While summer is the perfect time for outdoor grilling, the season is sadly drawing to a close. Depending on where you live, you may get a few extra months to spend time cooking outdoors, but even still, learning how to grill indoors is beneficial no matter who you are. There will always be nights when you don’t want to deal with cooking outside, or you may get a craving for delicious grilled food in the middle of a winter storm.
Luckily, you can have indoor grilled food that’s almost as good as burgers cooked on a pellet grill. You don’t even need fancy new appliances or expensive cooking tools. Instead, you just need to follow the simple tips in this guide.
By incorporating tips for grilling food indoors, you can enjoy delicious meals throughout the year, whether you have an outdoor BBQ grill or not.
How To Grill Food Indoors in Five Methods
Tip 1: Choose The Right Indoor Grilling Method
While indoor grilling isn’t exactly the same as outdoor grilling, choosing the right method will help you cook the meat or vegetables as you desire.
Of course, when grilling indoors, you’ll likely use your indoor stove. Therefore, it’s about what you put on the stove. Many people prefer a cast iron pan to replicate more of that outdoor taste.
Still, if you don’t have one and don’t want to spend money, you can still use a grilling method with a skillet or pan.
Tip 2: Watch The Process Closely
Watching what you’re grilling closely is vital no matter what, but it’s crucial when cooking inside. The smoke can’t escape as it can outside, so you need to watch the cookware closely to ensure you don’t burn anything.
If using an open grilling element, ensure that you have a fire extinguisher on hand. While indoor grilling is unlikely to start a fire, you still want to be extra cautious.
Tip 3: Reduce Smoke & Smell
When cooking inside, especially if using oil and fat, smoke and strong scents are inevitable. You can’t completely prevent this, but you can limit the issue.
Make sure you have your stove top fan on high. You can also open windows to let out extra smoke and steam. However, the aroma is part of the indoor grilling experience, so embrace the process for what it is and inhale the smell of a delicious meal.
Tip 4: Try Dry Rubs For Seasoning
Another excellent way to reduce steam, smoke, and scent is to season meat with a dry rub instead of a marinade. The liquid from the marinade can increase the likelihood of a lot of steam.
Instead, a dry rub can infuse deep, delicious flavors without as much hassle.
Tip 5: Accept The Differences
While these tips can help you successfully grill nearly anything indoors, there will still be some differences compared to outdoor grilling. While some people prefer less of a strong, smokey flavor, others love the taste and smell that an outdoor grill brings.
So, when you cook inside, realize that the task will be different. It’s nearly impossible to replicate the taste of cooking on an outdoor BBQ. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t still make delicious meals. They just won’t taste exactly the same.
Remember To Try New Things With Indoor Grilling
With trial and error, you’ll learn the best way to cook indoors that suits your taste. You can also experiment with different flavors, seasonings, and food styles. Don’t just stick with meat either, as vegetables are also a good option!
