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National Barbecue & Grilling Association

2026 Awards of Excellence Top 5

The best commercial barbecue products, media and brands in the country, judged blind by our panel. Congratulations to every winner, and thank you to everyone who entered.

37 categories · 8 divisions · We are BBQ

BBQ Sauces

Fruit BBQ Sauce

  1. 1stBerry GarciaRussell's Dam Good BBQ
  2. 2ndOriginal Nashville SauceCharcoal Cowboys
  3. 3rdDarksideRussell's Dam Good BBQ
  4. 4thBlackberry HeatMc8 BBQ Sauce
  5. 5thUncle Earnie's World Famous BBQ Sauce – SpicyUncle Earnie's BBQ

Vinegar Mild BBQ Sauce

  1. 1stSteak Tank HQ SauceSTEAKTANK.COM
  2. 2ndCherry CompetitionFirefly Barbecue Ltd
  3. 3rdMeat Mitch Naked BBQ SauceMeat Mitch
  4. 4thSteak Tank Tactical SauceSTEAKTANK.COM
  5. 5thSouthern BelleMeat Rushmore

Tomato Mild BBQ Sauce

  1. 1stHoly Smoke Sweet SauceHoly Smoke LLC
  2. 2ndSmoke 'n Magic Sweet BBQ SauceSmoke 'n Magic
  3. 3rdSasquatchRussell's Dam Good BBQ
  4. 4thBackyard RedJohnny Wolfpack Seasonings
  5. 5thFoundry Series Sweet Peach SauceCroix Valley Foods

Mustard BBQ Sauce

  1. 1stCarolinaRussell's Dam Good BBQ
  2. 2ndSouthern GoldPapa Pope's BBQ Sauce
  3. 3rdGnarly GoldThe Gnarly Sauce Company
  4. 4thJack's Bar-B-Que Carolina Bar-B-Que SauceJack Cawthon's Bar-B-Que
  5. 5thMeat Mitch Yellow Brick Road SauceMeat Mitch

Original BBQ Sauce

  1. 1stCherry GlazeBaylee Jo's BBQ
  2. 2ndSouthern TangyThe Rib Doctor, Inc.
  3. 3rdSmokeyRussell's Dam Good BBQ
  4. 4thCarolina Sweet HeatLid Licking Sauce
  5. 5thBuzzz'd BunnyKillerBunny BBQ

Vinegar Spicy BBQ Sauce

  1. 1stSteak Tank Tactical SauceSTEAKTANK.COM
  2. 2ndNeon NightsAces Wild BBQ
  3. 3rdNashville Hot ChickenCharcoal Cowboys
  4. 4thJack's Bar-B-Que Tennessee OriginalJack Cawthon's Bar-B-Que
  5. 5thMemphisRussell's Dam Good BBQ

Tomato Spicy BBQ Sauce

  1. 1stSmoke 'n Magic Spicy BBQ SauceSmoke 'n Magic
  2. 2ndHigh Altitude HeatFox & Hound
  3. 3rdKP's Prime Sweet Habanero (Hot)KP's Prime LLC
  4. 4thStegy's Sweet HeatStegy's BBQ
  5. 5thPatriot SpicyCode 3 Spices

BBQ Rubs

Beef Rub

  1. 1stTex MexJohnny Wolfpack Seasonings
  2. 2ndBig BeefPrairie Smoke & Spice BBQ
  3. 3rdAll PurposeMeat Rushmore
  4. 4thSteak Tank Sweet HeatSTEAKTANK.COM
  5. 5thSlade's Sweet & SpicySlade's BBQ

Poultry Rub

  1. 1stAll PurposeMeat Rushmore
  2. 2ndEwe Butter CluckerMeat Apostles
  3. 3rdWhite LightningBoars Night Out
  4. 4thJack's Bar-B-Que Hand RubJack Cawthon's Bar-B-Que
  5. 5thUncle Wayne's FajitaUncle Wayne's Barbecue

Seafood Rub

  1. 1stMidwest DustBoars Night Out
  2. 2ndSweet & TangyPrairie Smoke & Spice BBQ
  3. 3rdOriginal NashvilleCharcoal Cowboys
  4. 4thSlade's River RubSlade's BBQ
  5. 5thSouthern ThunderBoars Night Out

Pork Rub

  1. 1stPorky's PalaceAces Wild BBQ
  2. 2ndTrash Can MolassesMeat Apostles
  3. 3rdSteak Tank FajitaSTEAKTANK.COM
  4. 4thEverything SeasoningJohnny Wolfpack Seasonings
  5. 5thSpicy White LightningBoars Night Out

Spicy Rub

  1. 1stHuney ChipotleMeat Apostles
  2. 2ndDouble Garlic White LightningBoars Night Out
  3. 3rdBBQ RubBoars Night Out
  4. 4thSteak Tank Sweet HeatSTEAKTANK.COM
  5. 5thWhite LightningBoars Night Out

