BBQ recipes, product reviews, & how-to's

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Smoked Cream Cheese with Pepper Jelly

Smoked Cream Cheese with Pepper Jelly

Smoked cream cheese is one of the easiest, tastiest appetizers you’ll ever make! It’s one of the best game day snacks out there and I’ll show you the steps to this easy appetizer. Three Ingredients. And Smoke. The ingredients list is short for this smoked…

Chorizo Breakfast Burritos on the Griddle

Chorizo Breakfast Burritos on the Griddle

Breakfast burritos are one of my most favorite things to eat on the planet. Turns out they are super simple to make, too. This chorizo breakfast burrito recipe will be one that you will keep coming back to! Let me show you the details. What…

Classic Gooey Butter Cake

Classic Gooey Butter Cake

This classic gooey butter cake recipe is a dessert that has ingredients of a cake but is served up like a brownie. With it’s buttery crust and flaky, gooey, cream cheese-based top, it’s one of the best dessert recipes out there! As a native of…

How to Make Bacon Jam

How to Make Bacon Jam

This bacon jam recipe is so easy and makes the perfect topping for burgers and appetizers! Follow these easy steps to make this game changing topping! What is in Bacon Jam? Bacon jam is a perfect blend of sweet and savory. Bacon jam ingredients include…

Easy Smoked Mac and Cheese

Easy Smoked Mac and Cheese

Homemade smoked mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. I’ve tried different macaroni and cheese recipes over the years and this one is a winner! Using this tried and true recipe, and adding smoke flavor, makes this the ultimate side dish for any BBQ!…

Mango Habanero Chicken Wings

Mango Habanero Chicken Wings

Do you like hot wings, but also like that sweet flavor? These mango habanero chicken wings provide a nice balance of sweet and heat while taking your tastebuds for a ride. It’s makes for the best tailgate food! What are Drums and Flats? When buying…

Smoked Beef Birria Tacos

Smoked Beef Birria Tacos

Smoked beef birria tacos are next level! These flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth tacos dipped in a slowly simmered consommé will hit all the right spots with your taste buds! What is Birria? Birria is a meat stew from Mexico, traditionally made with goat or beef. The stew…

Chicken Bacon Ranch Hawaiian Roll Sliders

Chicken Bacon Ranch Hawaiian Roll Sliders

Chicken bacon ranch Hawaiian roll sliders are some of the best tasting sliders I’ve ever made! Using Hawaiian rolls, chicken, bacon, ranch, and cheese, these bacon ranch chicken sliders are going to be the talk of your next gathering! What are Sliders? Sliders are basically…

Smoked Chocolate Chip Cookie w/ Caramel Sea Salt Baking Chips – Trader Joe’s Recipe

Smoked Chocolate Chip Cookie w/ Caramel Sea Salt Baking Chips – Trader Joe’s Recipe

Looking for a sweet and salty cookie recipe? Or a Christmas cookie recipe that’s perfect for the holidays? This Trader Joe’s recipe is a chocolate chip cookie combined with caramel sea salt baking chips! The sea salt flakes on top add a nice, savory touch…

Smoked Chuck Roast

Smoked Chuck Roast

Looking for an alternative way to cook a chuck roast? Then smoked chuck roast (aka smoked beef roast) is the answer! This blog post will walk you through how to smoke a chuck roast from the grill. What is Chuck Roast? Chuck roast comes from…

Caramel Apple Empanadas

Caramel Apple Empanadas

New to making empanadas? Don’t be intimidated, caramel apple empanadas are simple to make! Follow these easy instructions for some tasty pockets of heaven you and your company will enjoy! Two different cooking methods used here. Also, these are similar to the Taco Bell empanadas…

Smoked Tri Tip Sandwich with Lemon Garlic Aioli

Smoked Tri Tip Sandwich with Lemon Garlic Aioli

Looking to make a next level dish? Look no further than this smoked tri tip sandwich recipe! People often ask me what my favorite cut of beef is. While there are many contenders, such as brisket, ribeye cap, and New York strip, I have to…

