10 Must-Try Bourbon-Infused Recipes for Your Next BBQ

10 Must-Try Bourbon-Infused Recipes for Your Next BBQ

Bourbon isn’t just for sipping; it’s also the secret ingredient that can elevate your grilling game to a whole new level. From savory meats to sweet desserts, bourbon brings a unique depth of flavor that pairs beautifully with smoky BBQ. Here are 10 mouthwatering bourbon-infused recipes you need to try. These bourbon-infused grilling recipes are by BBQ legend Steven Raichlen utilizing Bib & Tucker Double Char Bourbon & The Classic Six, both small batch bourbons aged for a minimum of 6 years following the Lincoln County Process. From bourbon brisket to bacon bourbon apple crisp to a vegan sandie, there is something for everyone. 

1. Bib & Tucker Double Char Bourbon Brisket

This brisket is a testament to the magic of bourbon and slow smoking. It starts with a marinade of Bib & Tucker Double Char Bourbon, giving the meat a bold, smoky flavor. After soaking in the bourbon, the brisket is seasoned generously with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes, then slow-cooked for up to eight hours in a smoker. The real treat? Layers of thick-cut bacon draped over the brisket, infusing it with extra richness. The result is a tender, juicy brisket that’s perfect for any BBQ lover.

2. Bacon-Grilled Peaches with Double Char Glaze

This sweet-and-savory appetizer combines ripe peaches, smoky bacon, and a bourbon glaze for a flavor explosion. Each peach slice is wrapped in bacon, grilled until crispy, and brushed with a glaze made of butter, brown sugar, and Bib & Tucker Double Char Bourbon. Sprinkle toasted pecans on top for crunch, and you’ve got a dish that screams summer.

3. Double Char Steak

Whether you choose New York strip or skirt steak, this recipe transforms beef with a bourbon-soy marinade. The steaks are soaked in a mixture of bourbon, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and lemon zest, then grilled to perfection. Finished with minced chives and black pepper, this dish highlights the natural partnership between beef and bourbon.

4. Kentucky-Thai Beef Satay with Bourbon Sriracha Marinade

Bring Southeast Asian flair to your BBQ with these bourbon-infused satays. Thin strips of beef are marinated in a fiery blend of bourbon, Sriracha, lime juice, and fish sauce, then skewered and grilled. Topped with chopped peanuts and served with diced cucumbers and onions, these satays are perfect for a spicy, tangy bite.

5. Bourbon Pineapple Pork Chops

Juicy pork chops meet the tropical sweetness of pineapple in this standout recipe. Grilled pineapple slices and a glaze made with pineapple juice, bourbon, and brown sugar make the perfect topping for the chops. Serve with extra glaze drizzled on top for a fruity, smoky finish.

6. Smoke-Grilled Chicken with Bourbon Peach Glaze

This recipe takes BBQ chicken up a notch with a glaze made of peach preserves, bourbon, and BBQ sauce. Smoked chicken thighs are basted with this sweet and tangy glaze while grilling, creating crispy, caramelized skin with a juicy interior. The peach and bourbon combination delivers a burst of summer flavor.

7. Bourbon Teriyaki Salmon

Teriyaki-glazed salmon gets a sophisticated upgrade with Bib & Tucker bourbon. The marinade, made with soy sauce, maple syrup, sesame oil, and fresh ginger, is boiled down to a syrupy glaze. The salmon is grilled to a perfect sear, then basted repeatedly for a lacquered finish that’s both sweet and savory.

8. Bourbon-Brined Tofu on Brioche

Vegetarians can enjoy the bold flavors of bourbon BBQ too! Tofu slabs are brined in a mix of bourbon, tamari, Worcestershire sauce, and BBQ rub, then grilled to smoky perfection. Serve on toasted brioche buns with classic toppings like lettuce, tomato, and pickles for a hearty sandwich that doesn’t skimp on flavor.

9. Grilled Beef, Basil & Bourbon Rolls

These bite-sized beef rolls are wrapped in fresh basil leaves and infused with a bourbon-fish sauce marinade. Skewered and grilled until the basil is lightly charred, these rolls are perfect as an appetizer or a unique addition to your BBQ spread. Sprinkle with crushed peanuts for a satisfying crunch.

10. Bacon Bourbon Apple Crisp

This dessert combines the smoky richness of bacon with the sweet, warm flavors of baked apples and bourbon. A layer of sliced apples is mixed with brown sugar, cinnamon, and bourbon, then topped with a crisp made of crushed gingersnap cookies, butter, and more bacon. Smoked in a cast-iron skillet, it’s the ultimate sweet ending to your BBQ feast.

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