What Food Is Considered BBQ Food?
BBQ food is a general term to describe an entire industry of American cuisine. The foods that fall under this category are plentiful, leading many people to wonder what foods truly fall under this category.
So, what is considered BBQ food? The types of food that are considered to be BBQ foods include pulled pork, ribs, brisket, turkey legs, beef ribs, and collard greens just to name a few. Generally speaking, BBQ food is foods that are smoked or cooked with smoky flavors in mind. Some examples. These foods can be found at BBQ joints or restaurants that specialize in these types of dishes.
Keep reading to learn more about the many delicious ways in which you can enjoy BBQ from your own kitchen or that of a local business.
Barbecue Chicken
This is a dish with a cult following and for good reason. The rich smoky flavor of barbecued chicken is hard to beat, with the kind of seasoning being used being a determining factor in how good it tastes.
Although there are some incredibly tasty BBQ chicken recipes out there, one classic option that you can try involves soaking your bird overnight in buttermilk before slow roasting it at 170 degrees Fahrenheit (about 75 C) for about an hour and a half or more until the meat juices run clear when pricked. You’ll know it’s done when the skin becomes crisp and golden-brown.
Beef Brisket
Beef brisket makes for fantastic BBQ food has been popular ever since America’s first colonies were established. To make the dish, all you need to do is slow roast your beef brisket at around 275 degrees Fahrenheit (about 135 C) for between five and six hours until it becomes tender and juicy and starts falling apart when prodded with a fork.
A classic way to prepare it is by cutting off one end of the beef brisket to create a ‘flat’ while leaving the other end intact as a whole piece that makes for easier slicing.
Grilled Pork Chops
Pork chops are often overlooked when it comes to barbecuing but their leanness makes them perfect for cooking up over hot coals. You can use almost any cut of pork including tenderloin or country-style ribs.
The key to making the most of grilled pork chops is by bringing your meat in a solution containing salt, sugar, and water for about four hours before cooking them up at a slightly lower temperature than that suggested for chicken (about 300 degrees Fahrenheit or 150 C). Pork should be cooked until its internal temperature reaches 145 F (or 66°C) and then allowed to stand for five minutes.
Beef Short Ribs
Beef short ribs require special preparation and barbecuing can be tricky but the results are definitely worth it. This dish has to be marinated overnight, with 1/3 cup of brown sugar, 1/3 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of garlic powder, and dried thyme mixed to create a tasty marinade.
After being allowed to sit for a while, the ribs need to be cooked up at around 300 degrees Fahrenheit (or 150 C) for an hour and a half before being coated in barbecue sauce and placed under the grill or broiler until it starts to caramelize.
Baby Back Ribs
Another dish that can be prepared easily enough is baby back ribs, with this cut of meat having less fat than its spare rib counterpart making them ideal for BBQ cooking. Preparation makes all the difference when you want great-tasting ribs.
Brine your meat overnight in saltwater containing brown sugar, garlic powder, and other spices for between three and six hours depending on how much time you have. Remember to let the ribs dry off before cooking them up at high heat (about 300 F or 150 C) for around 30-45 minutes per side. These can then be finished off by brushing on some barbecue sauce and placing them under the grill until they become sticky and glazed over.
Glazed Spiral Ham
Spiral ham is a great dish for any BBQ party but you will need to make sure that your meat tastes its best without looking like it has been through a mincer first! The key is in marinating it overnight with salt, brown sugar, and black pepper. Adding cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon also make for an exciting flavor combination if you want to create something more than your typical ham dinner.
After your ham has been left to marinate overnight, simply place it in a large roasting pan and cook it up at 325 degrees Fahrenheit (or about 160 C) for around 30 minutes per pound or until the meat starts to pull away from the bone. This should then be removed from the oven, slathered with brown sugar, cloves, and cinnamon mixed with mustard, beaten eggs, and pineapple juice before being cooked again at 350 F (or 175 C) for another half an hour.
Remember To Baste
Ensure that your final product is still moist by basting it regularly while cooking. Leave to rest for around 15-20 minutes before carving into thin slices. The best part of this dish is that you can even save the leftover juices created during cooking to create a tasty gravy. Use this to pour over your succulent meat which can be served up alongside mashed potatoes, green beans, or any other favorite side dish of yours.
Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf
A bacon-wrapped meatloaf is sure to hit the spot at any BBQ party and it’s surprisingly easy to pull together too! Prepare by cooking up some chopped onions in butter before adding them to beef mince along with an egg, salt, and pepper for taste plus breadcrumbs (the more you use the wetter your mixture will become).
Once rolled into shape around ground beef mince, place your meatloaf on top of aluminum foil inside of an ovenproof pan before wrapping it up in bacon. You can even add some barbecue sauce to the bacon before cooking it up at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (or 200 C) for half an hour. This should be allowed to cool for about 15-20 minutes before removing the foil and cutting through it like you would a pizza, creating thick slices that should be served alongside your favorite sides.
Marinated Grilled Shrimp
Shrimp is perfect for any BBQ party thanks to its reputation as being easy to prepare while still packing in that strong salty flavor that makes them taste all the more appetizing. A simple marinade involving olive oil, lemon juice, cumin powder, paprika, salt, and pepper creates an intense flavor combination with shrimp becoming fully infused by this mixture as they are left to soak for anywhere from 20 minutes to overnight.
Ensure that your meat is fully covered by the mixture before cooking up on a grill pan over high heat, ensuring that it’s cooked on each side for around two minutes or until you can see that it has turned white and opaque. This should then be served alongside your favorite sides such as corn on the cob or potato salad, although you will find most BBQ party-goers pouncing with glee when confronted with these tasty treats!
Garlic & Lemon Grilled Shrimp
Shrimp makes an amazing addition to any BBQ but sometimes too much marinade can make these meaty morsels turn out overly salty. This means that you will want to choose a recipe that only calls for the most basic of ingredients. A marinade that includes olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon juice is the perfect choice when you want to create something that lets your main ingredient really shine through with its flavor.
You can even add some minced garlic in there too if you wish although this may be too overpowering for some palates. Cook each side for around two minutes before removing from heat and allowing them to cool for another 15-20 minutes. This will improve their texture and you should then remove them from the skewers before serving – your guests are sure to love these tasty treats!
Hot Dogs
Hot dogs are a great example of the old saying “the simpler, the better”. This is why they are often served at BBQ parties alongside relishes or other similar sauces to bolster their flavor. You can also cook them up on skewers so that your hungry guests can quickly grab one each before heading back for more of what you have to offer at your BBQ.
Don’t forget about bratwurst and other sausages too (which would be quite delicious when roasted alongside vegetables such as peppers or onions that will soak up all of the meaty juice). Simply place your sausages on wooden skewers before placing them over a grill pan with the lid closed, ensuring that you turn them every few minutes or so.
Many Types of BBQ Food
There are many types of BBQ foods that do not include vegetarian barbecue recipes like baked beans and grilled cheese sandwiches made with barbeque sauce instead of ketchup! The possibilities are endless when it comes to innovative ways to cook barbeque food.
However, if you ask 10 people what constitutes BBQ food you will get 10 different answers because it’s completely subjective which there is no consensus on what BBQ food is. Some will say that anything cooked on a grill can be called BBQ food, while others may say that only meat qualifies. The definition of BBQ food is in the eye of the beholder. The point to remember is that you have an awesome party or fundraiser for your ministry with awesome food, no matter what you call it!
