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BBQ & Grilling In Depth: Tested Recipes, Science-Based Technique, Equipment Reviews, Myth Busting

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sous vide and seared ribeye stead on a plate with asparagus

Although peak BBQ, grilling, and griddling season is behind us, AmazingRibs.com has everything you need to continue firing up delicious backyard fare all fall and winter!

Whether it’s our countless recipes; compelling science and techniques; or an enormous database of hands-on product reviews, we have everything you need to make this summer’s cookouts truly amazing. Here are a few highlights, including our latest content!

  • “Thoughtful and magnificent.” Colson Whitehead — Winner of two Pulitzers

  • “The gold standard.” Helen Rosner — The New Yorker

  • “By far the leading resource for BBQ and grilling information.” Larry Olmstead — Forbes

  • “A destination site.” Jim Shahin — Washington Post

BBQ And Grilling 101: A Guide To Better Live Fire Cooking (2 Recipes, 8 Pages, 18 Articles)

By:

Clint Cantwell, AmazingRibs.com President And BBQ Personality

If you are new to BBQ and grilling, start here. These articles will give you a solid foundation on BBQ and grilling equipment, recipes, and techniques. You'll learn about thermodynamics, how to control temperature, meat science, smoke science, top recipes, product buying guides, and more.
BBQ Stars logo

AmazingRibs.com’s BBQ Stars: An Exclusive Pitmaster Club Perk

Welcome to AmazingRibs.com's BBQ Stars, a premium collection of step-by-step videos featuring 12 top BBQ pitmasters and award-winning chefs. The series is available exclusively to our Pitmaster Club members. Learn more about the video the stars, their videos, and how to join the Pitmaster Club now.
smokers and grills

BBQ Gear Guide: The Best Smokers And Grills To Buy Today

By:

Clint Cantwell, AmazingRibs.com President And BBQ Personality

Picking the right smoker or grill for your personal needs can be a difficult task, with countless brands, styles, and prices to sort through. To help you find the best smoker grill to buy, we have compiled an elite list of top rated AmazingRibs.com gold and platinum medal winners.
pork ribs

Master the Art of Smoked Ribs with These 8 Simple Tips

By:

Dave Joachim, AmazingRibs.com Contributing Author

We're crazy for incredible BBQ ribs and have plenty of smoked ribs recipes, cooking techniques, equipment recommendations, and mythbusting secrets throughout the site. But we know sometimes you just want to see the highlight reel instead of watching the whole game. No problem. Here are the 8 key steps you need to take.
Grilling catfish fillet on orange slices

BBQ and Grilling Hacks: 12 Genius Ways to Save Time and Money

By:

Clint Cantwell, AmazingRibs.com President And BBQ Personality

Dave Joachim, AmazingRibs.com Contributing Author

BBQ cooks are some of the most inventive cooks around. Live fire, hot coals, grill grates, heavy hunks of raw and cooked meat...they can all present some serious challenges. Here are our favorite outdoor cooking hacks to save both time and money while also creating delicious BBQ!
NEW

Gozney Arc XL Pizza Oven Reviewed and Rated

By:

Dave Joachim, AmazingRibs.com Contributing Author

If youโ€™re in the market for a well-built, good-looking, plug-and-play outdoor pizza oven that can also roast, sear, and bake a whole lot more than pizza, you could hardly do better than the Gozney Arc XL pizza oven. Read our review to get the whole story.
NEW

Meater Pro XL Wireless Meat Thermometer Reviewed and Rated

By:

Bill McGrath, AmazingRibs.com Chief Thermometer Reviewer

The Meater Pro XL is a wireless meat thermometer that features four probes, each of which has five separate temperature sensors. How does it perform? Check out our full review.
NEW

Current Model G Dual Zone Grill Reviewed and Rated

By:

Max Good, AmazingRibs.com’s Full-Time Grill Tester

Live fire cooking will likely not disappear, but may thin out in our backyards, just as gas cans and internal combustion engines are thinning out in our garages, driveways and sheds. For those who cannot have live fire due to restrictions, and for those who choose not to have live fire for whatever reason, Current has a lot to like. Read our review.
NEW

Camp Chef Woodwind Pro Reviewed and Rated

By:

Max Good, AmazingRibs.com’s Full-Time Grill Tester

Camp Chef Pellet Grills have a knack for coming up with simple solutions to common pellet grill complaints and here they go again. To increase smoke flavor on their Woodwind Pro, Camp Chef adds a Smoke Box that slides in from the front over the firepot and burns wood chunks over the wood pellet fire. Does it work? Read our review to find out.

