Keep the Grill Fired Up this Fall!

Keep the grill fired up during football season. Whether you’re filling up the stadium parking lot with the aromas of grilled burgers and steaks or tempting guests with smoked beef brisket at home, beef is the perfect way to celebrate your team to victory!

Tailgating Tips:

1. Grill like a master:
   1. Grill burgers and steaks over medium heat.
      1. Check for medium heat by cautiously holding the palm of your hand above the grate at cooking height.  Count the number of seconds you can hold your hand in that position before the heat forces you to pull it away; it’s approximately four seconds for medium heat.
   2. Use a long-handled spatula to turn burgers and tongs to turn steaks.
      1. Don’t press, flatten or pierce the meat as flavorful juices will be lost.
   3. Remove beef from grill when temperature reaches 10° below desired doneness.
      1. Beef continues to cook when removed from grill; allow beef to “rest” by tenting loosely with foil for 10 minutes.
      2. Visit http://iabeef.org/grilling.aspx for more grilling tips including a timetable.
2. Keep food out of danger zone – 40° – 140°.
   1. Never leave food out of refrigeration for more than 2 hours. If the temperature is above 90 °F, food should not be left out more than 1 hour.
      1. Keep hot food hot — at or above 140 °F.  Place cooked food in chafing dishes, preheated steam tables, warming trays, and/or slow cookers.
      2. Keep cold food cold — at or below 40 °F.  Place food in containers on ice.
3. Plan your menu early.  Do prep work a day or two before the game.
   1. Chili, stew, meatballs, taco meat or brisket can be prepared the day before the game giving you more time to enjoy the tailgating festivities!

If you don’t want to haul the grill, make these quick and easy Beef Rollups the night before.  They work great as an appetizer before or after the game or as a no-mess lunch.  For added flavor, stir in ranch dressing, blue cheese or horseradish to the cream cheese.