7 tasty books for your summer barbecue reading list
During the past few months, many great barbecue books have been released. They cover nearly every form of smoking and grilling and if you were to add even just two to your collection, you’ll likely become a better at-home barbecuer. We can also easily recommend these books as perfect last-minute Father’s Day gifts.
Here are seven great barbecue books you should consider buying this summer.
BBQ&A - Myron Mixon
The “winningest man in barbecue,” Myron Mixon answers all of the most frequently answered questions in his fourth book, BBQ&A. The book covers Myron’s techniques, methods, flavors, preparations, and recipes, along with practical visuals. Buy it here.
The Brisket Chronicles - Steven Raichlen
Grill master and prolific cookbook author Steven Raichlen tackles brisket, one of the tastiest, most beloved, and most intimidating cuts of meat in the barbecue world. In The Brisket Chronicles, he shares recipes and methods for cooking Texas smoked brisket, along with Jamaican Jerk brisket, pastrami, Passover Brisket, and much more. Buy it here.
Franklin Steak - Aaron Franklin
Aaron Franklin might be best known for his barbecue like brisket and ribs, but he also knows a thing or two about steak. Franklin Steak is the be-all, end-all guide to cooking the perfect steak and it includes tips on buying top-notch beef, seasoning to perfection, and finding or building the ideal cooking vessel. Buy it here.
Operation BBQ - Stan Hays
Operation BBQ Relief is the largest barbecue-focused charity in the country and has been feeding victims of natural disasters around the U.S. since 2011. OBR Co-Founder Stan Hays has become a national star in that time and he’s made a lot of great friends who have contributed tons of recipes for the official Operation BBQ book. Recipes include Bone-Sucking Baby Back Ribs, Jalapeño and Applewood Bacon Burgers, Chicken Satay Skewers with Sweet and Spicy Peanut Sauce, and Raging River Maple-Butter Crusted Salmon. Also, part of proceeds from the book go toward helping the OBR mission. Buy it here.
Smoked - Ed Randolph
Smoked is one of the most unique barbecue books ever released due to its pitmaster and recipe list that is focused so heavily on the Northeastern U.S., including Hometown Bar-B-Que and Pig Beach NYC. The blockbuster list of participants in the book are also from some of the top joints in Texas and the Carolinas as well, including Buxton Hall BBQ, The Salt Lick BBQ, and Sam Jones BBQ. Part of proceeds from the book go toward helping Operation BBQ Relief. Buy it here.
Smokelore: A Short History of Barbecue in America - Jim Auchmutey
In Smokelore: A Short History of Barbecue in America, author Jim Auchmutey explores the importance of barbecue throughout American history, culture, politics, and more. This deep dive into barbecue is the companion to the Barbecue Nation exhibit at the Atlanta History Center. Buy it here.
Whole Hog BBQ - Sam Jones & Daniel Vaughn
In Whole Hog BBQ, Sam Jones and Daniel Vaughn team up to tell the definitive story of North Carolina barbecue. The duo share step-by-step instructions on building a concrete pit to cook whole hog at home and provide two dozen classic recipes from Sam Jones’ family. Buy it here.
Did we miss any of books that came out earlier this year that you love? What was your personal favorite that came out this year? Let us know.
Ryan Cooper (BBQ Tourist) and Sean Ludwig (NYC BBQ)
Co-Founder, The Smoke Sheet
Here are the top recent barbecue news stories from around the country:
If you've ever wanted to know some of the science behind smoking and grilling, Scientific American has you covered this week. (Photo from NYCWFF 2019 by Sean Ludwig)
Ever wanted to know the actual science behind barbecue? Ali Bouzari, a culinary scientist, writes a simple primer in Scientific American on smoke, chemical interactions, sauces, and proteins to help you better understand the barbecue process at a molecular level.
Sam Jones is one of the biggest names in barbecue and might be best known for his whole hog, but he also serves a killer cornbread. The Manual reveals Jones’ special cornbread recipe, which includes hushpuppy mix.
J.C. Reid of the Houston Chronicle writes that many pitmasters are giving away many of their long-held secrets for free as part of a strategy to sell people using a freemium model, where you have to pay for more after getting a taste of the good stuff.
There are a lot of good barbecue joints in Alabama, and AL.com has two new articles to help you navigate the scene. First, it provides a guide for a road trip to hit the biggest barbecue names in Alabama ‘cue. Second, it dives into the masters of barbecue in the Birmingham area.
Texas Monthly’s Daniel Vaughn writes that Alzer’s Barbeque in Cedar Park serves great brisket, as well as uncommon items like quail, lamb, and Cornish hen.
If you’re looking for off-the-beaten-path joints in Kansas City, KCTV5 has five recommendations that aren’t talked about enough in the KC area, including L.C.’s Bar-B-Q and Roscoe's BBQ.
Looking for good barbecue in Tucson, Arizona? The Tucson Foodie has a full listing of 15 barbecue joints worth a visit.
The Denver Post reports that more than 70 barbecue teams will gather over Father’s Day for the Colorado BBQ Challenge in Frisco. This the 26th year for the competition.
If you’re looking for an interesting new barbecue option in Dallas, the Hurtado food truck has been attracting long lines for its top-notch Tex-Mex barbecue. Owner Brandon Hurtado says trailer is so busy that he will soon move into to a former biker bar located at 205 E. Front St.
Last but certainly not least, a new barbecue joint in South Salt Lake City called Benji’s Bar-B-Que Shack is ambitiously open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Benji Stalling was previously a banker before opening his joint and claims to get just three hours of sleep each night — with two daytime naps.