Traeger Pro 22 Pellet Smoker Reviewed and Rated

By:

Bill McGrath, AmazingRibs.com Chief Thermometer Reviewer

The Traeger Pro-22 is a mid-sized pellet smoker with straightforward controls but no interface with smart apps that reside on phones and tablets. While lacking in some of the common features, this unit is a good option for the price-conscious consumer. Check out our review to learn more.

Weber Slate 36โ€ Rust-Resistant Griddle Reviewed and Rated

By:

Huskee, AmazingRibs.com’s Pitmaster Club Head Moderator

The Weber Slate Rust-Resistant Griddle is an upscale version of Weberโ€™s standard griddle line. Available in 30โ€ 3-burner and 36โ€ 4-burner configurations, Slate boasts a pre-seasoned, ready-to-cook-on carbon steel cooktop, an upgraded cart, and so much more. Check out our full review.

12-Inch Stainless Steel Cooking Tweezers Rated And Reviewed

By:

Clint Cantwell, AmazingRibs.com President And BBQ Personality

Traditional tongs can make grasping and flipping smaller or more delicate food a challenge. Used in professional kitchens, long-handled tweezers are an ideal alternative. Here's our full review.
Big Poppa's BBQ brisket smashburger

Smoked Brisket Is The Key To Mouthwatering Smash Burgers

By:

Sterling Ball, AmazingRibs.com BBQ And Grilling Content Contributor

Get your tastebuds buzzing with this flavor-packed twist on a traditional smash burger, featuring smoked BBQ brisket.

Killer Tested Barbecue And Grilling Recipes (29 Pages)

By:

Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer

Our philosophy of food is simple. First of all, it must taste great. We try to create recipes that are easy to make and that use plenty of fresh seasonal ingredients with a minimum of processed stuff. But most important, we test all our recipes. We know these recipes work if you follow the directions precisely. Dig in!

All About Our Pitmaster Club, The World's Largest BBQ Forum

By:

Clint Cantwell, AmazingRibs.com President And BBQ Personality

AmazingRibs.com's Pitmaster Club is the world's largest BBQ and grilling forum, providing paid members with access to flame-war-free discussions with over 16,000 like-minded outdoor cooks. Enjoy recipes, techniques, product reviews, interviews with top pros, monthly giveaways, and more!
burning charcoal

Charcoal Grills: Buying Guide, Reviews, And Ratings

By:

Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer

A comprehensive review and buyer's guide of almost all the wood burning and charcoal grills available from experts, with ratings.
Weber Genesis EPX-35

Gas Grills: Buying Guide, Reviews, And Ratings

By:

Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer

Here's how gas grills work and what to look for when you go shopping.
Camp Chef Woodwind

Pellet Smokers And Grills: Buying Guide, Ratings, And Reviews

By:

Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer

Ratings, reviews, and recommendations on what to look for and what to buy when shopping for pellet barbecue smokers and grills.
NEW

Gozney Arc XL Pizza Oven Reviewed and Rated

By:

Dave Joachim, AmazingRibs.com Contributing Author

If youโ€™re in the market for a well-built, good-looking, plug-and-play outdoor pizza oven that can also roast, sear, and bake a whole lot more than pizza, you could hardly do better than the Gozney Arc XL pizza oven. Read our review to get the whole story.
NEW

Ninja Woodfire 8-in-1 Outdoor Oven Reviewed and Rated

By:

Dave Joachim, AmazingRibs.com Contributing Author

This compact cooker reliably turns out several styles of pizza as well as baked potatoes, roasted vegetables, broiled fish, seared pork tenderloins and steaks and chops, pot roasts, braises, the โ€˜ol Easter leg โ€˜o lamb, and even low โ€˜n slow barbecue like smoked pork shoulder for a surprisingly low price. Read our review to get all the details.

Traeger Flatrock Flat Top Grill Reviewed and Rated

By:

Huskee, AmazingRibs.com’s Pitmaster Club Head Moderator

The Traeger Flatrock griddle is more expensive than most residential griddles, but unique features and a hefty build quality set it a few paces ahead of many competitorsโ€™ models available at the time of this writing. Is the Flatrock worth its equally hefty price point? Read our review to find out.

Get Griddle Grilling With These Mouthwatering Recipes (19 Recipes)

By:

Clint Cantwell, AmazingRibs.com President And BBQ Personality

Cooking on a hot griddle, flattop, or plancha is a great way to get an all-over flavorful sear. And it is fun! Here are some great recipes to get you started.

GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker Reviewed and Rated

By:

Max Good, AmazingRibs.com’s Full-Time Grill Tester

GE Profile's Smart Indoor Smoker is a sealed oven with a 1,550 watt electric element at the bottom for cooking heat. Wood pellets are burned inside to generate smoke. Smoke exhaust is eliminated by a catalytic system located in the back before being blown out from the front bottom into your home. A fascinating magic trick. Read our review to learn more.

Meathead: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling

By:

Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer

With 400 pages and more than 400 of my photographs plus color illustrations, there is new material and new recipes not on this website, and the whole thing is organized so that you can sit down in an easy chair and flow from start to finish.
Sauced rack of ribs on a tray

An Epic Smoked Ribs Recipe (Baby Back or St. Louis Spare Ribs)

By:

Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer

Mastering smoked BBQ ribs -- whether they are St. Louis style ribs, spare ribs, or baby back ribs -- with our comprehensive tutorial and recipe will make you a backyard all star.

Grilled, Seared Or Smashed, Every Burger Recipe You’ll Ever Need (18 Recipes, 2 Articles)

By:

Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer

Whether you prefer big fat juicy steakburgers, thin crispy smashburgers, or something in between, we've got the recipes and techniques for you!
pulled pork sandwich with sauce

An Easy BBQ Pulled Pork Recipe With Mouthwatering Results

By:

Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer

This easy pulled pork recipe skips the slow cooker to create authentic low-and-slow smoked pulled pork on a smoker or grill. With smoke woven through the moist meat, bits of seasoned crust, and a gentle splash of BBQ sauce, pulled pork is perfect for your next backyard cookout.
brisket on a grill

Authentic Texas Style Smoked Brisket Recipe

By:

Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer

Behold the best smoked brisket recipe ever! Texas style brisket is more than a recipe, it is a concept and a goal. It all begins by selecting the right meat, trimming it, seasoning it, smoking it, slicing it, and more. Follow this easy BBQ brisket guide for mouthwatering results!

ThermoPro Twin TempSpike Plus Reviewed and Rated

By:

Bill McGrath, AmazingRibs.com Chief Thermometer Reviewer

The ThermoPro Twin TempSpike Plus is the two-probe-with-booster version of the previously reviewed TempSpike Plus. Check out our complete review for our rating.

Tappecue AirProbe Mini Reviewed And Rated

By:

Bill McGrath, AmazingRibs.com Chief Thermometer Reviewer

The Tappecue Airprobe Mini wireless temperature probe provides food and ambient temperature information via Bluetooth to a phone or tablet app. Want to learn more about the thermometer? Check out AmazingRibs.com's full review and product rating.

Meater 2 Plus Reviewed and Rated

By:

Bill McGrath, AmazingRibs.com Chief Thermometer Reviewer

The Meater 2 Plus includes such features as an extended temperature range and five sensors along the food-end of the probe. Check out our full review.
The Bear Italian Beef Sandwich

Classic Chicago Italian Beef Sandwich As Seen On Hulu’s “The Bear”

By:

Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer

If you are a fan ofย The Bear, a hit FX On Hulu series featuring Jeremy Allen White as a classically trained chef who takes over his family restaurant, The Original Beef of Chicagoland, then this recipe for classic Italian beef sandwiches is for you.
pork cubes simmering in a copper pot

Big Poppa’s Fall-Apart-Tender Copper Pot Carnitas

By:

Sterling Ball, AmazingRibs.com BBQ And Grilling Content Contributor

Pork shoulder is slowly simmered in a copper pot to create deliciously addictive, authentic carnitas! Sterling "Big Poppa" Ball shows you how in this recipe!
Smoked Texas style beef rib

The Ultimate Texas-Style Smoked BBQ Beef Ribs Recipe

By:

Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer

Here's the only smoked beef rib recipe you'll ever need! The key to successfully replicating this Texas BBQ classic is cooking them low and slow over live fire with just the perfect touch of smoke.
beef shank and taco toppings

Channel Your BBQ Superpowers With Thor’s Hammer Tacos

By:

Sterling Ball, AmazingRibs.com BBQ And Grilling Content Contributor

Step up your taco game with the addition of the aptly named "Thorโ€™s Hammer." These monster beef shanks are seasoned, smoked, and shredded then served alongside various taco fixings.

Ooni Volt 12 Electric Pizza Oven Reviewed and Rated

By:

Dave Joachim, AmazingRibs.com Contributing Author

Ooni's Volt 12 is a well-designed, compact, energy-efficient electric oven that achieves raging hot temps capable of cooking fantastic pizza, steaks, fish, vegetables, and more. After months of cook tests and tinkering, we rated it in comparison to competitive models. Read our review to learn all about Volt 12.

