How to Celebrate National Barbecue Month

Published on April 21st, 2025

Low and Slow Cooking Makes the Perfect Meat for This Festive Month

The days are getting longer and we’re spending more time outside, which means it’s high time for barbecue! Luckily for us, we have an entire month to celebrate this delicious warm-weather food — meat cooked low and slow by a fire or in a smoker, served with sauce and a handful of delightful sides. (Did you know that grilling and barbecuing, though often used interchangeably, aren’t the same thing? Grilling is quick and at higher temperatures directly over a flame.)

When is National BBQ month?

You may think of barbecue as a summer staple, for cookouts and big events. So, it may surprise you when you hear the answer to “what month is National BBQ Month?” It’s actually in May! Think of it as a fun way to start grilling (or smoking!) season right. Who isn’t pulled outside for steadily warmer days by the smell of someone cooking something up on a grill?

National BBQ Month history

If there’s one thing we can say about National BBQ Month’s origins, it’s that the holiday month’s history is complicated. Most national day and month calendars claim its origin was in 1963, when the mysterious “Barbecue Council” declared the month of may to be National BBQ Month. There’s one problem with that, though: The Barbecue Council never actually existed. Here’s what actually happened.

In June 1963 (not May!) newspapers nationwide suddenly started printing stories claiming it was National BBQ Month alongside recipes and photos of people barbecuing. All of the recipes had one thing in common — they included something called Kitchen Bouquet as an ingredient, which was a sauce brushed over steak to make it look darker brown. The flood of recipes and references to National BBQ Month can be traced back to Kitchen Bouquet’s creator, Edgar W. Garbisch.

Garbisch’s company promoted National BBQ Month for the next several years, until 1967, when the holiday was changed to July. From 1968 to 1971, National BBQ Month lost its promotional prowess, and faded into obscurity.

Ten years later, National BBQ Month made its triumphant return. This time, it was sponsored by the Barbecue Industry Association and was moved to May. The goal was to promote sales of grilling equipment and barbecues. The Barbecue Industry Association was absorbed by the Hearth Products Association in 2002, but promotions of the month never slowed down. And that brings us to today, when we can (and do!) celebrate the entire month.

What US state is known for BBQ?

Did you know the US has an entire BBQ Belt? It includes the following states, which all have a unique style of BBQ and sauce: Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Alabama, Missouri, and Tennessee. Probably the most well-known, though, are Texas and Missouri.

With Texas BBQ, beef brisket is a specialty, and you’ll either find no sauce at all (to let the meat speak for itself) or a spiced sauce with a tomato base.

Read More: Meet the Maker: Kerry Bexley, Snow’s BBQ

Missouri’s claim to BBQ fame comes from Kansas City. Kansas City BBQ has all types of meat, but the specialty is brisket burnt ends, with a tangy and sweet sauce that have molasses and tomato bases. 

Shout-out here to the Carolinas, where you can find a vinegar-based sauce and a mustard-based sauce, and Alabama’s signature white sauce.

How to observe National BBQ Month?

That’s easy — get out and barbecue! If you have a grill or a smoker, get some meat going outside. Cook up some nice BBQ sides indoors, like baked beans and macaroni and cheese, and then have a feast. If you aren’t able to grill (or don’t eat meat), just make the sides. Or, head out to a restaurant to get a great BBQ meal. You can even get some BBQ from a local grocery store, and then have a party to celebrate the month.

Whether you want classic BBQ meat or even just great sides, Goldbelly has you covered. Close the grill and order BBQ greats directly to your door.

Read More: 10 Best BBQ Sides for the Ultimate Backyard Barbecue