Summer time has arrived and with the 4th of July tomorrow, it is time to fire up the grill. Nearly three out of four American grillers say the one meat they most often grill is beef. Executive Director Jean O’Toole from The New York Beef Council knows the easiest way to achieve crowd pleasing steaks. There are three simple steps to grilling.

The first step is to choose a cut of meat. O’Toole swears by strip steaks because they are tender and full of flavor. Once a cut is selected, it is time for step two. This entails preparing the meat and firing up the grill. The grill should be set on medium heat and you can choose a seasoning to prep your steak of your preference. The third and final step is to cook your steak. You should grill with the cover on and flip your steaks occasionally. O’Toole also suggests to allow your steak to sit for a few minutes before serving it. This allows the juice to absorb back into the meat. The more the flavor, the better the steak.

An important  aspect of grilling is paying attention to grill marks. O’Toole says that doing so will have you looking like a  “grill master.” To achieve a hashtag patterned grill mark, start by placing your steak on the grill at 9 and 3 position and then later to 12 and 6. To achieve a diamond pattern, you would turn it to a 10 and 4 position. Another creative twist that O’Toole has tried out is branding. Try it for yourself by branding your initials. A steak brander can be purchased for around $10 online or in convenience stores.

Practice your grill marks and snap a picture of your best. “Show Us Your Grill Marks” is a contest being held right now. The person who submits the best grill marks snapshot will win a brand new Webber grill. To enter your best grill marks be sure to visit ForTheLoveOfNYBeef.com.