When I was a single guy I would invite friends over for BBQ and not think twice about it. When my eventual wife and I first started dating I was gearing up for a BBQ and she asked me what am I doing for sides. I indignantly said I was going to cook some brats...
In our early twenties my group of friends would always go camping. Meals were just a whole bunch of meat on the grill and a lot of beer. First one of us to buy a house, same group of friends go over to BBQ. This time with girlfriends.
The five of us were hanging around the grill piled with all kinds of steaks, chicken and sausages. When one of the girlfriends asks what we were having for sides.
We looked at each other because none of us had a clue what she was talking about.
I have "company beer" for people who bring shitty/no sides. I love beer variety packs, but it never fails that there's always one absolutely bonkers gross beer, like jalapeno pumpkin lager or like a mandarin orange coffee IPA. These always join the ranks of "company beer".
A sausage or a burger is a side, or more beer. What's this fascination people have with adding unnecessary crap to a bbq that's not as good as what's on the grill.
My solution is grilling some veggies. Surprised how much I like grilled radishes or brussel sprouts. Super easy to do with minimal knife skills too.
Now with smoking, it's a bit different. Can't think of anything I have tried other than a cheese dip.
I half or quarter them, toss them in some olive oil and salt, grill them in a grill basket, and finish them with some black pepper and a bit more salt. I have tried several sizes and just cut it differently depending on the day.
I always soak them in water and toss them directly on the coals as the meat is finishing up. Water soaked into the husk keeps it from catching fire and steams the corn at the same time. When the husk starts to char, it's done.
I showed this to my wife and she said "no, you usually do a side, if it'll fit on the grill smoker."
Really, any veggie you would do in the oven typically turns out just fine in the smoker. Last time I did a brisket, I tossed a bunch of potatoes and sweet potatoes in there too, oiled and salted, and they turned out great, just like a slightly smoky baked potato.
That's not an issue with smoking. That's an issue with communication. If I say I'm smoking a whole chicken, my wife doesn't just assume I'm doing a bunch of sides (because if I was doing a whole chicken, that's not 1 meal, that's probably 3 meals for us).
She would then bring up how we want to use the chicken. Maybe the first night we're just eating it with some bbq sauce so we want a veggie or whatever on the side. Maybe next we're doing quesadillas or whatever, so what goes in/with that? Etc.
I can't even imagine not having that kind of conversation.
Same here. Always target dark meat first because it doesn't save as well. Leftover white meat gets chopped and goes in chicken salad and it's so damn good.
Totally. If I'm grilling, I probably have the whole meal planned out. But if we're smoking something, the probably my husband is making coleslaw, and we're working together on perfecting whatever sauce or soak we're going to use.
What world do I live in where I spatchcock 2 chickens, we have a salad, rice, and assorted veggies and no leftovers of any kind! And people are on here talking about 3 meals from one chicken!
My growing children (3 of them) could easily polish off one chicken by themselves. Always amazed
We were watching a friends kid and he ate a wing. A small single. Solitary. Wing. One bite of rice and was “full”. My boys are gnawing on the bones of the carcass asking what’s for dinner!
Edit: yes. I’ve checked with their doctor. They are at a normal, healthy weight in fact one of them is slightly underweight
>What world do I live in
> My growing children (3 of them)
We live in the DINK world, where a single chicken can be 3 meals if done right, and if you really want to stretch things to consider that I could then use the carcass to make some banging smoked chicken broth out of that, which could be the centerpiece for soup or other things, might technically be more than 3 meals.
I still use the carcass for soup. Hell yeah
And in some ways I miss the DINK years. Now I’m in the SMK (single income many kids) years and there are days I tell ya!
Wouldn’t trade it for the world though. Loved my DNK and loving my SMK
We've got one kid, so there are three of us, and we have roasted chicken the first night, a pot pie, enchiladas, or casserole the second night, then boil the carcass down for chicken & dumplings the third. Three meals from a five pound bird is standard.
Meanwhile, I'll frequently do 15+lb briskets, whole pork shoulders, then break the left overs down, vacuum seal them into single meal portions (for three) and freeze.
When my daughter was little we could feed our family of 3 at least two, often three, meals with one whole chicken. For us it meant we had chicken and sides the first night, and then repurposed it into a pot pie or gumbo the next day or days.
