Christmas Appetizers, Holiday Side Dishes & Favorite Christmas Desserts

On this week of the HowToBBQRight Podcast, we kick things off and set the tone for a food-filled holiday conversation (00:00). I'm finally coming around to the Christmas spirit (01:09)... We debate whether Christmas is really Malcom Reed's favorite holiday or if another one still holds the top spot (06:45). The conversation turns to wild game as we discuss how we've been using Malcom's elk meat and the different ways it's been showing up on our table (08:01). Holiday appetizer talk heats up as we talk about whether spinach dip should be served hot or cold at Christmas parties (12:30). We compare classic tailgating foods to traditional Christmas foods and decide where the line really is between the two (15:51). Sports news sneaks in with a discussion about Ole Miss's head coach leaving and what that means to Malcom (17:30). I think that Blue Plate deserves their very own Mayo Bowl, and why it just makes sense (18:12). Things get fun when we break down the BEST Christmas appetizers according to ChatGPT and see how they stack up to real-life favorites (20:56). A surprisingly heated debate follows over whether deviled eggs belong at the dinner table or are strictly party food (24:00). Malcom confesses to stealing a top-secret monkey bread recipe that's perfect for the holidays (31:32). We share our favorite Christmas desserts and what absolutely has to be on the table every year (33:05). Malcom thinks butter boards are "fat boy food", and here's why (35:40). We reveal the BEST place to get smoked sausage and what makes it stand out from the rest (38:50). Malcom walks through his guide to making homemade summer sausage and why it's worth doing yourself (41:00). I share a simple but genius hack I learned to keep your limes fresh forever (47:29). Hosting challenges come up as we explain how to host a vegetarian at Christmas without making it awkward or stressful (49:39). We talk about turning uncured ham into pulled pork and why you may just want to go with a pork butt instead (51:45). A member of the community made Touchdown Taters but made them breakfast-ready (53:47). We break down the best way to monitor meat and debate wired versus wireless thermometers for BBQ and holiday cooks alike (57:51). The Pick'em League update gives a rundown of where things stand and who's bragging this week (1:01:31). We highlight the Let's Get to Cookin' Community Giveaway Week 3 and how listeners can get involved (1:04:40). We wrap everything up and close out the episode with a classic HowToBBQRight sendoff (1:07:46).

This week on the HowToBBQRight Podcast, Thanksgiving is right around the corner and we are more than ready for it (00:27). We kicked things off at the Open Fire Meetup in Hondo, Texas, and it turned out to be an absolute blast (02:37). Saturday's open-to-the-public portion of the Open Fire Meetup was packed from end to end (07:38). Malcom even judged the event and tasted some of the best BBQ bites he's ever had (12:31). While on his elk-hunting trip in Texas, Malcom also threw down some incredible steaks on a pellet grill (23:35). If you're searching for a great Christmas gift for the cook or pitmaster in your life, ThermoWorks is running a major sale right now (27:01). With Thanksgiving approaching fast, we're sharing our favorite family traditions for turkey day (28:45), along with the must-have side dishes that always make our holiday table (31:20). We're also talking about the new Thanksgiving desserts we can't wait to try this year (37:29). We take a closer look at why Primo Grills might become your new go-to backyard smoker (40:01). If you're planning to part, brine, and inject your turkey, we break down exactly how long you should cook it (40:43). For anyone slicing and vacuum-sealing their turkey this year, we explain the best way to reheat it without losing moisture (43:03). And if you're using a pellet grill for your bird, here are the top pellet options to get the best flavor (44:56). Should you brine your turkey for 48 hours (46:38)? Is it too much to brine and inject (48:52)? We answer those questions and more. Finally, Tyler shares his top-secret carrot bacon recipe (50:21).

This week on the HowToBBQRight Podcast, we're kicking things off with a big shoutout to our winners from the recent Turtlebox Giveaway in the community (00:25)! Huge congratulations to Jamie from Swine Life for another big win last weekend—this time cooking on Outlaw's brand-new drum smoker (08:34). We celebrated our 17-year anniversary, and it was an absolute blast (11:09)! Next up, we're getting ready for the Texas Open Fire Meetup—if you're headed that way, be sure to come say hello (14:02)! The holidays are almost here, and that means it's time to start thinking about your Thanksgiving turkey (20:17). If you're planning to brine your bird this year, check out our brand-new turkey brine kits (25:37). Got a smaller turkey? We talk about whether you should use the entire bottle of brine (27:43). Malcom shares whether he injects his turkeys at home (29:23), and we discuss if you should brine when you're only cooking a turkey breast (30:59). For those stuffing their turkey, here's exactly how to do it the right way (33:37). We also cover whether it's better to spatchcock or part your turkey before cooking (37:42). We dive into why the Primo Grill might be your next favorite backyard smoker (39:58). And if you're cooking your turkey on a different type of smoker, your recipe might need a few adjustments (40:42). Has Malcom ever done a two-stage finish on a turkey (44:23)? If you're cooking your turkey and need to travel—say, a couple of hours to a relative's house—here's how to handle that like a pro (46:07). For a midweek meal idea, we share a quick trick to make chicken phillies super easy (49:34). Everyone loves bacon and brisket, but what if you cooked bacon like a brisket (52:44)? Could you win a chili contest with a doctored-up version of Wolf's chili (54:14)?  

