Our Cookout Guide includes tips and best practices from local chefs and experts as well as suggestions for where to buy ingredients so readers can grill their favorite meats, vegetables and other foods. For those without grills, a variety of restaurants in western Travis County serve barbecue, grilled items and other options.

1. Grilling preparation

The grill should be hot and well-oiled, said Robert Randolph, assistant general manager at Stuffed Cajun Meat Market. “It gives you those good grill marks on your meat,” he said. “[Oil] prevents sticking and makes it a lot easier to cook and clean up.”

2. Choosing your fuel

Charcoal, wood and natural briquettes (available at stores such as H-E-B and Whole Foods Market) can be used for grill cooking—each one has different effects on flavor, Randolph said.

3. Selecting ingredients

Vance Ely, Central Market Cooking School chef, said grillers can pick out their favorite produce items, such as baby portobello mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and bell peppers, and combine them with meats or fish to make their own kebabs to grill.

Vegetables used in grilling should be firm. Zucchini, squash, thick-sliced onions and portobello mushroom caps work well on the grill, Randolph said.

“You don’t need to get all crazy with them,” he said, noting a little salt and pepper go a long way.

4. Sauces v. spice rubs

Rubs and sauces can both be used for grilling. “If you’re going to use a sauce it’s best to cook the meat first, and then right before the meat is cooked you add a fine layer of sauce,” Randolph said. “Most [sauces] are going to have a high sugar content in them, and sugar tends to burn. So the less [time] you can keep it on the grill with sauce on it, the better it will come out.”

5. Using a grill

When grilling meats, Jack Gilmore, owner and chef at Jack Allen’s Kitchen, said he uses direct heat for anything he wants to eat within the next 20-30 minutes, such as steaks, fajitas, burgers or fish. He uses indirect heat for a “less than favorable” cut of meat—such as brisket or ribs—to enhance the flavor.

Shopping for Ingredients

H-E-B Four locations in Lake Travis and Westlake www.heb.com Options include: charcoal, meats, chicken

Hudson’s Bend Meat Market 5000 Hudson Bend Road, Austin 512-266-6333 Options include: jalapeno sausage, bacon sausage, fajita steak, marinated chicken

Lakeway Market and Deli 2114 Lakeway Blvd., Ste. 100, Lakeway 512-261-5091 Options include: steak, barbecued pork, chicken

Randalls 5145 N. RR 620, Ste. A, Austin • 512-266-3168 2301 S. RR 620, Lakeway  • 512-263-6420 3300 Bee Caves Road, West Lake Hills 512-327-1881 www.randalls.com Options include: carving station with seasoned and marinated meats, fish, organic produce

Stuffed Cajun Meat Market 12226 N. RR 620, Austin 512-918-1600 • www.stuffedfoodstores.com Options include: sausage, bacon-wrapped stuffed pork tenderloin, deboned stuffed chicken

Trader Joe’s 2805 Bee Caves Road, rollingwood 512-306-1032 • www.traderjoes.com Options include: baby back ribs, seasoned carne asada beef sirloin, uncured turkey hot dogs

Whole Foods Market 12601 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave 512-206-2730 • www.wholefoodsmarket.com Options include: salmon burgers, tofu burgers, vegan fish fillets

Local Eats

For those who do not own a grill, there are a number of restaurants and food trailers in the Lake Travis and Westlake areas making barbecue, grilled meats and other provisions. Hours of operation and prices vary. This list is not comprehensive.

Bee Cave B-B-Q 8414 Bee Caves Road, Austin (food trailer) 512-306-9040 Options include: brisket, sausage, ribs

Chew Chew BBQ 3595 S. RR 620, Bee Cave (food trailer) 512-573-8646 www.chewchewbbq.com Options include: chopped barbecue sandwich, pork ribs, smoked sausage

The County Line on the Hill 6500 W. Bee Caves Road, Austin 512-327-1742 www.countyline.com Options include: fish, chicken, steaks

The County Line on the Lake 5204 RR 2222, Austin 512-346-3664 www.countyline.com Options include: fish, chicken, prime rib

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit 11416 N. RR 620, Austin 512-250-8844 www.dickeys.com Options include: beef brisket, pulled pork, ham, polish sausage, turkey

Donn’s Texas BBQ 7001 Oak Meadow Drive, Austin 512-288-4060 www.donns-bbq.com Options include: brisket, sausage, turkey, beef and pork ribs

Hudson’s on the Bend 3509 N. RR 620, Austin 512-266-1369 www.hudsonsonthebend.com Options include: pecan-grilled venison chops, smoked duck breast, smoked elk back strap

It’s All Good BBQ 22112 Hwy. 71 , Spicewood 512-264-1744 www.itsallgoodbbq.com Options include: smoked brisket, pork ribs, smoked chicken, turkey plate

Opie’s Barbecue 9504 Hwy. 71, Spicewood 830-693-8660 www.opiesbarbecue.com Options include smoked brisket, ribs; sides incl. butter beans

Rudy’s Country Store 2451 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., Austin 512-329-5554 7709 N. RR 620, Austin 512-250-8002 www.rudysbbq.com Options include: smoked brisket, ribs, turkey, chicken

The Salt Lick 18300 FM 1826, Driftwood 512-858-4959 www.saltlickbbq.com Options include: brisket, pork ribs, beef ribs, turkey breast, sausage

Schmidt Family Barbecue 12532 Bee Caves Road, Bee Cave 512-263-4060 2125 Lohmans Crossing, Ste. 400, Lakeway 512-906-0760 www.schmidtfamilybarbecue.com Options include: smoked brisket, ribs, sausage; beer

Smokey J’s BBQ 7008 N. RR 620, Austin 512-331-4888 Options include: chopped beef sandwich, sausage tacos, jerky