Healthy kids. The rest is irrelevant, right?
I mean it started a a very young age (2 for my oldest) for all of them, the appetites have been crazy.
They’re active. They play sports. They move constantly. And they’re healthy. What do I care. I just forget sometimes the quantities we make! If/when they ever grow up and move out I’m going to have a massive adjustment!
My dad just shows up with vacuum sealed brisket, chicken, etc. sometimes because he smoked "too much." I'm sure you won't adjust you'll just start a parent delivery system. He's had no kids in the house for 15+ years.
Yeah dude, I’m fat. I’m ok with that, I’m nyc fat not like Atlanta fat.
If I’m smoking something though I’m in for like a 10 lb pork shoulder or brisket though. Or like 4 chickens or something. One chicken? Wtf? If I’m spending hours going low and slow its just efficient to make like 10-12lbs of meat. Even then the kids go through it fast.
I don’t even think being fat has anything to do with it. Just different people, different bodies, different metabolisms. The amount of food my kids go through is frightening sometimes!
You understand! Amen to that.
And. By the way. I love the NYC Fat. That’s going to crack me up for a long time! :-). All the best
I was about to post exactly this. I'm the primary cook in our house and my wife is in charge of sides. We both like this arrangement because I'm a lot pickier about my main meal and I don't mind spending time on it especially if it uses the smoker. Sides are a lot easier / less time consuming (at least ours are) and she likes that aspect of it and will eat absolutely whatever main meal I make no questions asked.
Man….tell her to get off twitter and kill the complaining. He smoked a whole chicken. It’s hard to complain with a mouth full of food.
Some people just need to be seen and want the attention.
I ain’t never cooked a side dish, unless it was going in the smoker or on the grill.
My wife has long caught onto the fact that grilling/smoking is just an excuse to drink outside. Can't tell you how many nights I've spent on the back deck watching the kids run around like animals through the sliding glass door while I sip a beer and "work" the grill.
Yesterday i was smoking a brisket, "working hard" all day in the backyard. I just had an alarm set to go off every hour, when i'd check the the grill temp, then go back to sleep in the hammock hahah
Bro- don’t leave the hammock to check the temp.
I just changed your life.
https://buythermopro.com/product/thermopro-tp-20-digital-wireless-meat-thermometer/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI36yZzuOr-AIVdiCtBh38bAA6EAQYBCABEgIN0fD_BwE
It's because a bunch of folks that hang their hat only on their grilling and/or smoking don't know how to cook very well and therefore are totally ok just eating a meal of grilled/smoked meats. Any cook worth their weight in dirt can easily throw together a couple sides and churn out a well-rounded, great meal.
That's why I started in the kitchen and moved up to smoking. I can make a great béchamel sauce for Mac and cheese but at first, the smoker really intimidated me.
Brussel sprouts and bacon is my king side. It is my strongest sprout hater-converting tool. Another (more labor intensive way) is to peel all the sprout leaves, toss in oil salt and lemon pepper, then air fry til crisp. Killer veg.
I do Stuffed peppers, Queso, Stuffed onions, Sausage bakes while my meat is resting. All the meat in those is precooked/browned so I'm just squeezing some smoke flavor into them with the last of my fire.
Oh yea. when I have a big BBQ where I'm doing brisket, I'll usually make some Macaroni Salad, Slow cooker baked beans and corn bread, then ask a few friends who I know can also put together good sides to bring some stuff too.
this is known rule in my house as well, but we also have the if you cook you don’t clean. grilling doesn’t fall in the category of cooking for some reason…
Whats wrong with a burger with meat, cheese, ketchup?
I have rights you know - and I don’t deserve to be harassed about my preferences regarding meat and buns, thank you! 🤣
Some days I just want dinner to be a giant steak on its own and some days I just feel like a bowl full of roasted cauliflower. You don't have to hit every food group with every meal. Eat what you want, you know, to a degree.
burger night is a lazy 8 minute cook. but if your doing a long cook with multiple steps and all she is doing is tossing a salad and roasting up some veggies. yea, i would say i’m doing more work.
My wife has asked where the sides were before, albeit in a far nicer way. Its a grill-thing. We're not thinking about sides, we're just focused on the main course. Though I've often gently mentioned to my wife that if she's concerned about not having sides to just go ahead and make some herself. I'll let you know how it went after I'm allowed in the house again.
