15 Essential Barbecue Ingredients

Summer is here and barbecuing is in full effect. To make sure you're getting the most out of your grill this summer, we want to make sure you're well prepared.

Cuts of meat have expiration dates and buns will go stale, but there are a handful of ingredients that you can keep in your kitchen that will last you through the summer and add a punch of flavor to your barbecue. To compile this list for you, we consulted editor-in-chief of Grillocracy.com, Clint Cantwell, to learn some of his essential ingredients that he has on hand that help him with any kind of barbecue he's getting into.

Click here to see 15 Ingredients You Should Always Have on Hand for Your Barbecue

Whether he's winning state-held barbecue competitions or writing about doing so, Cantwell constantly has to think on his feet, and he's shared some of best-kept secrets that help him do so. From making sure your spice cabinet is well-stocked to providing shortcuts for the "perfect barbecue sauce," Cantwell has put together a list of ingredients that'll help you not only master the barbecue but impress your guests, as well.

Even a barbecue-guru like Cantwell resorts to store-bought sauces sometimes, but he has a few tips and suggestions for how he makes them his own. Before this list, you may have thought that mayonnaise and mustard were only condiments for post-grilling, but Cantwell shares a few reasons why you might want to bust them out before lighting the grill.

No matter what kind of barbecuing you're getting into this summer, there are a few flavorful sidekicks that you can keep in your kitchen. Use this expertly composed barbecue shopping list to stock up at the store and be well prepared for your outdoor summer cooking. 

Anne Dolce is the Cook editor at The Daily Meal. Follow her on Twitter @anniecdolce 

Originally published 5/28/2013.