BBQ Tips

Want to save a little money on competition BBQ?

If you're staring at a pan of BBQ trimmings after a cook (especially competition practice), don't toss them. That "leftover" brisket and pork is high-quality meat, and with a quick grind you can turn it into weeks of meals.

Watch: https://youtu.be/fcczQN2sV-E

Recipes In This EpisodeMeatballs: https://girlscangrill.com/recipe/grilled-bbq-meatballs/ Breakfast Sausage: https://girlscangrill.com/recipe/homemade-breakfast-sausage/ Italian Sausage: https://girlscangrill.com/recipe/homemade-italian-sausage/

My Meat Grinder: https://amzn.to/4r1cyH4

Maple Sugar: https://amzn...

The founders of Barbecue World Cup say they're building "American Idol for barbecue," with a $1 million prize and a plan to pull backyard cooks and seasoned teams into the same global spotlight. 

In this week's episode of the BBQ Tips podcast, Champion Pitmaster Christie Vanover sits down with founders Shannon Pruitt and Scott Erdmann to walk through the basics of the new competition, including how teams can qualify and why the top prize is set at $1 million.

BBQ World Cup
https://youtu.be/3U9nvuubJaw 

Shop Snake River Farms and use code GI...

Goldee's BBQ is known for its brisket. They don't wrap it during the cook. They only wrap it when they hold it. In this week's BBQ Tips Podcast, Champion Pitmaster Christie Vanover shares what happened when she tested the slow and low method to see if it could work for competition BBQ. 

See the Results on YouTube
https://youtu.be/3U9nvuubJaw 

Competition Tell-All Courses
https://competitionbbqtips.com 

BBQ World Cup
https://bbqworldcup.com/ 

Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator:

https://shop.girlscangrill.com/pages/store-locator 
...

Do you ever wonder if the judges actually tasted the meat you turned in or if your box might have gotten mixed up?

In this week's BBQ Tips Podcast, Champion Pitmaster Christie Vanover shares what she learned about contesting your scores. She shares that insight along with a few other things she looks for when her scores don't match her expectations. 

Competition Tell-All Courses
https://competitionbbqtips.com 

BBQ World Cup
https://bbqworldcup.com/ 

Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator:

https://shop.girlscangrill.com/pages/store-locator 
https://shop...

The race to the $1 million prize is officially underway.

In this episode of the BBQ Tips Podcast, Champion Pitmaster Christie Vanover breaks down the first competitions that have qualified teams for the upcoming Barbecue World Cup.

Here from two teams who locked in their spots early: God's Country Barbecue out of Texas and Uncle Jesse's Barbecue from Utah.

BBQ World Cup
https://bbqworldcup.com/ 

Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator:

https://shop.girlscangrill.com/pages/store-locator 
https://shop.girlscangrill.com/
https://amzn.to/40btkry 

Com...

Chicken is one of the most common proteins people cook on the grill, and also one of the most complained about. Most people default to chicken breasts, but those are one of the least forgiving cuts you can cook.

In this week's episode of the BBQ Tips Podcast, champion pitmaster Christie Vanover is going to share her secrets to juicy breasts, but she's also going to share a more budget friendly alternative that doesn't dry out.

Juicy Grilled Chicken Breasts
https://girlscangrill.com/recipe/grilled-chicken-breasts/

Smoked Chicken Quarters
https://girlscangrill.com...

Regisration is open for the Memphis in May Open Fire World Championships. Plus, prime rib doesn't have to be scary.

In this episode, Christie Vanover of Girls Can Grill shares her step-by-step method for grilling a melt-in-your-mouth prime rib with a bold herb crust. Learn how to prep the roast, control your grill temperature and nail the perfect doneness, no matter what grill you're using.

Memphis in May Open Fire World Championship
https://memphisinmay.org/open-fire/

Prime Rib Recipe
https://girlscangrill.com/hot/how-to-grill-prime-rib-roast/

Creamy Horseradish Sauce
https://g...