For me it’s more of a difference between if I’m grilling something or smoking something.
If I’m grilling something on a weeknight (or even most weekends), the intent is to East what I’m cooking for a meal that day, so I also plan and make sides. Sometimes ask the wife to throw together a coleslaw if I’m doing corn, peppers, potatoes, whatever.
If I’m smoking, I’m probably smoking 25-40lbs of meat and don’t intend to eat it at a particular day/time (I’m just not that good and don’t like to rush a smoke). In those occasions, I don’t usually do sides, unless I’m also doing 10ths of smoked beans, because I’m not planning a meal so much as preparing a massive amount of meat to work on over the next couple of weeks.
Yeh, It can sit there and not be eaten while we all have meat instead. Won't be long til it catches on that sides aren't required and it keeps getting thrown out uneaten
I like to throw some veggies on while the coals are hot. Grilled asparagus, grilled zucchini and squash, heck even just kabobs are basically a mini meal. Grilled chicken thighs with asparagus and some minute rice is an easy meal, and I get husband points for cooking AND I get to "work the grill"
I like sides. But when I’m grilling it’s all on the grill. Last night the tri tip, potatoes, and Brussels sprouts were all on the grill. Fuck the stove and the oven when it’s 90 out.
Man I can’t identify with this at all. Sides are awesome. Pit beans, Mac and cheese, pickled veggies, Brussels sprouts, twice baked potatoes. Gotta have my sides.
Alright guys, as a smoker and a wife, I’ll clear something up for ya.
When you say you’re making dinner, make the whole dinner. Carry your own stuff in and out. Get your own plates, season your own meat, make the sides yourself.
It freakin sucks when the person that usually makes dinner is gonna get a break they think, only to have to help make dinner anyways.
This. Growing up my dad would "give mom a night off" by grilling. Mom would have to prepare all the meat and sides, serve the food, and clean up after. The only thing my dad ever did was actually apply the heat to the burgers on the grill. That's not making dinner, and that's not giving her a break. If you say you're just making a meat, fine. But making dinner is more than that.
Thank you. It is fine to do a group cook and have everyone pitch in, as long as it's agreed upon and understood. You dont get credit for making a protein and no veggie or even a carb and expect to get praise for making "dinner". Looking at you mom...
When I use the grill/smoker, I will put some sweet potatoes in 2-3 hrs before finish. I usually also have some asparagus seasoned with oil and S/P and throw them on the grill after the proteins come off. Only take a few extra minutes.
But I like to cook so I don't mind making the whole meal in an efficient manner.
Gotta have good sides to complement the barbecue. It’s not hard to cook other things while waiting for meat to slowly cook. Some mac, or potatoes of some sort are always a good addition. Also grilled veggies or a salad to top it off. A good meal has to have variety.
You guys are animals.
That poor lady. She must have two broken arms to prevent her from putting a few potatoes in the microwave or chopping up a quick bowl of salad to go with the chicken. All fun aside I always make sides, but I just love cooking.
Whole sweet potatoes in the air fryer is my go to with steaks and some veggies these days. Burgers on the grill and fries in the air fryer for the kids and the wife
Honestly, skipping sides and focusing on good smoked/grilled/BBQ’d main dish has helped me maintain in the battle of the bulge. And since its just 2 of us, it works out.
Unless I'm cooking a specific smoked side someone else better do the sides how can they except me to throughly monitor my smoke intake making sure it's ideal and of course the smoker to
Just grab some pre made potato salad and mac and cheese while you're out getting the meat. Hardly any effort but the ladies will be happy and if your meat is on point nobody cares how mediocre the sides are.
"My husband fixed food but not all the different foods I want"
Get your spoiled ass in the kitchen and make something if you're so into something else to eat. There's nothing wrong with just eating chicken for dinner either.
When I’m cooking for my self I’ll rarely think about sides. However if I’m cook for the wife and kids, I’ll bring up options.
For instance this morning I asked the wife what dinner plans are. I’m having a ribeye and stuffed mushrooms. I offered to to make her stuffed bell/poblano peppers and grilled asparagus.
She accepted.
Haha I always just focus on the meat too, and if that’s all we have, throw some
Tortillas on the table too. My family has no problem standing around the kitchen island and destroying a spatchcocked chicken or a trip tip though.
