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Holiday Sweet Heat BBQ Chicken Wings That Impress

Looking for a holiday BBQ recipe that impresses? This crowd-pleasing BBQ dish is perfect for Christmas, New Year’s, and winter gatherings. From sweet heat BBQ chicken wings to juicy glazed meats, these holiday BBQ ideas bring bold flavor to every celebration.
 
Save this for your holiday menu inspiration

When the holidays roll around, everyone expects ham, turkey, or roast beef—but holiday BBQ chicken wings are the unexpected showstopper that steals the table. These Sweet Heat BBQ wings are sticky, bold, and full of flavor, making them perfect for holiday parties, family gatherings, and game-day celebrations.

Made with Pop’s BBQ Pit Sweet Heat BBQ Sauce, this recipe delivers the perfect balance of sweetness and heat, with a glossy glaze that looks just as good as it tastes.

Why These Holiday BBQ Wings Work

  • ✔ Perfect for holiday parties & potlucks

  • ✔ Sweet, spicy, and crowd-pleasing

  • ✔ Oven-baked or grilled

  • ✔ Easy to prep ahead

  • ✔ Great alternative to traditional holiday mains

Ingredients

  • 2½–3 lbs chicken wings (split, tips removed)

  • 1½ cups Pop’s Sweet Heat BBQ Sauce

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

  • ½ tsp black pepper

  • ½ tsp salt

  • Optional garnish: sliced green onions or parsley

How to Make Holiday Sweet Heat BBQ Wings

Step 1: Prep the Wings

Pat wings dry with paper towels. Toss with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.

Step 2: Bake or Grill

Oven Method (Best for Winter):
Preheat oven to 425°F. Place wings on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Bake for 40–45 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy.

Grill Method:
Preheat grill to medium heat (375–400°F). Grill wings for 20–25 minutes, turning occasionally until cooked through.

Step 3: Sauce & Caramelize

Transfer wings to a bowl and toss generously with Pop’s Sweet Heat BBQ Sauce. Return wings to the oven or grill for 5–7 minutes to caramelize the sauce.

Step 4: Finish & Serve

Remove wings once sauce is sticky and glossy. Garnish with green onions or parsley and serve hot.

Holiday Serving Ideas

Serve these wings alongside:

  • Creamy coleslaw

  • Baked mac & cheese

  • Roasted potatoes

  • Cornbread or dinner rolls

  • Holiday punch or spiced cider

They’re perfect for buffet-style holiday meals.

Make-Ahead Tips for Stress-Free Holidays

  • Bake wings up to 1 day ahead

  • Refrigerate, then reheat at 400°F

  • Sauce and caramelize just before serving

Why Sweet Heat BBQ Sauce Is Perfect for the Holidays

Pop’s Sweet Heat BBQ Sauce adds:

  • Sweetness that pairs well with holiday sides

  • Gentle heat that keeps guests coming back

  • A festive red glaze perfect for holiday tables

It’s bold without being overpowering—ideal for entertaining.

A Holiday BBQ Recipe That Stands Out

If you’re looking for holiday BBQ recipes that impress, these Sweet Heat BBQ chicken wings deliver big flavor, easy prep, and guaranteed compliments.

Bring bold flavor to your holiday table with Pop’s BBQ Pit.

 

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Smoked Ribs with Apple BBQ Sauce: A Backyard Favorite

The Secret to Perfect Smoked Ribs

Great ribs start with patience—and finish with the right sauce. Pop’s Apple BBQ Sauce enhances smoky pork flavor without overpowering it, delivering a rich, traditional BBQ finish.

Smoked BBQ Ribs Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat smoker to 250°F.

  2. Remove membrane from ribs and apply seasoning generously.

  3. Smoke ribs for 3 hours uncovered.

  4. Wrap ribs in foil and smoke 2 more hours.

  5. Unwrap, brush with Pop’s Classic BBQ Sauce, and smoke 1 final hour.

  6. Sauce again during last 15 minutes for a sticky glaze.

Pro Tip

Avoid saucing too early—this prevents burning and keeps ribs tender.

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Easy BBQ Chicken Recipe for Summer Cookouts

Nothing says summer like juicy BBQ chicken fresh off the grill. This easy BBQ chicken recipe is perfect for backyard cookouts, family gatherings, and weeknight grilling. It’s simple, flavorful, and made even better with Pop’s BBQ Pit Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce for a sweet, tangy finish that caramelizes beautifully.

