Barbecue Season (“Bobby-Q”) Grill Tips And Tricks The Soul Food Way
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The sun is shining and the weather is warming up, which can only mean one thing… It’s barbecue season!
It’s time for your dad and favorite uncle to don their plaid shorts and Hawaiian shirts, complete with sandals and socks. They’ll likely refer to the cookout as a “Bobby-Q” instead of a “barbecue,” eager to share their best BBQ season tips and tricks for the ultimate flavorful Bobby-Q!
Dad’s rules for barbecue season
I often turn to one of my favorite celebrity dads, Steve Harvey, for humor related to Black culture and his candid advice on celebrations, such as a Father’s Day cookout.
I’ve previously shared Steve’s delicious BBQ sauce recipe HERE. Now, I’m excited to share his unapologetic rules for what not to do at Dad’s “Bobby-Q!” These are the unspoken rules.
1. Don’t touch Dad’s grill—unless you want to “draw back a nub!”
2. Don’t mess with the music—Dad’s playlist is classic like old-school soul food!
3. And absolutely do not drink more than what you brought!
Uncle Steve’s unfiltered barbecue season rules are similar to the rules for surviving a Black cookout, which you can find HERE!
What is a “Bobby-Q”?
A Bobby-Q is the ideal way to grill, featuring soul food, seasoned meats, flavorful marinades, a soulful R&B playlist, and plenty of BBQ sauce to slather on! It’s the African American way to BBQ, which is quite different from a traditional barbecue.
BBQ season best grill tips and tricks
During a special segment on the Steve Harvey Morning Show, Nephew Tommy and Uncle Steve, both celebrated for their grilling skills, shared their best tips and tricks for achieving the ultimate Bobby-Q on the grill!
These tips are adapted from that barbecue advice segment.
Preheat and clean the grill
The first step is to clean your barbecue. Even if you’ve invested a lot in a high-quality grill, it’s important to build a large fire and let it burn for about an hour. This process helps seal the metal pores and eliminates any residues or by-products from the manufacturing process.
This method is also effective if you haven’t used your barbecue in a while and notice a build-up of dirt, grease, or grime.
Use a charcoal grill
What is the secret to good barbecue?
Experts agree that the secret to a much better grilling experience is to use charcoal, wood chips, or split logs instead of propane to grill your food. Chefs believe that the smoke acts as an essential ingredient, enhancing the flavors of your dish.
Let the lighter fluid burn off
If you’re using lighter fluid to get your fire started, be sure to let it burn off completely before placing the meat on the grill. Look for the charcoal to appear mostly ash-gray with just a bit of glowing red underneath. If you still see flames, it likely means there’s lingering lighter fluid that needs more time to burn away.
Always season the meat
Soul food is a unique culinary tradition among African Americans, known for its rich flavors and carefully selected seasonings. The most important rule in soul food cooking is to always season your meat. This guideline always holds true whether you’re using the stovetop, the oven, a slow cooker, or grilling on a barbecue!
Marinate the meat
Various dry rubs and marinades can significantly enhance your barbecue grilling experience. Using a marinade or a dry rub can also dramatically improve the flavor of your dish.
How do you make barbecue tender and moist?
Marinades also help tenderize meats, so if possible, let them marinate overnight. If that’s not feasible, aim to let your meat soak in the marinade for at least an hour.
Know when to add BBQ sauce
How do you make barbecue taste better?
Better barbecue is an intentional result of knowing when to add barbecue sauce or other tomato-based sauces containing sugars. Only add these sauces during the last few minutes of grilling to prevent meat from browning or blackening.
Soak wooden skewers
Soak your wooden skewers in cold water for at least 30 minutes before using them for kebabs. This essential step helps prevent the skewers from burning.
If you’re using reusable metal skewers, wipe them with a paper towel dipped in olive or vegetable oil before grilling to prevent food from sticking.
Pro tip: Batch soak your wooden skewers and then freeze them for later use!
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