare): Direct heat, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Next, indirect heat, covered (meaning close that grill cover!) for 4 to 10 minutes
Internal temperature: 130° to 145° F
Pork
The cooking times are estimated for cooking without the grill cover on.
Tenderloin
Cooking time: Direct heat, turning occasionally, 6 to 8 minutes; then indirect heat, covered, 10 to 12 minutes
Internal temperature: 145° F
¾- to 1-Inch-Thick Chops
Cooking time: Direct heat, 4 to 6 minutes per side
Internal temperature: 145° F
Baby-Back Ribs
Cooking time: Direct heat, covered, 4 to 5 minutes per side; then indirect heat, covered, 15 to 20 minutes
Internal temperature: 145° F
Poultry
The cooking times are estimated for cooking without the grill cover on.
Boneless Chicken Breasts
Cooking time: Direct heat, 5 to 6 minutes per side
Internal temperature: 160° to 165° F
Bone-in Chicken Breasts, Thighs, and Drumsticks
Cooking time: Indirect heat, covered, turning occasionally, 40 to 50 minutes
Internal temperature: 160° to 165° F
Chicken and Turkey Cutlets
Cooking time: Direct heat, 2 to 3 minutes per side
Internal temperature: 160° to 165° F
Chicken Wings
Cooking time: Indirect heat, covered, turning occasionally, 25 to 30 minutes
Internal temperature: 165° F
Seafood
The cooking times that follow refer to cooking without the grill cover, unless otherwise indicated.
Shrimp and Scallops
Cooking time: Direct heat, 1 to 2 minutes per side
¾- to 1-Inch-Thick Pieces Fish Fillet or Steaks (such as Salmon, Striped Bass, and Mahimahi)
Cooking time: Direct heat, 3 to 5 minutes per side
Veggies
The cooking times that follow refer to cooking without the grill cover, unless otherwise indicated.
Bell Peppers, Eggplant, Summer Squash, and Zucchini (½-Inch-Thick Slices)
Cooking time: Direct heat, 4 to 5 minutes per side
Mushrooms (Whole Button and Portobello Caps)
Cooking time: Direct heat, 4 to 5 minutes per side
Onions (½-Inch-Thick Pieces)
Cooking time: Direct heat, 5 to 6 minutes per side
What are some of your favorite things to grill?
