Best Bbq Recipe Books

In the world of American barbecue, one of the most important ways restaurateurs and backyard cooks have perfected their craft is through reading BBQ books. The recipes and techniques found in the top tier of books have been fundamental in creating a shared knowledge base that barbecue enthusiasts use often.

With many BBQ books published each year, we thought it would make sense to look back and pick a few that have been indispensable and influential. It’s also that time of year when people are trying to buy holiday gifts. Given supply chain issues, you may want to get your orders placed earlier than usual.

With that in mind, here are five essential barbecue cookbooks that have stood the test of time and will warm the heart (and belly) of nearly any barbecue lover.

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Bestseller in 2015 and helped launch the Craft BBQ movement. In this book, Franklin shares his secrets for what makes truly great barbecue. He also includes information on building your own smoker, selecting the right kind of wood, managing a clean fire, and cooking the best food imaginable. Also, it’s not hard to imagine that many of the top pitmasters from the new

Top 50 BBQ joints list have read this book cover to cover, showing how important this tome is to modern barbecue. BUY THE BOOK HERE .

Meathead Goldwyn, pitmaster and founder of the popular barbecue and grilling website AmazingRibs.com, delves into the science behind fire and food in the book

Best Bbq Cookbooks For Summer 2023

. In the process, he debunks a lot of commonly-held myths about barbecue. He also includes incredible recipes that have become the staples of backyard cooks across the globe. BUY THE BOOK HERE .

From prolific barbecue author and TV show host Steven Raichlen includes one of the most extensive collections of barbecue and grilling recipes and techniques. This award-winning book, which was published in 2008, includes over 500 delicious recipes from around the world. Raichlen also shares tips, tricks, and comprehensive notes to make your live-fire cooking a success. BUY THE BOOK HERE .

Peace, Love & Barbecue: Recipes, Secrets, Tall Tales, and Outright Lies from the Legends of Barbecue by Mike Mills and Amy Mills

Tips For The Perfect Bbq

From the late Mike Mills and his daughter Amy is a unique collection of recipes, history, and photos from the world of barbecue. While it is focused on Mills’ legendary life and the story behind his experiences as a restaurateur and successful competitor on the barbecue circuit, the book also includes anecdotes from some of the biggest names in the industry. Over 100 recipes are included from the Mills family as well as contributions from pitmaster friends from across the country. BUY THE BOOK HERE .

. He demonstrates how keeping things simple is the surest way to achieving success in barbecue. From the basics of choosing the right fuel for your smoker to 75 of his award-winning recipes, this book has everything you’ll need to start down the path to barbecue success. BUY THE BOOK HERE .

This list is just a small sampling of the top barbecue cookbooks of all time. Let us know on Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter what your all-time favorite is and don’t forget to buy those holiday gifts early this year.

Best Barbecue Cookbooks To Heat Up Your Grilling Game

The Smoke Sheet is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for websites to earn advertising revenues by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.Emily is a food and lifestyle writer. Her writing, recipes, food styling and photography have appeared in Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Apartment Therapy, and more. 

