My Go-To Cookout Meal
When it comes to cookouts, I tend to keep things pretty simple. I’m not trying to reinvent anything or impress anyone with fancy techniques. I just stick with what works and what people enjoy eating.
Most of the time, my go-to cookout meal starts with ribs. Either St. Louis–cut ribs or a full rack of spares, depending on what I can get and how many people are coming over. I season them up, get them on the grill or smoker, and let them take their time. Ribs aren’t something you rush, and that’s part of what I enjoy about making them.
Alongside the ribs, I almost always make MOINK balls. They’re nothing more than all-beef meatballs wrapped in bacon and seasoned the way I like them, but they’re always one of the first things to disappear. They’re easy to make, easy to eat, and they fit right in at a laid-back cookout.
From there, it’s usually a mix of sides. Nothing fancy — just the kind of things that go well with smoked meat and good company. The sides might change from one cookout to the next, but the idea stays the same: good food, shared with people who are happy to be there.
For me, cookouts aren’t just about what’s on the grill. They’re about slowing down, keeping things simple, and enjoying the time spent outside while the food cooks. If everyone leaves full and relaxed, I call it a success.
What’s your go-to cookout meal when you fire up the grill?
