With July 4th and summer celebrations underway, it’s the perfect time to embrace the art of barbecue. While grilling remains the most common method, many global BBQ techniques offer new and exciting ways to cook and enjoy your favorite meats. From smoky slow-cooked dishes to sizzling roasts over an open flame, here are some flavorful BBQ methods from around the globe you should try this summer.

1. Smoking (Low and Slow Cooking)

Where It’s Popular: Southern USA, Argentina
How It Works:
Smoking is the ultimate low and slow cooking technique, ideal for tough cuts of meat like brisket or pork shoulder. Using wood chips or chunks (such as hickory or oak), meat is cooked over indirect heat for several hours. The result is deeply flavorful, tender meat with a smoky profile.
Why Try It:
The slow-smoking process infuses meat with rich, aromatic flavors, and it’s perfect for summer cookouts. Try smoking brisket or pulled pork for a classic American BBQ experience. In Argentina, Asado uses similar slow-cooking techniques, where meat is cooked over an open flame, often using wood for flavor.

2. Asado (Argentina)

Where It’s Popular: Argentina
How It Works:
Asado is a traditional Argentine BBQ method that typically involves cooking large cuts of beef over an open flame or on a parrilla (grill). The meat is seasoned simply with salt, allowing the natural flavors of the beef to shine through. Sometimes, chimichurri sauce is added as a tangy, herby accompaniment.
Why Try It:
If you’re craving juicy, flavorful steaks, try Asado this summer. It’s a celebration of beef with simple seasoning and slow-cooked perfection, making it a must-try for meat lovers.

3. Gogi-Gui (Korea)

Where It’s Popular: South Korea
How It Works:
In Korea, Gogi-gui refers to Korean BBQ, where diners grill their own meats at the table. Thinly sliced cuts of beef, pork, or chicken are grilled on a tabletop grill, often accompanied by an array of side dishes like kimchi, pickled vegetables, and rice.
Why Try It:
This method is highly interactive and great for gatherings. It’s fun and social, allowing everyone to enjoy the process of grilling and tasting different meats with tasty sides.

4. Churrasco (Brazil)

Where It’s Popular: Brazil
How It Works:
Churrasco involves cooking large cuts of meat (often beef, chicken, and sausages) on skewers over an open flame. In Brazil, Rodízio-style BBQ is popular, where the meats are continuously brought to the table, and guests can enjoy endless servings until they are full.
Why Try It:
If you love variety, Churrasco is an excellent method. The continuous flow of freshly grilled meats makes for a festive BBQ experience that you won’t forget.

5. Hāngi (New Zealand)

Where It’s Popular: New Zealand
How It Works:
Hāngi is a traditional Māori BBQ technique where food, including meat (usually lamb or chicken) and vegetables, is wrapped in leaves and placed in an underground pit. Hot stones are placed over the food, and the pit is covered with earth to trap heat and steam. The result is tender, smoky food with an earthy flavor.
Why Try It:
For an authentic cultural experience, try Hāngi this summer. It’s a unique BBQ method that brings out the flavors of the ingredients in a way that’s impossible with other techniques.

6. Spit Roasting (Middle East)

Where It’s Popular: Lebanon, Turkey, Greece
How It Works:
Spit roasting involves skewering whole animals or large cuts of meat on a rotating spit, cooking it over an open flame. In the Middle East, shawarma is a popular dish where marinated meat (often lamb or chicken) is roasted slowly on a vertical spit and shaved off as it cooks.
Why Try It:
Spit roasting is perfect for special occasions or large gatherings, where you can impress guests with a whole roasted lamb or chicken. The slow, even cooking creates incredibly tender and flavorful meat.

7. Kalua Pig (Hawaii)

Where It’s Popular: Hawaii
How It Works:
Kalua pig is a traditional Hawaiian BBQ dish that involves cooking a whole pig in an underground oven called an imu. The pig is seasoned with sea salt and wrapped in banana leaves before being lowered into the pit and slow-cooked for several hours.
Why Try It:
If you want to experience true Hawaiian BBQ, Kalua pig is a must-try. The slow-cooking process results in tender, smoky pork that’s perfect for summer luau parties or backyard gatherings.

8. Braai (South Africa)

Where It’s Popular: South Africa
How It Works:
Braai is the South African version of BBQ, where meat is cooked over charcoal or wood on an open flame. It’s often a social activity, with meats like boerewors (sausage), steak, and chicken served with various sides such as pap (cornmeal porridge) and chakalaka (spicy vegetable relish).
Why Try It:
If you’re looking for an authentic and fun summer BBQ, Braai offers an exciting way to enjoy smoky, grilled meats with plenty of bold flavors and spices.

This summer, why not take your BBQ game global? From smoking in the Southern USA to spit roasting in the Middle East, each of these techniques offers a unique way to enjoy meats and vegetables over an open flame or low, slow heat. Whether you’re gathering with friends or looking for something new, global BBQ methods offer endless opportunities for delicious meals that celebrate flavor, culture, and the art of cooking outdoors. Try these methods and let your BBQs reflect a world of tastes!