Original Rub

  1. 1stJDW's Million Dollar RubSTEAKTANK.COM
  2. 2ndSweet PurposeOle Hickory Pits
  3. 3rdUncle Hemmy's Peachin' Ain't EasyUncle Hemmy BBQ Ltd
  4. 4thJailhouse Romance RubFront Line Spice N' Rub Co.
  5. 5thMaple RubRussell's Dam Good BBQ

BBQ Food

BBQ Gift Pack

  1. 1stWillingham's World Champion BBQ Seasoning Gift BoxWillingham's
  2. 2ndJack's Bar-B-Que 4 Pack with Free Hand RubJack Cawthon's Bar-B-Que
  3. 3rdRib Lovers Combo PackDutch Oven Smokehouse
  4. 4thOld Dog Sauce and SpiceOld Dog Sauce and Spice
  5. 5thBarbecue Sauce Collection (Maple Chipotle, Honey Roasted, Hickory Smoked)Bequette's QueZing, LLC

BBQ Snack

  1. 1stSmokehouse Crackers – Cinnamon CrackersSpices Smokehouse Crackers
  2. 2ndHoly Smoke BBQ PicklesHoly Smoke LLC
  3. 3rdMeat Mitch Whomp! CornMeat Mitch
  4. 4thSmokehouse Crackers – BBQ CrackersSpices Smokehouse Crackers
  5. 5thMeat Mitch Candied Jalapeño PopcornMeat Mitch

BBQ Marinade

  1. 1stPork WrapMeat Rushmore
  2. 2ndLone Star Gold MarinadeP & L Steaks Grilling Supply LLC
  3. 3rdBovine Injection and MarinadeTriple 9 BBQ
  4. 4thW'ham Sauce – MarinadeWillingham's
  5. 5thSouthern TangyThe Rib Doctor, Inc.

Equipment & Product Design

BBQ Tool / Accessory

  1. 1stChefsTemp ProTemp S1 Patented Smart Grill Gauge Thermometer HubChefsTemp
  2. 2ndChefsTemp Finaltouch X10 Professional Instant Read Thermometer (US Patriotic Limited Edition)ChefsTemp
  3. 3rdGrillFighter Chainmail Brush (with accompanying Cauldron)Innovation Factory
  4. 4thChefsTemp 2 Plus Needle Probe Wireless Meat Thermometer with Temperature ControllerChefsTemp
  5. 5thRoyal Oak 100% Charcoal & Hickory Blended PelletsRoyal Oak Charcoal

Apparel

  1. 1stI Got Sauce T-shirtJack Cawthon's Bar-B-Que
  2. 2ndLet the Pigs Fly T-shirtJack Cawthon's Bar-B-Que
  3. 3rdGrillFighter Suit-of-Armor ApronInnovation Factory
  4. 4thWillis T-shirtBoars Night Out
  5. 5thSweet Sooie T-shirt DesignP & L Steaks Grilling Supply LLC
  6. 5thReal TN BBQPeg Leg Porker

Product Label Design

  1. 1stBlackDog BBQ SauceBeer's BlackDog BBQ
  2. 2ndPeg Leg Porker The Original BBQ SeasoningPeg Leg Porker
  3. 3rdLong Haired Cowboy Yellow Belly Mustard SauceRebel Fire Que'N Company
  4. 4thPeg Leg Porker Original BBQ SaucePeg Leg Porker
  5. 5thMantis The Devil's in the DatilMantis BBQ
  6. 5thNeon Lights LIT UPAces Wild BBQ

Marketing Material

  1. 1stBarefoot Kitchen Marketing Promotional BoxBequette's QueZing, LLC
  2. 2ndBarefoot Kitchen Product Line BrochureBequette's QueZing, LLC
  3. 3rdPrairie Fresh I Heart BBQ Plushy PigPrairie Fresh
  4. 4thIt's A Twang Thang (Logo Sticker)Smoke 'n Magic

BBQ Digital Media

BBQ Blog

  1. 1stRevolution BBQRevolution Barbecue
  2. 2ndBush CookingBush Cooking

Website

  1. 1stamazingribs.comAmazingRibs.com
  2. 2ndPrairie Fresh BBQ Pit StopPrairie Fresh
  3. 3rdwww.peglegporker.comPeg Leg Porker
  4. 4threvolutionbbq.comRevolution Barbecue
  5. 5thbushcooking.comBush Cooking

BBQ Audio Series

  1. 1stGrab 'Em In The BrisketGrab 'Em In The Brisket
  2. 2ndBBQ Therapy PodcastBBQ Therapy Podcast

Video Series

  1. 1stGrab 'Em In The BrisketGrab 'Em In The Brisket
  2. 2ndPrairie Fresh Master Class Shorts SeriesPrairie Fresh

