Autumn BBQ
Autumn is the best season for BBQ — the summer rush is over, temperatures are pleasant for grilling, and flavors can become deeper and richer. Pulled pork, slow-cooked spare ribs, and smoky chicken perfectly match the ambiance of falling leaves and steaming coffee next to the grill.
Below you'll find everything you need for a successful autumn BBQ: the best rubs for the season, an autumn menu with slow and fast dishes, tips for grilling in cooler weather, and how to choose the right rub for your favorite meat.
Autumn flavors — deeper, richer, smokier
Autumn calls for flavors with depth — warm, spicy, and smoky. Fresh summer flavors give way to something more intense that suits the season.
Memphis BBQ: sweet-smoky and deep — the ultimate autumn rub for pulled pork, spare ribs, and chicken thighs that slow-cook for hours. Jamaican Jerk: allspice, cinnamon, and cloves — spices that seamlessly fit with autumn cuisine, excellent on chicken or pork. Shawarma: warm and aromatic — ideal on grilled root vegetables, pumpkin, or lamb as autumn side dishes. Korean: umami and intense — perfect on thin ribeye strips or chicken wings for lovers of unique autumn flavors.
The longer days are over, but that doesn't matter — in autumn, you have all the time for an 8-hour pulled pork or 6-hour spare ribs. Start the grill early and let it do its job.
The autumn BBQ menu
A menu that makes the most of the autumn season — from slow main courses to quick, warm side dishes.
Main course — Pulled pork with Memphis BBQ: 8-10 hours at 110°C, up to 93°C internal temperature — the quintessential autumn dish. Start early in the morning. Alternative — Chicken with Jamaican Jerk: whole chicken indirectly at 180°C, 1.5 hours until 75°C internal temperature — aromatic and fast enough for a weekday autumn evening. Side dish — Grilled autumn vegetables: pumpkin, parsnip, and beetroot with Shawarma, 25 minutes indirectly — festive in color and taste. Side dish — Grilled chestnuts: directly on the grates, 10 minutes, with a pinch of Memphis BBQ — the autumn snack next to the grill. Dessert — Grilled pear: halved, 8 minutes on the grill, with mascarpone and honey — simple and seasonal.
Autumn means cooler temperatures. Expect 15-20% longer cooking times for indirect grilling. Use your meat thermometer — relying on feel is less reliable in the cold than in summer.
Best rubs for chicken in autumn
Chicken is the most versatile grilled meat of autumn — fast, affordable, and it absorbs spices better than any other meat. The right rub makes all the difference.
Jamaican Jerk on chicken thighs: the autumn classic — allspice and cinnamon give a warmth that perfectly matches the season. Indirectly 25 minutes at 180°C. Memphis BBQ on whole chicken: sweet-smoky — ideal if you want to serve chicken as the centerpiece of your autumn dinner. Shawarma on chicken breast: warm and aromatic — beautiful in combination with grilled autumn vegetables as a side dish. Want to know more about the best rubs for chicken? Read the detailed guide.
Autumn calls for deeper flavors — discover which rub suits you
The 3-Evenings Pack gives you 3 sachets of 50g of your choice — ideal for trying three warm, smoky flavors in the autumn season. Or choose the Starter Pack with 3 sachets of 100g for the entire autumn.
- → Best Rubs for Chicken Our top 3 — also perfect for autumn dishes
- → Compare BBQ Rubs Memphis vs. Tex-Mex vs. Carolina Gold
- → Product Knowledge All ingredients and techniques explained
Ready for the autumn season on the grill?
Freshly mixed rubs, delivered free by DHL throughout Amsterdam.
Starter Pack · 3 flavorsAll-in Pack · All 6