Weber Searwood 600 Pellet Grill Reviewed

By:

Max Good, AmazingRibs.com’s Full-Time Grill Tester

Weber's Searwood pellet grills look a lot more like other pellet smokers than its previous Smokefire model. Will they still produce the excellent results of their predecessors while eliminating their problems? Here's what we know.

Blaze 26-Inch Freestanding Outdoor Pizza Oven Review

By:

Dave Joachim, AmazingRibs.com Contributing Author

The best thing about this outdoor oven is its incredible versatility. You can bake everything from cookies to casseroles; roast big hunks of meat; pan-roast steaks and vegetables; and rotisserie-roast everything from chickens and pineapples to shawarma meat and a crown roast of pork. But it is not without some issues. Read our full review and see our rating.
plated carnitas taquitos

Big Poppa’s Crazy Carnitas Taquitos

By:

Sterling Ball, AmazingRibs.com BBQ And Grilling Content Contributor

Make mouthwatering taquitos at home with this recipe from Sterling "Big Poppa" Ball that utilizes leftovers from his authentic copper pot carnitas recipe!
multigrain bread

Popular Food Label Claims And Why They Can’t Always Be Trusted

By:

Tamar Haspel, AmazingRibs.com Contributing Author

There are laws regarding claims on food packaging but that doesn't mean everything is what it seems. Here we break down many popular terms.
chilies

Step Over, Scoville. Peppers Deserve A Better Heat Scale.

By:

Tamar Haspel, AmazingRibs.com Contributing Author

The Scoville scale for measuring heat in peppers was established in 1912 but times have changed and now an update is called for.
Memphis dust dry rub

Meathead’s World Famous Memphis Dust Rub Recipe

By:

Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer

This popular Memphis dust bbq dry rub recipe is the only seasoning blend you'll ever need for pork, chicken, fish, beef, and veggies. The rub is based on Memphis style BBQ, where ribs are served "dry," letting the seasoning and smoked shine by skipping the sauce.
Sliced homemade pastrami

A Smoked Pastrami Recipe That’s Close To Katz’s

By:

Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer

If you've ever wondered how to make pastrami then we've got you covered. Moist, tender, and full of flavor, this is the ultimate homemade smoked pastrami recipe. So what is pastrami? Simply put, it's Jewish barbecue, i.e. corned beef that has been smoked. This is about as close to Katz's pastrami recipe as you'll get!
Pork loin Cuban sandwich plated

A Cuban Sandwich Tastes Better When The Meat Is Smoked

By:

Clint Cantwell, AmazingRibs.com President And BBQ Personality

Slow smoked pork loin provides a unique twist on a Florida favorite in this grilled Cuban sandwich recipe. Thinly sliced smoked pork loin joins sliced ham, mustard, pickles, and Swiss cheese on Cuban style bread before being wrapped in foil, pressed, and grilled to crunchy perfection.
Smoked bacon wrapped meatballs

MOINK Balls, The Easiest Grilled Appetizer Ever

By:

Clint Cantwell, AmazingRibs.com President And BBQ Personality

We'll bet you can't stop at just one of these tasty smoked bacon-wrapped meatballs, a.k.a MOINK balls. This recipe is the perfect appetizer for any tailgating, couchgating, or backyard bash. The best part is that they are as easy to make as they are to eat!
armadillo eggs

Armadillo Eggs: Bacon, Sausage, And Cheese In One Perfect Bite

These cheese and jalapeno stuffed, bacon-wrapped sausage appetizers are perfect for tailgating, backyard cookouts, and more.
Baguette, split and filled with meat, red and green jalapenos, and garnished with cilantro

Mouthwatering Smoked Pork Belly Bacon Burnt Ends Banh Mi

By:

Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer

This rich and flavor packed tested recipe for our smoked pork belly version of the classic Vietnamese banh mรฌ sandwich is sure to make your knees buckle. The recipe hits all the right notes for a perfect banh mรฌ, including succulent BBQ pork belly burnt ends, spicy jalapeรฑos, savory mayo, and tangy pickled veggies.
Pulled pork baked potato

Pulled Pork Baked Potatoes: A Cook Once, Eat Twice Recipe

By:

Clint Cantwell, AmazingRibs.com President And BBQ Personality

Weeknight meals don't get much easier than this baked potato recipe that utilizes leftover pulled pork.

Published On: 3/16/2021 Last Modified: 10/16/2024

 

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