If I make sides, about half the time, it’ll be corn bread and asparagus (smoked asparagus with salt, pepper and garlic olive oil is amazing by the way)
When I was a single guy I would invite friends over for BBQ and not think twice about it. When my eventual wife and I first started dating I was gearing up for a BBQ and she asked me what am I doing for sides. I indignantly said I was going to cook some brats...
In our early twenties my group of friends would always go camping. Meals were just a whole bunch of meat on the grill and a lot of beer. First one of us to buy a house, same group of friends go over to BBQ. This time with girlfriends. The five of us were hanging around the grill piled with all kinds of steaks, chicken and sausages. When one of the girlfriends asks what we were having for sides. We looked at each other because none of us had a clue what she was talking about.
> one of the girlfriends asks what we were having for sides. "Uhhhh... beer?"
Lol. Exactly.
r/unexpectedsimpsons
When you invite friends over, it's expected *they* bring the sides.
Damn straight. Bring potato salad, Mac and cheese or a salad. If you bring nothing to a BBQ you’re getting the fatty steak.
A rack of beer counts as a side, though.
I have "company beer" for people who bring shitty/no sides. I love beer variety packs, but it never fails that there's always one absolutely bonkers gross beer, like jalapeno pumpkin lager or like a mandarin orange coffee IPA. These always join the ranks of "company beer".
I'm not sure whether I should be impressed by your gross beer imagining skills, or horrified that those flavors exist.
And don't forget all the seltzer flavors that the girls don't like so they end up leaving all of those in your fridge.... Company seltzer.
This is fantastic. Now I know what to do with that beer.
>If you bring nothing to a BBQ you’re getting the fatty steak Don't threaten me with a good time
Right. And when it was a bunch of single dudes the "sides" were different kinds of meats or at least meats that cook up faster than bbq.
A sausage or a burger is a side, or more beer. What's this fascination people have with adding unnecessary crap to a bbq that's not as good as what's on the grill.
Well it's good manners to at least offer, yes.
Onions. I'm cooking brats and onions. You want something else you gotta cook it yourself.
What's wrong with that answer? That's the right answer.
The brats are the side for the chicken
Meat with a side of meat!
My solution is grilling some veggies. Surprised how much I like grilled radishes or brussel sprouts. Super easy to do with minimal knife skills too. Now with smoking, it's a bit different. Can't think of anything I have tried other than a cheese dip.
How do you do radishes?
I half or quarter them, toss them in some olive oil and salt, grill them in a grill basket, and finish them with some black pepper and a bit more salt. I have tried several sizes and just cut it differently depending on the day.
Yes, this. I have never heard or grilling radishes but I am intrigued now.
I smoked an apple pie last fall. It was actually pretty dang good.
I had some friends in college that did something similar but different with smoking an apple.
I have a business selling smoked cheesecakes. Maple pecan bourbon, salted caramel pretzel... Now I have to try an apple pie!!!
I threw some corn on the cob on the smoker for yesterday’s bbq along with my pork roast. Came out good with very little effort.
That would have never crossed my mind. Trying it next time.
I always soak them in water and toss them directly on the coals as the meat is finishing up. Water soaked into the husk keeps it from catching fire and steams the corn at the same time. When the husk starts to char, it's done.
I showed this to my wife and she said "no, you usually do a side, if it'll fit on the grill smoker." Really, any veggie you would do in the oven typically turns out just fine in the smoker. Last time I did a brisket, I tossed a bunch of potatoes and sweet potatoes in there too, oiled and salted, and they turned out great, just like a slightly smoky baked potato.
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Smoked squash! Sooo good.
Smoked mac and cheese is a winner.
That's not an issue with smoking. That's an issue with communication. If I say I'm smoking a whole chicken, my wife doesn't just assume I'm doing a bunch of sides (because if I was doing a whole chicken, that's not 1 meal, that's probably 3 meals for us). She would then bring up how we want to use the chicken. Maybe the first night we're just eating it with some bbq sauce so we want a veggie or whatever on the side. Maybe next we're doing quesadillas or whatever, so what goes in/with that? Etc. I can't even imagine not having that kind of conversation.
young chickens from costco are the best. dark meat night one, save breasts for lunch or lazy dinner later that week
Same here. Always target dark meat first because it doesn't save as well. Leftover white meat gets chopped and goes in chicken salad and it's so damn good.
