BBQ Tips

Want to save a little money on competition BBQ? If you're staring at a pan of BBQ trimmings after a cook (especially competition practice), don't toss them. That "leftover" brisket and pork is high-quality meat, and with a quick grind you can turn it into weeks of meals. Watch: https://youtu.be/fcczQN2sV-E   Recipes In This Episode Meatballs: https://girlscangrill.com/recipe/grilled-bbq-meatballs/...

The founders of Barbecue World Cup say they're building "American Idol for barbecue," with a $1 million prize and a plan to pull backyard cooks and seasoned teams into the same global spotlight.  In this week's episode of the BBQ Tips podcast, Champion Pitmaster Christie Vanover sits down with founders Shannon Pruitt and Scott Erdmann to walk through the basics of the new competition, including ho...

Goldee's BBQ is known for its brisket. They don't wrap it during the cook. They only wrap it when they hold it. In this week's BBQ Tips Podcast, Champion Pitmaster Christie Vanover shares what happened when she tested the slow and low method to see if it could work for competition BBQ.  See the Results on YouTube https://youtu.be/3U9nvuubJaw   Competition Tell-All Courses https://competitionbbqtip...

Do you ever wonder if the judges actually tasted the meat you turned in or if your box might have gotten mixed up? In this week's BBQ Tips Podcast, Champion Pitmaster Christie Vanover shares what she learned about contesting your scores. She shares that insight along with a few other things she looks for when her scores don't match her expectations.  Competition Tell-All Courses https://competitio...

The race to the $1 million prize is officially underway. In this episode of the BBQ Tips Podcast, Champion Pitmaster Christie Vanover breaks down the first competitions that have qualified teams for the upcoming Barbecue World Cup. Here from two teams who locked in their spots early: God's Country Barbecue out of Texas and Uncle Jesse's Barbecue from Utah. BBQ World Cup https://bbqworldcup.com/  ...

Chicken is one of the most common proteins people cook on the grill, and also one of the most complained about. Most people default to chicken breasts, but those are one of the least forgiving cuts you can cook. In this week's episode of the BBQ Tips Podcast, champion pitmaster Christie Vanover is going to share her secrets to juicy breasts, but she's also going to share a more budget friendly alt...

Regisration is open for the Memphis in May Open Fire World Championships. Plus, prime rib doesn't have to be scary. In this episode, Christie Vanover of Girls Can Grill shares her step-by-step method for grilling a melt-in-your-mouth prime rib with a bold herb crust. Learn how to prep the roast, control your grill temperature and nail the perfect doneness, no matter what grill you're using. Memphi...

It's the holidays, which means it's baking season. But who says dessert has to stay in the kitchen? In this episode, Christie Vanover reveals why some of the best dessert makers in the country are actually pitmasters… and how YOU can bake incredible treats right on your grill or smoker. Christie recaps the wild success of this year's BBQ Jackpot (including a dessert category that rivaled The Jack...

This Thanksgiving-themed episode breaks down everything you need to cook the perfect holiday turkey no matter what grill you're using. Christie Vanover shares her step-by-step tips for choosing the right size bird, thawing it safely, brining it for max juiciness, seasoning it with herbs and a whiskey bacon glaze, and cooking it on charcoal, pellet, drum, or gas grills. Plus, she reminds you to gra...

Champion pitmaster Christie Vanover breaks down the explosive rise of live fire competitions after working behind the scenes at the Texas Open Fire Meat Up. She shares how the event drew global teams, 2,500 attendees and 80 million combined social media followers. Learn why Memphis in May is adding a new Open Fire category for 2026. Vanover also previews how she's bringing the movement to Las Vega...

Award-winning pitmaster and Girls Can Grill founder Christie Vanover pulls back the curtain on her newest venture: Competition BBQ Tips , an online education platform designed to help backyard cooks and aspiring pitmasters start earning calls. In this launch episode, Christie shares her journey from finishing mid-pack to becoming a championship competitor, the lessons she learned on the KCBS circu...

Christie shares where she's at in the launch of her new pastrami kit, plus she invites everyone out to the Las Vegas BBQ Festival and car show, which is a fun free event where she'll be doing BBQ demos.  Pastrami Recipes: https://girlscangrill.com/pastrami/   Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator: https://shop.girlscangrill.com/pages/store-locator   https://shop.girlscangrill.com/ https://amzn.to/40b...

Judging the Jack Daniel's Invitational Barbecue is not just a seat at the table. It is a front-row view of how the world's best teams win, how flavors evolve, and how tradition and Tennessee whiskey fuel an entire town for one unforgettable weekend. 2025 Results: https://mms.kcbs.us/members/evr/view_scores.php?org_id=KCBA&evid=47558697   Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator: https://shop.girlscangri...

