French BBQ Culture: Méchoui, Entrecôte and Grillades du Sud | The Rub Kitchen

In Provence, village festivals have featured a whole lamb turning over a wood fire for centuries, for hours on end, until the meat falls off the bone. This is méchoui, one of the most famous forms of French BBQ culture. Where Americans rely on dry rubs and Asian countries on bold marinades, France often opts for a more subtle approach: herb butter, fresh herbs, and quality meat that speaks for itself.

What is méchoui and how is it made?

Méchoui is a North African-French tradition in which a whole lamb or sheep is slow-cooked on a spit over charcoal or wood. The meat is regularly basted with a mixture of olive oil, garlic, and herbs, so that the outside becomes crispy while the inside remains tender. In the South of France, it is a staple of large parties and weddings.

Why do the French use herb butter instead of a dry rub?

French cuisine has traditionally emphasized butter and fresh herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf, known as herbes de Provence. Instead of a dry spice blend for preparation, meat is often basted during grilling with herb butter (beurre maître d'hôtel). This provides a creamy, herbaceous layer without overpowering the flavor of the meat, unlike a more heavily spiced rub.

Which types of meat do the French grill most often?

Entrecôte and côte de boeuf are central to French grill culture, often simply seasoned with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs, and served with a classic sauce like béarnaise. Merguez sausages and lamb chops are also staples at the grillades du sud, the summer grill parties in the South of France.

Frequently asked questions about French BBQ

Is méchoui the same as a regular spit-roast BBQ? Méchoui is distinguished by the long cooking time and the traditional spice blend, often with North African influences such as cumin and coriander.

Which wine pairs with a French grill evening? A robust red Côtes du Rhône or a cool rosé from Provence is traditionally served with grilled lamb and beef.

Do you want to combine the French approach with one of our own rubs? Then check out our BBQ cultures of the world for more international grilling traditions.