National BBQ Week: online butcher Edenmoor shares tips for cooking over fire

National BBQ Week: Edenmoor’s Tips: As BBQ season arrives, Edenmoor, the multi-award-winning online farm shop (formerly Pipers Farm), has launched its BBQ range for outdoor cooking. 

From crowd-pleasing essentials to showstopping centrepieces and lesser-known cuts, this year’s BBQ range collection is all sourced from its network of British farmers, fishers and food makers and reflects a commitment to quality, provenance and flavour.

BBQ BOXES FOR EASY HOSTING

Take the guesswork out of BBQ planning with a selection of curated boxes that bring together the best cuts for different cooking styles and group sizes.

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT?

For those looking to move beyond the expected, Edenmoor offers a selection of options that are often overlooked yet particularly well-suited to BBQ cooking.  These cuts offer depth of flavour and respond well to fire-led cooking, rewarding slower techniques, careful seasoning and a more considered approach to grilling.

EXPERT BBQ TIPS FROM SAM MARTIN, HEAD BUTCHER AT EDENMOOR

How long to cook burgers on a BBQ

For a standard burger, place the burgers onto the BBQ and cook on each side for around 3-4 minutes, away from direct flame.  Leave to rest for 5-10 minutes, then serve.  The key is a good hot grill so you get proper caramelisation on the outside while keeping the inside juicy. Avoid pressing them down as they cook, as that pushes out the natural juices and dries the meat.

How do you know when chicken is cooked on the BBQ

Chicken needs to be cooked all the way through, so the juices should run clear and there should be no pink in the meat, particularly near the bone. A temperature probe is the most reliable way to check that you are aiming for around 75°C.

How long do chicken wings take on the BBQ

Chicken wings are delicious sizzled on the barbecue. Place over hot coals and cook for 20-30 minutes, turning regularly to stop the skin from burning. It is best to cook them over indirect heat for most of the time, then finish them over higher heat to crisp the skin. This will ensure you get properly cooked meat and a good texture on the outside.

How to cook brisket on a BBQ

Brisket responds best to long, slow cooking – this allows the open grain of the meat to relax and become perfectly tender and allows the seam of fat to melt away. On the BBQ, aim for a steady, indirect heat over several hours so the fat can render properly and the meat becomes tender. 

Direct vs indirect heat on a BBQ

Direct heat means cooking straight over the flame, which is ideal for burgers, steaks and anything that cooks quickly. Indirect heat is where the food sits away from the flame, more like an oven, and that is what you want for larger or tougher cuts like chicken legs, brisket or pork belly. Using both gives you much more control and better results.

How to cook steak on the BBQ

Start with good-quality meat that has some natural marbling, as that fat is what keeps it juicy. Before cooking, remove the packaging and allow the joint to dry out and reach room temperature. Sear the steak and allow the fat to render until crisp.  If you are using a meat thermometer, cook until the thickest part of the joint reaches 45C. Most importantly, leave it to rest uncovered for at least 15 minutes before serving.

How to stop meat drying out on the BBQ

Dry meat is usually the result of cooking too hot or for too long. Managing your heat is key, use indirect heat where needed and do not rush the process. 

What are the best cuts of meat for a BBQ

The best cuts depend on how you want to cook. Classics such as burgers, sausages and chicken wings are always great for feeding a crowd. For something more special, steaks like ribeye or sirloin are ideal for quick cooking over high heat. If you have more time, cuts like brisket, short ribs or pork belly really come into their own on the barbecue. Less obvious options like picanha or flat iron steaks offer excellent flavour and are great cooked over fire.

Edenmoor brings the finest sustainable food in the UK straight to people’s doors, reconnecting them with food they can trust. Its network of British farms rear the same 100% free-range, grass-fed beef, native-breed pork, slow-reared poultry and lamb that Pipers Farm was known for, using pasture-led systems that support regenerative agriculture through soil health and biodiversity.

Every cut of meat is prepared with meticulous care, including in-house butchery designed to use the whole animal and provide the best taste. Seafood is sustainably sourced and overseen by the experts at Rockfish in Brixham Harbour, while Edenmoor’s growing range of dairy, bakery and pantry staples reflects the same commitment to small, ethical producers.

All products are available from www.edenmoor.com, following its transition from pipersfarm.com earlier this year.

Edenmoor offers the same ranges that Pipers Farm customers know and trust, the same producers and partners, and the same commitment to properly raised, sustainable food, delivered with care. The brilliant customer team will continue to offer its personal service, honest communication, and pack everything with care.