The Spruce Eats / Amelia Manley A great barbecue is more of a math problem than a mystery. Not to be confused with grilling—which is basically cooking food quickly over a fire—barbecue is a process that requires very specific conditions. With quality ingredients, the right equipment, solid technique, and a whole lot of patience, anyone can make perfect brisket, ribs, and more. While you might not become a pitmaster overnight, these barbecue books can lead you in the right direction, whether you’re all about the beef, super into spice, or even a vegetarian. In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look For FAQs How do you make homemade barbecue sauce? Is barbecue sauce vegan? Why Trust The Spruce Eats? Best Overall Meathead: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling Amazon View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com Craig Meathead Goldwyn (perhaps best known for his award-winning Amazing Ribs website) has studied everything there is to know about barbecue so you don't have to—but maybe you want to learn the science behind perfectly grilled and smoked meat. In that case, look no further than Goldwyn’s eponymous barbecue primer and recipe collection. In addition to more than 100 recipes, Goldwyn dispels commonly held barbecue myths and offers incredible insight into those nagging questions everyone has about the science of cooking with fire, brining with salt, basting with sauce, and so much more. Price at time of publish: $35 Recipes: 100+ | Pages: 400 | Date Published: 2016 Best for Beginners Real BBQ: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Smoker Cookbook Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Abebooks.com Whether you’re new to smoking or just want to branch out from the same three things you always cook, this barbecue cookbook from professional recipe developer Will Budiaman will give you the confidence to master just about any smoked meat. Throughout the nearly 100 recipes (beer can chicken, hickory-smoked pork belly, all day long smoked beef brisket, and beach barbecue lobster tails), Budiaman thoughtfully demystifies perfectly smoked meat. Instead of waxing poetic about the “art” of barbecue and the “secrets” of smoking, he shares the science behind the “why” and step-by-step instructions for the “how.” In this book, you'll also find materials primer as well as pitmaster tips, shopping advice, and even a few drink pairings.  Price at time of publish: $19 Recipes: 95+ | Pages: 172 | Date Published: 2015 Best for Smoking Meats Project Smoke Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Barnesandnoble.com Since he wrote his bestselling The Barbecue! Bible more than 20 years ago, Steven Raichlen has been a well-respected authority on all things grilling and smoking. Since then, he’s traveled the world to study different techniques, authored numerous cookbooks, and hosted a handful of television series on the topic. Shockingly, though, Project Smoke is his first book focused entirely on smoke. For this step-by-step guide to smoking, Raichlen starts at the beginning: how to choose the right smoker and tools for the job. He goes on to teach tried-and-true techniques as well as clarify some more intimidating ones, like smoking with tea and hay. The 100 super-accessible recipes go beyond meat and potatoes; think smoked cheesecake, cocktails, and more. Price at time of publish: $25 Recipes: 100 | Pages: 336 | Date Published: 2016 Best for Brisket Lovers Franklin Barbecue: A Meat-Smoking Manifesto Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Barnesandnoble.com From what may very well be the most famous barbecue restaurant in America (and in turn, the world), this New York Times-bestselling cookbook is for anyone who wants to geek out over smoking meat. More than just a collection of recipes, the textbook-like tome details Aaron Franklin’s personal journey and his now-famous method that somehow both honored and defied low-and-slow Texas barbecue traditions. Of course, the book goes beyond brisket with recipes for sausage, ribs, and more, but when it comes down to it, this is a must-have for brisket lovers. Price at time of publish: $30 Recipes: 10+ | Pages: 224 | Date Published: 2015 We Smoked and Seared on 23 Gas Grills—Here Are Our Winners Best History of BBQ Black Smoke: African Americans and the United States of Barbecue Amazon View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com Explore the intricate past of American barbecue and its roots in Black history and culture with this thoughtfully researched book by James Beard Book Award winner Adrian Miller. He delves deep into the history of barbecue in the United States, starting with its Indigenous origins in the 16th century and exploring Western African influences on American barbecue's culinary heritage. By sharing the rich stories of a number of these men and women who have had an impact on the grilling scene throughout the centuries and in the present, Miller honors and celebrates Black American legacies. This book also features 22 specially curated and mouth-watering barbecue recipes. Price at time of publish: $30 Recipes: 22 | Pages: 328 | Date Published: 2021 We Tested Gas Grills for a Month to Find the Best Under $500 Best for Kamado Grill Owners Hot Coals: A User's Guide to Mastering Your Kamado Grill Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Abebooks.com For many barbecue enthusiasts, a ceramic kamado-style grill setup for smoking is the best way to do low-and-slow cooking, whether they have a Big Green Egg, a Kamado Joe, or a less popular brand. This book, translated from Dutch, is a deep dive into how the kamado works, starting

From the late Mike Mills and his daughter Amy is a unique collection of recipes, history, and photos from the world of barbecue. While it is focused on Mills’ legendary life and the story behind his experiences as a restaurateur and successful competitor on the barbecue circuit, the book also includes anecdotes from some of the biggest names in the industry. Over 100 recipes are included from the Mills family as well as contributions from pitmaster friends from across the country. BUY THE BOOK HERE .

. He demonstrates how keeping things simple is the surest way to achieving success in barbecue. From the basics of choosing the right fuel for your smoker to 75 of his award-winning recipes, this book has everything you’ll need to start down the path to barbecue success. BUY THE BOOK HERE .

This list is just a small sampling of the top barbecue cookbooks of all time. Let us know on Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter what your all-time favorite is and don’t forget to buy those holiday gifts early this year.

Best Barbecue Cookbooks To Heat Up Your Grilling Game

The Smoke Sheet is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for websites to earn advertising revenues by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.Emily is a food and lifestyle writer. Her writing, recipes, food styling and photography have appeared in Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Apartment Therapy, and more. 

