It’s hard to throw a spare rib without hitting a BBQ cookoff somewhere in Texas, especially during the spring and summer months. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best Texas barbecue cookoffs (and some of the biggest purses) in the state.
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What is a Barbecue Cookoff?
Around the Lone Star state, contestants fire up their pits nearly every weekend as they participate in barbecue cookoffs. Whether it’s for cash prizes or just for the glory of preparing the best brisket, these contestants take their work seriously. (Their recipes are often guarded like military maneuvers with a secrecy that could make the Pentagon proud, known only by the handful of people who make up the barbecue cooking team.)
Warm weather also brings the season for barbecue cookoffs, competitive events where recipes are guarded like military maneuvers with a secrecy that could make the Pentagon proud. Known only by a handful of people on the barbecue team, these recipes can contain surprising ingredients ranging from Coca-Cola to beer. Whether for cash prizes or just for the glory, these contestants take their work seriously.
Usually led by a head cook, barbecue teams compete in categories that often include pork, brisket, ribs, chicken, beans, and even exotic meats. Teams stay up through the night, stoking their fires and making sure the meat is properly seasoned.
How do you judge good barbecue from a so-so product? Typically judges base their decisions on color and appearance (especially a well-defined smoke ring), texture, taste, and aroma.
After the judging the next day, the public usually conducts their own taste tests, visits with barbecue chefs, and watches the results of the judging.
Besides the food categories, many cookoffs also award prizes for best rig and best showmanship (team members have been known to cook in costume and perform comedy acts to win this one.)
While cookoff competitors may not be willing to part with their prize-winning recipes, they are more than happy to talk about their favorite pastime. Look for tips on smoking techniques, rubs, marinades, and sauces, and even advice on buying the best cuts of meat.
But even the most qualified judges’ decisions won’t settle a statewide debate that’s older than the Texas itself. What is the best plate of barbecue?
In the end, it’s probably the one sitting on the table in front of you.
Major Texas BBQ Cook offs
JANUARY
WCLS Kick Off Cook-off, Raymondville.
Over $3500 in prizes are up for grabs in this January event featuring Chicken, Pork Spare Ribs and Brisket.
BCJLHS BBQ Cook Off, Beeville.
Brisket, Pork Spare Ribs and Chicken take their place alongside Beans and Chef’s Choice Jackpot categories at this annual event sanctioned by the IBCA, held at the Bell County Expo Center.
C.O.T.Y. Cook-Off, Santa Anna.
Sanctioned by the Lone Star Barbecue Society, this cookoff features $10,000 in prize money. Categories include Chicken, Ribs, Brisket as well as Beans; the Grand Champion at this State Championship gets free entry into the Austin Rodeo Cookoff.
FEBRUARY
Livestock and Rodeo Show Barbecue Cook Off, Houston.
The world’s largest stock show includes country and western entertainment, parades, rodeos, and a Texas-sized barbecue cook-off. Trophies are awarded for best chicken, ribs, brisket, and overall winner, as well as for “Most Colorful Team or Contestant,” “Cleanest Contestant Area,” “Most Unique Pit” and “Best Skit.”
Smokin’ on the Rio, Mercedes.
This State Championship event boasts over $35,000 in prize money and ranks as the third largest sanctioned barbecue cookoff in Texas. Brisket, Chicken, Pork Ribs and Fajitas take center stage in this event first founded by a group of local businessmen raising money to support youth agricultural projects in the Rio Grande Valley.
March
Bridgeland’s Annual BBQ Cookoff & Car Show (also known as the 3BQ Cook-Off and Car Show), Cypress.
Vintage cars, motorcycles and barbecue come together for this annual event that raises money for local high school athletic programs. The fun starts with the Quick-Fire Challenge, testing competitors’ ability to create something special with just two ingredients. The following day, smokers produce their best ribs, chicken and brisket.
BBQ Austin, Austin.
Part of Rodeo Austin, this Lone Star BBQ Society-sanctioned cookoff features chicken, ribs and brisket competitions–as well as beans, bloody mary, BBQ Sauce and David Kitchen’s jackpot. Learn more about barbecue techniques at BBQ Austin University, educational sessions and hands-on instructional events held by Austin’s Aaron Franklin, owner of Franklin Barbecue, and other experts. Kids and teens can also vie for the title of Grand Champion Jr. Pit Master, competing in the category of Pork Chop.
Iola VFD BBQ and Benefit, Iola.
The volunteer fire department benefits from this IBCA-sanctioned cookoff with Pork Spare Ribs, Chicken and Brisket. Live music, vendor booths, auction, kids’ zone and more round out the fun.
CHTR BBQ Cook-off, Falls City.
Chicken, pork spare ribs and brisket draw competitors (alongside ancillary categories of beans and chili) vying for a total of $5000 in prize money. This event also features the CHTR Kid’s Steak Cookoff with competition for kids 7-11 and teens 12-17.
Sweetwater Jaycees Rattlesnake Round-Up Cook-Off, Sweetwater.
It may be known for the rattlesnakes, but this annual event is also home to a Lone Star Barbecue Society Sanctioned cookoff featuring brisket, chili, ribs, chicken and–you guessed it–rattlesnake. The event also includes the West Texas Salsa Challenge.
APRIL
Cedar Fest BBQ Cook-Off, Cedar Park.