Champion pitmaster Christie Vanover is changing up her competition trailer and entire travel setup. Find out what she's looking for with her new trailer design and why she's making the change.  Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator: https://shop.girlscangrill.com/pages/store-locator   https://shop.girlscangrill.com/ https://amzn.to/40btkry   Buy Girls Can Grill books on Amazon now! Ninja FlexFlame Co...

It's fall, so champion pitmaster Christie Vanover is walking you through her full recipe for smoked chili with tri tip.  Full Recipe: https://girlscangrill.com/recipe/beef/champion-chili/ YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/XQoB945VVqM   Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator: https://shop.girlscangrill.com/pages/store-locator   https://shop.girlscangrill.com/ https://amzn.to/40btkry   Buy Girls Can Grill...

Kell Phelps, publisher of Barbecue News and managing partner of NBBQA, has launched a new barbecue podcast called Now That's Smokin. This week's BBQ Tips Podcast is a collab with Kell. He invited champion pitmaster Christie Vanover of Girls Can Grill to talk about barbecue myths, failures and how she incorporates AI into her business. Join NBBQA: https://www.nbbqa.org/   Girls Can Grill Rubs Store...

In a divided time, BBQ may be the common ground we all need. Christie Vanover reflects on how BBQ is more than food. It's a way to unite people across divides. Discover how tending the fire can heal, humanize and bring us together in a time of division. Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator: https://shop.girlscangrill.com/pages/store-locator   https://shop.girlscangrill.com/ https://amzn.to/40btkry  ...

This is a special episode of the BBQ Tips Podcast. Champion Pitmaster Christie Vanover is joined by BBQ World Champion David Bouska of Butcher BBQ.    Together, they share some real insider tips about the Jack Daniel's World Championship. From the draw to load in to the competition itself and what the judges are looking for, if you're a competitive pitmaster, you don't want to miss this.  Girls Ca...

Champion Pitmaster Christie Vanover will be traveling across the country over the next few months to compete, judge and organize different events. From Idaho to Tennessee to Texas, check out the live fire activities and learn how you can be involved.    Idaho Competition: https://meatandtaterbbq.com/   Lunch Meat Demo: https://premierbbqs.com/   The Jack: https://www.jackdaniels.com/en-us/bbq   La...

Last week, Christie shared the top 10 foods Americans hate. This week, she grilled up some oysters, squid, tofu, sardines and liver. Here's what happened. Find out if the foods are on her love it or hate it list.    🔥 Full Recipes: https://girlscangrill.com/roundups/10-most-hated-foods-in-america-are-you-brave-enough-to-eat-them/ Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator: https://shop.girlscangrill.com/...

  YouGov just released the results of the most hated foods in America. Here are the top 10. Are any of yours on this list? This is Part 1 where I reveal the top 10 hated foods. Stay tuned for Part 2. I'm going to cook 5 of them on the grill to see if I can get them to taste good.  Gull Survey Results: https://today.yougov.com/society/articles/52689-ranking-americans-most-hated-foods Girls Can Gril...

  Struggling with flare-ups, dry steak or guessing doneness? Don't ruin your ribeye! In today's BBQ Tips Podcast, champion pitmaster Christie Vanover will explain how to cook ribeye steak perfectly every time. 🔥 Full Recipe: https://girlscangrill.com/recipe/steak/how-to-cook-ribeye-steak/ Thermoworks RFX:  https://alnk.to/610hLIM   Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator: https://shop.girlscangrill.co...

Forget about candles that just look pretty. These tallow candles are pretty and edible. Make them with tallow, butter or coconut oil. Full Recipe: https://girlscangrill.com/recipe/rubs-sauces/tallow-candles-and-other-edible-candles-made-with-fats-butter-or-coconut-oil/ Edible candle wicks: https://amzn.to/44Xr8Gg Girl Carnivore compound butter inspiration: https://girlcarnivore.com/compound-butter...

If your homemade sausage keeps crumbling or lacks that signature snap, the problem may not be your seasoning. It's your temperature control. Champion pitmaster Christie Vanover of Girls Can Grill is here to break down the sausage science step-by-step. Links in this Episode: Kitchen Scale: https://amzn.to/3IKNGCP   Meat Grinder: https://amzn.to/3H3riUJ   Sausage Stuffer: https://amzn.to/4lG5vS3   S...

Throwing a cookout for your family and friends can be so much fun. Everyone loves the food, the laughter, the memories. Unless those memories mean hugging a toilet all night. Champion pitmaster Christie Vanover of Girls Can Grill shares 5 BBQ safety tips so you can avoid sending anyone home with more than leftovers.   Links in this Episode: BBQ Jackpot: https://bbqjackpot.com/   Ninja FlexFlame Co...