If you’re looking for a recipe for a quick BBQ dish, snack or appetizer then look no further than your fellow readers. After picking up the Thai-basa recipe (smoked kielbasa glazed with Thai sweet chili sauce) from a friend, I thought it would be great to compile just a list of simple, quick barbecue favorites that you can just throw together at the last minute.
Below you’ll find a few of my favorites followed by several ideas suggested by fellow readers like yourself. I’ll add to this from time to time so be sure to check back and shoot me your own favorite BBQ snack/appetizer on my facebook page.
BTW, be sure you don’t forget about Moink Balls, Bacon-wrapped Sausages, ABT’s, Armadillo Eggs and all the rest of the appetizers from my recipe page!
Thai-basa (smoked kielbasa with a Thai sweet chili glaze
Throw a kielbasa on during the last hour of whatever is cooking. When cooked pull of and slice about 1/4-1/2” thick pieces on a diagonal (larger pieces). Toss them in some warmed Thai sweet chili sauce and serve with a stack of toothpicks. Thanks Jesse!
Pig Candy
There are many renditions of this, but here’s what I do: mix a large handful (about 1/2 cup) of golden brown sugar, 3/4 tsp of ancho or chipotle powder (to taste) and 1/4 tsp ground ginger. You can also use some of your favorite rib rub in place of the chipotle powder. Use some good thick bacon and lay them out on your grates. Cover each slice with a good coating of the pig candy “rub” and cook at around 240-250°F with some apple or your fav until it’s just starting to crisp. Flip them over and coat the opposite side as they finish. Cool and enjoy. I’ve seen these server in bite-sized pieces, on skewers or just whole pieces.
Bacon-wrapped Brats (Bratwursts)
With the uncooked bratwursts you should boil them first. Most people use 3-6 cans of beer and 1 sliced sweet or yellow onion. Apple juice or most colas make a good substitute. Wrap with regular or peppered bacon and secure with toothpicks (if you soak them they won’t burn). Cook until the bacon is crispy and the brats are done.
Serve with some sautéed kraut and spicy mustard for the true aficionados. Serve on a grill-warmed bun and enjoy! Note: cheddarwursts make a good substitute here too.
ABT’s or Atomic Buffalo Turds
Seed and core a dozen jalapenos. Mix 1 package of softened cream cheese and 1 cup of cheddar or colby jack cheese. Fill each jalapeno with the mixture and wrap with a piece of bacon. Secure with a toothpick and dust with your favorite rib rub. Barbecue at around 225-275°F until the bacon crisps. I’ve seen these filled with everything under the sun: shrimp, lit’l smokies, crab, pimento-stuffed olives, dates and even leftover pulled-pork.
Gouda on the Grill
Similar to doing a baked brie on the grill. Wrap a block of Gouda in Pillsbury crescent roll dough and cook on the smoker/grill till the bread is done. Serve it with apple slices or crackers. You can do the same thing with a brie wheel , frozen pastry dough, a handful of brown sugar and whatever else you’d like to throw in. This also goes well with a smoked kielbasa.
Reader's Favorites
"2 packs of cream cheese softened,1 can ro-tel and 1 pound of sausage crumbled. Combine with mixer, allow a bit of sausage grease in there, all you need is your corn chips and a place to sit. Good stuff." – Charlie M.
"Throw leftover rib meat on tortillas and smother in cheese." – Gary G.
"Grilled bacon wrapped pineapple" – Amber F.
"Brown or crimini mushrooms with stems/insides removed and then filled up with soy sauce." – Colin M.
"Slice ham strips and sear in a pan with rub and brown sugar - Hog fries." – Jeremy B.
"Shrimp basted in butter and a healthy smothering of Old Bay Rub" – Toby L.
"Pappa Murphy’s pizza" – James N.
"Bacon-wrapped shrimp or even bacon-wrapped olives are awesome, quick and full of flavor" – Jerry H.
"Smoked Cabbage" – CB
Slice 2 pineapples into 3/4" slices after removing the skin. Soak in 2 cups water, 1 cup vodka and 2-3 tbsp cinnamon for 1-2 hours. Grill on a hot BBQ for 1 minute on each side. Serve 2 slices with some ice cream or whipped cream. - Grilliant Ideas
Grill some pineapple with some honey, lime juice and some red pepper. - Beth G.
"Get a tube of biscuits and slice in half. Put leftover pulled pork and cheese in there. Wrap it up and poke holes in the top. Bake until the bread is done. Fantastic." – Steve H.
"Quick Chili: 2 pounds of 73 / 27 ground beef browned (don't drain), 2 packs McCormick's chili seasoning, 2 cans Bushes chili beans, 2 cans Hunts tomato sauce. Combine and bring to a slow boil - stir frequently. This is the base for the chili and is good to eat as-is or start adding anything you like. We serve it up with corn bread." - Charlie M.