Just because you don’t live in Texas doesn’t mean you can’t have an authentic Texas barbecue in your own backyard. Just make sure you have a few of these Texan-approved recipes to get the party started.
Meat
1. Dr Pepper ribs
Image: Homesick Texan
For Texans, the only thing better than barbecue ribs is barbecue ribs covered in a sticky-sweet glaze made with the unofficial state co*ke,* er, soda — Dr Pepper. You might be tempted to eat these messy Dr Pepper ribs using a knife and fork, but Texans eat their ribs with their hands, so save your silverware for the beans.
* If you order a “co*ke” in Texas, they’re likely to ask you what kind… that’s what we call sodas, regardless of brand.
2. Barbecue brisket
Image: The Meatwave
Revered for its smoky, melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and delicious bark, nobody does brisket like Texas. Texans pamper their barbecue brisket. This once discarded cut of meat is now rubbed, massaged and treated to gentle overnight smokes that make for a barbecue unlike any other.
3. Slow cooker Texas pulled pork
Image: Recipe Snobs
Sometimes for convenience, Texans will cook their pulled pork in a slow cooker and not a smoker. Such high crimes against pork aren’t taken lightly in Texas, and I’m pretty sure you can get 30 days in the hole if they catch you slow-cookin’ shoulder in most counties, but there are delicious exceptions, such as this.
4. Chuck wagon chili and Frito pie
Image: Hilah Cooking
The ultimate in Texan comfort food, the Frito pie, or Texas straw hat, has its origins as a Mexican beach snack. Typically served with onions, shredded cheese and spicy Texas chili (no beans, please), this humble favorite has been known to make an appearance at a Texas barbecue or two.
5. Texas-style beef short ribs
Image: The Meatwave
Foodies commonly make pilgrimages to the tumbleweed towns of Texas for their renown beef short ribs, prized by barbecue enthusiasts, cooked low and slow for big Texas flavor.
Meat seasonings and condiments
6. Texas barbecue rub
Image: Uncle Jerry’s Kitchen
The first step to any authentic Texas-style ribs or brisket is a well-spiced dry rub. As any Texas pitmaster worth their hickory-smoked salt can tell you, if it ain’t dry-rubbed and sauced, it ain’t barbecue.
7. Texas pepper barbecue sauce
Image: Food for My Family
To some, Texas-style barbecue sauce might be considered a bit old-fashioned, but that’s how we like it — and it’s an absolute must for real Texas barbecue. Thin and tangy, Texas barbecue sauce is a tomato-based sauce that’s sugary-sweet, spicy and saves you a nice little cayenne kick for the end.
Sides
8. Ranch Style Beans copycat recipe
Image: Homesick Texan
No Texas cupboard is complete without a can of Ranch Style Beans. This beloved brand’s “real western flavor” can be found at the side of almost every brisket in Texas, and this homemade version would do any chuck wagon proud.
9. Spicy green chili, smoky bacon, 3-cheese grown-up mac and cheese
Image: Southern Fairytale
Mac and cheese might not be the cornerstone of Texas barbecue that is Ranch Style Beans, but this fiery mac and cheese made with roasted poblano chilies, smoky bacon and chipotle will have more than a few cowboys piling on this piping-hot perfection.
10. Mustard potato salad
Image: Homesick Texan
There are lots of great potato salads in the world, but mustard potato salad is pretty much required at a Texas barbecue (it’s also the best kind). This yummy version even features bread-and-butter pickled jalapeños for a little extra Texas flavor.
11. Fried okra
Image: A Sweet Pea Chef
Unfortunately so many restaurants fry their okra in a too-heavy batter of egg and flour, which covers the flavor of the okra and has to be overcooked to make it crispy, resulting in a slimy mess. Real Texas fried okra is lightly breaded in a cornmeal mixture.
12. Creamy coleslaw
Image: Brown Eyed Baker
Because of the often spicy seasonings on Texas barbecue, it’s always helpful to make sure you serve up some creamy coleslaw for guests to cool their palates.
13. Texas caviar
Image: Hilah Cooking
A popular alternative to salsa at picnics and potlucks, Texas caviar has endless variations ranging from the complex to the most basic. Whether your version uses black-eyed peas or just plain ol’ black beans, this bean and veggie-based side is always a hit.
14. Skillet cornbread
Image: Brown Eyed Baker
Any self-respecting cook in Texas has a small arsenal of cast-iron skillets at their disposal. Cast iron is a must for that perfectly tender cornbread with a crisp, buttery crust. Mix in some cheese and diced jalapeños to really wow your ranch hands.
Dessert
15. Old-fashioned homemade banana pudding
Image: Restless Chipotle
Friendly get-togethers in Texas basically require one of two desserts at barbecues —and one is banana pudding. Luckily real homemade banana pudding is such a deeply gratifying indulgence you might not even miss that peach cobbler somebody mistakenly left off the table.
16. Texas peach cobbler
Image: Dessert for Two
And the second dessert you absolutely must have at a Texas barbecue is, of course, the venerable peach cobbler. Some may be surprised to learn that in Texas, we pour the batter in before the peaches. It gives you a more even bite that way, as some of the batter seeps toward the top as it bakes. Just trust us… it’s better that way.
More barbecue recipes
How to slow-smoke ribs in the oven, no grill required
Slow cooker mango barbecue chicken, plus 2 tasty ways to use it
This juicy Korean BBQ turkey burger is the perfect way to end your summer
