How to Grind Meat With a KitchenAid Stand Mixer

Using cedar planks for grilling adds a layer of flavor that’s hard to replicate with other methods. It’s subtle but distinct, infusing whatever you’re cooking — especially fish, chicken, or vegetables — with a smoky, woodsy aroma. I started using cedar planks a few years ago when I wanted to change up how I grilled salmon, and I’ve been hooked ever since. 

It’s a straightforward technique that doesn’t require much beyond the planks themselves, a bit of prep, and a standard grill. If you’ve never tried it before or just want a refresher on doing it right, this guide will walk through everything you need to know regarding how to use cedar planks for grilling.

Every backyard grill master has their version of steak perfection. For me, that perfect middle ground came into focus the day a guest asked, “Can you make mine medium?” The slight panic was real. I had always shot for medium-rare or well-done — I didn't even know there was an in-between.

But learning how to cook steak medium turned out to be less about guesswork and more about a few reliable cues and a good meat thermometer. Cooking steak to a juicy medium pink center, warm throughout, and just the right touch of resistance, means paying attention to detail from start to finish.

Chef Ashley Lonsdale, ButcherBox chef-in-residence, says just the grill press is the kitchen tool every grill needs this season -- with so many more uses for this nifty tool than you'd think possible. Lonsdale just developed two new savory recipes using the grill press: Smashed pork tacos with cilantro mayonnaise and smashed burgers with shallot jam. Below, Chef Lonsdale shares how to use a grill press to make these recipes in time for your BBQ, as well as other ways to elevate your cooking game with a grill press.

Smashed pork tacos with cilantro mayonnaise