Browse episode ratings trends for Barbecue University. Simply click on the interactive rating graph to explore the best and worst of Barbecue University's 52 episodes.
Best Episodes of Barbecue University
Fire Away (Getting Started)
S4 Ep13
6.0
Jump-start your next party with a quartet of pass-arounds hot off the grill. The episode leads off with a twist on a pu-pu platter classic: Pancetta-Grilled Diver Scallop Rumaki. Next up in the starter category, Summer Sausage S’mores, think-out-of-the-box grilled sandwiches topped with cheese and jalapeños. And finally, Steven’s barbecued version of Chinatown Ribs; they're sizzling, sweet, salty, aromatic with ginger and scallions, and the quintessential hand-to-mouth food.
Breast Man
S4 Ep12
6.0
Pit masters are obsessed with breasts. (Chicken and turkey breasts, that is.) This week, BBQ U Professor Steven Raichlen takes on America’s most popular cut of poultry. It's all about how to keep white meat juicy when grilling and barbecuing. First, from . Balthazar, the boisterous, "see-and-be-seen" bistro in Lower Manhattan, come easy and fabulous Tarragon Chicken Paillards, which are pounded paper thin and smokily seared on the grill. And then Maple-Smoked Turkey Breast gets a triple-blast of flavor from maple sugar rub, a maple syrup glaze, and a long slow smoke over…you guessed it…maple wood.
Fire and Water
S4 Ep1
6.0
Fish is the "fear factor" in grilling: Will it stick? Will it fall apart? How do I know when it’s done? In this show, Steven Raichlen gives you his favorite strategies for victory at sea. No tricky turning maneuvers needed for Cedar-Planked Salmon, a dramatic presentation with incomparable wood flavor. Grilled Tuna with a gutsy Fire-Charred Tomato Chipotle Salsa is seared directly over a mesquite fire. Bacon-wrapped Trout, stream-caught just yards from the set and still dripping with water, are stuffed with Poblano Corn Relish and grilled in fish baskets over an open fire. Fish doesn’t get much fresher–or better–than this.
Texas and Oklahoma
S3 Ep5
6.0
Barbecue from Texas and Oklahoma is about big flavors and big cuts of meat - in this episode Raichlen tackles a whole beef brisket Smoke-lahoma-style and pairs it with "Best Barbecued Beans on the Planet" before going whole hog and spit-roasting a whole ham flavored with Bourbon and apricots. Spice-scented sweet potato casserole, grilled sweet potato pie and "drunken" steak round out the episode.
The Pacific Rim
S3 Ep6
3.5
Drawing on the traditions, favored ingredients and techniques of the Pacific Northwest, the professor leads a short and to-the-point master class on Pacific Rim grilling: Lemongrass Pork Sates with Peanut Sauce and Cucumber Relish that reflect the strong influence the cooking on the far side of the Pacific has on grillmasters here; salmon grilled on Alder planks from the northwest with citrus compound butter; and a dessert that marries sweet and savory - cinnamon grilled plums with an Oregon Pinot Noir wine sauce.
On the Lamb
S4 Ep11
2.0
Lamb, so beloved elsewhere in the world, is underrepresented on American tables: Per capita consumption here is about 1 pound per year. Steven Raichlen's succulent Lamb on the Rod with mini sweet peppers could be the recipe that turns the statistical tide. Then it's double-digit thick and double-digit good Lamb Chops and Lamb Steaks served with a Parsley Onion relish and a tangy Feta Cheese Sauce. The Professor is on the lamb at BBQ U.
Tailgate Warriors
S4 Ep10
2.0
On the athletic field, there are concrete rules of engagement. But there are none governing the fiercely competitive sport of tailgating, meaning unsportsmanlike conduct and one-upsmanship in the parking lot usually get rewarded. Are you still in the minor leagues? Learn some new moves from Steven Raichlen. Score extra points with a platter of Grilled Polenta with Italian Sausage and Peppers. Stun your opponents and delight your fans with Flame-Grilled Prosciutto Panini. Engage in fowl play by serving Steven's indomitable Calgary Wings with zippy Maytag Blue Cheese Sauce. Study the Professor's moves, and you'll be doing your own victory dance.
Southwest Revisited
S4 Ep9
2.0
Steven Raichlen brings the high-voltage flavors of the American Southwest to the grill with a take-no-prisoners menu. Oven-Grilled Tortilla Chips with Pineapple and Jalapeño Salsa start things off, followed by Green Lightning Shrimp Kebabs, assertively spiced and just this side of incendiary. Millionaire Brisket, a Texas-size slab of meat, gets the royal treatment with a savory rub, a coffee and beer mop sauce, and a long, slow smoke over oak.
