A little reason to celebrate
National Barbecue Day
Food ยท May 16
A food day for American barbecue: meat cooked low and slow over wood smoke, plus the sauces, sides and backyard gatherings that come with it.
National Barbecue Day falls on Sunday, May 16, 2027. That is 201 days away.
Barbecue, in the American sense, means meat cooked slowly over low heat and wood smoke until it turns tender. It is different from grilling, which is quick and hot. Barbecue takes hours, and the people who do it tend to talk about patience the way other people talk about the weather.
The usual cuts are tough ones, like pork shoulder, beef brisket and ribs. Long cooking breaks down their connective tissue, and the smoke leaves a pink ring just under the surface that pitmasters like to point out. Hickory, oak, mesquite and fruit woods each give a slightly different flavor.
Styles change from place to place. Some regions favor pork with a thin vinegar sauce, others prefer beef with little or no sauce, and others lean on thick, sweet tomato sauces or a dry rub of spices. Arguments about which is correct are part of the tradition, and they rarely end.
Most people mark the day the way barbecue has always been eaten, outside and in company. A backyard smoker, a neighborhood joint, or a paper plate of pulled pork with coleslaw and baked beans all count. Leftovers are expected, and brisket often tastes even better the next day, tucked into a sandwich.
Ways to celebrate
- Try smoking a pork shoulder or a rack of ribs low and slow.
- Taste two regional sauces side by side and pick a favorite.
- Invite neighbors over to share sides like coleslaw and baked beans.
- Look for a local barbecue spot you have never visited.
- Share a family rub or sauce recipe with a friend.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday, May 16 |
| 2027 | Sunday, May 16 |
| 2028 | Tuesday, May 16 |
| 2029 | Wednesday, May 16 |
| 2030 | Thursday, May 16 |
Also on May 16
Categories: Food days