Grilling is a great all-American tradition.

For generations, family and friends have gathered around the grill to celebrate summer in the good old USA.

This year, treat your taste buds to a little road trip of flavor without ever having to leave your backyard. Just fire up the grill and serve a big, juicy steak that salutes one of America's regional food favorites. Whether it's a spicy Southwestern-style Rib Eye steak, a Heart of Dixie Whiskey-Barbeque Top Sirloin, or a Buffalo New York Strip, you can enjoy the steaks that make America great right at home.

To help you grill the perfect all-American steak every time, follow these tips:

• Clean your grill and preheat on high.

• Lightly oil the steak before you put it on the grill. This helps the searing process and prevents sticking.

• Always season the steak before grilling.

• Sear the outside of the steak when grilling for the ultimate in flavor and juiciness.

• Use tongs or a spatula to turn your steak on the grill. Using a fork can damage the meat.

• Cover your grill as much as possible during the grilling process. This helps to lock in the grilled flavor and will help prevent flare-ups.

• Keep a spray bottle with water handy to douse any unexpected flare-ups.

• Use the 60/40 grilling method for even cooking: grill for 60 percent of the time on the first side, and then grill the remaining 40 percent of the time after you turn the steak.

• Place your grilled steak on a clean plate. Never place cooked steaks on the plate you used to transport the raw steaks to the grill without thoroughly washing the plate first.

• Allow your steaks to rest for five minutes between cooking and eating to retain moisture and juiciness.