48 Backyard Barbecue Recipes That Are Smoky and Delicious
You don’t need to be a pro pit master to cook up some crave-worthy ‘cue. With these doable recipes you’ll be making everything from ribs to burnt ends—right in your back yard.
Real Deal BBQ, Right at Home
People do barbecue a little differently from region to region, and far beyond the South. You can find great BBQ from Delaware to Alaska. So, whether you prefer the acidity of Eastern Carolina-style pork or the smokiness of Texas-style brisket, you can enjoy your favorite version wherever you are—including your own backyard. Start with Food Network Kitchen’s take on a classic: baby back ribs. These sweet-and-smoky ones take a bit of time and planning, but you’ll be rewarded with tons of flavor. Plus, once you get the technique down, you’ll find yourself using it again and again. Just don’t forget the sides!
Texas Brisket
There are many barbecue joints throughout Texas, and among them, a variety of cooking styles and regional favorites, but the traditional Texas Brisket reigns supreme. This recipe calls for the meat to be coated with yellow mustard and a spicy rub and then smoked for over nine hours. The resulting flavorful beef brisket meat is well worth the wait.
Memphis-Style Hickory-Smoked Beef and Pork Ribs
These Memphis-style beef and pork spareribs are the signature dish of Food Network's king and queen of barbecue. If you're a dry rib fan, serve these with a little extra of the Neelys' barbecue seasoning blend on top. If you prefer wet ribs, mix up a batch of the Neelys' homemade barbecue sauce.
Pellet-Grill Smoked Ribs
The pellet grill might be the best thing to happen to barbecue since fire was invented! With no need to constantly tend a fire or monitor smoke and heat, it makes smoking much easier. We tested out baby-back ribs, spareribs and St Louis-style ribs. Overall, we preferred the St. Louis style, although you can substitute spareribs. For the sauce, we went with a balanced blend of vinegar and sweetness that really lets the smoky flavor of the meat shine.
Pat's Ribs With Peach BBQ Sauce
"These ribs are perfect for a throw-down-and-wow-your-guests summer barbecue," the Neelys say. "They are sweet and smoky with just a hint of spice. The pureed peaches provide the sweetness and the hickory gives us that smoke. Our secret ingredient is the smoked paprika, which gives the ribs another layer of flavor and smoky sweetness."
Sweet Cola Ribs
The Neelys say, "These ribs will blow you away. The smoke and indirect heat leave you with deliciously tender ribs while the cola packs a punch of unexpected sweetness. Our secret is removing the fatty membrane from the ribs before cooking and glazing them to sweet perfection at the end of the grill time. Perfection!"