The national BBQ competition season in the United States typically runs from early spring to late fall. During this time, BBQ enthusiasts and professionals from around the country come together to compete in various events and festivals, showcasing their skills and sharing their love of BBQ.
The largest and most prestigious BBQ competitions in the United States are sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS). These competitions attract thousands of teams from across the country, and even internationally, who compete for cash prizes, trophies, and bragging rights. The KCBS competition season runs from January 1 to December 31, and the largest events are held during the summer months, from May through September.
Other notable national BBQ competitions include the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, the American Royal World Series of Barbecue, and the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue. These events also offer significant cash prizes, and winning teams often gain national recognition and media attention.
In addition to the major national competitions, there are hundreds of smaller BBQ contests and festivals held throughout the country during the season. These events range from local cook-offs to state and regional championships, and they provide opportunities for amateur and professional BBQ enthusiasts alike to showcase their skills and connect with others in the BBQ community.
Overall, the national BBQ competition season is an exciting time for BBQ enthusiasts and professionals, as well as for anyone who enjoys sampling delicious BBQ and experiencing the vibrant culture and traditions of American BBQ.
- Alabama BBQ Competitions: Known for its tangy, white, mayonnaise-based sauce, often drizzled over smoked chicken.
- Alaska BBQ Competitions: Favors a simple, wood-smoked approach with wild-caught salmon and game meats.
- Arizona BBQ Competitions: Enjoys a Southwestern flair, incorporating mesquite wood smoke and spicy rubs.
- Arkansas BBQ Compettions: Famous for tender, hickory-smoked pulled pork served with a thin, tangy, tomato-based sauce.
- California BBQ Competitions: Prefers tri-tip grilled over red oak wood, often called Santa Maria-style barbecue.
- Colorado BBQ Competitions: Features a focus on smoked meats, particularly bison, with a tangy, tomato-based sauce.
- Connecticut BBQ Competitions: Leans towards a classic American barbecue style, featuring ribs and pulled pork with a sweet, tomato-based sauce.
- Delaware BBQ Competitions: Appreciates a blend of regional styles, with an emphasis on pork and chicken with a sweet, smoky sauce.
- Florida BBQ Competitions: Favors a Cuban-inspired barbecue style, with citrus-marinated meats like mojo pork.
- Georgia BBQ Competitions: Famous for its tender, hickory-smoked pulled pork served with a tangy, mustard-based sauce.
- Hawaii BBQ Competitions: Known for its luau-style pit-roasted meats, particularly kalua pig, cooked in an imu, or underground oven.
- Idaho BBQ Competitions: Enjoys a simple, American-style barbecue featuring grilled and smoked meats with a sweet, tangy sauce.
- Illinois BBQ Competitions: Famous for the Chicago-style barbecue rib tips, often served with a sweet, thick sauce.
- Indiana: BBQ Competitions: Appreciates a variety of regional styles, often featuring ribs and pulled pork with a sweet, smoky sauce.
- Iowa BBQ Competitions: Known for its pork-focused barbecue, featuring hickory-smoked meats and a sweet, tangy sauce.
- Kansas BBQ Competitions: Renowned for Kansas City-style barbecue, featuring a wide range of meats and a thick, sweet, molasses-based sauce.
- Kentucky BBQ Competitions: Unique for its mutton-based barbecue, often served with a Worcestershire-based dipping sauce.
- Louisiana BBQ Competitions: Combines Cajun and Creole influences, featuring smoked meats and seafood with a spicy, tomato-based sauce.
- Maine BBQ Competitions: Favors a seafood-focused barbecue style, with grilled and smoked fish and shellfish.
- Maryland BBQ Competitions: Known for its pit beef, a top round roast grilled over a high heat, often served with horseradish sauce.
- Massachusetts BBQ Competitions: Enjoys a classic American barbecue style, with ribs and pulled pork served with a sweet, smoky sauce.
