Today, BBQ enthusiasts are slow-cooking briskets, smoking ribs, and even preparing Sunday roasts with ease. This transformation has elevated BBQ from a simple summer pastime to a sophisticated culinary art form.

Lets take a look at the top 20 BBQ dishes that you can make.

Slow-cooked over indirect heat for hours, smoked brisket is a testament to the patience and skill of modern BBQ enthusiasts. Using a combination of hardwoods for flavour, the brisket becomes tender and flavourful, offering a rich, smoky taste that melts in your mouth. Today’s advanced smokers and grills allow for precise temperature control, ensuring a perfect cook every time.

A fun and flavourful way to cook chicken, beer can chicken involves placing a whole chicken over an open can of beer. The beer steams the chicken from the inside, keeping it moist and infusing it with a subtle beer flavour. Modern BBQ setups often include rotisseries or special racks designed to hold the chicken and beer can securely, making this once-tricky technique easy to master.

Grilling salmon on a cedar plank imparts a delicate, smoky flavour to the fish. The plank also prevents the salmon from sticking to the grill, ensuring a clean presentation. This method, once reserved for professional chefs, is now accessible to home cooks thanks to specialty BBQ accessories and improved grill designs.

Pulled pork is a BBQ classic that requires slow cooking over low heat until the meat is tender enough to be shredded. With modern smokers and grills, maintaining a consistent temperature is easier than ever, making it possible for anyone to achieve that perfect, melt-in-your-mouth texture. The addition of flavored wood chips can further enhance the smoky profile.

Grilling pizza on the BBQ is a trend that has taken off in recent years. High-heat grills and pizza stones create the perfect environment for a crispy crust and smoky flavor. Toppings can range from traditional pepperoni to gourmet ingredients like prosciutto and arugula, showcasing the versatility of BBQ cooking.

Grilling lobster tails might sound intimidating, but with the right equipment, it’s a breeze. The intense heat of the grill caramelizes the lobster’s natural sugars, adding a smoky, sweet flavour. Modern grills with precise heat control make it easy to achieve the perfect cook without overdoing it, transforming a luxurious seafood dish into a BBQ staple.

Why limit turkey to the oven? BBQ turkey has become a popular alternative, especially for holiday meals. The indirect heat and smoke create a tender, juicy bird with a crispy, flavourful skin. Rotisserie attachments and large-capacity smokers make this once-difficult task straightforward and stress-free.

Grilled oysters are a sophisticated addition to any BBQ menu. Cooked directly on the grill, the oysters steam in their shells, creating a briny, smoky treat. Special oyster grilling baskets and tools ensure that even beginners can master this elegant dish with ease.

Pork belly, with its rich layers of meat and fat, is perfect for slow cooking on the BBQ. The fat renders down, basting the meat and infusing it with smoky flavour. Advanced grills and smokers with precise temperature settings make it simple to cook pork belly to perfection, achieving a crispy exterior and tender interior.

Grilling isn’t just for meat. Vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant take on a deliciously smoky flavor when grilled. Modern grills with adjustable grates and skewers make it easy to cook vegetables evenly, turning them into a healthy and flavorful addition to any BBQ spread.

Lamb, with its rich, gamey flavour, benefits immensely from slow cooking on the BBQ. Whether it’s lamb chops, a whole leg, or ribs, the smoky heat enhances the meat’s natural flavours. Specialised lamb racks and rotisserie attachments have made BBQ lamb a popular choice for gourmet backyard chefs.

Grilled fruit, such as peaches, pineapples, and watermelon, offers a delightful contrast of sweet and smoky flavors. Modern grills with precise temperature control and specialized baskets make it easy to grill fruit without it falling apart, adding a unique touch to desserts and salads.

For vegetarians, BBQ tofu is a great alternative. Marinated tofu takes on the grill’s smoky flavour, creating a satisfying and protein-rich dish. Non-stick grill mats and skewers ensure that tofu cooks evenly and doesn’t stick, making it an easy addition to any BBQ menu.

Duck, with its rich, fatty meat, is ideal for BBQ. Slow cooking allows the fat to render out, basting the meat and keeping it moist. Advanced BBQ techniques and equipment, such as smokers and rotisserie attachments, make it possible to achieve perfectly cooked duck with a crispy skin and tender meat.

Grilled bread, such as naan, flatbreads, or even garlic bread, adds a smoky dimension to your meal. High-heat grills with baking stone accessories allow for even cooking, creating a crispy crust and a soft interior. Grilled bread can be a fantastic accompaniment to any BBQ dish.

BBQ meatloaf is a twist on a classic comfort food. Cooked on the grill, the meatloaf takes on a smoky flavour, and the high heat creates a delicious crust. Specialty meatloaf pans and trays designed for the grill make it easy to cook this hearty dish outdoors, adding a new dimension to a family favourite.

Grilled cheese on the BBQ brings a new level of flavor to this simple dish. Using a griddle or cast-iron skillet on the grill, you can achieve a perfectly crispy, golden-brown exterior and a gooey, melted interior. This technique adds a smoky twist to a beloved classic, making it even more irresistible.

Grilled shrimp skewers are quick, easy, and packed with flavor. The high heat of the grill cooks the shrimp quickly, preserving their tender texture. Modern grill tools, such as non-stick skewers and grill baskets, ensure that shrimp cook evenly and don’t fall into the flames.

Stuffed peppers, filled with a mixture of meat, rice, and vegetables, take on a deliciously smoky flavour when cooked on the BBQ. Special pepper stands and indirect heat methods make it easy to cook the peppers evenly, resulting in a flavourful and satisfying dish that’s perfect for any BBQ.

Grilled desserts, such as s’mores, grilled peaches, or even chocolate-filled bananas, offer a sweet ending to any BBQ meal. Modern grills with precise heat control and specialized dessert accessories make it easy to create these delectable treats, adding a smoky twist to your favorite desserts.

The evolution of BBQ food reflects the advancements in technology and a growing appreciation for gourmet cooking. From simple burgers to sophisticated dishes, modern BBQs are equipped to handle a wide range of culinary creations, turning any backyard cookout into a gourmet experience.