The Grill Coach

Jay and Brian are firing up the smoker without clearing your schedule - this week's episode is all about quick, weekday-friendly smoked cooks that deliver big BBQ flavor without the all-day commitment. Plus, Brian makes the case for a seriously underrated cut of steak that deserves a spot on your grill. 🔥 Highlights Jay and Brian kick things off reacting to a head-scratching backyard BBQ vid...

Andy is back, and this week he and Jay and Brian are reflecting on all the things they've learned from The Grill Coach! From game-changing techniques to some honest learning moments, this episode is a great reminder of how far a little curiosity and a hot grill can take you. 🔥 Highlights! This week the crew brings some serious backyard heat to the highlights. Brian shows off his flat top que...

This week Jay and Brian are joined by listener Andy, and we are FIRED UP about grilling and BBQ! Andy brings serious energy and even more serious cooks to the table as the guys swap stories, swap tips, and keep the fire burning from start to finish. 🔥 Highlights Andy brings the heat with his go-to chicken wings and his favorite Kinder's rub combo Jay fires up some irresistible pork belly bur...

This week Jay and Brian are making a case for staying in - because the best steak you've ever had might just be the one you cook yourself. First up - highlights, a shoutout to listeners Walter and Corey, and a BBQ Question that has the guys talking grill maintenance. 🔥 Highlights - Brian fires up a batch of Al Pastor Nachos. Jay puts together race weekend pulled pork tacos and shares listene...

Planning a great BBQ doesn't have to be overwhelming - and this week, Jay and Brian are breaking it all down. From choosing your meats to timing your cooks, they're sharing their best tips for pulling off a backyard BBQ that'll have your guests coming back for seconds (and thirds). 🔥 Highlights - Jay shares his experience watching BBQ legend Myron Mixon deliver a live brisket demo....

This week Jay and Brian are fired up to welcome Chef Blackwell Smith, founder of The Lucky Cajun Seasoning, to the Grill Coach kitchen! Chef Blackwell breaks down his journey into the world of spices and seasonings, the story behind how Lucky Cajun was born — and why the "Born On" Difference changes everything about flavor. From weekly fresh-ground spices to a no-nonsense Cookbook, this...

This week Jay and Brian are talking all things salt—from dry brining to those final finishing touches that bring a cook to life. Whether you’re seasoning ahead of time or dialing it in right before serving, they break down how salt plays a role every step of the way. 🔥 This week’s highlights include Brian firing up shrimp and Wagyu beef fajitas on the Blackstone, while Jay shares his experience t...

Al Pastor: is it the sauce, or is it the technique? In this special Listener Highlight episode, Chris brings his take on one of BBQ's most debated imports — and the answer might just reshape the way you approach your next cook. 🔥 Highlights - Chris traces the flavorful journey of Al Pastor from shawarma to Mexican cooking culture before making his case for why this iconic style is really abo...

This week, Jay and Brian are joined by Andrew Rog — aka the Grill Sergeant — from ChefsTemp to talk all things Smart Temperature Technology. From wireless meat thermometers to smart grill gauges and airflow control fans, Andrew breaks down how cutting-edge tools are changing the way we cook over fire. Whether you're a backyard warrior or a seasoned pitmaster, this episode is packed with insig...

Episode 200 is here, and we are celebrating! Jay and Brian are joined by Frankie for a special roundtable episode looking back on 200 episodes of The Grill Coach Podcast. From favorite moments and memorable guests to the lessons learned along the way, this episode is a heartfelt thank-you to the BBQ community that has made it all possible. 🔥 Highlights: Frankie kicks things off sharing his cook o...

In this week’s episode of The Grill Coach Podcast, Jay and Brian break down why great BBQ begins in the kitchen. Before the fire is ever lit, the foundation for incredible food is built through planning, preparation, and attention to detail. The guys walk through how everything from sourcing quality meat to proper prep techniques plays a critical role in your final results on the grill. 🔥 Highlig...

In this week’s episode of The Grill Coach Podcast, Jay and Brian explore how marinades can transform your grilling and BBQ. From building bold flavor profiles to tenderizing tougher cuts of meat, marinades are one of the most versatile tools in outdoor cooking. The guys break down how acids, enzymes, and seasoning work together to elevate beef, pork, poultry, and seafood on the grill. 🔥 Highlight...