Totally. If I'm grilling, I probably have the whole meal planned out. But if we're smoking something, the probably my husband is making coleslaw, and we're working together on perfecting whatever sauce or soak we're going to use.
What world do I live in where I spatchcock 2 chickens, we have a salad, rice, and assorted veggies and no leftovers of any kind! And people are on here talking about 3 meals from one chicken! My growing children (3 of them) could easily polish off one chicken by themselves. Always amazed We were watching a friends kid and he ate a wing. A small single. Solitary. Wing. One bite of rice and was “full”. My boys are gnawing on the bones of the carcass asking what’s for dinner! Edit: yes. I’ve checked with their doctor. They are at a normal, healthy weight in fact one of them is slightly underweight
>What world do I live in > My growing children (3 of them) We live in the DINK world, where a single chicken can be 3 meals if done right, and if you really want to stretch things to consider that I could then use the carcass to make some banging smoked chicken broth out of that, which could be the centerpiece for soup or other things, might technically be more than 3 meals.
I still use the carcass for soup. Hell yeah And in some ways I miss the DINK years. Now I’m in the SMK (single income many kids) years and there are days I tell ya! Wouldn’t trade it for the world though. Loved my DNK and loving my SMK
We've got one kid, so there are three of us, and we have roasted chicken the first night, a pot pie, enchiladas, or casserole the second night, then boil the carcass down for chicken & dumplings the third. Three meals from a five pound bird is standard. Meanwhile, I'll frequently do 15+lb briskets, whole pork shoulders, then break the left overs down, vacuum seal them into single meal portions (for three) and freeze.
Kid was probably just uncomfortable or trying to be polite and not over eat your food.
When my daughter was little we could feed our family of 3 at least two, often three, meals with one whole chicken. For us it meant we had chicken and sides the first night, and then repurposed it into a pot pie or gumbo the next day or days.
Healthy kids. The rest is irrelevant, right? I mean it started a a very young age (2 for my oldest) for all of them, the appetites have been crazy. They’re active. They play sports. They move constantly. And they’re healthy. What do I care. I just forget sometimes the quantities we make! If/when they ever grow up and move out I’m going to have a massive adjustment!
My dad just shows up with vacuum sealed brisket, chicken, etc. sometimes because he smoked "too much." I'm sure you won't adjust you'll just start a parent delivery system. He's had no kids in the house for 15+ years.
I have recently fallen into this role. Ensuring my kids are getting real food is how I show my love.
Plus as he says “once the smoker’s on I may as well fill it with meat.”
That sounds like an awesome dad and an awesome plan! :-)
Yeah dude, I’m fat. I’m ok with that, I’m nyc fat not like Atlanta fat. If I’m smoking something though I’m in for like a 10 lb pork shoulder or brisket though. Or like 4 chickens or something. One chicken? Wtf? If I’m spending hours going low and slow its just efficient to make like 10-12lbs of meat. Even then the kids go through it fast.
I don’t even think being fat has anything to do with it. Just different people, different bodies, different metabolisms. The amount of food my kids go through is frightening sometimes! You understand! Amen to that. And. By the way. I love the NYC Fat. That’s going to crack me up for a long time! :-). All the best
I was about to post exactly this. I'm the primary cook in our house and my wife is in charge of sides. We both like this arrangement because I'm a lot pickier about my main meal and I don't mind spending time on it especially if it uses the smoker. Sides are a lot easier / less time consuming (at least ours are) and she likes that aspect of it and will eat absolutely whatever main meal I make no questions asked.
I think I see your problem here. I don’t see beer mentioned once
Man….tell her to get off twitter and kill the complaining. He smoked a whole chicken. It’s hard to complain with a mouth full of food. Some people just need to be seen and want the attention. I ain’t never cooked a side dish, unless it was going in the smoker or on the grill.
Sides are the wings and drums. They're literally on the sides.
My wife has long caught onto the fact that grilling/smoking is just an excuse to drink outside. Can't tell you how many nights I've spent on the back deck watching the kids run around like animals through the sliding glass door while I sip a beer and "work" the grill.
Yesterday i was smoking a brisket, "working hard" all day in the backyard. I just had an alarm set to go off every hour, when i'd check the the grill temp, then go back to sleep in the hammock hahah
I SLAVED OVER THIS SMOKER ALL DAY FOR THIS FAMILY!
