Get The Most From Your BBQ Kebab Box

There is nothing quite like a proper BBQ spread to bring people together, and with Cleaver's BBQ Kebab Box, you have everything you need to put on a truly memorable feast.

With five incredible kebab and kofta flavours, fresh burgers and sausages all freshly prepared by our expert butchers, the hard work has already been done for you. All that’s left is to fire up the grill and follow these simple steps to get the very best from every piece.

Before You Begin

Take Your Meat Out Of The Fridge In Advance

For the best results, remove your meat from the fridge before cooking. Bringing it closer to room temperature before it hits the grill helps it cook more evenly and ensures a better finish throughout.

Get Your BBQ To The Right Temperature

Patience is key when it comes to BBQ cooking. Make sure your coals are glowing before you begin cooking, or if you are using a gas BBQ, allow it to preheat fully.

A grill that is too cool will cause your meat to stew rather than char, and a grill that is too hot risks burning the outside before the inside is cooked through. Aim for a consistent, medium to high heat.

Oil Your Grill

Before placing any meat on the grill, lightly oil the bars using a folded piece of kitchen paper dipped in a little vegetable oil. This helps prevent sticking and makes turning your kebabs, koftas and burgers much easier.

Cooking Your Kebabs & Koftas

Your box contains five varieties of freshly prepared kebab and kofta, each with its own bold and distinctive flavour profile. The cooking approach is the same for all of them.

On The BBQ

Place your kebabs and koftas directly onto the grill over a medium to high heat. Turn them regularly throughout cooking, every couple of minutes, to ensure an even char on all sides and to prevent burning.

Avoid pressing down on the meat during cooking as this pushes out the natural juices and can dry out the finished result.

As a general guide, kebabs and koftas will take around 15 to 20 minutes over a medium to high heat, though cooking times will vary depending on the size of the pieces and the temperature of your grill. Always ensure the meat is cooked through with no pink remaining before serving.

Finishing In The Oven

If you are cooking for a large crowd and need to manage grill space, kebabs and koftas can be finished in the oven. Sear them on the BBQ first to get that essential charred flavour, then transfer to a baking tray and finish in a preheated oven at 180°C (fan) until cooked through.

Cooking Your Burgers

Fresh Beef Burgers

Place your 4oz fresh beef burgers directly onto the grill over a medium to high heat. Cook for around 4 to 5 minutes on each side, turning once only for the best results.

Avoid pressing down on the burger with a spatula during cooking. Your beef burgers are ready when they are cooked through with no pink remaining.

Fresh Minted Lamb Burgers

Your fresh minted lamb burgers cook in the same way as the beef burgers. Place directly onto a medium to high grill and cook for around 4 to 5 minutes on each side, turning once.

The mint within the burger adds a wonderful freshness that pairs beautifully with a toasted brioche bun and a dollop of mint sauce.

Cooking Your Sausages

Place your sausages onto the grill over a medium heat rather than a high heat. Sausages benefit from a slower, gentler cook to ensure they are cooked all the way through without burning on the outside.

Turn them regularly throughout cooking and allow around 15 to 20 minutes in total. They are ready when they are golden brown all over and cooked through completely.

A Few Final Tips

Never leave your BBQ unattended during cooking. Always use a meat thermometer if you are unsure whether your meat is cooked through.

Allow your meat to rest for a few minutes after cooking before serving, as this allows the juices to redistribute and improves the overall flavour and texture.

Most importantly, enjoy every moment of it.