San Angelo Rodeo Cook-Off Weekend-Time To Improve Your “Sides” Action

If you smell the unmistakable aroma of smoky Mesquite this Saturday, then follow your nose to the South end of the First Community Spur Arena, in the area between the arena and the old horse barn.  There, an amazing collection of 4-Person teams will be competing in the San Angelo Rodeo and Stock Show Championship Cook-Off.

The teams will be competing in a number of categories. There's the Beef Brisket division, The Pork Spare Ribs and Chicken Categories and the Jalapeno Poppers category.

The Championship Cookoff is the Official Kickoff of the Grilling Season in San Angelo. By now, if your grilling game isn't on point, you better plan to sit this summer out. But, even the best grill masters often fall short in their "sides" game.   These are the Top Sides every West Texas Barbeque must have to be a hit.

The Beer 

If you pick the wrong beer, then your barbeque skills, no matter how good they are, will be wasted.  People will leave your barbeque disappointed. They will talk about you behind your back.  You might even find anonymous posts on social media calling you out by name.  The best way a Texan can find utter grilling disgrace is to pair the wrong beer with his/her barbeque.  With all that being said, the best way to start an argument in Texas is to try to reach consensus on what beer goes best with barbeque.

Slaw

Let's face it most slaw is a mayo mushy mess.  It takes a rare recipe to leave the barbeque crowd impressed with the slaw.  An absolute standout is chipotle slaw, with lots of black pepper and spicy chipotle flavor.  This will certainly stand up to the strong flavor of well grilled meat.

Beans

Texas BBQ Beans are an artform. Thinking of the beans as an afterthought will get you thrown out of the super secret Society of  Texas Barbeque Chefs. Make sure you put the beans front and center.

Potato Salad

Everyone and their granny thinks they have the best potato salad recipe.  They're wrong. It takes a special combination of flavor to make a potato salad that will stand up to the flavor of smoked meat.  A Texas favorite is horseradish potato salad.  This one will tingle your taste buds and get excited tongues wagging about your skills as a barbeque specialist.

Corn on the Cob

There is nothing on earth as good as freshly mesquite grilled corn-on-the-cob.  Make sure you wrap it in butter.  NOT MARGARINE. No self-respecting Texan would ruin their corn with Margarine. That's like getting your salsa from New York City.

Cucumber Salad

There are some great recipes.  My favorite are added to melba toast making                hors d'oeuvres. Every great Texas Barbeque needs a word that's really hard to spell.  Especially, if you're sounding it out.L

Ladies and Gentleman Start Your Grills.....and let's have an incredible San Angelo Grill Season

Get our free mobile app