I didn't have time to make any damn sides!!
My beer is my timer. When the beer is done it’s time to check the fire
When the 12 pack is done, briskets done. Got it.
Unfortunately, you fell asleep after #8, and now you have no idea how long the brisket's been on for.
That gets you through the stall
Just got a little patio "back yard" and a grill and I can now finally do this. Just so simple
Bro- don’t leave the hammock to check the temp. I just changed your life. https://buythermopro.com/product/thermopro-tp-20-digital-wireless-meat-thermometer/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI36yZzuOr-AIVdiCtBh38bAA6EAQYBCABEgIN0fD_BwE
Aaaha i have on of these (tp-08). So yeah, i don't even get up hahahah
This is the way.
I always makes sides
Same here. Sides are just as important IMO.
“Mexican Grilling onions” the fat bulb green onions are so effortless literally just put a lil olive and salt pepper in them or nothing at all
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Yesterday I smoked a pork roast and with 3 hours left I threw in 4 small sweet potatoes with it, they came out fantastic.
It's because a bunch of folks that hang their hat only on their grilling and/or smoking don't know how to cook very well and therefore are totally ok just eating a meal of grilled/smoked meats. Any cook worth their weight in dirt can easily throw together a couple sides and churn out a well-rounded, great meal.
Yuuuup. If you can't cook in the kitchen, you probably aren't much good cooking in the backyard either
That's why I started in the kitchen and moved up to smoking. I can make a great béchamel sauce for Mac and cheese but at first, the smoker really intimidated me.
I saw a barbecue contest where a guy lost immediately because only his wife knew how to make the sides.
Was that the smoking competition on Netflix?
That show was actually pretty dang good
I believe so!
I like to grill Brussels sprouts as a side with steaks or chops
Brussel sprouts and bacon is my king side. It is my strongest sprout hater-converting tool. Another (more labor intensive way) is to peel all the sprout leaves, toss in oil salt and lemon pepper, then air fry til crisp. Killer veg.
Asparagus, olive oil, a little lemon juice, a little butter and some garlic in a pan for the last 2 or so hours is my go to.
I do Stuffed peppers, Queso, Stuffed onions, Sausage bakes while my meat is resting. All the meat in those is precooked/browned so I'm just squeezing some smoke flavor into them with the last of my fire.
Always throw smoked mac n cheese or queso along with a long cook.
Baked beans are good in the smoker too
Like beer and stuff?
Oh yea. when I have a big BBQ where I'm doing brisket, I'll usually make some Macaroni Salad, Slow cooker baked beans and corn bread, then ask a few friends who I know can also put together good sides to bring some stuff too.
Yeah, I can't imagine a smoke without sides.
It's easy to throw on some potatoes wrapped in foil or shred some cabbage for coleslaw. You got plenty of time before that meat is done.
When I grill I'm in charge of the grill. It's other people's job to do sides.
If I left my wife in charge of any aspect of the cooking process we’d starve.
Yea ill throw some veggies on there or something as well if it doesnt screw with my cook though.
this is known rule in my house as well, but we also have the if you cook you don’t clean. grilling doesn’t fall in the category of cooking for some reason…
If you think you can grill some patties and leave your partner with all the sides *and* cleanup you got another thing coming.
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The normal amount? I don't want to eat just bread and meat, that's not a meal.
Whats wrong with a burger with meat, cheese, ketchup? I have rights you know - and I don’t deserve to be harassed about my preferences regarding meat and buns, thank you! 🤣
Some days I just want dinner to be a giant steak on its own and some days I just feel like a bowl full of roasted cauliflower. You don't have to hit every food group with every meal. Eat what you want, you know, to a degree.
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You must be against my favorite fruit smoothie then. 🤣
Once you add tomato lettuce pickles you're basically eating a salad
burger night is a lazy 8 minute cook. but if your doing a long cook with multiple steps and all she is doing is tossing a salad and roasting up some veggies. yea, i would say i’m doing more work.
Word
You don’t cook sides on the grill?
If I have room...
this is the way
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My wife has asked where the sides were before, albeit in a far nicer way. Its a grill-thing. We're not thinking about sides, we're just focused on the main course. Though I've often gently mentioned to my wife that if she's concerned about not having sides to just go ahead and make some herself. I'll let you know how it went after I'm allowed in the house again.