It's the holidays, which means it's baking season. But who says dessert has to stay in the kitchen? In this episode, Christie Vanover reveals why some of the best dessert makers in the country are actually pitmasters… and how YOU can bake incredible treats right on your grill or smoker.

Christie recaps the wild success of this year's BBQ Jackpot (including a dessert category that rivaled The Jack and the American Royal), shares behind-the-scenes stories from Food Network's Barbecue Brawl, and breaks down her top tips for baking cookies, cakes, pies and more over live fire.

This Thanksgiving-themed episode breaks down everything you need to cook the perfect holiday turkey no matter what grill you're using. Christie Vanover shares her step-by-step tips for choosing the right size bird, thawing it safely, brining it for max juiciness, seasoning it with herbs and a whiskey bacon glaze, and cooking it on charcoal, pellet, drum, or gas grills.

Plus, she reminds you to grab your copy of Holiday Grilling with 111 recipes to make your Thanksgiving feast unforgettable.

Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator:

https://shop.girlscangrill.com/pages/store-locator 
https://shop.g...

Champion pitmaster Christie Vanover breaks down the explosive rise of live fire competitions after working behind the scenes at the Texas Open Fire Meat Up. She shares how the event drew global teams, 2,500 attendees and 80 million combined social media followers.

Learn why Memphis in May is adding a new Open Fire category for 2026. Vanover also previews how she's bringing the movement to Las Vegas with the BBQ Jackpot's BBQ Pit Stop. If you want to see where competition barbecue is heading, this episode lights the way.

KCBS BBQ Courses: CompetitionBBQTips.com

Girls Can...

Award-winning pitmaster and Girls Can Grill founder Christie Vanover pulls back the curtain on her newest venture: Competition BBQ Tips, an online education platform designed to help backyard cooks and aspiring pitmasters start earning calls.

In this launch episode, Christie shares her journey from finishing mid-pack to becoming a championship competitor, the lessons she learned on the KCBS circuit, and how these new courses can help you shortcut the struggle, master the four meats, and finally hear your name called.

If you're tired of guessing, wasting weekends, and wondering what judges really want, this episode...

Christie shares where she's at in the launch of her new pastrami kit, plus she invites everyone out to the Las Vegas BBQ Festival and car show, which is a fun free event where she'll be doing BBQ demos. 

Pastrami Recipes: https://girlscangrill.com/pastrami/ 

Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator:

https://shop.girlscangrill.com/pages/store-locator 
https://shop.girlscangrill.com/
https://amzn.to/40btkry 

Buy Girls Can Grill books on Amazon now!

Ninja FlexFlame Cookbooks: https://amzn.to/4jReHBA 

Holiday Grilling: https://amzn.to/4eKkVk...

Judging the Jack Daniel's Invitational Barbecue is not just a seat at the table. It is a front-row view of how the world's best teams win, how flavors evolve, and how tradition and Tennessee whiskey fuel an entire town for one unforgettable weekend.

2025 Results: https://mms.kcbs.us/members/evr/view_scores.php?org_id=KCBA&evid=47558697 

Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator:

https://shop.girlscangrill.com/pages/store-locator 
https://shop.girlscangrill.com/
https://amzn.to/40btkry 

Buy Girls Can Grill books on Amazon now!

Ninja FlexFlame Coo...

Champion pitmaster Christie Vanover is changing up her competition trailer and entire travel setup. Find out what she's looking for with her new trailer design and why she's making the change. 

Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator:

https://shop.girlscangrill.com/pages/store-locator 
https://shop.girlscangrill.com/
https://amzn.to/40btkry 

Buy Girls Can Grill books on Amazon now!

Ninja FlexFlame Cookbooks: https://amzn.to/4jReHBA 

Holiday Grilling: https://amzn.to/4eKkVko

Steak Cookoff Score Sheet Log Book: https://amzn.to/46q7xPl  

Compet...

It's fall, so champion pitmaster Christie Vanover is walking you through her full recipe for smoked chili with tri tip. 

