How to fix a bad barbecue: too salty or tough, save the summer picnic

Imagine that summer has reached its peak – a group of friends gathered for a picnic, the air is filled with the aroma of coal, but there are problems with the kebab. Instead of tender meat that melts in your mouth, you get dry, rubbery, or oversalted pieces.

Don’t be upset – even if the kebab fails, you can save the situation and pleasantly surprise your guests. Here are some simple but effective life hacks!

If the kebab turned out to be oversalted.

Salt is a tricky thing. But even if you overdid it, it can be solved:

Add neutral side dishes. Boiled potatoes, fresh vegetables, rice, or tortillas will gladly “absorb” excess salt and balance the taste. Serve the kebab in the form of bowls or on a “pillow” of side dishes.
Use sauces! Prepare an unsalted sauce using yogurt, sour cream, or tomatoes as the base. This will add tenderness to the taste. A great option would be a sauce made from yogurt, herbs, and lemon juice.
Make sandwiches. Cut the meat into thin slices, put it on soft bread with lettuce, and add vegetables – and your kebab will become an accent, not a problem.
If the meat turned out tough

Using the wrong marinade or overcooking meat are well-known issues. But there is a way out here:

Cut finely. Cut the meat into small pieces and serve it with soft ingredients, such as in pita bread, with vegetables, or in salads. The toughness will not be so noticeable.
Hide in a dish. Add the meat to a vegetable stew, fry it with onions and peppers, and simmer for 10-15 minutes – and you’ll get a completely different dish!
Make kebab tacos. Use the meat as a filling for tortillas, and add fresh salad, sauce, and a little lime juice – delicious, bright, and summery!
We remind you that we have many practical recipes, thanks to which you can make your dishes even tastier and more original.