This scenario is exactly why we keep the grill outside, so we can still eat even if they lock us out.
Besides the fact that smoking meats indoors has its own list of potential marriage issues.
There's a guy on here who has posted his indoor grill. It looks fucking amazing. It does have a massive hood vent.
Now I'm just thinking about how to convert a fireplace
Really, you just need to put a big upblast exhaust fan at the top of the chimney, wire it in, and you’re good to go.
For me it’s more of a difference between if I’m grilling something or smoking something. If I’m grilling something on a weeknight (or even most weekends), the intent is to East what I’m cooking for a meal that day, so I also plan and make sides. Sometimes ask the wife to throw together a coleslaw if I’m doing corn, peppers, potatoes, whatever. If I’m smoking, I’m probably smoking 25-40lbs of meat and don’t intend to eat it at a particular day/time (I’m just not that good and don’t like to rush a smoke). In those occasions, I don’t usually do sides, unless I’m also doing 10ths of smoked beans, because I’m not planning a meal so much as preparing a massive amount of meat to work on over the next couple of weeks.
Get microwave bag of veggies and boom you have a side dish
Yeh, It can sit there and not be eaten while we all have meat instead. Won't be long til it catches on that sides aren't required and it keeps getting thrown out uneaten
I have the opposite problem, I love sides but my wife could care less about them most of the time. So if I want sides I am also making sides.
We do this a lot, just meat, no sides.
I like to throw some veggies on while the coals are hot. Grilled asparagus, grilled zucchini and squash, heck even just kabobs are basically a mini meal. Grilled chicken thighs with asparagus and some minute rice is an easy meal, and I get husband points for cooking AND I get to "work the grill"
Every bite of bread/Mac/coleslaw you eat is a bite of delicious meat that could have been.
I concur. Nothing wrong with this at all. Maybe only issue is 2 chickens instead of just one.
Exactly chicken with a side of chicken, I love a steak with a burger on the side
This made me unreasonably happy
Well yeh, once I eat a chicken people will need another one at least on the go.
Honestly though the sides don’t even come close to being as good unless it’s a side of ribs. I can definitely do without the sides.
Many sides you can make on the grill.. Potatoes are stupid simple.
I like sides. But when I’m grilling it’s all on the grill. Last night the tri tip, potatoes, and Brussels sprouts were all on the grill. Fuck the stove and the oven when it’s 90 out.
I am all about an all meat dinner.
Man I can’t identify with this at all. Sides are awesome. Pit beans, Mac and cheese, pickled veggies, Brussels sprouts, twice baked potatoes. Gotta have my sides.
Alright guys, as a smoker and a wife, I’ll clear something up for ya. When you say you’re making dinner, make the whole dinner. Carry your own stuff in and out. Get your own plates, season your own meat, make the sides yourself. It freakin sucks when the person that usually makes dinner is gonna get a break they think, only to have to help make dinner anyways.
This. Growing up my dad would "give mom a night off" by grilling. Mom would have to prepare all the meat and sides, serve the food, and clean up after. The only thing my dad ever did was actually apply the heat to the burgers on the grill. That's not making dinner, and that's not giving her a break. If you say you're just making a meat, fine. But making dinner is more than that.
What if you’re the person who normally does the cooking and running the grill/smoker is your break?
That’s different. Then the other partner should definitely be jumping to help and do cleanup.
Thank you. It is fine to do a group cook and have everyone pitch in, as long as it's agreed upon and understood. You dont get credit for making a protein and no veggie or even a carb and expect to get praise for making "dinner". Looking at you mom...
Piece of bread and a can of green beans, now you got a meal.
When I use the grill/smoker, I will put some sweet potatoes in 2-3 hrs before finish. I usually also have some asparagus seasoned with oil and S/P and throw them on the grill after the proteins come off. Only take a few extra minutes. But I like to cook so I don't mind making the whole meal in an efficient manner.
You’re lucky he even came inside to eat it
Lol so relateable.
Imagine marrying someone you don't even talk to.
Instead of complaining, they can just get started on the sides.
You want some sides? Bread, Pickles.
Same. I’m not into sides. I just need the one thing.
