We cover the grill cooking time for your next bbq or cookout
Summer is coming to an end but it’s never too late to light up the grill, so here are some tips to keep track of your grill cooking time whenever you’re firing it up. From poultry to veggies, this guide should help with all the recommended ranges of internal temperatures for your favorite proteins.
Keep in mind, when measuring your grill cooking time for meats and veggies, remember to remove the food from the grill once it reaches the target temperature. We’ve listed temperatures in a range format, so temps at the higher end corresponds to the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommendations for maximum food safety. The lower temps are what most food experts consider to be safe.
Now let’s start off with the grill cooking time for meats. The numbers listed for chicken and pork are pretty strict, whereas beef can be cooked anywhere from rare to well-done.
Chicken
Boneless Chicken Breasts
Time: 5 to 6 mins each side with direct heat
Internal Temp: 160 to 165 degrees
Bone-in Chicken Breasts, Thighs, and Drumsticks
Time: 40 to 50 mins with indirect heat, covered; turn every 5 mins
Internal Temp: 160 to 165 degrees
Chicken Wings
Time: 25 to 30 mins with indirect heat, covered; turn every 5 mins
Internal Temp: 165 degrees
Beef
Steaks
Time: 4 to 6 mins per side with direct heat, depending on doneness
Internal Temp: 130 to 145 degrees
Hamburgers
Time: Direct heat, 5 to 6 mins per side (medium)
Internal Temp: 155 to 160 degrees
Pork
Tenderloin
Time: 30 to 35 mins with indirect heat; turn at 15-17 min mark
Internal Temp: 145 degrees
Pork Chops
Time: 4 to 6 mins per side with direct heat
Internal Temp: 145 degrees
Baby-Back Ribs
Time: 25 to 30 mins with direct heat; turn once every 5 mins
Internal Temp: 145 degrees
Seafood
Shrimp and Scallops
Time: 1 to 2 mins per side with direct heat
Fish Fillet or Steaks
Time: 3 to 5 mins each side with direct heat
That’s it for the grill cooking time for meats. Now onto the veggies. We’ve picked a few that can withstand the heat of the grill flames. Since these vegetables can be consumed raw, you don’t have to follow our numbers to a tee. Feel free to grill to your tastes!
Vegetables
Bell Peppers, Eggplant, Zucchini
Time: 4 to 5 mins each side with direct heat
Mushrooms
Time: 4 to 5 mins each side with direct heat
Onions
Time: 5 to 6 mins each side with direct heat