Grill Smart – Live Longer

If you love to grill, here’s one more reason to fire it up! Marinating your meat might actually save your life.

A new study found that soaking your steaks, burgers, or chicken in a good marinade doesn’t just make them taste better…it can also make them healthier. Researchers say that when you cook meat over high heat, those tasty grill marks come with a downside: tiny compounds can form that are linked to cancer. But marinating first can cut those harmful chemicals by more than 90 percent.

The trick? Let your meat soak for at least 40 minutes, and use real ingredients, herbs, spices, and something acidic like vinegar, lemon juice, or even a splash of wine. Chef Kyle Warren says, “You’re not just adding flavor, you’re putting a little armor on your meat.”

Herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano, and garlic were especially effective in the study. Even a bottled Italian dressing can do the trick if it’s got herbs and vinegar in it.

So before you toss that next round of burgers or ribs on the grill, give them a nice long soak. It might just make the difference between a great dinner and a healthier one.

Happy grilling…and marinating!

Doug O’Brien