When it comes to cooking techniques, grilling brings a unique flavor and fun to your dishes. While the oven or stovetop can always be options, there’s something about getting those defined grill marks and smoky flavor that elevates the dish and celebrates warmer weather.
Incorporate Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar in Grilling
An easy way to elevate your grilling techniques is by incorporating olive oil and balsamic vinegars. Marinating meats, veggies, and more in olive oil and balsamic vinegar before grilling can amplify those favorite flavors and help you become a grill master.
Why Use Olive Oil and Vinegar in Grilling?
With flavor already coming from the cooking technique of grilling, you may wonder what else can elevate the taste. Marinating chicken, steak, vegetables, and more in olive oil and vinegar before putting on a hot grill can greatly enhance the tenderness and flavor of your dish. Incorporating olive oil and balsamic vinegar in your grilling techniques brings several benefits.
Olive Oil Boosts Flavor
Olive oil for grilling can bring a layer of richness to food, whether adding in another flavor component or enhancing the flavor of the meat or vegetable. With a flavor-infused olive oil, you can introduce a bright new flavor that compliments the dish. Or, opt for a non-flavored SELECT olive oil from Fustini’s that brings a subtle flavor that enhances the natural flavors of the meat or vegetable you’re grilling.
Balsamic Vinegar Adds Sweetness
In a marinade, balsamic vinegar adds in a nice pop of sweetness and tang due to the natural sugars that caramelize while cooking. This sweetness balances well with the richness of grilled meats and vegetables. The acidity of balsamic vinegar also helps to tenderize the meat before you even cook it.
Olive Oil Supports Grilling Techniques
Whether brushed on before grilling or incorporated into a marinade, olive oil serves as a natural non-stick agent that helps you get those perfect grill marks. Some olive oils may also have a high smoke point, meaning it can withstand high grilling temperatures without burning. Olive oil also helps to keep meats and vegetables moistened and juicy, protecting it from drying out.
Health Benefits of Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar
Another great reason to incorporate olive oil and balsamic vinegar in your grilling season is the abundance of health benefits that they bring to a dish. Olive oil is a great source of heart-healthy fats. Both balsamic vinegar and olive oil also are rich in antioxidants that can support your health. Learn more about the health benefits of olive oil and health benefits of balsamic vinegar in our blog articles.
Best Ways to Incorporate Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar for the Grill
With the many benefits that olive oil and balsamic vinegar bring to the cooking technique of grilling, you’ll want to incorporate them each time you fire up the grill. And thankfully, it’s easy to bring these flavor-enhancing ingredients into your cooking process.
Marinate in Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar
Perhaps the easiest, go-to method for incorporating the bright flavors of olive oil and balsamic vinegar is to make a marinade. An olive oil and balsamic vinegar marinade can amplify flavors simply and easily.
A balsamic vinegar and olive oil marinade flavor base can begin with a ratio of 1:1 of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and then adjust amounts and customize from there. You can also add in herbs and spices into your marinade, too (we especially love Fustini’s Grilling Rub Spice Blend!)
Once you’ve got your marinade ready, let your meat or vegetables for at least 30 minutes before grilling to tenderize and infuse the flavor of your ingredients.
Use a Glaze of Balsamic Vinegar
In addition to a marinade, both olive oil and balsamic vinegar can be great to add later in the grilling process. Turn balsamic into a glaze by simmering it in a saucepan until it becomes thick and syrupy. Then, brush that glaze onto grilled meats and vegetables during the last couple of minutes of cooking.
Stay Tender with Olive Oil
After grilling your meat and vegetables, drizzle on a flavored or non-flavored olive oil as a finishing touch. This simple and quick add will help keep your grilled masterpiece moist and juicy. Some of the best oils for grilling vegetables include Chipotle olive oil, Gremolata olive oil, Herbs de Provence olive oil, and many others.
Olive Oil and Vinegar for Grilled Meats
While vegetables, fruit, and other ingredients can certainly be elevated by grilling, most often meats and fish are what we’re throwing on the grill. While there are many flavors of olive oil and balsamic vinegar that are great for grilling, here are a few flavors that especially pair well with the grill.
Grilling Chicken with Olive Oil & Vinegar
Some of the best olive oils for grilling chicken include a spicy Chipotle olive oil, savory Tuscan Herb olive oil, and Rosemary olive oil. Combine with a balsamic pairing to elevate the flavors even more. Check out these recipes for some chicken marinade inspiration for grilling:
- Bruschetta Grilled Chicken - using a marinade of Basil Crush olive oil and Tuscan Spice blend
- California Grilled Chicken - marinated in a blend of 18 Year Traditional balsamic vinegar, Garlic olive oil, and Tuscan Spice blend
- Grilled Tandoori Chicken - using a marinade of herbs plus Cilantro & Onion olive oil and Peperoncino Garlic olive oil
Grilling Steak with Olive Oil & Vinegar
Best olive oils for grilling steak are often non-flavored SELECT olive oils paired with a dark and rich balsamic vinegar. Here are some steak marinade recipe inspiration ideas:
- Marinated Flank Steak - made with Vinoso wine vinegar
- Grilled Steak with Summer Relish - marinated in Garlic olive oil
- Grilled Balsamic Steak Skewers - marinated with Garlic olive oil and 18 Year Traditional balsamic vinegar
Grilling Seafood with Olive Oil & Vinegar
Often pairing well with tropical-inspired flavors, fish and other seafood can do well with marinades using flavors like Persian Lime olive oil and Sicilian Lemon balsamic vinegar. Check out these recipes for some fish and seafood grilling inspiration.
- Grilled Fish with Fresh Fruit Salsa
- Grilled Cajun Shrimp Kebabs - turns up the heat with Chipotle olive oil
- Cilantro Lime Grilled Salmon - marinated in Persian Lime olive oil and Jalapeño Lime balsamic vinegar
Explore more recipe inspiration by visiting our Meats & Poultry recipe pages or our Sauces and Flavoring Ideas page.
Grill Meats with Fustini’s Oils & Vinegars
Grilling with olive oil and vinegar can be an easy way to introduce new and exciting flavors into your regularly grilled meats and vegetables. Fustini’s wide range of olive oil and balsamic vinegar flavors can help you elevate your grilling game with great flavor. Find more recipes and shop gourmet products at fustinis.com!