Ever wondered how Arbo's Cheese Dip became the delicious fan-favorite it is today (02:09)? Andrew shares the inspiring story behind building a national cheese dip brand from scratch, and the toughest challenge he faced getting Arbo's onto store shelves (06:36). We also talk about why Primo Grills could be your next favorite backyard cooker (13:50) and what truly sets Arbo's Cheese Dip apart from every other cheese dip on the market (14:35). Plus, Arbo's now offers more mouthwatering flavors than just the original (18:00)! Andrew explains how he scaled up his homemade cheese dip recipe for mass production (21:20) and surprises us with a mystery box—you won't believe what's inside (24:10)! Malcom fires up some incredible dishes using Arbo's, including Cheesy Chicken & Rice (26:14) and a pizza dip that's to die for (32:01)! Andrew also shares his favorite ways to enjoy Arbo's at home (35:29), plus some of the wildest and most creative recipes fans have come up with using Arbo's Cheese Dip (37:30). Finally, Andrew opens up about his service in the United States Air Force and how those experiences shaped his journey as an entrepreneur (40:46).  

This week on the HowToBBQRight Podcast, we're STUFFED after our inner office pie contest (00:14)! Up next is our Best Sandwich contest, and we dive into what the ultimate sandwich option might be (07:54). Malcom is still struggling in our Let's Get to Cookin' Community Pick'em League (12:21)... Last week, we headed down to the Royal Oak Invitational, and it was an absolute blast (16:53)! On the way home, we couldn't resist stopping by Buc-ee's for some breakfast (24:27). Now that the weather's finally cooling off, it's officially chili season (29:13). We talk about why the Primo Grill could be your next favorite backyard smoker (37:11), and how y'all have been winning contests with that White Chicken Chili recipe (37:53)! If you're making chili this year, don't skip our BBQ Chili Crackers to go with it (38:48). Chili is loved nationwide, so we explore all the different ways it's made across the country (40:35). Malcom also shares exactly how he builds his perfect bowl of chili (46:14). Brent from the community took Malcom's Touchdown Taters and kicked them up a notch (48:54). Next time we make Lasagna Soup, we're swapping in mozzarella pearls for that perfect cheesy bite (50:24)! We also answer some great BBQ questions — should you dry brine ribs overnight if you're short on time (53:13)? Is there a thermometer that alerts you when temps drop too low (54:52)? Plus, we discuss how to get the best smoke flavor on turkey legs and thighs (57:02). And to wrap it up, we've got a brand-new Asian-style hot sauce that we can't wait to try (59:08)!  

This week on the HowToBBQRight Podcast, Malcom's getting his butt kicked in the Pick'em League (00:14), and the competition is heating up fast. We kick things off by giving a big shoutout to everyone who competed at The Jack this past weekend (03:23). We're also announcing our brand-new Let's Get To Cookin' Community Giveaway — tune in to find out how you can enter to win some awesome prizes (05:00). Malcom just got back from a North Dakota waterfowl hunt, and he's got some stories about the incredible steakhouses and wild game eats he found up there (08:26). Got a leftover baked potato? We share some of our favorite ways to turn it into something next-level (19:41). Then we dive into why the Primo Grill might be your next favorite backyard cooker (23:19). Tyler cooked up a Lasagna Soup that blew everyone away (24:02), and he shares a few stories — and surprises — from his trip to Dollywood(28:55). Malcom sets the record straight — yes, he's still making plenty of new BBQ videos (37:27). We also get into a big debate: why beef cheeks might just be better than brisket for smoking (39:16). Plus, Malcom weighs in on whether it's a good idea to rest a Boston Butt on the grill after shutdown instead of using a cooler (43:54). Todd posted his Bananas Foster Old Fashioned, and it looked absolutely incredible (46:30). We also answer some listener questions: Can you use AP seasoning as a dry brine (48:12), what should you do if strong winds are messing with your grill temps (51:39), and is it normal for a pork loin to have a pink hue after cooking? (53:46)  

This week on the HowToBBQRight Podcast, we're fired up to welcome back our good buddy Dave Williamson — AKA Meat Dave — for another mouthwatering episode (00:14)! He's got big news: Dave just opened a BRAND NEW restaurant (01:10)! Now that he's running the show, we had to ask — is Dave still out front slinging BBQ like the good ol' days (11:43)? And what's it really like selling BBQ in a bar setting — is it harder or easier (15:35)? Dave also drops his famous Mac n' Cheese recipe, and it was passed down by a good friend of ours (22:15)! When it comes to seasonings, Dave knows his stuff (27:26). We talk about why the Primo Ceramic Grill might just become your new favorite backyard cooker (33:40), and how Malcom and Dave's lunch at Bain's BBQ was straight-up deliciousda (34:23). Dave also traveled down to Key West to defend his BBQ festival title (40:01), and yeah… Peanut Butter Jelly RIBS are officially a thing (45:06)! He's cooked on all kinds of smokers, but RecTeq is still Dave's go-to (49:13). We also dive into the current state of the California BBQ scene (52:58), and we wrap things up with a look at how Dave is balancing comedy with the restaurant biz (57:17).  

