BBQ Spritzer Recipe
This simple-to-make BBQ spritzer is a concoction of different flavorful liquids used to enhance the flavor of slow-smoked cooked meats.
Ingredients
- 1 cup beer
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup apple juice
Instructions
- Measure out equal parts of the apple juice, vinegar, and beer. I prefer to do this in a large measuring cup with a spout for easier pouring.
- Pour the mixture into a spray bottle of your choice. I usually just pick these up from a local hardware store. The most important aspect is ensuring you can adjust the nozzle.
- Spray your BBQ or smoked meats as needed onto the drier areas. This will almost always take place before whatever it is your smoking is wrapped to push through the stall.
Notes
When smoking, it’s common to place a drip pan under the meat. Try adding some of the spritzer mix into that pan. This technique will allow the liquid to steam into the meat making it flavorful and juicy.
What is bark? Bark is the result of a chemical reaction that takes place including caramelization and the Maillard reaction forming a dark browned outside on the meat.
No spray bottle: If you do not have a spray bottle you can easily brush the spritzer using a pastry brush and applying it directly to the areas of the meat that need it.
Understanding the stall: The stall is when a bigger piece of meat stalls out at a specific temperature, usually between 160° and 165°.This happens from the liquid that is evaporating off of the meats surface causing it to cool. This is very similar to sweating when you’re working out. It can sometimes push through in a shorter amount of time, but most often it can take several hours.
Pushing through the stall: Wrapping meat in butcher’s paper or foil once your meat stalls helps to move the internal temperature along so that it is not sitting too long. However, when you do this you could lose out on the coveted bark that forms on the outside.
Make-Ahead: Depending on the ingredients, you can make this up to a week ahead of time.
How to Store: If using things like beer, butter, or stock, I transfer it to a container with a lid and place it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. When using only water as the liquid, I keep out at room temperature in the spray bottle for up to 2 weeks. You can freeze this covered in a container for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator for 1 day or until thawed before using it.
Nutrition
Calories: 89kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 0.4gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.02gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.03gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.003gSodium: 10mgPotassium: 163mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 0.3mg