History

Pioneer Day is Utah's official state holiday since 1849, commemorating Brigham Young and the first Latter-day Saint pioneers arriving in Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847. The day's BBQ tradition emerged from community feeding at parades, rodeos and church-yard gatherings, blending traditional American summer BBQ with Mormon community-meal traditions. The Days of '47 Parade is the largest in the state; Pat's Barbecue and Crown Burgers cater Pioneer Day events citywide.

Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy

Make it at home

Yield Serves 12Hands-on 45 minTotal 12 hrDifficulty Advanced

Ingredients

  • 5kg whole beef brisket
  • 60g coarse salt
  • 30g black pepper
  • 30g paprika
  • 15g garlic powder
  • 2kg pinto beans, soaked overnight
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 200g brown sugar
  • 300ml ketchup
  • 100ml apple cider vinegar
  • Watermelon, sliced
  • Sweet corn on the cob

Method

  1. Mix salt, pepper, paprika and garlic powder. Rub the brisket generously and refrigerate overnight.
  2. Heat smoker to 110C (225F) with oak or hickory wood. Place brisket fat-side up.
  3. Smoke 10 to 12 hours until internal temperature reads 95C (203F). Wrap in foil at the 75C mark to preserve moisture.
  4. While the brisket smokes, simmer soaked pinto beans with chopped onion, brown sugar, ketchup and cider vinegar until tender and saucy.
  5. Rest the brisket 30 minutes. Slice against the grain.
  6. Grill sweet corn on the cob 10 minutes, turning. Brush with butter.
  7. Serve brisket, beans, corn and watermelon at a community table with fry sauce, BBQ sauce and Utah scones.

Tip from the editors. Low and slow is the brisket gospel; resist the urge to crank heat. The bark forms over 8+ hours of smoke. Pioneer Day beans should be sweet but not cloying; balance brown sugar with cider vinegar.

This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.

Where to eat pioneer day bbq

Pioneer Day BBQ in Salt Lake City

Pat's Barbecue ★ 4.6

granary-districtMon-Sat 10:30-21:00; closed Sun

Pat's Barbecue on Commonwealth Avenue, the Texas-style smokehouse founded by pitmaster Pat Barber and serving Salt Lake since 2004, serves brisket plates for $13 to $18 at the order counter.

Try: Brisket plate at the counter

155 W Commonwealth Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84115

Crown Burgers ★ 4.5

downtownMon-Sat 10:00-21:00; closed SunUntil Mon-Sat 10:00-22:00; Sun 11:00-21:00

Crown Burgers on East 200 South runs until 22:00 Monday through Saturday, anchoring late-night counter service for the pastrami-burger crowd downtown.

Try: Pastrami burger and gyros at the late-night counter

377 E 200 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

The Park Cafe ★ 4.5

Classic American diner breakfast$12-20liberty-parkDaily 7:00-15:00Walk-in

The Park Cafe on East 1300 South next to Liberty Park, the Liberty Wells classic diner since 1982, runs huge American breakfast portions in a chalkboard room.

Order: French toast with crispy hashbrowns and bacon.

604 E 1300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84105

More cities are in research. Want pioneer day bbq covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.

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