Single BBQ Focused Video

  1. 1stPrairie Fresh Pit Talk Episode 3: BBQ Tips, Pork Cuts, and Pitmaster StoriesPrairie Fresh
  2. 2ndFire Kitchen with Adam Roberts – Tunstead OystersPitmaster Adam Roberts
  3. 3rdTaking Care of BusinessPeg Leg Porker
  4. 4thThe Aldi Brisket! Will It Make the Cut? Show & Tell on the Pellet Cooker!Ronnie Ribeye – American Griller
  5. 5thPrairie Fresh Pit Talk Episode 1: How Pitmasters Started in Barbecue & GrillingPrairie Fresh

BBQ Short-Form Video (60 Seconds or Less)

  1. 1stGrab 'Em In The Brisket Instagram: “Making it look easy at @stoneranchtx”Grab 'Em In The Brisket
  2. 2ndHow to Wrap a Bacon Weave with The Shed BBQPrairie Fresh
  3. 3rdWelcome to Mantis BBQ & the Mantis Family StoryMantis BBQ
  4. 4thWhat Barbecue Really Means to These Pitmasters | Prairie Fresh #shortsPrairie Fresh
  5. 5thGrilled Flank SteakThe Rib Doctor, Inc.

Publications & Literary Works

Educational Writing

  1. 1stSmoke 'n Magic in Barbecue News Magazine – Mastering Fire ControlSmoke 'n Magic
  2. 2ndFrom Menu to Merchandise – Leveraging Brand Loyalty Beyond the PlatePeg Leg Porker
  3. 3rdCreate a Memorable Dining Experience – How Restaurants Turn Meals Into…Peg Leg Porker
  4. 4thBuilding a Hospitality Brand that Withstands ChallengesPeg Leg Porker

BBQ Focus Article

  1. 1stSmoke 'n Magic in The Smoke Sheet – Resting Meat: Why It's ImportantSmoke 'n Magic
  2. 2ndSmoke 'n Magic in The Smoke Sheet – How to Achieve the Perfect BarkSmoke 'n Magic

Book

  1. 1stThe Meathead MethodAmazingRibs.com
  2. 2ndBritish & Australian BBQ Secrets Volume 3Benjamin Bartlett

BBQ Photography

BBQ Commercial Photo

  1. 1stSmoked Dirty Rice CrayfishAmazingRibs.com
  2. 2ndMarinadeAmazingRibs.com
  3. 3rdRed SnapperAmazingRibs.com
  4. 4thAces Wild Product LineAces Wild BBQ
  5. 5thSmoke Squash BisqueAmazingRibs.com

Blog / Personal Photo

  1. 1stLegends6 Ten Strong Media
  2. 2ndPitmasters Light Your Fire – Willingham's MIM 2025Willingham's
  3. 3rdAces Wild LivefireAces Wild BBQ

Character Photograph

  1. 1stFinishing Touches – Willingham's MIM 2025Willingham's
  2. 2ndChef Mantis on Game DayMantis BBQ
  3. 3rdThe Night Man6 Ten Strong Media
  4. 4thChef Mantis Getting MessyMantis BBQ
  5. 5thCarnivore Carnival – The Ferris WheelBoars Night Out

BBQ Food Photo

  1. 1stBad Bones Jalapeño BaconBad Bones BBQ
  2. 2ndBad Bones Chicken Wings 2Bad Bones BBQ
  3. 3rdBest in Show Hondo6 Ten Strong Media
  4. 4thBad Bones Whole HogBad Bones BBQ
  5. 5thBad Bones Shot Gun ShellsBad Bones BBQ

Live Fire Photo

  1. 1stAces Wild Live FireAces Wild BBQ
  2. 2ndBad Bones Cowboy SteakBad Bones BBQ
  3. 3rdWinter BBQMantis BBQ
  4. 4thHangin in The Heat6 Ten Strong Media
  5. 5thBad Bones PicanhaBad Bones BBQ

BBQ Drinks

Mixers

  1. 1stTwisted Axe Bloody Mary MixFireman John's BBQ
  2. 2ndSmoke 'n Magic Bloody Mary MixSmoke 'n Magic
  3. 3rdFat Boy Spicy Bloody Mary MixBar B Que Specialties, Inc.
  4. 4thSmoked Whiskey CocktailCharcoal Cowboys
  5. 5thFat Boy Mild Bloody Mary MixBar B Que Specialties, Inc.

Spirits

  1. 1stPeg Leg Porker BourbonPeg Leg Porker
  2. 2ndPeg Leg Porker VodkaPeg Leg Porker
  3. 3rdCheerwine Bourbon SlushCarolina Beverage Corp

Non-Alcoholic Beverage

  1. 1stCheerwine Soft DrinkCarolina Beverage Corp

Thank you to our sponsor

Prairie Fresh

And to everyone who entered. You make this industry better.

Now accepting entries

Think you can knock them off the podium?

2027 Awards of Excellence entries must be received by November 23, 2026. Judging is December 5 in Byhalia, MS. New this year: BBQ Art, Sides & Condiments, Fuel, New Product of the Year and the Community Impact Award.

Enter the 2027 Awards