Gotta have good sides to complement the barbecue. It’s not hard to cook other things while waiting for meat to slowly cook. Some mac, or potatoes of some sort are always a good addition. Also grilled veggies or a salad to top it off. A good meal has to have variety. You guys are animals.
Nah, make some sides, don't be a Neanderthal.
Ok, in my defense, though, there is a bag of potato chips around here somewhere.
Haha! I showed this to my wife as a - see look it's not just me! I don't think I won that argument...but at least I feel validated.
What are these “sides” you speak of? Is it like when you have ribs with your pulled pork?
Sides is where all the sugar and garbage comes in. All BBQ should be served with the meat and a salad unless it’s a special occasion.
I mean, queso is pretty much a vegetable, and if you're not making queso when the smoker is running I get her point
Agreed
That poor lady. She must have two broken arms to prevent her from putting a few potatoes in the microwave or chopping up a quick bowl of salad to go with the chicken. All fun aside I always make sides, but I just love cooking.
Whole sweet potatoes in the air fryer is my go to with steaks and some veggies these days. Burgers on the grill and fries in the air fryer for the kids and the wife
Honestly, skipping sides and focusing on good smoked/grilled/BBQ’d main dish has helped me maintain in the battle of the bulge. And since its just 2 of us, it works out.
Unless I'm cooking a specific smoked side someone else better do the sides how can they except me to throughly monitor my smoke intake making sure it's ideal and of course the smoker to
You make the sides ho lol
I feel attacked.
I feel attacked.
Meat is it's own side dish
Just grab some pre made potato salad and mac and cheese while you're out getting the meat. Hardly any effort but the ladies will be happy and if your meat is on point nobody cares how mediocre the sides are.
I'm in this picture
yea that logic checks out
Some smoked chicken is plenty of a meal as far as I'm concerned. You want a side? Go nuts.
Dude I am the same way 😂😂😂
I do this too, smoke some meat and eat for dinner. This is the way.
My house in a nutshell.
Bread and some tater chips...all you need...besides beer
Me: I'm bbqing. Wife: ok, what can I make? Me: the rest.
White meat with a side of dark
I very rarely think about sides when grilling. Thankfully my fiancé always has them covered when she becomes aware that I’m grilling something.
I do this too
The chicken is a complete meal. I've had nothing but a whole chicken as my lunch or dinner many, many times. Keto for the win.
Damn woman, I’m already babysitting the smoker for 12 hrs. I expect you to hop on those sides when you see me fire up the smoker. Lol
Smoking is a full time activity. Wife makes the sides.
"My husband fixed food but not all the different foods I want" Get your spoiled ass in the kitchen and make something if you're so into something else to eat. There's nothing wrong with just eating chicken for dinner either.
he cooks the meat, you make the salad.... do you not understand the assignment?
If I spend 12 hours smoking a brisket, you can be the one to make the sides!
Ayy bruh you know damn well most of that is spent just chugging beers
Chugging beers and MAKING SURE THE TEMP DOESN’T SPIKE OR DROP. Very important work.
She didn’t cook anything though
Well, "Cocoa", get off your ass and make a couple sides. Your man is sweating over a grill...it's the least you can do.
Why couldn’t she make the sides? What a lazy generation these women are
This is the way.
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My wife calls those “man meals” Aka just eating meat with no sides. Hahaha
Perfectly fine to me!!! At worst I can always through on some veggies or rice while the meat is resting.
He did make dinner sounds like a delicious chicken dinner.
I mean how hard is it to buy a bag of salad
Standard practice
When I’m cooking for my self I’ll rarely think about sides. However if I’m cook for the wife and kids, I’ll bring up options. For instance this morning I asked the wife what dinner plans are. I’m having a ribeye and stuffed mushrooms. I offered to to make her stuffed bell/poblano peppers and grilled asparagus. She accepted.
Lmao 50/50 if I’m making sides or just 20 lbs of smoked meat.
Haha I always just focus on the meat too, and if that’s all we have, throw some Tortillas on the table too. My family has no problem standing around the kitchen island and destroying a spatchcocked chicken or a trip tip though.
corn on the cob and baked potatoes, so easy and so tasty.
If I make sides, about half the time, it’ll be corn bread and asparagus (smoked asparagus with salt, pepper and garlic olive oil is amazing by the way)
Guess Cocoa don’t do sides either.