The Optigrill is an indoor electric grill that allows you to cook a wide variety of foods quickly and easily. With its unique sensor technology, the Optigrill takes the guesswork out of grilling by automatically adjusting cooking time and temperature. But what exactly can you cook on the Optigrill?
Meats
The Optigrill excels at cooking meat, allowing you to achieve that tasty char-grilled flavor indoors. Here are some of the meats you can cook on the Optigrill:
- Steaks – Sirloin, ribeye, T-bone, strip, flank, etc.
- Pork chops
- Lamb chops
- Chicken breasts
- Turkey burgers
- Beef burgers
- Sausages – Bratwurst, hot dogs, etc.
- Kebabs – Steak, chicken, shrimp, vegetable, etc.
The great thing about the Optigrill is that it can detect the thickness of what you’re cooking and adjust the cooking time accordingly. It takes the raw guesswork out of cooking meats perfectly. The automatic sensor will light up and let you know when your food is rare, medium-rare, medium, or well done.
Tips for Cooking Meat on the Optigrill
- Pat meat dry before grilling for best results.
- Brush or marinate meat with oil, spices, or marinades before grilling.
- Cook larger cuts of meat like roasts indirect by placing them to the side instead of directly over the grill plates.
- Use kabob skewers or grill baskets for small items like cut up chicken breasts.
- Insert meat probes in larger cuts like roasts or whole chickens to monitor internal temperature.
Seafood
The Optigrill is great for cooking seafood indoors. The following types of seafood fare well on the electric grill:
- Shrimp
- Scallops
- Salmon fillets or steaks
- Tuna steaks
- Fish fillets – Tilapia, cod, halibut, etc.
- Lobster tails
Seafood cooks fast so watch it closely. Brush seafood with oil or marinades for extra flavor. The Optigrill will let you know when it’s done.
Tips for Cooking Seafood on the Optigrill
- Pat fish dry before grilling.
- Use oil or non-stick grilling spray on the grill plates.
- Cook seafood in a grill basket or on skewers to make flipping easy.
- Baste seafood with butter, olive oil or sauce the last 1-2 minutes of grilling.
Vegetables
In addition to meats and seafood, the Optigrill allows you to cook veggies quickly for a well-rounded meal. Some vegetables you can grill on the Optigrill include:
- Asparagus
- Zucchini
- Eggplant
- Corn on the cob
- Green beans
- Bell peppers
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Tomatoes
- Potatoes
Use a grill basket when cooking small or chopped veggies. Brush vegetables lightly with oil before grilling. The Optigrill excels at giving veggies that char-grilled flavor.
Tips for Grilling Veggies
- Toss potatoes or root veggies in a small amount of oil before grilling.
- Grill veggies like onions, peppers and zucchini whole first, then cut up after.
- Use skewers for grilling cubed veggies like peppers, onions and cherry tomatoes.
Fruits
Yes, you can even grill fruit on the Optigrill! Try these grilled fruits for a sweet treat:
- Pineapple slices
- Peaches
- Nectarines
- Plums
- Apples
- Pears
- Mangos
Fruit releases juices when grilling so use a grill basket. Baste fruits with honey or preserves for added flavor.
Tips for Grilling Fruit
- Select ripe but firm fruit when grilling.
- Brush sliced fruit with lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Try mixing grilled fruits into yogurt, oatmeal or ice cream.
Sandwiches and Panini
One of the most convenient uses for the Optigrill is making hot toasted sandwiches and panini. Simply assemble your favorite sandwich and place it on the preheated Optigrill.
Some tasty hot sandwiches you can make include:
- Steak sandwich
- Grilled chicken sandwich
- Turkey and cheese panini
- Caprese panini – tomato, mozzarella, basil
- Tuna melt
- Grilled veggie sandwich
- Grilled cheese
- Cuban sandwich
The ridged grill plates will brand those nice crisscross grill marks into the bread giving any sandwich an authentic grilled taste.
Tips for Grilling Sandwiches
- Butter or oil the outside of bread lightly for crisping.
- Use a panini press or place a grill press on top of sandwiches while heating.
- Try using thicker bread slices like focaccia or Texas toast.