Extreme Grilling
S4 Ep8
2.0
Grilling is the performance art of cooking. And in every great griller beats the intrepid heart of a showman. This show is designed to add theatrics to your next barbecue. The Professor leads off with Butter and Herb Spit Roasted Turkey served with flaming Hot Pepper Kebabs; And even veggies get the shock treatment in Grilled, Dilled, and Chilled Eggplant Dip roasted directly in the embers. Steven steers the show back to BBQ U basics with Ember-Roasted Sweet Corn, grilled right in the husks. Extreme barbecue cuisine…today at the U.
Grilling with Wood
S4 Ep7
2.0
Cooking over hardwood trumps cooking over charcoal for several reasons. Main one? Flavor. In this episode, Steven Raichlen tells you what you need to know about selecting the proper woods and matching them to your menu, building the perfect fire, and coaxing the maximum flavor out of your grilling. From this pyrotechnic glory will emerge Mario Batali's Veal Chops with Lemon Oregano Jam. Then, a BBQ U first: a seafood and meat Paella wood smoked entirely on the grill. And finally, because even desserts get barbecued at BBQ U, Fire-Charred Pound Cake with Grilled Pineapple Salsa and Tequila Whipped Cream.
Rib Master
S4 Ep6
2.0
In American barbecue, ribs rule, and woe to the grillmeister who doesn't understand the rules. Like never, ever boil. This is the rib crash course, appropriate for all skill levels, and a popular part of the curriculum at BBQ U. The Professor gives you a little background on bones before getting to the meat of the matter. Here’s the rest of the lesson plan: Classic spare ribs served with ember-roasted sweet potatoes; Dinosaur Beef Ribs, the biggest and baddest bones of all; finally, the refreshingly different, A-plus Mint Julep Ribs with a healthy hit of Kentucky bourbon.
Louisiana Tribute
S4 Ep5
2.0
Mindful of the suffering of New Orleans in the last year, this show pays tribute to Louisiana’s rich culinary traditions. You know Raichlen's rule: If something tastes good baked, boiled, or deep-fried, it probably tastes even better grilled. Case in point: Grill-Top Shrimp "Boil" jazzed up with grilled bratwurst–this isn't like any shrimp boil you've ever tasted. And never mind that deep-fried turkey was invented in Louisiana: Steven cooks Big Easy Barbecued Turkey with plenty of wood smoke after literally injecting it with a spice-scented marinade. Cajun Tuna Pipérade combines the "Holy Trinity"--onion, celery, and bell pepper--with tomato, spicy andouille sausage and fire-licked sushi-grade tuna steaks for flavor that just won’t quit.
High on the Hog
S4 Ep4
2.0
Pork is arguably the heart and soul of the American barbecue tradition. In this show, Steven goes whole hog with two terrific pork dishes. From the Deep South come Coffee-Crusted Pork Tenderloins with Redeye Barbecue Sauce. Then, demoing the very latest in hi-tech outdoor kitchens, the Professor spit roasts Coconut-Crusted Ribs and whips up some grilled Tropical Fruit Kebabs to accompany the ribs.
Meatless Grilling
S4 Ep3
2.0
Sooner or later, a vegetarian will show up at your cook-out, look into your carnivorous eyes, and ask to be fed. Don't be caught flat-footed as a host. This meatless menu preempts the politically correct and will have even the most unrepentant meat-eaters sniffing the air hungrily. First up, flame-seared Portobello Mushrooms topped with cheese, the vegetarian equivalent of a cheeseburger. Reminiscent of a grilled steak is ginger-studded Grilled Tofu. And finally, Steven presents a smoky, revamped version of an American classic, Macaroni and Cheese with Fire-Roasted Onions.
The New Face of Beef
S4 Ep2
2.0
Here’s a show for beef lovers featuring fantastic cuts of beef, new to most grillmeisters. Leading off is a clod (whole smoked beef shoulder), much beloved in central Texas and virtually unknown everywhere else on the planet. It's 18 pounds of pure beef pleasure cooked low and slow to fork-tender perfection. Then, meet the new steak on the block — flame-seared flat iron, which Steven prepares in the south of the border style with chilies and mucha cerveza.
Southern California
S3 Ep13
2.0
A celebration of So Cal classics: Caesar salad that Steven takes to the grill, charred, tender artichokes with a Worcestershire Dip and a Santa Maria Tri-tip with Pinquinto Beans and Garlic Bread that proves Southern California has one of the country's most delicious and unusual barbecue traditions.
Worst Episodes of Barbecue University
Up in Smoke
S1 Ep1
1.5
Where there's smoke, there's fire, and where there's fire, there's BBQU®. This show focuses on the art of smoke-roasting on the grill: grilled tomato gazpacho, ember-roasted baba ganooj, home smoked salmon, and smoke-roasted pears for dessert.
