Okay, so let’s talk about this whole “quick and easy BBQ” thing. I see it everywhere, right? But usually, when I think BBQ, I think hours, smoke, planning… stuff I just don’t have time for most weekdays.
So, the other weekend, I really wanted that BBQ flavor but only had like, an hour tops before people started getting hangry. I decided to actually try and make something genuinely quick. Forget the brisket, forget the ribs. What’s actually fast?
My First Go: Simple Stuff
First thought: burgers and dogs. Classic. Can’t go wrong? Well, kinda. It’s quick, sure. You just fire up the grill, throw ’em on. Done in 15 minutes. But it didn’t quite scratch that BBQ itch, you know? It felt more like just… grilling. Not the same vibe.
Okay, Let’s Try Actual ‘Recipes’
So, I dug a bit deeper. Needed something with a bit more flavour, maybe a sauce, but still fast. Chicken seems like the obvious choice. Thighs or breasts cook fast.
Here’s what I did:
- Grabbed some boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They cook faster and stay juicier than breasts sometimes, especially on high heat.
- Skipped the long marinade. No time! Instead, I made a quick rub. Just grabbed whatever was in the cupboard: paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, maybe a little brown sugar. Really rubbed it in there.
- Fired up my gas grill. Yeah, I know charcoal is ‘king’ for some, but we’re talking SPEED here. Gas heats up in like 10 minutes. Cranked it to medium-high.
- Threw the chicken on. Watched it close. Flipped it after maybe 5-6 minutes? You get those nice grill marks.
- Now, the ‘BBQ’ part. Got my favorite store-bought BBQ sauce. Didn’t have time to make my own. During the last few minutes of cooking, I brushed that sauce on. Don’t do it too early or the sugar burns! Just a couple of coats, flipping once.
Pulled it off, let it rest for like 5 minutes (important!). Sliced it up.
The Result?
Honestly? It was pretty darn good. Was it the best slow-smoked BBQ I’ve ever had? No way. But was it quick, easy, and did it have that smoky, saucy BBQ vibe I was craving? Absolutely. Took maybe 30 minutes total, including prep and grill time. Served it with some quick corn on the cob (threw that on the grill too) and a bagged salad. Boom. Dinner.
So yeah, my takeaway is that “quick and easy BBQ” is totally doable if you manage expectations. Focus on fast-cooking meats, use a simple rub, and apply sauce near the end. Works for me when I’m short on time.