What to BBQ: 5 Things to BBQ

BBQ is an abbreviation of the word “barbecue,” which can refer to any type of outdoor cooking, including smoking (cooking food slowly via the indirect heat of woodsmoke) and grilling (cooking food quickly over the direct heat of a charcoal or gas grill). In some areas of the United States, “barbecue” refers exclusively to smoked meats, while in others, the term is more flexible. Learn more about the different types of BBQ smokers and what you can do with charcoal vs. gas grills.

You can cook almost anything on a BBQ grill or smoker. Below are a few types of food that cook BBQ-style:

1. 1. Baked beans: Instead of cooking beans on the stovetop, oven, or in a slow cooker, cook “baked” beans barbecue-style on the grill. Follow your favorite baked beans recipe, then place a cast-iron pot over indirect heat on the grates of a smoker or charcoal grill to impart a smoky flavor to this classic cookout side dish.
2. 2. Bread: Yeasted doughs like naan and pizza dough benefit from the direct heat of a charcoal grill, which can get much hotter than a standard oven. For pizza, grill both sides of a pizza dough circle over direct heat to create the crust, add the toppings, and cook over indirect heat to melt the cheese and warm all the other ingredients.
3. 3. Fish: Even the meatiest fish is still relatively delicate and cooks quickly. Cook fish like shrimp, flounder, tilapia, cod, and more over direct heat on a grill, so it doesn’t overcook.
4. 4. Meat: Meat is the most popular food group to barbecue. Bigger, tougher cuts of meat—like brisket, pork shoulder, a whole turkey or chicken, and meaty pork ribs—benefit from cooking over indirect, low heat for an extended period to break down the connective tissue in the meat. When tough collagen transforms into gooey gelatin, meat starts to fall off the bone. Quick-cooking meats, like hot dogs, chicken breasts, chicken thighs, chicken wings and drumsticks, chicken kebabs, and thin pork chops benefit from the direct heat of a typical gas or charcoal grill.
5. 5. Vegetables: Eat grilled vegetables as an appetizer or side dish. Grill cabbage for a twist on a classic slaw, scallions for a smoky chimichurri, or thick, grilled slices of red onion to top off a burger. For grilled asparagus, bell peppers, or zucchini, place the veggies on skewers, in a grill basket, or in an aluminum foil packet so they don’t fall through the grill grates. Corn on the cob is another classic barbecue side dish.

These barbecue-friendly recipes, from sauces and seasonings to side salads and main dishes, will have you covered for your next cookout.

1. 1. BBQ rib sauce: Use this barbecue sauce for spare ribs, baby back ribs, BBQ chicken, BBQ pork, and many other BBQ recipes. It’s flavored with brown sugar, paprika, ketchup, and apple cider vinegar for a sweet and tangy sauce. Check out Aaron Franklin’s BBQ rib sauce recipe.
2. 2. BBQ seasoning: A BBQ seasoning, also known as a dry rub, is a blend of salt and spices (and sometimes dried herbs) rubbed all over a piece of meat to infuse it with flavor. Use this basic BBQ seasoning recipe on barbecue chicken, pork, and vegetables like cauliflower.
3. 3. BBQ ribs: BBQ ribs are a classic barbecue and grilling recipe. Learn how to smoke pork ribs with barbecue pitmaster Aaron Franklin’s BBQ ribs recipe.
4. 4. Char siu: Char siu is a Chinese method for spit-roasting pork in a marinade of honey, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and five-spice powder, which turns the pork red. This BBQ pork tenderloin has classic Asian flavors and pairs well with steamed rice. Try this char siu recipe.
5. 5. Grilled garlic naan: Indian naan bread traditionally bakes in a clay oven called a tandoor, but you can grill it for a similar smoky flavor and char. Try this grilled garlic naan recipe with this cucumber raita recipe by Madhur Jaffrey.
6. 6. Grilled portobello mushrooms: Portobello mushrooms are a common replacement for burger patties for vegetarians due to their size and meaty texture. Serve on buns to imitate burgers, or toss with a light vinaigrette for a side dish. Check out this easy grilled portobello mushroom recipe.
7. 7. Grilled shrimp: Grilled shrimp is an excellent option for pescatarians. Use grilled shrimp for tacos and top with cilantro, lime juice, and pickled jalapeños for a Mexican spin. Learn how to grill shrimp.
8. 8. Grilled zucchini salad: Instead of a pasta salad or potato salad, serve this grilled summer salad alongside grilled meat. This salad has feta cheese, olive oil, fresh herbs, and more flavorings to enhance the zucchini. Learn how to make grilled zucchini salad.
9. 9. Kalbi: Kalbi (grilled short ribs) are a staple of Korean BBQ. After bathing in a flavorful marinade, the thin flanken-cut short ribs get cooked quickly over the direct heat of the grill. Try this Korean short ribs recipe by Roy Choi.

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