Best Meat Dishes for a Hot Summer’s Day
While there is still a chill in the air, the evenings are starting to get brighter. This means it won’t be long until temperatures rise over 20 degrees and the summer is upon us again. If you manage or own a family butcher shop and you want to plan your orders in advance, continue reading as we reveal the best meat dish ideas for a hot summer’s day.
1) Marinated Chicken Kebabs
First on our list is marinated chicken kebabs. These are a great option because you can premake this by marinating the chicken in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and herbs, or make your own signature rub by adding spices like paprika or chilli flakes. You can also opt to add vegetables if you wish, bell peppers, mushrooms and red onion are most commonly used.
To make, chop up your vegetables and chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. Allow the chicken to marinate overnight for the best results. Next, thread each piece of chicken and vegetable with a skewer before packaging. The best thing about marinated chicken kebabs is they can be either grilled, barbecued or placed in the oven, according to your customer’s preferences.
2) Chicken Wings
Staying within the chicken category, the next option is chicken wings. While chicken wings are quite small, they are a perfect option for customers who find they have less of an appetite during a hot summer’s day. Choose chicken wings or drumettes with plenty of meat on them. For crispy results, dry any excess moisture from the chicken with a paper towel and leave them uncovered in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours to dry out the skin. Coat each wing with seasoning and baking powder to achieve an even golden crisp. Chicken wings can also be marinated overnight for extra flavour. Your customers can cook and serve with a dip of their choice, potato wedges, onion rings and salad.
3) Beef Burgers
When it comes to BBQ season, there is nothing more classic than a beef burger. Ground beef is typically used to make beef burgers, however, ground lamb or pork can be used instead. You can also opt for a beef brisket joint to make juicer patties. Your customers can serve them in a lightly toasted brioche bun with their favourite toppings such as mayonnaise, streaky bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickles, red onion and cheese, as well as barbecue, tomato or horseradish sauce. If you are looking for something similar but as a smaller portion size, you can offer mini burgers (beef sliders) for bite-sized appetisers.
4) Barbecue Ribs
When we think of BBQ season, we also think of barbecue ribs. When preparing, choose pork spareribs with a good amount of marbling and an even amount of meat on each bone. Avoid slabs with exposed ribs as the meat on these is more likely to fall off the bone during cooking. Cut the ribs into serving portions and you can pre cook them by baking them in an oven for 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes. Marinate at room temperature for 1 hour or overnight in the fridge before packaging. Your customers can simply cook them in a preheated grill or barbecue for around 30 minutes and serve with barbecue sauce.
5) Minted Lamb Chops
For customers who don’t fancy a BBQ, you can offer minted lamb chops. To make the mint marinate, mix olive oil, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, white vinegar, chopped mint leaves or mint sauce and paprika (optional) in a large bowl. Cover both sides of the lamb loin chops before covering them and allow to marinate before packaging. Your customers can cook them in a non-stick pan or a preheated grill and serve with potatoes, salad, rice or mashed peas.
Order Your Meat This Summer From HP Westwood
As a leading retail meat provider in Staffordshire, HP Westwood has been supplying butcher shops and retailers with a range of wholesale beef, lamb, pork and chicken since 1937. We work with local farmers to bring you 100% traceable, high-quality meat with an authentic butcher taste for customer satisfaction. Whether you are planning on offering marinated chicken kebabs as a summer special or beef burger bundles, we can provide you with all your meat requirements. For more information on why you should choose us as your meat supplier, read our dedicated page.
With our meat products in your counters and on your shelves, your customers will be back for more! If you’re interested in making an order, please speak to a member of our team by calling 0154 327 9463 today.