Autumn BBQ
Autumn is the best season for BBQ — the summer rush is over, temperatures are pleasant for the griller, and flavors can be deeper and richer. Pulled pork, slow-cooked spareribs, and smoky chicken fit perfectly with the atmosphere of falling leaves and steaming coffee next to the grill.
Below you will find everything 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 make way for something more intense that suits the season.
Memphis BBQ: sweet-smoky and deep — the ultimate autumn rub for pulled pork, spareribs, and chicken thighs that slow-cook for hours. Jamaican Jerk: allspice, cinnamon, and clove — spices that align seamlessly with autumn cooking, 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 those who love 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 spareribs. Fire up the grill early and let it do its work.
The autumn BBQ menu
A menu that makes the most of the autumn season — from slow main courses to fast, warm side dishes.
Main course — Pulled pork with Memphis BBQ: 8-10 hours at 110°C, up to 93°C core 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 core 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 flavor. Side dish — Grilled chestnuts: directly on the grate, 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. Allow for 15-20% longer cooking times for indirect cooking. Use your meat thermometer — instinct is less reliable in the cold than in the summer.
Best rubs for chicken in the autumn
Chicken is the most versatile grilling 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 provide a warmth that perfectly matches the season. Indirectly for 25 minutes at 180°C. Memphis BBQ on whole chicken: sweet-smoky — ideal if you want to serve the 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 comprehensive guide.
- → Best Rubs for Chicken Our top 3 — also perfect for autumn dishes
- → Comparing BBQ Rubs Memphis vs. Tex-Mex vs. Carolina Gold
- → Product Knowledge All ingredients and techniques explained
Ready for the autumn season on the grill?
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