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BBQ: The Secret to Successful Grilling

Reducing meat consumption means favouring quality over quantity. It also means discovering lesser-known cuts and relying on the advice of the butcher to choose the right pieces and master cooking them. Here's what you need to know to make the most of your BBQ meals.

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Sterling Silver: a reference for the BBQ

Sterling Silver: a reference for the BBQ

When you choose to eat less meat, but of better quality, Sterling Silver is known for its exceptional standards. Its generous marbling gives it a remarkable tenderness and incomparable taste. The meat is aged for at least 21 days to develop a more supple texture and richer flavours. Available in different cuts, it is suitable for grilling as well as pan-frying.

Know-how at your service

Know-how at your service

Beyond the product, the butcher's expertise remains an invaluable asset—butchers can advise on the choice of cuts, the quantities needed and the best cooking methods. They can guide you to less common but very tasty cuts, suggest a suitable piece, suggest a marinade or prepare the meat on the spot.

By eating less meat, every purchase counts more, and good advice at the counter allows you to cook with confidence and achieve results to ensure a delicious meal.

4 Butcher's Tips to Enhance Meat

4 Butcher's Tips to Enhance Meat

1. Temper before cooking

Remove the meat from the refrigerator 20 to 30 minutes before cooking. Tempered meat cooks more evenly for more tender, less dry results.

2. Adopt the right reflexes when cooking

Blot the meat before cooking it to sear it well, avoid pricking it to preserve its juices and turn it over as lit

3. Let it rest after cooking

Once cooked, let the meat rest for a few minutes before cutting it (about half the cooking time). The juices are redistributed, which guarantees juicier, tastier meat.

4. Slice against the grain

Always cut meat perpendicular to the fibre. This simple gesture makes every bite more tender and pleasant to chew.

Dare to choose lesser-known cuts

Dare to choose lesser-known cuts

Moving away from classics such as striploin or ribeye opens the door to lesser-known cuts. Often available on request, these pieces deserve to be highlighted: they are delicious on the grill and offer good value for money.

The bottom sirloin triangle

The bottom sirloin triangle

Very popular in California, the triangle of sirloin bottoms, also known as sirloin tip or tri-tip, seduces with its lean, tender, bone-free and fine-grained flesh. It is cooked whole like a roast or in steaks, preferably rare or medium-rare. Thinly sliced against the grain, it becomes a user-friendly and economical option for entertaining.

The picanha

The picanha

Also known as the sirloin cape or rump cap, the picanha is an iconic cut of Brazil. It is covered with a generous layer of fat that melts when cooked, imbuing the meat with a rich and distinctive taste. Tender and flavourful, it lends itself to cooking whole as well as to skewers. Easy to master, it creates an effortless “wow” effect.

The hanger steak

The hanger steak

Also known as the butcher's cut, hanger steak is sought after for its strong taste and tender texture, despite a visible and slightly fibrous grain. The cut is crossed by a central nerve that the butcher removes before sale, and it benefits from being marinated and then seared quickly over high heat. Served rare or medium-rare and sliced against the grain—it lends itself well to a bistro-style plate, spiced up with a shallot or wine sauce.

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Portuguese-Style Tri-Tip Steak by Geneviève O’Gleman

Portuguese-Style Tri-Tip Steak by Geneviève O’Gleman

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Beef picanha with chimichurri sauce

Beef picanha with chimichurri sauce

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Crying Tiger Beef

Crying Tiger Beef

3 cuts of Quebec pork to put on the grill

3 cuts of Quebec pork to put on the grill

​Less often associated with grilled meats, the loin, shoulder and flank are still great options for the BBQ. Like all fresh cuts of pork available at IGA, these three offerings come from local producers and are certified Quebec pork. They’re ideal for grilling and offer very distinct profiles.

  • The rib loin stands out for its marbling, which allows it to remain tender and juicy, even when seared over high heat.
  • The shoulder steak, firmer and more economical, requires a little preparation, such as a marinade or indirect cooking, to reveal all its richness.
  • The flank steak, fatter, offers an interesting play of textures between melting flesh and a crispy surface.

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Steaks de capicolle de porc grillé au cari rouge et aux arachides

Steaks de capicolle de porc grillé au cari rouge et aux arachides

​Meat and side dishes: a winning duo

​Meat and side dishes: a winning duo

On the barbecue, meat remains at the heart of the plate—without stealing all the attention. But its accompaniments play a key role too! Grilled vegetables, fresh salads and flavourful sauces complete the whole and create a nice balance. The whole makes up a simple meal full of character.

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Grilled potatoes with feta and arugula

Grilled potatoes with feta and arugula

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Greek salad

Greek salad