Pizza
That’s right, you can make crispy grilled pizzas on the Optigrill. Simply preheat your grill, shape or roll out pizza dough and assemble your favorite toppings. Here are some ideas for great grilled pizzas:
- Margherita – tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil
- Barbecue chicken pizza
- Hawaiian pizza – ham, pineapple
- Veggie pizza
- Breakfast pizza – eggs, bacon, potatoes
Watch the pizza closely as it can burn easily. You can cook the dough first until crisp before adding toppings.
Tips for Grilling Pizza
- Use ready-made pizza dough for convenience.
- Brush crust with oil or cooking spray before adding toppings.
- Partially pre-bake the crust before adding toppings.
- Cook any raw meats first before adding to pizza.
Quesadillas
For a quick and easy meal, whip up some quesadillas on the Optigrill. Simply place a flour or corn tortilla on the grill, top with cheese and other fillings, and fold it over. Some tasty quesadilla fillings include:
- Grilled chicken
- Steak
- Sautéed veggies
- Beans
- Salsa
- Guacamole
The Optigrill grills the tortilla perfectly crispy. Let the quesadilla cook 2-3 minutes per side pressing down occasionally with a spatula.
Tips for Grilling Quesadillas
- Spray or brush the grill plates with oil for easy release.
- Chop fillings finely for even melting and cooking.
- Use two smaller tortillas instead of one big one.
Kebabs
The Optigrill is perfect for cooking skewered kebabs. Try an array of meat, seafood and veggie kebabs all prepared on the electric grill. Some kebab ideas include:
- Chicken satay
- Steak and veggie
- Shrimp kebabs
- Salmon and cherry tomato
- Caprese – tomato, mozzarella, basil
- Fruit kebabs – pineapple, peach, strawberry
Soak bamboo skewers before using to prevent burning. Brush kebabs lightly in oil or marinades. Turn frequently for best results.
Tips for Grilling Kebabs
- Use metal skewers for items that need longer grilling like meat.
- Try a mix of items like meat, veggies and fruit on one skewer.
- Grill kebabs directly over plates for searing then move to sides to finish cook.
Burgers
A juicy grilled burger is one of the most popular uses for the Optigrill. The non-stick plates let the burgers caramelize while cooking the inside perfectly. Cook beef, turkey, lamb, pork, veggie or any other type of burger.
Some creative burger recipes for the Optigrill include:
- Quinoa veggie burger
- Black bean chipotle burger
- Bacon and blue cheese burger
- Jalapeño and cheddar stuffed burger
- Greek lamb burger with feta
The sensor will let you know when the burger reaches your desired doneness from rare to well done.
Tips for Grilling Burgers
- Lightly oil the grill plates for easy release.
- Use a grill press on thicker burgers for even cooking.
- Coat both sides of burger buns with butter or oil before toasting.
Sausages
Grilled sausages are a backyard BBQ classic. With the Optigrill you can cook sausages year-round to perfection. Try different varieties like:
- Hot dogs
- Brats
- Italian sausage
- Chorizo sausage
- Kielbasa
- Chicken or turkey sausage
- Vegetarian sausage
Sausages plump and brown nicely on the electric grill. Use a grill basket or skewers to easily turn small or skinny sausages.
Tips for Grilling Sausages
- Pierce or score sausages before grilling to prevent “exploding”.
- Boil brats and sausages first for flavor then grill to sear.
- Grill pre-cooked smoked sausage just to warm through and char.
Grilled Desserts
Fire up your sweet tooth and throw some unexpected grilled desserts on the Optigrill:
- Pound cake – brush slices with butter and grill
- Grilled fruit kabobs
- Grilled peach or apple pie
- S’mores – grill chocolate and marshmallow between graham crackers
- Grilled cinnamon buns
- Grilled pineapple with caramel sauce
Fruit desserts work best for grilling over direct heat. Grill prepared desserts indirectly off to the sides.
Tips for Grilling Desserts
- Watch prepared desserts closely so sugar doesn’t burn.
- Use a grill basket or sheet for small or chopped fruit.
- Brush or skewer fruit pieces before grilling.
Conclusion
As you can see, the cooking possibilities on the Optigrill indoor electric grill are endless. From meats and veggies to sandwiches, pizza and dessert, you can cook just about anything on it. With the built-in sensors, the Optigrill takes the guesswork out of grilling indoors. So fire it up and get ready for some fun and easy grilled meals all year long!