The BEST episodes of Barbecue Showdown
Every episode of Barbecue Showdown ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Barbecue Showdown!
Follow the country’s best backyard smokers and competitive barbecuers as they compete for the title of "The American Barbecue Champion." Each episode sees the judges task the cookers with a challenge that will test their barbecue skills in ways they couldn’t possibly imagine. From unique meats to old school techniques, they will have to prove they have the skills to smoke another day.
#5 - The Trench Is Back
Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 7/4/2024
The competition heats up as the Trench returns for a twist-filled challenge celebrating flavors from around the world.
#6 - Don’t Need Teeth to Eat This Beef
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/18/2020
Time to celebrate the greatest invention in the history of food: ribs! The cooks tackle pork and beef ribs — one with a dry rub, one with a wet sauce.
#8 - Brew and 'Cue
Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 7/4/2024
Legendary pitmaster Tuffy Stone joins the judging panel as the cooks prepare beer-infused dishes that hop with flavor.
#10 - Friday Night Bites
Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 7/4/2024
Facing elimination, two pitmasters duel it out in a fiery fish cook-off. Afterward, the remaining contestants gear up to satisfy hungry tailgaters.
#13 - Barbecue Around the World
Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 9/18/2020
Ingredients and equipment from Morocco, Argentina and Japan spice things up and force the contestants to cook outside their comfort zones.
#14 - Saucy and Spicy
Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 5/26/2023
Things get spicy when the judges ask the cooks to take their pick from a pantry packed with peppers that range from friendly to face-melting.
#15 - Barbecue in the Blood
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/18/2020
The competition kicks off with a smokin' staple: the barbecue combo plate. That's two mouthwatering meats and two succulent sides.
#16 - Land, Sea & Fire
Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 5/26/2023
The pitmasters dig deep in the Trench to make a mouthwatering surf and turf menu, cooking their proteins both above and below ground.
#17 - Breakfast Showdown
Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 5/26/2023
After a dramatic campfire breakfast cook-off, the competitors roll through a new challenge: barbecuing a stuffed roast with a delicious surprise inside.
#19 - BBQ Trash or Treasure?
Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 5/26/2023
The four fire tamers still in the game get creative to cook perfectly pulled meat and sides using an array of rickety, makeshift smoker rigs.
#20 - A Festive Feast
Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 5/26/2023
The competition gets personal as the barbecuers race to make family-style holiday feasts inspired by their own most delicious traditions.
#21 - Cooking It Old School
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 9/18/2020
Working in pairs, the barbecuers prepare popular proteins from the past, cooking mutton, goat and whole salmon on wooden platforms and over open pits.
#22 - The Fire Within
Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 5/26/2023
The contestants craft signature barbecue plates to show what they can make over an open flame, including one dish cooked al fresco in the all-new Trench.
#24 - Brisket Battle
Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 7/4/2024
In their toughest challenge to date, the final four attempt to out-smoke their fellow competitors in an epic beef brisket showdown.