Rotisserie cooking is one of the most versatile and rewarding ways to grill. The constant rotation bastes the meat in its own juices, creating incredible flavor and evenly cooked results. In this episode, Brian and Jay talk about what foods really shine when cooked on a rotisserie and share ideas to help you get more out of this classic grilling technique. In this week’s 🔥Highlights Brian shares...

Knife skills are one of the most overlooked - and most important - foundations of great BBQ. This week, Brian and Jay break down the essential knife skills you need before the fire ever gets lit. From trimming brisket to breaking down chicken and slicing steak the right way, we explain how proper prep leads to better flavor, better texture, and better presentation on the plate. 🔥 Highlights: Jay...

Barbecue is about community, tradition, and bringing people together — but what happens when your health forces you to rethink how you eat? In this powerful and personal episode, Jay and Brian are joined by Dr. Cory Jenks, co-host of the Diabetes Remission Roadmap Podcast , to talk about BBQ and diabetes.  🔥 Jay opens up about his recent Type 2 diabetes diagnosis, the prevalence of diabetes in ou...

Choosing the right BBQ cooker can feel overwhelming — gas, charcoal, pellet, drum, offset, ceramic… the options seem endless. In this episode, inspired by a recent listener question, we break down how to actually decide which BBQ is right for you. It’s not about chasing trends or buying what someone else owns — it’s about understanding what you want to cook, how involved you want to be in the proc...

Eating BBQ at a restaurant can be one of the best ways to experience great barbecue — if you know what you’re looking at. In this episode, Jay and Brian break down what it really means to dine out for BBQ, how to spot places that respect the craft, and what expectations you should bring with you when you walk into a true BBQ joint. From sell-out menus to ordering by the pound, we’re covering how B...

Brisket tacos might be one of the best ways to turn a long cook into something truly unforgettable—and in this special Listener Spotlight episode, we’re joined by Claudio to break them down from start to finish. From brisket prep and smoke strategy to rich tallow-kissed tortillas and taco assembly, this episode is packed with technique, inspiration, and real-world experience you can apply to your...

In this special Listener Spotlight episode, Jay and Brian are joined by Lamont for a dive into one of the most important (and often overlooked) BBQ skills: shopping for beef. From timing your meat purchases to knowing how much to buy, where to buy it, and what to look for at the counter, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you cook with confidence.  This week’s highlight 🔥 is a C...

Dry braising is a technique that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough in the BBQ world — and in this episode, it’s brand new to The Grill Coach team. Jay and Brian break down what dry braising is, how it differs from traditional braising, and why it can be a powerful method for building flavor and tenderness without drowning your meat. If you love experimenting with new techniques that bridge cl...

Thinking about attending a BBQ competition but not sure what you’re actually looking at as a spectator? This week, Jay and Brian walk through what to expect when you attend a BBQ competition — how events are structured, what’s happening behind the scenes, and how to get more out of the experience whether you’re just there to eat, learn, or soak it all in. Jay kicks off 🔥 highlights and shares a M...

The holidays are here, and this week Jay and Brian are talking Holiday Feasts — covering both traditional favorites and unconventional proteins that can shake up your holiday table. Whether you’re planning weeks ahead or need a last-minute idea that still delivers big flavor, this episode is packed with inspiration for the entire holiday season. Jay kicks 🔥 Highlights off with a look at the rich...

In this follow-up to our hanging ribs deep dive, we’re back with another packed episode of tips, techniques, lessons learned, and a whole lot of BBQ inspiration. Jay kicks things off with his mouthwatering 25-day aged ribeye, while Brian breaks down his latest project: building the Big Poppa Smokers Barrel Kit.  Check out this week’s Grill Coach Recommends at TheGrillCoach.com - a pro level access...

The Grill Coach crew is back! After a short break, Jay and Brian fire up the mics with some welcome life updates and a few mouthwatering highlights. Jay’s been serving up Wedding Oxtails, while Brian talks about the Blue Cheese Bacon Burger at Mott Canyon Tavern. This week’s BBQ Question comes from Pat on our blog : “How many hours do you smoke a pork butt per pound at 225?” — we break it down wit...

Pork shoulder steaks are one of the most underrated cuts you can throw on the grill. They’re flavorful, versatile, and easy on the budget — whether you cook them hot and fast, braise them for tenderness, or even give them a kiss of smoke. In this episode, we break down everything you need to know: how to choose the best steaks, what you should expect to pay, and our favorite cooking methods, sides...