Recipes, Tips, and Cooking Ideas

Some recipes don’t fit neatly into one category, but they’re still too good not to share. This collection brings together a mix of creative BBQ recipes, helpful cooking tips, and unique backyard ideas from Heath Riles. From experimenting with new flavors to learning practical grilling and smoking techniques, these posts are packed with inspiration to help you try something new on the smoker or grill.
Wood Pellet Storage Tips | Heath Riles BBQ
everything-else
7 min read
Wood Pellet Storage Tips | Heath Riles BBQ

Wood Pellet Storage Tips: How to Store BBQ Pellets the Right Way Wood pellet storage isn’t complicated,  but it matters...

Dry Rub vs. Wet Rub: Which One Should You Use for BBQ?
everything-else
5 min read
Dry Rub vs. Wet Rub: Which One Should You Use for BBQ?

Dry Rub vs. Wet Rub: What’s the Difference and Which Works Best for BBQ? Dry rubs and wet rubs both...

Great Grilling Vegetables: Best Veggies for the Grill & How to Season Them
everything-else grilled sides
7 min read
Great Grilling Vegetables: Best Veggies for the Grill & How to Season Them

Great Grilling Vegetables: The Best Veggies for the Grill (and How to Cook Them Right) Grilling vegetables shouldn’t feel like...

Cold Weather BBQ Tips: How to Grill & Smoke Like a Pro in Winter | Heath Riles BBQ
everything-else
7 min read
Cold Weather BBQ Tips: How to Grill & Smoke Like a Pro in Winter | Heath Riles BBQ

When temperatures drop and daylight disappears early, a lot of backyard cooks assume BBQ season is over. Grills get covered,...

Venison Chili on the Stove Top
everything-else gameday-apps
7 min read
Venison Chili on the Stove Top

Do you want to learn how to make a bowl of chili that’ll make any cold night feel like a...

What 2025 Taught Us About BBQ
everything-else
5 min read
What 2025 Taught Us About BBQ

What 2025 Taught Us About BBQ The BBQ community didn’t slow down in 202, it stepped up. Throughout the year,...

Holiday Smoking Guide: Turkey, Ham & More with Heath Riles BBQ
everything-else holiday
7 min read
Holiday Smoking Guide: Turkey, Ham & More with Heath Riles BBQ

Why Holiday Smoking Is Worth the Effort There’s something special about firing up the smoker during the holidays, the aroma...

Tailgate Food Ideas: Handheld Mains, Sides & Snacks
everything-else gameday-apps
7 min read
Tailgate Food Ideas: Handheld Mains, Sides & Snacks

Game day isn’t complete without good food, and nothing beats the bold, smoky flavor of BBQ when it comes to...

Layering vs. Blending: How Heath Riles Uses BBQ Rubs to Build Bold Flavor
everything-else
5 min read
Layering vs. Blending: How Heath Riles Uses BBQ Rubs to Build Bold Flavor

Ask any serious pitmaster and they’ll tell you: rubs are the foundation of great barbecue. For Heath Riles, an award-winning...

Fall BBQ Ideas: Smoked & Spiced Recipes for Autumn Grilling
everything-else
6 min read
Fall BBQ Ideas: Smoked & Spiced Recipes for Autumn Grilling

There’s something special about fall. The crisp air, golden leaves, and shorter days all signal a shift in the way...

Grill Smarter: 5 Data-Backed Tips for Perfect Pulled Pork
everything-else Pork
4 min read
Grill Smarter: 5 Data-Backed Tips for Perfect Pulled Pork

The Science of Perfect Pulled Pork BBQ is part art, part science — and we’ve got the numbers to prove...

How to Trim a Brisket with a Large Fat Vein
Beef everything-else
5 min read
How to Trim a Brisket with a Large Fat Vein

Every brisket tells a story, and this one starts at Primo’s Butcher Shop in Hernando, Mississippi. If you’ve been around...

How to Make Italian Sliders on King’s Hawaiian Rolls
everything-else gameday-apps
5 min read
How to Make Italian Sliders on King’s Hawaiian Rolls

Simple dinner recipes are a total lifesaver, especially if you’re trying to save money. This year, skip the drive-thru and...

Easy Pickled Red Onions
everything-else sides
4 min read
Easy Pickled Red Onions

Pickled red onions are one of those kitchen staples that instantly brighten up a dish. They bring that perfect balance...