The Spruce Eats / Amelia Manley A great barbecue is more of a math problem than a mystery. Not to be confused with grilling—which is basically cooking food quickly over a fire—barbecue is a process that requires very specific conditions. With quality ingredients, the right equipment, solid technique, and a whole lot of patience, anyone can make perfect brisket, ribs, and more. While you might not become a pitmaster overnight, these barbecue books can lead you in the right direction, whether you’re all about the beef, super into spice, or even a vegetarian. In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look For FAQs How do you make homemade barbecue sauce? Is barbecue sauce vegan? Why Trust The Spruce Eats? Best Overall Meathead: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling Amazon View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com Craig Meathead Goldwyn (perhaps best known for his award-winning Amazing Ribs website) has studied everything there is to know about barbecue so you don't have to—but maybe you want to learn the science behind perfectly grilled and smoked meat. In that case, look no further than Goldwyn’s eponymous barbecue primer and recipe collection. In addition to more than 100 recipes, Goldwyn dispels commonly held barbecue myths and offers incredible insight into those nagging questions everyone has about the science of cooking with fire, brining with salt, basting with sauce, and so much more. Price at time of publish: $35 Recipes: 100+ | Pages: 400 | Date Published: 2016 Best for Beginners Real BBQ: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Smoker Cookbook Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Abebooks.com Whether you’re new to smoking or just want to branch out from the same three things you always cook, this barbecue cookbook from professional recipe developer Will Budiaman will give you the confidence to master just about any smoked meat. Throughout the nearly 100 recipes (beer can chicken, hickory-smoked pork belly, all day long smoked beef brisket, and beach barbecue lobster tails), Budiaman thoughtfully demystifies perfectly smoked meat. Instead of waxing poetic about the “art” of barbecue and the “secrets” of smoking, he shares the science behind the “why” and step-by-step instructions for the “how.” In this book, you'll also find materials primer as well as pitmaster tips, shopping advice, and even a few drink pairings.  Price at time of publish: $19 Recipes: 95+ | Pages: 172 | Date Published: 2015 Best for Smoking Meats Project Smoke Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Barnesandnoble.com Since he wrote his bestselling The Barbecue! Bible more than 20 years ago, Steven Raichlen has been a well-respected authority on all things grilling and smoking. Since then, he’s traveled the world to study different techniques, authored numerous cookbooks, and hosted a handful of television series on the topic. Shockingly, though, Project Smoke is his first book focused entirely on smoke. For this step-by-step guide to smoking, Raichlen starts at the beginning: how to choose the right smoker and tools for the job. He goes on to teach tried-and-true techniques as well as clarify some more intimidating ones, like smoking with tea and hay. The 100 super-accessible recipes go beyond meat and potatoes; think smoked cheesecake, cocktails, and more. Price at time of publish: $25 Recipes: 100 | Pages: 336 | Date Published: 2016 Best for Brisket Lovers Franklin Barbecue: A Meat-Smoking Manifesto Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Barnesandnoble.com From what may very well be the most famous barbecue restaurant in America (and in turn, the world), this New York Times-bestselling cookbook is for anyone who wants to geek out over smoking meat. More than just a collection of recipes, the textbook-like tome details Aaron Franklin’s personal journey and his now-famous method that somehow both honored and defied low-and-slow Texas barbecue traditions. Of course, the book goes beyond brisket with recipes for sausage, ribs, and more, but when it comes down to it, this is a must-have for brisket lovers. Price at time of publish: $30 Recipes: 10+ | Pages: 224 | Date Published: 2015 We Smoked and Seared on 23 Gas Grills—Here Are Our Winners Best History of BBQ Black Smoke: African Americans and the United States of Barbecue Amazon View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com Explore the intricate past of American barbecue and its roots in Black history and culture with this thoughtfully researched book by James Beard Book Award winner Adrian Miller. He delves deep into the history of barbecue in the United States, starting with its Indigenous origins in the 16th century and exploring Western African influences on American barbecue's culinary heritage. By sharing the rich stories of a number of these men and women who have had an impact on the grilling scene throughout the centuries and in the present, Miller honors and celebrates Black American legacies. This book also features 22 specially curated and mouth-watering barbecue recipes. Price at time of publish: $30 Recipes: 22 | Pages: 328 | Date Published: 2021 We Tested Gas Grills for a Month to Find the Best Under $500 Best for Kamado Grill Owners Hot Coals: A User's Guide to Mastering Your Kamado Grill Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Abebooks.com For many barbecue enthusiasts, a ceramic kamado-style grill setup for smoking is the best way to do low-and-slow cooking, whether they have a Big Green Egg, a Kamado Joe, or a less popular brand. This book, translated from Dutch, is a deep dive into how the kamado works, starting