Barbecuing is an easy, fun way to get the most flavour out of your food – but simple mistakes can make the difference between a great barbecue, and one so great your neighbors will tell their friends about it. Whether you’re a grill-master or a budding barbecue-r, use these tips to break out of old habits – or prevent such habits from forming. Make your summer barbecue the best it can be by fixing the following common BBQ mistakes:     Photo: https://bit.ly/2YRnef2 Mistake 1: Grilling Cold Meat We’ve all been there: you suddenly start thinking about grilled ribs, a juicy steak, or pe ..read more

  1. South Africa: Braai Barbecuing is so important in South Africa that there’s a public holiday to celebrate it: on September 24th, South Africans observe “National Braai Day.” Braai - which is Afrikaans for “barbecue” or “roast” - is a recognized word in every single one of South Africa’s 11 official languages. (And we think BBQ is popular in Canada, huh?) Despite originating with the Afrikaner people, braai has since been adopted by South Africans of many ethnic backgrounds. While wood was initially used for braai fuel, charcoal use has increased as of late. Jan Scannel, the B ..read more

Once grillers master the perfectly seared steak and their cedar plank skills are on point, they usually step up their game by learning to use a smoker. It is surprisingly easy with a bit of practice and patience. Low and slow is the name of this barbecue game. Smoking is a mash-up of barbecuing and slow cooking over low heat. There are several different types of smokers and what you ultimately choose depends on personal preferences, the type of food you’ll be smoking and budget. The staff at Barbecue Country are always happy to help find your perfect match. In general, smoking offers unique b ..read more

Eating healthier is one of the most popular resolutions for the New Year. Yet, 92% of us fail at keeping our resolutions. Yikes! That’s a lot. But with the right barbecue and a few tips for healthy grilling from the pros at Barbecue Country, we have faith that you’ll keep this resolution for years to come.   1. Start Clean   Don’t let the charred buildup on your grill transfer to your meal. Use a proper brush to give it a scrub. If you use a wired brush, make sure you wipe down the grill with a cloth or paper towel to protect yourself from stray bristles getting into your food. &nbs ..read more

Barbecue Country is known as the place to go in Edmonton for barbecues and smokers. But, did you know we have a vast selection of products to help flavour what you put on the grill too?! From smoky and sweet, savoury to spicy, we’ve got everything you need to grill up amazing dishes. Here are just a few of our favourite grill products from Vital, just in time for the gift-giving season:   Cooking Tiles   Himalayan Salt Tile – this salt has been forming for over 250 million years, and the mines are still protected from pollutants to this day. Pure, natural salt creates an aromatic cr ..read more

Partridges and pear trees are great and all—but what about a delicious honey ham with a side of garlic mashed potatoes? If everything’s better with barbecue sauce, then the same must go for ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’. We’ve put our own spin on the classic Christmas carol to offer you twelve days of holiday goodies that you can cook, grill, and enjoy. From applewood smoked turkey to grilled brie, we hope this blog can get you both excited and prepared for the season of giving (and eating).  Twelve Cornbread Stuffed Pork Loins Photo & recipe courtesy of The Spruce Eats When it comes t ..read more

Veggies are just So Good! You can feel it the air. Fall is on its way. But that doesn’t mean you should put away the grill! In fact, the cooler temps make it even more enjoyable to stand over a hot barbecue, so we’ve put together a list of the best fall veggies to grill keeping the outdoor barbecue season alive and well for several weeks to come. Before putting any vegetables on the grill, toss with a cooking oil of your choice, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and other favourite seasonings. It’s that easy!   Prolong your summer by grilling up these fall favourites:   Sweet Potatoes Pota ..read more

When someone says “Canada,” what do you think of first? Snow would likely come to mind, along with, perhaps, hockey—but we’re sure that “bacon” is somewhere in the mix. After all, what’s not to love about the savory snack that can be used in anything from salads to mac’n’cheese to jalapeno poppers? Not only is bacon flavourful and versatile, it’s also fairly easy to cook. You don’t have to worry about your bacon being “medium rare” or “well done” on the inside. However, perfecting the art of bacon is a title that only true grillmasters hold. Knowing how to make your own bacon, cook it to perfe ..read more

7 Steps for the Perfect Labour Day Barbecue  With Fall quickly approaching, what better way is there to celebrate the final long weekend of the summer than with an outdoor BBQ? Although grilling isn’t specific to one season, it is doubtful that your friends and family would want to enjoy a BBQ picnic outside in minus 30 degrees Celsius—so make use of the warm weather while you still can! However, before you put on your party planning hat, there are a couple things you should keep in mind in order to make your cookout as smooth and stress-free as possible. After all, if you’re the one pu ..read more

When you think about Valentine’s Day, there are a few things that likely pop into your head: red roses, heart-shaped chocolates, teddy bears, and other similarly romantic gifts and treats. However, ask someone else in the world to envision Valentine’s Day and you may get a much different response. For instance, in Estonia, February 14th marks a day of friendship known as ‘Sobrapaev’—a festival which celebrates couples, singles, family members, and friends alike. In Japan, women give gifts to men on Valentine’s Day, and men return the favour on March 14th—aka ‘White Day’.  However, one ..read more