7 Ways to Step Up Your Grilling Game

New Year, New BBQ Goals: 7 Ways to Step Up Your Grilling Game

The calendar flips, the temperatures start to shift, and suddenly you are thinking about new year BBQ goals instead of office resolutions. Good. Because while the gym will be packed for a few weeks, your grill is always open—and with a little guidance, you can turn 2026 into the year your backyard cooks stop being “hit or miss” and start being “you made this?” Big Poppa Smokers is here to help you build real skills, sharpen your flavor game, and enjoy every cook along the way.

This guide is part of the Big Poppa Smokers BBQ Funadmentals Hub, where we break down techniques, tools, and rubs so any backyard cook can think like a pitmaster—without losing the fun. Let us walk through seven practical ways to step up your grilling game this year, plus links to recipes, videos, and community support whenever you are ready for your next level.

1. Lock In Your Heat: Master Temperature Control First

If you want your new year BBQ goals to actually stick, start with the unglamorous hero of great cooking: temperature control. Fancy rubs and shiny grills are nice, but if your heat is out of control, your food will be too.

Why Temperature Control Comes Before Everything Else

Every grill and smoker has a personality. It has hot spots, cooler zones, and a way it responds to vents and lid position. When you understand that personality, you can cook anything with confidence—chicken thighs, pork shoulder, ribs, even delicate fish—because you are driving the cook, not reacting to it.

Good temperature control means:

• Fewer dried-out chicken breasts and burnt burgers
• More juicy, evenly cooked ribs, pork butts, and steaks
• Less stress and guesswork during long cooks

How to Practice Temperature Control

• Set up two zones. On a gas or charcoal grill, keep one side hot for searing and one side cooler for gentle cooking.
• Use a reliable thermometer. A good instant-read plus a leave-in probe lets you cook to internal temperature instead of hoping the timing works out.
• Take notes. Start a simple cook log: what you cooked, grill temperature, vent position, weather, and how it turned out.
• Practice on forgiving cuts. Chicken thighs, pork butt, and ribs are great teachers because they are more tolerant of small mistakes.

For a deeper dive into heat management and when to choose grilling vs. smoking, start with these BBQ Basics resources:

• How to Decide on the Right Cooking Method
• Ultimate Guide to Reverse Searing on a Pellet or Drum Smoker

2. Upgrade Your Flavor Playbook with Smarter Rub Choices

Once your heat is under control, it is time to talk flavor. One of the best new year BBQ goals you can set is this: stop guessing on seasoning and start using rubs with intention. That means choosing blends that fit the protein, your taste, and the style of BBQ you want to serve.

Build a Core Lineup of Rubs

Instead of buying a random rub every time you see a cool label, build a small starting lineup that you actually learn how to use:

• Money – A balanced all-purpose BBQ rub that works on pork, chicken, and even veggies.
• Sweet Money – Similar profile with a touch more sweetness, perfect for ribs and pork butts.
• Little Louie’s Garlic Salt – Your foundational salt-and-garlic base for everything from steaks to potatoes.

You can find them all in the Big Poppa Smokers rub collection, alongside competition-level blends if your new year BBQ goals include competing or just out-cooking your neighbors.

Match Rubs to Your Meat

When you are ready to get more precise, use our protein-focused guides:

• Best BBQ Rubs for Pork
• Best BBQ Rubs for Chicken
• Best BBQ Rubs for Beef

For inspiration on using rubs outside of meat, check out: How to Use BBQ Rubs Beyond Meat: Vegetables, Popcorn, Fries & More.

3. Make a Real Game Plan for Your Cooks

“We are eating at six” is not a plan. It is a wish. One of the most realistic new year BBQ goals is to start treating every cook like a mini project: a bit of planning up front, so you can relax once the fire is lit.

Why Planning Changes Your Results

When you plan your cook, you stop rushing, guessing, and opening the lid every two minutes. You know:

• When to start thawing
• When to season
• What temperature you are targeting
• How long the cook should roughly take
• How much resting time you need before slicing

That kind of structure turns “I hope this works” into “this is under control.”

How to Build a Simple BBQ Game Plan

• Start with your eating time. Work backward from when you want to serve.
• Add in cook time plus a buffer. If the recipe says 8 hours, plan for 9–10.
• Include seasoning and preheat time. Budget at least 30–60 minutes before the meat hits the grate.
• Protect the rest. Brisket, pork butt, and large roasts all improve after a good rest in a dry cooler or warm oven.

Want examples of complete cook timelines? Start with:

• How to Cook Low & Slow BBQ
• How to Smoke a Turkey Like a Pitmaster

4. Invest in a Few High-Impact Tools (Not a Garage Full)

It is easy to turn your new year BBQ goals into an excuse to buy every gadget in sight. You do not need a store’s worth of gear. You just need a few high-impact tools that make cooking safer, smarter, and more consistent.

Backyard Essentials Worth Owning

• Quality thermometer. Instant-read plus leave-in probe—so you know exactly when your meat is done.
• Heat-safe gloves. Cotton liners with neoprene gloves for handling hot grates, pans, and wrapped meat.
• Good tongs and spatulas. A sturdy turner and long tongs give you control without singed arm hair.
• Foil pans, butcher paper, and spritz bottles. Simple but powerful tools for managing moisture, bark, and clean-up.
• A proven smoker or grill. If you are ready to upgrade, a well-designed drum smoker or pellet grill can make long cooks far less stressful.

Explore accessories and tools that match your style of cooking in the Big Poppa Smokers accessories collection.