Full Recipe: https://girlscangrill.com/recipe/beef/champion-chili/

YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/XQoB945VVqM 

Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator:

https://shop.girlscangrill.com/pages/store-locator 
https://shop.girlscangrill.com/
https://amzn.to/40btkry 

Buy Girls Can Grill books on Amazon now!

Ninja FlexFlame Cookbooks: https://amzn.to/4jReHBA 

Holiday Grilling: https://amzn.to/4eKkVko

Steak Cookoff Score Sheet Log Book...

Kell Phelps, publisher of Barbecue News and managing partner of NBBQA, has launched a new barbecue podcast called Now That's Smokin.

This week's BBQ Tips Podcast is a collab with Kell. He invited champion pitmaster Christie Vanover of Girls Can Grill to talk about barbecue myths, failures and how she incorporates AI into her business.

Join NBBQA: https://www.nbbqa.org/ 

Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator:

https://shop.girlscangrill.com/pages/store-locator 
https://shop.girlscangrill.com/
https://amzn.to/40btkry 

Buy Girls Can Grill books on Ama...

In a divided time, BBQ may be the common ground we all need.

Christie Vanover reflects on how BBQ is more than food. It's a way to unite people across divides. Discover how tending the fire can heal, humanize and bring us together in a time of division.

Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator:

https://shop.girlscangrill.com/pages/store-locator 
https://shop.girlscangrill.com/
https://amzn.to/40btkry 

Buy Girls Can Grill books on Amazon now!

Ninja FlexFlame Cookbooks: https://amzn.to/4jReHBA 

Holiday Grilling: htt...

This is a special episode of the BBQ Tips Podcast. Champion Pitmaster Christie Vanover is joined by BBQ World Champion David Bouska of Butcher BBQ.    Together, they share some real insider tips about the Jack Daniel's World Championship. From the draw to load in to the competition itself and what the judges are looking for, if you're a competitive pitmaster, you don't want to miss this. 

Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator:

https://shop.girlscangrill.com/pages/store-locator 
https://shop.girlscangrill.com/
https://amzn.to/40btkry 

Buy Girls Can Grill books on Amazon now!<...

Champion Pitmaster Christie Vanover will be traveling across the country over the next few months to compete, judge and organize different events. From Idaho to Tennessee to Texas, check out the live fire activities and learn how you can be involved.    Idaho Competition: https://meatandtaterbbq.com/  Lunch Meat Demo: https://premierbbqs.com/  The Jack: https://www.jackdaniels.com/en-us/bbq  Las Vegas BBQ Festival: https://www.nvbbq.org/lasvegasbbqfestival  Texas Open Fire Meat Up: https://www.openfiremeatup.com/  BBQ Jackpot: https://bbqjackpot.com/   

Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator:

https://shop.girlscangrill.com/pages/store-locator 
https://shop.girls...

Last week, Christie shared the top 10 foods Americans hate. This week, she grilled up some oysters, squid, tofu, sardines and liver. Here's what happened. Find out if the foods are on her love it or hate it list.    🔥 Full Recipes: https://girlscangrill.com/roundups/10-most-hated-foods-in-america-are-you-brave-enough-to-eat-them/

Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator:

https://shop.girlscangrill.com/pages/store-locator 
https://shop.girlscangrill.com/
https://amzn.to/40btkry 

Buy Girls Can Grill books on Amazon now!

Ninja FlexFlame Cookbooks: https://amzn.to/4jReHBA 

Holiday Grilling: https://amzn.to/4eKkVko

Steak Cookoff...

YouGov just released the results of the most hated foods in America. Here are the top 10. Are any of yours on this list?

This is Part 1 where I reveal the top 10 hated foods. Stay tuned for Part 2. I'm going to cook 5 of them on the grill to see if I can get them to taste good. 

Gull Survey Results: https://today.yougov.com/society/articles/52689-ranking-americans-most-hated-foods

Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator:

https://shop.girlscangrill.com/pages/store-locator 
https://shop.girlscangrill.com/
https://amzn.to/40btkry 

Buy Girl...