This week on the HowToBBQRight Podcast, we're packing up and heading to Mountain Home, Arkansas, for Ark-tober Fest (00:20)! Malcom's not doing so hot lately in our Let's Get To Cookin' Community Pick'em League (04:10)... Last weekend, we hosted our Ambassador BBQ Crawl and it was an absolute blast (08:07)! If you ever find yourself in the Memphis area craving authentic Texas-style BBQ, make sure to stop by Bain's BBQ — it's a must-try (24:01). After wrapping up the crawl, we took a trip down to Venice, Louisiana and enjoyed some killer fish and drinks (26:30)! We've all tasted pineapple flavors on ribs... but have you ever seen someone wrap an entire rack of ribs around a pineapple? (32:38) Wild stuff. If you're craving a classic pulled beef sandwich, what's the best cut of beef to use? We break it down (36:01). We also share why the Primo Ceramic Grill could be your new favorite backyard cooker (37:45), and why we're seriously craving some more fresh tuna (38:30). Cooking on a drum smoker for the first time? Here are our top tips for beginners who want to master the drum (41:36). Why is everyone suddenly using maple syrup in their injections and wraps? We've got thoughts (45:55).Thinking about buying Wagyu beef for the first time? Here are the top cuts to look out for (47:11). If your pellet grill shuts off overnight while cooking a pork butt, what should you do? We've got answers (51:13). And finally, if you want to serve brisket for dinner on Friday, but save the burnt ends for Sunday, how do you pull it off? (53:45).  

This week on the HowToBBQRight Podcast, Malcom's had a tough run in our pick 'em league—but the Vikings have been looking great lately (00:14)! Nothing beats a classic BBQ plate, and Malcom put together a killer spread this past weekend (02:40). Everyone loves a good sausage and cheese plate at a party, but we're sharing the top-secret sauce that will take yours to the next level (06:49). Plus, our Blue Plate BBQ Sauce concentrate finally came in and it tastes absolutely killer (12:45). Malcom made his very first poke bowl this week, and it might just become a new family favorite (15:22). We're diving into some of the dumbest BBQ hills you're willing to die on, get ready for some hot takes (26:26)! In a few months, we're heading to Hondo, Texas, to hang out at Al Frugoni's Live Open Fire Meetup and it's going to be a blast (33:25). If you're curious about the best time to buy pork or beef, we're breaking down the seasonal trends to help you score the best deals on meat (36:05). Thinking about getting a Buffalo Chopper? We're sharing our honest thoughts on whether it's actually worth the investment (41:47). We also break down why the Primo Ceramic Grill might be your next go-to cooker (46:20), and why the Buttula remains one of our all-time favorite BBQ tools (47:02). If you're running your Big Green Egg at 250°F but your internal temps are spiking, here's what might be going wrong and how to fix it (48:25). Only have a 14" kettle grill? No problem, we're sharing tips to help you cook up mouthwatering ribs on it (50:13). And finally, we all love beef short ribs, but here are a few creative ways to take them to the next level (51:48)!  

This week on the HowToBBQRight Podcast, we're riding high in our pick'em league lately (00:25)! We also had an absolute BLAST on our recent trip to Oxford to watch the Rebels play (02:30)! Malcom's been talkin' about firing up a caveman-style ribeye, and Steve Reichling has a recipe we're dying to try (08:45). Even though Malcom's the face of HowToBBQRight, he's had his fair share of behind-the-scenes fails (13:15)... and we're sharing a few good ones. We break down why the Primo Ceramic Grill might be your next must-have cooker (18:28). Malcom also tested out Cajun Power Worcestershire Sauce in a beef tenderloin recipe—and it turned out dang good (19:10)! Ever tried the viral microwave egg hack? We gave it a shot (23:00). We tried Billy's Boudin this weekend—spoiler alert: it was FANTASTIC (27:49). We dive into whether you should use a foil boat, butcher paper, or go naked when smoking brisket (31:45). If you're in the market for a wireless meat thermometer, the ThermoWorks RFX might be exactly what you need (37:40). We also debate: is using a chimney starter really necessary for lighting coals (41:13)? Over in our community, James shared his smoked chicken thigh taco recipe—and we've GOT to try it (45:20). Plus, y'all sent in your favorite Bloody Mary mixes, and Bloody Revolution is next up on our list (47:11). If you're ever in Memphis, you must check out Porch & Parlor—seriously, don't skip it (49:22)! Ever heard of smoked butter? We learned about it, and now, Malcom wants to try it (53:19). And finally, we tackle the big question: are those pricey smoking pecan pellets really worth it (55:47)?