One of the most popular BBQ competitions in Louisiana is the Bayou BBQ Bash, held every April in Lake Charles. The event features live music, food vendors, and various activities, along with the BBQ competition. Other notable BBQ competitions and festivals in Louisiana include the Hammond BBQ Challenge, the Acadiana BBQ Festival, and the Breaux Bridge BBQ Festival.
Louisiana’s BBQ styles are heavily influenced by the state’s unique culinary heritage, which combines French, African, and Caribbean flavors and ingredients with traditional Southern-style BBQ techniques. This results in a distinct and flavorful BBQ experience that blends the best of various cuisines.
One of the most popular Louisiana-style BBQ dishes is smoked sausage, which is often made with a variety of meats, including pork, beef, and alligator. Other popular dishes include smoked pork ribs, brisket, and chicken, as well as Louisiana-style BBQ dishes like jambalaya and gumbo, which are made with smoked meats and Cajun spices.
Louisiana-style BBQ is often served with a variety of sauces, including tangy vinegar-based sauces, spicy mustard-based sauces, and sweet and spicy tomato-based sauces. These sauces are often infused with local ingredients like Cajun spices, Tabasco sauce, and Louisiana hot sauce.
In addition to traditional BBQ dishes, Louisiana-style BBQ also incorporates unique regional flavors and ingredients. For example, seafood is often featured in Louisiana-style BBQ dishes, such as smoked shrimp and crawfish, and Cajun-style seasoning is used to add depth and flavor to smoked meats.
| Mar. 17-18, 2023: Operation Smoke Sheaux, Breaux Bridge, LA. Contact: John O’Reilly, Phone: 337-315-6066 or Blake Adams, Phone: 337-298-7459. |
| Mar. 31 – Apr. 01, 2023: North LA BBQ Championship, Monroe, LA. Contact: Benjy Lewis, Phone: 318-880-8600, Email: thisisbenjy@yahoo.com. |
| Mar. 31 – Apr. 1, 2023: Hogs For The Cause, New Orleans, LA. Contact: Rene Loupree, Phone: 504-554-5123, Email: rene@hogsforthecause.org. |
| Apr. 21-22, 2023: 16th Bi-Annual Spring BBQ Throwdown, Marksville, LA. Contact: Spencer Galland, Phone: 318-500-0002. |
| May 13, 2023: Heart & Hardware BBQ Cookoff Contest (Non-traditional 2-meat 1 day contest), Haughton, LA. Contact: DJ Thomas, Phone: 318-500-0002. |
| June 9-10, 2023: Grillin on Main (Intended Jack/ Royal qualifier), Minden, LA. Contact: Mahala Hutto, Phone: 318-371-4258. |