Struggling with flare-ups, dry steak or guessing doneness? Don't ruin your ribeye! In today's BBQ Tips Podcast, champion pitmaster Christie Vanover will explain how to cook ribeye steak perfectly every time.

🔥 Full Recipe: https://girlscangrill.com/recipe/steak/how-to-cook-ribeye-steak/

Thermoworks RFX: https://alnk.to/610hLIM 

Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator:

https://shop.girlscangrill.com/pages/store-locator 
https://shop.girlscangrill.com/
https://amzn.to/40btkry 

Buy Girls Can Grill books on Amazon now!

Ninja FlexFlame Cookbooks: https://amzn.to/4jReHBA 

Holiday Grilling: https://amzn.to/4...

Forget about candles that just look pretty. These tallow candles are pretty and edible. Make them with tallow, butter or coconut oil.

Full Recipe: https://girlscangrill.com/recipe/rubs-sauces/tallow-candles-and-other-edible-candles-made-with-fats-butter-or-coconut-oil/

Edible candle wicks: https://amzn.to/44Xr8Gg

Girl Carnivore compound butter inspiration: https://girlcarnivore.com/compound-butter-recipes/

Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator:

https://shop.girlscangrill.com/pages/store-locator 
https://shop.girlscangrill.com/
https://amzn.to/40btkry 

Buy Girls Can Grill books on Amazon now!

Ninja FlexFlame Cookbooks: https://amzn.to/4jReHBA 

...

If your homemade sausage keeps crumbling or lacks that signature snap, the problem may not be your seasoning. It's your temperature control. Champion pitmaster Christie Vanover of Girls Can Grill is here to break down the sausage science step-by-step.

Links in this Episode:

Kitchen Scale: https://amzn.to/3IKNGCP 

Meat Grinder: https://amzn.to/3H3riUJ 

Sausage Stuffer: https://amzn.to/4lG5vS3 

Sausage Casings: https://amzn.to/4lJ23pP 

Pink Salt: https://amzn.to/3UzmBoF 

Smoked Sausage Recipe: https://girlscangrill.com/recipe/smoked-beef-sausage/ 

 <...

Throwing a cookout for your family and friends can be so much fun. Everyone loves the food, the laughter, the memories. Unless those memories mean hugging a toilet all night.

Champion pitmaster Christie Vanover of Girls Can Grill shares 5 BBQ safety tips so you can avoid sending anyone home with more than leftovers.  

Links in this Episode:

BBQ Jackpot: https://bbqjackpot.com/ 

Ninja FlexFlame Cookbook: Pizza Party on the Grill: https://amzn.to/3GBSARR

Thermapen ONE: https://alnk.to/8iS059U 

YETI Insulated Bowls: https://amzn.to/4lC2...

Champion pitmaster Christie Vanover of Girls Can Grill knows the secret to mouthwatering barbecue isn't just in the rub or the smoker. It's in avoiding the most common grilling mistakes.

These are 10 little things that can make or break your cookout, but once you know what to look out for, it's easy to get more consistent results every time..

Links in this Episode:

Brisket Temp Calculator: https://girlscangrill.com/bbq-tips/brisket/at-what-temp-is-brisket-done/ 

Ninja FlexFlame Cookbook: Pizza Party on the Grill: https://amzn.to/3GBSARR

Full Article: https://girlscangrill.com/b...

High elevation can throw off your brisket cook, unless you know how to adjust. At a competition 4,500 feet above sea level, champion pitmaster Christie Vanover leaned on instinct, science and ThermoWorks' new Bluetooth upgrade for the Wireless RFX to land a top brisket score.

Learn how to use the Bluetooth feature, when to use it and how reliable it is when you're cooking meat in the middle of some random parking lot.

Links in this Episode:

RFX: https://alnk.to/610hLIM 

Thermapen ONE: https://alnk.to/8iS059U 

Cooking at...