Rib Fest
S1 Ep2
2.0
Steve prepares sweet and sticky Kansas City-style spare ribs, spicy Memphis dry rubbed baby back ribs and Jamaican jerk baby backs.
Much at Steak
S1 Ep3
2.0
Learn how to grill the perfect steak, from an herb-butter crowned New York strip to an authentic bistecca alla fiorenta to wine and juniper marinated, wood-grilled, fork tender fillet mignons.
Stick Food
S1 Ep4
2.0
This week, shish kebab gets a college education, with a global look at stick food. Recipes for shrimp grilled on sugar cane, Turkish shish kebab, grilled asparagus "rafts," and cinnamon grilled peaches.
Fish Meets Grill
S1 Ep5
2.0
If fish sticking to the grill sounds like a familiar problem, the Professor has the solution. Learn the ABCs of fish grilling with cedar-planked salmon, halibut in a basket, grilled tuna London broil, and a spectacular campfire style bacon grilled trout.
Meatless Grilling
S1 Ep6
2.0
In the class, the Professor takes up the topic of meatless grilling. Grilled quesadillas; grilled pizza with mozzarella and basil; balsamic grilled portobello mushrooms; and a novel finale: "glazed doughnuts" (bourbon-glazed doughnut peachesÜyou won't even miss the meat!
Birds on a Can
S1 Ep7
2.0
A serious look at the latest craze to sweep the American barbecue circuit: chickens, duck, quail, even turkey grilled upright on a can of beer or soda.
Whole Hog
S1 Ep8
2.0
In much of the U.S. barbecue means pork. The Professor goes whole hog, literally, showing you how to make Carolina-style pulled pork, mojo-marinated grilled pork tenderloin, smoky bourbon brined pork chops, and, yes, a spectacular pit roasted whole pig
Tackle the Tailgate
S1 Ep9
2.0
This show offers some new twists on American barbecue favorites, including herb-butter stuffed burgers, chili and cheese stuffed hot dogs, an eye-popping barbecued cabbage, and uptown s'mores. Tailgate picnics will never be the same!
Where's the Beef?
S1 Ep10
2.0
The Professor takes you on a world tour of beef on the grill, from English smoke roasted prime rib to Nicaraguan-style churrasco (grilled beef tenderloin) with chimichurri sauce, to French-style rib steak grilled in the fireplace, and for the finale, a smoky Texas barbecued brisket. Where's the beef? On the grill.
Healthy Grilling
S1 Ep11
2.0
High in flavor, low in fat, and mercifully short on preparation time, grilling is a great way to eat healthily, especially when the menu includes chicken yakitori, Thai grilled beef salad, grilled tuna with Greek-style zucchini, and grilled pineapple for dessert.
Fowl Play
S1 Ep12
2.0
If burnt skin and raw meat characterize your attempts to grill chicken, the Professor will set you straight. Learn how to prepare garlic lemon rotisserie chicken, spatchcock chicken with walnut dill pesto, classic American barbecued chicken, and a spectacular chicken breast under a brick.
Shellfish on the Grill
S1 Ep13
2.0
Move over shrimp on the barbie. Make way for scallops grilled on rosemary skewers, garlic grilled clams and mussels, and a spectacular whole grilled lobster. When it comes to shellfish on the grill, the Professor rewrites the textbook.
High on Hog
S2 Ep1
2.0
The professor goes whole hog with a curriculum running from Bratwurst with Grilled Bell Peppers to an 18-pound Cuban Christmas Eve Ham called lechon asado, which emerges from the grill after 8 hours of slow cooking a beautifully burnished golden brown. He also demonstrates a classic Tuscan take on one of America's favorite parts of the pig: a spit-roasted Rosemary Grilled Pork Loin.
World of Steak
S2 Ep2
2.0
The professor takes viewers on an around-the-world tour of ways to cook steak. He begins with a Cuban recipe for thin steaks grilled with adobo, a garlic-lime marinade; next, from Mexico, a fiery recipe for Steak from Hell which features a fire-roasted salsa served over a perfectly grilled T-bone. And, finally, on to Viet Nam where grilled strips of sirloin are served in with fresh herbs and a spicy sauce in lettuce bundles.
BBQ from Soup to Nuts
S2 Ep3
2.0
Ever think you could cook a dinner from soup to nuts right on the grill? Steven demonstrates a whole meal cooked right there on a pair of Weber grills. He starts with a wonderfully smoky grilled corn chowder, follows with Goat Cheese Grilled in Grape Leaves, fires up a colorful Brazilian Stuffed Rib Roast and caps it off with Coco Loco Brulee - a coconut- and rum-flavored crme brulee cooked right on the grill!