This event is part of the Johnny Trigg Shootout, a series of KCBS-sanctioned Master Series cook-offs throughout the home state of Johnny Trigg (known as the “Master of Barbecue”). The two-day event includes judging in pork, pork ribs, brisket and chicken. The event also features a children’s festival, arts and crafts vendors and more.
Terrell Jubilee, Terrell.
This IBCA Sanctioned BBQ Cook-Off features Brisket, Pork Spareribs, and Chicken–with jackpots for Beans and Cobbler. The four-day Jubilee also includes a carnival, arts and crafts exhibition, vendors, live music, a car show, a 5K Run and more.
MAY
Red, White and Blue BBQ Festival, Caddo Mills.
With a $5,000 payout to the Grand Champion, the pits are smokin’ as competitors prepare their best brisket, pork ribs and chicken–with additional categories including chili, beans, appetizers and margaritas. Drag races, fireworks, vendors and a car and bike show complete the three-day event that benefits Ruck Up Charities, helping veterans transition from military to civilian life.
JUNE
Cow Camp Cookoff, San Saba.
Fire up the pit and pull out your best brisket, pork ribs, or chicken recipe to compete for more than $2,000 in prizes. San Saba, “The Pecan Capital of the World,” celebrates this Hill Country cook-off with plenty of pecan pies followed by volleyball, horseshoes and washers, and an antique and classic car show.
Starfest, Brownwood.
This Lone Star Barbecue Society state championship cookoff features chicken, brisket and spare ribs–as well as Dutch oven desserts. Proceeds benefit local scholarships.
TNT Fest Cook-off, Jacksboro.
This Lone Star Barbecue state championship event held by the Jacksboro Fire Department features prizes for Pork Spare Ribs, Chicken, Brisket, Dutch Oven Dessert and Beans.
JULY
Best of the Best Cookoff, Kemah.
With cash prizes for brisket and trophies for chicken and ribs, this Lone Star Barbecue Society-sanctioned event spans two days and benefits the local Elk’s Lodge programs.
AUGUST
International Barbecue Cookoff, Taylor.
They come from around the state to compete here in seven categories. Over 100 teams roll into Taylor’s Murphy Park and enjoy two days of pit partying. Besides the usual offerings, you’ll also find teams here preparing kingfish, rabbit, venison, rattlesnake (yes, it does taste like chicken), and even raccoon (no, it’s not like chicken, but more like a slightly sweet brisket). The categories include pork, beef, poultry, goat, lamp, wild game, and seafood. The grand champion qualifies for the Kansas City Barbecue Society American Royal Invitational and the Jack Daniel Invitational in Lynchburg.
National Championship Barbecue Cookoff, Meridian.
This serious cook-off is by invitation only with thousands of dollars in prize money up for grabs. To enter, you must have placed in a recognized cook-off. Contestants choose from numerous categories, including pork ribs, pork other than ribs, brisket, chicken breast, pinto beans, showmanship, best rig, and best layout. The event is always the last Saturday in August. Meridian is located northeast of Waco.
Johnson County 4-H BBQ Bash, Cleburne.
With $5,000 in contest money, this ICBA-sanctioned event features competitors vying for top honors in Half Chicken, Pork Spare Ribs and Brisket.
SEPTEMBER
World Championship Barbecued Goat Cookoff, Brady.
Held Labor Day weekend, this cook-off brings over 200 teams to west Central Texas. Goat or cabrito is the order of the day here. Along with the goat cookoff, competitors also vie for best margarita, bloody mary, beans, desserts and more. Watch a sheep dog-handling contest, a goat pill flip off or a tobacco spittin’ contest.
Big T Memorial BBQ Cookoff, Fairfield.
Launched in 2010, this cookoff (originally known as the Big T Memorial Chili Cookoff and Music Festival) serves as a benefit to help the special needs children of rural Freestone, Navarro, Anderson, Limestone, and Leon counties. Sanctioned by the Lonestar Barbecue Society, the event features competition in Brisket, Pork Ribs and Chicken categories.
OCTOBER
Gordon E Swenson BBQ Pork Cook-Off, Elgin.
Part of Elgin’s annual Hogeye Festival (filled with a full day of “Pigtivities”), this cookoff puts pork front and center.
Czhilispiel, Flatonia.
This festival located between San Antonio and Houston is one of the largest chili cook-offs in Texas with over 200 teams. Barbecue is well represented here, too. International BBQ Cookers Association (IBCA) Jackpot Championship, IBCA
Bridges Bands & BBQ Bash, Waxahachie.
Sanctioned by the International BBQ Cookers Association, this cookoff features $10,000 in prize money for Brisket, Pork Ribs and Chicken.
Anderson VFD Cook Off, Navasota.
Compete under IBCA rules, this state championship cookoff features $4000 in awards across Half Chicken, Pork Spare Ribs and Brisket categories. And bring your sweet tooth–this event also features a competition called Cupcake Wars.
November
Texas Monthly BBQ Fest, Austin.
It’s not a cookoff but a celebration of all things BBQ with the ‘Cue Course held with Texas A&M University’s Animal Science Department to look at the science of meat, Texas Monthly BBQ Fest Franklin & Friends hosted by James Beard Winner Aaron Franklin with cooking and chatting, and the Texas Monthly BBQ Fest, with dishes from the Top 50 BBQ Joints in Texas.
More Texas BBQ Cookoffs
Check the barbecue societies for more Texas cookoffs: