Empire Smoke: 10 New York–Style BBQ Recipes

People often wonder what a New York-style BBQ is, this article should explain it subtly.

Many associate BBQ with the South, but New York has its own game. New York-style BBQ has been quietly making waves, and the flavors are bold, smoky, and unapologetically urban. From the Bronx to Brooklyn, the Empire State has taken the humble grill and turned it into an art form.

As a pitmaster, I can tell you: the magic happens when smoke, spice, and a little New York attitude collide.

In this guide, we’re diving into 10 New York-style BBQ recipes that will make your backyard smell like a Manhattan smokehouse and your guests wonder if you’ve secretly opened a side gig at Smorgasburg.

Ready? Let’s fire it up.

1. Classic New York Smoked Brisket

Few things scream NYC BBQ mastery like a perfectly smoked brisket.

The trick? Patience.

This isn’t a “throw it on the grill and hope for the best” kind of deal.

• Flavor profile: Deeply smoky, juicy, with a peppery bark that could make a steakhouse jealous.
• Pro tip: Slice against the grain for melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Pitmaster anecdote: I once smoked a brisket for 16 hours straight, and the neighbors were convinced I’d started a micro-smokehouse in my backyard.

This is the dish that earns respect from both carnivores and BBQ newbies.

DIY recipe

Ingredients:

• 5 lb beef brisket
• 2 tbsp kosher salt
• 2 tbsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• Wood chips (hickory or oak)

Instructions:

1. Trim excess fat and rub the brisket with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic.
2. Preheat smoker to 225°F (107°C) and add wood chips.
3. Smoke brisket for 10–12 hours until internal temp hits 195°F (90°C).
4. Rest for 30 minutes, then slice against the grain.

Tip: Serve with mustard slaw for that authentic NYC touch.

2. Manhattan Smokehouse Ribs

If brisket is the city’s elegant skyline, these ribs are the neon lights – fun, flashy, and unforgettable.

• Flavor profile: Sweet, tangy, with a subtle smoky undertone.
• Cooking tip: Low and slow wins the race; wrap them in foil halfway through to lock in juice.
• Fun fact: In Manhattan, we don’t just grill ribs – we turn them into theater. Watch your guests’ eyes light up when you pull these beauties off the smoker.

DIY recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 racks pork ribs
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp cayenne
• ½ cup BBQ sauce

Instructions:

1. Rub ribs with brown sugar, paprika, cayenne, and salt.
2. Smoke at 225°F (107°C) for 4 hours.
3. Wrap in foil for another 2 hours to lock in moisture.
4. Brush with BBQ sauce and broil for 5 minutes for a caramelized finish.

3. Brooklyn Bourbon BBQ Chicken

When life gives Brooklyn its signature craft bourbon, you make chicken that’s more than dinner – it’s a story on a plate.

• Flavor profile: Sweet bourbon glaze with a smoky char.
• Insider tip: Baste frequently for caramelized magic.
• Punchline: If your neighbors don’t peek over the fence asking for a bite, are you even BBQing right?

DIY recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in chicken thighs
• ½ cup bourbon
• ½ cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp smoked paprika

Instructions:

1. Mix bourbon, ketchup, sugar, and paprika for the glaze.
2. Marinate chicken for 2 hours.
3. Smoke or grill chicken at 375°F (190°C) for 30–40 minutes, basting with glaze.

Tip: Let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving for juicy perfection.

4. Queens Spicy Sausage Skewers

Queens brings the heat with these spicy sausage skewers. They’re quick, playful, and perfect for feeding a crowd.

• Flavor profile: Smoky sausage with a fiery New York kick.
• Pro tip: Pair with a cool cucumber salad to balance the heat.
• Anecdote: At a block party in Queens, these skewers disappeared before I could even snap a photo. True story.

DIY recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 lb spicy Italian sausages, cut into chunks
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped

Instructions:

1. Thread sausage and veggies onto skewers.
2. Smoke or grill at medium heat for 15–20 minutes until sausage is fully cooked.
3. Serve with a squeeze of lemon or your favorite dipping sauce.

5. Harlem Honey-Smoked Salmon

Yes, NYC smokes fish too – and Harlem’s take on honey-smoked salmon is worth writing home about.

