Toe-Tapping Tunes and the Best BBQ in Austin, Texas

If you are searching for the absolute best bbq in Austin we are here to give you some of the best choices.

Please go to the top menu and select restaurants 1-4. These are the ones we have determined to be the best choices in the surrounding Austin area. These are not listed in any particular rating order, just our best choices to date. If you are already getting hungry, we understand.

You may not think of Austin, Texas as a top vacation spot, but if you are a music fan who also loves authentic Texas BBQ, no other place in the world can accommodate you quite like Austin. The city has enjoyed a unique history as the state capital as well as the home of the University of Texas. With so many disparate cultures engaging with each other on numerous levels throughout the years, it is no wonder why the city has become a lightning rod for musical variety and deliciously delectable food.

Musicians love the city because it offers a wide variety of stages and studios, while music fans enjoy Austin because there is no other city in the world which features such a strong emphasis on enjoying the wonders of song. Of course, musicians and fans alike need to eat once they have built their massive appetites. To feed the hungry mouths of its denizens and visitors, Austin offers some of the best BBQ in the world in addition to one of the planet’s most celebrated music scenes.

People take their BBQ seriously in the south. However, BBQ aficionados in Austin like to think that their BBQ is superior to the fare found in other BBQ-loving cities across the country. If you have been searching for authentic Texas BBQ, Austin is full of restaurants which specialize in providing the best meats prepared using authentic recipes and cooking techniques. In fact, many visitors have proclaimed that Austin BBQ is the standard by which other slow-cooked meats should be judged.

One of the most inviting aspects of Austin is the fact that many of the city’s most popular destinations for live music are also havens for the Texas BBQ people crave when they come to the city. If you bring your appetite and your dancing shoes, you could spend weeks in Austin enjoying some of the best food and music found in one place. Whether you want some brisket with a side of country and western, or you prefer pulled pork while moshing to punk rock, Austin is full of venues which provide the foods and tunes you desire.

While there are certainly other cities in the south which offer exciting live music or excellent BBQ, no other city offers the unique combination of great music and the absolute best BBQ in Austin, Texas . Whether you come for one of the city’s many amazing festivals, or you plan to visit during one of Austin’s rare slow seasons, you will find yourself in a haven for marvelous music and mouthwatering food. Austin, Texas has been a favorite destination for music and BBQ lovers for years, and you are welcome to enjoy all that the city has to offer on your next vacation.

Every BBQ Recipe is a Secret

Every good barbeque recipe is a secret. The ingredients are a large part of what makes a sauce special, along with the kind of meat and how it is cooked. The variations of ingredient combinations are numerous, making attempts to recreate a recipe almost an endless endeavor. Most BBQ recipes are not as well protected as the Coco-Cola or Kentucky Fried Chicken recipes are, but the safety and security of the Austin Texas BBQ recipe comes close.

One thing that seems to remain consistent in the Best BBQ Austin is the requirement to use beef brisket. The same tough cut of meat that folks on the East Coast use for corned beef is what Texans think makes the best BBQ. The popularity of brisket for barbeque or corned beef keeps the price higher than may appropriate for such a tough cut, but supply and demand effectively regulates the price per pound. Whichever method of cooking is preferred, brisket has to cook for hours and hours in a slow process probably learned from European immigrants.

Slow cooking tenderizes even the toughest cut, and there is little doubt that brisket is one of the toughest cuts of beef. In Texas, it is usually cooked in a pit of oak coals, and some cooks add some mesquite chips also. The brisket develops a black crust that keeps the meat moist until it is very tender. Some cooks who do not lay claim to the title of “purist” wrap the brisket in tin foil and cook it in an oven. The addition of a smoke flavor from a bottle helps it resemble the more authentic version that is cooked in a pit. This method may lack in drama, but it is equally tender and tasty.

Preparing the brisket for cooking involves another part of the secret. Some cooks like to rub it with a lot of kosher salt and crushed black peppercorns. Many other spices are included in the rub, such as garlic powder, chili powder, ground ginger, paprika and ordinary salt and pepper. Oil or mustard usually goes on the meat first. The amount of each spice and whether to include all or just some is a deep dark secret that each chef keeps.

The sauce contains as many or more ingredients than the rub. Some recipes call for tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, dry mustard, Tabasco sauce, chopped onions, celery salt, vinegar, margarine, garlic cloves and some even use jalapeno peppers with the seeds removed.