Philly Cheesesteak Dip

Philly Cheesesteak Dip

Philly cheesesteak dip is a tasty twist to the classic sandwich! Only takes 30 minutes on the grill or in the oven (but smoke flavor off the grill is preferred). Let’s start by addressing what goes into a Philly cheesesteak sandwich. What Ingredients Go Into…

Smoked Beef Ribs

Smoked Beef Ribs

Smoked beef ribs are basically brisket on a stick! This BBQ delicacy is easy to make and only takes a few ingredients. What Type of Beef Ribs Should I Buy? When at the butcher shop (or department), you will see different kinds of beef ribs…

Smoked Prosciutto Wrapped Brie

Smoked Prosciutto Wrapped Brie

Smoked prosciutto wrapped Brie is the perfect appetizer for all types of gatherings, from formal to casual. Only three ingredients and 30 minutes on the grill! How to Make Smoked Prosciutto Wrapped Brie This smoked appetizer recipe is so simple you could jump to the…

Smoked Queso Dip

Smoked Queso Dip

This smoked queso dip recipe is the ultimate party dip your chips can’t stay away from! Easy to follow instructions for the best dip you’ll ever make! What Goes Into this Smoked Queso Dip Recipe? This smoked queso dip recipe consists of eight ingredients and…

Smoked Chex Mix

Smoked Chex Mix

Taking the traditional holiday snack mix to the next level, this Smoked Chex Mix recipe adds more of what you want! This recipe is easy to follow and only takes one hour of cooking (or should we say, smoking) time. Watch the Video! What Goes…

Smoked Brisket Chili

Smoked Brisket Chili

Got leftover brisket? This smoked brisket chili recipe is so good and will certainly be one you’ll want to bookmark for frequent use! In the world of BBQ, brisket is king. It can also be expensive, too. To get more bang for your buck, this…

Green Beans with Bacon and Onions

Green Beans with Bacon and Onions

Looking for a great side dish recipe to go along with that epic holiday feast (or steak dinner)? Fresh green beans with bacon and onions provides those perfect, complementary flavors to go along with that main dish! An Amazing Green Vegetable Side Dish Even though…

Easy Apple Crisp (in Cast Iron Skillet)

Easy Apple Crisp (in Cast Iron Skillet)

A cast iron full of warm, cinnamon honeycrisp apples topped with a crisp made with oats and brown sugar. This easy apple crisp recipe will become one of your favorite recipes from the grill (or oven)! How Do You Make an Easy Apple Crisp? Apple…

How to Smoke Turkey

How to Smoke Turkey

Looking to learn how to smoke a turkey for the holidays (or just because it tastes dang good any time of year)? This smoked turkey recipe will walk you through all of the steps, from thawing to serving. Follow the details for how to smoke…

BBQ Chicken Lollipop Recipe

BBQ Chicken Lollipop Recipe

BBQ chicken often gets overlooked on the menu, especially when up against other meats like brisket, pulled pork, or ribs. Chicken lollipops are bacon wrapped drumsticks you can eat with your hands! Trimming the bone may take a few attempts to get down (good thing…

Breakfast Skillet Recipe with Brisket

Breakfast Skillet Recipe with Brisket

Brisket Breakfast Skillet is a perfect leftover brisket recipe! It’s also a good excuse to have brisket for breakfast. This breakfast skillet recipe is easy to follow and can be made any time of the day! Recipe created as a collaboration with Aspire by Hestan.…

Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon Polish Sausage

Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon Polish Sausage

Note: this post for bacon wrapped filet mignon Polish sausage is sponsored by Omaha Steaks. I occasionally collaborate with brands I trust to help keep Learning to Smoke up and going. I’m speaking from my own genuine experience and am not being asked by the…

Grilled Peaches

Grilled Peaches

With this grilled peaches recipe, making dessert on the grill has never been easier! Peaches are in peak season in the summer, and using the grill is the perfect place to go. To make this recipe, all you need are four ingredients and five minutes…

Grilled Teriyaki Salmon

Grilled Teriyaki Salmon

Note: this post for grilled teriyaki salmon is sponsored by Omaha Steaks. I occasionally collaborate with brands I trust to help keep Learning to Smoke up and going. I’m speaking from my own genuine experience and am not being asked by the brand to mention…