• Flavor profile: Sweet, smoky, and perfectly moist.
• Expert tip: Use alder or applewood chips for authentic smoke flavor.
• Fun note: This isn’t your average salmon. It has the swagger of a jazz club at midnight.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb salmon fillet
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Wood chips (apple or alder)

Instructions:

1. Mix honey, soy sauce, and paprika. Brush onto salmon.
2. Smoke salmon at 225°F (107°C) for 1–1.5 hours until flaky.
3. Serve warm or cold with fresh herbs.

6. Bronx BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich

Nothing says comfort like slow-cooked pork shoulder, shredded to perfection and stacked high on a bun.

• Flavor profile: Tangy, smoky, with a slaw crunch that keeps it interesting.
•  Pitmaster trick: Marinate overnight; it’s worth the wait.
• Punchline: Make two sandwiches per person. Trust me.

DIY recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 lb pork shoulder
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 cup apple cider vinegar
• Soft sandwich buns

Instructions:

1. Rub pork shoulder with sugar and paprika.
2. Smoke at 225°F (107°C) for 8–10 hours until tender.
3. Shred pork, mix with apple cider vinegar, and serve on buns with slaw.

7. Staten Island Smoked Sausage Mac & Cheese

Take your classic mac & cheese, add smoky sausages, and suddenly it’s a blockbuster hit.

• Flavor profile: Creamy, cheesy, smoky, with a playful kick.
• Pro tip: Broil for a crispy top that’s Instagram-ready.
• Fun fact: It’s the only mac & cheese I know that makes adults ask for seconds without guilt.

DIY recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 lb elbow macaroni
• 2 cups shredded cheddar
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup smoked sausage, diced
• 1 tbsp butter

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni al dente.
2. Melt butter, add milk and cheese, stir until creamy.
3. Fold in sausage and broil for 5 minutes for a golden top.

8. Empire State BBQ Veggie Platter

New York-style BBQ isn’t just for meat lovers. These smoked seasonal vegetables shine on their own.

• Flavor profile: Charred, smoky, vibrant, and fresh.
• Cooking tip: Brush with garlic butter before smoking to make the flavors pop.
• Punchline: Even the neighborhood carnivore will go back for seconds.

DIY recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup mushrooms
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper 

Instructions:

1. Toss vegetables with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
2. Smoke at 225°F (107°C) for 45 minutes until tender and smoky.
3. Serve with garlic butter drizzle.

9. NY Smokehouse Beef Short Ribs

Short ribs are a weekend feast in New York-style BBQ. Rich, smoky, and indulgent.

• Flavor profile: Deep, savory, with a caramelized crust that hugs every bite.
• Expert tip: Marinate overnight and cook low for hours; the patience pays off.
• Anecdote: One bite, and even my most skeptical cousin swore off chain restaurants forever.

DIY recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 beef short ribs
• 2 tbsp kosher salt
• 2 tbsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 cup beef stock

Instructions:

1. Rub ribs with salt, pepper, and brown sugar.
2. Smoke at 225°F (107°C) for 5–6 hours.
3. Baste with beef stock during cooking to keep moist.
4. Serve hot with smoked sauce.

10. Times Square Smoked Wings

End on a high note: these wings are crispy, smoky, and perfectly spiced.

• Flavor profile: Bold spice blend with that signature NYC smokiness.
• Pro tip: Serve with blue cheese dip or hot sauce for the full experience.
• Punchline: Forget Times Square – these wings are the real spectacle.

DIY recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 lb chicken wings
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp cayenne
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Toss wings with olive oil, paprika, cayenne, and salt.
2. Smoke at 250°F (120°C) for 1–1.5 hours until crispy on the outside.
3. Serve with blue cheese dip or hot sauce.

Experience the Taste of New York-Style BBQ at Home

New York-style BBQ is more than just smoke and meat – it’s a blend of flavor, creativity, and a dash of city swagger.

From brisket to smoked salmon, ribs to veggie platters, these 10 Empire Smoke recipes give you a taste of the Big Apple right in your backyard.

So grab your smoker, fire it up, and let the smoke do the talking. If the neighbors start knocking, don’t worry – you just created a New York-style culinary event.

Featured image credit: @theavenuesurfers