Worried about running out of food at your next party? Champion pitmaster Christie Vanover has a five-hour BBQ plan that delivers juicy pulled pork and brisket without the stress. Plus, plenty of tips for serving it up right.

Links in this Episode:

Full Recipe: https://girlscangrill.com/recipe/how-to-cook-bbq-meals-for-large-groups/ 

Coleslaw Recipe: https://girlscangrill.com/recipe/salads/classic-creamy-coleslaw-with-a-tangy-twist/ 

Recipe Video: https://youtu.be/im-BxjmbeLw

Aluminum Half Pans: https://amzn.to/3TCrPj5 

Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator:

https://shop.girlscangrill.com/pages/store-locator 
https://shop.girl...

There are so many grills out there: pellet, gas, charcoal, electric. It can be overwhelming. Champion Pitmaster Christie Vanover has created a quick quiz that matches you with the perfect grill based on your cooking style.

Here's how it works:
❓ Answer a few easy questions 
✅ Get your Grill Match instantly 

Take The Quiz: https://whatgrillshouldibuy.com  

Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator:

https://shop.girlscangrill.com/pages/store-locator 
https://shop.girlscangrill.com/
https://amzn.to/40btkry 

Buy Girls Can Grill books on Amazon now!

Ninja Fl...

Think you know how to grill a burger? Not so fast.

From picking the right meat to building it like a boss and feeding a crowd without losing your cool, this is Burger bootcamp. Champion pitmaster Christie Vanover is breaking down the rookie mistakes and the secret upgrades to bring your burgers to legendary status. 

Burger Recipes: https://girlscangrill.com/category/recipe/burgers/ 

How to turn brisket into ground beef: https://girlscangrill.com/bbq-tips/brisket/ground-brisket/ 

Bacon Jam: https://girlscangrill.com/recipe/bacon/bacon-jam/ 

Burger Bootcamp Essentials: https://amzn.to/4...

Ever wondered if the drama, the pressure and the ticking clock on BBQ Brawl are as real as they seem? 

When pitmaster Christie Vanover joined Season 4 of Food Network's BBQ Brawl, she stepped into a whirlwind of fire, flavor and fast decisions. With Season 6 now heating up, she's sharing the behind-the-scenes scoop on everything viewers don't see but desperately want to know.

Recipes Christie Made on BBQ Brawl:
https://girlscangrill.com/bbq-brawl-recipes/ 

Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator:

https://shop.girlscangrill.com/pages/store-locator 
https://shop.girlscangrill.com/
htt...

Have you ever thought about organizing a barbecue competition? Two of the most popular sanctioning bodies are the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) and the Steak Cookoff Association (SCA).

Champion pitmaster Christie Vanover has organized both. In today's BBQ Tips Podcast, she shares the real costs and key differences, so you can decide which route fits your goals.

Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator:

https://shop.girlscangrill.com/pages/store-locator 
https://shop.girlscangrill.com/
https://amzn.to/40btkry 

Buy Girls Can Grill books on Amazon now...

In this week's BBQ Tips Podcast, champion pitmaster Christie Vanover shares her step-by-step technique for selecting and trimming chicken thighs for a BBQ competition. Follow her through the full process.

Equipment: https://amzn.to/45ku41C

Grilled Chicken Thighs: https://girlscangrill.com/recipe/chicken/grilled-chicken-thighs/

Smoked Chicken Thighs on a Ninja Grill: https://girlscangrill.com/ninja-grill-recipes/smoked-chicken-thighs-on-a-ninja-grill/

Competition Chicken Thighs: https://girlscangrill.com/recipe/competition-chicken-thighs/

Schmaltz: https://girlscangrill.com/recipe/chicken/schmaltz/

Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator:

https://shop.girlscangrill.com/pages...

In this week's BBQ Tips Podcast, champion pitmaster Christie Vanover shares some keys to her business success: taking risks, surrounding yourself with people you can trust and having faith. Find out how this philosophy recently paid off for Girls Can Grill. 

