50 Best BBQ Recipes for an Unforgettable Backyard Cookout
Embrace your inner pitmaster.
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Depending on where you live, there are all different styles of barbecue. There's the big, bold flavors of Texas barbecue, the porky goodness of Memphis barbecue, and the sweet and smoky flavors of Kansas City barbecue. Even places like Alabama and Kentucky have their own unique spins. But despite the differences, all barbecue has one thing in common: They're all incredibly meaty and downright crave-worthy!
Get ready to fire up the grill, because you're about to find some of the best BBQ recipes around right here! They include tons of fall-off-the-bone ribs recipes, BBQ chicken, brisket, and more. The best part about these barbecue recipes is that you don't have to be a pitmaster to make them—and you don't even have to spend hours in front of the grill. Try the BBQ beef sandwiches made in an Instant Pot, get creative with the oven-roasted barbecue chicken, or let your slow cooker do all the work with shredded pork.
Looking to take things outdoors? Ree Drummond's sweet and smoky ribs are a cookout favorite. Whip them up with homemade barbecue sauce or try one of these barbecue sauce brands—the options are endless. Speaking of options, you'l also find plenty of classic BBQ sides, like mac and cheese, coleslaw, and Ree's famous baked beans to round out your meal. All you need to complete the meal is a side of pickles and sliced bread!
Grilled BBQ Chicken Nachos
Combine two of the best game day favorites―BBQ chicken and nachos―into one incredible dish. You pop the whole tray on the grill to heat them up. Disposable pan make for easy cleanup.
Get Ree's Grilled BBQ Chicken Nachos recipe.
BBQ Chicken Wings
It's just not game day without classic wings! Ree takes an extra step to cook them before and after the sauce is applied. The result is the perfect balance of crispy and sticky-sweet.
Get Ree's BBQ Chicken Wings recipe.
Oven-Baked BBQ Pork Chops
Skip the grill and make tangy-glazed pork chops in the oven instead. You can swap use maple- or honey-based sauces or choose to go smokier or spicier if you prefer.
Get Ree's Oven-Baked BBQ Pork Chops recipe.
Perfect Potato Salad
Ree said this recipe makes "potato salad the way it should be: fluffy, light, flavorful, and packed with mix-ins" like bacon and green onions. If you want a go-to recipe for your next cookout, this is it!
Get Ree's Perfect Potato Salad recipe.
Little Smokies
These classic cocktail wieners are even better than you remember! Ree's tangy-sweet sauce is made with a real game-changing ingredient for an extra kick: adobo peppers.
Get Ree's Little Smokies recipe.
Beer Can Chicken
Sauce isn't the only thing that can flavor chicken on the grill. Crack open a cold one and make tender, juicy, and flavorful whole bird without even having to flip it.
Get the Beer Can Chicken recipe.
Upside-Down Tomato Cornbread
Give your cornbread a summery twist with colorful tomato slices! You can create a pretty pattern that gets revealed as you flip it and serve it.
Get the Upside-Down Tomato Cornbread recipe.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tacos
This recipe is inspired by Mexican pork al pastor. It's cooked low and slow with pineapple, chipotle peppers, and onion until it's tender and easy to shred. Pile it high on tortillas!
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tacos recipe.
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Grain Bowls
Make BBQ chicken and grains the base for a tasty lunch! Top them with avocado, mango, jalapeño, sliced radishes, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.
Get Ree's Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Grain Bowls recipe.
Oven BBQ Chicken
You'll love the sweet and spicy flavor of this easy chicken recipe. It's perfect for those days when you don't feel like firing up the grill. All you need is your oven and your favorite BBQ sauce.
Get Ree's Oven BBQ Chicken recipe.
Alabama White Sauce
It might not look like it, but this is a homemade barbecue sauce that's packed with flavor. The regional specialty is a creamy and peppery addition to grilled chicken or ribs.
Get the Alabama White Sauce recipe.
Cowboy Beans
If you want to serve up barbecue like a cowboy than you'll definitely want to have a pot of these beans. They're a hearty, comforting combination of beans, bacon, and beef in a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce.
Get the Cowboy Beans recipe.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
This pork gets meltingly tender using your slow cooker, but it's also full of flavor thanks to a rub spiked with brown sugar and dry mustard. Pile it onto pretzel buns or serve it over mashed potatoes throughout the week.
Get the Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe.
BBQ Meatballs
Ree says: "There's nothing more comforting than a plate these BBQ meatballs with mashed potatoes." But of course, egg noodles or a big ol' hunk of crusty French bread would also work.
Brisket Tacos
Spicy chipotle peppers in adobo, garlic, and ginger give this brisket a unique flavor. The smoky, tender meat is even better when topped with pickled onions.
Get the Brisket Tacos recipe.
Country-Style Ribs
No barbecue pit? No worries: These ribs are made right on a sheet pan with a seasoned, spicy rub.
Get the Country-Style Ribs recipe.
Pickled Okra
Have something acidic and pickled to pair with your bold smoky-sweet BBQ is always a good idea. Try pickling your own veggies, like this variation using Southern okra.
Get the Pickled Okra recipe.
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
This BBQ chicken will fall apart with the gentle prodding of a fork, and that's just the right texture. Make a big batch in the beginning of the week and you'll have BBQ sandwiches whenever the craving strikes.
Get the Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken recipe.
Jalapeño Cornbread
This spicy twist on a classic BBQ side will really bring the heat. Not only are there slices of jalapeño peppers throughout, but there's also chili powder for an extra kick.
Get the Jalapeño Cornbread recipe.
Honey Barbecue Wings
These sweet and sticky wings will satisfy any finger lickin’ craving. They're great for game day, but you can also make them any night of the week.
Get the Honey Barbecue Wings recipe.
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