Why This BBQ Chicken Recipe Works

  • ✔ Easy for beginners

  • ✔ Ready in under 40 minutes

  • ✔ Perfect for grills, smokers, or ovens

  • ✔ Crowd-pleasing flavor for summer cookouts

This recipe focuses on juicy chicken with bold BBQ flavor—no complicated steps, just great results.

Easy BBQ Chicken Ingredients

  • 4–6 bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks

  • 1 cup Pop’s Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • 1 tsp paprika

  • ½ tsp black pepper

  • ½ tsp salt

How to Make Easy BBQ Chicken

Step 1: Prep the Chicken

Pat the chicken dry. Rub lightly with olive oil, then season evenly with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

Step 2: Heat the Grill

Preheat grill to medium heat (375–400°F). Clean and oil grates to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Grill the Chicken

Place chicken on the grill and cook for 6–7 minutes per side, flipping once, until nearly cooked through.

Step 4: Add the BBQ Sauce

Brush generously with Pop’s Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce. Grill for an additional 3–5 minutes per side, brushing again until the sauce thickens and caramelizes.

Step 5: Rest & Serve

Remove from grill when internal temperature reaches 165°F. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips for Juicy BBQ Chicken

  • Don’t sauce too early—BBQ sauce can burn

  • Keep grill heat moderate for even cooking

  • Use bone-in chicken for extra moisture

  • Let the chicken rest before serving

What to Serve with BBQ Chicken

  • Corn on the cob

  • Potato salad

  • Baked beans

  • Coleslaw

  • Grilled vegetables

This makes the perfect summer BBQ plate.

Why Use Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce?

Pop’s Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce adds:

  • Sweet + tangy balance

  • A glossy, sticky glaze

  • Bold flavor without overpowering the chicken

It’s ideal for chicken, pork, wings, and holiday meals.

Easy BBQ Chicken for Every Occasion

Whether you’re hosting a summer cookout, feeding the family, or meal prepping for the week, this easy BBQ chicken recipe delivers big flavor with minimal effort.

Want more BBQ inspiration? Explore more recipes and sauces from Pop’s BBQ Pit and turn every cookout into a crowd favorite.

 

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New Year, New Flavor: Kicking Off 2026 with Pop’s BBQ Pit

As the calendar turns and the New Year’s resolutions start rolling in, there’s one thing we refuse to leave behind: Authentic, bold flavor.

At Pop’s BBQ Pit, our motto has always been simple: “Life’s too short for bad BBQ.” Whether you’re a seasoned pit-master or a backyard griller just getting started, the new year is the perfect time to level up your smoke game and bring some serious Southern tradition to your table.

1. Resolve to Eat Better (BBQ, That Is)

Most people use January to start a diet, but we think it’s the perfect time to focus on quality. Our small-batch sauces and rubs are crafted with patience and high-quality ingredients. This year, ditch the mass-produced, high-fructose grocery store bottles and experience the difference that “small-batch” makes. From our sweet and tangy classics to our Peach and Honey Mustard blends, every bottle is a resolution to eat better.

2. Smoke Your New Year’s Traditions

Starting the year with a New Year’s Day meal? Whether you’re smoking a traditional ham, a celebratory brisket, or even adding a kick to your black-eyed peas, our signature seasonings and rubs are designed to bring out the best in every cut of meat.

  • Pro Tip: Use our Sweet Heat or Apple BBQ Sauce to glaze your holiday leftovers for a flavor profile that feels brand new.

3. Mastering the “Low and Slow” Lifestyle

Barbecue is about more than just food; it’s about patience. In a world that moves too fast, let 2026 be the year you embrace the “low and slow” lifestyle. Spend more time by the smoker, more time with family, and more time enjoying the craft of real BBQ.

What’s Coming in 2026?

We are excited to keep serving the BBQ community across the United States. Keep an eye on our Event Schedule to see where we’ll be popping up next, and don’t forget to check out our Online Store to restock your pantry for the winter grilling season.

From our pit to yours, we wish you a smoky, savory, and incredibly happy New Year!

Ready to start the year right? Shop Pop’s BBQ Pit Now