Here are BBQ shows, podcasts, or books you should check out this week:
This oyster-smoked brisket from Hudson, New York is insane.
Watch: Oyster Smoked Brisket in Hudson, New York - Prime Time
In this episode of Eater’s Prime Time show, Ben and Brent visit chef Robb Finn from Backbar in Hudson, New York. Chef Robb makes an oyster smoked brisket sandwich, moving barbecue into a different direction and incorporating some of the beef and oyster sauce flavors that are popular in Asian cooking. Watch it here.
Listen: Pitmaster Allen Rhoden of The Rusty Buckle Barbecue Co. - Cost of Goods Told
In this episode of the Cost of Goods Told podcast, hosts Conor and Darren welcome special guest Allen Rhoden of The Rusty Buckle Barbecue Co. in New Caney, Texas. They talk about Allen’s crazy journey into the world of barbecue. Listen to the episode here.
Read: The Healthy Electric Smoker Cookbook: 100 Recipes with All-Natural Ingredients and Fewer Carbs! - by Robyn Lindars
With The Healthy Electric Smoker Cookbook, you can confidently smoke just about anything. “Grill Girl” Robyn Lindars shows how to get authentic smoked flavor for those who don't prefer to spend hours monitoring their low-and-slow barbecue. Use any brand of electric smoker to wow your family and neighbors without building a smokehouse in your backyard. Plus, no unnecessary carbs and processed ingredients are needed. Smoke your own skinny jalapeño margaritas, chipotle sriracha wings, cilantro lime beef satay, or dark chocolate brownies with bourbon whipped cream. Buy it here.
June 14-15: The Great Eldorado BBQ, Blues & Brews Festival - Reno, Nevada
Fire up the grills, tap the kegs, and crank up the tunes for Reno’s best summer kick-off party. Join the fun at the Great Eldorado BBQ, Brews and Blues Festival, June 14 and 15. The event is equal parts barbeque block party, microbrew tasting event with more than 50 microbrews from around the world and music festival with two stages featuring nonstop rock and blues. More info here.
June 14-16: Denver BBQ Fest - Denver, Colorado
Get ready to go hog wild this Father’s Day weekend at the second annual Denver BBQ Festival. They will be bringing back may of the best pitmasters to serve the Q that made them famous. Even better, they’ve added a few new faces and expanded the menu way beyond the basics. There will also be live music and activities for the whole family. More info here.
June 16: Birthright BBQ Fest - Dallas, Texas
Dallas Heritage Village and Four Corners Brewing Co. invite you to celebrate Father’s Day at a barbecue event like no other. Smell and taste barbecue cooking over an open pit by pitmasters and chefs such as Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue, Todd David of Cattleack Barbecue, Evan Leroy of Leroy & Lewis, Erin Smith and Patrick Feges of Feges BBQ, Miguel and Modesty Vidal of Valentina’s Tex Mex, and special guest from North Carolina, Elliot Moss of Buxton Hall. Beer, barbecue and live music are all included in the price of admission. More info here.
June 22-23: The Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle - Washington, D.C.
This June, historic Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., will become the epicenter of barbecue perfection. The biggest part of the event is the Cooking Contest, which will feature big names like Myron Mixon, Tuffy Stone, and Moe Cason competing with teams from around the U.S. Also, lots of U.S. barbecue joints from will be there serving food and more than 30 bands will perform live on three stages. More info here.
July 5-7: I Love BBQ and Music Festival 2019 - Lake Placid, New York
This annual event in Lake Placid, New York attracts some of the best BBQ competitors in the country and continues to grow in popularity each year. Not only are there Kansas City Barbeque Society competitions happening on-site, but there are also lots of food and drink vendors for the public to eat and drink well while watching a ton of live music. More info here.
July 12-14: Windy City Smokeout BBQ & Country Music Festival - Chicago, Illinois
Get ready for beer, BBQ, and country tunes, because the Windy City Smokeout BBQ & Country Music Festival is returning to Chicago. The Windy City Smokeout is one of the largest barbecue festivals in the U.S. and this year it will feature 20 of the world’s best pitmasters and more than 15 musical acts. More info here.
July 13: South Sound BBQ Festival 2019 - Lacey, Washington
The South Sound BBQ Festival is one of the largest BBQ events for the Pacific Northwest. It will include a pro cook-off sanctioned by the Pacific Northwest BBQ Association plus an assortment of food vendors and non-food vendors from around the South Sound. There will be live entertainment, free kids activities, chicken wing eating contest, adult-only beer & wine garden, and much more. More info here.
August 17: 2019 Stumptown Beer Revival and BBQ Cook Off - Monte Rio, California
This event, which is also called the “Russian River Beer Revival & BBQ Cookoff,” features copious amounts of beer and barbecue. An entry fee includes beer, cider, and barbecue tastings for the duration of the day, along with live music and activities. More than 40 breweries and 30 barbecue teams will participate. More info here.
Epic Double Bacon Cheeseburger - by T-Roy Cooks
For this Recipe of the Week, we chose this Epic Double Bacon Cheeseburger recipe from T-Roy Cooks. T-Roy was inspired by a video made by Greg from Ballistic BBQ, who made a burger made famous by Two Rivers Brewing Company in Easton, Pennsylvania. As the name implies, the burger contains bacon, as well as peanut butter brittle, pickled onions, and a red pepper/chili gastrique. View the recipe here.
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