Mesquite Wood-Grilled Burgers, Brisket & Chicken

Savoring the smoky flavor of mesquite wood-grilled burgers, brisket, and chicken is a culinary experience that’s hard to match. If you’ve ever savored the smoky flavor of a mesquite wood-grilled burger, brisket, or chicken, you know that there’s something special about the taste. Cassidy’s Mesquite Kitchen in Houston, TX has spent decades perfecting this technique. But why is mesquite wood such a great choice for grilling, and what is the science behind the amazing flavor it adds to food?

Mesquite Wood

Mesquite wood has been used for centuries in Southwestern cuisine. Native Americans used mesquite wood to cook food over an open flame. Today, mesquite wood is widely available and popular among barbecue enthusiasts and chefs alike. One of the key reasons mesquite wood is such a great choice for grilling is its unique flavor profile. Mesquite wood imparts a sweet, smoky flavor to meats that is unmatched by other types of wood. This flavor comes from the compounds in the wood itself, which are released when the wood is burned.

A Perfect Sear

Mesquite wood also burns hot and fast, making it a great choice for searing meat. The high heat of mesquite wood can quickly sear meat, creating a crispy outer crust while keeping the inside juicy and tender. This is particularly important for burgers, which need to be cooked quickly to avoid drying out.

Slow-Cooked Smoky Infused Brisket

When it comes to brisket, mesquite wood is a popular choice because it can withstand the long cooking times required to fully tenderize the meat. Brisket is a tough cut of meat so it has to be tenderized, but when it’s slow-cooked over mesquite wood, the result is a flavorful explosion and tender dish that is the epitome of Texas-style barbecue.

Mesquite wood is also a great choice for grilling chicken. The high heat of mesquite wood helps to create a crispy, caramelized skin on the chicken, while keeping the meat moist and juicy. This is especially true when the chicken is marinated in a flavorful mixture before being grilled over the mesquite wood.

Mesquites Unique Flavor

One of the main benefits of using mesquite wood for grilling is its unique flavor. The wood has a sweet, smoky flavor that pairs well with a variety of different meats and vegetables. It is particularly well-suited for grilling beef, pork, and poultry, as well as vegetables like peppers and onions. The flavor of mesquite wood is so distinctive that it can even be used to add a smoky flavor to sauces and marinades.

High-Heat Wood

Another benefit of using mesquite wood for grilling is its high heat output. Mesquite wood burns hotter than many other types of wood, which means that it can cook food more quickly and efficiently. This is particularly useful when grilling thicker cuts of meat, which require higher temperatures to cook evenly. In addition to its flavor and high heat output, mesquite wood also has a number of health benefits. It is a good source of antioxidants, which can help to reduce inflammation and improve overall health. Mesquite wood also contains a number of beneficial minerals, including calcium, potassium, and magnesium.

Environmentally Friendly

Moreover, mesquite wood for grilling is an environmentally-friendly choice. Unlike charcoal, which is made from non-renewable resources, mesquite wood is a sustainable resource that can be harvested and replanted without harming the environment.

Less Ash – More Smoky Flavor

Furthermore, using mesquite wood for grilling produces less ash and soot than charcoal, which means that it is easier to clean up and produces less air pollution. When it comes to using mesquite wood for grilling, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, mesquite wood burns hotter than other types of wood, so it is important to use it in moderation. Too much mesquite wood can cause food to burn or become overly smoky.

Pro-Tips For The At-Home BBQ Enthusiasts

• It is also important to soak mesquite wood chips in water before using them for grilling, as this will help to prevent them from burning too quickly. Soak the wood for at least 30 minutes before using it, and then add it to the grill once the coals are hot. As a general rule, a handful of mesquite wood chips or chunks should be sufficient for most grilling sessions.

• While mesquite wood is a favored choice for grilling, it’s important to note that it’s not the only option. Other types of wood, such as hickory, oak, and apple-wood, can also be used to create delicious barbecue dishes.
  • Each type of wood has its own unique flavor profile, and different woods are often used for different types of meat or dishes.
• When grilling with mesquite wood, it’s important to keep a close eye on the meat. The high heat of mesquite wood can cause the meat to cook quickly, so it’s important to monitor the cooking process closely to avoid overcooking or burning the meat.

My Visit To Cassidy’s Mesquite Kitchen

Sam, the owner of Cassidy’s Mesquite Kitchen located at 930 Main Street, suite T-230 (McKinney Place Garage) in downtown Houston, Texas invited me to visit his restaurant recently. I was excited when I learned Cassidy’s was located in the tunnel system beneath downtown. The child in me was screaming “secret tunnel”! The thought of a mesquite grilled anything for breakfast made my taste buds salivate!!

My visit was around 9am and Sam greeted me with a big smile and immediately offered a visit to the Kitchen. Once the kitchen door opened my knees weakened as the smell of mesquite wood hit me. I could smell the mesquite wood was ablaze as I yelled “where is it?”. Chefs turned and smiled as Sam escorted me to a huge stainless steel grill and opened a door at the bottom-front revealing several mesquite wood logs; a couple mesquite logs smoldering, one on fire and another that had just been added. I was amazed to discover Cassidy’s Mesquite Kitchen was using “real mesquite wood logs“, not mesquite pellets or chips.

My next thought was of the vent hood overhead removing the mesquite smoke from the Kitchen. As powerful as it was there’s no denying that Cassidy’s was cooking something with a mesquite wood-fire. The businessman in me was thinking “Sam, you should turn off this vent-hood and let this mesquite smoke roll down all 6-miles of the downtown Houston tunnel system, pass all the other restaurants that don’t offer independent seating nor cook with real mesquite wood logs to persuade their customers to become your customers!” I’m not sure how legal that would be, it was just a thought.

Later I had the opportunity to order one of Cassidy’s Mesquite Kitchen’s “Brisket N’ Egg Tacos”, a breakfast item served till 10:30am. The results was absolutely delightful to say the least. The mesquite wood fire and open flame added a rich smoky flavor to the brisket, which complemented the other ingredients perfectly. The taco itself was a warm, soft tortilla, filled with tender house-chopped brisket, fresh scrambled eggs, and melted cheese. I added pico de gallo which added a fresh and bright element to the taco, while the potatoes proved to add a satisfying crunch. There was two house spicy sauces on the side that gave me the option to customize the heat level of this fresh made taco. One sauce appeared made with roasted chiles and garlic, while the other had a smoky chipotle flavor. I tried both and was longing to order more.

Together, all of these elements created a mouth-watering combination of flavors and textures. Each bite was a perfect balance of smoky, savory, spicy, and fresh. It’s no wonder Cassidy’s Mesquite Kitchen brisket and egg tacos are such a popular breakfast option in downtown Houston, TX!

In conclusion, using mesquite wood for grilling offers a number of benefits. Its unique flavor, high heat output, and health benefits make it a popular choice among grill enthusiasts. Additionally, mesquite wood is a sustainable and environmentally-friendly choice. If you are looking to add a new dimension of flavor to your grilling, consider giving mesquite wood a try. If you don’t want to go to all the trouble yourself head down to Cassidy’s Mesquite Kitchen and experience 1st hand a breakfast or lunch from true professionals who takes pride in cooking using that sweet mesquite wood to infuse a smoky flavor in their food. You won’t be disappointed!