When to Think About a New Cooker

If your current grill fights you on temperature, has major hot spots, or just cannot handle the cooks you want to do (like brisket or full packer ribs), it might be time to upgrade. Look for something that:

• Holds temperature steadily
• Is the right size for how many people you cook for
• Fits the fuel and flavor profile you enjoy (charcoal, wood, pellets)

You can compare options and get ideas in our broader BBQ Basics blog hub.

5. Learn One New Technique Every Month

“Get better at BBQ” is too vague. “Learn one new technique each month” is a practical new year BBQ goal you can actually hit. By the end of the year, you will have 12 more skills than you started with—and that shows up on the plate.

Monthly Technique Ideas

Here is a sample roadmap:

• January – Reverse sear ribeyes
• February – Hot & fast baby back ribs
• March – Spatchcocked whole chicken
• April – Pork butt for pulled pork
• May – Grilled fish without sticking
• June – Smash burgers on a griddle
• July – Competition-style chicken thighs
• August – Foil pack vegetables on the grill
• September – Grilled fall vegetables
• October – Backyard brisket
• November – Smoked turkey for the holidays
• December – Leftover BBQ reheat and repurpose techniques

Where to Learn Each Technique

Use the combination of written guides, recipes, and videos Big Poppa Smokers has already built for you:

• Poppa’s Corner recipe library for step-by-step cooks
• Big Poppa Smokers YouTube channel for visual walkthroughs
• Camping BBQ Tips: How to Cook Like a Pitmaster in the Wild for portable, foil-pack, and travel-friendly ideas

6. Put Vegetables and Sides on Your BBQ Goals List

Meat may get the spotlight, but vegetables and sides are where your skill really shows. Another smart new year BBQ goal: commit to grilling more vegetables and dialing in a few go-to sides that always impress.

Why Vegetables Make You a Better Cook

Vegetables respond quickly to heat. That means:

• You get instant feedback on temperature control
• You learn how to balance caramelization without burning
• You can practice seasoning and timing without a 10-hour cook

Vegetables and Sides to Practice

• Brussels sprouts tossed with olive oil and Big Poppa’s Jalapeño Lime
• Asparagus with Little Louie’s and lemon
• Grilled corn finished with melted butter and a sprinkle of Sweet Money
• Mixed peppers and onions for fajitas or sandwiches
• Cauliflower “steaks” rubbed with Desert Gold

For more seasonal ideas, bookmark: How to Grill Fall Vegetables.

7. Plug into a BBQ Community So You Are Never Stuck

The best insurance policy for your new year BBQ goals is this: do not try to figure everything out alone. Questions will come up. Cooks will go sideways. Having a community to lean on keeps you moving forward instead of giving up.

Your Big Poppa Smokers Support System

• Poppa’s Corner. Our home base for recipes, guides, and tips: explore Poppa’s Corner.
• YouTube Channel. See the techniques in action with full cooks and how-tos: Big Poppa Smokers on YouTube.
• Skool Community. Join our online BBQ community focused on learning, sharing, and leveling up your cooks: join the BPS Skool community.
• BBQ Basics Hub. When you need a deeper dive into technique, tools, or planning: visit the BBQ Basics Hub.

Ready to Make Your New Year BBQ Goals Happen?

Your grill does not care what the calendar says—but your confidence will. Set realistic new year BBQ goals, focus on building real skills instead of chasing trends, and use the resources Big Poppa Smokers has already lined up for you. Temperature control, smart rub choices, simple planning, a few key tools, monthly techniques, better veggies, and a supportive community—that is a winning playbook.

When you are ready for the next step:

• Stock up on proven rubs in the Big Poppa Smokers rubs hub
• Explore sauces and glazes in the BBQ sauces hub
• Find your next cook in Poppa’s Corner recipe hub
• Browse more how-to content in the BBQ Basics blog hub
• Watch step-by-step cooks on the Big Poppa Smokers YouTube channel

Frequently Asked Questions: New Year BBQ Goals

1. What are the best new year BBQ goals for a beginner?

Start with three simple goals: learn to control your grill temperature, pick one or two reliable rubs, and plan your cooks instead of rushing them. Those three steps alone will noticeably improve your BBQ, even before you touch advanced techniques.

2. How can I stay consistent with my new year BBQ goals all year?

Keep your goals specific and trackable. For example: cook once a week, learn one new technique each month, and document each cook in a notebook or app. Use the BBQ Basics Hub, Poppa’s Corner, and the BPS YouTube channel as your curriculum so you always know what to try next.

3. Which rubs should I buy first if I am just getting started?

A great starter lineup includes Money, Sweet Money, and Little Louie’s Garlic Salt. Together, they cover chicken, pork, beef, vegetables, and more. As you get comfortable, you can branch into more specialized blends based on the flavor profiles you like best.

4. Do I need a new smoker to reach my new year BBQ goals?

Not necessarily. Many cooks see huge improvements just by learning temperature control and seasoning correctly on the grill they already own. If your cooker is unreliable, impossible to control, or too small for what you want to cook, then upgrading to a well-designed smoker or drum can absolutely help—but it is not step one.

5. Where can I find step-by-step recipes to support my new year BBQ goals?

Start with Poppa’s Corner for written recipes and tips, then pair those with videos from the Big Poppa Smokers YouTube channel. When you have questions or want feedback, jump into the BPS Skool community to connect with other cooks working on similar goals.

About Big Poppa Smokers

Big Poppa Smokers has spent more than 15 years helping backyard cooks and competition teams serve BBQ they are proud of. From award-winning rubs and sauces to proven drum smokers and accessories, BPS is built by pitmasters who actually cook—and win—with the products they sell.

Learn more about our story on the About Big Poppa Smokers page, or start shopping our full lineup of rubs, sauces, and gear in the Big Poppa Smokers shop.