Homemade French Fries (Five Guys copycat)

Homemade French Fries (Five Guys copycat)

Have you attempted making homemade french fries before? Do you wish you could make them taste like the epic fries at Five Guys? You can make these at home and they are easier than you’d expect. As long as you know THREE key tips, your…

Smoky Cuban Sliders

Smoky Cuban Sliders

Sliders seem to be all the craze lately and deservedly so. The are like mini versions of your favorite burger or sandwich and you don’t have to feel guilty eating multiples. This Cuban sliders recipe packs the flavor in a smaller size. They only take…

Grilled Twinkies with Raspberry Compote

Grilled Twinkies with Raspberry Compote

Grilled Twinkies are one of my most favorite desserts off the grill. Much healthier than deep fried! This idea started out of both curiosity and desperation years ago when I wanted to feed my guests dessert after grilling our dinner. It has since become a…

BBQ Pulled Pork Pizza

BBQ Pulled Pork Pizza

If you’re reading this article, there’s a good chance you are looking for leftover pulled pork ideas. Well, you’re in the right place! One of my favorite things to do with leftover pork is to make BBQ pulled pork pizza. I’ll show you how simple…

Hot n’ Fast Pulled Pork

Hot n’ Fast Pulled Pork

Do you love pulled pork, but don’t have all day to smoke it? Did you know you can get the same salivating results in about half the time? The hot and fast pulled pork method will shave hours off your cook time and give you…

Griddle Ham Fried Rice

Griddle Ham Fried Rice

Did you smoke a ham recently? Chances are you have some leftovers, which is what brought you here. Ham fried rice is a quick, simple recipe that will make you want to cook ham just for the leftovers. What Do I Need to Make Ham…

Smoked Pot Roast in Dutch Oven

Smoked Pot Roast in Dutch Oven

Pot roasts are a traditional meal to have for Sunday dinner, especially in the colder months. The ingredients are fairly inexpensive and the meal easily feeds up to 10-12 people. Cook the Dutch oven pot roast on the grill for a few hours. Add a…

Smoked Ham with Cinnamon Apricot Glaze

Smoked Ham with Cinnamon Apricot Glaze

This post is sponsored by Omaha Steaks. Sponsored posts are what enable food bloggers like me to maintain and operate sites that are free to the public. That said, I only work with products and brands that I believe in. Smoked ham is all the…

Smoked Beef Tenderloin

Smoked Beef Tenderloin

Do you like filet mignon? What if I told you the smoked beef tenderloin is a meaty log full of them? Beef tenderloin is perfect for meals at Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or any gathering that you’re looking to impress. The combo of lean, beefy flavor…

20 Holiday Gifts for BBQ Enthusiasts

20 Holiday Gifts for BBQ Enthusiasts

Note: while this post is sponsored by Kingsford, I feature a variety of other products that I highly recommend, too. Looking to get into BBQ? Or shopping for someone who loves to BBQ? This BBQ Holiday Gift Guide will give you a variety of suggestions,…

BBQ Holiday Recipe Guide 2020

BBQ Holiday Recipe Guide 2020

Looking for ideas for your upcoming holiday meal? Well, you’re in luck! This BBQ holiday recipe guide is a compilation of main dishes, sides/appetizers, and dessert (yep, singular. I’m working on that). The list will be updated as more recipes get developed and posted, so…

Smoked Turkey Breast

Smoked Turkey Breast

Smoked turkey breast is a great idea for your smaller holiday gatherings, such as Friendsgiving. It’s an underrated meat the rest of the year. Not sure why because it tastes so dang good! In this post, we will go over the full process of how…

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Parmesan

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Parmesan

Folks seem to have a love – hate relationship with Brussels sprouts, mostly because some don’t know how to cook them. When Brussels sprouts are roasted, the outsides have a Milliard reaction and creates that tasty, browned crust. This roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon and…

SMOKY, FLAKY CAST IRON BISCUITS

SMOKY, FLAKY CAST IRON BISCUITS

Biscuits are the ultimate comfort food: they can be a side to your comfort food main dish or be the main dish itself. They are also acceptable to eat with any meal any time of the day. With a kiss of hickory smoke, as well…