Dust Off the Grill — Backyard Grillin’ Season is Here!

 By Carol Legasse

Nothing says welcome spring and summer like firing up the grill and gathering friends and family on the patio. After a long winter, it’s time to embrace those golden evenings, the smell of smoke in the air, and the joy of sharing good food outdoors.

As backyard grillin’ warriors, we all want simple ways to make our meals memorable without spending hours in the kitchen. Start with quality rubs, blends, and sauces that add layers of flavor right from the start. A good all-purpose seasoning, like Salt Table's 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝, can turn ordinary chicken, steaks, or vegetables into something special on the grill. For seafood lovers, nothing beats a classic 𝐋𝐨𝐰𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐨𝐢𝐥 — easy to prepare and always a crowd-pleaser.

One of my longtime favorites is 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐭 𝐓𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞'𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐩 & 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐛 𝐁𝐨𝐢𝐥. It brings everyone together around the table (or newspaper-covered patio surface) for hands-on fun. This outdoor feast is so good, it was featured on PBS!

Carol’s Simple Shrimp & Crab Boil

(serves 6–8)

· 2–3 lbs large shrimp (shell-on)

· 1–2 lbs crab legs or clusters

· 1 lb smoked sausage, cut into pieces

· 6–8 ears corn, halved

· 2–3 lbs small red potatoes

· 2 lemons, halved

· 1 large onion, quartered

· Salt Table Real Southern Shrimp & Crab Boil Seasoning (to taste — start with the recommended amount for your pot size)

Fill a large stockpot with water, add seasoning, lemons, and onion. Bring to a rolling boil. Add potatoes and cook 10 minutes. Add corn and sausage; boil another 5–7 minutes. Add shrimp and crab; cook just until shrimp turn pink (3–5 minutes). Drain well and serve hot with plenty of napkins and melted butter on the side.

Whether you’re grilling burgers with a smoky rub or hosting a seafood boil, a little seasoning magic makes all the difference. Fire up that grill, invite the neighbors, and enjoy the season — because the best meals happen when we gather outdoors like family.

Take care.