Your Barbecue Just Got Better: 7 Recipes for an Epic Summer Feast
Serving up classic barbecue and seasonal produce with a side of coastal vibes, a California smokehouse gives low and slow a whole new meaning.
Thomas J. Story
A massive smoker sits on the back porch of a little red homestead cabin at the base of the hill that’s home to the Alila Ventana Big Sur. Oak smoke perfumes the air, rays of sun cutting through it at dramatic angles as hawks whirl overhead. Folks sit on the porch soaking in the Big Sur vibes, tucking into plates of tender brisket and collard greens, fueling up as they make their way along this iconic stretch of the California coast.
This is Big Sur Smokehouse, just the kind of picture-perfect spot you’d want to while away a leisurely lunch in this part of California where time stands still.
When it opened in 2019, Big Sur Smokehouse was big news. Alila Ventana painstakingly restored the 1887 cabin, installed an open kitchen, and developed a menu that paid homage to both ‘cue and the coast. Not only did it mark the restoration of the cabin, but it was the first time real old-school low and slow barbecue would be served regularly in this hamlet where new restaurants don’t open very often. Yes, you can get pulled pork, tri-tip, and brisket influenced by the great barbecue traditions of Texas, the Carolinas, and Kansas City, but this is boho hippie luxe California after all, so peak-season produce appears on the menu, too, in a little gem salad topped with green goddess dressing and soup made with kabocha squash.
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On a recent trip to Big Sur, we had the pleasure of sitting on the porch, ordering up trays of barbecue and savoring the intersection of smoke and the sea. We brought back a few of the recipes that are the essence of summer and elemental in their simplicity.
Big Sur Smokehouse Brisket
Smoking brisket is an art that requires patience and repetition to perfect. Keeping your temperature stable in an offset smoker or a charcoal grill loaded with wood chunks requires constant babysitting that can stretch from sunrise to sunset. For some people, that’s heaven. But if that’s not your idea of a good time, there are any number of excellent pellet smokers on the market that will allow you to dial in your temperature and maintain it at a steady slow and low without as much effort. There are other smoked brisket “hacks” out there, but this recipe is a minimalist version that succeeds on the quality of the meat and the smoker—and the patience of the cook. At Big Sur Smokehouse they use oak wood, but feel free to use whatever suits your taste.
Classic Collard Greens
Bacon and chicken stock add richness to these collard greens, while apple cider vinegar balances it all out.
Green Salad with Manchego
Because sometimes you want something fresh to balance out all the deep and savory flavors of the barbecue. Serve as a side, or include the grilled chicken and make it a meal.
Potato Salad
The minimalist addition of locally grown fresh thyme and rosemary give this variation on a classic a subtle upgrade that makes all the difference.
Barbecue Spice Mix
Make a big batch of Big Sur Smokehouse’s signature rub and apply it liberally on any protein you grill or roast all summer long.
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