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.
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Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy
Make it at home
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
- Mix salt, pepper, paprika and garlic powder. Rub the brisket generously and refrigerate overnight.
- Heat smoker to 110C (225F) with oak or hickory wood. Place brisket fat-side up.
- Smoke 10 to 12 hours until internal temperature reads 95C (203F). Wrap in foil at the 75C mark to preserve moisture.
- While the brisket smokes, simmer soaked pinto beans with chopped onion, brown sugar, ketchup and cider vinegar until tender and saucy.
- Rest the brisket 30 minutes. Slice against the grain.
- Grill sweet corn on the cob 10 minutes, turning. Brush with butter.
- 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.
Where to eat pioneer day bbq
Pioneer Day BBQ in Salt Lake City
Pat's Barbecue ★ 4.6
Pat's Barbecue on Commonwealth Avenue, the Texas-style smokehouse founded by pitmaster Pat Barber and serving Salt Lake since 2004, serves brisket plates.
TryBrisket plate at the counter
Crown Burgers ★ 4.5
Crown Burgers on East 200 South runs until 22:00 Monday through Saturday, anchoring late-night counter service for the pastrami-burger crowd downtown.
TryPastrami burger and gyros at the late-night counter
The Park Cafe ★ 4.6
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.
OrderFrench toast with crispy hashbrowns and bacon.
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