As we get ready for the Texas Monthly BBQ Festival, Dr. Jeff Savell has offered some of his top tips and insights into barbecuing and grilling.

Resting meats after cooking and before serving is key to juicy and tender BBQ.

Resting meats after cooking is key to them being juicy and tender. In cooking, heat forces the moisture towards the center of the cut, and if the meat is cut immediately after cooking without a resting period, valuable meat juices will leak out.  When meat is rested, the water will be redistributed so that when sliced, these juices will remain in the meat. The key to resting is that the larger the cut, the longer the resting period required.