Most people are probably unaware of the many ingredients that are involved in Best BBQ Austin for the meat rub or for the sauce. Many are aware of the differences between Tennessee, Kansas City and Texas BBQ without knowing why they are so different. The amount of time and the number of ingredients that go into making the dish is far more than that for some of the fanciest entrees served by the best restaurants. It is no wonder that the Best BBQ Austin joints keep their secret to themselves.

Best BBQ Austin – Hidden Secrets

BBQ connoisseurs would be missing out on some of the finest recipes in the nation by not trying Austin’s BBQ. According to many aficionados, Austin has the secret to great Texas BBQ. Every region seems to have their own take on what defines BBQ excellence, but Austin’s special blends of flavors seem to have universal appeal. Many recipes are highly coveted and guarded.

Many people do not realize the painstaking effort that goes into preparing the perfect Texas BBQ. The sauce is not the only secret to perfect Austin BBQ. The true flavor comes from the cooking techniques and meat preparation. Though Austin BBQ recipes are highly guarded, some secrets can be determined by prying. Here is what was discovered after inquiring about Austin BBQ.

What’s in That Sauce?
In general, Austin BBQ sauce typically has a tomato base with lots of spices and little sugar. This is high contrast to Kansas City where vinegar and molasses play huge roles in flavoring the tomato base. Austin has numerous different permutations to its primary BBQ sauce. Each time Austin visitors try Austin BBQ, they can expect the same special base with a unique variation.

Many Austin BBQ recipes also include brown sugar, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, dried out mustard and celery salt. Chopped onions, vinegar, garlic cloves and margarine are also commonly used in Austin BBQ. Every so often a chef would also include jalapeno peppers to provide a twist on the normal recipe. Most chefs remove the seeds to control the spiciness.

The Secret is in the Preparation
The key to good Austin BBQ is in the preparation of the meat. No matter what type of meat used, Austin uses slow cooking to tenderize every cut of meat. Texans most often prepare their BBQ in a pit of oak coals with mesquite poker chips.

The most popular cut of Austin BBQ is the brisket. Austin brisket is truly delectable. After hours of slow cooking over a pit of hot coals, the brisket is infused with a deep mesquite-smoked flavor. The meat simply delights the taste buds and teeth sink into the tender treat.

To prepare Austin brisket, rub the meat oil and mustard. Oils prepare the meat to receive the spices. Afterwards, add the spices. Kosher salt and black peppercorns are the primary ingredients in the rub. Many chefs also create a rub with chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, ginger, salt and pepper. The exact amount of each spice is the secret that most Austin chefs will not divulge. Outsiders find it difficult to recreate the highly sought after Austin BBQ taste.

Try it Yourself
There are numerous Austin BBQ locations to try. From the local dive to the upscale, Austin BBQ never fails to disappoint. Search online to find out why so many people love Austin BBQ. Visitors will find numerous authentic Austin BBQ restaurants in every price range. Try it and determine why Austin BBQ is some of the best in the nation.

Favorite BBQ Sauce Recipe

BEST BBQ AUSTIN TEXAS SAUCE RECIPE

The following recipe is the recipe I use to make a large quantity of sauce to give away as Christmas gifts, birthday gifts, etc. You may divide all quantities as you wish, to make as little as you like, but be prepared, if you ever give someone your sauce…they’ll be back for more.

4 Cups Apple Cider Vinegar

6 Cups Water

6 Cups Sugar

1/3 Cup Yellow Mustard

1 1/3 Tbsp Black Pepper

1/2 Cup BBQ Spice

4 Lemons (juice of)

8 Cloves Minced Garlic

3 Cups Chopped White Onion

1/4 Lb Oleo

Combine all ingredients above in a large pot. Turn heat up to medium high and stir well to melt sugar and dissolve mustard. Bring to a boil (stirring frequently) then turn heat down and allow mixture to

simmer (stir frequently) until onions are done (approximately 20 minutes). Then add:

10 Cups Ketchup

1/3 Cup Worcestershire Sauce

1/2 Cup Liquid Smoke

Stir mixture well and bring back to a simmer for approximately 45 minutes, stirring frequently. Let stand to cool. I usually let it stand overnight. If it is too warm it will cause sweat to form in the bottles or jars.