Barbecue University Episode Guide
Up in Smoke
S1 Ep1
1.5
Where there's smoke, there's fire, and where there's fire, there's BBQU®. This show focuses on the art of smoke-roasting on the grill: grilled tomato gazpacho, ember-roasted baba ganooj, home smoked salmon, and smoke-roasted pears for dessert.
Rib Fest
S1 Ep2
2.0
Steve prepares sweet and sticky Kansas City-style spare ribs, spicy Memphis dry rubbed baby back ribs and Jamaican jerk baby backs.
Much at Steak
S1 Ep3
2.0
Learn how to grill the perfect steak, from an herb-butter crowned New York strip to an authentic bistecca alla fiorenta to wine and juniper marinated, wood-grilled, fork tender fillet mignons.
Stick Food
S1 Ep4
2.0
This week, shish kebab gets a college education, with a global look at stick food. Recipes for shrimp grilled on sugar cane, Turkish shish kebab, grilled asparagus "rafts," and cinnamon grilled peaches.
Fish Meets Grill
S1 Ep5
2.0
If fish sticking to the grill sounds like a familiar problem, the Professor has the solution. Learn the ABCs of fish grilling with cedar-planked salmon, halibut in a basket, grilled tuna London broil, and a spectacular campfire style bacon grilled trout.
Meatless Grilling
S1 Ep6
2.0
In the class, the Professor takes up the topic of meatless grilling. Grilled quesadillas; grilled pizza with mozzarella and basil; balsamic grilled portobello mushrooms; and a novel finale: "glazed doughnuts" (bourbon-glazed doughnut peachesÜyou won't even miss the meat!
Birds on a Can
S1 Ep7
2.0
A serious look at the latest craze to sweep the American barbecue circuit: chickens, duck, quail, even turkey grilled upright on a can of beer or soda.
Whole Hog
S1 Ep8
2.0
In much of the U.S. barbecue means pork. The Professor goes whole hog, literally, showing you how to make Carolina-style pulled pork, mojo-marinated grilled pork tenderloin, smoky bourbon brined pork chops, and, yes, a spectacular pit roasted whole pig
Tackle the Tailgate
S1 Ep9
2.0
This show offers some new twists on American barbecue favorites, including herb-butter stuffed burgers, chili and cheese stuffed hot dogs, an eye-popping barbecued cabbage, and uptown s'mores. Tailgate picnics will never be the same!
Where's the Beef?
S1 Ep10
2.0
The Professor takes you on a world tour of beef on the grill, from English smoke roasted prime rib to Nicaraguan-style churrasco (grilled beef tenderloin) with chimichurri sauce, to French-style rib steak grilled in the fireplace, and for the finale, a smoky Texas barbecued brisket. Where's the beef? On the grill.
Healthy Grilling
S1 Ep11
2.0
High in flavor, low in fat, and mercifully short on preparation time, grilling is a great way to eat healthily, especially when the menu includes chicken yakitori, Thai grilled beef salad, grilled tuna with Greek-style zucchini, and grilled pineapple for dessert.
Fowl Play
S1 Ep12
2.0
If burnt skin and raw meat characterize your attempts to grill chicken, the Professor will set you straight. Learn how to prepare garlic lemon rotisserie chicken, spatchcock chicken with walnut dill pesto, classic American barbecued chicken, and a spectacular chicken breast under a brick.
Shellfish on the Grill
S1 Ep13
2.0
Move over shrimp on the barbie. Make way for scallops grilled on rosemary skewers, garlic grilled clams and mussels, and a spectacular whole grilled lobster. When it comes to shellfish on the grill, the Professor rewrites the textbook.
The best rated episodes of Barbecue University are:
Fire Away (Getting Started) S4E13 rated 6.0
Breast Man S4E12 rated 6.0
Fire and Water S4E1 rated 6.0
Texas and Oklahoma S3E5 rated 6.0
The Pacific Rim S3E6 rated 3.5
On the Lamb S4E11 rated 2.0
Tailgate Warriors S4E10 rated 2.0
Southwest Revisited S4E9 rated 2.0
Extreme Grilling S4E8 rated 2.0
Grilling with Wood S4E7 rated 2.0
The lowest rated episodes of Barbecue University are:
Up in Smoke S1E1 rated 1.5
Rib Fest S1E2 rated 2.0
Much at Steak S1E3 rated 2.0
Stick Food S1E4 rated 2.0
Fish Meets Grill S1E5 rated 2.0
Meatless Grilling S1E6 rated 2.0
Birds on a Can S1E7 rated 2.0
Whole Hog S1E8 rated 2.0
Tackle the Tailgate S1E9 rated 2.0
Where's the Beef? S1E10 rated 2.0
There are 52 episodes of Barbecue University.
There are 4 seasons of Barbecue University.
Yes.
Barbecue University is set to return for future episodes.