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The Top 10 Barbecue Bible Recipes of the Year
What were the most memorable dishes you grilled in 2025? I know my favorites. And we also know what you liked. Every year, a handful of recipes stand out from the rest. They’re the recipes that our readers—you—request again and again. As the year wraps up, we scanned the data to see which Barbecuebible.com recipes you actually cooked the most. From sizzling steaks to comfort classics. From low and slow smoking to spectacular side dishes, these are the ten recipes that defined grilling this year.
What will you grill next year? Stay tuned for Steven Raichlen’s end of the year Grilling Trends for 2026!
Top Barbecue Bible Recipes of the Year
1. Best Barbecued Beans on the Planet
These slow-cooked beans are smoky, sweet, and deeply savory—the kind of side dish that quietly steals the show. They’re rich, comforting, and perfect for feeding a crowd.
Best time to cook this: Backyard cookouts, potlucks, or anytime the grill is already hot.
2. Salmon Candy
Sweet, smoky, and glazed to perfection, this salmon candy hits that irresistible sweet-salty balance. It’s a reader favorite for good reason—and dangerously snackable.
Best time to cook this: Weekend smoking sessions or as a make-ahead appetizer.
3. Chicago-Style Italian Beef Sandwich
Juicy beef, soaked in savory jus, piled high on a crusty roll—this is comfort food with attitude. It’s bold, messy, and completely satisfying.
Best time to cook this: Game days, casual gatherings, or anytime you’re feeding hungry guests.
4. Smoked Osso Buco
This low-and-slow classic delivers deep, beefy flavor with a touch of elegance. Smoking transforms an old-school dish into something truly memorable.
Best time to cook this: Cool-weather weekends when you want to linger by the smoker.
5. Corned Beef Made From Scratch
Once you try making corned beef yourself, it’s hard to go back. The flavor is cleaner, beefier, and far more rewarding than store-bought.
Best time to cook this: Late winter, early spring, or when you’re planning ahead for a special meal.
6. The Raichlen Stuffer (Smoked Stuffed Baked Potatoes)
Crispy skins, fluffy interiors, and endless filling options make this a sleeper hit. It’s comfort food done the barbecue way.
Best time to cook this: As a hearty side dish or a casual main for weeknight grilling.
7. Eight Steps to Making Bacon at Home
Homemade bacon is a project—but one that pays off big. The flavor, texture, and pride factor are on a whole different level.
Best time to cook this: When you have a free weekend and a little patience.
8. Smoked Brisket Flat
This recipe focuses on technique, delivering tender slices without over complicating the process. It’s a go-to for cooks looking to sharpen their brisket skills.
Best time to cook this: Long weekend cooks or overnight smoking sessions.
9. Brazilian Churrasco with Molho à Campanha
Simply seasoned meat and a bright, fresh sauce let the grill do the talking. It’s proof that great barbecue doesn’t need to be complicated.
Best time to cook this: Summer grilling nights when you want big flavor with minimal prep.
10. The Only Chili Recipe You’ll Ever Need
Smoky, hearty, and deeply satisfying, this chili has become a repeat cook for many readers. It’s a bowl you’ll want seconds of.
Best time to cook this: Fall and winter, or anytime you want comfort food with fire.
Looking back, what stands out isn’t just what we cooked—it’s what we kept coming back to. These recipes earned their place by delivering every time, whether it was a weeknight dinner or a long weekend cook. If you’re planning your next round of grilling, this list is a solid place to start—and you’ll find plenty more inspiration waiting across the site and in the Up in Smoke newsletter.
Frequently Asked Questions
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