Notes:

1. Always cook this recipe in a well-ventilated area. The smell can be overwhelming.

2. Stirring is very important to prevent the sugar in the sauce from scorching or burning.

3. Never substitute another vinegar for apple cider vinegar.

4. Don’t waste your money on fancy ketchup. It seems like the cheaper the ketchup, the better the sauce.

5. You may substitute 1 to 2 cups of honey for 1 to 2 cups of sugar.

6. You may substitute 1/2 cup of freeze-dried onion for 3 cups of chopped white onion.

7. You may substitute 1 stick of butter for 1 / 4 lb of Oleo (Oleo is hard to find these days).

8. If you don’t want minced garlic left in the sauce, simply score each clove a couple of times, and sift them out after the sauce has cooked.

9. To make sauce spicy add 1 1/3 tbsp of red pepper flakes (or more if you dare!).

10. The longer the sauce simmers (at the end) the thicker the sauce will be, but you must continue to stir the mixture. Keep in mind that as the sauce cools it will thicken. For a short cut you can thicken the sauce with cornstarch or another thickening agent. Just don’t use too much or you will change the flavor.

11. If you bottle the sauce, always refrigerate after opening.

ENJOY!

BEST BARBEQUE SPICE MIXTURE

Serving Size : 1 Preparation Time :0:00

Amount Measure Ingredient — Preparation Method

——– ———— ——————————–

1/2 c Chili powder

1/4 c Hickory flavored salt

3 tb Onion Powder

2 tb Cumin

1 tb Paprika

1 tb Garlic

1 tb Brown sugar

1 t Cayenne pepper

1/2 ts Dry Mustard

1/2 ts Lemon Zest

Mix thoroughly and save in a ziploc or spice jar.

BBQ & Beats – The Perfect Pair in Austin, TX

BBQ & Beats – The Perfect Pair in Austin, TX

Austin, Texas has the perfect marriage of food and fun for people of all ages! Austin is the capital of Texas, and currently the fourth largest city in the state. Local universities make up a large percentage of the population, and bring people to the city from all over the world. Nestled deep in the center of the Texas, Austin draws its taste and cooking influences from neighboring Mexico and Louisiana. It is well known for its wide variety of Texas-sized barbecue, ranging in flavors from mild and mellow to ring-your-bell flaming hot. Whether you’re craving pork, chicken, or beef, this city has mastered the craft of barbecue.

Austin is also widely known as the live music capital of the world. Country music pairs with southern barbecue like peas and carrots, and you can’t attend a live event without being drawn in by the scents and warmth of slow-roasting barbecue on the pit. Spring and fall are the perfect seasons for experiencing first-class entertainment and delicious food. Many of these events are free or low-cost to attend, making them very family friendly.

Food trucks are a relatively newer dining concept that has taken the United States by storm. Austin has fully embraced this new style of eating, and barbecue abounds as one of the most popular choices. There’s a taste for every palate, including Asian inspired barbecue, original sandwiches, and Mexican influenced barbecue tacos. Food trucks are a familiar site at many outdoor events and concerts, and offer a quick on-the-spot fix for those sudden cravings.

Local rodeos are another venue where you can experience the food + music combo that is unique to Austin. Lasting from one to two days to an entire week, rodeos combine delicious food, sporting, and great music all under one roof. What could be better than an outdoor barbecue picnic with your friends and family, enjoying big-name bands and local artists together on the same stage?

There’s also a large nightlife scene in Austin that combines great food and live music for hours of non-stop adult fun. Start off your night with a massive barbecue platter, and hang around for the awesome local talent that’s sure to knock your socks off! The party doesn’t stop once the sun goes down, and 6th Street is known for keeping it hopping until the early hours of the morning. Country music is predominant in the south, but other genres are widely embraced and appreciated just as much. Kick up your heels line dancing, or get your groove on with tunes of the past by cover bands. Whatever your style of music is, you’re sure to find it in Austin.

Out of town visitors who come to Austin for the first time will definitely want to experience both its culinary talents as well as music talent. Families can get the opportunity to expose their little ones to the unique culture that makes this city the place it is today. If you’re looking for the south’s best kept secret for great food and sweet sounds, Austin, Texas is the place you want to be.

June: Secret Side Dish

Firecracker Corn-On-The-Cob

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

2 teaspoons Tabasco brand pepper sauce

8 ears corn-on-the-cob

In small bowl, combine butter and Tabasco sauce. Mix well. Peel one side of corn husk away from cob without removing completely, and loosen remaining husk. Do not remove silk. Brush butter mixture over kernels and smooth back husk to original shape. Prepare grill. Place corn directly onto coals. Cover grill with lid or foil tent. Cook 2 to 3 minutes. The outside husk will be charred. Makes 8 servings

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