Girls Can Grill Rubs Store Locator:

https://shop.girlscangrill.com/pages/store-locator 
https://shop.girlscangrill.com/
https://amzn.to/40btkry 

Scheels BBQ University Tutorials

Brisket: https://youtu.be/bY8_V92xXSg

Pork Butt: https://youtu.be/WCCbpEbu1Sg

Baby Back Ribs: https://youtu.be/6SgF...

I competed at the 2025 National Hardware Show Celebrity Cookoff in Las Vegas and won $5,000 with this burger recipe cooked on a Monument Grills.

In this week's BBQ Tips Podcast, I'm going to show you exactly how to make the Thai Inspired Cheese Stuffed Slider with Thai Basil Mint Chimichurri and Spicy Mayo.

Full Recipe: https://girlscangrill.com/recipe/the-5000-dollar-burger/ 

Girls Can Grill Rubs
https://shop.girlscangrill.com/ 

https://amzn.to/40btkry 

Buy her new books on Amazon now!

Ninja FlexFlame Quick Grilled Dinners: http...

When selecting beef, there are so many terms: select, choice, prime, angus, wagyu. It can all be rather confusing. In this BBQ Tips Podcast, Christie Vanover of Girls Can Grill explains what wagyu beef is and why it's the choice of champion pitmasters. 

Save 10% on Snake River Farms wagyu beef with code GIRLSCANGRILL

https://snakeriverfarms.pxf.io/NKW06N 

Girls Can Grill Rubs
https://shop.girlscangrill.com/ 

https://amzn.to/40btkry 

Buy her new books on Amazon now!

Ninja FlexFlame Quick G...

One key to being successful in competition barbecue is having an organized cook site. Today champion pitmaster Christie Vanover shares the different sections of her cook site and how she sets it up. 

Links in This Episode:

Packing List: https://girlscangrill.com/competition-bbq/checklist/ 

Competition Equipment I Use: https://amzn.to/3G5frEF 

Girls Can Grill Rubs
https://shop.girlscangrill.com/ 

https://amzn.to/40btkry 

Buy her new books on Amazon now!

Ninja FlexFlame Quick Grilled Dinners: https://amzn.to...

In this week's episode of the BBQ Tips Podcast, champion pitmaster Christie Vanover takes you behind the scenes of the 2025 Pizza Expo in Las Vegas. From the latest backyard pizza ovens by Ooni and Gozney to the newly released Fire + Wine Backyard Pizza Cookbook, Christie shares her top takeaways from the floor of this year's event.

Links in This Episode:

10-Year Anniversary Giveaway: https://grillinggiveaway.com 

Fire + Wine Backyard Pizza: https://amzn.to/3RmdupS 

Thermoworks IR Guns: https://alnk.to/a41zTlu 

Girls Can Grill Rubs
https...

Competitive pitmaster Christie Vanover has more than 75 top 10 calls under her belt. In today's BBQ Tips Podcast, she shares what she looks for when selecting her competition chicken, ribs, pork and brisket. Tune in and learn her secrets to help improve your stats on the circuit. 

Links in This Episode:

Snake River Farms Brisket: https://snakeriverfarms.pxf.io/5bEZ7o
Use code GIRLSCANGRILL to save 10%

Girls Can Grill Rubs
https://shop.girlscangrill.com/ 

https://amzn.to/40btkry 

Buy her new books on Amazon now!<...

St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner, and grocery stores are stocked with pre-brined corned beef briskets. But before you grab the first one you see, there are a few things to consider to get the best cut for your cooking needs.

Even better, if you love pastrami, you can easily transform store-bought corned beef into a a few different pastrami dishes with BBQ Tips from champion pitmaster Christie Vanover of Girls Can Girll.

Links in This Episode:

Pastrami Process: https://girlscangrill.com/recipe/holidays/st-patricks-day/homemade-pastrami/ Pastrami Rub: https://girlscangrill.com...