- Michigan BBQ Competitions: Appreciates a variety of regional styles, often featuring ribs and pulled pork with a sweet, tangy sauce.
- Minnesota BBQ Competitions: Known for a simple, American-style barbecue featuring grilled and smoked meats with a sweet, tangy sauce.
- Mississippi BBQ Competitions: Famous for its tender, hickory-smoked pulled pork served with a spicy, tomato-based sauce.
- Missouri BBQ Competitions: Known for St. Louis-style barbecue, featuring spare ribs and a sweet, tomato-based sauce.
- Montana BBQ Competitions: Favors a simple, wood-smoked approach with a focus on game meats and bison.
- Nebraska BBQ Competitions: Known for its beef-focused barbecue, featuring smoked brisket and a sweet, smoky sauce.
- Nevada BBQ Competitions: Appreciates a variety of regional styles, often featuring ribs and pulled pork with a sweet, tangy sauce.
- New Hampshire BBQ Competitions: Enjoys a classic American barbecue style, with ribs and pulled pork served with a sweet, smoky sauce.
- New Jersey BBQ Competitions: Leans towards a classic American barbecue style, featuring ribs and pulled pork with a sweet, tomato-based sauce.
- New Mexico BBQ Competitions: Combines Southwestern flavors with traditional barbecue, incorporating green chile and mesquite wood smoke.
- New York BBQ Competitions: Known for its diverse barbecue scene, with a focus on smoked meats and a sweet, tangy sauce, particularly in upstate regions.
- North Carolina BBQ Competitions: Divided into Eastern and Western styles, featuring vinegar-based sauce in the East and a sweeter, tomato-based sauce in the West.
- North Dakota BBQ Competitions: Favors a simple, American-style barbecue featuring grilled and smoked meats with a sweet, tangy sauce.
- Ohio BBQ Competitions: Appreciates a variety of regional styles, often featuring ribs and pulled pork with a sweet, smoky sauce.
- Oklahoma BBQ Competitions: Known for its beef-focused barbecue, particularly smoked brisket, and a spicy, tomato-based sauce.
- Oregon BBQ Competitions: Features a focus on wood-smoked meats, particularly using local fruitwoods, and a sweet, tangy sauce.
- Pennsylvania BBQ Competitions: Enjoys a classic American barbecue style, with ribs and pulled pork served with a sweet, smoky sauce.
- Rhode Island BBQ Competitions: Leans towards a classic American barbecue style, featuring ribs and pulled pork with a sweet, tomato-based sauce.
- South Carolina BBQ Competitions: Renowned for its mustard-based barbecue sauce, often served with pulled pork or whole hog.
- South Dakota BBQ Competitions: Favors a simple, wood-smoked approach with a focus on game meats and bison.
- Tennessee BBQ Competitions: Known for Memphis-style barbecue, featuring dry-rubbed ribs and a tangy, tomato-based sauce.
- Texas BBQ Competitions: Divided into several regional styles, with Central Texas focusing on smoked brisket and a simple, peppery rub, and East Texas featuring saucier, chopped beef.
- Utah BBQ Competitions: Appreciates a variety of regional styles, often featuring ribs and pulled pork with a sweet, tangy sauce.
- Vermont BBQ Competitions: Enjoys a classic American barbecue style, with ribs and pulled pork served with a sweet, smoky sauce.
- Virginia BBQ Competitions: Known for its hickory-smoked meats, particularly pork, and a sweet, tangy, tomato-based sauce.
- Washington BBQ Competitions: Features a focus on wood-smoked meats, particularly using local fruitwoods, and a sweet, tangy sauce.
- West Virginia BBQ Competitions: Favors a simple, American-style barbecue featuring grilled and smoked meats with a sweet, tangy sauce.
- Wisconsin BBQ Competitions: Appreciates a variety of regional styles, often featuring ribs and pulled pork with a sweet, smoky sauce.
- Wyoming BBQ Competitions: Favors a simple, wood-smoked approach with a focus on game meats and bison.
